UFC Fight Night 42 Aftermath: Robbery, ‘Smooth’ Finishes and ‘Young Guns’ Digs Deep

UFC Fight Night 42 is in the books, and top to bottom the card delivered, in it’s own unique way. As is per usual, there are a number of subjects to mull in the wake of last night’s festivities. Check out what I took home from FN 42, which went down in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

The judges had a nightmare

Ross Pearson and Diego Sanchez squared off in the co-main event of the evening, and ‘The Real Deal’ made easy work of ‘The Nightmare’ over three rounds. Pearson landed more strikes, did more damage, and beat his man to the punch. As the judges decisions were being read out after the final bell, and I heard Bruce Buffer say that one judge had scored it 30-27 for Sanchez, I thought ‘wow what a crappy judge’. Then it happened.

Turns out the judges used for Pearson vs. Sanchez, or at least two of them, were incompetent, uneducated in MMA, and as a result handed down the biggest robbery of the year so far. It was clear that the split decision was a terrible call; the crowd knew it, Jon Anik knew it as he interviewed Sanchez post-fight, and I’m sure that deep down ‘The Nightmare’ knows it too. I feel like a broken record when I say this, but MMA judging needs to change drastically.

A smooth win for Benson?

First things first, I’m happy to see that Ben Henderson got the finish against Rustam Khabilov last night, and also happy that he fulfilled my prediction of a fourth round submission, but what stood out to me is that it was a tough fight for ‘Smooth’; although that isn’t a bad thing. Although only ranked at #11, ‘Tiger’ could one day be a legit force, and he put in a game showing at Fight Night 42. It was just too early on in the Dagestani’s career to be fighting Bendo. That being said, he should never have been matched with the number one contender, and former champion of the division.

Now that Bendo has finally got the finish, hopefully the UFC will put him back in to serious contention, instead of feeding him relative-unknowns. Either the UFC wanted Henderson to get the finish bad enough that they gave him a (slightly) lesser foe, or they wanted an excuse to not have to give him a PPV slot, or even a new contract, if the underdog shocked in New Mexico. A top five fight for Bendo next time please.

Scott Jorgensen’s heart is a weight category above him

WEC veteran Scott Jorgensen returned to action, as he fought for his contract against the dangerous Danny Martinez. The scene was set at flyweight, and these warriors delivered with the best fight on the entire card; Jorgensen was one or two punches from being knocked out in round one, as he was in round three too, but he rallied back with some amazing takedowns to win the fight.

Bloodied, battered, and very nearly beaten twice; Jorgensen emerged the winner after an absolute thriller of a scrap with Martinez. Other points I picked up on: Piotr Hallman and Yves Edwards may well have set the all-time eye poke record for a three round fight, John Dodson has some serious power, ‘Durkin’ needs to change his nickname, and Sergio Pettis needs to get it going a bit more.