'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, we’re live with UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2! The co – main event will see the women’s Bantamweight champion, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey taking on the former Strikeforce Bantamweight champion, “Cupcake” Miesha Tate! UFC 168 might just be one of the best PPVs of the year, with Dana White putting up a strong card for the last PPV of the year. The rumors about former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar being present for the show were shot down by Dana White, and it’ll be interesting to see if Brock would be present in the building.
Weidman defeated Silva for the Middleweight title during their first encounter at UFC 162, so it’ll be interesting to see if The Spider can strike back. Also, Ronda defeated Miesha for the Strikeforce Bantamweight championship last year, and so we have two grudge matches on our hands! As a fan, you cannot ask for anything more. Join us at 8 AM IST as we cover the event live!
Here is the list of matches on the official card:
Middleweight championship – Chris Weidman (c) vs. Anderson Silva – Main event
Women’s Bantamweight championship – Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Miesha Tate – Co – Main event
Heavyweight division – Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne
Lightweight division – Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes
Catch weight – Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao
We’re done with the fights on the preliminary card. The results are:
John Howard defeated Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
William Macario defeated Bobby Voelker via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Robbie Peralta defeated Estevan Payan via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:12
Michael Johnson defeated Gleison Tibau via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:32
Dennis Siver defeated Manvel Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Uriah Hall defeated Chris Leben via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
And here we go! Goldberg welcomed us to open the live PPV, as we looked at the official main card. Joe Rogan looked back at UFC 162 when Weidman defeated Anderson Silva, as Weidman took Silva down for G & P, and won the Middleweight championship. We then looked at the co – main event between Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, two of the biggest female fighters in the world. Fasten your seat belts folks, as we’re in for a great night!
And our first fight of the live PPV - Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao
Brandao was the first to make his way out, and he would want to take Poirier to the ground and lock him in a submission hold. Brandao entered the Octagon as he looked focused and confident. Poirier made his way out next, and here we go with our first fight of the night on the PPV!
Round 1:
Poirier clearly had the advantage going into the fight, and started with a low kick. Brandao tried to go for a jab, but Poirier blocked it. Both men started cautiously, and Poirier took the initiative, throwing Brandao off balance for a second. Brandao came back, and kicked Poirier while he was down. Brandao pushed Poirier back, but Poirier came back with a couple of jabs. Both men controlled their pace, and Poirier took advantage of his reach, but Brandao locked Poirier in a front face lock. Poirier came back with a big knee and went for the jabs, keeping his distance from Brandao. Poirier landed a big right, but Brandao came back with a big punch, throwing Poirier to the mat. Brandao went for a takedown, but Poirier got to his feet quickly. Both men stepped on the gas, as Poirier landed some good rights, but Brandao took him down! Poirier pushed Brandao to the cage and landed some big jabs! Poirier got Brandao down and landed some stiff rights and that is it!
Winner by TKO (punches) in Round 1 at 4:54 – Dustin Poirier
Poirier talked to Rogan after the fight, and said he worked hard for this. Poirier went in with an advantage, and that proved to be the decider. A great performance on the night earned Poirier the victory.
Analysis: That was a brilliant game plan by Poirier, as he kept his distance, using his reach as an advantage. Poirier took the first opportunity he got to bring Brandao down, and get the TKO with some seriously hard jabs. Not only does Poirier get the winner’s bonus, but he also gets 12.5% from Brandao’s purse. A good night for Poirier, and a wonderful way to open the live PPV.
Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes
Our next fight is in the Lightweight division. Miller took on Camoes, as Miller went in with a slight edge over Camoes. Camoes made his way out first, looking confident and flamboyant; Camoes’ strengths are his ground game and a background in Brazilian Jiu – Jitsu, which would imply that he would look to bring Miller to the ground and end the fight soon. Miller made his way out next, in his usual calm and composed fashion. And here we go!
