UFC on FX 6 and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale may not have been chock full of big names but, as often occurs on these cards, some of the promotion’s lesser-knowns took the opportunity to smash the door down on their respective divisions.
The big winners
3 – Ross Pearson
After spending two fights at featherweight, Pearson returned to lightweight in a huge way, knocking out George Sotiropoulos in punishing style on the Australian’s own turf. The Brit dropped his opposing TUF coach three times in as many rounds before mercifully finishing him off.
While I believe Pearson’s best hope for success is at featherweight due to his size and the fact he is unlikely to pose much of a threat in the stacked lightweight division, there is no doubt this was an extremely impressive victory on a big stage.
2 – Hector Lombard
Finally, the real Hector Lombard has arrived in the UFC. After a surprisingly timid and somewhat contentious defeat to Tim Boetsch, the adopted Australian silenced the doubters with a brutal KO on poor Rousimar Palhares in the first round on the Gold Coast.
Lombard stalked his Brazilian prey around the cage with intent and reignited hopes that he may be a genuine title contender in the future. Extra points for the best celebration of the weekend in front of his ‘home’ crowd.
1 – Rustam Khabilov
Wait, who? There weren’t many at The Joint in Las Vegas who paid much attention to this young Russian’s Octagon debut, but those who did were left with their jaws on the floor.
Khabilov knocked-out Vinc Pichel in the first via a slam, but in truth it was three devastating belly-to-back suplexes that finished the American. I haven’t seen suplexes like that since I watched Kurt Angle wrestle in the WWE as a kid. The only difference being Khabilov’s opponent had no idea they were coming.
Great job Sir, I can’t wait for your next fight.
Apologies to Mike Pyle, Pat Barry, Colton Smith and Norman Parke.
The losers
3 – Colin Fletcher
Not really your fault ‘Freak Show’, but I really was hoping that because there was so much focus on you throughout The Smashes that maybe you were something special in the cage and not just a great TV personality.
Lanky and awkward, I thought your style would seriously trouble your ‘little brother’ Norman Parke. It just wasn’t meant to be.
2 – Rousimar Palhares
I am a sucker for freak submission artists, but while Palhares’ leg locks may be infamous Toquinho, they’re no good if you can’t last long enough to get your opponent to the ground.
Against a top-notch striker in Lombard, Palhares’ MMA shortcomings were brutally exposed as he was handed his second consecutive first-round KO, leaving him on the verge of a dreaded three-fight losing streak. It’s time for the Brazilian to learn some new tricks, or his Octagon days could be over very soon.
1 – George Sotiropoulos
It really is difficult to comprehend now, but less than two years ago George Sot was banded around as a title contender. Today, the thought of him facing a Benson Henderson, Nate Diaz, Gray Maynard, Anthony Pettis or Joe Lauzon is laughable.
They haven’t fallen much harder or faster than the 35-year-old Australian lately and after a third consecutive loss, you would have to imagine the ‘r-word’ is bouncing around Sotiropoulos’ head right now, if it has indeed recovered from the pounding it received over the weekend.
While he will probably avoid a pink slip in his Christmas stocking on account of his involvement in The Smashes, you’d have to question what there is to gain for Sotiropoulos in continuing his career in the Octagon.
The best moment
Pat Barry again proves why he’s one of the most loved fighters in the UFC with an emotional tribute to the young victims of the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut after his win over Shane del Rosario.
Uh, that was weird…
Granted you are young and inexperienced Colton Smith, but when the sponsor is speaking to you, just pay attention.
Especially when that sponsor is Harley-Davidson. And they want to give you a free motorbike.
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