UFC 75 POST-FIGHT COMMENTARY
Posted on | September 10, 2007 | No Comments
Rampage Unifies, Bisping Robs
By Holli Yargo Hearne
Without question, UFC 75 boasted an amazing card. The three most heart-stopping fights of the night were undoubtedly Taylor vs. Davis, Bisping vs. Hamill, and Jackson vs. Henderson. The argument could be made that any of these fights were worthy of consideration for fight of the night, Davis actually winning the submission of the night (no small feat considering he specializes in boxing).
Fight fans found themselves on the edges of their seats as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson went head to head with fellow Pride Veteran Dan “Hollywood” Henderson in a true war of attrition. Henderson, who came to UFC holding the Pride World Championship in two weight classes, lost the unanimous decision but still proved why he deserved a shot at the unified light heavyweight belt. With both fighters historically being finishers, and neither playing it safe, it wasn’t a big stretch that this battle ended in the hands of the judges. Current heavyweight champion Randy Couture picked Jackson to win this match from the beginning, though he admitted it was a difficult choice. With Jackson having KO’d Chuck Liddell and Henderson having KO’d Wanderlei Silva, it really was anyone’s guess. I gave Henderson the first round but Rampage was the clear winner of the next 4. After an opening round akin to a blitzkrieg of combinations from both contenders followed by 4 more rounds of punishment trading, the judges agreed with my assessment.
Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis disappointed the English crowd at the O2 Arena when he survived a roundhouse kick to the head followed by a storm of hammer fists courtesy of the local favorite, Paul Taylor. Just when it looked like the American was done, he managed to back himself up to the cage. After eating a fair amount of face and body shots for his efforts, he put the Brit on his back and fed him a ground and pound diet of punches and elbows. The Englishman managed to buck off the New Englander but Davis secured Taylor in a rock solid armbar from guard for the win. This being Davis’ 17th mixed martial arts win, his fifth win in a row in the UFC, he has demonstrated his warrior’s heart and a strong potential as a future champion.
If the UFC awarded a prize for most controversial fight of the night, it would definitely go to Matt “The Hammer” Hamill and Michael “The Count” Bisping. Hamill entered the arena to an audience-angering Born in the USA. The fans’ boos were lost on the deaf wrestler, however. Bisping walked in to The Clash’s London Calling and was the obvious crowd favorite. Hamill pushed the pace of the fight, keeping Bisping moving in reverse through all three rounds. While The Count placed some solid kicks and clean punches, Hamill secured the Manchester native’s neck in a Couture-style dirty boxing headlock on several occasions, landing myriad uppercuts. He also appeared to control his opponent on the ground. The bout went the distance with the split decision going to Bisping. The crowd went wild but a collective “WHAT?” could be heard in every viewing home and sports bar throughout America. In the spirit of a true a gentleman, Hamill did not challenge the judges’ scoring, even giving props to Michael Bisping for doing a good job and beating him fair and square. While I admire the American for his good sportsmanship, I am exercising my right to disagree with him…and the judges. Bisping put up a strong effort but Hamill should have been awarded the win.
All in all, this entire televised card was exciting and would have been well worth the money had it been a pay-per-view show. I’d like to thank the fine folks at Slices Sports Bar in Galeveston, TX for setting one of their three televisions to Spike for the small audience of me and IFL Nevada Lions lightweight alternate Joseph Martin. I’d also like to thank Martin for his insight and expert opinion. And finally, I’d like to thank UFC for putting this show on Spike rather than PPV, giving a great free fight to the commoners in the states.