UFC 132 Results
After an exciting free event last weekend on the Versus Channel, UFC 132 had a lot to live up to.
On paper, UFC 132 was a stacked card and sometimes these types of cards do not have anticipated payoff for the fans. This was not the case for UFC 132. UFC fans who chose to dish out 55 of their hard earned dollars were treated to a card filled with stunning knockouts and submissions.
“The Natural Bork Killer” Carlos Condit defeats Dong Hyun Kim (TKO – Flying Knee and Punches – Round 1 – 2:58)
Carlos Condit is one of the few guys who can get taken down by strong wrestlers and actually use his BJJ to his advantage. Kim managed to get Condit to the canvas early on, but Condit used his butterfly guard to execute a beautiful sweep, enabling him to scramble back to his feet. Not much else to report here. Condit threw a textbook flying knee that dropped Kim, following up with a series of punches before the referee dove to Kim’s aid.
Condit’s efforts earned him a $75,000 knockout of the night bonus and a possible shot at the welterweight title.
“I feel excellent, I stuck to the game plan,” Condit said after the win. “One of the best training camps in the world.”
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz defeats Ryan “Darth” Bader (Submission – Guillotine Choke – Round 1 – 1:56)
In a fight that many fans, including myself, considered Tito Ortiz’ swan song from the UFC, Ortiz managed to shock the world by dismantling former contender Ryan Bader in under two minutes. I’ve covered Ortiz for years and at one point considered myself a semi-fan of his. I’ve listened to so many pre-fight conference calls of his claiming that he was 100% and ready to go, only to go and lose a fight and blame it on an injury. I figured this fight would go the same way, and I was 100% wrong.
After a short feeling out period and a few exchanges, Ortiz wasted no time closing the distance on Bader. Ortiz eventually connected with a powerful right that dropped Bader to the canvas. Ortiz followed up with some quick ground and pound, pulled guard, and sunk in a very tight arm out guillotine choke that forced Bader to tap at the 1:56 mark of the very first round.
Ortiz provided some commentary after the match:
“I hit him with a right hook and I (saw) his knees buckle,” he said. “Got on top, a little bit of ground and pound. I secured my elbow on the inside, he tried to pull his head out, I was strong, he didn’t go anywhere. Tap-out, baby. Tap-out.”
When Tito locked that choke in, you knew was all in. I imagine he had glimpses of a 14 year career racing through his head, and summoned all of that mental power to squeeze every ounce of air out of Bader’s throat. Impressive victory, and the Huntington Beach Bad Boy will live to fight another day in the UFC.
Denis Siver defeats “Handsome” Matt Wiman (Decision – Unanimous – Round 3 – 5:00)
Siver managed to squeak by Wiman in a close back and forth battle that saw Wiman execute takedowns and ground and pound while Siver landed many power strikes.
Wiman’s best round was the second, where he blooded the skull of Siver with several vicious elbows. In round three he had a difficult time taking Siver to the mat, and that seems to have cost him the match. All three judges scored the fight 29-28, likely awarding the second round to Wiman, and rounds 1 and 3 to Siver.
In the post fight interview, Joe Rogan asked Siver if he agreed with the decision.
“It was a very close decision, that’s a fact,” Siver commented .
Siver is now riding a four fight win streak.
Chris “The Crippler” Leben Defeats “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (Knockout – Punches – Round 1 – 0:27)
In the same night that Tito Ortiz managed to salvage his UFC career, we may have seen the undoing of the king of Pride Fighting Championship, Wanderlei Silva.
In several interviews leading up to this fight, Silva said he was not going to change his forward moving, aggressive style, and he would approach this fight the same way he has approached all his other fights. Unfortunately, the game plan that led to many championship titles and epic victories over the years would also lead to his demise on this night.
The problem with Silva’s traditional style is that striking in the 2011 MMA game has finally caught up to him. MMA fighters are becoming more technical with their strikes, utilizing effective boxing, western style kickboxing, and muay thai to remain competitive in stand up wars. Silva went for the kill early on, throwing wide, looping hooks that left his head defenseless. Leben weathered the barrage of strikes, utilized dirty boxing and landed an uppercut that dropped Silva to the canvas.
It was a hard fight to watch. I had a feeling Leben would win the fight, but I’ve been on the Wandy war wagon for a decade or more so I had to support my guy. After the fight, Dana White said this will likely be Silva’s last match in the UFC, and I am not so sure that is a bad thing. After watching another one of my MMA favorites, Chuck Liddell, be rendered unconscious over and over again, I am not sure I can relive that experience with “The Axe Murderer”.
If Wandy does have to hang up his gloves, he will go down in history as not only a champion, but one of the most loved fighters on the planet.
Dominick Cruz Defeats “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (Decision – Unanimous – Round 5 – 5:00)
For the first time in UFC history, bantamweights would headline a PPV, and the result was not disappointing.
Dominick Cruz used his trademark style to outpoint Faber, but Faber remained aggressive and alert for the duration of the 25 minute fight. Cruz’ ability to never stop moving, strike from odd angles, and secure takedowns was the deciding factor in this fight. It’s near impossible to decribe a 25 minute fight that is moving at 100 miles per hour the entire time, so my advice is to just go and watch it. The performance was deemed fight of the night by the UFC, and both fighters would pocket $75,000 for their efforts.
If UFC 132 didn’t motivate you to get off the couch and throw some leather, I am not sure anything will. If you find yourself suddenly inspired to give MMA a shot, make sure you get in touch with us at C3 Athletics. C3 Athletics is Connecticut’s Premier Fitness and Martial Arts Training Center. We have classes in Group Fitness, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and more! Give us a try, your first class is free! Sign up here for more information.
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