With a potential title shot almost certainly awaiting the victor, stakes were high in South Australia this past weekend as heavyweights Stipe Miocic and Mark Hunt faced off. The clash of a rising star and an aging fan favourite was highly anticipated for its violent potential and in that regard it definitely lived up to expectation...unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.
A former kickboxing champion, Hunt has embarked on a miraculous career resurgence by relying almost solely on his incredible striking power. Fully realising his shortcomings in almost every other area, matchmaker Joe Silva was able to protect the New Zealand native by pitting him against fellow strikers and fighters who, while possessing ground skills, preferred to stay on the feet. Unfortunately for Hunt this booking trend ended on Sunday morning.
Miocic, a well rounded fighter with an simple, yet effective ground game, realised that a victory would almost surely grant him a crack at the title, so he did what any other intelligent fighter would do; he played it safe.
Respecting the power of his opponent, while also taking advantage of his considerable grappling advantage, Miocic softened Hunt with rangy jabs before taking the Kiwi to the ground. Hunt encountered early success with the strategy, but as the fight wore on it was clear that he wasn't going to be able to deal with Miocic’s relentless ground attack. Taken down in every round, Hunt was completely undone by his opponent’s smothering offence.
Recognising Hunt’s ability to absorb almost inhuman levels of punishment, fight official John Sharp gave the fighter more chances than most to escape a multitude of fight-ending situations, but this was a mistake. Hunt wasn't able to recover and after an prolonged and unnecessary battering the fight was ended in Miocic’s favour midway through the fifth and final round.
Hunt demonstrated true warrior spirit, and despite the defeat will have almost certainly acquired a new legion of fans thanks to his determination in the face of a superior opponent. But this doesn't change the fact that Hunt may have sustained injuries that will stay with him for the rest of his now surely shortened life. This wasn't a Roy Nelson flash knockout of Minotauro Nogueira, this was a extended beatdown. A complete mauling. A fight that probably should have been stopped two, maybe three rounds sooner. It was devastating to watch.
Credit must be given to Miocic however. He had a game plan, and he stuck to it despite his own considerable striking power. Now 7-2 in the UFC, he has taken advantage of a division that has struggled to produce legitimate prospects in recent years. Junior dos Santos and Travis Browne may feel that they are next in line for a title shot, but they have both suffered sobering defeats to Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, the two fighters scheduled to compete for the gold next month. Having stayed away from the title picture until now, Miocic is primed to become the next contender.
Hunt on the other hand must think long and hard about his next move. Now 41 years old the fighter is on borrowed time. His comeback story is an inspiring one...but perhaps it’s time for this Cinderella story to come to an end.
UFC Fight Night 65 Main Card Results
Heavyweight
Stipe Miocic def Mark Hunt via TKO (punches) in round 5
Middleweight
Robert Whittaker def Brad Tarvares via KO (punches) in round 1
Light Heavyweight
Sean O’Connell def Anthony Perosh via TKO (punches) in round 1
Lightweight
James Vick def Jake Matthews via submission (guillotine choke) in round 1
What did you think of the fight and this Fight Night in general? Leave your comments and analysis below!
Hunt demonstrated true warrior spirit, and despite the defeat will have almost certainly acquired a new legion of fans thanks to his determination in the face of a superior opponent. But this doesn't change the fact that Hunt may have sustained injuries that will stay with him for the rest of his now surely shortened life. This wasn't a Roy Nelson flash knockout of Minotauro Nogueira, this was a extended beatdown. A complete mauling. A fight that probably should have been stopped two, maybe three rounds sooner. It was devastating to watch.
Credit must be given to Miocic however. He had a game plan, and he stuck to it despite his own considerable striking power. Now 7-2 in the UFC, he has taken advantage of a division that has struggled to produce legitimate prospects in recent years. Junior dos Santos and Travis Browne may feel that they are next in line for a title shot, but they have both suffered sobering defeats to Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, the two fighters scheduled to compete for the gold next month. Having stayed away from the title picture until now, Miocic is primed to become the next contender.
Hunt on the other hand must think long and hard about his next move. Now 41 years old the fighter is on borrowed time. His comeback story is an inspiring one...but perhaps it’s time for this Cinderella story to come to an end.
UFC Fight Night 65 Main Card Results
Heavyweight
Stipe Miocic def Mark Hunt via TKO (punches) in round 5
Middleweight
Robert Whittaker def Brad Tarvares via KO (punches) in round 1
Light Heavyweight
Sean O’Connell def Anthony Perosh via TKO (punches) in round 1
Lightweight
James Vick def Jake Matthews via submission (guillotine choke) in round 1
What did you think of the fight and this Fight Night in general? Leave your comments and analysis below!