UFC 97 Redemption: Post Fight Insights

UFC 97 Redemption fight card featured, among many things, the fall of an MMA icon (Chuck Liddell) and a star reborn (Shogun Rua). Also, we watched as a Champion (Anderson Silva) confounded perhaps by his own dominance, discovered that sometimes you can’t win, even when you get a win. How did all fighters do and what did we learn?

Luiz Cane (10-1) defeated Steve Cantwell (7-2)

The night started out with a highly competitive slug fest between two strong young contenders in an already crowded Light Heavyweight division. Steve Cantwell came into the fight highly regarded so far in his young career. He is a well built, tough young fighter who is resourceful and well rounded. Luiz Cane, is a Brazilian fighter who is quickly rising up the ranks in the Light Heavyweight division.

When it comes to Brazilian fighters, there seems to be two flavors: Either they are deadly ground based Brazilian Jujitsu tacticians or they are maniacal stand up strikers. Luiz Cane, would fall under the former category.

This was evident from the very start as Cane rained punches in thunderous combinations putting Cantwell on the run early. Cane was very effective in weaving jabs while moving forward to set up a death dealing uppercut.

Cantwell to his credit demonstrated a great chin throughout the fight which stood up to some repeated tough blows. Cantwell’s pose and toughness allowed him to stay in contention throughout the entire three rounds despite what seemed like a solid beating from Cane. Early on, Cantwell was no match as even Cane’s jabs seemed to do more damage than anything Cantwell could muster.

But, Cantwell seemed to find his game during the second round when he stopped backing straight up and began to utilize head movement and well placed roundhouse kicks to frustrate the head hunting Cane. Cantwell’s roundhouse should be noted as it is a very nice motion which is deceptively quick but sufficiently powerful, but most importantly leaves him balanced and protected.

Cantwell even unleashed what is best described in Tae Kwon Do as a jumping roundhouse kick which was on target although it was blocked by Cane. Compared to Cane, who’s powerful punches are more telegraphed, Cantwell also showed good compact form and discipline. This allowed him to take advantage of Cane as the fight wore on and he became increasingly sloppy.

Overall, this fight was Cane’s all the way. What impressed me most about Cane is his ability to generate fearsome power in both hands seemingly without effort. His jab is just about as powerful and damaging as anybody else’s straight right punch. For Cantwell, who was squarely beaten but showed some good skills, I think the biggest problem was lack of experience and game planning.

Cantwell showed he could fight, but it wasn’t until late in the second round that he managed to begin hurting Cane enough to stagger him, and by then it was too little too late. In the future, he’ll adapt better and bring a better game plan to go with his extensive talent.

Cheick Kongo (14-4-1) defeated Antoni Hardonk (8-5)

This was a fight I was looking forward to very much. Nothing beats a fight between two goliaths. Both Kongo and Hardonk are accomplished Heavyweight fighters of similar age, weight and height, yet vastly different in style.

Hardonk’s 6’4” frame is a powerful athletic specimen, especially his legs, which give him a powerful base from which to deliver some of the most devastating leg kicks in the game as well as thunderous punches.

Kongo, on the other hand, is equally impressive in appearance but his relatively longer slender legs allow him to deliver kicks and knees with uncommon quickness and ferocity, yet once he’s on the mat, his immensely powerful upper body is a force in the ground and pound game as long as he’s got the upper position.

It’s a classic Heavyweight thunder vs. lightening matchup of style preferences that was bound to produce a fighter who could be seen as a real possible Heavyweight contender.

After initially pushing each other around the ring and throwing, but not landing, big strikes, Kongo and Hardonk looked like they were struggling with one another’s significant size and strength.. More than a few times the two giants ended pressed up against the fence without many results.

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