Fight Blog Recap: Frank Mir topples "Bigfoot" Silva with 1st round KO
Frank Mir walked into Sunday night's fight card off four straight losses, but he erased the memory of those performances with a thunderous first round knockout to put Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva away in the main event from Brazil.
Mir came out looking very confident with his hands, slipping punches and showing good head movement as he stalked the big Brazilian across the cage. Mir found his opening in less than two minutes into the first round as he cracked Silva with a huge left hook that dropped him to the canvas.
Mir followed up with a couple of punches and then a barrage of elbows to get the stoppage in the first round. It was a much needed win for Mir and by far his best showing in recent years.
Also on the card, Michael Johnson picked up a signature win as he beat No. 6 ranked lightweight Edson Barboza with an aggressive striking game that kept his opponent off balance all night long.
Johnson just attacked Barboza from the opening of the fight until the finish and never gave him a moment to breathe. The judges returned unanimous 30-27 scores to give Johnson the win.
Full results and play-by-play for UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir below:
Round 1:
Mir opens with a stiff combination direct to Silva's chin. Mir slams a left hook on Silva's chin and the big Brazilian goes down! Mir swoops down to the mat and blasts away with elbows until the referee steps in to stop the carnage.
Official result: Frank Mir def. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva by knockout at 1:40, R1
Analysis:
Frank Mir said prior to the fight that he was hindered by injuries in a bad way for his last four trips to the Octagon but he expected a much different performance after taking a year off to allow his body to heal. It clearly paid off as Mir put Silva down and out with a massive left hook before a barrage of strikes on the mat. Before Sunday night there was talk about Mir possibly retiring with a loss. Now with this win he jumps right back into the thick of the heavyweight division with any number of matchups awaiting him when he returns later this year.
Round 1:
Johnson is swinging wild but Barboza counters with some fierce body kicks. Johnson is just ultra aggressive and he's right in Barboza's face and not backing down. Barboza lands some good quick counters, but Johnson finding a home for many of his punches including one that opens a cut under the Brazilian's right eye. Great first round.
10-9 Michael Johnson
Round 2:
Barboza still content with the body kicks in round two while Johnson is just head hunting with everything he's throwing. Barboza counters with a quick punch inside that staggers Johnson for a moment. Barboza gets tagged and he tries for a takedown, but Johnson quickly counters and puts him down instead. Johnson with another combination as he keeps his forward pressure going towards the end of the round.
10-9 Michael Johnson
Round 3:
Barboza showing more confidence this round and he has to know he's probably down two rounds right now. Barboza cracking Johnson with kicks but not doing it with enough power to put the Blackzilian fighter down. Johnson comes right back and tags Barboza on the chin. Johnson's boxing is just stellar tonight as he pulls away once again this round with an aggressive attack, keeping Barboza on the ends of his punches while still pushing the action all round long. Johnson even scores a takedown before it's over.
10-9 Michael Johnson
FOX Sports scores it 30-27 for Michael Johnson
Official result: Michael Johnson def. Edson Barboza by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Analysis:
An absolute shutout performance from Michael Johnson as he out struck Edson Barboza during every minute of every round, over 15-minutes. Johnson had the picture perfect strategy as he attacked Barboza with an aggressive striking attack and never backed down from the Brazilian's powerful kicks. Johnson has now won four fights in a row and will now crack the top 10 with his win over Barboza. After the fight, Johnson asked for a fight against former champion Benson Henderson and truthfully, that seems like really logical matchmaking right now. Hopefully it happens.
Cezar Ferreira vs. Sam Alvey
Round 1:
Ferreira really aggressive out of the gate, coming forward with big, heavy kicks and Alvey is just playing defense. Ferreira getting more and more confident as Alvey offers up little in the way of counters to his strikes throughout the opening round. Alvey counters with a right hand and a power left and Ferreira goes down! Alvey follows through with another punch on the ground and this one is over.
