Revitalised after Chris Weidman’s dethroning of former champion, Anderson Silva, the UFC’s middleweight tier has gone from being one of the more stagnant divisions in the organisation to one of the most intriguing. A new crop of deadly challengers have emerged, all hungry to end Weidman’s reign. One of the most promising is former Strikeforce standout Luke Rockhold, but before he can stake his claim to a shot at the title he must first go through a former challenger; the karate master, and former light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida.
In his title shot last year, Machida struggled against the constant pressure of the champion but still managed to muster enough offense to push Weidman to a decision. Unfortunately for Machida and his legion of fans, that did not happen this time. Employing Weidman’s pressure tactics, Rockhold bullied the Brazilian to the canvas, suffocating the veteran with multiple submission attempts and short elbows. Saved by the bell at the end of the first round, the second was more of the same with Rockhold once again taking the fight to the ground before submitting Machida mid-way through the round with an inescapable rear naked choke.
It was an emphatic win for Rockhold, one that should surely see him rewarded with a title opportunity. For Machida it was a sobering defeat, the worst of his distinguished career. With his 37th birthday fast approaching, it seems that time has finally caught up with ‘The Dragon’.
Déjà vu ‘Jacare’
It was an emphatic win for Rockhold, one that should surely see him rewarded with a title opportunity. For Machida it was a sobering defeat, the worst of his distinguished career. With his 37th birthday fast approaching, it seems that time has finally caught up with ‘The Dragon’.
Déjà vu ‘Jacare’
Injuries have blighted the UFC for quite a while now so few were surprised when Yoel Romero, ‘Jacare’ Souza’s originally scheduled opponent, withdraw from the card last week. Stepping up on just six days notice, Chris Camozzi hoped to avenge his 2013 submission loss against the jiu-jitsu master...but it wasn’t to be. Eating a couple of early leg kicks from Camozzi, Souza soon took the fight to the mat, quickly and almost effortlessly transitioning through his opponent’s guard. Camozzi fought valiantly, but his efforts to reverse his opponent’s world class grappling was ultimately futile as ‘Jacare’ eventually secured an arm, leading to a verbal tap less than halfway through the opening frame.
Holloway’s Beautiful Destruction
Rising featherweight star Max Holloway improved his winning streak to six straight with a stunning performance over perennial division staple Cub Swanson. Taking a page out of his opponent’s playbook, Holloway was relentless and unpredictable with his offense, punishing Swanson with a number of well placed kicks, knees and punches. Beyond an impressive cartwheel kick attempt in the first, Swanson was unable to trouble his opponent, thanks in large to Holloway’s excellent distance management. Outmatched for the entire duration, Swanson was eventually rocked in the third round, paving the way for Holloway to submit his highly ranked opponent with a superb mounted guillotine choke with mere minutes remaining.
Scrappy VanZant Defies Critics
Scrappy VanZant Defies Critics
At just 21 years old Paige VanZant is making some serious waves in the women’s strawweight division, and she continued to do so here with a dominating performance over veteran kickboxer Felice Herrig. Kicking off the fight with a frenetic pace that would last the entire duration of the bout, VanZant struggled initially but showed remarkable resilience, escaping Herrig’s submission attempts and reversing a number of other threatening positions. Eventually overwhelming her TUF alum with relentless ground and pound on route to a clear unanimous decision, VanZant’s second Octagon victory should see her skyrocket up into the upper echelons of this new division.
UFC on Fox 15 Main Card Results
Middleweight
Luke Rockhold def Lyoto Machida via submission (rear naked choke) in round 2
Middleweight
Ronaldo Souza def Chris Camozzi via submission (armbar) in round 1
Featherweight
Max Holloway def Cub Swanson via submission (mounted guillotine) in round 3
Women's Strawweight
Paige VanZant def Felice Herrig via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 30-26)
Event Awards:
UFC on Fox 15 Main Card Results
Middleweight
Luke Rockhold def Lyoto Machida via submission (rear naked choke) in round 2
Middleweight
Ronaldo Souza def Chris Camozzi via submission (armbar) in round 1
Featherweight
Max Holloway def Cub Swanson via submission (mounted guillotine) in round 3
Women's Strawweight
Paige VanZant def Felice Herrig via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 30-26)
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Paige VanZant vs. Felice Herrig
Best Finish: Max Holloway
MVP: Luke Rockhold
Best Finish: Max Holloway
MVP: Luke Rockhold
What did you think of UFC on Fox 15? Leave comments and analysis below!