UFC 146 Results: Cain Velasquez makes a case for the next title shot
UFC 146 has finally occurred and the results did not fail to deliver in the slightest way. The action came out of the gate smoking, and did not stop until the final bell. Each fight came out and ended with a convincing, action-packed finish that fans were expecting of an all-Heavyweight card.
First off, Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve extended his winning streak with an excellent first round submission of Lavar “Big” Johnson. After weathering some great shots from the heavy-handed striker, Struve gained the win with a bottom-position armbar that caused his opponent to immediately tap before his arm snapped.
Stipe Miocic protected his undefeated record with a second round TKO of fellow striker Shane del Rosario. Both fighters were unrelenting until Miocic found an opening with some powerful elbows. Neither fighter was willing to give an inch, and both should be major players in the future of the very promising UFC Heavyweight division.
Roy Nelson entered his fight with Dave “Pee Wee” Herman in need of a win. He gained just that with a 51 second knockout, throwing a looping right that sent his opponent to the mat with a quickness. Nelson has shown that he is practically unable to be finished, now he has regained his offensive prowess. It will be very interesting to see who he will match up with next.
The co-main event was an event for the ages, with Cain Velasquez opening up a cut on Antonio Silva‘s head that gushed blood like few ever has in the UFC. The fight went on after a brief stoppage, but Velasquez continued to make a strong case for the next UFC title shot with more ground-and-pound.
The fight was finally stopped with Cain Velasquez the decisive victor by TKO.
Once and for all, the oft-debated title bout of Junior dos Santos versus Frank Mir was settled. Junior dos Santos, to the surprise of very few, displayed superior speed and striking prowess to take home his first title defense. Mir went for an ankle early, but dos Santos quickly escaped. Mir was finished in the second with the boxing of dos Santos proving to be too much for the former champion. A big-time rematch between the former champion Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos may prove to be a big draw in the near future.
UFC 146 Main Card Results:
Junior dos Santos def. Frank Mir via R2 TKO
Cain Velasquez def. Antonio Silva via R1 TKO
Roy Nelson def. Dave Herman via R1 KO
Stipe Miocic def. Shane del Rosario via R2 TKO
Stefan Struve def. Lavar Johnson via R1 Submission (armbar)
Lowkick.com Fight Bonuses:
Performance of the Night: Cain Velasquez, who rebounded emphatically with a bloody TKO of newcomer Antonio Silva. He made an incredibly strong case for another UFC Heavyweight title shot.
Finish of the Night: Roy Nelson, who knocked out Dave Herman with an emphatic KO in a mere 51 seconds. Nelson kept his job and perhaps his relevancy within the division intact with a looping right hook to send his opponent down early in the first.
Upset of the Night: Jamie Varner unexpectedly took it to the promising contender Edson Barboza, finishing him via ground-and-pound in the first. Barboza’s title shot will have to wait for several wins to occur.
