Black Tiger MMA Review: UFC Fight Night #14 - 7.22.08

Posted by Mike Campbell on 11.22.2009

Anderson Silva moves up to 205 and Jesse Taylor gets a second chance in the UFC

UFC FIGHT NIGHT #14
July 19, 2008



Just a reminder in case anyone didn’t see it in my previous review, but instead of the straight up play by play that is typical with MMA reviews, I do more of a round by round synopsis of the fight.

CB DOLLAWAY vs. JESSE TAYLOR
As tired and cliched as it sounds, this really is a case of a fight being more about pride and/or redemption than it is about any sort of ranking within the middleweight division of the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter 7 ended with Amir Sadollah winning the UFC contract, however, that’s overshadowed by the egg that both Taylor and Dollaway have on their faces due to nothing more than their own stupidity. Taylor had rightfully earned a spot in the finals and the chance to fight Amir for the contract, but his drunken rampage got him removed from the finale. Dollaway was considered to be the best fighter out of everyone on the show, and his own ignorance of the idea that only tapping a single time is still a tap out caused him to lose to Amir.

One only needs to watch Dollaway’s performance here to see why he was Rampage Jackson’s first pick and why he was considered the best fighter on the show. Taylor rushes in early to take him down, and but Dollaway possesses great takedown defense and Taylor isn’t able to get him down. In fact, when the fight does go to the ground, it’s Dollaway who takes down Taylor. Dollaway continues to dominate with strikes, and there’s a quick break in the action due to an illegal knee to the head. When the fight resumes, Dollaway continues showing his good takedown defenses with a sprawl when Taylor shoots in and Dollaway goes for the choke. Taylor turns to block the pressure, gets the mount on Dollaway, and does some ground and pound of his own. But, Dollaway kicks him off, and in one quick motion Dollaway jumps to his feet, gets Taylor’s back, and sinks in the Peruvian Necktie and Taylor has to tap out.

ANTHONY JOHNSON vs. KEVIN BURNS
The first half or so of the round looks more like a boxing match, both of them come out swinging hard and they both make some contact, but they’re both also very good with quick ducking and dodging. They go into the clinch, and both throw knees to try to get control of things. Johnson goes for a leg kick and accidentally catches Burns low and Burns takes a moment to regroup. They take things to the ground and Burns gets Johnson in his guard and Johnson lands some good body shots, although Burns is able to avoid a lot of big ones and he also catches Johnson with some punches from the bottom. The ref stands them up and Burns avoids a high kick and they go back to the clinch. Burns hits some body shots and a very competitive round comes to an end.

Johnson starts off the second round hot and heavy by surprising Burns with a knee strike and sending him reeling. Johnson tries to finish the fight with a punch flurry and jumping knee, but Burns blocks the knee and stays on his feet. They go back to trading kicks and swings while standing, and Burns catches Johnson with a high kick. Johnson takes him down and goes for the kimura, but isn’t able to get it. Johnson sits in Burns’ guard and throws punches until they get stood up again. Johnson throws some wild punches and gets a takedown on Burns as the round end.

Johnson throws leg kicks to start off the third round, and Burns counters with an uppercut. They collide and Johnson takes him down but doesn’t pass the guard and they get stood up. Johnson takes him right back down, and once again they get stood up. Burns appears to really rock Johnson with an uppercut, but Johnson claims he was poked in the eye, which the replay confirms and the uppercut actually missed. The ref stops the bout and awards it to Burns via TKO. It’s a shame that the fight had to end on that kind of note, because it was very competitive and exciting.

CAIN VELASQUEZ vs. JAKE O’BRIEN
Cain takes him down almost straight away and gets side control before he segues into a mount, and then goes into a crucifix position and starts pepping Jake O’Brien with punches. O’Brien tries to avoid the blows, but Cain has him firmly locked up and after a minute or so the ref stops the fight.

HERMES FRANCA vs. FRANKIE EDGAR
Edgar takes Franca down almost immediately, but that doesn’t put Franca at any great disadvantage. Franca throws up kicks at Edgar and Edgar tries to hit Franca with punches, but Franca is very good at avoiding them and not expending a lot of energy. Edgar’s seconds warn him that Franca is trying to lull him to sleep, and right after that Franca (still on the mat) catches Edgar’s arm and goes for the armbar, but Edgar manages to pull his arm out. Edgar goes back to trying to strike Franca while he’s down, landing several elbows that cause swelling around Franca’s eye. The round ends with Edgar firmly in control

Franca hits a couple of leg kicks to start off the second round, and Edgar answers that with a punch combo and a body kick. Edgar takes Franca back down and continues to dominate him by keeping Franca down and hitting elbows. Franca manages to roll and go into the guard, but Edgar manages to control from the guard and continue landing short elbows and make Franca’s nose bleed and face swell. They go their feet and Edgar lands a high kick and takes Franca back to the ground, Edgar continues to dominate as the round ends.

The third round starts much the same way as the second, with Franca trying to keep things standing, although he throws punches instead of low kicks, and Edgar ultimately taking him down. Franca, knowing that the pressure is on, makes more of an effort to win from the guard, trying to catch Edgar with a Triangle and an armbar. Edgar, knowing what he needs to do, keeps taking Franca down whenever they get to their feet. Franca gets a ray of hope when he surprises Edgar with a standing knee strikes that opens him up, but it’s too late, Edgar doesn’t seem to effected and the round ends, once again, with Edgar keeping Franca on his back. The fight is in the hands of the judges and it’s a unanimous decision for Edgar.

BRANDON VERA vs. REESE ANDY
Vera gets a couple of big body kicks to start the round, but that’s probably the most interesting thing that happens. There’s a lot of time spent with them sizing each other up from their feet and trading knees in a clinch, it’s not so much downtime, but it’s far from exciting. Vera gets a pretty sweet takedown take side control, but Andy holds Vera in close so they can be stood up. Vera gets up and lets Andy up, Andy gets a leg kick, and Vera pushes him away to end the round.

Andy gets a leg kick to start the second round, and Vera winds up taking him down, getting his back, and throwing punches. Andy rolls before Vera can sink in a choke and they go back to a lot of dancing and downtime, at one point they’re just standing in a clinch against the cage, and the crowd hates it with a passion. Vera hits jab and misses a combo and hits a leg kick as the round ends.

Vera hits a kick to start the third round and Andy answers with a jab. Andy tries to shoot in, but Vera block him. They go into a clinch against the cage and the ref has to separate them. You know a fight is boring when Joe and Mike stop talking about the fight and how UFC management would rather see someone lay it all on the line in the Octagon and lose, instead of win an unexciting fight. Vera hits three nice knees to Andy’s face, but they go back into the clinch. Andy with a nice jab, and back into the clinch, Vera shoves him off and back into the clinch. They trade some knees while against the cage and the round ends. Vera takes the win via unanimous decision. I’m not trying to knock him, but if this fight is indicative of Brandon Vera in the Light Heavyweight Division, then he’d better stick to the heavyweight divison.

ANDERSON SILVA vs. JAMES IRVIN
Silva hits a leg kick to start off and Irvin misses a high kick. Silva hits another leg kick and they circle each other. Moments after Joe gets out that Silva likes to feet his opponents out and then unload on them, Silva catches Irvin’s kick and blasts him in the eye knocking him down. Silva pounces and with seven more shots and the ref stops it. Irvin’s eye is pouring blood.

The 411: Aside from the three round of mostly boredom from Vera and Andy, this was quite the good show. There were a couple of big KO's, and some smart fights that went the distance, this is definitely something to check out.

Final Score:  7.8   [ Good ]