We recap UFC Fight Night 121
The UFC returned to FS1 Saturday Night with a former Heavyweight Champion trying to get one step closer to a shot at the title. The card was filled with names that didn’t exactly jump off the page until you got towards the top. The card was headlined by former Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (21-7-1 #2 Ranked Heavyweight) against fast-rising striker Marcin “Tybur” Tybura (16-2). The main card left a tad to be desired and saw the judges more than most would like. However, we saw a top 10 fight of the year on the undercard and some really nice finishes. This wasn’t a fight night that everyone is going to pine about months from now, but it was a solid card overall. With 13 fights let’s dive in.
Kicking off the night on UFC Fight Pass we had the debut of Adam “Siwy” Wieczorek (9-1) against Anthony “Freight Train” Hamilton (15-9). Hamilton stepped right out and landed a low leg kick and a nice hard right hand. Wieczorek was trying to find his legs underneath him, but Hamilton immediately went to grappling and landed a takedown. Hamilton was ripping body shots to his opponent while he was on top of him. Hamilton eventually backed off and was almost bating Wieczorek back to his feet, but instead dove back down on top of him. Finally, with under a minute left in the round, Wieczorek was able to get back on his feet. Hamilton had to eat a few shots and then immediately looked to clinch as the round ended. Round 2 with Wieczorek looking to get his shots off, and landed a combination that ended with a head kick that just missed but Hamilton was on his back now on the mat. Wieczorek was right on top of him on the mat and was applying pressure. Wieczorek tried to scramble to mount, but Hamilton was able to flip and escape and get the fight back to the feet. The action had slowed considerably with each fighters trading low kicks. Wieczorek threw a body kick that was caught, and we got a clinch game up against the cage where Wieczorek got back to the dominant position. Wieczorek went for a throw, but Hamilton reversed him and was on top on the mat. Wieczorek got back to his feet right as the round came to a close. Hamilton worked his way inside early in the round, and immediately went for the clinch against the cage. Wieczorek escaped the cage and we got back to the center of the cage. Wieczorek was landing some solid shots including a big straight right hand. Hamilton, however, was starting to move forward and try and wrap up Wieczorek. With just over 2 minutes left we were back in the center of the cage trading. Hamilton tried to grab a late takedown, but Wieczorek stuffed it very well. Hamilton continued to try and get the trip, but Wieczorek was just not allowing it and finally separated. Hamilton grabbed him again with under 25 seconds and pressed him up against the cage, and after a few shots from each with Wieczorek landing a hard knee, the judges were going to score this. They scored it 29-28 across the board for Adam Wieczorek. This was a tough win in a fight that was almost impossible to score in the third round. For Hamilton that was a tough way to drop his fourth straight fight.
Up next we went all the way down to 125lbs with Jenel “The Demolition Man” Lausa (7-4) and The Ultimate Fighter Alum Eric “Showtime” Shelton (11-4). There was a lot of patience from both of these guys with Shelton landing some solid shots early. Lausa however ripped a big head kick that was fully blocked by Shelton. Lausa changed levels and landed a nice double leg takedown. Shelton managed to get back to his feet, and took Lausa’s back and then scored a takedown of his own. Shelton had Lausa’s legs trapped underneath him, which made it hard for Lausa to escape. Lausa did finally get to his feet, and we were back in the middle of the cage. Shelton shot for a very long takedown, and he scored it and closed out the round on top of Lausa. Shelton came out swinging in round 2 and threw a slick left hook that landed followed by a just missed overhand right. Shelton went for a guillotine from the top, but Lausa escaped and scramble back to his feet and even threatened with a kimura. Shelton was able to avoid the submission, and transition to even having Lausa’s back at some point. Shelton landed some heavy elbows on the ground, and it saw Lausa react to get back on top, but Shelton went right back on top. Shelton was landing heavy punches to the body and face that you could really hear coming over the speakers. Shelton was just staying on top of him and pounding punches on Lausa. Shelton ripped a hard leg kick to immediately start the third round. Shelton was landing on the feet with his hands as well. Shelton ripped a hard overhand right that connected solidly. Shelton was able to continue to land at will with his striking. Shelton then went for a takedown, and was able to grab it easily. Shelton rode him out on the ground peppering him with shots for the majority of the round. They did get back to their feet late in the round, and it led to a big right hand from Shelton that dropped Lausa briefly. Shelton closed out the round with a flying knee right before the bell. The judges scored it 30-27, 30-26, and 30-25 all for Eric Shelton. This was a big first win for Eric Shelton in the 125lb division that can be moved up in quickly.