Official result: Sam Alvey def. Cezar Ferreira by knockout at 3:34, R1
Analysis:
Just when it seemed like Sam Alvey was sleepwalking his way through the first round with Cezar Ferreira, it was very evident that he was actually just biding his time and waiting for the right opening. As soon as it came, Alvey uncorked a hellish combo of hooks that put the Brazilian down and out on the canvas. In a night filled with knockouts and finishes, Alvey moves towards the top of the list for a performance bonus when it's all said and done.
Round 1:
Not a ton of action in the first couple of minutes of the opening round. Finally, Martins rushes forward and grabs a takedown on Khabilov. Martins staying in good control on top but Khabilov scrambles and works his way back up again. Khabilov starting to find a home for his right hand to the head and to the body. Martins avoids some big shots late as the round comes to a close.
10-9 Adriano Martins
Round 2:
Once again, Khabilov and Martins are tentative and not committing to any big strikes. The crowd in Brazil is getting restless as well. Khabilov finally dives in and he pops Martins with an overhand right and a short elbow strike as well. Martins looks for a takedown, but Khabilov shrugs him off. Khabilov with another counter right hand that blasts Martins on the jaw. Khabilov taking over this round.
10-9 Rustam Khabilov
Round 3:
Khabilov's striking still superior in the final round, but Martins snags a takedown about 90 seconds in and starts working to pass guard. Martins moves to mount for a moment, but Khabilov does a good job escaping and getting back to his feet. Khabilov getting more aggressive but not really landing anything significant with his strikes. Khabilov uncorks a good right hand followed by another to the body. Martins gets a takedown just before the fight ends. Close round and a close fight although rather uneventful.
10-9 Adriano Martins
FOX Sports scores it 29-28 Adriano Martins
Official result: Adriano Martins def. Rustam Khabilov by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Analysis:
There's no sugar coating this fight because it was just ugly. Martins did more in terms of his takedowns and attempts to get offensive when he got Khabilov down to the ground. Khabilov just looked out of sorts all night and barely attempted to get into the clinch or go for any throws, which are a signature of his takedown heavy style. Khabilov missed out training with Greg Jackson and his team due to visa issues keeping him out of the United States. If he hopes to get back on track, Khabilov better return to the New Mexico based camp in a hurry.
Round 1:
Saenz lands a quick takedown putting Alcantara on his back to open things but stays there for only a moment and they're back up again. Alcantara way more comfortable on his feet as he starts to find a home for his punches and kicks and Saenz is very tentative. Alcantara tags Saenz with a good front kick and then follows with a knee as well. Alcantara grabs a body lock and he takes Saenz down before looking for an armbar, but he can't land it. Saenz jumps on top as the round winds down as he starts to look for ground and pound.
10-9 Iuri Alcantara
Round 2:
Alcantara cracks Saenz with a left kick and he follows with punches, one of which opens a cut over the American's left eye. Saenz is able to get a takedown from a scramble and starts to throw knees and punches as Alcantara is turtled up. Saenz maintaining great control from the top. Alcantara looks for another armbar, but the fighters are just too sweaty and Saenz slips right out. The fighters are back up and Alcantara lands a big left hand but Saenz gets another takedown just as the round ends.
10-9 Frankie Saenz
Round 3:
Saenz with another takedown to start round three. Alcantara is able to push Saenz away, but he just can't great free from the wrestler's grip. Saenz keeps the pressure going forward and traps Alcantara against the cage. Alcantara is able to reverse and get a takedown of his own and quickly lands in mount. Saenz rolls and slips out again before the round and the fight come to an end.
10-9 Frankie Saenz
FOX Sports scores it 29-28 for Frankie Saenz
Official result: Frankie Saenz def. Iuri Alcantara by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Analysis:
Extremely impressive showing from Frankie Saenz, especially considering he came into the night as the biggest underdog of any fighter on the card. Saenz used a relentless wrestling attack to ground Alcantara's striking. Saenz gave up a lot of size and power in this fight, but he took it to a legitimate top 10 featherweight. Massive win Saenz, who has now picked up six victories in a row overall.
