MMA Nation - UFC Live 6 Results And Analysis: Cruz Vs. Johnsonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/33343/mma-icon.png2011-10-02T10:26:23-07:00http://mma.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22267652011-10-02T10:26:23-07:002011-10-02T10:26:23-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Dominick Cruz Fails To Ignite Fan Interest
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<figcaption>LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 03: Mixed martial artist Dominick Cruz arrives at a post-fight party for UFC 132 at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino early July 3, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Studio 54) | Getty Images for Studio 54</figcaption>
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<p>Dominick Cruz may be a great fighter, but Jonathan Snowden argues that the UFC bantamweight champion will never be a star fighter.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127865/dominick-cruz">Dominick Cruz</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122884/demetrious-johnson">Demetrious Johnson</a> danced around the cage last night in the Verizon Center, feet moving furiously, back and forth, side to side, front and back. The pace was fast, the fighters faster. Hardcore fans on Twitter and sharing their thoughts on message boards were enthusiastic, impressed by what they saw. But, when the ratings are in, I think we'll see the bulk of the sports fans the UFC courts were watching football. Because regular fans hate fights like that as much as hardcores love them.</p>
<p>Cruz and Johnson moved quickly. It was, though, a lot of movement with very little sense of danger. MMA fans want violence. They want tough guys taking and delivering blows, men overcoming great danger to win in exciting fashion. Defensive fighters like Cruz are the antithesis of what the prototypical MMA fan wants. They want someone fighting to win, not looking to survive. Risk isn't just part of the equation - it's a requirement.</p>
<p>It's why Cruz has been relegated to fighting on free television, unable to connect with fans. He isn't giving them what they want. Fans don't want to watch a sport. They want the illusion that they are watching a real fight. A guy like Cruz shatters that illusion.</p>
<p>Cruz and Johnson were both very technical in some areas, but their standup games were a little awkward. That's a big problem. Combat sports fans can embrace smaller guys - but they have to fight with unmatched skill and precision. Cruz's stilted punches, his haphazard movement, the sense that he might topple over at any moment, don't cut it in this area. He's fast, but he's not pretty. And as long as that's the case, he's likely never going to be a star in the UFC.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/2/2463181/ufc-on-versus-6-results-dominick-cruz-shows-why-hell-never-be-a-starJonathan Snowden2011-10-01T20:05:05-07:002011-10-01T20:05:05-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Stefan Struve Submits Pat Barry In Second Frame
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<p>The most awkward match-up of the night had one of the more predictable endings. I expected either Barry or Struve to get knocked out or for Struve's guard to save him in the end. After a slow first round, Struve - after being rocked - was able to latch on a late submission. Barry's attempt to get out of it did him no good.</p>
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<p><b>Round 2</b> Barry lunges inside behind some big punches and staggers Struve. Struve with a high kick. Barry with a combo, ending with a high kick. Leg kick from Barry. Barry checking kicks. Another hard leg kick from Barry. Struve firing jabs. Struve tries to lock in a Thai plum. Barry lands a big right. Struve fires right back. Struve gets a front headlock and goes for a standing d'arce choke. Struve transitions to a triangle. Barry slams him hard. Struve taps him.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2463061/ufc-live-6-results-stefan-struve-vs-pat-barry-mma-news/in/2226745"><b>UFC Live 6 Results: Stefan Struve defeats Pat Barry by submission (triangle choke) at 3:22 of Round 2.</b></a></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2463118/ufc-on-versus-6-results-stefan-struve-submits-pat-barry-in-secondLuke Thomas2011-10-01T19:36:11-07:002011-10-01T19:36:11-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Anthony Johnson Bombs On Charlie Brenneman
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<p>Two major takeaways from the Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman fight. First, the fight was stopped early. Period. Referee Mario Yamasaki was placed in a nearly identical position as in the Johnson vs. Kevin Burns fight. But rather than Brenneman hitting the canvas because he's totally out, Brenneman still had life left in him. He even gestured to the referee a 'what gives?' type of response.</p>
<p>Second, Brenneman looked utterly outclassed in the fight. He seemed terribly rattled by the physical strength and striking power of Johnson. His defensive maneuvering was more panic than anything else.</p>
<p>Here's our liveblog of the end of the fight:</p>