Round 1:
Miller went on the offensive early with a couple of lefts, pushing Camoes back. Camoes tried to take Miller down, but Miller fought him off. Camoes drilled Jim with a left and a huge kick, and caught Jim with a left hook. Camoes clearly had the advantage with some beautiful hooks and jabs! Camoes kept pushing Jim back, but Jim took him down and nailed him with an elbow! Camoes got back to his feet, but Jim took him down once again. Camoes got on top of Miller with a couple of shots to Jim’s ribs. Miller went for the armbar and got Camoes in position, and Camoes tapped out!
Winner by submission (Armbar) in Round 1 in 3:35 – Jim Miller
Post fight, Jim thanked the fans, and that was an amazing set up leading to the armbar by Jim Miller. Miller made a technician, Camoes tap out!
Analysis: Once again, a good game plan was what earned Miller the victory. The lead up to the submission was beautiful as well, as Miller lured Camoes into the submission. Miller got on his back and cramped Camoes, using his legs to trap him, and then locked in the armbar for the submission.
The Brazilian footballing legend, Ronaldo was present in the audience!
We get to see the card for UFC 169, which includes some of the big names in UFC such as Barao and Frank Mir. That should be one heck of a PPV as well, and it will come to us live on February 1st.
Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne
We look back at the recent run of Barnett and Browne, as Browne made his way out first to a very mixed reaction from the live crowd. The winner of this fight will propel himself to title contention for the UFC Heavyweight championship of the world! Barnett made his way out next, and looked focused as ever. The youngest fighter to win the UFC Heavyweight title, Barnett would look to become the new number one contender for the title. Barnett went into the fight as the odds on favorite, which doesn’t surprise many.
Round 1:
And here we go! Browne connected with some left hooks and a kick, as he looked to take advantage of his reach. Barnett drilled Browne with a knee, as Browne tried to take him down. Browne drilled Barnett with a knee and came down with heavy elbows and that is it!
Winner by TKO (elbows) in Round 1 in 1:00 – Travis Browne.
Post fight, Browne warned the locker room, and Barnett was busted open because of the vicious elbows. That was nasty! This will elevate Browne right into the title contention, and Browne warned the UFC Heavyweight champion. He dedicated his victory to the blue collared workers.
Analysis: Not many people would’ve thought Browne would end this fight the same way he ended his previous one. Barnett went in as the favorite, but Browne threw him off his game from the start and pushed him back. He found a window to land some of his vicious elbows, and that was all she wrote. An outstanding performance by Browne.
Mike Tyson was in attendance as well!
Women’s Bantamweight championship – Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Miesha Tate
The next fight is arguably the biggest rematch in women’s MMA, as “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey took on “Cupcake” Miesha Tate. When I talked to Miesha last month, she said she was focused and ready to fight Ronda. The two TUF 18 coaches would look to destroy each other, and one has to wonder how Miesha would cope with the armbar technique that Ronda has perfected. You wouldn’t want to miss this!
And here we go! Miesha Tate made her way out first, and the crowd was electric for this one. She looked confident, and was focused for the fight. Out next was the champion, the leader of the pack – Ronda Rousey to a very mixed reaction! And here we go!
Round 1:
Ronda stared right through Miesha as the fight began, and Miesha came out swinging. Ronda tried to take Miesha down, and she did! Ronda connected with some knees and a jab in the corner as Miesha tried to fight her off. Ronda took Miesha down once again, and connected with some beautiful rights. Miesha tried to go for the triangle, but Ronda fought her off. Miesha took Ronda down, but Ronda landed some good strikes! Ronda drilled Miesha with some elbows and went for the armbar as Miesha tried to fight her off! Ronda went for the triangle choke, but Miesha fought her off. Miesha connected with some rights, but Ronda took her down once again! Miesha was busted open as Ronda was on top of her. Ronda went for the armbar once again, but Miesha rolled her over. Ronda took Miesha down once again, and landed some stiff shots. The crowd cheered for Miesha as Ronda laid into Miesha with some stiff body shots and a kick, and that was the end of round 1.