Closing out the UFC Fight Pass prelims we had Alex “Astro Girl” Chambers (5-3) and UFC Newcomer Nadia “187” Kassem (5-0). Chambers came right out looking to engage and cut off the cage. Chambers eventually worked her way to the clinch up against the cage. Kassem was keeping off of her and went to throw a body kick that was caught and led to a chambers takedown. This turned into a grouping of leg lock attempts from Kassem actually. These two went at it back and forth on the ground for a while throughout the remainder of the round. Kassem came out looking to throw her kicks again in round 2. She landed two nice shots including a hard body kick, but Chambers immediately went for and scored a takedown. Kassem was able to get almost immediately back to her feet, but Chambers was just staying locked on in the clinch to Kassem. Kassem continued to hold her own on the mat when it went back down. Chambers found her self-locked into a triangle choke attempt that Kassem was continually trying to tighten. She continued to threaten with the triangle and armbar for well over a minute. Kassem was unable to finish, but ended up on top on the ground and was pounding Chambers. Kassem closed the round out on the back of Chambers. Kassem was trying to land a lot of strikes early in the round. Kassem was really feeding off the crowd and motioning to them as she was landing shots. Chambers shot for and scored a takedown, but it was more offense from the bottom Kassem. She threatened with multiple submissions. Kassem even found her way back to the top on the feet. Kassem just owned the round from there. The judges gave this one to Nadia Kassem with a unanimous decision. Kassem showed that she is not just the striker that she was advertised as. She will be an interesting prospect joining the ranks of the Strawweight Division.
We kicked off the FS1 prelims with Damien “Beatdown” Brown (17-11) and Frank “The Crank” Camacho (21-5). These guys wasted little time trying to dip right in and trading strikes. Camacho ripped a solid combination, and it started to force Brown to go for a takedown. Camacho, however, was able to stuff the takedown and stay up. Brown was able to move away from it. Camacho did however eventually get taken down. Brown was trying to lock in a rear naked choke and had it locked in deep. Camacho was able to survive and we headed to round 2. These two came right out in round 2 and were just throwing hands back and forth. Camacho caught Brown with a hard left counter and then a right counter that Brown certainly felt. These two guys were just going at it. Camacho was getting the better in the exchanges, but Brown was returning fire. Camacho was landing more effectively, and when it got to the clinch he was peppering the body. These two just absolutely continued to unload on each other exchanging haymaker after haymaker as the round came to an end. The third round started with a hug and then immediately back to brawling. Brown now was the guy landing the better of the shots. This was just a good old fashioned slugfest and both guys seemed to be enjoying themselves. Camacho was starting to turn the tide and landing shots that appeared to be clipping Brown. Camacho just kept pressuring Brown. The fight ended with yet another flurry from both guys and this epic battle came to an end. The judges had the pleasure of scoring this slugfest and came back with 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 by split decision for Frank Camacho. This was an incredible fight and Camacho showed an astonishing chin and won an absolute war.
The Heavyweight division was next as Rashad “Daywalker” Coulter (8-3) stepped up to take on UFC newcomer Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa (6-0). Tai Tuivasa came out strong throwing heavy haymakers. That forced Coulter to try and clinch early, but he got backed off quickly with a Tuivasa right hand. Coulter again went for the clinch and ended up on top of Tuivasa on the ground. Coulter was unloading heavy elbows, but Tuivasa was able to battle out and get back to his feet. Coulter kept trying to move in, but Tuivasa was unloading shots on Coulter every time he ripped him. Tuivasa moved forward with a big combination and force Coulter up against the cage. Tuivasa was relentless and landed a leg kick that took out Coulter’s feet. As he stood up Tuivasa followed up with a flying knee that turned out Coulter’s lights out. What an incredible knockout. The power in Tuivasa’s hands was scar. It will be really interesting to see where goes from here, but power like that and the agility to throw a flying knee will make a big difference.
