Lights, red carpets, a polished Brock Lesnar calling the commentary before the main event. Everything leading up to the heavyweight championship bout was promised and much more. FOX started the program by showcasing their other big name sports events on the channel (World Series, Daytona 500, NFC Playoffs and more) educating the new MMA audience to the legitimacy oh the upcoming broadcast. Zuffa has done it – placing their product that was purchased when almost extinct, re-vitalized by a chance reality program and delivered the heavyweight championship with the referee from UFC 1, Big John McCarthy.
In less than ninety seconds, Junior Dos Santos eliminated any guessing or second thoughts from everyone (myself included) that he was the ready for the heavyweight championship. Stinging Velasquez early with a straight right hand, he continued to plot his shots until the moment was right. Throwing a haymaker that caught the AKA fighter on the right temple, stumbled him and as he fell, Dos Santos landed multiple shots to a limp Velasquez, prompting McCarthy to call the bout at 1:04 in the first round.
Setting up a meeting for 2012 with either Brock Lesnar or Alistair Overeem, he will be trouble for either man. Never being in any trouble in the octagon and admitted himself post fight “not 100% for Cain”, what problems will he have for the next man to challenge him for the title. Technical boxing, takedown defense and a jiu jitsu game from the Nougeira brothers, the future looks bright for “Cigano”.
Tasting defeat for the first time in his professional career, Cain Velasquez will now need to go back and focus on what seems to be his weakness, striking defense and absorbing the shot. While nobody can be ready when hit on the button, it would be wise for the camp to examine what Cain does wrong, leaving himself open for the wrong shots. He was hurt by Cheick Kongo in their bout, even though he prevailed and earned a unanimous decision; Dos Santos tonight showed what happens when you leave yourself open and ended what seemed to be a dominant reign from Velasquez.
Crowning a new champion is perfect for the debut event on broadcast television. For faithful MMA fans, we knew that JDS was the better boxer with strength in his hands and the fight went what most of us wanted or predicted. For the novice or new fan, tuning into the bout to experience MMA, nothing could be better. This is the fight game and industry in a nutshell – anything can happen in any fight. Good job to the entire FOX team and Zuffa for putting on a phenomenal card and best of luck in this venture.
