UFC 163: Aldo vs Zombie fight recap
Jose Aldo retained his UFC Featherweight Title after 'The Korean Zombie' suffered a brutal injury that led to his TKO in the 4th round. In the co-main event, Phil Davis took out Lyoto Machida in a highly controversial decision.
Main Card:
Jose Aldo vs. Chan Sung-Jung
Round 1:
Some light striking to start from both guys as Jung is looking to stand with Aldo. Aldo is being less aggressive than normal, looking for a counter. A nice combo counter and Jung is more cautious. Both men are being cautious, sticking and moving. Both guys aren't ready to get into a firefight just yet. Aldo cracks the first leg kick halfway through the round as he's being cautious. Jung is cautious as well; he wants to take this later into the fight and Aldo isn't going to give him an early opening. It's an interesting gambit because he's not trying to grind him down, like Edgar did, with his movement. This is a feeling out round. Jung goes for a takedown and follows it with a good right that misses. Aldo with a double of his own and gets TKZ down, letting him back up quickly. Big knee from Aldo, followed by a spinning wheel kick that misses. Aldo 10-9.
Round 2:
TKZ with a nice combination early as he's pushing the pace more. He's fighting more open right now as Aldo is looking for a counter. TKZ is starting to get into some flurries but is getting out of the pocket after a couple of hits; he respects Aldo's power and doesn't want to give him too much of an opening. Just enough of one to maybe connect. Aldo is countering and starting to increase his volume; Aldo is looking to the body to set up the head shot. He's really pumping the jab a lot; he's standing straight in front. Shocking that Aldo hasn't thrown a leg kick yet; his hands look fast and sharp but his leg kicks are such a staple. This is a slow pace and he could do five rounds like this easy. Jung needs to push the pace and get him to grapple, wear the arms out. Aldo with a spectacular trip takedown, landing in half guard, with a minute left in the round. Beautiful level change from Aldo, not known as a wrestler. Moves into side control and Jung goes for an armbar off bottom that Aldo defends against. Aldo 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3:
Jung comes out more aggressive to start but as soon as Aldo matches him he slows down. He needs to push the pace no and Aldo with a slam takedown off a flying knee from Jung. Aldo has TKZ against the cage and is working some ground and pound. TKZ back up and Aldo in deep on a double leg. Nice trip from Aldo to get Jung down but he's right back up to his knees. Not much action as Herb Dean stands them back up with 90 seconds left. Aldo opens up and we're into a slugfest, Aldo with a double against the cage. Aldo really working to get that takedown but TKZ really defending well. break from the ref and we're back to the middle the cage. Flying knee and we're in a scramble, round ends. Aldo 10-9, 30-27.
Round 4:
TKZ out more aggressive again as Aldo is looking to stand and trade. Aldo avoiding the double and looking to trade. Jung needs to turn it on now; he has to figure he's down three rounds and the only way to win is to go for the kill right now. Still a slow pace as TKZ goes for some big shots, Aldo out of the way easy. He's not setting it up; just throwing wild. If he was landing it'd be one thing. TKZ' s shoulder popped out and Aldo drags him to the ground, Aldo unleashes some strikes and it's over. Jose Aldo wins via TKO at 1:58 of the fourth.
Final Result: Jose Aldo wins via TKO (injury)
Lyoto Machida vs. Phil Davis
Round 1:
Machida is the aggressor early, Davis staying on the outside. Davis comes out using his kicks early; he has a big reach advantage and a bigger leg kick range and wants to find it early. Machida is trying to get Davis to brawl with him but Davis is keeping his cool, using his footwork and leg kicks to find his range. Machida wants that big counter and Davis isn't taking the bait. Superman punch from Davis, something I haven't seen from him ever, misses. Machida with a nice head kick but Davis walks through it. Big overhead right from Davis as he's looking to land and shoot the gap for a takedown. Machida with a nice combination on Davis and swarms, Davis eats some big shots but Machida can't capitalize. Double leg from Davis and gets Machida down. Machida in half guard, locking him down, as Machida looking to lock him up. Davis wants a kimura as Machida's half guard is tight. Nice elbows from davis and some good body work from Davis. Machida 10-9 ... but that last takedown could cause at least one judge to give it to Davis.
