CHAPTER 226: Reviewing UFC 91

“…it’s time to kill that master ” – Kenny Florian

Gabriel Gonzaga vs Josh Hendricks

That was a very good knockout by Gonzaga, with a lot of power that brought down Hendricks. Gonzaga showed he was the stronger fighter, and made inflicting more powerful blows/striking (his knees and punches). I think also that Gonzaga had more weight on him thus he was able to out strength Hendricks.
Hendricks, well he looked like he was too flabby.
With his win, I think Gonzaga could perhaps move up the rankings of the UFC HW division with perhaps winning 2 to 3 more fights that could led him to a title shot. Perhaps fights with Kongo, Carwin and Dos Santos could be next.
Anyhow, Napao’s knockout adds to my fight rating.

My Fight Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5


Kenny Florian vs Joe Stevenson

Kenny Florian put in a great performance.
He was more active than Stevenson, throwing more punches and kicks and also moving all the time. Also, Florian was quick in what he did: from striking and keeping his distance in and out of Stevenson’s range (and withstood against Stevenson’s punches), to his ground and pound on Stevenson that led him in getting the mount position, and finally getting on Stevenson’s back and then rolling Joe to put in that rear naked choke submission.
Stevenson seemed as if he didn’t have any answer to Florian’s attacks.
Considering potential future fights, Florian was demanding for BJ Penn. Could be a likely situation, what with Florian being a TUF alumni I’m sure Dana would give him his shot. I also think that a rematch with Sean Sherk would be another possibility though.
As for Joe Stevenson, I think this lost would do harm since he’s already lost to BJ at UFC 84, and now losing to Florian, Joe probably would end up fighting some of the other potential lightweight contenders (Tyson Griffin, Danzig, Franca, Huerta?).

The fight rating is based on Florian’s dominance, with the ground and pound and that rear naked choke that ended the fight and everything happening in the first round.


My Fight Rating: 4 stars out of 5


Nate Quarry vs Demian Maia

Demian Maia put in an excellent showing in this fight.
He was very quick in getting the fight to the ground, and once Quarry was down Maia kept strong in ensuring the fight stayed on the ground. Maia definitely played to his strengths in that he was stronger in the ground game, and he was dictating his way through.
As for Quarry, I think that Maia was just too fast in getting him down and Maia was very persistent in making it a ground war. Quarry just wasn’t able to successfully escape from Maia’s clutches once the Brazilian got hold of him.

Once again, great showing from Maia, and I believe that he’s now truly moving up the pecking order (and with a record of 9-0 to his name at the current moment).I’m not sure if he got get Bisping next (as what he said post fight with Rogan), but I’m sure his next fight will be against another top and potential title challenger just like himself.

Maia’s skill in getting the fight to his strengths, and more so his BJJ prowess adds up to my fight rating for this fight.

My Fight Rating: 4 stars out of 5


Randy Couture vs Brock Lesnar

I think from the fight, Randy Couture, even though he wasn’t really punishing Lesnar throughout the fight (though Brock did get a cut though above his eye) was doing well in getting through the fight rounds, until he got caught by Lesnar straight right (if I’m not mistaken). He even had Lesnar pinned against the cage (and I think that Couture controlled Lesnar in some parts of the fight) and I believe that also at some parts of the fight Lesnar really wasn’t able to bully through Couture (and of course until the punch he made that dropped Couture).

Lesnar, for me, seemed tentative in certain moments.
I didn’t think that he was as explosive during the first seconds of the fight as he was against Frank Mir and Heath Herring, and also not as explosive in engaging the fight against Couture as he was throughout his fight duration against Herring. I’m not sure whether he felt pressured because of fighting Couture or because of the various regarding this particular fight that would have gotten to him, but it is my opinion that although Lesnar made a great punch that brought down Couture (and the following ground and pound that ended the fight was inevitable) there was some luck in that situation, as I also reckon that Couture got caught with that big punch.

Anyway, Brock is now the champ, so….it changes things now, especially for the UFC’s heavyweight division. Now, I presume a lot of people will most probably expect a next fight with Big Nog for Lesnar. And I also think that since Brock was once a product of the WWE, they could utilize him as a new ‘Face’ or a ‘Heel’ (especially for the HW division).

As for Couture, well…..could it be over?.....
I’m sure Couture would try to finish the remaining 2 fights on his UFC contract (and again, the probable encounter with perhaps Frank Mir next).
But one thing that could be certain, and this matter that could be more certain as time goes by, is that, Couture’s fight with Fedor grows ever more unlikely…….and could be something that would not be happening…….

My Fight Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5


Linked Chapters:
- Predicting UFC 91
- A Crazy Turn of Events