Round 1:
Ponzinibbio is throwing heavy hands and he's head hunting Strickland to start this fight. Strickland stays composed and begins to work his counter game. Strickland pops Ponzinibbio with a solid shot and he looks stunned, but the Argentinian swings wild and backs his opponent off. Ponzinibbio uncorks a huge head kick and Strickland is stunned! Ponzinibbio swarms but Strickland somehow survives before getting taken to the mat. Great start for Ponzinibbio.
10-9 Santiago Ponzinibbio
Round 2:
Ponzinibbio slowing down a bit in round 2 but he's scored a huge welt on Strickland's left leg courtesy of a steady diet of kicks throughout the fight. Ponzinibbio nails Strickland with a big left-right combo, but the American quickly grabs for a takedown. Ponzinibbio escapes and he's back standing where he wants to be. Strickland is pawing at Ponzinibbio with jabs, but every time the Argentinian steps in and throws hard shots, he's landing.
10-0 Santiago Ponzinibbio
Round 3:
Ponzinibbio slips after a punch from Strickland and the American rushes in and gets the takedown but can't keep his opponent on the mat for more than just a few seconds. Ponzinibbio with another head kick and Strickland eats it again. Ponzinibbio with another flurry just before the end of the round.
10-9 Santiago Ponzinibbio
FOX Sports scores it 30-27 for Santiago Ponzinibbio
Official result: Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Sean Strickland by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards)
Analysis: Ponzinibbio looked great all fight long using a very aggressive style to hunt down Strickland and leave him no breathing room for his usually effective counters. Considering his reach disadvantage, Ponzinibbio did a fantastic job flurrying on Strickland each and every round to pull away on the judges' scorecards. Strickland showed a great chin, but he had to absorb a ton of punishment from Ponzinibbio all night long to prove it.
Round 1:
Reneau looking good and very confident against the UFC veteran and she blasts Andrade with a shot that busts her nose open. The fight hits the mat during a flurry and Reneau wastes no time looking for a triangle choke and she sinks it in deep. Andrade sits there for a moment but there's no getting out. Reneau holds on and Andrade has no choice but to tap out. Reneau looks like quite the addition to the UFC women's bantamweight division.
Official result: Marion Reneau def. Jessica Andrade by submission (triangle choke) at 1:54, R1
Analysis:
Marion Reneau made quite the impression in her UFC debut, but picking up a victory over Jessica Andrade in Brazil is nothing short of stunning. Reneau was actually a candidate for The Ultimate Fighter but was turned down because of her age (she's 37), but it's clear age isn't anything but a number to this new contender at 135-pounds. She busted Andrade's nose before sinking in a nasty triangle choke submission. Bantamweights beware -- Marion Reneau has arrived.
Round 1:
Patolino coming with fire early trying to get inside of Dwyer's massive height and reach advantage. Dwyer stays composed and keeps firing back with punches and kicks of his own. The fighters are posturing and Dwyer jumps in with a Superman punch and Patalino goes face first into the mat! Dwyer follows up with a few more punches and the referee finally stops it. Incredible knockout there from Dwyer.
Official result: Matt Dwyer def. William Patolino by knockout (Superman punch) at 3:14, R1
Analysis:
Great finish from Matt Dwyer that will likely land him a 'Performance of the Night' bonus when the night is over. The Superman punch has been used effectively in the UFC before (probably none better than James Irvin vs. Houston Alexander), but it's been a while since someone landed it for a knockout. Dwyer looked calm, cool and composed in the face of a hostile crowd, especially considering he was coming off a tough knockout loss of his own. One more note, the referee was slow to stop the fight and that's the second time it's happened already tonight. Something else to watch as the night moves forward.
Round 1:
De La Torre swinging hard and heavy to start the fight and he pops Trator with a quick left hook that stuns the Brazilian for a moment. De La Torre cracks Trator with a big left hook, drops him to the mat and follows up in a hurry! De La Torre just opens up a barrage of right hands on the ground until Trator goes out. Emphatic finish! The referee was rather slow in reacting to Trator eating a lot of shots from above.