Round 2:
Davis is a bit more aggressive this round with his volume but is still keeping his distance from Machida. Machida with a nice high kick; he's backing out as soon as Davis lands more than one shot. Head kick from Davis doesn't connect but had a nice set up; Davis's striking looks really good so far. Davis for a double but can't finish, grabs the clinch and Davis can't get him down. Great takedown defense from Machida on that; Davis needs to set up his takedown better. He can't reach and hope; it's the same thing he tried against Little Nog many moons ago before adapting. Some nice striking exchanges as this round is really close so far. Davis goes for another takedown but can't finish it, lands a nice uppercut though. Another double leg try from Davis, which looked better, but still fails. He has to explode into it more instead of looking for a mistake. He's not committing enough. Machida with a nice left down the pipe that Davis walks through. Davis is using his footwork to cut him off; exchange from the two and Davis gets the takedown. Lands since knees to the body and the round ends with Davis uncorking. 10-9 Davis ... but like the first it could go either way. 19-19.
Round 3:
Davis comes out a bit more aggressive this round and Machida has his hands higher than before. He's been wading in with them low and Davis hasn't been taking the bait. Superman punch and a jab miss; Davis needs to get this fight to the ground because his top game has worked for the brief moments he's had it. Davis is picking the pace up; his corner thinks he's up two rounds but we're in Brazil and this is close. Another sloppy double defended well; Davis is just reaching, not exploding. He's going to have to explode into it at some point. Both takedowns he's hit have been where he's fully committed and so far he isn't. Machida with a big knee, gets the takedown and Davis on his back. Davis to his feet quick and he's content to ride him out. Midway through the round and another takedown attempt misses. Machida chasing Phil down and they're throwing down right now. Davis with a switch kick. Machida with another knee and Davis goes for a double, can't finish. Machida's hip movement is something else right now. Davis is getting tapped a bit more now but he is responding with some nice body work. Davis is hellbent on getting another takedown and Machida's defense is special right now. Davis goes for another as the round ends but Davis lands a big shot as the fight ends. 10-9 Machida, 29-28 Machida. But I don't know. This is INSANELY close.
Final Result: Phil Davis wins via unanimous decision 29-28x3
Not all that shocking ... exceptionally close. Brazil is not impressed with the judging.
Cezar Ferreira vs. Thiago Santos
Round 1:
Both guys come out a bit tentative. Cezar with a nice left, follows it with a nice head kick and Santos goes down. Cezar grabs an arm in guillotine, Santos tries to roll but can't get out. He taps at :45 of the first round.
Final Result: Cezar Ferreira wins via submission (guillotine) at :45 of the first round
Thales Leites vs. Tom Watson
Watson came out to a Backstreet Boys song. Oddly enough it wasn't the oddest walkout song by a UFC middleweight in 2013.
Round 1:
Leites comes in to a crouched Watson and lands a nice combination, gets into the clinch and up against the cage. Moves to the back and grabs backs mount, drags him to the ground. Watson rolls to his stomach and Leites is working, grabs both hooks. Watson is defending well but Leites grabs a rear naked choke. Can't finish but Leites is a killer in this spot, especially now that he has trapped one of his arms with his leg. Some strikes to the face from back and Watson is in survival mode right now. Leites is landing some impressive strikes from back. Watson manages to get to down position but Leites flattens him out, looking for that choke. Leites back to his knees and Watson is up, eats a knee for his troubles. Round ends fairly even on their feet. 10-9 Leites ... but I wouldn't be shocked if at least one judge didn't give him a 10-8 for his efforts.
Round 2:
Leites comes out and lands a nice combination; he's looking to punch his way inside and go for the clinch to set up the takedown. Leites with a duck under, drags him down and lands in side control. Takes mount easy with a beautiful transition. Watson scrambles into half guard but Leites is peppering him with strikes. He's looking to set up a rear naked choke or a head arm triangle; Watson stands up but Leites drags him down to the ground. Leites grabs back mount, looking for that choke again. Watson stands up and tries to buck Leites, Leites rolls to an armbar and Watson stacks him. Watson stands up but can't power him up. Leites doesn't quite have it and Watson escapes, gets Leites to stand. Leites is looking really crisp with his standup. Watson has more gas but Leites is tentative right now. He doesn't want Leites close right now but Leites grabs the clinch and we're back against the cage. Leites with some nice knees to the body; bad double leg and we're back to the clinch as the round ends. Watson with a nice uppercut to the body and Leites takes him down as the round ends. 10-9 Leites, 20-18.
