UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot v Mir Review

This past Sunday night the UFC hosted it's first Brazilian event of the year in Porto Alegre, the joyful harbour. With a card full of home-country favourites, can they give the fans something to cheer? Or did we get a few upsets? Let's see!

Ivan Jorge v Josh Shockley

The opening fight was interesting. Shockley came out early with some knees before Jorge hit a couple of takedowns. The second time he locked in a nasty head and arm triangle and Shockley almost tapped. But the American showed great defence in escaping it, getting back to his feet. Round two was all about Shockley's speed and ability to counter-punch. Jorge looked for more takedowns but was unable to convert. In the third he started aggressively, hitting a takedown only to finish on the bottom with Shockley reigning some ground and pound on him. Back standing, the Brazilian landed a nice combination, forcing a single-leg attempt from his opponent. Jorge finished the fight stronger with body shots, and finally landing one last takedown to seal the deal.

Result: Jorge by Unanimous Decision

Wendell Oliviera v TJ Waldburger

Unfortunately this fight was cancelled on Saturday afternoon. Waldburger fell ill whilst cutting weight and was withdrawn. Both were paid their appearance fee.

Douglas Silva de Andrade v Cody Gibson

Another interesting fight. Gibson came out and looked to use his jab early, pressuring Silva early. But the Brazilian kept calm, countering effectively. In the second he floored the American with a counter right. A guillotine attempt followed, and while it wasn't enough to finish, it certainly helped. Into the third and Cody looked desperate. He got a takedown but the scramble that ensued saw Silva end up on top. When they got back to their feet, Silva looked tired but still came forward, relentless with his will to win. With one last push he managed to counter Gibson's late flurry before the bell.

Result: Silva by Unanimous Decision

Tiago Trator v Mike de la Torre

Well. This was short but sweet and the first big upset of the night. Both came out like they'd missed a flight. de la Torre rocked Trator early with a left that briefly stunned the Brazilian, who proceeded to clinch on the cage. When they broke apart, de la Torre dropped him with a left hook, finishing with some extra punches. Personally, I believe ref Leon Roberts should have stepped in earlier. Trator received a fair few shots on the mat when he was clearly not defending himself intelligently.

Result: de la Torre by First Round TKO

William Marcário v Matt Dwyer

Another short fight. Another upset. Kicks were exchanged early, with some strikes also exchanged evenly. Then came the end. Dwyer kept throwing the front kick and Marcário kept reacting by leaning his head forward. So the American faked the kick and landed a spectacular Superman punch, knocking the home-country favourite out.

Result: Dwyer by First Round KO

Jéssica Andrade v Marion Reneau

This was a massive shock. As usual, Andrade came out the gates strong, landing some big shots. Then she knocked down Reneau with a lovely combination, and looked to finish. But all of a sudden, she found herself caught in a triangle choke. There was nothing she could do but tap. Very impressive.

Result: Reneau by First Round Submission

Santiago Ponzinibbio v Sean Strickland

This was a war. Ponzinibbio came out and unleashed some right hand bombs throughout the first frame, with Strickland seeing unperturbed. Into the last two rounds, Ponzinibbio brought his A-game throwing kicks to the face of the American. Then some crisp counter striking dropped Santiago, marking Strickland's most effective offensive offering of the fight. Unfortunately he couldn't capitalise on the few chances he had throughout. But by God does Strickland have a chin!

Result: Ponzinibbio Unanimous Decision

Iuri Alcantara v Frankie Saenz

Big upset here, with Saenz taking it to Alcantara with relentless pressure. Saenz used good movement and feints against the almost statuesque figure of the Brazilian. When Alcantara attempted a kick, he was caught and taken down. When he tried to get Saenz's back, the former Arizona State wrestler eluded the submission attempt and took top position, using effective ground and pound. Another takedown in the second round by Saenz left the American doing damage from the top,whilst landing knees to the body and legs. A good performance by the 7/1 underdog.

Result: Saenz by Unanimous Decision

Rustam Khabilov v Adriano Martins

Another upset here. It was a very close fight, and Khabilov really didn't find his rhythm to start with and didn't really get going till round two, throwing some unorthodox elbows mixed in with body shots although his output dropped significantly. Martins started by trying to keep away from the Russians power shots and making light of his takedown attempts. The Brazilian threw some nice counters. Into the final frame and Martins landed takedowns, moving from half-guard to back mount then back again, constantly wearing down Khabilov till the bell.

Result: Martins by Split Decision

Cezar Ferreira v Sam Alvey

The start of this bout had Alvey being kicked all over the shop. Legs, torso, arms. All targeted by Ferreira. But then it changed in the blink of an eye. 'Mutante' went for a lead elbow giving Alvey the chance of a right hook over the top that crashed into Ferreira's temple. A left hook to the chin and the Brazilian was out before he hit the canvas.

Result: Alvey by First Round KO

Edson Barboza v Michael Johnson

Johnson came out aggressively, forcing Barboza to back-peddle early on. Barboza landed some nice counter hooks on occasion, sidestepping the onslaught and using Johnson's aggression against him. This didn't really slow the American down, and Barboza succumbed to the pressure as the fight wore on. Johnson kept pace throughout and really showed some great offense, opening a cut above both his opponent's eye early on. Even Barboza's patented leg kicks failed to put a stop to Johnson, who finished the fight with a takedown.

Result: Johnson by Unanimous Decision

Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva v Frank Mir

Mir did what he had to do and snapped a four fight skid by knocking 'Bigfoot' out early in the main event. Mir employed the jab early on, keeping Silva out of range. Then he threw a left hook that floored the big Brazilian, following up with punches and a couple of vicious elbows bouncing 'Bigfoot's head off the canvas before Mario Yamasaki stepped in. Stunning.

Result: Mir by First Round TKO

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