video review : Anderson Silva versus Forrest Griffin at UFC 101

video review : Anderson Silva versus Forrest Griffin at UFC 101

This is not only “one of the most embarrassing knockouts I think we’ve ever seen,” it’s also one of the funniest. Forrest Griffin looks like he’s goofing around when he falls down for the third time from a paw punch that looks like it’s “not even a very hard one”.

I don’t know if what happens in this short bout; it ends in the first round; has more to do with Forrest Griffin having a bad day or Anderson Silva being arguably the best (pound-for-pound) fighter in The UFC, but both factors seem to be at play.

my rating : 4 of 5

2009

video review : Sean O’Malley versus Marlon Vera at UFC 252

video review : Sean O'Malley versus Marlon Vera at UFC 252

Another hype train derailed? Perhaps, but not so fast. Sean O’Malley seems on his way to victory here until his right leg fails him, which causes him to fall and lose. Whether that’s because of a kick from Marlon Vera or a fluke injury is the question. The answer will probably determine how much of “the it factor” he (O’Malley) retains going into his next bout.

my rating : 3 of 5

2020

video review : Paige VanZant versus Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night

video review : Paige VanZant versus Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night

This is a fantasy match of sorts; two of The UFC’s sexiest women going at it. Michelle Waterson begins with a death stare as Page VanZant bounces about happily. That smile is soon wiped away when Waterson throws her to the floor and locks her in a rear naked; yeah, I wish; choke. That’s when the party lights go out.

my rating : 3 of 5

2016

video review : Misha Cirkunov versus Johnny Walker at UFC 235

video review : Misha Cirkunov versus Johnny Walker at UFC 235

Johnny Walker looks like a peak Anderson Silva in this UFC 235 fight, which isn’t much of a fight. Misha Cirkunov throws a left hook out of range, then a left kick. Walker returns with multiple fakes, then boom; a flying knee to the chin. Fight’s over.

What’s unusual about this bout is what happens immediately after. Walker does a miltary salute, presumably to himself, purposely falls facedown on the floor, attempts to do one of his signature dance moves and injures himself in the process.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

video review : Anderson Silva versus Stephan Bonnar at UFC 153

video review : Anderson Silva versus Stephan Bonnar at UFC 153

The bigger they are, the harder they fall… after getting kneed in the solar plexus. Stephan Bonnar talks about taking Anderson Silva “on a ride thru Hell” in his pre-fight monologue, but he gets carjacked in the first round.

Most amusing is how Silva plays with him during the bout, putting his back against the cage and letting him tee off on him as if his 15-0 record isn’t on the line. Joe Rogan wants him to fight Jon Jones. That would be epic.

my rating : 4 of 5

2012

video review : Rose Namajunas versus Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237

video review : Rose Namajunas versus Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237

This fight ends with Rose getting slammed on her head. That’s what she gets for shaving off her beautiful hair. It could’ve cushioned her head and maybe won her the fight. That’s said in jest, of course, but it is unsettling seeing her get dropped like that. She could’ve easily broke her neck.

Cage fighting is a dangerous sport, but Thug Rose was winning until that unfortunate turn of events. Jéssica Andrade is a knockout artist; she sent Karolina Kowalkiewicz on a trip thru the cosmos in her last bout; but Namajunas is faster and more skilled on the feet. On the head? Not so much.

my rating : 4 of 5

2019

video review : UFC 241

video review : UFC 241

Before UFC fans can get over the shock of Mike Beltran’s missing mustache, Ian Heinisch kicks Derek Brunson in the head. Dominick Cruz thinks it’s an instant knockout; you can hear the crack when it lands; but Brunson, fighting smart for a change, goes on to win via decision.

Decisions also go to Paulo Costa over Yoel Romero and Nate Diaz over Anthony Pettis. The former is the best fight; their muscles are impressive and their power is extraordinary; though it’s the latter, specifically Diaz’s return after a three-year hiatus, that was most anticipated.

Stipe Miocic puts on a surprisingly lackluster performance against Daniel Cormier in their Heavyweight Championship title bout; a rematch from UFC 226. He gets punched in the face repeatedly until he finds DC’s weak spot; the liver area Anderson Silva once exploited; and knocks him out.

my rating : 4 of 5

2019

video review : Jon Jones versus Thiago Santos at UFC 239

video review : Jon Jones versus Thiago Santos at UFC 239

Thiago Santos hurts his left leg in Round 2 and it stays that way for the rest of the bout, which causes him to buckle and fall a few times. Still he gives Jon Jones a tough fight, causing him to endure some leg issues of his own. Santos almost floors him with a kick to the calf and goes on to put a nasty welt on his thigh.

Jon Jones is more distant and inactive than usual; he mostly stalks and stares, knowing Santos has the power to knock him out at any moment; but he manages to win the bout via split decision. I was rooting for him, but I’d vote for Santos. Even with his injury, which Joe Rogan speculates is a torn ACL, I think he won this.

my rating : 4 of 5

2019

video review : Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz at UFC 196

video review : Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz at UFC 196

“There is one thing we also should consider and that is the wrestling of Nate Diaz,” Joe Rogan says after a brief exchange about stances, “His submission game is very very highly respected.” The “very/very/highly” bit makes it a ridiculous overstatement, but, as Diaz goes on to prove, the gist is correct.

Conor McGregor has the advantage on the feet; his movement and striking is on a higher level; but Diaz lands a hard punch in the second round, which flips the momentum of the fight. McGregor eventually goes in for a desperate takedown and ends up getting caught in a guillotine choke.

my rating : 4 of 5

2016

video review : Nate Diaz versus Conor McGregor at UFC 202