UFC On Fox 1

On Saturday night Junior Dos Santos became the new Heavyweight Champion of the UFC, with the Brazilian stopping Cain Velasquez sixty four seconds into the first round. Junior's game plan was no secret. Stuff the takedown, then unleash his devastating hands. When the fight began, Junior landed two straight rights with Cain replying with two leg kicks. But as soon as the booming right hand of Dos Santos connected behind the ear of Velasquez, it looked as if possibly the most hyped fight in UFC history was over inside a minute. Velasquez was dropped, with Junior unleashing over ten unanswered shots on Cain before referee John McCarthy called a stop to the fight.


Cain Velasquez hadn't fought in over a year, since his victory over Brock Lesnar to win the title at UFC 121, due surgery. A case could be made that Cain may have been suffering from 'ring rust', and that could be true. He didn't look as in shape as we are used to, weighing in at 249 pounds. But that is to take away from a great victory by Junior Dos Santos, who's boxing skills will strike fear into any opponent. Just ask Shane Carwin or Roy Nelson. 


By winning on Saturday night, Junior also became the third Brazilian currently holding a UFC title, along with Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo. Dana White has already stated the Brazil has become the UFC's new Canada, with more events in the country planned for next year as well as a season of The Ultimate Fighter based in Brazil. Coupled with exciting prospects such as Renan Barao coming through the ranks it is no surprise that mixed martial arts has become so popular in country, with a reported sixty million viewers tuning in to see Junior Dos Santos win the title.


For those who were new to the world of MMA, and maybe experiencing UFC for the first time this weekend, they may be forgiven for thinking this was the only fight of the night. But before the two heavyweights took to the cage, there was the lightweight bout and, maybe more importantly, battle of the hair between Clay Guida and Benson Henderson. Most definitely fight of the night, this three round battle may have been more fitting for those experiencing the sport for the first time. Although it was an easy decision for the judges (is there such a thing?) it was a thoroughly entertaining fight, with Benson Henderson coming out with the victory. Guida done his best to draw Henderson into a brawl, and succeeded. But Henderson's wrestling and clinch work were superior, and his conditioning was on par with Guida, meaning he could keep up any pace Clay put on him. But it was Guida's inability to submit Henderson that proved his downfall, first making a mistake in pulling guard when he had guillotine, then unable to pass Henderson's brilliant submission defence in the last thirty seconds. The result of which means that Henderson will now get a shot at Frankie Edgar's lightweight title at the UFC's event in Japan next year. It is sure to be an excellent fight.