The former Bellator standout Will “Ill Will” Brooks (18-4) went to take on Nik “The Carny” Lentz (30-8-2 1NC). Will Brooks came out looking to take control early in this one with leg kicks and attempted clinching. Lentz was not backing down however and willing to return fire with the former Bellator Champion. Brooks dove in for a double leg and Lentz grabbed him in a guillotine. Lentz switched sides and found himself trapped in the guillotine on the other side. Brooks somersaulted over Lentz to relieve the pressure and got back to his feet. Lentz continued to press forward and had Brooks clinched against the cage. Brooks escaped the clinch and danced around Lentz as the round ended. Lentz started out Rround 2 trying to land shots of his own, and the pressure was on from him. Brooks was firing back at him. Then out of almost nowhere, Brooks went for a takedown, and Lentz went right to the guillotine. Brooks rolled again and Lentz ended up on top with the guillotine still locked in and Brooks was forced to tap. This was a huge win for a guy like Lentz adding Brooks to his resume can go a long way. We could see Lentz get a shot at the Top 15 sooner rather than later after this one.
Closing out the FS1 prelims we had Ryan “Baby Face” Benoit (10-5) taking on Ashkan “The Assassin” Mokhtarian (13-3). These two danced around each other for a period of time before Mokhtarian uncorked a huge right hand that appeared to wobble Benoit. Mokhtarian tried to pressure Benoit against the cage. Benoit came back towards Mokhtarian who was swinging with bad intentions on every shot. Mokhtarian ripped a hard leg kick and kept trotting around the outer rim of the cage. Benoit landed two nice shots that pushed Mokhtarian’s head back twice. Mokhtarian landed a big combination, and Benoit followed right back with a big shot to close out the round. Mokhtarian was again fighting from the outside and landing the bigger shots on Benoit in round 2. Mokhtarian ripped a big right hand and a kick that connected. Benoit’s chin was holding up very well and he returned fire. Mokhtarian ripped a hard left hook and was now walking straight into Benoit. Benoit then found a home for a combination and had Mokhtarian on his bicycle running around the cage. Benoit had to eat a big combination from Mokhtarian, Benoit rushed him towards the end of the round with a takedown, and as Mokhtarian was trying to get up Benoit unloaded multiple shots against the cage up until the horn. Round 3 started very fast paced with Benoit trying to rip big shots early. Mokhtarian was continuing to employ his stay on the outside and out of the line of fire technique as the round trudged on. Mokhtarian landed an overhand right but had to eat a huge combination coming back at him. Mokhtarian kept himself out of trouble sidestepping a takedown attempt from Benoit. Mokhtarian landed a hard right hand backed off and then ate a gigantic head kick that knocked him out cold. Benoit didn’t even need to follow up. This was a big knockout for Benoit and he made a real statement. Benoit is heavy-handed, but he needs to make sure he gets the weight cut right the next time out.
We started off the FS1 main card with Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski (16-1) taking on UFC newcomer “Sugar” Shane Young (11-4). Volkanovski led right off with a head kick that was blocked. Volkanovski immediately went for the clinch and had him pressed up against the cage. Young, however, defended the takedown well and forced a break. Volkanovski wasted no time and went for it again. Volkanovski kept moving forward and again went for a takedown this time that he got. Young did a great job battling back to his feet. Volkanovski was just all over him with pressure keeping Young up against the cage with no problems. Young got back to the center of the cage and avoided the big shots from Volkanovski as the round ended. Volkanovski worked his way inside and landed a big in close elbow as he went for another takedown. Young was able to escape and get the fight back to the center of the cage. Volkanovski was just right on his face nonstop and even grabbed for yet another takedown. Young was able to survive and get away again and again. Young may not have had a ton of offense, but he was able to avoid major damage. Volkanovski scored another takedown that young got back up from. Volkanovski got him back down to the mat, and almost transitioned fully to mount. Volkanovski punched the mat very hard as young was able to avoid a huge shot and get back to the feet just prior to the round ending. The third round started with a touch of gloves and Young trying to cut the cage off for Volkanovski. Almost immediately Volkanovski clinched up and went for the takedown. Volkanovski landed a huge knee followed up by a vicious uppercut that Young was able to avoid to a certain extent. Young ended up with a takedown from the position and was on top briefly. Volkanovski did a great job avoiding any real difficult positions and ended up back on top. Volkanovski was again in the advantageous position all over Young. Volkanovski was starting to land serious shots from the top and then transitioned into side control. Young got back to his feet and was just able to stay alive against the heavily favored Volkanovski. The relentless pursuit from Volkanovski was just too much and he ended the round pressed up against him. The scores came back all unanimously for Alexander Volkanovski. He was just so relentless and high motor in this one. Even with the multiple opponent changes Volkanovski didn’t even flinch from that, he is such a dangerous fighter as he moves up the ranks.
