Rashad Evans had a sweet night while both Frank Mir and "Rampage" Jackson found a little bit of redemption at an exciting UFC 92 in Las Vegas, NV, Saturday night.
Evans won the Light Heavyweight gold by TKO'ing Forrest Griffin in the third round, while Mir earned a piece of the Heavyweight title and a rematch with Brock Lesnar after TKO'ing "Minotauro" Nogueira in the second round of their title fight.
Rashad "Sugar" Evans defeated Forrest Griffin by TKO at 2:46 of the 3rd round to win the Light Heavyweight Title
As advertised, this was a great fight that showcased how great Evans has become as a fighter. Weathering a flurry of leg kicks through the first two rounds, the undefeated Evans (18-0-1) bided his time and attacked in the 3rd round.
Flooring Griffin (16-5) with hammerfists, Evans showed patience in getting through Griffin's guard and started landing unanswered right hands that dizzied and stunned him.
It was a great performance for Evans, who was surprisingly low-key after winning the gold. Even announcers Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan were fairly humdrum about the title win. Griffin (16-5) was complimentary of Evans after the fight.
Frank Mir defeated Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira by TKO to win the UFC interim Heavyweight title at 1:54 of the second round
Simply put, Mir (12-3) looked awesome in taking the belt from Nogueira, twice knocking him down in the first round and displaying a well-rounded attack. Nogueira looked overwhelmed with Mir's offense and eventually it caught up.
Mir connected with two left hooks in the second round that dropped Nogueira and grounded/pounded him until the fight was called. The conditioning I thought would cost Mir wasn't a factor. It was the first time ever that Nogueira (31-5-1, NC) was knocked out.
Post-fight, Mir pointed to Lesnar and said Lesnar had his title.
In an emotional chat with Joe Rogan, Mir said he never more afraid than he was going in the cage with Nogueira and was ready to make Lesnar famous. Brock was booed lustily when he was shown on the big screens. This is going to be a huge rematch, helped by two fighters that can talk the game.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson defeated Wanderlei Silva by KO at 3:21 of the 1st round
Good night, Mr. Silva. There isn't much to say here other than Jackson (29-7) unloaded a left hook that dropped Silva (32-9-1-1) out cold. So much for that cover on the January '09 edition of Fight Magazine. Like he said post-fight, Jackson is back. Wow. It'll be real interesting to see who they put in there next with Jackson.
Chieck Kongo defeated Mostapha Al-Turk by 1st round TKO (punches) at 4:37 of the 1st round
Kongo looks like a future champion...just a jacked, well-conditioned, big mother you-know-what. The first round was mostly Kongo (23-4-1) forcing the action and breaks for each guy getting kneed in the lower region.
Finally, big CK hit a straight left that dropped Al-Turk (6-4) and he pounced him, grounding and pounding until he was bloodied and beaten via TKO. Kongo wants a title shot, and I think he's going to get it sooner than later.
CB Dollaway (9-2) defeated Mike Massenzio (11-3) via TKO (punches) in the 1st round
Massenzio had CB hurt early on, almost ending with a guillotine choke. But CB eventually got full mount and Massenzio gave him back. Dollaway flattened him, connected with left and rights to the side and the head and the ref called it. Double-M complained post-fight but he wasn't doing anything to defend. Reaction to Dollaway was mixed.
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