Brought to you by Brad Taylor @btaylor868
UFC 163 came from Rio de Janiero last night and was headlined by Jose Aldo defending his Featherweight title against the ‘Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung, with the rest of the main card highlighted by co-main event Lyoto Machida vs. Phil Davis.
UFC Feathweight Championship bout: Jose Aldo defeats Chan Sung Jung via TKO (Punches) at 2:00 of Round 4
Aldo took complete control of this fight from the outset and showed just why he’s unbeaten in seven years in the Featherweight division. The long-reigning UFC champ has winning streak that stretches back to May 2006 and his victory over ‘Korean Zombie’ makes it 16 straight wins.
The fight saw Aldo and Jung trade blows but it was Aldo who was landing the more effective and harder hitting shots throughout. The fight came a head early in fourth. Jung threw an overhand right and managed to pop his shoulder out of it’s socket. Sensing the finish, Aldo kicked the shoulder and Jung fell against the cage where Aldo chained a flurry of punches to end the fight.
For Aldo now, his next opponent would seem to be Ricardo Lamas. Lamas is ranked second by the UFC and with Aldo having beaten Mendes already, Lamas takes pole position for a fight in December/January.
Jung doesn’t lose much credit from the fight. He took the bout with about a month-and-a-half’s notice to cover Anthony Pettis pulling out, and the number five rank has myriad of opponents available in the top 10 to fight e.g. Cub Swanson, Dennis Siver, Nik Lentz.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Phil Davis defeats Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
One of the more controversial decisions of the year took place as Phil Davis emerged victorious in a close fight, but one that a lot of people had in favour of Machida.
Having been overlooked for another title fight by Jon Jones, Machida knew a win would keep him on track for a rematch with Jones, or even net him a fight with Gustafsson. Similarly, the evolving Davis had everything to gain from beating the crowd favourite.
As the two traded back and forth for three rounds, Machida arguably landed far more effectively. However, the judges saw it differently and awarded the fight to Davis, whose takedowns likely accumulated points on the scorecards.
Dana White even tweeted out: “Wow!!! I had Machida winning all 3 rds but that’s what happens when u leave it up to the judges!”
Due to the questionable decision, Machida will maintain good stock as he aims to bounce back, likely facing the loser of Jones vs Gustafsson.
Meanwhile, although the victor, it doesn’t sound as if UFC management will be too eager to advance Davis to the rank of ‘top contender’. A demanding test against Glover Teixeira or Antônio Rogério Nogueira should help the American further prove his worth.
Middleweight Bout: Cezar Ferreira defeats Thiago Santos via Submission (Gullotine) at 0:47 of Round 1
Thiago Santos’ debut in the UFC was a baptism of fire as he was easily defeated by Cesar Ferreira in an under a minute.
Ferreira opened with a leg kick and followed up with a hard punch that rocked Santos. He instantly went for the kill and while Santos tried to save himself with a shoot attempt – it only opened him up for the fight ending gullotine.
Ferreira will have made an impact but is likely to feature on the undercard on his next appearance or on the main card at the next event in Brazil. Former title challenger Thales Leites could be an interesting opponent for Ferreira.
Santos was a recent signing this year and most likely he’ll get another chance but if not, then he could be cut from the roster. Expect him to fight on the pre-show or Facebook – not on the main card.
Middleweight Bout: Thales Leites defeats Tom ‘Kong’ Watson via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
Southampton’s Tom ‘Kong’ Watson’s rocky UFC career continued as he was beaten by Thales Leites and drops to a 1-2 record in the sport’s top flight.
Having given up is back in the first round, Watson defended well to not get finished as Leites searched for a submission. The second round was just as difficult as Leites continued to try and make Watson tap. Watson did take a bit of control in a clinch – landing big knees and hooks but couldn’t finish the fight himself.
It was more of the same in the third for Leites as kept taking Watson down. Both men were bloody but Leites had control and was looking for the submission until the very end.
Leites looked good in the octagon upon his return and has a lot of potential opponents – depending on whether his next fight is booked for the US or Brazil. The well rounded and hard nosed Ed Herman could provide the opportunity for Leites to solidify his return to the UFC middleweight division.
Watson will drop down the card once again, but a fight against the likes of Trevor Smith could spark another exciting appearance for ‘Kong’.
Catchweight Bout: John Lineker defeats Jose Maria Tome via TKO (Punches) at 1:03 in Round 2
John Lineker was able to put away Jose Maria Tome after the latter’s knee appeared to buckle in the second round.
Originally, Lineker was supposed to be facing Portsmouth’s Phil Harris but unfortunately for Harris, he suffered a broken orbital bone and had to miss the fight. The fight then was changed to a catchweight bout, after Lineker missed weight it was changed to a 129lb limit.
The first round was close with Lineker in control but Maria landed a spinning back fist which rocked Lineker. In the second though, Lineker stuffed a takedown attempt and Maria was unable to get up and Lineker landed a flurry of blows to force the stoppage.
Despite facing a UFC newcomer, Lineker put an end to his opponent’s 17-fight undefeated run, including 12 consecutive wins. The impressive finish against good quality opposition should improve his standing, however Lineker may yet himself facing off against Phil Harris in a couple months time.
Fight of The Night: Ian McCall vs. Iliarde Santos
Knockout of The Night: Anthony Perosh
Submission of the Night: Sergio Moraes
Full results:
Main card
Jose Aldo def. Chan Sung Jung via fourth-round TKO
Phil Davis def. Lyoto Machida via unanimous decision
Cezar Ferreira def. Thiago Santos via submission (guillotine)
Thales Leites def. Tom Watson via unanimous decision
John Lineker def. Jose Maria via second-round TKO
Undercard
Anthony Perosh def. Vinny Magalhaes via first-round KO
Amanda Nunes def. Sheila Gaff via first-round TKO
Sergio Moraes def. Neil Magny via submission (triangle choke)
Ian McCall def. Iliarde Santos via unanimous decision
Rani Yahya def. Josh Clopton via unanimous decision
Francimar Barroso def. Ednaldo Oliveira via unanimous decision
Viscardi Andrade def. Bristol Marunde via first-round TKO