Round 3:
Leites gets the body lock quickly and we're grappling against the cage. Watson is bleeding pretty badly right now as the two grapple against the cage. Leites wants the fight here right now, to grind the rest of the fight out. Leites in deep on a double but Watson defending it well. Not much as Leites is looking for the takedown and Watson is defending it well. He grabs back and laces a leg, Watson defends a trip well. Leites has nothing left or he'd have gotten it. Watson gets away and we're striking, Leites with a great level change and double leg takedown. He grabs mount halfway through the round and starts peppering him with strikes. Watson to his stomach and stand up, Leites drags him back down. Watson's eye looks kind of gross right now. Leites grabs full back mount with less than two minutes and is grinding him down. He's got both hooks in, looking to set up a hear arm triangle. He drags Watson to his back and he has it in mount. Leites is gassed and probably doesn't have enough strength to finish. He's just looking to ride time out at this point, with 30 seconds left. He hips out to the left and Watson is ok. He's got the form but doesn't have the squeeze right now. Round ends this way. 10-8 Leites, 30-26 Leites.
Final Result: Leites wins by unanimous decision (30-27x3)
John Lineker vs. Jose Maria
Round 1:
Tome starts out moving, avoiding being a stationary target, and Lineker knocks him into the cage early. Inside leg kick from Tome and Lineker is caught below. Given some time to recuperate and back to the fight. Lineker with a big right and Tome goes down. Recovery and back to our feet. Tome is trying to get close, and close quickly, but Lineker is looking land a big shot. Spinning back fist and Lineker is rocked, Tome pours it on and knocked across the cage, eating some big time punishment. Tome lets him recover but Lineker is still a bit wobbly. Tome catches a leg kick and takes him down, lands in side control. Lineker back and grabs back, Tome runs to the cage. Lineker drags him down and Tome right back up, both against the cage. Tome lands downstairs again and we're taking time again. Leon Roberts with the warning but no points being taken. Tome is trying stick and move but Lineker is timing him well; takedown from Tome fails and Lineker grabs a clinch, body locks and we're against the cage. Tome gets back out and we're back to the middle of the cage. Final seconds as Lineker drags him down, landing some strikes. Tome 10-9.
Round 2:
Kick from Lineker and Tome is hurt, his knee looks bad. Body shot from Lineker, Tome goes down. Lineker pounds him out and it's over. John Lineker wins via TKO at 1:03 of the second round.
Final Result: John Lineker wins by TKO
Prelims:
Vinny Magalhaes vs. Anthony Perosh
Round 1:
Big right from Perosh and Magalhaes goes down. Perosh starts teeing off and it's over. Magalhaes is out at :09 of the first round.
Final Result: Anthony Perosh wins by Knockout at :09 of the first round.
Amanda Nunes vs. Sheila Gaff
Round 1:
Both women come out firing and Nunes goes for the takedown, grabs back mount but can't hold it. Back standing and it's against the cage, Nunes dragging her down with a deep single. Into side control, landing some short elbows as she she looks to mount. Takes mount, postures up and Gaff powers out of it by just standing up, Nunes tosses her back down and lands in guard. Nunes uncorks some elbows and it's stopped.
Final Result: Amanda Nunes wins via TKO (elbows) at 2:08 of the first round.
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny
Round 1:
Not a lot to start the round up as Magny is looking to pump the jab early. Moraes is coming in but is eating a jab every time he comes in. Nice flurry from Magny but nothing hits, Moraes grabs the clinch and gets the takedown. Magny does not want to be underneath a BJJ world champion and he immediately grabs a hold, looking to force a stand up. Moraes is in side control and he mounts Magnym grabs a triangle and locks it in, landing some brutal elbows. He taps at 3:12 of the first round.
Final Result: Sergio Moraes wins via submission due to a triangle choke at 3:12 of the first round.
