We leave behind the city of sin in the same cloud of dust that we arrived in. We cross the Mojave Desert in the night at speeds that stand a direct challenge to the Radar Enforced Signs that litter the freeway as deterrents to drive safe and reasonable and rational. But after a night that started the way this one had and ended the way it did, speeding across and leaving dust clouds seems to be the only option we have left.
The fights started and watching them seemed like a direct challenge to watching a marathon dancing competition or one of these strange car give aways where the person who can keep their hand on it the longest wins the car. I can’t say that there was no action in the early fights but for the most part we watched people throw a punch here and there when we hoped they would throw a punch there and where. Things instantly changed speed the moment Joseph Benavidez took the cage and the fight that I personally thought would be a grinding war turned into a firefight. An all out bonanza from two people who know technically how to stay sharp and throw accurately decided instead to throw wildly and recklessly. John Moraga gained a lot of fans a secured himself at least three more fights even in defeat. It was nice to see people throw it all out there, when before this fight we seen (outside of a RNR and Arm Triangle finish) people throw very little. The other stand out fight was the career defining performance of Andrei Arlovski. We knew his hands were dangerous and we knew he was dangerous but we didn’t think that he was still dangerous. I had mentioned that his position at #8 isn’t a fact as he lost to Rumble within the last 20 or so months, beat a TRT less Giant Silva that looked slow and beat a Shaub that no one ever thought would win even against an aging former Champ. But Arlovski somehow found that instinct to fight that eluded him during his prime. Arlovski was known as one of the most physically capable fighters in the world but lacked the mental capacity to use it. Whether it was fear of getting hit or second-guessing himself Arlovski never utilized everything he was capable of. Now, with age and wisdom he has come full circle. He fought like a man on a ledge and hearing him say to Browne after the fight, “I’m sorry” and Browne say, “don’t you ever f***ing say you’re sorry, you did your job.” I wanted to cry. I wanted to shout that this sport in all of its violence there is unparalleled beauty and friendship and life. But, I think we seen that, when Browne was hurt and he hit back and when Arlovski decided, I will not lose, not now. I think we all gained something. Be it respect, or courage or hope we got to see someone say, I am going to be tough and it inspired us that starting tomorrow, we will be tough. We all wanted to see it go on forever and were happy when it ended. It was a very special fight.
Cowboy showed improved Striking, which is strange as he is already such an improved striker. His ability to pick shots and whip his limbs at other people’s faces continues to amaze. He is an unlimitedly talented guy and when Makdessi tapped out, people around me said how stupid that was because he looked as if he were calling for a time out. I corrected them, I told them he isn’t asking for a time out, he is tapping, and that’s not stupid, that is the smartest thing he could do. Makdessi’s best chance was to mix it up more, move more and fight much differently than he did. Mixing in take down attempts and punches might have made the difference. Makdessi might have lost but he could have taken serious damage to continue. He did the smartest thing and that was to come back tomorrow instead of risk his career tonight. But Cowboy came to dance, and he danced. He’s a very dangerous man when he comes to dance.
Chris Weidman made me stop breathing. The fight played out the way I thought it would, but there was still a sticky moment where we had to wonder if he was hurt. The idea of letting a very dangerous striker punch himself out was not a good move (although it did work) as it caused a cut that led to a scar that lead to a lot of Brazilian’s screaming and a arena full of everyone else silent. At the time I was sitting next to Karen who works for Fox and she started to punch my leg. We sort of became friends that way. But then Chris tackled Vitor and Vitor instantly once on his back, more or less gave up. Vitor knew he had lost. For a black belt to not even hip bump or hip out, or try and escape or at least make an effort is strange. But my best guess is, he did punch himself out, he did realize I am not going to win. And from that moment, he crumbled the way Chris said he would. What happens with Vitor now is strange, but I don’t think this is good for him, he was mentally crushed , and as a fighter that is not a good thing.
Anthony Johnson did better than I thought he would, much better as he landed hard fast shots but he over committed and he was sucked into the vortex of an elite wrestler. I didn’t see him making it out of the second round. The way he looked when it ended I thought the ref was going to call it. Anthony laid there, defeated and shaking his head confused, his corner continually telling him that he knew it would be hard and asking him over and over again if he wanted to win, if he wanted to fight. As tough as Anthony Johnson is Daniel wore his King of the Grind shirt to the ring and his attitude of, I want to see what happens when I bully him. While there were some sticky moments and a rematch could go different, Daniel Cormier gets to sleep next to his belt tonight. He gets to walk out of the Arena knowing that he is currently the best in the world at 205 (sorta). We can only assume Jones comes back, but until he does. The new 205 pound champion is Daniel Cormier.
There is only one loss on Jones record, from a rule infraction in a fight he was dominating and he beat himself. Just like that last loss, Jones has once again broken the rules and disqualified himself. Jones will remain the only one who can beat Jones and to be the only man who can take his title, he will probably always be his own worst enemy.
I’d like to say that the post fight press conference hooie was worth mention. I’d be lying. Ryan Bader should focus more on his fight in a month or whatever and less on rushing the stage tonight. However, if he does win his next fight he has almost assuredly talked himself into a championship fight that otherwise, I wouldn’t see happening. So, good for you, hopefully the UFC makes an awesome Prime time episode trying to convince us that the fight will be competitive but, no, it wouldn’t. Not in the least bit.
