UFC on Fox 8 took place this past Saturday in Seattle, Washington, with UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson successfully defending his 125lb title against John Moraga.
Defending his championship for the second time, Johnson (18-2-1) sealed victory with the latest stoppage in UFC history, submitting Moraga (13-2) with an armbar at 3:43 in the fifth and final round.
Out of character for a UFC on Fox card, the evening’s co main event was quickly labelled a “snoozefest” as Rory MacDonald, fighting a little too similarly to team Georges St-Pierre for some fans’ liking, out pointed and neutralised Jake Ellenberger with a cautious jab based display. This clash of top-5 welterweights was highly anticipated, with many predicting the winner to be next in line for a 170lb title shot following the result of St-Pierre vs Hendricks.
A title shot for MacDonald doesn’t seem likely following his reserved performance, even more so with UFC President Dana White being most unimpressed.
“I thought Jake Ellenberger did nothing at all. Literally, did nothing,” said White, on FUEL TV’s post-fight show. “Rory stood outside and did just enough to win. He didn’t try to finish, he didn’t try to do anything.”
“You wanna prove you are one of the best in the world? You didn’t convince anybody,” explained White, referring to MacDonald.
However, with just a single disappointment on the UFC on Fox main card, 12-year veteran ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler continued his exciting form since returning to the UFC in February. Still only 31 years old, Lawler knocked out Bobby Voelker with a head kick at 24-seconds in the second round.
Kicking off the main card, former women’s bantamweight challenger Liz Carmouche bounced back from her loss to Ronda Rousey by powerfully finishing Jessica Andrade via TKO from mount position in round two.
UFC ON FOX 8, Seattle. Full results:
Flyweight Demetrious Johnson (c) def. John Moraga Submission (armbar) Round 5, 3mins43secs
Welterweight Rory MacDonald def. Jake Ellenberger Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Welterweight Robbie Lawler def. Bobby Voelker KO (head kick & punch) Rd 2, 0:24
Bantamweight (W) Liz Carmouche def. Jessica Andrade TKO (punches & elbows) Rd 2, 3:57
Preliminary card (FX)
Lightweight Jorge Masvidal def. Michael Chiesa Submission (d’arce choke) Rd 2, 4:59
Catchweight (160 lbs) Danny Castillo def. Tim Means Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight Melvin Guillard def. Mac Danzig KO (punches) Rd 2, 2:47
Lightweight Daron Cruickshank def. Yves Edwards Decision (split) (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Middleweight Ed Herman def. Trevor Smith Decision (split) (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Bantamweight (W) Germaine de Randamie def. Julie Kedzie Decision (split) (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Lightweight Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Catchweight (137 lbs) Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert Submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2, 2:49
Bonus awards ($50,000 each)
Fight of The Night: Ed Herman and Trevor Smith
Knockout of The Night: Melvin Guillard
Submission of the Night: Demetrious Johnson
