UFC on Versus 1: The Aftermath

UFC on Versus 1: Vera vs Jones had plenty to offer and did not disappoint MMA fans. The main event of Vera vs Jones was also backed up by Gonzaga vs Dos Santos with Sakara vs Irvin and Buentello vs Kongo on the main card.

James Irvin was making a return to MMA hoping to get back to winning ways in his fight against Alessio Sakara but was stopped early on due what looks like an eye poke, although the referee and Sakara may see it differently. Irvin will have to take serious steps to get back to form now after two straight losses and having only won two of his last five fights, one win was by DQ against Luiz Cane and the other a TKO victory over Houston Alexander. Sakara adds another scalp to his growing list moving to 15-7-1 and on a three fight win streak.

Two fighters on the comeback trail were Cheick Kongo and Paul Buentello. Buentello has lost his last fight against Stefan Struve, as Kongo lost to Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez in his last two fights. Buentello came out looking game put after suffering a hand injury early on, he then went on to eat some illegal knee shots on the ground and seemed to have nothing left by the third round. Taking nothing away from Kongo though, who executed his game plan very well, taking Paul down at will and scoring some brutal ground and pound which eventually saw Buentello tap out in the third round. So Kongo is back to winning ways but Buentello, now 36, will be left with some choices to make after his second straight loss.

Gonzaga vs Dos Santos was hyped as a heavyweight collision that would bring fireworks and it certainly didn’t disappoint. From early on Gonzaga looked over-matched against the much sharper Junior Dos Santos. Gonzaga was rocked with a big hook in the first round and Dos Santos jumped on his man scoring a knock out win via ground and pound. ‘Cigano” has proved himself as a top contender in the heavyweight division of the UFC, one which is growing rapidly. Gonzaga though, having suffered his 2nd KO loss in his last three fights, will have to ask some serious questions about his current form.

The main event of the evening was Brandon Vera vs Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. The fight was hyped as battle of the strikers and Jones came in to this bout well prepared. After controlling Vera on the ground for the best part of two minutes he landed a devastating elbow which caught Vera on the eye socket and caused the ref to jump in and score Jones a TKO win. So Jones is back to winning ways after his controversial DQ loss against Matt Hamill but Brandon Vera suffers his second straight loss after losing to Randy Couture by decision at UFC 105. Vera also suffered three broken bones in his face and wasn’t allowed to board his plane home after the event, so a very bad night all in all for Vera who is in desperate need of a win.

So a great night of action that may shape the future of the UFC with fighters emerging as potential title contenders.