UFC 91 may just be the pay-per-view of the year. With 5 stoppages in 5 fights on the main card, fans around the world were treated in an unbelievable night. Another chapter was written in the age-old storylines of “old school vs. new school,” “experience vs. youth” and “size vs. knowledge”. Brock Lesnar, four fights into his mixed-martial-arts career, defeated the most decorated and beloved UFC champion of all-time. It was no secret that the entire live audience and most fans at home were rooting for “The Natural”. How great would it be if a 45-year-old beat a younger 280-pounder?
However, I think that Brock beating Randy is much better for the UFC and for MMA. Is this not a perfect “passing of the torch” moment? Brock Lesnar is unbelievably marketable. Much more so than Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir, or even Randy Couture. That factor is usually overlooked. Marketability is key to a sport’s and a company’s success. For instance, look at Kimbo Slice. He’s terrible. However, he is probably the most famous mixed-martial-artist in the world.
Brock Lesnar is legitimately good. He’s not just some 280-pound animal that mauls everybody…well actually, he is…but he’s much more than that. His wrestling is dominant, his striking is improving every day, and his work ethic is insane. He’s the first one to the gym every day and the last one to leave. He’s got a hunger for learning and he’s a fast learner, which is a scary combination. His combination of size and speed is unparalleled in the world of fighting. Brock Lesnar has proved that he’s legit and that he’ll be around for quite awhile.
Where does Randy go from here? He probably fights the loser of Nogueira-Mir. There shouldn’t be any talk of Fedor vs. Randy unless Couture is the champion.
Kenny Florian put on a dominating performance against Joe Stevenson. With the way that Florian was dominating the stand-up I was very surprised when he took Stevenson to the ground. Florian looked better than ever on his feat, getting in and getting out with minimal damage done to himself. However, it was when he took it to the ground that he put on a clinic. His mount of Stevenson looked effortless, as did the resulting rear naked choke. Florian is much improved since his last title shot and I think that he could give BJ Penn some major problems.
In two great shows of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Dustin Hazelett and Demian Maia moved their way up the ladder of their respective weight classes. Fans were treated to a beautiful transition from an omoplata to straight armbar in another videogame-like submission courtesy of the newly crowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, Dustin Hazelett. Hazelett’s armbar broke Demian Maia’s 3-fight “submission of the night” streak. However, Maia’s performance was more impressive. Maia took down Quarry, mounted him, got his back and choked him out in just over 2 minutes. He is the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter in MMA and he needs to fight either Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin, or Dan Henderson next.
Gabriel Gonzaga knocked out the UFC rookie Josh Hendricks in 1:01 in what seemed like a “business as usual” fight for the heavy-handed heavyweight. It was an absolutely dominating striking performance by the Brazilian. I’d like to see Gonzaga’s next fight be the winner of Cheick Kongo vs. Mustafa Al-Turk.
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