2021
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Tag: Dan Miragliotta
video review : Charles Oliveira versus Michael Chandler at UFC 262
Michael Chandler comes close to a TKO victory in the very first round of this fight, but Charles Oliveira survives. What happens early in round two is akin to Oliveira; “the number-one submission guy in the history of The UFC”; being submitted by Chandler, the “gorilla”.
Oliveira lands a left to Chandler’s face that puts him on his ass. He (Chandler) spins back up only to get caught again, with the same punch, a few seconds later. Down he goes again and Dan Miragliotta’s seen enough, which makes Oliveira the new Lightweight Champion.
my rating : 4 of 5
2021
video review : Anderson Silva versus Demian Maia at UFC 112
Demian Maia is simply outclassed here. His one technical advantage would be his jiu-jitsu on the ground, but, as much as he tries, he can’t manage to get Anderson Silva down. That should mean another quick KO for the champion and the fight looks like it’s going that way for the first couple of rounds as Silva entertains the crowd with his “confidence-crushing clowning”, but he stops mid-bout.
With that, the fourth round becomes a dance-off as the two fighters move around The Octagon basically doing a lot of nothing. Round 5 isn’t much better, though a one-eyed Maia does commit to an early flurry of strikes near the beginning. The crowd, the commentators, the ref and even Silva himself seem to blame Silva for the weird and lackluster bout, but I’d also put some of that blame on his opponent.
my rating : 2 of 5
2010
video review : Francis Ngannou versus Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249
Francis Ngannou is probably the last UFC contender I’d want to punch me in the face. He puts Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who was talking Big shit during the promo; “I’m not playing no games; I’m going to really knock his ass out”; to sleep in sixteen seconds, which, without a crowd at UFC 249 to cushion the blow, seems surreal.
my rating : 3 of 5
2020
video review : Jon Jones versus Dominick Reyes at UFC 247
This is like the first Floyd Mayweather versus Marcos Maidana fight when Maidana (Reyes) bettered Mayweather (Jones) early but got outskilled, or perhaps just tired, as the match progressed. Still it’s a close bout, one in which the decision could’ve went either way.
I think Jon Jones should’ve lost his previous fight with Thiago Santos. It’s tougher to disagree with the judges on this one. Dominick Reyes displays more effective striking in the first three rounds, but the pressure of Jones has him on the backfoot for most of the bout.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Michael Page versus Richard Kiely at Bellator 227
Dan Miragliotta acts like a sensitive bitch here. He docks a point from Michael Page for taunting Richard Kiely; fighters are supposed to show “respect” while trying to knock each other unconscious; but that’s just Page’s style. It’s part of what makes his fights entertaining. Not that the point matters in the end. The bout doesn’t go pass the first round.
my rating : 3 of 5
2019
video review : Robert Whittaker versus Yoel Romero at UFC 225
Yoel Romero probably would’ve won this fight via decision if he wasn’t so inactive in the first couple of rounds. It’s not until a jab swells his right eye nearly shut that he starts to pick up the pace.
Whittaker lands more strikes; he fights with constant pressure; but Romero’s are more effective. When he connects, he connects with power. Whittaker is knocked nearly limp a couple of times.
my rating : 4 of 5
2018
video review : Chris Weidman versus Jacaré Souza at UFC 230
“What a fight,” Joe Rogan comments at the end. I agree. This is one hell of a fight; a kickboxing brawl that, while Chris Weidman looks a tad sharper, goes back and forth fairly evenly until Souza shuts him down.
That’s literally what it looks like; someone pressing a robot’s off button; as Weidman slowly falls over from a big overhand right to the temple. It’s a third round KO and his fourth loss in less than three years.
my rating : 4 of 5
2018