The former Australian Olympian Daniel Kelly (13-3) takes on Elias “The Spartan” Theodorou (15-2). Theodorou came right out throwing almost exclusively kicks to the legs of Kelly. Kelly was not backing down and rushed forward, but was unable to land anything. There was a flurry from Kelly where he even found himself in the clinch with uppercuts aplenty coming from Kelly. Theodorou just kept moving around and keeping Kelly at bay. Theodorou tried to jump off the cage and land a shot, but instead ate a ton of punches from Kelly. Theodorou moved away with a glancing kick from Theodorou. Kelly was staying on top of Theodorou trying to keep the pressure on him and push him up against the cage. Kelly came right out in round 2 moving forward and trying to stop the movement of Theodorou. The Spartan was doing a good job avoiding a lot of the dangerous positions. Theodorou just continued to land finishing kicks to the body every time the clinch ended. Kelly secured a throw on Theodorou and put him on his back. Theodorou was able to get back to his feet, and then hit a low kick. The break was very quick and Kelly came right back out moving forward at Theodorou. The head kick attacks from Theodorou were relentless, but Kelly was the guy blocking most and continuing to move forward. Theodorou ripped another big head kick with just over 10 seconds left and it was the last significant strike of the round. Theodorou came right out in round 3 with a body kick. A slip from Kelly left an opening for Theodorou and he added two big punches and a hard head kick. Theodorou then landed a straight punch that wobbled Kelly. He was not wobbled for long throwing a kickback at Theodorou. These guys then started absolutely ripping punches. Kelly then got Theodorou to the mat and went for a rear naked choke that looked very deep, but Theodorou was able to survive and eventually take Kelly’s back. Kelly got back to his feet, but Theodorou stayed in the clinch controlling Kelly until he threw him off. Theodorou just continued to pepper head kicks at Kelly. Kelly tried to clinch again, but Theodorou was able to get away and get yet another head kick off. The judges scored this one 30-28, 30-27, and 30-26 all for Elias Theodorou. The scores look wacky, but the judges picked the right guy in this one. This striking from Theodorou with his kicking ability is very interesting and he remains a high upside prospect moving forward.
The rising Australian star Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews (12-3) entered the cage next to take on Bojan “Serbian Steele” Velickovic (15-6-1). Matthews wasted little time going right for the takedown, but it was stuffed early by Velickovic. Matthews was relentless getting Velickovic to the ground, but it didn’t last long. Velickovic ended up back on his feet, and Matthews went right back to working for a takedown. Velickovic ended back on the ground, and Matthews was on top. Velickovic transitioned and went for an ankle lock, but Matthews slipped out. Velickovic tried to get to his feet, and it ended with Matthews holding him around the waist as the round came to an end. In round 2 it came out and Velickovic came out and eventually got the fight to the ground controlling Matthews back. Velickovic was landing a lot of shots while trying to open up a potential submission option. Matthews was able to slip out, and then immediately went for the clinch against the cage. They separated and it was Velickovic moving forward towards Matthews.
