After some stunning preliminary fights which saw Aussie Lightweight George Sotiropoulos KO’d just 59 seconds into the first round and blistering performance by Melvin Guillard who took home a knockout victory, once UFC 132 kicked into gear the knockouts and excitement only continued.
Carlos Condit vs Dong Hyun Kim
Carlos Condit continued the early theme of the night with a stunning knockout of Dong Hyun Kim with a sickening flying knee which caused a referee stoppage.
Kim started the fight impressively with an early takedown, however Condit swept impressively to showcase his excellent mat skills.
From there, Condit was the busier, with a flurry of kicks and impressive striking before quickly landing the massive flying knee which handed Kim his first professional loss as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter.
Condit called out UFC matchmaker, Joe Silva, and asked if he was ready for a title shot.
With George St Pierre-Nick Diaz the next Welterweight title fight, after this performance few would argue against him being next in line.
Result: Condit by First Round Knockout
Tito Ortiz vs Ryan Bader
Tito Ortiz entered the Octagon next trying to salvage his career. With a string of recent defeats, many felt that if Tito didn’t have the name or history that he does, he would have already have been cut by the UFC.
The UFC wasn’t making things easy for Tito, handing him Ryan Bader, The Ultimate Fighter winner and accomplished amateur wrestler.
In the pre-fight video, UFC president Dana White said Tito Ortiz fights best with his back against the wall, and he certainly proved that tonight.
Tito Ortiz, the longest reigning UFC Light-Heavyweight champion in history, and was once the most dangerous fighters in the promotion, and was looking to get back not only in the title hunt, but to continue his career.
Tito looked very emotional coming into the Octagon knowing that it might have been the last time he made the walk to the cage.
Both men started with a quick pace with each throwing kicks and using their boxing early.
Ortiz was the busier early, trying to close the distance with his jab and throw some combinations.
Ortiz’s ploy to dictate the pace had immediate effect when Ortiz dropped Ryan Bader with a great right hook.
Ortiz quickly pounced on the prone Bader, then hooked in a guillatine, and Ryan Bader who already was reeling from a viscious right hand had no choice but to tap out.
The submission handed Ortiz his first win since October 2006, and UFC fans again got a look at the “gravedigger” celebration.
Result- Ortiz by submission in first round
Denis Siver vs Matt Wiman
Dennis Siver came into this fight on a roll, following his win over George Sotiropoulos earlier this year in Sydney.
Both men came into this fight on three fight win streak and neither wasted time getting going, with both exchanging a flurry of striking.
The crowd roared as both went toe to toe, swinging for the fences before Wiman took Siver down.
Siver showed excellent takedown defence getting off his back and countering with a submission.
Both men continued to exchange strikes, until Siver got a takedown of his own. Wiman got up with relative ease before both men continued to throw the kitchen sink at each other, with Siver getting the better of the striking.
The round finished with Wiman getting a takedown and finishing the round on top.
The round could have gone to anyone, and finally we saw a fight go outside the first round.
The pace of the first continued into the second before Wiman hooked Siver against the cage in a clinch.
Wiman scored yet another takedown and again Siver found himself on his back. A nice elbow from Wiman split Siver open across the eyebrow and Wiman continued showing his control.
Both men exchanged, with Wiman ontop and Siver throwing hooks and elbows from the ground.
Wiman was more effective though being on top and Siver allowed Wiman to posture up and rain down with a flurry of blows which opened up Siver yet again and Wiman ended the round on top, with Siver on the canvas a bloody mess.
Going into the third, Siver needed a knockout, with Wiman clearly winning the second and you could easily argue that he shaded the first as well.
The third started with Siver getting a takedown, but Wiman did well to regain his feet and showed strong defence.
The pace began to slow with both men feeling the effects of the frenetic pace both fought with in the earlier rounds.
Siver looked the more desperate throwing wild punches, kicks and his patented spinning back kick.
Both men ended the fight on the ground, with Wiman defending the takedown and Siver valiantly throwing hands trying to make something happen.
In Siver’s recklessness, Wiman managed to get multiple takedowns and lock in some submission attempts, only for Siver to fight out of it and land some big shots before the bell sounded with the fight going the distance.
The final round could again have gone either way. Siver’s desperation and couple of hard shots to end the round may have pinched the round, but for mine, the decision would fall on to Wiman, with one clear round and one close round decision.
However, the judges gave the fight to Siver, with all three scoring it 29-28 in favour of Siver.
The first round was close, as was the third, but Wiman was very very unlucky, and the crowd was not happy.
