UFC 105

Aaron Riley vs Ross Pearson

This was a big fight for UK fighter Ross Pearson. After his success in TUF 9 he was now in the real big league of the UFC. Aaron Riley a real MMA veteran will be a great test for Pearson.

Round 1
Both men moved well, feeling each other out. Pearson looked slightly looser and landed a head kick, then some knees in the clinch. Against the cage Pearson started landing body shots and knees .Riley struggled to find his range while Pearson landed punches, knees and kicks!

Round 2
Pearson punched his way into the clinch and again started to dominate. Pearson was now controlling every aspect of the fight with Riley struggling to land anything to note. Pearson landed a jumping knee in the clinch that opened Riley's face to give him a doctor stoppage late in the 2nd rd.

Winner – Ross Pearson

A very impressive 1st normal card UFC fight for Pearson against a legit prospect.

Matt Brown vs James Wilkes

Matt 'The Immortal' Brown a tough as nails fighter who like nothing better that a war. Wilkes impressed everyone winning the last TUF but Matt Brown is a gamer, so be ready for a good tear up!

Round 1

They clinched early and Wilkes managed to jump on Browns back, but Brown defended well. After a brief exchange they clinched again against the cage. Wilkes landed a head kick kick and an uppercut. The round played out in the clinch against the cage.

Round 2
After some back and fore stand up, Browns landed a flying knee that dropped Wilkes who did regained his composer and looked for some leg locks. They ended up standing, Brown seemed to be gaining momentum but Wilkes was still pressing forward. Brown blocks a head kick then landed a six punch combination that dropped Wilkes, who again stayed cool and reversed to get on top but was clearly very tired. As the round ended Brown landed a triangle that looked like it would have been a finisher.

Round 3
Wilkes started back strong landing some shots and pressing Brown to the fence. After some clinch work Wilkes applied a kimura that looked painful, bending Browns arm right behind his back but Brown somehow escapes and ends up in mount! At this point Brown rains down some ground and pound finishes the fight.

Winner – Matt Brown

A good fight with Brown really starting to gain momentum in the division

Mike Bisping vs Dennis Kang

Bisping must be so ready to get back on track after his lost to Dan Henderson. He looked very pumped for this fight and really wanted to prove himself again. Kang is is a MMA veteran and would be a good come back fight for Bisping. Kang is a strong all rounder and will not be a walk over.

Round 1
They feel each other out for a while, then Kang landed a good shot that dropped Bisping. Kang pounced getting on top trying to pass from half guard to mount but Bisping showed excellent defensive BJJ skills, keeping Kang tied up. Kang could not land any clean shots or improve his position. Bisping attacked back, so it played out with Kang going from half guard to mount for a split second then Bisping recovering half guard or guard.

Round 2
After a nearly two minutes of missing each other with punches Bisping shot and got the single leg running the pipe to get the takedown and top position, showing his every evolving game. However the big difference is that Bisping started to unload with shots from every angle rather than trying to pass. Kang got back up but Bisping shot and took him straight back down again. Kangs face is now a mess it goes back to the feet then back down again Bisping smelt blood and stayed on Kang to get the finish.

Winner – Michael Bisping

This was possibly Bispings best performance to date showing improved takedowns and solid BJJ skills. His only area that still seems unsure is his stand up. His ground and pound is excellent, so Bisping is not far from being very well rounded.

Dan Hardy vs Mike Swick

Dan Hardy will be fully tested as he takes on Mike 'Quick' Swick. Hardy is a very well rounded fighter with excellent striker and a solid ground game. Swick has a lot of experience and both fighters will really want this win to open the door for a title shot.

Round 1
Swick came surging forward but Hardy rocked him with a counter and they clinch against the cage with Swick looking for a takedown. But Hardy was having none of it. Swick landed a low knee but it was not serious and after a brief rest. Once they started again, Swick looked for a takedown . They stayed clinched against the cage changing position each going for takedowns unsuccessfully

Round 2
Hardy landed a good shot rocking Swick right at the start of the round then chasing him down pressing him against the cage and surprisingly worked for his own takedown. With 2 min remaining the ref separated them and Swick landed a good left hook, but Hardy looked unfazed.

Round 3
Swick came out firing landing some shots but when Hardy landed it seemed to be more powerful. As he rocked Swick again he rushed for the takedown but slowed and gently put Swick down as Swick secured a guillotine while in the air. After a brief spell on the ground they got stood up and it played out with Swick chasing but Hardy in control.

Winner – Dan Hardy via decision

A good Win for Hardy as Swick is a very good fighter. But is he ready for GSP? That is a good question. I really think Hardy is one of the best UK fighters in the UFC, but GSP would be a big step up in class for sure.

Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera

Round 1
Vera landed a good combination right off the bat . Then Randy looked for the takedown against the cage. After some hustling for position the Referee Marc Goddard separated them. Randy clinched immediately taking Vera's back against the cage and got the takedown, but Vera was straight back up . They stayed clinched for the rest of the round.

Round 2
Couture received a low blow and a eye poke at once! Randy closes the distance and clinched with Vera who was unable to get his Muay Thai skills going at all. After a uneventful time against the cage the Ref again separated them. This time Vera fired a body kick that dropped Randy winching in pain, it when to the ground with Vera on top, but Randy kept him in closed guard to got the stand up.

Round 3
Randy surged forward landing some good dirty boxing and again pressed Vera against the cage until the Ref separated them . Vera was now looking for another devastating body kick but it goes against the cage but this time it was Vera pressing then getting a takedown. Vera took the mount on Randy for a moment but Randy was soon back on his feet. They both exchanged up to the end of the round.

Winner – Randy Couture via decision

Hard fight too judge. Randy pressed his wrestling skills and Vera also has a high level wrestling game which all makes for a fight that looks like not much work is being done, when in fact its an internal war of position.

All in all UFC 105 was one of the best cards of the year! UK fighters showing that MMA is growing fast in the UK and now producing solid fighters.

Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system. Teacher of Tui Na Chinese Massage Therapy

He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.

Web:
www.alanorr.com
www.thechinesemedicineacademy.co.uk
www.warriorfunctionaltraining.com

For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk