UFC 99 Results & Recap
by Robert Sargent
While the scoring of some bouts has come under question, UFC 99 was otherwise an excellent event that featured a number of very close fights. In the catchweight main event, Rich "Ace" Franklin narrowly defeated Wanderlei Silva by decision.
Elsewhere on the main card, Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy won his grudge match with "The Irish Hand Grenade" Marcus Davis, while Cain Velasquez used Cheick Kongo as a wrestling dummy.
Rich "Ace" Franklin vs "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva
In a close fight that many feel should have gone Silva's way, Franklin emerged as the victor with a controversial Unanimous Decision. It must also be noted that, with the exception of the Split Decision later on the card, none of the judges' scores were read all night. The UFC's website later posted the judges' scores, and the 30-27 tallies in this bout are quite ridiculous.Round one began slowly, as the mutual respect was evident from both fighters. Each looked to pick their spots, and Franklin scored with a left cross. Silva fired off a quick one-two, but Franklin backed away. Both fighters landed punches and Silva countered a body kick from Franklin with an overhand right. Silva just missed with a head kick, then scored with kicks to the body and lead leg of Franklin. Silva caught a kick from Franklin and slammed him to the mat. Silva landed short punches from the top, then stood up and landed harder strikes. Franklin stood up and Silva tried to pull guard with a guillotine choke. Franklin easily escaped and landed punches that cut Silva, then continued to pepper Silva with more punches as he stood up. Franklin landed quick punches and a body kick before the bell. 10-9 Franklin.
Silva landed a body kick early in round two and Franklin countered with a right hook. Franklin began to open up with kicks and followed up with a one-two. Both fighters landed strikes in an exchange and Franklin went back to kicks. Franklin landed a quick combination and a body kick, then sent Silva off-balance with a jab. Silva attempted a head kick and Franklin landed two kicks to the body. A left hook scored for Franklin, but Silva threw another head kick. Franklin landed another body kick and avoided a flurry from Silva, but Silva rocked Franklin with two quick punches. Silva immediately turned up the pace and pressed forward with big punches and kicks that dazed Franklin again. Franklin tried for a takedown, but failed. Franklin recovered and landed a head kick, but fell in the process. He got up and threw wild punches as a fatigued Silva slipped while ducking them. One final exchange ended the close round, which Silva stole in the final 90 seconds. 10-9 Silva.
A quick exchange of punches in round three ended with a head kick from an exhausted Silva, whose weight cut to 195 was clearly having an effect. He landed a nice overhand right and Franklin countered with a left cross. Both fighters landed hard punches and Franklin threw short right hooks. Time was briefly called after an accidental low blow from Franklin, but action resumed and the fighters threw big punches in a wild exchange. Silva landed a quick flurry and a knee in a clinch, then implored the crowd to cheer. They did so, and Silva pushed the pace with punches. Silva landed kicks to the leg and head as he stalked Franklin around the cage. Quick punches were exchanged and Franklin landed a body kick. With one minute left, Silva again had the crowd cheering as he backed Franklin against the cage with punches. He punished Franklin with more strikes until Franklin scored a takedown. Silva stood up and landed a series of reverse elbow strikes until the bell. 10-9 Silva.
All three rounds of this fight were close, but Silva had rocked Franklin and dominated much of the latter half of round two, and did nearly all of the damage in round three. The judges who scored all three rounds for Franklin might want to consider some prescription eyewear.
Winner: Rich Franklin by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 25-4-0, 1 NC.
Cain Velasquez vs Cheick Kongo
Despite getting badly rocked at the start of the first and second rounds, the rest of this fight was little more than a wrestling clinic from Velasquez, who battered Kongo on the ground for 15 minutes en route to a lopsided Unanimous Decision.Kongo rocked Velasquez with two huge right crosses to begin the fight, but Velasquez literally recovered within two seconds and scored a takedown. Kongo briefly got back to his feet, but was taken down again. Velasquez landed hammerfists and moved to side-control, then to mount. Kongo rolled over and Velasquez tried for a rear naked choke. Kongo escaped the choke and briefly got up, but was slammed down again. Velasquez landed punches and short elbows from side-control. Kongo gave up his back again and Velasquez teed off with punches. Velasquez continued to transition from side-control to mount to Kongo's back, and landed punches at every step of the way. Kongo stood up and was taken down again. Velasquez landed more punches and attempted a neck crank, but Kongo stood up just before the bell. 10-9 Velasquez.
Velasquez landed a big right hook early in round two and looked to follow up with more punches, but was dropped by a right cross from Kongo. As in round one, Velasquez immediately recovered and scored a trip takedown. Kongo clinched and stood up, then landed knees to Velasquez's legs. Velasquez scored a takedown and went back to battering Kongo with punches. He added in knees to the body as Kongo turtled on the ground. Velasquez had so many opportunities for submissions, it was ridiculous, but his inexperience began to show in a lack of finishing ability. However, he smothered Kongo and landed dozens of short punches, while Kongo could do nothing. Each time Kongo stood up, he was slammed to the mat within seconds. Bleeding from the nose, Kongo once again turtled on the ground as Velasquez landed knees and punches. The final 90 seconds were more of the same. Total domination. 10-9 Velasquez.
Kongo scored with another solid right cross to begin round three, but this one didn't hurt Velasquez and Velasquez clinched against the cage. Kongo, for some unknown reason, tried to take the fight to the mat and was quickly reversed. From there, Velasquez went back to punching the sides of Kongo's head as Kongo covered up. Punches and knees scored for Velasquez, while Kongo did absolutely nothing. Finally, with just over two minutes to go, Kongo grabbed the cage and stood up, then landed knees in a clinch. He managed to rock Velasquez with punches, but Velasquez scored another takedown and trapped Kongo in a crucifix. Velasquez landed punches from the top and moved to mount. He landed more punches and elbows as Kongo tried to punch from his back. Velasquez teed off with punches until the bell. 10-8 Velasquez.
All three judges scored the lopsided bout in favour of Velasquez. Though he was rocked in the first and second rounds, Velasquez's recovery rate is nothing short of amazing, as he immediately regained his composure on both occasions and took Kongo down. Velasquez is a new contender in the heavyweight division.
Winner: Cain Velasquez by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 6-0-0.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović vs Mostapha al-Turk
Though Filipović won this fight, it was not without a bit of controversy, and even more controversy followed when it was reported after the fight that he had departed the UFC and would be returning to Japan to fight for DREAM.Al-Turk opened the fight with a solid right hook and followed it up with low kicks and more punches. Filipović easily shrugged off a takedown attempt and looked to set up power strikes, but al-Turk continued to push the pace with punches. Filipović landed a left cross and al-Turk threw more leg kicks. He tried to land more overhand rights, but Filipović avoided them. Filipović landed two quick punches that hurt al-Turk, then blasted him with more strikes against the cage. Al-Turk covered up and backed away, but Filipović dropped him with a left cross. He landed punches on the ground, then stood up and allowed al-Turk to stand. Filipović then went for a punch, but inadvertently jabbed al-Turk in the eye with his fingers. Al-Turk immediately turned away and covered his face, but the referee had missed the eye poke. Filipović landed punches until the fight was stopped.
After the fight, Filipović apologised for the accidental eye poke, but felt that it likely did not impact the fight. That assumption is probably correct, but the entire situation became overshadowed later in the evening when it was announced that Filipović had left the UFC and was returning to Japan to fight for the DREAM promotion. UFC President Dana White was less than thrilled, but karma has a funny way like that.
Winner: Mirko Filipović by TKO (Punches) at 3:05 of round one. He improves to 25-6-2, 1 NC.
Mike "Quick" Swick vs Ben "Killa B" Saunders
While it was hardly shocking to see Saunders filled with nerves and unable to mount much of any offence, this fight did not go anything like it was expected to until the later stages of the second round, when Swick finally strung together a solid flurry of punches that dropped Saunders and finished the fight.Saunders immediately clinched and pulled guard, and Swick landed punches from the top. Saunders continued to hold onto Swick, but Swick created enough distance to land punches to the sides of Saunders's head. Swick switched to body shots and the fighters began to taunt each other. Swick attempted a guillotine choke, then gave it up and tried to land more punches, but Saunders tied him up. Swick stood up and Saunders landed two upkicks. Swick returned to Saunders's guard, but the fight was quickly stood up. Saunders landed a nice kick to the body, but Swick hit him with nearly a dozen quick punches. The fighters clinched and Saunders landed a knee. He scored with another knee to the face, then targeted the body. 10-9 Swick.
Saunders scored with body and head kicks to begin round two, but Swick rushed in with a knee and the fighters clinched. Saunders landed knees, but Swick caught his leg and scored a takedown. Swick briefly held mount, but Saunders regained butterfly guard. Both fighters landed short punches on the ground, but nothing damaging. The fight was stood up and Saunders landed a leg kick. Swick punched his way out of a Thai clinch, then landed a stiff leg kick of his own. Saunders looked to clinch again, but Swick landed punches over the top. Swick rocked Saunders with a left hook, then proceeded to maul him with rapid-fire punches against the cage. One shot struck Saunders in the temple and he fell to the mat, and the referee stopped the fight.
Saunders proved to be a bit out of his league in this fight, but Mike Swick's post-fight comments about challenging top guys such as Georges St. Pierre and Thiago Alves were equally farfetched. Swick has a ways to go yet, but this was a solid win nonetheless.
Winner: Mike Swick by TKO (Punches) at 3:47 of round two. He improves to 14-2-0.
Spencer "The King" Fisher vs Caol "Uno Shoten" Uno
In a highly competitive technical battle, a relative stalemate ensued as both fighters looked to impose their game plans in the first two rounds, which should have been scored as one round apiece, but a big flurry of punches from Uno late in round three seemed to easily seal the deal for a victory. The judges, however, gave both of the first two rounds to Fisher, who took a highly disputed Unanimous Decision that most observers have correctly labelled as "robbery."As if Bruce Buffer's attempts to speak German (a great language when spoken correctly) weren't hideous enough, he proceeded to list Uno as having four No Contests instead of Draws. Alrighty. Regardless, the fight began and the fighters circled each other and traded quick low kicks. Uno shot for a takedown, but Fisher stuffed it and landed knees to the shoulders. The fighters stood and clinched against the cage, and Fisher landed short knee strikes. Neither fighter could gain an advantage in the clinch and the referee separated them. The fighters traded punches in an exchange and Fisher landed more leg kicks. Fisher landed a nice right hook and Uno tried for a takedown. Fisher defended and landed knees, and the fighters clinched against the cage again. The crowd booed, but the fight was an excellent technical one. Both fighters landed strikes before the bell. 10-9 Fisher.
Fisher opened round two with a leg kick and a right straight, but Uno scored a takedown. Fisher stood and Uno tried briefly for a guillotine. Fisher avoided a trip attempt and backed away. Uno shot in for a takedown and Fisher stuffed it, then kicked Uno in the ribs. Uno landed a pair of one-two combinations of right jabs and left leg kicks, then scored a takedown. A scramble ensued and Uno wound up on top. Uno postured up and landed punches, then stood up. Fisher used a nice ankle pick to get Uno off, then got to his feet. Uno landed knees in a clinch, then tried for a takedown. Quick punches were exchanged and Uno tried for another takedown. Fisher then went for a Judo toss, but Uno wound up on top. Uno tried to take Fisher's back for a rear naked choke, but Fisher stood up. Uno locked on a front choke and landed knees, then pulled guard. Fisher landed knees to the shoulder and Uno stood up. 10-9 Uno.
Uno clinched to begin round three and landed knees to the legs, then scored with an uppercut. Fisher landed a big punch and an elbow, but Uno countered with a knee to the body and a takedown. Fisher looked to stand, but Uno used an ankle pick to keep him down. Fisher used the cage to work back to his feet and the fighters were separated. Uno landed another nice punch, kick combo, but fell while throwing the kick. Back on the feet, Fisher landed a big right hook and wound up on top on the ground, but a scramble saw both fighters return to standing. Uno landed knees and tried for a takedown, but Fisher scored with an elbow and a knee of his own. Uno got Fisher down and pounded him with punches and elbows. He looked for a Kimura, but switched to mount and rained down more strikes. 10-9 Uno.
The judges gave round two to Fisher, which was a terrible decision, and it resulted in Fisher walking away as a rather undeserved winner. Regardless, a nice technical fight, and Fisher's takedown defence is vastly improved.
Winner: Spencer Fisher by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 23-4-0.
Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy vs "The Irish Hand Grenade" Marcus Davis
Though this fight was also very close and sparked numerous discussions about the scoring, the judges got this one right and awarded Hardy with the grudge match victory, as a distraught Davis stormed out of the ring. Perhaps Davis was upset that he is now firmly entrenched in gatekeeper status.Kicks were traded to begin the fight, with Davis targeting the body and Hardy aiming for the legs. Davis clinched against the cage and tried for a takedown, but Hardy stayed on his feet. Finally, after over a minute, Davis got Hardy down and moved directly to mount. Davis landed elbows and hammerfists, but Hardy regained guard. Davis landed punches until Hardy rolled and tried to get to his feet. Davis held him in place and landed more short punches as Hardy worked to reverse position. More punches scored for Davis, as Hardy could not get up. Davis looked for a guillotine choke, but Hardy reversed and landed knees as the fighters stood. Hardy landed a standing elbow and dropped Davis with a left hook. Davis got to his feet and was met with more punches. Davis, bleeding from the top of his head, tried for a takedown, but Hardy stuffed it and landed strikes in a clinch. 10-9 Davis.
Davis landed a body kick early in round one and Hardy replied with kicks to the head and legs. Davis landed another body kick and attempted a jumping knee, but ate a jab for his efforts. Hardy landed a nice left hook and a right cross soon after, and the fighters exchanged punches. Hardy landed a leg kick and a left hook, which set off a big exchange of punches from both fighters. Hardy locked on a Thai clinch and floored Davis with a knee to the jaw. He landed hammerfists from the top as Davis recovered. Hardy added in elbows, but Davis looked for a triangle choke and an armbar. Hardy worked free and struck from Davis's guard. Davis landed elbows from the bottom as Hardy threw hammerfists from the top, and the fight was stood up. A clinch against the cage ended with a knee from Hardy. Davis landed a leg kick as Hardy hit him with a counterpunch. Davis followed with a big left hook, but Hardy simply smiled. Davis scored a takedown and landed short punches from the top. 10-9 Hardy.
Davis caught a kick from Hardy and sent him to the floor with a left cross, but Hardy was in no danger. He held onto Davis as Davis tried to land small strikes from the top. Davis passed to half-guard and landed elbows and hammerfists, then tried for a heel hook. Hardy spun free and got to his feet. He pressed Davis against the cage and landed knees to the legs, then scored a takedown. Hardy landed a huge elbow strike that cut Davis below the left eye and badly on the bridge of the nose. Time was called to check the cut on Davis's nose, and Davis staggered all over the place as he stood up to meet the doctor. The fight resumed on the ground and Hardy threw more punches and hammerfists as Davis bled everywhere. The fight was stood up and Hardy landed a left hook. He followed with a stiff leg kick, but Davis countered with a left hook. A quick combination scored for Hardy and he landed another left hook before the bell. 10-9 Hardy.
Davis initially shook Hardy's hand after the fight, but threw a tantrum and stormed out of the ring when the judges' scores were read and did not turn out in his favour. Huge win for Hardy, who continues to rise up the welterweight ranks.
Winner: Dan Hardy by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) after three rounds. He improves to 22-6-0, 1 NC.
Undercard Fights:
Terry Etim defeated Justin Buchholz by Submission (D'Arce Choke) at 2:38 of round two. Etim had to recover after being dropped and outstruck in round one, but he fought back with a variety of kicks and knees in round two and trapped Buchholz in a D'Arce Choke on the ground, which forced Buchholz to submit. Etim improves to 13-2-0 with the win.Dennis Siver defeated Dale Hartt by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:23 of round one. Siver got the German crowd into the action with a hometown victory, as he countered a takedown attempt with an armbar, then transitioned to Hartt's back and secured the fight-ending choke. Siver improves to 14-6-0 with the win.
"Relentless" Paul Taylor defeated Peter Sobotta by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. Controlling the fight with solid kicks and punches on the feet, and effective ground and pound, Taylor put a stop - at least, for now - to the "next big thing" from Germany, as he handed Sobotta his second career defeat with this lopsided decision. Taylor improves to 10-4-1, 1 NC with the win.
Paul "Tellys" Kelly defeated Rolando "The Crazy Cuban" Delgado by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. Rebounding after a shaky first round that saw Delgado nearly finish the fight with a rear naked choke, Kelly took top position in round two and blasted Delgado with strikes, then wore down his fatigued opponent in the final round with effective combinations on the feet. Kelly improves to 9-1-0 with the win.
Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve defeated Denis "The Menace" Stojnic by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:37 of round two. Despite holding a one-foot height advantage over his opponent, the 6'11" Struve had to recover from being very badly cut on the forehead in round one and put on a submission clinic in round two. Throwing everything that he had at Stojnic, a badly bloodied Struve finally secured a rear naked choke that ended the fight. Struve improves to 17-3-0 with the win.
John "The Hitman" Hathaway defeated Ricky "The Horror" Story by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. In a fight contested almost entirely on the ground, Hathaway damaged with strikes and attempted more submissions than Story, which led to a unanimous but somewhat uninspired decision victory for Hathaway, who remains undefeated. Hathaway improves to 11-0-0 with the win.
Contentious judging aside, UFC 99: "The Comeback" featured a great night of fights for the German fans, and has definitely set the stages for more memorable bouts later in the year.
