The Axe Murderer
As Wanderlei Silva slumped lifelessly to the canvas at the hands of Chris Leben, the veteran mixed martial arts community collectively breathed a dejected sigh.
Silva charged like a man possessed and caught Chris Leben with a sweeping shot before getting caught in the the clinch and put to sleep.
Mixed martial arts is growing at an exponential rate and Wanderlei Silva’s unique mix of raging bull and raging demon is quickly being left behind in a haze of nostalgia.
Irrespective, however, of whether Wanderlei Silva fights again there will never be a time when his exploits in Pride will be remembered as nothing short of legendary.
The last of the Mohicans
Tito Ortiz knew that a loss against Ryan Bader would be his last shot at the UFC; it was as black and white as that.
After a little under two minutes of action, the MGM Grand Garden erupted into riotous applause and fans were treated to their first authentic grave digger routine since 2006.
It was not only a impressive performance but a huge victory against a fighter in Ryan Bader who had previously fought in a title eliminator.
MMA may be experiencing a changing of the guard but Tito Ortiz seems determined to hold back the tide and re-establish himself against the next generation of mixed martial arts athlete.
Old head on young shoulders
Melvin Guillard, for all his brash beginnings in the UFC, now shows all the signs of maturing into the explosive champion he always showed flashes of.
Guillard’s latest victim was Shane Roller, who felt the power and precision of the Young Assassin after two minutes and twelve seconds of their lightweight bout.
Roller’s dispatch marked a fifth straight victory for Guillard and the third foe of that number who had been stopped inside a round.
Guillard’s Young Assasin moniker is still a great fit for the Greg Jackson product but, even with an astounding number of fights on his record, it seems that the best is amazingly still yet to come.
Evolution and domination
Dominick Cruz looked a world away from the nervous looking youngster who stood opposite Urijah Faber back at WEC 26
Faber threw everything he had at Cruz, even knocking the champion down on occasion, but was unable to deal with the accuracy and kineticism of the champion.
Cruz’s victory over Faber not only avenged the only loss on his mixed martial arts record but also displayed perfectly why, at just 25 years of age, Cruz has all the tools to become a future pound for pound great.
Fighting hurts
UFC 132's entertaining card came at a price it seems after the Nevada State Athletic Commissionreleased the following list of medical suspensions which featured no less than six fighters receiving potential six month lay offs.
Dominick Cruz: Must have right hand X-rayed; if positive, must be cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until December 30th.
Urijah Faber: Must have right hand, right wrist, right shoulder and chest X-rayed; if positive, no contest until December 30th. Minimum suspension until August 17th with no contact until August 2nd.
Dong Hyun Kim: Must have right orbital fracture cleared by ear, nose and throat doctor or ophthalmologist or no contest until December 30th. Minimum suspension until September 1st with no contact until August 17th.
Shane Roller: Must have right orbital fracture cleared by ear, nose and throat doctor ophthalmologist or no contest until December 30th. Minimum suspension until Sept. 1 with no contact until August 17th.
Brian Bowles: Must have right hand X-rayed; if positive, must be cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until December 30th. Minimum suspension until August 2nd with no contact until July 24th.
Anthony Njokuani: Must have contusion on left lower leg cleared by doctor or no contest until December 30th.
Wanderlei Silva: Suspended until September 1st with no contact until August 17th for precautionary reasons.
George Sotiropoulos: Suspended until September 1st with no contact until August 17th for precautionary reasons.
Dennis Siver: Suspended until August 17thwith no contact until August 2nd due to forehead lacerations.
Brad Tavares: Suspended until August 2nd with no contact until July 24 due to left eyebrow laceration.
Andre Winner: Suspended until August 2nd with no contact until July 24th due to facial bruising.
Donny Walker: Suspended until August 2nd with no contact until July 24th due to right eyebrow laceration.
Ryan Bader: Suspended until July 24thwith no contact until July 17th for precautionary reasons.
Melvin Guillard: Suspended until July 24th with no contact until July 17th due to cut on lower right eye.
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