Ian McCall vs. Illarde Santos
Round 1:
Both guys come out striking tentatively, McCall landing some big leg kicks early. McCall is landing some nice combinations early, using his movement to light up Santos early. McCall looks significantly better than in his last appearance against Joseph Benavidez. Nice combination followed by a big left hook; McCall is working the body and McCall is tagging him up high when he drops his hands. Santos with the takedown, pulls guard and McCall in half guard. Santos tries to scramble up and McCall is lighting him up. Santos scrambles up and McCall lets him up, we're back standing. Santos misses a big left and McCall's pace is faster than normal. McCall's movement is really crisp so far; Santos is whiffing whenever he tries to counter. McCall lands another nice combination as Santos wants this to become a brawl and McCall is sticking to his gameplan. 10-9 McCall.
Round 2:
McCall comes out with great footwork again, landing some nice leg kicks and circling out from a counter. McCall misses a superman punch and Santos can't make him pay for it; he's angling out and Santos is missing wildly. He really wants this to become a brawl and McCall is using movement to baffle him. He's landing and Santos can't counter effectively. Takedown from McCall doesn't connect and he lands a nice double kick from the left. Santos is baffled as McCall is out before he can counter. This is the world class fighter we thought McCall was when he joined the UFC in 2011. McCall lands below the belt line but Santos shrugs it off. Santos taunts McCall and he's starting to brawl with him, Santos trying to goad him into doing something stupid. McCall back to his gameplan and a takedown attempt from McCall winds up with Santos connecting on a trip and the takedown. McCall back to his feet quickly, against the cage,and footworks away from the cage. McCall 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3:
McCall back to using his movement as santos is pressing the action some more. Santos is more active but he isn't hitting anything substantial right now. He is hitting more than he has in the first two rounds though; takedown from Santos doesn't go anywhere. He's looking for something BIG and McCall is doing just enough to not get hit. Double and he gets back control, Santos looking for a switch and McCall defends well. Santos scrambles out and we're back standing. McCall is more active but he's getting hit more; Santos isn't landing big shots but McCall is taking more punishment than he did in the first two. Santos with a deep double but McCall sprawls his way out. Spinning back fist misses as McCall is content stick and move right now. Santos goes for a takedown but eats a knee on the way up. More sticking and moving from McCall as the fight ends. 10-9 McCall, 30-27 McCall.
Final Result: Ian McCall wins via unanimous decision (30-27x2, 29-28)
Rani Yahya vs Josh Clopton
Round 1:
Clopton is looking to keep his distance and stay away from the ground; Yahya is more active early to try and get close. He wants this fight to the ground quickly and Clopton is staying at range, not rushing forward. Yahya with a deep single and Clopton is fighting it off well, Yahya pulls guard and grabs a leg. He's looking for a heel hook and eats some fists for it. Clopton into 50/50 guard but Yahya has a hold of that leg. Yahya lets go but stands into top position, looking to pass against the cage. Clopton grabs half guard in lockdown and Yahya goes to ground and pound, Clopton looking for a standup.Yahya is looking to move to side control but Clopton is working that lockdown to keep him in half guard. He's eating some big punishment to do so, as well. Yahya moves to mount and is trying to get Clopton on his back, now we're back into half guard. Yahya really wants to grab back, moving into mount as Clopton is holding on for dear life right now. Posture up and he lands some big strikes, movies into side control but stuck in half guard as the round ends. Yahya 10-9.
Round 2:
Not much to start the round as Clopton is being more aggressive but Yahya with a deep single Clopton is fighting off well. All for naught as Yahya gets it one minute in and into side control. Yahya pins Clopton's left behind him and lands some big strikes. Clopton gets it free and tries to use the cage to set up a scramble. Yahya moves into full mount and is landing some big strikes on Clopton. Clopton rolls into half guard but he's eating some big punishment to do so. Back into full mount and Clopton is trying to get a standup but Yahya is too active for it. Clopton is trying to get his feet towards the cage as he is landing some big strikes. Yahya is trying to get him to show his back but Clopton isn't biting. Round ends in half guard, Yahya grinding this one out. 10-9 Yahya. 20-18.
