Ortiz goes for his 2nd Jiu-Jitsu submission in his long career. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa.
Fighting in the UFC always ends in an embrace. That’s how UFC 132 ended this Saturday, after the main event between bantamweight former rivals Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber ended their five-round affair standing, without much going on on the ground.
Cruz held onto his belt without any big scares, managing to land a handful of takedowns and strikes on even terms with the ground-savvy Faber, ending with the belt again fastened around his waist and embracing the opponent earlier he had called an imbecile, at the last press conference.
“This guy hits really hard,” said Cruz in praise, receiving his blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu from Lloyd Irvin while still in the octagon. “I’d like to thank the fans, who make me stronger with every fight.”
Besides the well-meaning hugs, UFC 132 in Las Vegas was marked by Wanderlei Silva kissing the canvas just 29 seconds into his fight with Chris Leben and his bright red hairdo. Wand launched his usual onslaught but while clinching he left his chin prime pickings for his rival to land a series of hooks. Drooping his nose over the canvas, Wand saw his eleventh loss in 46 fights – his fifth by knockout.
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And the best Jiu-Jitsu of the night – who’d have known? – came from the overseasoned Tito Ortiz, who hadn’t won a fight since his 2006 showdown with Ken Shamrock. Faced with the game Ryan Bader, Tito first landed a strike to the face, putting is opponent off balance. Once on the ground, he showed he’d done his homework and sunk a snug guillotine that made his cornerman, 2009/10 super heavyweight world champion Ricardo Demente, proud.
The evening was also marked by four gorgeous knockouts of the night, like Carlos Condit’s flying knee, spelling Korea’s Dong Kim’s first loss in 16 fights.
UFC 132
MGM Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
July 2, 2011
Dominick Cruz defeated Urijah Faber via unanimous decision;
Chris Leben knocked out Wanderlei Silva at 0.29 minutes of R1;
Tito Ortiz submitted Ryan Bader via guillotine at 1:56 min of R1;
Carlos Condit knocked out Dong Kim with a flying knee and strikes at 2:58 min of R1;
Dennis Siver defeated Matt Wiman via unanimous decision.
Prelims
Melvin Guillard knocked out Shane Roller at 2:12 min (strikes);
Rafael dos Anjos knocked out George Sotiropoulos at 0.59 seconds (strike);
Brian Bowles defeated Takeya Mizugaki via unanimous decision;
Aaron Simpson defeated Brad Tavares via unanimous decision;
Anthony Njokuani venceu Andre Winner via unanimous decision;