The UFC event that took place last night was highlighted by a new champion, a sucker punch, and a so called internet legend getting cut from the roster right after the event was over.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua dominated Lyoto Machida and left no doubt who was the winner in their rematch. Many observers thought Rua won the first fight seven months ago and there is no question now who the light heavyweight king is in the UFC.
Machida was perfect coming into the fight, now he no belt, a loss on his record, and a smashed up face to show for his troubles. Rua landed a few big shots, buckled Machida and then pounded him out on the ground before the ref could jump in and stop it.
The win was a highlight victory for Rua and he will be tough to beat for anyone at 205 pounds. There is a very good chance he will face the winner of the Rashad Evans Rampage Jackson fight that takes place in just three weeks on May 29th.
The co-feature between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley was supposed to be a slugfest fight of the night candidate. The winner was told they would get a title shot versus GSP and coach against him on the next edition of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
The fight was terribly boring until after the fight was actually over. Koscheck dominated with his wrestling, many people would have called it lay and pray as he didn’t do much once he got control of Daley.
Things got strange when Daley attempted an illegal knee that appeared to glance off Koscheck’s head. After seeing the replay what seems like fifty times, I’m still not sure if the knee landed. There was a stop in the action and confusion was everywhere. The fight went on and it was after the bell that the poop hit the fan.
Koscheck easily won the fight three rounds to zero. Daley threw an obvious sucker punch a few seconds after the final bell sounded. The ref slammed Daley into the face got in his face. UFC President Dana White said right after the event that Daley will never step inside the octagon again. There is no need for BS like that in the world of mixed martial arts. Bye Paul Daley.
The UFC said so long to another fighter right after the show was over. Kimbo Slice put on another terrible performance and has been cut.
Matt Mitrione sent Kimbo on his way by way of a beatdown. Kimbo never had a chance as he gassed out about a minute into the fight. The ref finally stopped the one sided affair about half way thru round number two.
Full results:
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua def. Lyoto Machida via KO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:35 (to become new light-heavyweight champion)
Josh Koscheck def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jeremy Stephens def. Sam Stout via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Matt Mitrione def. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 4:24
Alan Belcher def. Patrick Cote via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 3:25
Joe Doerksen def. Tom Lawlor via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:10
Marcus Davis def. Jonathan Goulet via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 1:23
Johny Hendricks def. T.J. Grant via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Joey Beltran def. Tim Hague via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
Mike Guymon def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
John Salter def. Jason MacDonald via TKO (injury) - Round 1, 2:42
What was a pretty good night of fights will be remembered for the illegal sucker punch and the final fight for Kimbo Slice in the UFC. That’s a damn shame because Shogun Rua looked excellent in his title winning fight.