Plagued by countless injuries and a high profile legal battle, UFC 186 will almost surely go down as one of the most disappointing cards in recent memory. Not because of who’s remaining on it, but more because of what we could have had. Hoping to salvage the event is Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, the flyweight champion whose frightening domination of the division has seen him rise to become one of the consensus pound-for-pound contenders.
His latest challenger Kyoji Horiguchi posed an interesting puzzle. A karate expert modelled after his hero, the legendary Kid Yamamoto, Horiguchi’s power, unusual rhythm and distance management were poised to provide Johnson with a fresh challenge. However as many have discovered before Horiguchi, ‘Mighty Mouse’ is always up to the challenge, something he once again demonstrated against his Japanese contender. Fully taking advantage of Horiguchi’s weaknesses, Johnson dominated with repeated takedowns, keeping an unrelenting pace as he dragged his opponent into deep water.
Horiguchi wasn’t a complete walkover however, threatening Johnson at times with some well placed strikes to the body, but the champion wasn’t to be denied his latest victory. Fatigued and well beaten, Horiguchi was again taken down to the mat in the dying seconds of the fifth and final round, where he was further softened with blows from the half-guard position and finally submitted by a lightning fast armbar with just a second remaining.
It was, and will almost surely remain the latest stoppage in UFC history. Another superb and technical performance from ‘Mighty Mouse’ who’s fast running out of challenges at 125 pounds.
Rampage Returns
It was, and will almost surely remain the latest stoppage in UFC history. Another superb and technical performance from ‘Mighty Mouse’ who’s fast running out of challenges at 125 pounds.
Rampage Returns
Restored to the card after initially being removed thanks to Bellator’s lawsuit, Quinton Jackson finally made his return to the UFC as both a competitor...and a fighter. Towards the end of his initial run Jackson was lackluster, a shadow of the man who terrorised his opponents back in Pride. Rampage might never fully relieve those good old days, but against Fabio Maldonado he looked fresh and confident again as he outworked the Brazilian boxer for the duration of their 15 minute encounter, comfortably securing a unanimous decision victory. Safe in the knowledge that Maldonado wouldn’t pose a wrestling threat, Rampage threw knees, kicks and even damaged his opponent from a muay thai plumb. It was a disappointing turn from Maldonado who must have known that this was his greatest opportunity to cement a top 15 position in the light heavyweight division.
Bisping Tames The Doberman
A battle for relevancy in the ever strengthening middleweight division, organisational mainstays Michael Bisping and C.B. Dollaway pushed each other to the limit in a surprisingly entertaining and closely fought scrap. Hoping to finally crack into the middleweight top 10, Dollaway pressured his veteran opponent with multiple takedown attempts and carefully placed shots to Bisping’s deteriorating chin. The British fighter managed to resist the majority of these takedown attempts however, and despite being floored in the opening frame, eventually took advantage of his superior conditioning, out-striking and generally out-working Dollaway en-route to a deserved unanimous decision victory.
Makdessi’s Happy Homecoming
Makdessi’s Happy Homecoming
The highest placed Canadians on the card, kickboxer John Makdessi added to his list of highly impressive finishes as he snuffed out fellow countryman and organisational newcomer Shane Campbell in the opening frame. A late replacement for the injured Abel Trujillo, Campbell experienced initial success with his height and reach advantages and repeated targeting of Makdessi’s legs, but a counter right out of nowhere rocked Campbell, affording Makdessi the perfect opportunity to finish his opponent with a series of blistering shots on the ground.
Almeida Breaks Veteran Jabouin
Exciting bantamweight prospect Thomas Almeida improved his spotless record to 19-0 with a dominant first round beating of longtime competitor Yves Jabouin. Expected to be Almeida’s toughest challenge to date, Jabouin struggled in the face of his opponent’s superior firepower and quickly began to wilt midway through the opening round. Sensing this, the young Brazilian only intensified his attack, blasting through Jabouin’s defenses with repeated shots to the head and body, prompting the fight official to rightfully wave the fight off with less than a minute remaining. Almeida could be a force to be reckoned with at 135 pounds.
UFC 186 Main Card Results:
Flyweight Championship
Demetrious Johnson © def Kyoji Horiguchi via submission (armbar) in round 5
Catchweight (215 lbs)
Quinton Jackson def Fabio Maldonado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Middleweight
Michael Bisping def C.B. Dollaway via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Catchweight (160 lbs)
John Makdessi def Shane Campbell via TKO (punches) in round 1
Bantamweight
Thomas Almeida def Yves Jabouin via TKO (punches) in round 1
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Michael Bisping vs. C.B. Dollaway
Best Finish: Demetrious Johnson
MVP: Thomas Almeida
What did you think of UFC 186? Leave your comments and analysis below!
UFC 186 Main Card Results:
Flyweight Championship
Demetrious Johnson © def Kyoji Horiguchi via submission (armbar) in round 5
Catchweight (215 lbs)
Quinton Jackson def Fabio Maldonado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Middleweight
Michael Bisping def C.B. Dollaway via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Catchweight (160 lbs)
John Makdessi def Shane Campbell via TKO (punches) in round 1
Bantamweight
Thomas Almeida def Yves Jabouin via TKO (punches) in round 1
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Michael Bisping vs. C.B. Dollaway
Best Finish: Demetrious Johnson
MVP: Thomas Almeida
What did you think of UFC 186? Leave your comments and analysis below!