Official result: Mike De La Torre def. Tiago Trator by TKO (strikes) at 2:59, R1
Analysis: Very impressive performance from De La Torre stepping into enemy territory as an underdog and knockout out the home country favorite. De La Torre must have seen something in Trator's game because he came out aggressive and never let up until the figiht was over, just overwhelming the Brazilian at every turn. The American from the MMA Lab in Arizona picks up a big win on foreign soil.
Round 1:
Gibson definitely the bigger fighter, but Andrade clearly faster early landing some good leg kicks. Gibson finding his range but Andrade countering well with some good uppercuts of his own. Gibson pops Andrade with a good punch late in the round as Andrade rushes in looking for the takedown. Andrade has a big cut under his left eye courtesy of a punch from Gibson.
10-9 Cody Gibson
Round 2:
Andrade clocks Gibson with a huge overhand right and drops him to the mat! Andrade follows up looking for a guillotine and then lets Gibson back up again. Andrade keeps his offense aggressive throughout the remainder of the round although he can't mount the same kind of damage he landed early.
10-9 Douglas Silva de Andrade
Round 3:
Gibson very aggressive in the final round as he stalks Andrade across the Octagon. He definitely looks like the fresher fighter through two plus rounds. Gibson pops Andrade with a big left hook just before the end of the fight. Close matchup in this one
10-9 Cody Gibson
FOX Sports scores the fight 29-28 Cody Gibson
Official result: Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Cody Gibson by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Analysis:
Well didn't necessarily agree with the decision although the biggest offense of the fight was landed by de Andrade during the second round when he dropped Gibson. Andrade looked rather tired in the third round, but apparently his output was enough for the judges to hand him the win. Gibson had a good showing so hopefully he'll get another shot in the UFC despite a couple of losses in a row.
Round 1:
Jorge walks to the Octagon to the classic 1960's Batman theme as he truly lives up to his nickname. Shockley starts strong and nails Jorge with some good knees from the Thai clinch, but Jorge quickly recovers and transitions for two takedowns before looking for an arm triangle from the mount. Shockley survives and actually gets back to his feet before the round ends.
10-9 Ivan Jorge
Round 2:
Shockley still using his range effectively and landing good shots on Jorge. Jorge struggling to get inside of Shockley's reach but he does manage to jump in and finally lands a few shots as he starts working for takedowns again.
10-9 Josh Shockley
Round 3:
Jorge grabs for an inside trip takedown but Shockley rolls and lands on top instead. The fighters work back to the feet, Shockley tries for another takedown but can't land it. Jorge works for the clinch and lands a big takedown from the body lock with under a minute to go.
10-9 Ivan Jorge
FOX Sports scores the fight 29-28 for Ivan Jorge
Official result: Ivan Jorge def. Josh Shockley by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Analysis:
Not a ton of great things to say about either guy, a ton of inactivity on both sides although Jorge did have an impressive first round. As the fight wore on it seemed Jorge and Shockley were both gasping for air. The arena in Brazil where the fights are taking place is quite warm with no air conditioning so this could be something to watch all night long.
MAIN CARD on FOX SPORTS 1 at 8p ET
MAIN EVENT: Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs. Frank Mir
Edson Barboza vs. Michael Johnson
Cezar Ferreira vs. Sam Alvey
Rustam Khabilov vs. Adriano Martins
Iuri Alcantara vs. Frankie Saenz
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sean Strickland
PRELIMS on FOX SPORTS 1 at 6p ET
Jessica Andrade vs. Marion Reneau
William Macario vs. Matt Dwyer
Tiago Trator vs. Mike De La Torre
Wendell Oliveira vs. TJ Waldburger
EARLY PRELIMS on UFC FIGHT PASS at 5p ET
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Cody Gibson
Ivan Jorge vs. Josh Shockley