UFC on Versus 6: Cruz dominates, Struve wins, Johnson chops down Brenneman
Posted on October 2, 2011, 05:46 AM by Anton GurevichSixth Ultimate Fighting Championship card on VERSUS took place last night at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. For the first time since UFC 75 in London, England, MMA fans around the world got a UFC title fights on free television, as Dominick Cruz defended his belt against "The Mighty Mouse" Demetrious Johnson. Co-main event of the night featured the unusual Heavyweight contest between almost 7ft tall Stefan Struve and almost 6ft tall Patrick Barry, while Brenneman vs. Johnson and Wiman vs. Danzig completed the rest of the fight card.
Dominick Cruz remained the UFC Bantamweight Champion after 5-rounds of battle with Demetrious Johnson, who proved over and over again why he deserves the #1 contender status. Johnson surprised Cruz by mimicking his movement, which eventually made him quite successful on his feet. However, the Champ had plans of his own, out-wrestling Demetrious Johnsoon during all five rounds on his way to a Unanimous Decision victory.
Here's some quick thoughts from last night's action:
- Pat Barry vs. Mark Hunt: Barry always delivers excitement inside the Octagon. Mark Hunt is exactly the man who can squeeze another highlight reel moment out of Pat Barry, in what would definitely be a super-exciting striking battle between two former K-1 kickboxers. It's still too early for the UFC to cut Barry, I say give him another chance to swing.
- Struve back on track: Stefan Struve fights best when he's under pressure. Pat Barry connected with some pretty good strikes before the Dutchman decided to utilize his exceptional ground skills. I'm not sure what's next for Struve, but the Skyscraper is definitely back on track in the UFC Heavyweight division.
- Anthony Johnson is not a Welterweight: Rumble had a very convincing performance against Charlie Brenneman, but for me personally, it's hard to take him serious as a Welterweight contender. It looked like 205'er fighting a 170-pounder, with Johnson enjoying a tremendous size advantage. AJ is a natural Middleweight, and that's exactly where he should build his career as a Mixed Martial Artist. The amount of weight Anthony Johnson cuts to get down to 170 will cost him dearly against a top Welterweight contender.
- Dominick Cruz: I'll try to be short with this one, just like Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre and Jon Jones - Dominick Cruz is a unique Mixed Martial Artist. His movement, well-roundness, and the ability to beat opponents at their own game is comparable only to the mentioned above fighters. With such an amazing record and the quality of his recent performance, I struggle to understand how anyone can put Dominick Cruz outside his Top 5 P4P list.
LowKick.com Awards:
Fight of the Night: Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman. No doubt about it.
Finish of the Night: Stefan Struve's Triangle, Pat Barry's powerbomb... is there something else you could ask for?
Performance of the Night: Demetrious Johnson was well-prepared for the fight with Doominick Cruz. But unfortunately, "The Dominator" was dominating.
Photo: Yahoo! CageWriter
Comments
great card from the prelims to the main fights. Matt wiman vs mac danzig is the reason why we watch this sport guys need to take example from those dudes they both displayed well rounded MMA skills and put their heart and soul into the octagon. great fight!
I dont understand why this article's headline is Cruz dominates... Clearly the first to rounds he didnt take this fight serious and he lost them. i watched it with no sound cuz we were in a bar and he lost round 1 and 2, and who cares if AJ is a natural MW if he can make the weight and not loose with a eye poke involved in the fight he could beat anyone in that division. And Struve... still dont beleive in him never will lol
You can't cut Pat Barry!!! Ever!! Barry is one of those guys that the casual MMA fan loves to watch. He's explosive and fun to watch. The UFC still needs guys like that for big knockouts and fast finishes even if Barry is the one getting knocked out. When you add a guy like Barry to a Dominick Cruz card it makes it more interesting. Dana won't be cuting him for a while.
When was his last highlight moment? he's a tool, with a poorly rounded skillset. he has no ground game, and gasses after the 1st round nearly every time
damn the last person i thought i'd see hating on barry. he's still exciting, and got you watching didn't he?
He should cut and fight a lower wight class
height disadvantage
i thinkk A Johnson is a big and strong welterweight like GSP and is perfect at welterweight he wouldnt be able to handle AS or CS atmiddleweight hes a good wrestler and has great stand up ww division is perfect for him
I agree with Rumble needing to stop hiding at WW. The dude is a horse & needs to fight bigger guys.
"Cruz dominates"? No, he was the bigger fighter and basically held Johnson down for the "W". Cruz has met his match in the speed department, and if Johnson was a bit larger we would probably see a new champ.