Matthews landed a nice straight right hand, and then a few seconds later a big left came back just prior to round 2 coming to an end. Matthews came out landed a few shots and then grabbed a body kick that turned into a double leg takedown fro Matthews. On the mat, Matthews hit two big punches and a sharp elbow. Velickovic reversed the position and got to his feet and landed a double leg of his own. Velickovic transitioned to taking Matthews back and trying to land while searching for a submission attempt. Matthews was able to slide Velickovic over and ended up on top of Velickovic. There was another escape from Velickovic, and now he ended up on top just to have Matthews switch it again right before the round came to an end. The judges scored this one 29-28 Mathews, 29-28 Velickovic, and 29-28 for the winner by split decision Jake Matthews. The decision is a tough one, but Matthews made his move to 170lbs a success with that win.
Tim “The Dirty Bird” Means (27-9-1) entered the Octagon next taking on Belal “Remember the Name” Muhammad (13-2). Means came right forward at Muhammad and landed early. Once Muhammad settled in he was responding with punches of his own. Means continued to move forward and snuck in a straight right hand that connected. Muhammad snuck in a body then left hook to the head combination that landed clean, but Means didn’t back off coming back with a hard jab. Muhammad snuck in another overhand right that landed flush. Muhammad was trying to avoid Means, and Means snuck in a hard elbow. Muhammad threw a wild spinning back fist that Means ducked just prior to the round coming to an end. Round two came out and it was more pressure from Means. Muhammad eventually went for a takedown and found himself in a guillotine that he was able to roll through and get back to the feet. These two were just throwing punches back and forth Muhammad rushed forward and Means swept his leg and threw him to the mat. Muhammad tried to change levels and go for a takedown, but Mean stuffed it easily. Muhammad came with another big flurry just prior to the round ending. Means landed a head kick straight away in round 3 and it was on. Means was using his low kicks now even more and one spun Muhammad around. Then an eye poke halted the fight very briefly. Means then tried for a takedown of his own but was unsuccessful. Means did follow up with another nice combination. Muhammad landed a glancing head kick and tried to get a takedown, but Means got it away and circled out back to the center of the cage. These two let it hang out in the last 30 seconds with Muhammad just missing a spinning back fist. The judges scored this one 29-28 Muhammad, 29-28 Means, and the split decision winner 29-18 for Belal Muhammad. Big win for Belal Muhammad here over a guy like Tim Means. Muhammad is a very precise striker and that is what got him the victory tonight.
The Co=Main event of the evening was up next as Bec “Rowdy” Rawlings (7-7) took on Jessica-Rose Clark (8-4 1NC) in the new Women’s Flyweight Division. Rawlings came right out across the cage and tried to get into Clark on the feet. Rawlings wasted little time and secured a takedown very quickly. Rawlings was unloading heavy elbows from the top position that forced Clark to grab on and hold. Clark then was able to slide out and reverse the position to end up on top. Clark was on top, but Rawlings was being more offensive including an armbar threat. Clark decided to back up and stand up. Rawlings got up and immediately came forward throwing punches at Clark. Rawlings was getting close and landing, but Clark returned shots just prior to the first round coming to an end. In round two we saw a clinch battle that ensued against the cage and it went back and forth between both ladies. Once Clark had the ability to separate she backed off and was back in the center of the cage. Clark then took the mat to the fight and threatened with a head and arm choke. Rawlings did a solid job keeping her legs trapped but eventually gave up her back. Clark found herself in mount and was really impressing with her grappling ability. Clark ended the round with some elbows and more pressure from the top. They met right out in the center of the Octagon and threw down to begin the round. The action almost continuously alternated with each of them landing a shot and then receiving one. Rawlings landed a nice combination and was trying to walk down Clark. Rawlings pressed forward and landed a heavy right hand that appeared to stumble Clark who immediately grabbed on and led a clinch battle against the cage. Rawlings took that and then scored a takedown. Rawlings was holding her up against the cage, but Clark was able to stand and then reverse the grappling position against the fence. Clark took Rawlings down and stared absolutely unloading ground and pound just prior to the round and fight coming to an end. The judges offered their scores on this one and they were 29-28 Clark, 29-28 Rawlings, and 29-28 for Jessica-Rose Clark. In her UFC debut, Clark came out and got the job done. In a weight class that is just forming any win is important, and starting out in the win column is huge.
