UFC 132 was one of the most thrilling UFC main cards in recent memory. For MMA fans, it is quite satisfying to witness these kinds of fireworks (no 4th of July pun intended) on the same day that Vladimir Klitschko and David Haye put on a snooze-fest for the boxing heavyweight championship. HBO and boxing promoters marketed that fight as a return to glory for heavyweight boxing. However, all it demonstrated was that, with huge guaranteed paydays regardless of performance (a reported 10 million pounds per fighter in this case), championship boxing is often a complete sham.
The UFC 132 main card, on the other hand, was thrilling from start to finish, with virtually every fighter showing tremendous skill, tenacity and, most importantly, heart. Here is a recap, with some thoughts:
- Carlos Condit KO'd "Stun Gun" Kim three minutes into the first round. Condit launched a magnificent flying knee that literally made Kim go cross-eyed on his way to the canvas. As a result, "The Natural Born Killer" has made the case that he is the most dangerous fighter in the welterweight division. He can take the fight anywhere and end it at a moment's notice. Though Condit does not want to wait around for a title shot, he deserves the winner of GSP-Diaz. And my money would be on him.
- Tito Ortiz submitted Ryan Bader with a beautiful guillotine in the first round. This came after Ortiz slammed a right hook into Bader's cheek, making the younger fighter's legs go limp. Some thought that this would be Ortiz's funeral... but Ortiz, indeed, was the grave digger at the end of the fight. And, believe it or not, this puts Tito in the top-ten among UFC light heavyweights, and should earn him a shot against someone in the top five. With numerous fighters already booked -- Bones v. Rampage, Shogun v. Forrest, Rashad v. Mr. Wonderful, and Lyoto v. the winner of Bones/Rampage -- there is no clear opponent for Tito's next fight. He wants the winner of Griffin/Rua. I'm not interested in another Griffin-Ortiz match-up. But Shogun v. The Huntington Beach Badboy? I'd buy a ringside seat to that.
- Dennis Siver defeated Matt Wiman via unanimous decision in what would have been fight of the night at most other UFC events. All three judges had it 29-28 for Siver. And, indeed, it is a fair argument to say that he took the first and third rounds. However, Wiman bludgeoned the German for 3 minutes of the second round, and had him bleeding all over the canvas. I would say a 10-8 round for Wiman was not completely out of the question. Wiman, and the fans, were upset at the decision. However, it was not a case of negligent judging. In the end, both of these guys remain in the title picture in the lightweight division.
- Chris Leben put Wanderlei Silva to sleep in 27 seconds. Despite the brutal KO, this was a very disappointing fight. The Axe Murderer employed zero strategy in this fight and went toe-to-toe with Leben, throwing sloppy wide hooks. This, certainly, is the dumbest thing a world-class martial artist like Silva could have done. Sure, the fans like a slugfest. However, when you go in chin-first against the Crippler, you have a good chance of ending up face down or, in this case, waving goodbye to your UFC contract.
- Finally, Dominick Cruz outlasted Urijah Faber in one of the best five-rounders we've seen in a while. For 25 minutes, this back-and-forth battle went everywhere. Both men put on a striking, wrestling, and grappling clinic that should be very humbling to other bantamweights viewing the contest. Rightfully, Cruz retained the belt in a unanimous decision. However, he never had Faber in trouble. On the other hand, Faber had Cruz eating canvas on three separate occasions. Faber's hands were heavier, but Cruz was more active, controlled the octagon better, and even out-wrestled the California Kid. Although one imbecile judge scored it 50-45 for Cruz, these guys are clearly one and two in the division. Cruz-Faber III should be scheduled immediately. Don't waste their time with interim opponents.
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