By Mike JohnstonUFC 125 started off 2011 with both a bang and a controversial decision in the main event for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The two headlining combatants fought to a split draw, a rarity in MMA, which resulted in Frankie Edgar retaining his lightweight title.
In the first round Gray Maynard rocked and dropped Edgar on several occasions. Edgar showed tremendous heart and resiliency by not getting finished, but it was a 10-8 round if there ever was such a thing, and all three judges scored it that way. The second round saw Edgar rebound impressively by landing overhand rights and even slamming Maynard in the middle of the round. The third round was more even, though Maynard landed some good shots and took Edgar down late in the round. The fourth round saw Edgar push the pace on a slowing Maynard and take the round. The fifth and final round saw a stalemate as both men stuffed one another’s takedowns and landed an even number of shots. The judges scored the bout Maynard 48-46, Edgar 48-46, and 47-47. A rematch is likely in the works, which leaves Anthony Pettis in no man’s land as he was set to face the winner of Edgar/Maynard and unify the WEC and UFC lightweight titles.
Canadian fans were actively voicing their opinions of the fights online on Facebook and Twitter. “There is no way that Edgar won four of five rounds,” said Carlos from Toronto. “Sick fight, but the 10-8 first round by Maynard should have been the difference and Maynard should be the champ right now. A rematch is essential”
In the co-main event, Brian Stann pulled off the upset over Chris Leben with a first round TKO victory. The win improves Stann’s record at middleweight to 2-0. Stann looked quicker and crisper than Leben and landed several big shots that dropped ‘The Cripler.’ Stann became the first fighter to stop Leben with strikes since Anderson Silva did back in 2006.
In light heavyweight action Thiago Silva dominated Brandon Vera for three rounds and ended up severely breaking the nose of Vera in the third round. On the feet, Vera was getting the better of the exchanges at the beginning of each round, however Silva was able to take Vera down and control him on the ground. Canadian fans were impressed by Silva’s performance. “Looks like Thiago Silva is back among the top 205ers,” said Becky from Victoria, B.C. “And that is the worst broken nose I’ve ever seen. I hope Vera is okay.”
At welterweight, Dong Hyun Kim won a unanimous decision over Nate Diaz much to the displeasure of the fans in attendance. Kim controlled the first two rounds by maintaining top position, although Diaz was the more active fighter, constantly looking for submissions. The third round saw Diaz stuff takedown attempts and pepper Kim with punches along the cage. Canadian fans across the country on Twitter and Facebook were displeased with the decision. “Man, that decision was a bunch of garbage,” said Robert from Brampton, ON. “Sure, Kim controlled the first round, but Nate was way more active in the second and clearly won the third round. Judging in MMA should alter how they score rounds.”
Also on the main card, Clay Guida continued his win streak by defeating Takanori Gomi by submission (guillotine choke) in the second round. The win was Guida’s third straight submission victory.
In preliminary action, Dustin Poirier derailed the Josh Grispi hype train by winning a dominant decision in their featherweight bout. Poirier controlled the action on the feet, landing damaging punches and knees from the clinch. Grispi attempted many submissions, but his opponent thwarted his efforts. Jeremy Stephens knocked out Marcus Davis in dramatic fashion in the third round of their lightweight bout. Davis was ahead on the scorecards when Stephens landed a right hand that put the ‘Irish Hand Grenade’ to sleep. Also, Brad Tavares defeated Phil Baroni in the first round in middleweight action, and Daniel Roberts submitted Greg Sotto with a kimura.
For more info on UFC 125 visit ufc.com and follow @MikeyJ_MMA on Twitter.
MAIN CARD
In the first round Gray Maynard rocked and dropped Edgar on several occasions. Edgar showed tremendous heart and resiliency by not getting finished, but it was a 10-8 round if there ever was such a thing, and all three judges scored it that way. The second round saw Edgar rebound impressively by landing overhand rights and even slamming Maynard in the middle of the round. The third round was more even, though Maynard landed some good shots and took Edgar down late in the round. The fourth round saw Edgar push the pace on a slowing Maynard and take the round. The fifth and final round saw a stalemate as both men stuffed one another’s takedowns and landed an even number of shots. The judges scored the bout Maynard 48-46, Edgar 48-46, and 47-47. A rematch is likely in the works, which leaves Anthony Pettis in no man’s land as he was set to face the winner of Edgar/Maynard and unify the WEC and UFC lightweight titles.
Canadian fans were actively voicing their opinions of the fights online on Facebook and Twitter. “There is no way that Edgar won four of five rounds,” said Carlos from Toronto. “Sick fight, but the 10-8 first round by Maynard should have been the difference and Maynard should be the champ right now. A rematch is essential”
In the co-main event, Brian Stann pulled off the upset over Chris Leben with a first round TKO victory. The win improves Stann’s record at middleweight to 2-0. Stann looked quicker and crisper than Leben and landed several big shots that dropped ‘The Cripler.’ Stann became the first fighter to stop Leben with strikes since Anderson Silva did back in 2006.
In light heavyweight action Thiago Silva dominated Brandon Vera for three rounds and ended up severely breaking the nose of Vera in the third round. On the feet, Vera was getting the better of the exchanges at the beginning of each round, however Silva was able to take Vera down and control him on the ground. Canadian fans were impressed by Silva’s performance. “Looks like Thiago Silva is back among the top 205ers,” said Becky from Victoria, B.C. “And that is the worst broken nose I’ve ever seen. I hope Vera is okay.”
At welterweight, Dong Hyun Kim won a unanimous decision over Nate Diaz much to the displeasure of the fans in attendance. Kim controlled the first two rounds by maintaining top position, although Diaz was the more active fighter, constantly looking for submissions. The third round saw Diaz stuff takedown attempts and pepper Kim with punches along the cage. Canadian fans across the country on Twitter and Facebook were displeased with the decision. “Man, that decision was a bunch of garbage,” said Robert from Brampton, ON. “Sure, Kim controlled the first round, but Nate was way more active in the second and clearly won the third round. Judging in MMA should alter how they score rounds.”
Also on the main card, Clay Guida continued his win streak by defeating Takanori Gomi by submission (guillotine choke) in the second round. The win was Guida’s third straight submission victory.
In preliminary action, Dustin Poirier derailed the Josh Grispi hype train by winning a dominant decision in their featherweight bout. Poirier controlled the action on the feet, landing damaging punches and knees from the clinch. Grispi attempted many submissions, but his opponent thwarted his efforts. Jeremy Stephens knocked out Marcus Davis in dramatic fashion in the third round of their lightweight bout. Davis was ahead on the scorecards when Stephens landed a right hand that put the ‘Irish Hand Grenade’ to sleep. Also, Brad Tavares defeated Phil Baroni in the first round in middleweight action, and Daniel Roberts submitted Greg Sotto with a kimura.
For more info on UFC 125 visit ufc.com and follow @MikeyJ_MMA on Twitter.
MAIN CARD
- Champion Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard declared a draw (48-46, 46-48, 47-47) - lightweight championship fight
- Brian Stann def. Chris Leben via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:37
- Thiago Silva def. Brandon Vera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Dong Hyun Kim def. Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Clay Guida def. Takanori Gomi via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 4:27
- Jeremy Stephens def. Marcus Davis via knockout (punch) - Round 3, 2:33
- Dustin Poirier def. Josh Grispi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Brad Tavares def. Phil Baroni via knockout (strikes) - Round 1, 4:20
- Diego Nunes def. Mike Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Daniel Roberts def. Greg Soto via submission (kimura) - Round 1, 3:45
- Jacob Volkmann def. Antonio McKee via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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