Round 2:
Ronda came out swinging this time, and tripped Miesha. Miesha kicked Ronda, but Ronda took Miesha down once again! Miesha got back to her feet, but Ronda took her down yet again! Ronda tried to buckle Miesha’s knees down in the corner, and drilled Miesha with some rights. Ronda took Miesha down once again, but Miesha her over with a choke! Ronda fought her off and tried to go for the armbar, but Miesha fought her off. Ronda finally connected with the armbar, but Miesha fought her off! Ronda continued to land some stiff punches as the crowd cheered for Miesha. Ronda went for the triangle, but Miesha used her hand to keep Ronda from locking in the triangle hold, and that is the end of round 2!
Round 3:
Ronda once again took Miesha against the cage and landed some stiff body shots. Ronda tried to take Miesha to the ground, and she did! Ronda tried to turn her over for the arm bar and locked it in! Miesha tapped out and that is it!
Winner by submission (Armbar) and still the Women’s Bantamweight champion in Round 3 in 0:40 – Ronda Rousey
Post fight, Ronda didn’t shake Miesha’s hand. Ronda talked to Joe, and said she respected Miesha. Ronda said the boos don’t put her off, and she thanked her mom.
Miesha spoke next, and it was definitely Ronda’s toughest fight till date. Miesha said Ronda was the better fighter on the night, and the fans cheered for her.
Analysis: Well, I cannot put it in words how truly amazing that fight was. No one managed to go past round 1 against Ronda, and Miesha took her till round 3! Ronda worked on her rights, and in the end, that proved to be decisive. Ronda took Miesha to the ground, and her background in judo helped her in scoring the arm bar tap out victory over Miesha. The crowd certainly didn’t think Ronda deserved the victory, but both women put up the match of the night so far! An outstanding fight between the two rivals.
UFC Middleweight championship – Chris Weidman (c) vs. Anderson Silva
And here it is ladies and gentlemen, the main event of the night between arguably the greatest MMA fighter in history, Anderson Silva against the current UFC Middleweight champion, Chris Weidman. Silva made his way out first, and he certainly looked different. He said he was a renewed fighter, and we can expect nothing but the best from The Spider.
The champion, Chris Weidman made his way out next. Silva looked very different, very shaky. He wasn’t cocky, which cost him the fight before. And here we go with the main event of UFC 168!
Round 1:
Show of respect between Silva and Weidman before the fight as the crowd chanted “USA”. Silva and Weidman sized each other up, and neither of them was in a hurry. Weidman took the first shot, and took Silva down. Silva connected with a knee, and Weidman took Silva down again and drilled him with rights! Everyone thought the match was already over there! Weidman tried to go for a choke, but Silva fought him off. Weidman went for an elbow, but Silva tried to counter it into a choke! Silva delivered some punches to Weidman as he locked him in with his feet around his waist. Weidman delivered some stiff elbows, but Anderson locked him in the body triangle. Silva connected with some jabs of his own, and locked Weidman in body scissors. Weidman tried to fight out, but Silva held him down. Chris broke free, and Silva kicked him away, and that’s the end of round 1!
Round 2:
Inside leg kick by Silva to start things off in round 2! Silva tried to use his reach to his advantage, and kicked Weidman but broke his leg in the process, and that’s the end of it.
Winner by TKO (leg injury) in Round 2 in 1:16 and still the UFC Middleweight champion – Chris Weidman
Post fight, Weidman talked to Joe and called Silva the greatest of all time. Respect to Chris for that, and he thanked the fans and his family for the win. He didn’t look too happy how the fight ended, and it might just be the end of Anderson Silva’s legendary career.
Analysis: That was an awful way to end such a great PPV. This might be the end of the career of the greatest MMA fighter in history, as it is difficult to see a 38 year old Silva coming back from this. Weidman worked on the leg kicks, which might be the reason why Silva’s body kicks didn’t have any effect on Weidman. No one saw this coming, but Chris Weidman deserved the victory, and he still remains the UFC Middleweight champion.
And that is it, ladies and gentlemen. We may have witnessed the end of a legendary career, and the rise of the baddest woman on the planet continues. Ronda and Weidman retain their titles, but this PPV will be remembered for the wrong reasons. Anderson Silva broke his leg during his fight with Weidman, and we have to wait and see if he will be able to come back from this devastating injury. Hope you enjoyed the PPV and the live review.
