The UFC had a successful debut in Sydney, Australia, this Sunday. Tickets were sold out in just two days since going on sale and the crowd marked its presence for every fight, especially for the win of local fighter George Sotiropoulos. In the evening’s main fight, Cain Velasquez caught Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira off guard. Wanderlei Silva landed another win in the organization and Mirko Cro Cop saw victory as well.
Rodrigo Minotauro vs Cain Velasquez
Cain wins his eighth in a row. Photo: Josh Hedges
Cain Velasquez preserved his unbeaten record (eight fights) against Rodrigo Minotauro. In the striking department, the landed good shots from the start, always anticipating the Brazilian’s movement. After landing a two-punch sequence, Velasquez saw Minotauro crash to the ground, whereby he followed up with more blows, and ended the fight at 2:20min of the opening round. Now the fighter has earned his shot against reigning heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
“I’m very proud and appreciate the work of the entire team. I wanted to be fighting standing. I wanted to hit him before he hit me, “said Velasquez.
“I’m sad. He was faster than me and deserved to win. One of the best fighters in the world,” said Minotauro, while still in the octagon.
Michael Bisping vs Wanderlei Silva
Wand wins again. Photo: Josh Hedges
The lead up to this fight saw much provocation exchanged between the two. The one who came out best was Wanderlei Silva. Bisping shot for takedowns and tried to avoid the standup, but Wand, when taken down, quickly got to his feet. In the second round the Brazilian landed some good strikes and managed to get the takedown to work his ground and pound. In the end of the round, he nearly ended it with a guillotine before time ran out. In the final stanza, Wand went all out in striking, landing solid punches, and after a knockdown, nearly defined the match, as the final bell sounded. Thus the “Axe Murderer” took the judges’ decision.
“We have had bad times in our career, but we have to work hard,” said Wand.”Rafael Cordeiro is the best coach in the world, incredible,” he added, even joking about the plastic surgery apparent on his face.
“Now I’m pretty!”
George Sotiropoulos vs Joe Stevenson
George Sotiropoulos was an unpleasant surprise for Joe Stevenson. The Australian showed great Jiu-Jitsu in the first round. On top, he reached the mount and nearly finished with an armbar. In the following round, he showed dominant striking, too, and landed solid punches. When he found himself on the ground, he swept with an omoplata and caught his opponent in an arm-triangle. Although Stevenson fought on even terms in the final round, to the end, Sotiropoulos took a well-earned unanimous decision, to the delight of local fans.
Ryan Bader vs Keith Jardine
Despite takedowns being his forte, it was with a punch, flying knee and follow-up punch that Ryan Bader overcame Keith Jardine. The fight was evenly matched until the third round. Bader got the takedown in the first round and Jardine worked his striking in the second. The knockout came at 2:10min of the third and kept up Ryan’s unbeaten record.
Mirko Cro Cop vs Anthony Perosh
Cro Cop got the knock out. Photo: Josh Hedges
Anthony Perosh was called on two days before the event to replace Ben Rothwell. The Australian tried to hold out and put up a front for his fans, but it wasn’t enough. In the initial round, Cro Cop stalked him the whole time and landed solid blows. He got a knockdown and came close to defining it. The second set was no different and with an elbow during the ground and pound, he opened a large gash on his opponent’s face. Perosh again showed willingness and continued, but the match was disrupted during the break before the third round
Check out the results:
UFC 110
Sydney, Australia
February 20, 2010
Cain Velasquez defeats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via TKO at 2:20 min of R1
Wanderlei Silva defeats Michael Bisping won via unanimous decision
George Sotiropoulos defeats Joe Stevenson via unanimous decision
Ryan Bader defeats Keith Jardine via KO at 2:10min of R3
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic defeats Anthony Perosh via TKO at 5min of R2
Preliminary Fights
Krzysztof Soszynski defeats Stephan Bonnar via TKO at 1:4min of R3
Chris Lytle submits Brian Foster via armbar at 1:41 min of R1
CB Dollaway Goran Reljic won via unanimous decision
James Te Huna Igor Pokrajac won via TKO in R3