UFC 208...the disappointment

Let's begin by saying this fight card lacked a lot of things to begin with, and even Dana White has come out to say it was disappointing. I do not want to come out and say it was all bad, because it was not, but the UFC needs to try harder in building up stars for the sport.

But, I have to be honest the first fight of the night was electric. I really thought this fight was going to set off the entire card.

Jim Miller vs Dustin Poirier

In case you were not aware, these two gladiators went at it to see who is supreme. Round after Round after Round, there were devastating shots to both individuals. As I am listening right now to Fox Sports One, Dana has mentioned the numerous kicks Miller threw and the possibility of Poirier's leg being broken. I hope to see these two monsters in the Octagon again because it was fun to watch them do what they do best. Though I felt this fight could have gone either way, I was pulling for Miller to get the win, but the judges saw it another way. Great fight again between these two and hope to see a part two.

Anderson Silva vs Derek Brunson

So here is a fight that started with a lot of mutual respect between each other, and stayed the same throughout the entire process. But, let us play devil's advocate for a second...it was interesting to listen to Greg Jackson tell Brunson in the third round, he was giving "too much respect" to Silva. I agree with this statement 100%, yes we know it is Silva...yes we know how dangerous he can be...yes we have seen his skill for a long time, but there has to be a line drawn in the sand. I mean Brunson did not have the same kind of respect for Uriah Hall in his fight. He did not show the same killer instinct he had when he fought an aging Chris Leben. Because it was Silva and people understand the history he has had with the UFC,  Brunson fought too timid in my book. Sure I had him winning the first round, but the next two rounds were like this...

If anything has been shown from the last four fights with Silva, it is that he is no longer invincible. He has been knocked down and out, he has slowed down, and he has been taken down numerous times in his last fight (prior to Brunson). Yes I get it, it was DC, Bisping, and Weidman (also a NC against Nick Diaz...which he won the fight) but these younger fighters who are coming up should not be afraid, be respectful of Silva but not to the point you are afraid to attack. With that being said Silva was able to defend multiple shot attempts by Brunson. You have to give points for a great defensive battle Silva was able to put together. Stopping the momentum of Brunson in the third round numerous times. Now if you listen to the Sunday Morning Sports Voice, you would have heard me say I was taking Brunson over Silva. What I did not see coming was Brunson trying not to lose instead of trying to win the fight. Great strategy by Silva and I hope he chooses to go out on this victory, but I am sure we will see him fight at least two more times this year. 

Holly Holms vs. Germaine De Randamie

This was the main event for the evening and I have to be honest, it was a great fight between two deadly strikers. After the results of the fight I was upset about why (spoiler alert) Germaine won the fight, but after thinking about the Silva vs Brunson fight I realized why she did. Holly was definitely being the aggressor in the fight when she got Germaine to the cage. However when the fight was in the center of the ring Germaine was able to take the fight to Holly...

According to Joe Rogan last night during the broadcast, Holly Holms went 0 for 8 in takedown attempts. A point of weakness in Germaine's game is her inability to stop takedowns, this is due to her being a striker for her career. Same to be said about Holly she is not use to taking people to the ground, being put in situations to allow her to control her opponent. When these two elements mix, the person who is against the cage has the advantage and that is what we saw in the fight. Holms did her best and even landed an amazing question kick that stunned Germaine during the fight, but a great defense will most times beat a great offense. Stuffing takedowns, not taking a lot of damage, and being able to counter is what got Germaine the victory and...NEW FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!!

So what is all the problem with the judges for some reason felt to award victories to individuals, maybe the crowd or Dana did not agree with. In the final fight there were two incidents that could have effected the fight more, Holms was struck not once but twice in back to back rounds after the bell sounded. The ref warned Germaine the second time by letting her know he would deduct a point from her, but it was too late. A more experienced ref needed to be in the fight, which is something the New York Athletics Commission was not ready for. I get it, to get that experience you need to be involved in that kind of atmosphere but, after the first incident a fighter should be warned. The second time a point should have been deducted and the fight should have ended in a draw.

But that is my little rant on that, what did you guys think of the fights. Also let me know what fights you are looking forward to coming up. I will tell you next Feb. 19th Travis "Hapa" Browne and Derrick Lewis squaring off in the Octagon expect to see a lot of fireworks in the making. Hopefully Hapa can show why he is a dangerous striker and not fall under the Rousey curse. Let's hope!!!

All photos were taken from UFC and Google.