· UFC 131: What We Learned
Even without the night’s marquee draw, Brock Lesnar, Saturday night’s “UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin” from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada still managed a respectable 14,685 in attendance with a $2.8 million live gate. Although the star power may have been lost to illness, UFC 131 saw two fighters possibly secure title shots and another fighter take a substantial step forward in his quest for a chance at a championship. With all the smoke clearing from another solid show we ask our typical post-event question: What did we learn?
Dos Santos Separates Himself From The Pack
With the heavyweight division always in a state of flux, Junior Dos Santos has been as steady as they come. At a time when two or three solid performances can earn a fighter a title shot, Dos Santos has picked up eight straight wins, including seven in a row over UFC competition. Now it looks like he will be getting his chance at the heavyweight title.
The Brazilian blasted Shane Carwin early in the first, almost stopping the fight. He continued to stay in control from there. Even taking down his bloody opponent several times in the final round. Dos Santos can now set his sites on Cain Valesquez, probably some time this winter.
Featherweight Florian Feeling Good After Debut
Many believed that if Kenny Florian had a successful debut at featherweight he could pencil in a date with Champion Jose Aldo in the not-to-distant future. While the win over Diego Nunes was not his best performance, he did show an ability to control the fight from the top position and the speed to stand up with a strong striker.
The move down from lightweight appears to be a permanent one after this performance. Florian stated that he hopes to improve by his next fight which may or may not be for the championship.
Mark Munoz Crosses a Major Bridge
Erasing bad memories are often hard to do, just ask Mark Munoz. Over two years removed from losing his UFC debut to Matt Hamill by head kick many fans still recall Munoz from that moment—never mind that since then he has dropped to middleweight and gone a remarkable 6-1. However, Saturday’s win over Demian Maia may have finally changed that.
Munoz went toe-to-toe with the former title challenger for three rounds, earning himself a decision and proving that he has the ability to control the tempo and location of the fight. The win isn’t likely to put Anderson Silva on his radar, but it does move Munoz into the “contenders” gap left by the absence of Chael Sonnen and the departure of Nate Marquardt to welterweight.
“Pee-Wee’s” Big Adventure
Dave Herman certainly didn’t make it look easy, but he did make memorable. After a back-and-forth fight that looked like it could swing either way at any moment, Herman landed a series of strikes that dropped Jon Olav Einemo late in the second round. From there Herman would pounce and finish the fight. It’s obviously premature to elevate Herman to the upper echelon of UFC heavyweights, but he is on his way after making an impression in his UFC debut, one that earned a nifty “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Dominant Cerrone Lassos Rocha
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, since moving into UFC from WEC, has big plans. Those plans include getting his hands on some gold. So far, he is making all the right moves. After submitting Paul Kelly in his first UFC he bout, he followed up that performance with a striking clinic against Vagner Rocha.
Powered by devastating leg kicks, Cerrone blasted through Rocha, winning each round and never showing any signs of trouble. After the bout Cerrone apologized for not finishing his opponent, but his performance was strong to likely warrant him moving well up the lightweight ladder and a potential duel with another marquee name in the division.
Full Results:
Main Card
- Junior Dos Santos def. Shane Carwin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Kenny Florian def. Diego Nunes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Mark Munoz def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Dave Herman def. Jon Olav Einemo via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 3:19
- Donald Cerrone def. Vagner Rocha via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Preliminary Card
- Chris Weidman via Jesse Bongfeldt submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 4:54
- Krzysztof Soszynski def. Mike Massenzio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
- Nick Ring def. James Head via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 3, 3:33
- Dustin Poirier def. Jason Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Joey Beltran def. Aaron Rosa via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 1:26
- Darren Elkins def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
