By Miguel Sanchez, RCM MMA Correspondent
Houston, TX (October 20th, 2013)– The UFC was in full force in Houston Texas last night! This card was labeled by President Dana White as one of the Greatest in UFC history and it was. This past month or so I was watching boxing on pay per view I don’t remember a time I stood up and clapped for ANY round of any of that fight. This UFC card was much different! Me along with friends and family were cheering and clapping for a great night of fights! The fight between Cormier and Nelson, in my opinion should have not been the co-Main event. The Gilbert Melendez and Diego Sanchez fight put that fight to shame and kept everyone wanting more!
I should be recapping the main two fights –But I’ll just say that the Cormier and Nelson fight was basically a power puncher vs a superb wrestler. Nelson tried to land his right hand bomb but was not able to due to the wrestling of Daniel Comier. It ended up being a battle of the decorated wrestler who could avoid getting hit by the huge bomb. Other than that, Cormier coasted to a decision in his favor.
The real story was Melendez and Sanchez, me being a Sanchez was amazed as the ferocity that Diego came to the fight. Mexican warriors usually do bring it. Chavez, Marquez, Sanchez, all names that bring a tenacity and rage. Melendez also should not be denied his praise, he was there in the pocket exchanging and landing. Melendez did score some takedowns but not after a flurry of fast punches and counters by Sanchez. Diego was getting hit but pounding his chest for more, taunting Melendez to come forward and Gilbert came forward. Sanchez did have heart, hurting Melendez late in the rounds, but it wasn’t enough. Out of the exchanges, it was Melendez with the more technical punches and the one damaging the other opponent.
You can tell a fight is good when people rise up from their seats. That is what happened when this fight was on, people were standing and clapping for both warriors. Keep in mind that Melendez was landing the cleaner shots and that he rocked Diego early. But it was Diego’s heart after being cut that showed the true warrior in him. Even though the crowd in Houston was with Diego, he was not the victorious one in the books, but BOTH were winners of the night! Melendez showed a calm and collected head when it came to the exchanges between him and Sanchez, he demonstrated why he is a such a crafty veteran and former champion. A showdown with Anthony Pettis does not seem far behind and if this was a dog fight, I cant wait for that one!
Main Event
Dos Santos came in confident to this fight. His entrance was standard and came to the ring with his ‘Rocky’ theme blaring throughout the arena. For this fight he made sure he didn’t over train and also flew in his mentor and coach that discovered him in Brazil. Dos Santos was hoping that he would be his good luck charm.
Cain the champ came in to his Spanish war cry anthem The crowd was loud and sang along and got him pumped. The entrance itself felt like the old boxing days of Cesar Chavez, you knew he was here for business.
The fight began with both fighters meeting in the center of the Octagon, this time Cain met Dos Santos in the center of the cage and looked ready. At the opening of the round Dos Santos landed a hard punch which seemed to hurt Cain. Cain came forward after that and never stopped. He pushed Dos Santos to the cage and peppered his face with shots repeatedly. Dos Santos could not get out the the wrestlers grasp to land any shots.
In the third round Cain caught Dos Santos with a shot that had him hurt. Cain went in for the kill, at one point the Referee Herb Dean put his hands on his shoulder to end it, but let it go. Could he have stopped it? Of course, but this was a Heavyweight Championship fight and I think he knew that if he stops a fight he has to be really sure the fighter is done. For Dos Santos, it just mean more rounds of being beat up. Cain was non stop with his attack, every shot he gave landed, it had purpose. Dos Santos looked tired and just frustrated.
Finally in the fifth round, Dos Santos had Cain’s back in an awkward hold, maybe he tried to take his back, but Cain just dropped to wiggle him free but ended up slamming Dos Santos to the mat. Dos Santos was dazed and Cain finished him off with Ground and pound. Cain again showed everyone why he is the best in the world. After a performance like that it appears Werdum is next, and if he is I hope he is training cardio and also some wrestling because Cain is skilled everywhere.
This capped of the night of great prelims and great main card. Dana White again said it was the greatest night of fights, maybe maybe not, but they were one of the best ones we have seen. UFC is getting better, 20 years of fights? Keep them coming.
UFC 166 – Velasquez vs Dos Santos 3 Results & Post-Fight Press Conference
UFC 166 RESULTS
- Champ Cain Velasquez def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 5, 3:09 – to retain heavyweight title
- Daniel Cormier def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Gilbert Melendez def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
- Gabriel Gonzaga def. Shawn Jordan via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:33
- John Dodson def. Darrell Montague via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:15
- Tim Boetsch def. C.B. Dollaway via split decision (30-26, 27-29, 30-26)
- Hector Lombard def. Nate Marquardt via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:48
- Jessica Eye def. Sarah Kaufman via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- K.J. Noons def. George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Adlan Amagov def. T.J. Waldburger via KO (punches) – Round 1, 3:45
- Tony Ferguson def. Mike Rio via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 1:52
- Andre Fili def. Jeremy Larsen via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:53
- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Dustin Pague via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:51
COMMENTS
Editor in Chief
We are the Editorial staff for the top independent international boxing and mma online publication since 2012. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @realcombatmedia. For breaking news reports, contact us at [email protected] and for advertising or consulting inquiries, email us at [email protected].
English