It does feel as if it’s time for a UFC show. Like I mentioned in the preview, I’ve actually missed the UFC for the first time in a little while.
1. Charles Oliveira vs. Cub Swanson
Swanson quickly KO’d Oliveira with a left to the body and an overhand right. Brutal KO.
Winner: Cub Swanson by way of 1st round TKO
2. Roger Hollett vs. Matt Hamill
Hamill was active early on while it took Hollett a little while to get going. Hamill got a takedown and started hammering with hammer fists for a lot of the round. Hollett got up and landed a nice body shot to end the round.
Hamill is winning this fight with smart takedowns, but he’s not reacting well to the punches, especially downstairs. Hollett can’t stop the takedowns though.
The third round was much of the same. Hamill decided that rather than take any abuse on his feet, he was going to go for takedowns and it was fairly easy. Hollett didn’t fight him very much and was taken down at will.
Winner: Matt Hamill by unanimous decision
3. Brian Stann vs. Michael Bisping
Bisping looked good early on with solid boxing. Stann was holding his own though and he definitely has the power edge. Late in the round, Stann landed a big right. Stann also defended Bisping’s takedown attempts very well. I’d probably still give the round to Bisping slightly.
This was much more clearly Bisping’s round. He scored two takedowns and looks to have the edge in the gas tank. Stann wasn’t able to land the heavy shots to make a difference in this round.
It was another clean round for Bisping. His stand-up was sharper, his punches were landing much harder, and he was able to take him down twice. Stann had a good showing, but it’s clear that Bisping is the better fighter.
Winner: Michael Bisping by way of unanimous decision
4. Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez
The guys aren’t really in a good rhythm yet. Neither looks really comfortable striking. If I have to score it, I’d probably give it to Benavidez because of more powerful strikes.
Johnson had the better round. Benavidez is trying to land a big shot, but is taking several punches while doing it. Johnson is accurate, but it doesn’t look like he’s hurt Benavidez yet. Johnson also landed a nice knee. Benavidez landed a nice left at the end of the round.
I think it’s 2-1 Johnson. Johnson is in such a better rhythm right now. Benavidez is lunging awkwardly, setting himself up to get hit with counter shots. Johnson cut his eye with a short right hand.
I know the judges won’t score it this way, but I’d score it as an even round. Benavidez scored a knockdown and a guillotine on the ground that looked close for a second. But Johnson got two takedowns and had some nice work on the ground. He looks even faster than earlier in the fight.
I think Johnson took the round and the fight as well. His stamina never left him and he looks just as fresh now as he did early in the fight. It was a good fight, not a great fight, but Johnson was clearly a step ahead of Benavidez. I have Johnson winning the fight 3-1-1.
Winner: Demetrioius Johnson by way of split decision
5. Vitor Belfort vs. Jon Jones
It was an amazing round for about 15 seconds. Jones had an early takedown, but in Belfort’s guard, he got lazy and Belfort had a nasty arm bar locked in. It looked like he was done. But he perservered and finally was able to get out of it, maybe because Belfort got tired. Jones ended the round on top of Belfort like nothing happened.
The second round was much like the first round, except for the arm bar. Jones is in control and he landed some nasty elbows on the ground. Belfort is hanging, but he’s not doing any damage.
Belfort is out of his league. Jones landed a side kick and Belfort fell into his guard and took more punishment. He fell into his guard one more time. He took a lot of punishment on the ground.
Jones finished the fight in the fourth. He took the little brother position and got an Americana.
Winner: Jon Jones by way of 4th round submission
