Greatest Night in MMA History

Sunday, July 20, 2008, 1:51

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As I try to calm down from the greatest night in MMA History it is clear how far we have come. Could anyone have predicted that all of our wishes would have come true? From the Free to Paid Fights we saw it all.

If you chose to only watch one, you made a HUGE mistake. Correct it Now by Reading Mat’s Blog and watching the videos. The fights were amazing, and we still have Dream 5 where we should see some amazing lightweight clashes.

Unlike events and cards of recent, most of the fights ended in the Ring/Cage NOT by a Judge Decision.

Lets recap the UFC Fight Night 14 Spike TV. Fight Video Links

In an almost reminiscent manner of the disappointing 1st round knock outs by Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva destroyed James Irvin in the 1st round by catching his leg and knocking him to the ground with a HUGE right and jumped all over him ending the fight in a minute. Despite Affliction’s claim, I think its pretty clear Anderson Silva is the pound for pound best fighter in the world. Moving up to 205, he looked stronger and just as quick. If he chose to stay he would have just as many people running from him as Fedor but in two weight classes.

In a fight that showed that Brandon Vera may not be ready for the 205 cut, Vera slowly defeated Reese Andy by a Unanimous Decision. (1 of 2 frustrating fights)

Frank Edgar looked like a man with a plan taking Hermes Franca to the ground over and over again and muscling out a Unanimous Decision.

Cain Velasquez was a scary dude as he defeated Jake O’Brien by TKO in the 1st round with a Cross Mount that O’Brien seemed incapable of defending.

In maybe the worst call ever by the Mazz Kevin Burns was given the victory over Anthony Johnson instead of a no contest or disqualification when Burns seriously poked the eye of Johnson causing him to the drop to the ground and unable to continue.

CB Dollaway regained my respect by choking Jesse Taylor in the 1st Round.

Tim Credeur defeated Cale Yarbrough by Technical Knock Out in the 1st Round.

Rory Markham Knocked Brodie Farber in the 1st Round with one of the sickest leg kick to the head.

Nate Loughran submitted Johnny Rees in the 1st Round.

Brad Blackburn TKO’d James Giboo in the 2nd Round.

Shannon Gugerty Submited Dale Hartt by Choke in the 1st Round.

Affliction Banned lived up to all expectations. Fight Video Links

I was extremely happy to see Vitor Belfort back to top-level-form. While the fight seemed slow he was able to put a combination of punches together to defeat Terry Martin by Knock Out.

We saw up and comers Mike Pyle fight J.J. Ambrose. Pyle was able to dismantle Ambrose and finish with a Read Naked Choke.

The Smaller Nogueira was way to much for Dewees as Minotoro ended Bam Bams run with strikes in Round 1.

Fabio Nascimento fought the law, and the law won by decision. This was an interesting fight as both Matt Lindland and Fabio were even until Negao simply gassed out. Lindland won by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).

In maybe the slowest fight of the night Renato Sobral squeaked out a decision victory against Mike Whitehead. (2 of 2 frustrating fights)

At Featherweight, we saw the most active fight so far in the night as Mark Hominick Arm Barred Savant Young in Round 2.

It was also really great to see Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo showcase their talent. At any point this fight could have ended but fortunate for the Baby Face Assassin, he caught Rizzo and got his revenge with a KO in Round 2

Andrei Arlovksi showed his renewed focus as he defeated Ben Rothwell. In maybe one of the most exciting fights in either organization Arlovski could have one in Round 1 or 2 particularly when he threw his flying knee. Rothwell was able to take a hell of a beating until he seemed to simply tire and get knocked out in Round 3.

Anyone that has asked me about Fedor has heard my rant that I am not convinced on him being the Pound for Pound best fighter. He did everything Saturday Night to change my mind. In a fight that ended before the introductions were finished, Fedor threw so many punches so fast that Sylvia had nothing to do but drop to the ground and protect himself. Fedor quickly too his back and submitted him with an old school choke. The fight was so bad, that most of my friends texted that the wrong ex-UFC star fought Fedor (referencing how much better the Pitbull looked).

The highlight of the night for me was Fedor announcing that the fight he wants most next is Randy Couture and confirming their respect for each other by shaking hands in the middle of the ring.

Clearly this was the best single day of fights we have seen. Had either of these cards been on its own there still might have been an argument. From Silva and the evenly matched UFC debuts to Belfort, to Barnett, to Arlovski and Fedor I don’t know about you but I won’t be able to sleep for a week.

And to think, our weekend isn’t even done.

Dream 5 will be available to you on Monday at 2am on HDNet Fights. If you haven’t watched any of these fights so far, thats ok you are tuning in at the right moment.

4 of the best Lightweights in the world will compete in a Grand Prix to get named Dream Champion. Personally I am most excited to see Aoki Shinya versus Uno Caol. Aoki had the most amazing submission I have ever seen in Dream 4 with a gogoplata from the mount. Of course any fan knows Uno and he may be back to his younger form.

You will also see Eddie Alvarez face Kawajiri Tatsuya both of which are solid fighters.

Then the winner of those two fights will face one another for the championship.

I cannot even wait for Dream 5.