Sunday 24 July 2016

Holm vs Shevchenko Breakdown: Playing the Matador

Holly Holm became an overnight sensation in the MMA world when she dismantled the original Bantamweight queen, Ronda Rousey, via lateral movement, sharp pivots, and intercepting check hooks.  The tables had turned on Saturday when Valentina Shevchenko used a tighter, more technically sound variant of that game to pick Holm apart over five rounds.

Sunday 10 July 2016

UFC 200 Weekend Breakdown Part 2 - Triumph of Former Kings

The return of TJ Dillashaw seems to have been overlooked amidst all the hubbub of UFC 200, but he looked as good as ever against Raphael Assuncao.  Their first fight ended in a controversial decision win for Assuncao, but Dillashaw put a decisive stamp on his victory this time.

UFC 200 Weekend Breakdown Part 1 - Joanna Champion vs Claudia Gadelha

The UFC went all out for international fight week once again, this time in a bigger way than ever before.  Two cards packed with exciting action fighters, each topped off by a brilliant main event, served to build tension in the lead-up to what was undoubtedly the best card of all time.  Unfortunately UFC 200 became yet another entry in the saga of Jon Jones' rapid downward spiral.  After popping for banned substances, Jones was replaced by an unprepared, underweight Silva.  Fortunately UFC 200 had enough talent to stand strong independent of Jones.