My Take On MMA 11.17.08: Final UFC 91 – Lesnar vs. Couture (11.15.08) Thoughts

Posted by Larry Csonka on 11.17.2008

The “Next Big Thing” has officially made an impact on the UFC in what was one of the best MMA shows all year!



WELCOME~!:
It's Monday, there was an MMA show this weekend so that means only one thing, it's time once again for another edition of My Take On MMA! UFC 91 is complete and the era of Brock Lesnar has begun. No one knows how long it will last but the thing is that Lesnar is the "champion" and is headed towards a battle with either Frank Mir or BIG NOG! But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's break down UFC 91, a card that most felt was a 2-match show, but ended up being one of the best MMA event of 2008!

Upcoming Events:
- 11.21 - Strikeforce: Destruction
- 12.03 - WEC: Tapia vs. Torres
- 12.10 - UFC Fight Night For The Troops
- 12.11 – Adrenaline II
- 12.13 - The Ultimate Fighter Finale
- 12.27 - UFC 92: Griffin vs. Evans

What did we learn at UFC 90?:
-I don't care what anyone says, Randy Couture is still a dangerous man.
-I love omoplata attempts.
-Jeremy Stephens earned the right to call his way of victory KTFO.
-Ken Flo is a dangerous man.
-HERE COMES THE PAIN!



~Final UFC 91 – Lesnar vs. Couture (11.15.08) Thoughts~

The Fight: Middleweight Bout: Demian Maia (9-0) vs. Nate Quarry (16-2)
The Result: Demian Maia via RD1 (2:13) Submission
Final Thoughts: Out first PPV match of the evening set a trend for the rest of the PPV card, guys finishing fights. Quarry vs. Maia was as a step up in competition for Maia, especially since Quarry had not been submitted thus far. Quarry wanted to keep it on the feet, but failed in doing so. Once Maia got the fight to the ground it was over as he used his superior ground skills to slowly work to the choke and gain the victory. Maia goes to 10-0 in his MMA career and 4-0 in the UFC. Maia is very close to getting the title shot against Silva, and his name is now even being tossed around to coach the next season of the Ultimate Fighter. I would like to see Maia get one for victory before heading to the title fight. Maybe if he coaches TUF, that match can essentially be a #1 contender's match.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.5

---

The Fight: Heavyweight Bout: Gabriel Gonzaga (9-3) vs. Josh Hendricks (18-4-1nc)
The Result: Gabriel Gonzaga via RD1 (1:01) TKO
Final Thoughts: Gabriel Gonzaga was looked at as a new challenger for the title when he KO'd Mirko, but loses to Couture and then Wedum completely derailed him. He looked to get back on track against Josh Hendricks, who had gone 10-0-1 in his last 11 fights. But this was a big step up in competition, and just because you are working with Couture doesn't make you the next big thing. Gonzaga did exactly what he had to do here to get attention back on him, and that was to win and win impressively. He did that and now had two victories in a row, but it still not that close to a title shot. I could see a potential match up with Cheick Kongo coming for him, to see where both men stand in the division. If he wins there, I would then go with him facing the loser of Mir vs. NOG for a possible title shot.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0

---

The Fight: Welterweight Bout: Matt Brown (10-7) vs. Ryan Thomas (13-2)
The Result: Matt Brown via RD2 (0:57) Submission
Final Thoughts: Matt Brown is a guy who has a record that deceives a person, and I am not alone in that because I have had the conversation a few times since the show ended. Thomas controlled a great first round, as he had the riding time while Brown was looking for an arm bar, but just didn't have the time. Thomas looked to control the second round, but as he took Brown down, he got caught in the arm bar. Two slams on Brown only made it worse as he sunk it in deeper and took the submission victory. Matt Brown not only took the fight on short notice but had to cut 25lbs in 2-weeks to make weight. I have mad respect for Matt Brown; mad respect.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0

---

The Fight: Welterweight Bout: Dustin Hazelett (13-4) vs. Tamdan McCrory (11-1)
The Result: Dustin Hazelett via RD1 (3:59) Submission
Final Thoughts: Dustin Hazelett had rebounded from his loss to Koscheck and was looking to make it two in a row here at UFC 91. he did so in impressive fashion with a round one submission of McCrory. Hazelett was simply great here as he traded early, but when McCrory took him to the ground he was at home. He quickly worked the rubber guard and then into the OMOPLATA, which I love, and would not let go of the trapped arm. To his credit, McCrory tried his best and held on for a long time, but arms are not supposed to bend certain ways and he was forced to tap. Hazelett has a way to go before he can get back into title contention, but victories like this will go a long way to getting him there.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.0

---

The Fight: Lightweight Bout: Jeremy Stephens (15-3) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (11-2)
The Result: Jeremy Stephens via RD3 (0:39) KTFO
Final Thoughts: The fights kept a coming as we went back to the prelim card and had this lightweight battle. The first round was great as dos Anjos really controlled the fight, and if he would have had another 20-seconds was going to finish Stephens (OMOPLATA AGAIN). They went to the second round, and as it can, the whole fight changed as Stephens turned the tide, did some very good damage and evened it up going into the third round. There are times when guys fight to win and guys fight to not lose, well, Stephens was certainly fighting to win here as he scored a video game like (think Mortal Combat, old school) uppercut and that was all for Mr. dos Anjos. This was another good and fun fight that was the norm for the evening.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.5

