Australia's first UFC event was held at the Acer Arena yesterday - UFC 110. I sat and watched all three hours with my youngest son, Harry (who has watched plenty of MMA before). What did I make of the card? I thought it was generally pretty good, and there were some excellent fights. The crowd were enormously enthusiastic, and it seems certain the UFC will be back in Oz.
Anyway, here's my rundown of the fights -
Cro Cop vs Perosh
My son and I have had a few BJJ lessons under Anthony Perosh, and he's a great guy. He was called in at the last minute to replace an injured fighter, so it was a gutsy effort. A few years ago, Cro Cop was considered the most dangerous striker on the planet. Perosh's only hope was to get him to the ground and put on a submission, but he never really got close. Still, he lasted two rounds with an absolute legend of the sport, good effort...
Jardine vs Bader
I like Jardine, as do a lot of people. I like his look, and I like his style - or lack of style. But the guy is seriously inconsistent. Bader didn't look spectacular, but he was good enough to finish Jardine off with a KO when the op presented itself. I doubt Jardine can be considered a serious contender at 205 anymore.
Jo Daddy vs Sotiropoulos
George Sotiropoulos is clearly the best Aussie currently in the UFC, so the crowd were mega-hyped for this fight. Jo Daddy went into the fight as overwhelming favourite, but George absolutely dominated him on the ground and in the stand up. The crowd demonstrated a fairly sophisticated knowledge of the sport, cheering when George passed from half-guard to side-control, and when he achieved mount. Toward the end of the round George gripped Jo Daddy's arm for a kimura, which just looks like a tangle of arms to the uninitiated, but the crowd went uber-berserk. They were singing during the match and chanting, and just having a great time watching the local boy upset a genuine star of the sport. When Sotiropoulos got a well deserved unanimous decision at the end, the roof nearly lifted off the place with the cheering.
Wanderlai Silva vs Bisping
First fight back for Silva since having his nasal surgery. He looked pretty cautious, but finished the fight strongly to squeeze out a decision. His physique looks good at 185, and it might be that he has a few more years left in this sport - he might even be a serious contender for the 185 belt.
Nogueira vs Velasquez
This was the main event of the evening, and it was almost over as soon as it began. Nogueira is a living legend in the sport, but Velasquez stunned everyone by delivering a KO at 2:20 of the first round. His punches were just so crisp and sharp, they made Nogueira look old and tired. Velasquez definitely looks like he is just about ready for a title shot - the MMA world is buzzing at the moment.
All up, a very good card, and the event broke all sorts of records at Acer Arena. Looks like the UFC will be coming back to Oz on an annual basis - perhaps I'll be able to get a ticket next time. Hopefully some of the dinosaurs in the press who are still hating on the sport will have mellowed a bit by then...