"Jose Aldo retains his Featherweight Championship over Chad Mendes, then celebrates with the crowd. Vitor Belfort submits Anthony Johnson in the first round. Edson Barboza provides the greatest head kick knockout in UFC history."
The UFC returned to Rio de Janeiro for UFC 142 and was headlined by one of the pound for pound best fighters on the planet, UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo (21-1) defending his championship against Chad Mendes (11-1).
Mendes, one of the best wrestlers in the Featherweight devision was supposed to be the biggest test for Aldo's young career, but Aldo had his way with the challenger and brushed off every single takedown attempted by Mendes.
The brilliant takedown defense was the key to this fight, as late in the first round, Mendes had Aldo's back but because he could not take Aldo down, he separated. It was during this brief second opportunity, that Aldo quickly spun around and unloaded a big violent knee which dropped Mendes. Two quick punches followed and just like that, Aldo retained his Featherweight championship and handed Mendes his first ever professional loss at 4:59 of the first round. What happened next, is potentially one of the greatest non MMA moments of all time, as Aldo ran out of the cage and celebrated with the crowd, as the fans hoisted their hero on their shoulders. It was an incredible scene, and one which I am sure we will see for years.
Not only did Jose Aldo cement his place as arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world, but he is coming close to cleaning out the newly implemented UFC Featherweight devision.
I can not think of one fighter in the 145 devision who can complete with this man, and the scary thing is, is that he is only 25 years old.
The co-main event of the evening, was the contest I was most looking forward to between Vitor Belfort (21-9) and Anthony Johnson (10-4).
This bout was supposed to be Anthony Johnson's debut as a Middleweight, but at the weigh in's, Johnson missed weight by an unbelievable 11 pounds, coming in at 197lbs.
The fight was almost cancelled, but the UFC and Vitor Belfort agreed to continue with the contest as long as Johnson did not weigh more than 205 pounds at high noon on fight day. Johnson made weight the second time coming in at 204.2 pounds, and the fight was on.
As soon as the fight started, Johnson came out aggressive and landed some big shots and takedowns on Belfort, but tired out quickly and was eventually submitted by Belfort via rear naked choke at 4:49 of the first round.
Rio went absolutely apeshit at the conclusion and erupted for their hero who came back from diversity and defeated the bigger fighter.
Phenom-anol!
Another interesting bout came in the Middleweight devision, as the potentially most feared man in MMA Rousimar Palhares (14-3) submitted Mike Massenzio (13-6) via heel hook in 1:03 of the first round.
A ruthless fighter, Palhares is the best leg lock specialist in all of MMA due to his crushing power. If given the opportunity, Palhares will rip your limbs off and that is what he did in this fight tonight.
Pulling guard, Palhares sneaked his left leg around Massenzio's thigh, then using the butterfly guard elevated Massenzio while grabbing Massenzio's foot at the same time. This allowed Palhares to sink Massenzio's heel in the crack of his elbow and he cranked on it until Massenzio had no choice but to tap out. To put it in perspective, if Palhares ever tripped and fell anywhere near me, I would highstep out of the area ASAP just in case, because I do not want my leg/ankle ripped off!
The opening bout of the main card between lightweights Terry Etim (15-4) and Edson Barboza (10-0) was touted as the early favorite to win fight of the night, but Barboza potentially earned knockout of the year with his spinning heel kick head kick knockout at 2:02 of the 3rd round.
The kick was an absolutely spectacular finish which is arguably one of the greatest and most brutal knockouts in UFC history. The knockout was even more impressive, because Etim was one of the most promising fighters in the devision, but was out before he even hit the floor, as Barboza caught him perfectly on the jaw with his heel, for the first ever spinning wheel kick KO in UFC history.
The crowds in Brazil are unlike any other fans throughout the world, as they bring an extra energy to the atmosphere which made the fights seem that much bigger and more high profile.
UFC 142 was not heavily promoted, and this once again continued the tradition of the lower key UFC events providing the most exciting action. Not one fight on the main card went the distance and all the fights ended in some sort of spectacular finish.
The UFC certainly kicked off 2012 with a bang!
Fight of the Night: Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim
Submission of the Night: Rousimar Palhares
Knockout of the Night: Edson Barboza
Results:
Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via knockout (knee and punches) - Round 1, 4:59 - retains featherweight title
Vitor Belfort def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 4:45
Rousimar Palhares def. Mike Massenzio via submission (heel hook) - Round 1, 1:03
Carlo Prater def. Erick Silva via disqualification (illegal punches) - Round 1, 0:29
Edson Barboza def. Terry Etim via knockout (spinning heel kick) - Round 3, 2:02
Thiago Tavares def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (no scores given)
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ednaldo Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 3:22
Yuri Alcantara def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Funch via TKO (knees and punches) - Round 1, 1:22
Felipe Arantes def. Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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