Sorry for this late review on this event. Didn't even realise that it was on a weekday. It's going to take some getting used to as it seems that there will be more UFC on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday evenings in the US. But anyway, it's not like there was a title bout or a card filled with big names. The best fight of the main card was definitely the titular fight between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann, whereas the others were, honestly, pretty boring (to be fair, it's hard to follow after the fantastic previous Fight Night). Great punch combination and the rear naked choke finish by Ultimate Fighter season winner Kelvin Gastelum on Brian Melancon though.
Well now let's talk about Condit versus Kampmann II. Kampmann was the winner by split decision in their first encounter with each other back in 2009 (Fight Night 18) and he attempted to repeat what he did by taking the fight to the ground. He was pretty successful in the first round but did not do much damage. Condit's corner pointed out Kampmann's strategy during the break and went out determined not to get taken down again. Condit found his range, so well that he begun looking absolutely laid back, like an easy walk in the park. Everything landed, including his short elbow which cut his opponent open above the brow. Kampmann showed heart as he tried to stay in the fight but unfortunately Condit's striking abilities and take down defense were just too good. In the fourth round, Condit connected with consecutive punch combinations which got Kampmann backing off all the way to the fence before dropping to his butt after blocking a couple of mini-flying knees. Ref. Herb Dean stopped the fight right there and then as Kampmann certainly should not go on eating punishments like that without defending himself intelligently.
Will try to catch UFC 164 as soon as I could and write up a bit about it here later this week.
UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 results
Fight of the Night: Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
Knockout of the Night: Brandon Thatch
Submission of the Night: Zak Cummings
MAIN CARD
Welterweight: Carlos Condit def. Martin Kampmann via TKO (punches & knees) - R4 0:54
Lightweight: Rafael dos Anjos def. Donald Cerrone via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Kelvin Gastelum def. Brian Melancon via Submission (rear-naked choke) - R1 2:26
Welterweight: Court McGee def. Robert Whittaker via Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Takeya Mizugaki def. Erik Perez via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Brad Tavares def. Bubba McDaniel via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Fox Sports 2)
Middleweight: Dylan Andrews def. Papy Abedi via KO (punches) - R3 1:32
Welterweight: Brandon Thatch def. Justin Edwards via TKO (punches) - R1 1:23
Featherweight: Darren Elkins def. Hatsu Hioki via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Jason High def. James Head via Submission (guillotine choke) - R1 1:41
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Welterweight: Zak Cummings def. Ben Alloway via Submission (D'Arce choke) - R1 4:19
Lightweight: Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo - No Contest (doctor stoppage) - R2 4:57
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