Despite a lay-off of almost 2 years, many still considered Mexican American Cain Velasquez to be the greatest active heavyweight on the planet. It took just thirteen minutes for Fabricio Werdum to change all that. Better prepared for the rough Mexico City altitude and fully taking advantage of his considerable striking improvements, ‘Vai Cavalo’ easily withstood the traditional pressure of Velasquez and battered the champion on the feet with blistering punching combinations and knees from the clinch. Velazquez looked bewildered, and for the first time, completely out of gas. Desperately seeking to conserve energy and change the complexion of the battle, the AKA standout’s third round takedown attempt proved catastrophic, as he immediately found himself trapped in a match-ending guillotine choke.
What should have been a triumphant bow in his homeland quickly became a waking nightmare for Velasquez. For the newly crowned undisputed heavyweight king Werdum, the feeling is the complete opposite. Not only did the Brazilian successfully claim Velasquez’s title, but he may have also seized the former champion’s spot as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time.
Tough Alvarez Sneaks Decision Over Melendez
A fight years in the making finally came to fruition as former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez eked out a razor-thin decision victory over longtime rival, former 2-time Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez. Initially starting off the stronger of the two, Melendez found success with his boxing and standing elbows, the latter causing significant swelling to Alvarez’s left eye. Fighting through the damage, the Philadelphia-based fighter scored with big takedowns in the second and third frames, and also cracked Melendez with two exceptionally placed spinning elbows. It probably wasn't the barnburner that most were expecting, but the two warriors still put on a fine performance.
Gastelum Obliterates Veteran Marquardt in Middleweight Return
After high-profile weight issues forced Dana White to move Kelvin Gastelum back to the 185-pound division, the youngest TUF winner in history knew that he’d have to deliver something huge to force the UFC’s head honcho to rethink his decision. Gastelum delivered his end of the bargain as he smashed former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt into retirement after two rounds. Outgunned everywhere, Marquardt cut a sorry figure as he wilted under Gastelum’s striking and wrestling domination, leaving his trainers no choice but to call the bout off after ten minutes. Gastelum picks up the TKO victory, but Marquardt, despite his warrior spirit, really had no business being in the cage in the first place.
Rodríguez Shines in Excellent Scrap
On a night where Mexican fans saw many of their favourites suffer damaging loses, a new star might have been found in TUF: Latin America winner Yair Rodríguez. Considered the underdog against jiu-jitsu ace Charles Rosa, Rodríguez dazzled with some amazingly acrobatic offence including a sweet spinning wheel kick, and a rare jumping switch kick in the opening stanza. Rosa rebounded from the initial onslaught, but struggled to impose his will against the surging Mexican over the duration of their 15-minute encounter. Rodríguez did begin to tire towards the end of the fight, but managed to hold on to secure the well earned split decision nod.
‘Tiny Tornado’ Blows Past Hill
Undefeated American Top Team prospect Tecia Torres maintained her perfect record in the evening’s main card opener. A clash of two different striking styles, Torres’ taekwondo proved more effective than her fellow TUF alum Angela Hill’s muay-thai. Outworking her opponent on the feet, Torres continued to prove herself the superior fighter with multiple takedowns in the opening rounds. Hill may have shown excellent posture recovery, but other than that she offered little else to prevent Torres from taking the unanimous decision verdict.
UFC 188 Main Card Results:
Heavyweight Championship
Fabricio Werdum def Cain Velasquez © via submission (guillotine choke) in round 3
Lightweight
Eddie Alvarez def Gilbert Melendez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Middleweight
Kelvin Gastelum def Nate Marquardt via TKO (corner stoppage) after round 2
Featherweight
Yair Rodríguez def Charles Rosa via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Women’s Strawweight
Tecia Torres def Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Yair Rodríguez def Charles Rosa
Best Finish: Fabricio Werdum
MVP: Yair Rodríguez
What did you think of UFC 188? Leave your comments and analysis in the comments section below!
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