(Chicago, IL 1/28/12) UFC on FOX 2 may not have been the most exciting night of fights, but it was better than 64 seconds. This time around, those watching on television were exposed to all aspects of the game instead of just one minute of kicks and a fight ending overhand right.
Ground magician Demian Maia (15-3) and last minute replacement Chris Weidman (7-0) kicked off the televised potion of the night as many expected the fight to go to the ground quickly…it didn’t. As the fight started, Weidman landed the stronger shots and actually cut Maia early. In the second round, Maia pressed a little more but it was Weidman who got the takedown late in the round almost getting Maia’s back. Round 3 really showed the exhaustion of both fighters and justly so for Weidman as he had to cut 34 pounds in 10 days for the fight. Weidman would go on to take the split decision victory as he continues his fast rise up the middleweight ladder.
The second fight was supposed to feature Mark Munoz versus Chael Sonnen (26-11-1) but Munoz had to pull out due to an elbow injury so Michael Bisping (22-3-0) stepped up to take his place. Dana White said earlier in the month that the winner of this fight would get the next shot at current middleweight champion Anderson Silva. As expected in the first round, Sonnen took down Bisping but was not able to keep him down for long. Bisping showed that he had the edge on his feet as he landing a spinning back kick to end the close round.
In round 2, Sonnen was all over Bisping, getting take downs at will but Bisping did a good job staying in the fight but developed a small cut going into the final round. In the third round, it was Sonnen who was more active as he would eventually take Bisping’s back trying for the rear naked choke. He could not get that and slid into mount to end the round. Sonnen would get the unanimous win over Bisping but many thought that Bisping won the fight including “The Count” himself. “There is no way on earth that it was 30-27,” said Bisping. “That judge needs to have a serious think about his career options.” Sonnen versus Silva 2 will probably take place sometime this summer, but Sonnen was more interested in giving Bisping praise for the fight, than talking about Silva. “I’d rather talk about real men like Mr. Bisping who steps in on ten days’ notice to fight me.” said Sonnen. “Those are the guys I want to give media attention too. Not some bum hiding out in Brazil. “Michael Bisping hit me so hard in the first round, I didn’t even know what day it was,” said Sonnen. “I don’t have a bad thing in the world to say about the guy.”
The nights main event pitted undefeated Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (9-0) versus “Suga” Rashad Evans (16-1-1). This fight also had huge title implications as the winner would get the next shot at current Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in April. Davis came out strong in round 1 landing solid kicks to Evans but it didn’t take long for Evans to take Davis down and secure a mounted crucifix to end off the round. Round 2 mimicked round one as Davis and Evans went back and forth, neither landing anything big and it was Evans who took down Davis again and got the crucifix again but couldn’t finish off “Mr. Wonderful”.
Round 3 and Round 4 had minimal action as both fighters were trying to make something happen but could not. Davis started to slow down and show the look of defeat in his face. Round 5 it was Evans this time that looked disappointed with not being able to finish Davis and for the third time, caught Davis in the crucifix mount but could not get the TKO. All judges would score the fight 45-50 as Evans would get the win and the title shot against Jones in April pending medical results. “I felt good about the performance,” said Evans. “There were a couple of missed opportunities that I wish I would have capitalized on. When you have in your mind that you want to finish a fight in a certain way but it doesn’t happen, it’s kind of disappointing.” UFC will return to Las Vegas on Saturday, February 4th as Carlos Condi takes on Nick Diaz at UFC 143.
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