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November 16, 2008

A few notes from UFC 91

Outside of the coronation of Brock Lesnar as the new heavyweight champ in the UFC, UFC 91 provided an entertaining night of fights. Only one made it past the second round and that match, a lightweight bout between Jorge Gurgel and Aaron Riley, won Fight of the Night honors, earning each fighter an additional $60,000.

* Speaking of Gurgel, it never made sense to me that the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt would refuse to use his best asset in the cage. When he wanted to take Riley to the ground, he couldn't be stopped. Instead, Gurgel stood and traded blows the whole fight, trying to put on a show. It worked, netting him a huge payday and probably saved his spot in the UFC, but it resulted with another loss. It's frustrating watching him fight now, knowing he's capable of so much more.

* Dustin Hazelett won submission of the night, picking up the 60K prize in the process. Hazelett won submission of the night for his second consecutive fight and he will probably make a habit of this as his BJJ is just sick.

* Demian Maia picked up a nice win and was able to finish off Nate Quarry quicker than everyone thought. Well played there.

* Kenny Florian had no trouble with Joe Stevenson. I don't think Florian will beat B.J. Penn, but at least now it looks like it could be an entertaining fight. I don't think Penn would be motivated enough for it, though, so he probably wouldn't have his A+ game.

* Brock Lesnar's post-fight speech was pretty entertaining. After thanking the Lord, he pointed up to the heavens and said "God bless you ... God bless you." God bless ... the Lord? That doesn't make much sense, for him to bless himself. 

What did you take away from UFC 91?

 

Posted by Mark Chalifoux at 12:46 PM | | Comments (9)
        

Comments

Pretty decent night of fights. I was surprised given Brock's huge size and strength advantage that he didn't manhandle Randy. Randy actually seemed to have been slowly wearing the big man down and though Brock did get the best of the wrestling aspects, he didn't dominate Randy in any way. I couldn't believe Randy was able to get out from under Brock the times he did. I also didn't think Brock looked all that fast, not slow at all, but not particularly fast either. I did think he was winning before the TKO, but felt the tide slowly turning in Randy's favor. Whether this was wishful thinking or reality I'm not sure. In any event Brock won fair and square and the fight could have been stopped 10 punches prior to when it was. Randy was given a champions chance and unfortunately he was too dazed to take advantage. I give Brock all the credit in the world, but I honestly don't think he can take Mir or Nog. I'm thinking when he is pushed, like Randy pushed him, his size is going to be his downfall. He seemed to be getting pretty tired in there, and up against someone like Nog who will make him work I think he'll get gassed out if not submitted early.

whatever, randy is one of the best chamions ever and is used to gettin punched the fight should not have been called and u know it. brock would have been worn down in no time, its ufc not the cub scouts. i cant believe what i watched the other nite

Fedor !

Dana White was mroe than generous in his predistions, as usual. I am not sure why anythinks that the current system in the UFC is going to produce great fights. Brock is an OK champion to have for now but he won't last.

Brock Lesnar vs. Kimbo Slice?

That would be funny.

I'm not sure why everyone is so eager to discount Lesnar. He's a top level wrestler, a great athlete, has insane strength, and better boxing than he's given credit for. Is there anyone in the UFC with heavier hands than Brock? When he connects people go down.

His weaknesses are all areas where he can easily improve with a strong work ethic, as he's shown to date.

I'm not as high on him as Mark already predicting a peerless champion but those who say Randy was wearing him down are clueless.

Randy was beat! You did not see him complain about the stoppage. As much as I hate to say it. Brock had some good knees to the body as did Randy but Brock landed a big punch in the first round and the big one in the second that ultimately stopped the fight. I do think that Brock seemed to be gassing in the later part of the first and some in the second. I doubt he could have gone into the fourth without Randy ending the fight with a submission. Lesnar will be a good champion in a year or two, but I don't see him defending the belt more than 2 times. I would like to see another couple of weight classes added. A super heavyweight class, all for Lesnar, would be nice. He sould, with all his size, manhandle any opponet at this current class setting.

I am tired of the headline already,UFC 91,Main Event predetermined.Come on people,This is not Elite XC,or the WWE.This was a main event,and I don't see Dana White having Randy give it up that easy,and I don't see Randy coming to the fight knowing he was gonna go down.The man has nothing to prove he's 45 and still fighting,My hat's off to the man.He got beat by a man the was 57 lbs heavier,14 years younger and built like a steamboat.Randy did wear him down but the punch Brock landed in the 1st round effected Randy and I think it was the beginning of the end.Both fighters deserve a standing ovation for this fight,and welcome our new UFC Heavyweight Champion.Brock Lesnar.He may not last,but he's made it once.

Lesnar wont last here, hes still new, he will fall short to a serious beating by rampage, forest, frank mir, or minotauro and realize he belongs back in the fake world of wrestling and not with the big boys.

What made Lessner qualified for a championship fight??

Bwilson: What made Lesnar NOT qualified for a championship fight? Keep in mind... Randy won his first title in only his fourth fight, just like Brock.

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About the blogger
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please e-mail him.

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