The Hit List: The Top 5 Moments of UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
The UFC brought former champions, hungry fighters on the rise and big news to Sao Paulo Brazil, Saturday night. Check out our five biggest moments of UFC Fight Night, and then let us know your top picks in the comments section and on Twitter!
Rampage Jackson's return
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson [R] is back in the UFC, but not without controversy.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is a legend of MMA, and any move he makes in the fight world is big news. So, when he announced to the world yesterday that he had re-signed with the UFC after nearly two years away, and planned to return to Octagon competition in 2015, it made headlines and got the interwebs buzzing.
If that weren't exciting enough, Jackson's announcement also comes with contention from his previous promoter, Bellator. Jackson says he was promised a lot when he signed with Viacom - Bellator fights with pay per view points, film roles, professional wrestling work, a reality show - and that when the media giant wouldn't fulfill their obligations, he was able to terminate his contract, and sign a new contract with the UFC.
Bellator boss Scott Coker took to Twitter to say, "Not so fast," so to speak, and claimed that Jackson was still under an exclusive contract with his organization. Coker also promised that Bellator would fight to make sure that contract was adhered to.
So, while Jackson is looking forward to UFC fights in the near future, he and the top MMA promotion may first have a legal battle ahead of them as Bellator and the UFC engage in a tug-of-war over the former light heavyweight world champion. One way or the other, this story will be exciting to follow.
Machida not slowing down
Lyoto Machida [R] effectively ended his main event bout with one body kick.
Lyoto Machida is 36 years old, and last held a world title in 2010. However, "The Dragon" does not appear to be slowing down at all.
In July, the former light heavyweight champ gave middleweight king Chris Weidman his toughest fight ever, and lost a close decision to the "All-American." Saturday night, Machida got back in the win column in violent fashion, stopping CB Dollaway with a body kick and follow-up punches, at just over a minute into the first round of their UFC Fight Night main event in Sao Paulo.
Machida still has it all - elusiveness, timing, speed, and show-stopping striking power. He may have to win a few more fights to get another crack at the 185 pound title, but we're not betting on anyone to beat him on his way back to a title shot.
Barao passes tough tests
Former champ Renan Barao [R] overcame the pressure to win once more.
Renan Barao was just one loss removed from being bantamweight world champion, and one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history, when he entered the cage Saturday night against Mitch Gagnon. However, the Brazilian was a million miles away from where he started out 2014.
After losing to TJ Dillashaw in May, Barao was rushed into an immediate rematch in August, but injured himself attempting to make weight, and pulled out of the fight the day prior. Barao didn't get paid, was still recovering from a rough beating from Dillashaw and had suddenly fallen down the bantamweight ladder a few extra rungs than he deserved.
The stakes and pressure were then high for Barao as he fought huge underdog Mitch Gagnon Saturday night in Brazil. Heck, the stakes were high all week long for the "Baron," because he had to first safely make weight before he could even have a chance to earn another win.
Barao passed all tests last week, with flying colors. The ex-champ made weight without reported incident, after claiming to have entered fight week lighter than he used to.
Then, he fended off and finished a very tough, aggressive and resilient Gagnon, with a choke in the third round. Fellow former champ Dominick Cruz may be ahead of Barao in the bantamweight title shot line, but the Brazilian let the world know that he'll likely be ready whenever he does get another shot.
Magomedov on the rise
Rashid Magomedov [R] handed Elias Silverio his first loss.
Rashid Magomedov entered the UFC earlier this year as a promising 15-1 prospect, but used 2014 to make a big statement in the big leagues of MMA. Saturday's TKO win for the Dagestani lightweight marked his third straight UFC win, and eleventh overall.
In addition, Magomedov made UFC history by getting the latest finish in a bout in the promotion's history, finishing Elias Silverio with just three seconds left in the match. Most impressively, of course, was who Magomedov beat and how, at the Sao Paulo UFC Fight Night.
Prior to getting stopped by Magomedov, Silverio was undefeated and riding a three-fight streak inside the Octagon, himself. Magomedov didn't just beat the Brazilian on his home turf at the last second, he controlled virtually the whole fight.
Cummins quietly continues to win
Patrick Cummins [top] has now won three straight in the UFC.
Patrick Cummins got his UFC shot because he was willing to betray the trust and confidence of a former training partner, Daniel Cormier, and used personal strife and moments to try and humiliate the two-time Olympian. In response, Cormier manhandled Cummins in their fight, and finished him quickly.
Since his noisy but unsuccessful arrival on the UFC scene, however, Cummins has stacked impressive wins together. Saturday night, Cummins handed Antonio Carlos Junior his first ever career loss, and gave himself his third straight UFC win.
These days, Cummins is letting his excellent wrestling, grit and conditioning do his talking, and he sounds and looks all the better for it.