UFC 112, the promotion’s first event in Abu Dhabi, came with applause and boos this Saturday. If on one hand the grit of Mark Munos and technique of Rafael dos Anjos, with the best submission of the night, pleased; the performances from BJ Penn and Anderson Silva disappointed the crowd present in the stadium. Check out the description of the fights on the main card and all the results below.
Anderson in a photo by Josh Hedges
Anderson Silva vs Demian Maia
As was to be expected, Anderson Silva avoided the ground fight. In the first and second round, the “Spider”, with kicks and punches, nearly defined the outcome, opening a cut on his opponent’s face. Nevertheless, starting in the third round, what most stood out were the champion’s provocations. Demian started going on the attack and went all or nothing in the fifth stanza, but to no effect. In the end, to boos from the crowd, Anderson hung on to his middleweight belt with a unanimous decision.
BJ Penn vs Frankie Edgar
Despite the ground savvy of both parties, what transpired were five rounds on the feet – basically a bout of boxing. BJ controlled the center of the ring and worked the counter-attack the entire time. Edgar attacked throughout and managed two takedowns. In the end, via decision, the scorecards crowned a new lightweight champion: Frankie Edgar.
Matt Hughes. Photo: Josh Hedges
Matt Hughes vs Renzo Gracie
Renzo had a good first round against Hughes, landing solid strikes while standing. Nevertheless, starting in the second, he began to gas out. In the final round the Gracie demonstrated clear signs of fatigue and Hughes made the most of it, landing effective strikes and kicks to the legs. In a flurry of punches, Hughes managed the knockout 20 seconds from the final bell.
Rafael dos Anjos vs Terry Etim
In the first round, Etim caused some discomfort with a guillotine but dos Anjos ended up on top, gaining the upper hand. Rafael’s master, Roberto Gordo, told the black belt between rounds: “You turned up the heat halfway through the round. Now go for it.” And that’s what he did. Dos Anjos got the takedown and went to work on the ground, landing strikes and elbows from side-control and the mount. At the end of the round, he went from a kimura lock to armbar and got the tapout. The result is the tie-breaker in the fighter’s UFC career, now with three wins and two losses.
Kendall Grove vs Mark Munoz
Munoz saw storm clouds in the first round. He was punished in the standup and weathered some snug choke holds. Gove’s mistake was to land on bottom in the second, after trying for a submission. Munoz launched a ground and pound assault resulting in the technical knockout. Rodrigo Minotauro rushed in to celebrate his victory.
UFC 112
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Anderson Silva defeated Demian Maia via unanimous decision
Frankie Edgar defeated B.J. Penn via unanimous decision
Matt Hughes defeated Renzo Gracie via TKO at 4:40 min of R3
Rafael dos Anjos submitted Terry Etim via armbar at 4:30 min of R2
Mark Munoz defeated Kendall Grove via TKO at 2:50 min of R2
Phil Davis submitted Alexander Gustafsson via anaconda choke at 4:55 min of R1
John Gunderson vs Paul Taylor (Cancelled)
Rick Story defeated Nick Osipczak via split decision
DaMarques Johnson defeated Brad Blackburn via TKO at 2:08 min of R3
Paul Kelly submitted Matt Veach via guillotine at 3:41 min of R2
Jon Madsen defeated Mostapha Al Turk via unanimous decision