Saturday, January 28, 2012, the Ultimate Fighting Championship went live from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois for UFC on FOX 2 – Evans vs. Davis, which featured a light-heavyweight bout between #1 contender and former 205lb champion, “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1), and Penn State wrestling standout, “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (9-1-0).
Maia vs. Weidman
Despite taking the fight on eleven days notice, rising middleweight star, Chris Weidman, managed to pick up a narrow split decision victory on the back of slightly stronger striking and a handful of take-downs throughout the contest that likely made the difference in the judge’s eyes.
Neither man was put in fight-ending danger over the duration of the fight, and when the second frame commenced it was obvious both guys were spent with concern to their cardio as the action slowed to what commentator, Joe Rogan, could only describe as a “sloppy kickboxing match.” While Weidman had a clear excuse for the lack of endurance, surprisingly, Maia’s was no better and the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace will have to return to the drawing board.
Sonnen vs. Bisping
In a highly competitive bout, title hopefuls Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping grinded their way to a judge’s decision as well. In the early running, it was Sonnen’s wrestling that looked as though it would be the difference, and while in the end it was, it was a much narrower advantage than most would have expected.
A game Bisping did not get off with his kickboxing attack, but did control the majority of rounds one of and two with positional dominance against the cage. A couple completed takedowns in the first likely won Sonnen the frame in the eyes of the judges and it was difficult to determine who had the edge in the second but it was without question Bisping’s most impressive of the three.
In the third round, Sonnen found his takedown once more with a nice power-double leg that would see him control position for the next four minutes, finally able to keep his man grounded. Bisping managed to scramble to his feet, and to the surprise of many, got his own takedown to finish the match but it was too little too late as Chael Sonnen regains his #1 contender status and the right to face champion Anderson Silva.
Evans vs. Davis
In the main-event, former 205lb champion “Suga” Rashad Evans was simply too dynamic for “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis, as the Blackzilian took home a unanimous decision, sweeping the judge’s cards.
Davis started well in the first, controlling distance and picking his shots from the outside; but as Evans found his timing and range, the fight began to swing heavily in his favor as he backed the smack-talk that preceded the fight in spectacular fashion with a number of well-timed takedowns off of kicks delivered by the Penn State alumnus. Finding the mounted crucifix twice throughout the bout, Evans rained down punches that would open up several cuts on the face Davis.
Although the finish did not come, one look at either man after five rounds of hard-fought action would tell who held the clear edge with a busted up Davis degenerated from the effort. While Evans was frustrated that he never found the finish, he can now look ahead to the most highly anticipated bout of the year when he meets Phil Davis this coming April for the light heavyweight championship of the world.
Full results from UFC on FOX 2 are found below:
MAIN CARD (FOX)
Rashad Evans def. Phil Davis via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Chael Sonnen def. Michael Bisping via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Chris Weidman def. Demian Maia via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
Evan Dunham def. Nik Lentz via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Mike Russow def. John-Olav Einemo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Cub Swanson def. George Roop via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:22
Charles Oliveira def. Eric Wisely via submission (calf crusher) – Round 1, 1:43
Michael Johnson def. Shane Roller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lavar Johnson def. Joey Beltran via KO (punches) – Round 1, 4:24
PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)
Chris Camozzi def. Dustin Jacoby via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 1:08
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