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<p>Round 1 Brenneman shoots in and Johnson stuffs it. Johnson peppering Brenneman with punches from the top. He's holding Brenneman's head down and is firing with uppercuts to the face from below. Knees to the body from Johnson. Johnson spinning around Brenneman's back. Rolls him halfway over and pounds away. Brenneman gets to half guard. Brenneman with a guillotine in half guard. Loses it. Johnson working to get side mount. Johnson stands up. Brenneman is up. Johnson catches Brenneman with a head kick that drops him and the referee Mario Yamasaki suddenly stops the fight. Brenneman is totally furious at the stoppage.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2463017/ufc-live-6-results-anthony-johnson-knocks-out-charlie-brenneman/in/2226745"><b>UFC Live 6 Results: Anthony Johnson defeats Charlie Brenneman by TKO (referee stoppage) at 2:49 of the 1st round.</b></a></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2463036/ufc-on-versus-6-results-anthony-johnson-bombs-on-charlie-brennemanLuke Thomas2011-10-01T18:56:14-07:002011-10-01T18:56:14-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Matt Wiman Edges Mac Danzig In Close Contest
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<p>In the opening bout of the television broadcast of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/81030/ufc-on-versus-6-cruz-vs-johnson">UFC on Versus 6</a>, lightweights <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127369/mac-danzig">Mac Danzig</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129146/matt-wiman">Matt Wiman</a> put on an excellent contest. The bout was close throughout and hard to score, but Wiman's damage from strikes, second round submission attempt and general aggression probably made the difference.</p>
<p>Much of the damage that was scored from either fighter took place in the clinch often making it hard to score. Danzig did well early, but Wiman accumulated more points over time particularly by varying the effort. Wiman's wrestling helped score in parts, but wasn't nearly as dominant as I expected.</p>
<p>It's possible this loss could send Danzig packing from the UFC.</p>
<p>Here's our end of the fight live blog:</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><b>Round 3<span class="Apple-converted-space">: </span></b>Danzig connects first. Wiman answers. Wiman tagging Danzig. Backs him into the cage and tags him hard. Danzig lands some counters. Wiman pushes him back. Elbow from Wiman. Danzig reverses on the cage. Wiman pins Danzig's arm and begins landing elbows. Danzig gets free and lands a great combination of punches. Wiman attempts a take down. Eats some punches. More great exchanges from both guys. Both men bleeding. Wiman shoots, Danzig stuffs it. Danzig landing punches on a grounded Wiman. Wiman fighting to stand. Danzig climbing on his back. Wiman slides him off. Danzig on his back in half guard. Wiman raining down elbows from top position. Wiman forces Danzig into the cage. Danzig's face looks bad. Danzig stands. Knee from Wiman. Punches from Wiman. Wiman drops for a double. Switches to a single. Danzig drops for a guillotine, has it locked in as the fight ends. MMA Nation scores the round 10-9 for Matt Wiman and the fight 30-28 for Wiman. </p>
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<p><b>UFC Live 6 Results Matt Wiman defeats <span class="sbn-auto-link">Mac Danzig</span> by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). </b></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462986/ufc-on-versus-6-results-matt-wiman-edges-mac-danzig-in-close-contestLuke Thomas2011-10-01T18:21:37-07:002011-10-01T18:21:37-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Yves Edwards Batters Rafaello Oliveira
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<p>After suffering a devastating defeat at the hands of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122617/sam-stout">Sam Stout</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129164/yves-edwards">Yves Edwards</a> rebounded nicely tonight at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/81030/ufc-on-versus-6-cruz-vs-johnson">UFC on Versus 6</a> with a stoppage win over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131706/rafaello-oliveira">Rafaello Oliveira</a>.</p>
<p>This was simply a matter of time from the beginning with Oliveira offering very little to Edwards in any portion of the fight. Once Edwards was able to determine which combinations worked at the appropriate distance, it was really over.</p>
<p>The win is important for Edwards more for job security and mental refreshment than anything else. But for Edwards, that's probably enough today.</p>
<p>There's also an issue of whether or not the fight was stopped too late. I believe it was, although not criminally so.</p>
<p>Here's our live blog of the end of the fight:</p>
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<p>Round 2 Edwards lands a left. Inside leg kick. Another. Edwards lands a jab. Oliveira lands a kick. Oliveira charges, comes up empty. Oliveira charging after Edwards. Connects. The pace slows. Edwards hurts Oliveira with a hook. Oliveira falls. Edwards pursues him down, landing shots. Edwards with a knee. Oliveira gets back up! Edwards hurts him again. High leg kick hurts Oliveira and he falls down. Edwards follows him down and lands a torrent of punches. Edwards takes his back, the shots continue to rain down.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462882/ufc-live-6-results-yves-edwards-thugs-up-rafaello-oliveira/in/2226745"><b>UFC Live 6 Results: Yves Edwards defeats Rafaello Oliveira 2:44 of the 2nd round.</b></a></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462969/ufc-on-versus-6-results-yves-edwards-batters-rafaello-oliveiraLuke Thomas2011-10-01T18:12:12-07:002011-10-01T18:12:12-07:00Shane Roller: Referee Stoppage Was Fair, I Got Lazy In Spots
