Has Anyone Died in UFC
This was the question I asked today after watching UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) 110 in Sydney Australia. After watching Anthony Perosh get bashed hardcore, I thought to myself ‘Has anyone died in the UFC?‘ But upon searching, it seems there hasn’t been any ‘official’ deaths in the main UFC competition.
It was an exciting MMA event, what seemed like a good quality card with some impressive light, welter and heavy weight fights. Watching the first fight in the Octagon between:
* Heavyweight Bout: Croatia Mirko Filipović vs. Australia Anthony Perosh
Filipović defeated Perosh via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 2.
It was hard on Anthony Perosh, the Australian MMA fighter was a late call up after an initial fighter pulled out. Perosh rarely struck or made contact on Filipovic. And the Croat basically took it easy on Perosh, whenever Perosh went down – he was allowed to get up. Eventually Mirko Filipovic took Perosh out, a heavy elbow shot to the head splitting him open and the doctor stepping in to stop the fight.
In the second bout on the card:
* Light Heavyweight Bout: United States Keith Jardine vs. United States Ryan Bader
Bader defeated Jardine via KO (punch) at 2:10 of round 3.
I really enjoyed this fight. I am new to UFC and don’t understand a lot of the rules. Bader was talked up in the Spike TV promo and he did live up to his billing. Jardine looked resilient and the kind of guy that could take a beating, but some eventual fast punching and a disguised flying kick from Bader saw Jardine knocked out with very little takedowns or groundfighting in this bout. Awesome to watch, Bader remains undefeated.
* Lightweight Bout: United States Joe Stevenson vs. Australia George Sotiropoulos
Sotiropoulos defeated Stevenson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
This was a good fight, not only for Soriopoulos’ ability, but the fact he had the Aussie crowd support. His ground fighting as impressive. He was always in control it seemed and Stevenson copped a few hits standing and on the ground. The ninjitsu background obviously helped Sotiropoulos in this UFC fight.
* Middleweight Bout: Brazil Wanderlei Silva vs. England Michael Bisping
Silva defeated Bisping via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
I was keen to see Wanderlei Silva fight, again as I am new to UFC – I had seen the build up around Silva and had previously seen some of his fighting on occasion. After his operation and time off, his new nose and scar tissue from around the eye removed – he looked fresh. He had dropped a weight division and Bisping from the UK was loud and proud looking to take on and defeat a big name.
Bisping did well and had control for a good portion of this bout, but a late flurry of punches from Silva late in the final round saw Bisping knocked out and hitting the canvas in the Octogon. This particular attack from Silva winning him the fight no doubt.
* Heavyweight Bout: Brazil Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. United States Cain Velasquez
Velasquez defeated Nogueira via KO (punches) at 2:20 of round 1.
The final bout between the legend Nogueira and newcomer Velasquez was amazing. The new kid on the block had the knockout early, with both fighters going ‘toe to toe’ and swinging punches big time. Velasquez got the connection and followed it up with a brutal flurry to ensure the champ was not coming back. Huge hitting and it had the Acer Arena crowd pumping in Sydney.
We look forward to hopefully seeing UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) back in Australia again soon. Judging by ticket sales, there was suggestion the box office for this event sold out as the 2nd quickest in UFC history? Amazing.
