UFC 99 Results

UFC 99 was a so-so event, with the card being one of the least exciting in recent memory. Even with the return of Cro Cop, this was a somewhat sub-par card, exacerbated by the 3pm ET start time.

Ok, let's see how I did on predictions.

Rich Franklin def Wanderlei Silva (Unanimous decision)

"My money’s on: Franklin. Wanderlei has crazy power, but not much reach. Franklin is younger, faster and smarter and will figure out a way to neutralize the disco-loving freak."

Sounds like I was pretty much right on. Franklin found a way to avoid Wanderlei's power and get the decision.

Cain Velasquez def. Cheick Kongo (Unanimous decision)

"My money’s on: Kongo. Boooooooring."

Thank goodness Kongo lost. I'm pretty sick of his dull fights and even in defeat he bored me. Velasquez overcame some pretty heavy shots by Kongo and took the big man down at will. Sure, it wasn't exciting, but if Velasquez can improve his game, he ought to be more exciting than the Frenchman.

Mike Swick def. Ben Saunders (TKO - Rd 2)

"My money’s on: Swick. I see an entertaining fight ending with Swick knocking Saunders on his ass."

Yup - got this one right on, too. This would have been a pretty big win for Saunders and a pretty devastating loss for Swick. With this win behind him, Swick can now look forward to bigger opponents.

Dan Hardy def. Marcus Davis (Split decision)

"My money’s on: Davis. Hardy will give him a run for his money, but Davis will win if he can get inside or take Hardy down. If he wins, hopefully the UFC will give the ageing Davis a real name opponent before he retires!"

I should have had this right on, too. Davis had this fight won, but lost it when he inexplicably gave up top position to attempt an ankle lock. At that point Hardy took top position, punished Davis and won the round. Without question, that was the turning point. This loss really hurts Davis who had an otherwise stellar UFC record. A loss against a mid-level guy like Hardy pretty much spoils any chance Davis had of fighting top flight opposition before he retires.

Spencer Fisher def. Caol Uno (Unanimous decision)

"My money’s on: Fisher. Look for him to start moving up to the top of the ladder after this one. The UFC has denied this guy’s talent for too long."

Right on again. The most boring fight of the night, probably, but Fisher deservedly got the nod.

Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic def. Mostapha Al Turk (TKO - Rd 1)

"My money’s on: Cro Cop. Barely. This could be another boring fight if the larger Al Turk takes Cro Cop down, but if it stays standing, Cro Cop could deliver a highlight finish or at least win on points via strikes. This is definitely the iffy fight of the night."

Cro Cop did provide a brutal victory, but not without controversy. How the ref missed the fact Al Turk had been poked is beyond me. Even if he didn't see it, Al Turk was clearly wounded by something other than a strike. Cro Cop is under no obligation to give his opponent any quarter, but the sportsmanlike thing to do would have been to back off.

So 4-2 on the main card. Not bad.

Other matches:

Terry Etim def. Justin Buchholz (Sub - Rd 2) – Go that.

Dennis Siver def. Dale Hartt (Sub - Rd 1) – Got that.

Paul Taylor def. Peter Sobotta (Unanimous decision) – Got that.

Paul Kelly def. Rolando Delgado (Unanimous decision) – Got that.

Denis Stojnic def. Stefan Struve (Sub - Rd 2) – Got that. I wanna see this Struve kid.

John Hathaway def. Rick Story (Unanimous decision) – Got that.

So 6-0 on the undercard - sweet! 10-2 for the night. Wow. I must be psychic.

A lot of the undercard fights went the distance which suggests they weren't very exciting. Like I said - not a fantastic card nor event.

Next up is UFC 100 - without a doubt the biggest card in recent memory if not UFC history. Stay tuned for my predictions!