No worries mate, good luck with the Valerie result, anything can happen in MMA!

Now on to the championship fights!!! Joanna Jędrzejczyk will look to stump the hopes of challenger Valérie Létourneau in the Womens Strawweight divison. Hoping for an exciting fight, could be a lopsided smashing though.

Brutal and brilliant finish from Mark Hunt. As I mentioned in my preview, Hunt has strong fists and Silva has a weak jaw. Great result for Mark Hunt on a big stage in his adopted home. Will always be the crown jewel of Australia/New Zealand combat scene!

Brutal and brilliant finish from Mark Hunt. As I mentioned in my preview, Hunt has strong fists and Silva has a weak jaw. Great result for Mark Hunt on a big stage in his adopted home. Will always be the crown jewel of Australia/New Zealand combat scene!

ROUND 1

They meet in the centre and touch them up. Hunt first to engage with a leg kick. A feeling out process for the first minute of this clash, Hunt pressing forward. Solid body kick from Silva. Huge slap from a leg kick from Hunt, serious power. A kick to the body this time, another solid strike. Bigfoot lands his own leg kick as he is backed up against the cage with some good cage cutting from Hunt. HUNT WITH THE KO. He lands a massive right hand behind the ear of Silva and finishes him off with a couple of strikes on the ground. Excellent finish. It was a grazing blow, but with that kind of power it’s all you need.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Mark Hunt def. Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva by TKO – Round 1, 3:41.

Mark Hunt vs Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva

Super exciting fight coming up. Their first fight was an all-time war and I expect more fireworks from the Etihad Stadium.

ROUND 1

They meet in the centre and touch them up. Hunt first to engage with a leg kick. A feeling out process for the first minute of this clash, Hunt pressing forward. Solid body kick from Silva. Huge slap from a leg kick from Hunt, serious power. A kick to the body this time, another solid strike. Bigfoot lands his own leg kick as he is backed up against the cage with some good cage cutting from Hunt. HUNT WITH THE KO. He lands a massive right hand behind the ear of Silva and finishes him off with a couple of strikes on the ground. Excellent finish. It was a grazing blow, but with that kind of power it’s all you need.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Mark Hunt def. Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva by TKO – Round 1, 3:41.

Mark Hunt vs Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva

Super exciting fight coming up. Their first fight was an all-time war and I expect more fireworks from the Etihad Stadium.

ROUND 3

Some huge and wild exchanges to start off the round. The pace is insane. Whittaker lands a big punch and Hall is in trouble, Whittaker flurries and locks up for some recovery time. Whittaker has Halls back, standing against the cage. Hall appears to have some problems with his eye. Hall spins around, now has his back against the cage. Beautiful elbow on the exit by Whittaker. Excellent head kick and flying knee from Hall, he is coming back strong but Whittaker is extremely tough. Whittaker with his back against the cage. If he can hold on for two minutes he wins this fight. They break. Front kick to the face from Hall, wow. One minute remains, I’m getting a bit sweaty here! Tense finish. Whittaker comes back with some big punches. Hall turns his back to punches and Whittaker has him against the cage, drags him to the ground for a second. The horn sounds! Great fight, entertaining with some great skill shown. Whittaker pulls out the last round just with that big shot at the start and the last dominant minute.

MY SCORE:

10-9 Robert Whittaker

END RESULT:

30-27 Robert Whittaker

OFFICIAL DECISION

Robert Whittaker def. Uriah Hall via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Robert Whittaker super impressive in that fight and undoubtedly the biggest victory of his career to date. Very entertaining with both men having some crazy techniques in their arsenal. Hall struggled to pulled the trigger and stay strong for 15 minutes, turning his back several times to Whittaker’s flurries. Great result for Australia/New Zealand!

ROUND 2

Whittaker starts the second round much the same as the first, busy and active. Hall awfully falls off a right straight and gives up his back to Whittaker. Now getting battered with some old school foot stomps! Hall escapes and they again strike. Hall with a nice high kick attempt. Small breakage for an eye poke. It wasn’t an eye poke, it was a closed fist, fight should not have paused. Some great exchanges, I’d say Whittaker is getting the better of it for now, but Hall is always threatening. Hall looks like he is trying to time something big and flashy, but not pulling the trigger. Hall lands a huge head kick in a exchange but Whittaker eats it well. Hall spins but misses with a back kick. Much closer round this time, but Whittaker got the better of most exchanges.

MY SCORE:

10-9 Robert Whittaker

FIGHT SO FAR:

20-18 Robert Whittaker

Uriah Hall vs. Robert Whittaker

ROUND 1

They touch gloves in the centre! Wow wild swing from Whittaker starts an awkward stumbling exchange. Whittaker doing a lot of work early, a range of strikes using foot work to close the distance. Huge right hand! Hall is stunned for a moment. Hall starting to take the initiative with some more output. Whittaker looks very confident, not daunted by the occasion. The crowd ooooooos as Hall spins but nothing lands, nice leg kick from Whittaker. Hall throws some of the craziest 720 degree spinning thing I’ve seen, it fails and he ends up on his back. Whitaker controlling well on top, he has side control and drops some elbows. He mounts momentarily but loses position. Side control again. Takes Hall’s back, Whittaker isn’t just a pretty striker he has a very solid ground game. Hall reverses and ends up on top. Impressive round for the Aussie!

