UFC 121 recap: Velasquez TKO’s Brock Lesnar to become UFC Heavyweight Champion

By Mike Johnston

The UFC 121 headliner, a heavyweight matchup between Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez, lived up to the hype. The underdog, Velasquez, became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion by defeating Lesnar in the first round via TKO. The fight was an explosive 4-minute battle in which the crowd, and all those watching around the world, was boisterous and in awe of the performance put forth by Velasquez. Lesnar secured a takedown early, but was unable to keep Velasquez on the ground. And, whenever Lesnar was hit with one of Cain’s shots he looked uncomfortable. Eventually Velasquez was able to gain dominant positions on the stronger Lesnar and ended up pounding out a TKO victory at 4:01 of the first round.
In the co-main event, Jake Shields won a decision over Martin Kampmann despite gassing out after the second round. Shields used his superior grappling to win the fight and likely earn himself a title shot against the winner of Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck later this year at UFC 124.

Also on the main card, Matt Hamill defeating Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision due to superior striking and wrestling. Diego Sanchez looked like “The Nightmare” of old as he won an exciting decision over Paulo Thiago. And, Brendan Schaub proved he is in fact ready for elite-level competition as he outpointed Gabriel Gonzaga on route to his third straight UFC win.
In preliminary action Ontario’s Sam Stout won yet another decision, as he defeated Paul Taylor via split decision. The action was basically a standup battle, which is typical of a Stout fight. Also, Quebec’s Patrick Cote lost his third consecutive fight in the UFC after falling victim to an old-fashioned butt whooping courtesy of Tom Lawlor. It was Cote’s lack of counter-wrestling was his downfall.

OFFICIAL MAIN CARD RESULTS


•Cain Velasquez def. Brock Lesnar via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 4:12 - to become new UFC heavyweight champion

•Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

•Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)

•Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

•Brendan Schaub def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS

•Court McGee def. Ryan Jensen via submission (arm-triangle choke) -Round 3, 1:21

•Tom Lawlor def. Patrick Cote via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

•Daniel Roberts def. Mike Guymon via submission (anaconda choke) - Round 1, 1:13

•Sam Stout def. Paul Taylor via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

•Chris Camozzi def. Dongi Yang via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

•Jon Madsen def. Gilbert Yvel via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 1:48

For more information on UFC 121 visit ufc.com.