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<p>UFC lightweight <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127986/shane-roller">Shane Roller</a> spoke to MMA Nation after his loss to T.J Grant at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/81030/ufc-on-versus-6-cruz-vs-johnson">UFC on Versus 6</a>. Roller says in retrospect the stoppage was fair and if the referee hears him scream in pain, has an obligation to stop the fight. Roller also talked about the gameplan heading into the bout, whether he was surprised by the control of Grant, the recommended adjustments of coach Mark Laimon in between rounds and more.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462963/shane-roller-referee-stoppage-was-fair-i-got-lazy-in-spotsLuke Thomas2011-10-01T17:41:54-07:002011-10-01T17:41:54-07:00UFC On Versus 6 Results: Paul Sass Heelhooks Michael Johnson In One
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<p>I tend to view the necessity of winning by guard play as rather gimmicky, but it worked today for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122612/paul-sass">Paul Sass</a> in his first round win over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130188/michael-johnson">Michael Johnson</a>.</p>
<p>The Brit was desperate to take the fight to the ground, most notably by trying to pull guard. Johnson, knowing full well that's what Sass wanted, did a mostly admirable defending until he didn't finish an escape. With one foot left in and unable to roll through to defend, Sass secured the heel hook.</p>
<p>It's a nice win for Sass, but so long as the guard is where fights have to take place in order for him to win, his upside is extremely limited.</p>
<p>Here's our live blog of the fight:</p>
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<p>Round 1 Flying knee attempt by Sass. Sass shoots on Johnson off another. Johnson fights him off. Sass shoots in and tries to pull guard but Johnson backs away. Sass lands a straight right. Johnson drops Sass with a punch and a knee. Sass is in trouble. He recovers. Sass stumbles in and quickly tries to pull guard. Johnson tees off before backing away. Sass misses with a spinning elbow attack. Sass drops to guard. Sass goes after a leg. Sass going after a heel hook. Johnson surviving. Sass finishes it and gets the submission.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462855/ufc-live-6-results-paul-sass-submits-michael-johnson-with-brutal-heel/in/2226745"><b>UFC Live 6 Results: Paul Sass defeats Michael Johnson by submission (heel hook) at 3:00 of the first round. </b></a></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462915/ufc-on-versus-6-results-paul-sass-heelhooks-michael-johnson-in-oneLuke Thomas2011-10-01T17:33:06-07:002011-10-01T17:33:06-07:00UFC Results: Mike Easton Folds Byron Bloodworth In UFC Debut
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<p>It was a victorious debut for the Washington, DC native as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129608/mike-easton">Mike Easton</a> was able to stop late-replacement <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143816/byron-bloodworth">Byron Bloodworth</a> in both fighter's UFC debut.</p>
<p>Easton was characteristically slow to start, but eventually took over in the second round dropping Bloodworth with brutal knees from the clinch. Easton similarly defeated Rick Desper that way, although that fight went the distance.</p>
<p>There isn't much to add to the analysis, except Easton got an excellent fight for a tune-up in his return to professional MMA competition.</p>
<p>Here's our liveblog of the end:</p>
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<p>Round 2 Easton takes a switch kick. Leg kick from Easton. Another. A third. A fourth. Easton pressing forward. Bloodworth in and out with a punch. Easton walking him down. Bad take down attempt by Bloodworth. Easton lands an uppercut. Bloodworth counters. Bloodworth with a flying knee that misses. Easton with another round kick to the leg. Left hook to right leg kick hurts Bloodworth. Again. Easton charging after a retreating Bloodworth. Bloodworth switching stances. Easton failing to cut off the cage. Low blow to Bloodworth pauses the action. Hard inside leg kick goes high and drills the groin. They restart and Bloodworth continues to circle away. Easton showing no respect for Bloodworth's strikes. Easton forces a clinch and Bloodworth reverses him against the cage. Bloodworth drops for a take down, Easton sprawls. Easton landing some high knees. Easton drops Bloodworth with a vicious knee to the body. He follows him down with hard punches and the referee stops the beating.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462833/ufc-live-6-results-mike-easton-busts-up-byron-bloodworth/in/2226745"><b>UFC Live 6 Results: Mike Easton defeats Byron Bloodworth by TKO (referee stoppage) at 4:52 of the 2nd round.</b></a></p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/1/2462865/ufc-results-mike-easton-folds-byron-bloodworth-in-ufc-debutLuke Thomas