---

The Fight: Lightweight Bout: Kenny Florian (12-3) vs. Joe Stevenson (34-8)
The Result: Kenny Florian via RD1 (4:03) Submission
Final Thoughts: There were two schools of though regarding this bout. One was that Florian would easily roll over Stevenson, and the other was that it would be a long battle leading to a decision victory for Florian. I personally was in the "long battle leading to a decision victory for Florian" camp, and well I was certainly wrong because Kenny Florian finishes fights! Stevenson wanted the fight on the ground but Florian was not ready to take it there. After working to stay standing, Florian looked to surprise Stevenson with a great takedown, and from there easily went from guard, to side control, to mount and then took the back of Stevenson for the submission victory. This was a very dangerous fight for Florian, who most felt was the #1 contender for BJ Penn's Lightweight Title. But he took the fight against a man who was recently in a title fight and schooled him. Florian is now the undisputed #1 contender for Penn's title, which is a bout we'll have to wait a while for due to the Penn vs. GSP fight.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.0

---

The Fight: Heavyweight Championship Match: Randy Couture © (16-8) vs. Brock Lesnar (2-1)
The Result: NEW UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Brock Lesnar via RD2 (3:07) TKO
Final Thoughts: And here we were, the main event of the evening. Lesnar vs. Couture, youth vs. experience, brute strength vs. wisdom. I think the game plan of Couture was to not only using his striking ability, but also to lean on Lesnar a lot. Make him work hard and hopefully take him deep into the fight to see if he had enough gas in the tank for a 5-round battle while searching for the rookie mistake. The fight had a completely electric atmosphere from the announcements until the finish, which made the fight even better. Round one went to Lesnar as he was able to get Couture down and largely control things. Couture worked smartly and didn't take a lot of damage, and after round one it all appeared to be going to plan for Couture, even with Lesnar winning the round. Round two was a striking battle, and Couture got rocked at one point but came back with a shot that cut Lesnar. But Lesnar was able to shake that off, drop Couture and then follow up with close to 30-unanswered hammer fists and short elbows. Yamisaki stopped the fight and we have a "new champion."

For people doubting the importance of the victory, you need to get over yourselves. The remarks of Brock needing to beat someone "in their prime, that he hasn't beaten anyone and that is fixed" is all bullshit. I will take a 45-year old Randy Couture 99-times out of 100 against almost anyone. Brock BEAT Couture, this was no decision, not a quick stoppage, he BEAT Randy Couture. Brock was tested more than he had been against a smart fighter that has slain the giant before, and he won. He got cut, kept his composure and kept going. He got tested on the chin for the first time and kept coming. While we are not sure how well he can go in the later rounds, Brock Lesnar proved that he is learning, improving and is someone that will be a force in the division for some time.

And now a note to "wrestling fans." Not all wrestling fans, but the ones that are all of the sudden back on the Brock Lesnar bandwagon and attacking MMA fans, while championing the fact that a former "pro wrestler" beat Couture. Fuck off. For all of this time I read how Brock sold out, how you hoped he would fail at football, fail wrestling in Japan and then hoped he would fail at MMA. But now you are all celebrating (you know who you are) and acting like he is YOUR boy. Stop being a bandwagon jumper.

And now to "traditional MMA fans," not all but you know who you are. Fuck off. Brock Lesnar winning here does not hurt the sport. Also, throw out your Kimbo Slice comparisons. The only thing the two have in common is the fact that they are draws. Brock is a legit All-American athlete, there is no way his win hurts the sport.

To close this section, I want to say that both guys were both respectful in the post match interviews. Brock admitted that he is a cocky SOB, but that he had a ton of respect for Randy. Randy made no excuses and put Brock and his performance over like a true ambassador of the sport. That was great to see.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.0

---

The Fight: Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel (15-4) vs. Aaron Riley (26-10-1)
The Result: Aaron Riley via Unanimous Decision (29-28 Across the Cards)
Final Thoughts: And this is not only the UFC Fight of the Night, but mine as well. In the first round this looked to be Gurgel's night. Round one was just all his as he had the good striking and clearly did more damage while pushing the pace. But round two was a different story. The Gurgel of round one was gone, and Riley just turned the fight completely to his advantage. I am always amazed at the ability of these guys, to be getting owned one minute and then not only come back, but to completely swing it back to your side of things is an amazing thing to watch. Round three was just excellent. Riley was putting together good combos, had nice and clean striking while offering a good variety on his attack. Gurgel just never could get back into the rhythm he had in round one, and he took the loss via decision. I went back and watched the fight again and this was just a blast to sit back and take it all in. After it was all said and done, I wanted to see Riley fight again in the UFC, and wanted Gurgel to move to the WEC. I just don't think his, "snatching loss from the jaws of victory" approach plays well in the UFC. He could have better luck in WEC land.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.5

---

The Fight: Lightweight Bout: Mark Bocek (5-2) vs. Alvin Robinson (10-3)
The Result: Mark Bocek via RD3 (3:16) Submission
Final Thoughts: I think the best way to sum up this fight is the word "clinic." Mark Bocek put on a clinic for 13:16. I mean this in the most complimentary way possible. Bocek continually took his opponent down, switched from guard to side to mount to side to north south to sitting in the recliner back to guard and did so whenever he wanted too and with ease. It is a beautiful thing to watch, like an artist painting his masterpiece. Bocek looked on a completely different level than his opponent and takes the important victory here in another fight I really enjoyed.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.0

---

The 411

Best Fight(s): Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel (15-4) vs. Aaron Riley (26-10-1)
9.5

Worst Fight: NONE!

Final Thoughts: In my opinion UFC 91 was simply a great show. There were a ton of finishes, good submissions and great (T)KO finishes. The PPV portion flew by so quickly that in what was a first for me, we got to see ALL of the fights scheduled for the evening. Nine fights, a new champion, great finishes and not a bad match on the card makes this my show of the year for 2008, thus far.

Show Score: 9.5