Finally the main event of the evening featuring former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (21-7-1 #2 Ranked Heavyweight) against Polish striker Marcin “Tybur” Tybura (16-2). The two traded low kicks and Werdum threw a head kick that was blocked. Werdum threw another low kick and Tybura threw a nice response over the top. Werdum landed a solid body kick and was trying to plod forward at Tybura. Werdum rushed in forward landed with his hands and then a knee from the clinch. Werdum tried to go back to it again, but this time Tybura avoided the heavy knee. Werdum eventually snuck in for an attempted takedown, and this turned into a clinch game against the cage that Werdum was sinning. Werdum threw him down and tried to take his back, but Tybura slid through and grabbed the back of Werdum just prior to the round coming to a close. Werdum started round 2 with a hard right hand that connected. Werdum was using his kicks to push Tybura back. Werdum went for a jumping knee that missed and he stumbled across the cage. Tybura landed a solid knee to the body that was answered seconds later by a body kick from Werdum. Tybura was finding more of a home for his shots, but Werdum was dictating the fight. Werdum came in straight ahead again landing a nice combination. Tybura continued to land the kick to the thigh as they went. Werdum missed with a wild spinning wheel kick but followed it up with the clinch game and shots from in close prior to the round coming to an end. Werdum started round 3 with an immediate boxing combination. Werdum landed a big jumping knee after having to eat a hard kick to the body. Werdum then threw a head kick that was answered with a head kick from Tybura. A nice uppercut came from Tybur, but Werdum was answering with shots of his own. Werdum was really winning almost every exchange on the feet and landing shots in every way imaginable. Werdum grabbed for the clinch and landed multiple knees to the head. Werdum thought about trying to change levels but gave up on it. Tybura did throw a head kick, but it was blocked. Round 4 started with much of the same with Werdum moving forward. There was almost no stoppage for a low blow, but the fight restarted automatically. Werdum went for a single leg and almost had it, but Tybura got back to his feet and was being pressed up against the cage. There was more knees to the head in the clinch from Werdum. Werdum followed that up with a double leg takedown that was completed with just over 2 minutes left in the round. Werdum was really applying pressure from the top and got himself into side control. Tybura got himself back to his feet and landed a nice uppercut. Tybura went for a takedown of his own, and almost got caught in a guillotine, but the round came to an end. There was a weird exchange after the bell where Tybura felt Werdum held the choke a second too long and Tybura punched him in the thigh well after the bell. They appeared to squash that issue at the beginning of round 5. Halfway into the first minute Tybura ripped a huge head kick that appeared to clearly wobble Werdum. Tybura hit another overhand right and then we stopped for a second with due to a hand wrap issue. On the restart Werdum rattled off a few punches. Tybura landed another head kick that forced Werdum to try and grab on. Tybura continued to go back to the head kick well and the last one was blocked. Werdum hit another knee in the clinch, but couldn’t follow with anything. Werdum rattled off another beautiful combination with just over a minute. The last 15 seconds was a wild scramble from both guys landing shots, but there was no finish on the main card tonight. The judges scored this one 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 all for Fabricio Werdum. This may not have been the flashiest of victories for Werdum, but he put together a strategic game plan that got him the win he needed. Werdum may not get it, but he is more than deserving of the next title shot.
The UFC didn’t get the wild action packed night of fights they most likely wanted from this card, but we saw some solid fights. The main card having 0 finishes in 6 fights was somewhat disappointing, but we saw a lot of closely contested matchups including 3 straight split decisions. The Benoit head kick and Camacho vs. Brown fight really highlighted the undercard. The UFC takes no weeks off and they return for a Saturday card live from Shanghai where the prelims kick off at 3:45am on UFC Fight Pass. The main card is at 7 am Eastern time on Fight Pass and is headlined by the former Middleweight champion only 3 weeks after losing his title with Michael “The Count” Bisping (31-8 #2 Ranked Middleweight) and another former Ultimate Fighter Winner Kelvin Gastelum (14-3 1NC #9 Ranked Middleweight). That will be an early morning that is filled with a ton of fireworks.