Round 3:
Yahya goes for a low single and Clopton defends, second one is deep and Clopton hits a switch. Yahya pulls guard and Clopton isn't doing much. Yahya looks for a sweep and can't finish but Clopton isn't doing much; Yahya is attacking from the bottom, controlling what Clopton is doing. He needs to start attack wildly, definitely down two rounds, and he's trying to grind. He pins Yahya against the cage but isn't all that active. Clopton stands up and we're back to our feet. Clopton lands a nice knee and grabs a body lock, Yahya against the cage. Yahya drops for a single and Clopton grabs a front head lock, Yahya pulls guard and Clopton is on top. Yahya wall walks up with a butterfly guard, Clopton stands up and we're back standing again. Yahya is now staying away with 80 seconds left, landing a nice right and grabs a single leg with under a minute to go. Clopton looks to scramble out and Yahya swims to the takedown, likely securing the fight with 20 seconds left. Clopton in butterfly guard and Yahya content to just grind the rest of the fight. Yahya on top as the fight ends. 10-9 Clopton, 29-28 Yahya
Final Result: Yahya by unanimous decision (29-28 on all three scorecards)
Ernaldo Oliveira vs Francimar Barroso
Round 1:
Barroso comes out southpaw with a couple of high kicks that don't miss, then back to an orthodox stance. Oliveria is looking to use his reach and throw something big but he's clearly slower. He's using the center of the Octagon well but not doing much; Barroso wants to shoot but he's way too far outside to get any meaningful takedown attempt. Oliveira is throwing some big shots but not hitting; Barroso is countering well but not hitting much of note. He's just being more active, pure and simple. Oliveira isn't using a lot of setups; as soon as Barroso gets near he's going for big shots. Barroso is staying far enough away to counter but he's not throwing more than one or two strikes in a row. Kick from Barroso lands but gets caught but Oliveira doesn't do much with it. Oliveira is trying to cut him off but Barroso is using his footwork to stay away really well. Round ends with Oliveira going for the takedown but unable to complete the clinch off the cage. Barroso 10-9
Round 2:
Oliveira out more aggressive with his footwork but Barroso is countering him more. Oliveira isn't throwing, or landing, all that much and Barroso is landing some nice counter work. Oliveira catches the kick and takes him down, lands some big ground and pound and Barroso rolls for an armbar. He lets him back up and we're back to the clinch against the cage. Oliveira is looking to back out and Barroso shoots for a single but Oliveira is defending well. Barroso switches to a double and Oliveira backs off against the cage, back to some clinch work against the cage. Not a lot of action as Oliveira is looking for the takedown but can't get it. Broken up by Leon Roberts and we're back to the middle of the cage. Barroso is landing some nice rights and Oliveira uses his footwork to get away. Barroso is landing some nice combinations and Barroso gets the takedown, landing in an open full guard. Barroso is landing some nice ground and pound as Oliveira gets back to his feet with 20 seconds left. Nice spinning back elbow from Barroso as he exits the clinch. 10-9 Barroso, 20-18 Barroso. Exceptionally close round, though, so I could see this being 19-19 right now.
Round 3:
Barroso gets an early takedown but can't finish it, Oliveira back to his feet quickly as we're back against the cage. Barroso is looking for a guillotine but it's not on all that tight. Both guys are working underhooks against the cage as not much is happening. Oliveira nearly gets the takedown but Barroso with a nice whizzer, landing a knee on the way back up. Barroso uses the body lock to drag him down and he lands in side control. Barroso lands some punches as Oliveira is slowly working his way back up. He's back up but eats a knee for his efforts. Oliveira gets out and locks in the thai plumb, landing some nice knees, as Barroso goes for a single. Both guys are tired right now and we get a break from Roberts. Oliveira is being more aggressive now but he doesn't have a ton of energy to make it dangerous. Barroso is staying away and Oliveira with the body lock, nearly gets the takedown on the first try and the second lands him against the cage. Last moments of the fight are grinding against the cage. Barroso 10-9, 30-27
Final Result: Barroso wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Viscardi Andrade vs. Bristol Marunde
Round 1:
It's early but the Brazilian fans are already chanting "You're going to die" in Portuguese at Marunde. Andrade is looking to counter early and is more active, neither fighter hitting much. Some big overhand rights from both men but nothing of note. Andrade lands a big right and Marunde goes down, who's in trouble. Grabs a front headlock and Marunde gets up and out but another big right puts him down for good. Ref steps in at 1:30 or so of the first round but Barunde is protesting. On the replay Marunde was out, looking to tackle the ref.
Final Result: Viscardi Andrade wins via TKO at 1:36 of the first round
