Last night you UFC put on a great show for Australia and for its fans watching on PPV. With the recent run of events underperforming, last night delivered the goods. From start to finish ever fight was entertaining and filled with surprising performances and outcomes. The Australian fans were very into the fights and were very load with minimal booing too. The UFC is already talking about coming back so I think you can call it a all around success.

Main Card Recap

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Anthony Perosh

Anthony Perosh was a very late replacement for Ben Rothwell and looked to be a lamb fed to the slaughter but he showed he was a gamer. That isn’t saying he was winning the fight at any time but when he was getting beat up he showed a ton of heart. Cro cop cut Perosh above the right eye really bad late in round two with a hard left elbow. The ref had the doctor look at the cut but the fight did continue to close out the round. Between round though the fight was stopped due to the cut and Cro Cop wins by 2^nd round TKO. We did really learn anything from Cro Cop here do to the late replacement; look for him to actually fight Rothwell next.

Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader

Keith Jardine is the toughest challenge to date for Ultimate fighter winner Ryan Bader. Bader came out looking to stand with Jardine in round one while Jardine looked tentative with his leg kicks in fear of the takedown. Bader gets the takedown at the middle of the round and does some damage but the ref stands them up. Round ends with Bader clearly winner the round with the takedown.

Round two starts and Jardine seem to have made some adjustments. Bader continues to go for the takedowns but Jardine stuffs them every time, plus he starts to land some good leg kick on Bader. Nothing major in the round but Jardine wins the round with the stand up & takedown defense.

Third and final round and it’s looking a lot like the second round but Bader’s stand up is looking better this round. That might be due to Jardine tiring some but Bader catches him with a right stunning Jardine for a second. Bader seeing the opening rushes in with a flying knee to Jardine’s chest misses with a right but connects with a left that knocks Jardine out. Bader wins by third round KO.

Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos

This fight was a complete mismatch from opening bell to the final bell. George Sotiropoulos in front of his hometown fans just worked over and smothered Joe Stevenson. This fight was a great ground display between the Jiu-Jitsu of Sotiropoulos and the wrestling of Stevenson. Sotiropoulos used his Jiu-Jitsu to keep top control and inflict damage on Stevenson. Other than a few submission attempts from the bottom Stevenson had not answer to the BJJ of Sotiropoulos. The fight went the distance with Sotiropoulos winning by Unanimous Decision.

Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva

This fight was very entertaining but wasn’t what I had expected. Round one starts and it’s back and forth but Bisping get a early takedown but Silva gets right back to his feet. They trade leg kicks and Silva throws a few looping punches that miss their mark. As the round ends Silva lands a huge combo that clearly hurts Bisping. Close round that could go either way.

Round two and Silva catches a Bisping leg kick then sweeps out Bispings other leg for the take down, classic. Silva lands a good right from top position but Bisping gets up and gets a body kick for his troubles. The two exchange shots until Bisping ducks under and gets a big take down. Bisping in side control but Silva scrambles out and is back to his feet. They each land several nice leg kick, Bisping gets a takedown but get cought in a big guillotine choke thats deep. The bell sounds and saves Bisping from going to sleep. With the takedown and submission attempt I give the round to Silva.

Round three starts and Silva looks fresh and determined to stop Bisping. Silva lands several inside leg kicks plus a good right hand. Bisping is starting to land some good shots but goes for a takedown and loses momentum when Silva gets the stuff. Eye poke from Bisping and Silva goes to his corner to recover. Big leg kick from Silva as he charges forward and lands a big right behind the ear. Bisping goes down and Silva is throwing in some big punches to closing round with a bang. Clear round to Silva as it goes to scorecard. Wanderlei  Silva wins by Unanimous Dicision

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez

Man round one starts and we really didn’t even have time to get settled into this fight. Just minutes into the fight Cain Velasquez lands a right that drops Nogueira. Velasquez jumps in landing a few more shots until the ref steps in and calls it. WOW Velasquez crushes Nogueira for the first round TKO.

Fight Bonuses [$50k to each]

Fight of the Night — George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Stevenson
Submission of the Night — Chris Lytle
Knockout of the Night — Cain Velasquez

Final Thoughts

I was really surprised by George Sotiropoulos tonight and look forward to seeing whats next for him in the Lightweight division. The way he handled Joe Stevenson was very impressive and his Jiu-Jitsu looked awesome too. Also I cannot forget to mention how good Cain Velasquez looked in defeating the Legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira minutes into the fight. I would expect him to get a title shot by the end of the year after Brock Lesnar fights the winner of Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin. A Really fun night and easily the best PPV so far this year.

HT: MMAMania