Result: Winner by unanimous decision, Denis Siver 29-28
Wanderlei Silva v Chris Leben
With these two sluggers in the cage, we were told not to move too far from our seats, and for good reason.
The bell sounded and both men swing for the fences early, with Wanderlei landing a good shot that shakes Leben before Leben lands a big hook in retaliation which buckles Wanderlei.
Leben followed it up with four consecutive uppercuts in the flurry which dropped Wanderlei to the mat, and this one is over after 30 seconds.
Wanderlei Silva is in some big trouble following the fight and even tries to fight the referee who was trying to help him as he was in a bad way.
Winner: Chris Leben by knockout 29 seconds into the first round
Main Event- UFC Bantamweight Title, Domonick Cruz v Urijah Faber
With our main event on the air after just 90 minutes, UFC 132 could go down as the shortest UFC pay per view in history, but yet still one of the most actioned packed.
Faber is the fan favourite as the bell rings.
Here’s my call of the action:
Frenetic pace to start, Faber looked to score a takedown but Cruz showed tremendous takedown defence.
Both men continued the theme of the night, with both looking to get the job finished as quickly as possible.
Faber knocks Cruz down the the mat with a solid superman punch, but Cruz showed his durability by bouncing up to his feet almost as soon as he went down, ensuring Faber did not have time to follow up.
Cruz got in some solid leg kicks of his own, and landed a big uppercut to get himself back into the round.
Wild right hook caught Faber above the ear, and Cruz begins to gradually assume control.
Both men do a bit of dirty boxing against the cage and complete some nice exchanges to end round 1, with the knockdown just tipping it into Fabers favour.
The second round picked up where the first ended with both mixing it up, and again Faber probably just getting the best of it.
Cruz stayed busy, and continued to switch between orthodox and southpaw and landing some good shots on Faber.
Cruz scoring some solid leg kicks and a good head kick, with Faber missing on his openings.
Just as Cruz was dictating things, Faber dropped Cruz with a short right hand, but again Cruz sprang back to his feet before Faber has a chance to follow up.
Cruz answers back with a impressive takedown, which Faber battles back from.
Bell sounds to end the round, and I have no idea who gets that exciting round.
The third round started a little less frenetic with Cruz again landing some good kicks and Faber unable to make Cruz pay when an opening presents, given Cruz’s speed.
Cruz is getting on top in this round with Cruz defending numerous takedown attempts.
Faber shoots again and this time manages to get Cruz to the ground, only for Cruz to battle his way back and land a nice right on the way to his feet.
Faber finishes the round with some nice scoring punches, but I would have Cruz winning the round in some judges eyes, but again so hard to split them, and you could argue just as strongly for Faber.
The fourth starts quickly again with Cruz rushing Faber, landing a couple of big right hands and forces Faber to the back foot.
Faber knocks Cruz down yet again in this fight, but once again Cruz bounces straight up and then shoots for a takedown.
Faber defends two takedowns nicely and manages to spin out of one attempt and put Cruz back on the back foot straight away.
Fabers round with the knockdown being the difference in the two fighters.
Final round started with a flying knee connecting by Cruz, and Cruz followed that up with a takedown that Faber managed to fight back to his feet.
Both men exchanged a bit of dirty boxing against the cage.
Cruz scored another quick takedown, but Faber got back to his feet just as quickly. Cruz takes Faber down again, only for Faber to slide out and get back to his feet.
Cruz takes Faber down again, and began to take an iron grip on the round.
Cruz wins the round and it may be the difference in the fight.
The fight goes to the judges…
As reigning champion, I think Cruz gets the decision, but as silly as it sounds it could even be a draw or Faber could pinch it. That is how much the fight ebbed and flowed. However, it would be an upset to see the belt go to Faber without him clearly being the strong.
It simply depended on what the judges were more impressed by Faber’s knockdowns or Cruz’s takedowns. Cruz controlled the fight, but the definitive punches went to Faber.
On my scoring I gave the fight to Cruz by a round with Faber winning one round and Cruz winning two rounds with two even.
Winner by unanimous decision and still UFC Bantamweight Champion, Dominick Cruz
50-45, 49-46 and 48-47
What a fight, to end an absolutely cracking fight card. Joe Rogan immediately asks Faber the inevitable question: Will there be a rematch? Faber says bring it on.
I know I am only one of many UFC fans who cannot wait.
The big news out of the night is that Tito Ortiz is back, Chris Leben has arrived in the title picture and Cruz-Faber III has to happen.
Fighters were awarded $75,000 bonuses.
Fight of the Night: Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber
Knockout of the Night: Carlos Condit
Submission of the Night: Tito Ortiz
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