MY SCORE:

10 – 9 Robert Whittaker

Up next is Uriah Hall vs. Robert Whittaker. Extremely intriguing fight, the most exciting on the card in my opinion. Whittaker is a brilliant fighter and possibly the best to come out of Australia ever. He has excellent and unorthodox striking and has been impressive since moving up to MW. The much hyped Uriah Hall is coming off a huge win against Gergard Mousasi, he is a scary athlete with some fearful KOs. Can’t wait for this one!

Constant previews for the mega event UFC 194, who have Roarers got? Aldo or McGregor? It’s Aldo all the way for me.

OFFICIAL DECISION

Jared Rosholt def. Stefan Struve via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x 3)

Underwhelming fight to open the main card there. Rosholt did enough to get the decision victory, using his wrestling to dominate the first two rounds with top control. He did little with the control though and wasn’t overly impressive in victory. Struve was very ordinary, looked flat and never really got going, very disappointing from him.

Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve

ROUND 3

Struve will need to finish this fight or he will most likely lose a decision. Heavy leg kick from Struve to open his account for this round. Some nice rangy jabs from Struve here, much more effective striking. Some light exchanges as the round goes on, Struve getting the better of them so far. Rosholt with a weak takedown attempt and Struve shrugs it off. Rosholt shoots again for a double, ends up against the cage and Struve spins out again. Positive signs from Struve now but a round too late. Struve throwing one, maximum two strikes at a time, no combinations being thrown. Rosholt starting to fade badly, Struve lands some big shots. This is his chance, he has just over a minute to put him away. Struve landing heavier strikes now but Rosholt tiredly completes a takedown. Struve back on his feet. Must be in desperation mode now. Struve with the takedown, useless now though. The fight ends with Rosholt on his back and Struve on top.

MY SCORE:

10 -9 Struve

END SCORE:

29-28 Jared Rosholt

Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve

ROUND 2

Struve with some more aggressive footwork and pressure here to start the round. Struve controlling the distance well, using his incredible length well. Rosholt shoots in on a single, can’t complete so he pushes him against the cage. Struve circles out and they are again in the centre of the octagon. Rosholt finishes a very clean single leg/inside trip, he is clearly the superior wrestler. Struve briefly escapes but Rosholt drags him back down with back control. Sitting in side control now, Rosholt again inactive, but if he can do this for another 6 minutes he will have his hand raised. Referee Herb Dean warning rosholt for inactivity as Struve transitions to a better position on Rosholts back, only lasts for 10 seconds though. Another round for Rosholt.

MY SCORE:

10-9 Jared Rosholt

FIGHT SO FAR:

20-18 Jared Rosholt

Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve – Heavyweight Division.

ROUND 1

They touch gloves. Long feeling out process to kick off this bout, Rosholt throws wide and heavy to try and reach Struves head. Intercepting knee from Struve keeps him away. Nice leg kick from Rosholt, he is the busier fighter at the moment but not particularly effective. Struve starting to pressure and throwing one off strikes. TAKEDOWN from Rosholt, nicely timed double on a Struve kick. He is in side control now. Struves legs are bigger than my dreams, difficult for Rosholt but he is dealing well with his guard. Rosholt is racking up the time in top control but is very inactive. The round ends, Rosholt uses his wrestling to control and win the round, he did nothing with his position though – Struve looks fresh as a Dutch Daisy.

MY SCORE:

10- 9 Jared Rosholt

Agreed Vinnie, great to see Noke to live up to some potential after some disappointing showings.

Rosholt really has a chance to advance his career here, Struve has faced and beaten some of the best heavyweights including top contender Stipe Miocic. It will be tough for him though Struve, is a tricky proposition for any fighter.

Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve

A couple of well respected and solid heavyweights to do battle here. The winner here could enter the Top Ten and kick start a run to a title shot.

Officially a record setting attendance for UFC 193, headline by two women title fights in Australia. Who would have thought that 5 years ago at UFC 129?

Some really great fights so far, especially on the homefront. Noke and Matthews were brilliant as was Kelly. Unfortunate results for Perosh and Vaciluk.

UFC 193 Results

Jake Matthews defeated Akbarh Arreola by TKO (doctor stoppage), 5:00 of round 2

Kyle Noke defeated Peter Sobotta by TKO (strikes), 2:01 of round 1

Gian Villante defeated Anthony Perosh by knockout (punch), 2:56 of round 1

Danny Martinez defeated Richie Vaciluk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Daniel Kelly defeats Steve Montgomery by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Rich Walsh defeats Steven Kennedy by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

James Moontasri defeated Anton Zafir by TKO (strikes), 4:36 of round 1

Ben Nguyen defeated Ryan Benoit by submission (rear naked choke), 2:36 of round 1

Welcome UFC fans! What a massive event we have on our hands today, some excellent and meaningful fights sure to entertain. Hope I can keep you well informed, updated and excited!

Riordan, well written article firstly, good to read.

As someone who has loved and trained MMA for a while now, I think your approach to mixed martial arts is a bit narrow.

To me, training MMA is about self-development. It’s a life long process, that requires discipline, strength and determination (among a lot of other things) to excel. Regardless of how dormant your ‘fighting spirit’ is, combat and survival are intrinsic within all humans. Harnessing this quality and using it for self betterment is a positive thing.

I was very very excited to see UFC 187, disappointing to say the least.