13/05/2020
Eighth Review: UFC 249- Main Card
Description: This will be a little different as this review is of a live PPV Combat Sports review. Same icons used: 🎥=kick a$$ fight, highlight moments and 🧀=Bull Shizz moments and underwhelming moments.
Main Event-Intrum Lightweight (155) Championship
Tony Ferguson v.s. Justin Gaethje:
This fight was because Khabib Nurmagomedov couldn’t get out of Russia in time due to COVID-19. Ferguson (The Boogeyman) looked sharp at first, and stayed true to his ring name as a guy that keeps coming. Gaethje (The Highlight Reel) came out looking better than he has before. Gaethje hit Ferguson with bombs from the get, and Ferguson was just shrugging them off, and landing some shots as well. Ferguson starting picking up the pace in the second round, and you started to think the volume of strikes were shifting momentum in his way; he even dropped Gaethje with a clean uppercut at the end of the round, but Gaethje rebounded well during the break. However, as the rounds complied you noticed Ferguson wasn't moving like normal, and you got the feeling Gaethje was going to connect with an eventual knock out shot. Taking some great advice from his corner he took some power off his shots, and went with more precision and timing shots. Going in the fifth round you started to see the rounds of taking bombs wear on Ferguson. Finally after a ahead kick, and some hooks that had been landing all night you saw Ferguson’s legs start to really give. One final head shot backed Ferguson up, and while he was trying to shake his head to stay awake the ref called the fight.
Analysis:
Ferguson (🎥): Dude is in such great shape he was able to absorb shots that would knock out normal fighters. His heart was unquestionable. True warrior!
Gaethje (🎥): Dude was throwing everything into his shots early on and you started to see some fatigue, but listening to his corner and going for more precise shots based of timing proved to accumulate the volume to put Ferguson in dangerous waters. Gaethje was a shark 🦈 and Ferguson was getting killed.
Ref (🎥): Herb Deen is one of the best. Sometimes these fighters won’t stop, and can potentially really get hurt. The ref saw the head shake from Ferguson, knew that wasn’t normal, and stepped in before Geathje really dropped an end shot. Great stop 🛑!!
Co-Main Event-Bantamweight (135) Championship
(C) Henry Cejudo (Triple C) v.s. Dominic Cruz (The Dominator).
This fight was quick and fast paced. You saw DC’s patented movement with his feet in full display after a few years away from the octagon. However, Triple C started to chop away at those legs restricting DC’s movement. Some exchanges back and forth, and DC even opening up Triple C after an accidental head butt, but you had the feeling DC just was a step behind Triple C the whole fight. In the second round Triple C put together a great combo which eventually landed a knee to the head dropping DC and Triple C swarmed like killer hornets. At least 11 unanswered shots to a grounded DC, and the ref saw enough; called the fight.
Cejudo (🎥): Was fast and fought a smart fight. Knowing DCs main strength was unorthodox movement he was chopping legs like trees. Striking from different angles, and putting combos together that landed he was just too much.
Cruz (🧀): The time away from the octagon saw the once dominating force get humbled. His speed didn’t seem to be there, and the movement led him into the opponents shots. Still a force to be reckoned with, but definitely needs to get back in the gym and work a new game plan. Complaining with the refs stoppage was unprofessional when you didn’t defend 11 straight shots even though you were trying to work up.
Ref (🎥): Main job of the ref is fighter health and well-being. Controversial stoppage as a downed opponent was trying to get up, but in my opinion warranted. An opponent must intelligently defend themselves at all times; taking unanswered/blocked shots to get to a position isn’t smart. Good stop 🛑!
Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
This fight had the makings of being a heavyweight slug out, but when Ngannou puts hands on people they go to sleep. That’s exactly what happened in this match. The fighters touched gloves, and immediately Ngannou bulldozed ahead, missed a few wild shots, and finally connected with a hook that sent Rozenstruik back against the cage and immediately went to sleep. Another two shots before the ref got there to seal the deal, and you got a bad “mofo” with his hand raised.
Ngannou (🎥/🧀): Dude is a monster. Freak power and that one shot kill ability at anytime. Only issue I have is dude hasn’t been tested in deep waters, and I wonder what his gas tank ⛽️ is like; he also has a wild technical style. If dude goes up against another monster like Anthony “Rumble“ Johnson or Daniel Cromier can he hang with the power and technical aspects of the truly elite.
Rozenstruik (🧀): Dude didn’t do much to impress, but he did have a killer coming at him from the get. I wish he would’ve used angles slipping to the side, and took the fight into at least a second round.
Ref (🧀): Dude seemed like he wasn’t ready for the knock out. Rozenstruik was out against the cage, and Ngannou hit him two more times before the ref got in there. Now easy to critique when I’m not the guy in the ring watching a pit bull feast in his pray.
Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar
This was a good match with both guys getting their exchanges. It ended with Kattar slamming an elbow into Stephens face, and eventually putting him away.
Stephens (🧀): Dude missed weight by 5 pounds, and just didn’t look like he was in fight shape from the get go.
Kattar (🎥): Took some heavy shot early, but weathered the storm. He rallied his technique, and created combos that landed.
Ref🎥): Good stoppage. Nothing spectacular, but solid officiating.
Greg Hardy va Yorgan de Castro
This had potential to be a slug fest, but saw both exchanging with single shots. Hardy showed some moments where you could see his training was evolving. de Castro reminded me of a less technical Pat Berry. Dude needs to drop to Light-Heavyweight though. Carries around way to much fat to get past elite Heavyweights.
Hardy (🎥): Showed improves technique and patience.
de Castro (🎥/🧀): Dude showed something good kickboxing. Relies on power too much, and definitely needs to drop to 205 giving his size difference to true heavyweights.
Ref (🎥): Solid! Nothing special or particular.
Overall Analysis:
Great card. Main card was stacked, and majority of fights didn’t disappoint. It was odd to see the fights with out crowds, but you really got to see abs hear things you normally wouldn’t.
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