UFC 91

The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was the setting for UFC 91 Couture vs. Lesnar. Randy Couture had been a year on the bench trying to sort out contractual issues with the UFC. With that all in the past he was ready to jump back in the mix of a now fully loaded heavyweight division. From the shadows came a heavyweight from hell that being in the form of one Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar had been planning his MMA career for over 2 years before he stepped into a ring. Then he made his move straight to the Flagship of MMA the UFC. He may have been known for his WWE wrestling background, but Lesnar also had a stellar Collage Wrestling background. That combined with a 300lbs body of packed muscle and explosive power, it would be no easy day for anyone. His first UFC outing finished with him making a mistake against Frank Mir, which cost him the fight. Some people started to write Lesnar off at this point. Big error! Mir may have pulled off a great leg lock, but he was a few seconds away from being punched out by Lesnar. The fight was short but it did show that Lesnar had real wrestling skills and could punch hard and fast. His next fight was with the Texas Crazy Horse Keath Herring. Herring was a tough opponent in terms of experience and fight skills. He had been in with some of the best in the world and shown a great account of himself each time. Herring was quick to write off any chance of Lesnar having anything he had not been up against before. Many agreed with him. But Lesnar had other ideas and made a statement to all doubters by putting on a three round beat down on Hearing. After that fight the penny dropped and Lesnar had now earned respect for the MMA world.

So could anyone deal with the strength and explosiveness of man mountain Lesnar? The word came if anyone can Randy can! Couture had always been known as a man with a plan. He made his career from solving the problems of dealing with opponents that on paper where too much for him. Classed as a master strategist would he be able to put a stop to the Lesnar express train!

Nate Quarry vs. Demian Maia

Rock solid Nate Quarry always puts on a great show. A fighter that always comes to fight. Up and coming fighter Demian Maia a BJJ black belt with off the hook BJJ skills would be a taking on a good test to see if his BJJ skills could deal with a very MMA savvy Quarry

Maia started out showing improved striking. His takedown defended by Quarry. But then Maia went to his back and taking Quarry into his world progressed very quickly to mount control. Maia took Quarry’s back as he was trying to escape. Maia locked in a body triangle and punched the head of Quarry to set up his choke
Maia showed his master skills and taps Quarry very quickly once the choke is sealed.

Great win for Maia at 2:13 of the first round

Winner: Demian Maia

Demain Maia has the skills to beat anyone on the ground. It is a pure master class of BJJ when he fights. If he is able to keep developing his striking skills he will be unstoppable.

Gabriel Gonazaga vs. Josh Hendricks

A very quick fight as Gonzaga landed a big right hand and a powerful left hand to the body. It was all Gonzaga and with one more knee and another right hand he dropped Hendricks. Gonzaga landed again as referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop the fight. At 1:01 of the first round it was a convincing finish for Gonzaga.

Winner: Gabriel Gonazaga

Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson

An interesting match up. Florian has very high level BJJ skills, but has also shown excellent stand up of late. Stevenson also has solid ground skills but is a different type of fighter. He is has more of a brawler style and uses his strength well. Would Stevenson be too strong for Florian or would Florian be to slick for Stevenson?
My money was on Florian and I would have won big!

Florian out classed Stevenson completely. Florian controlled the range and landed a leg kick. Stevenson tried to muscle Florian but to no avail. Florian controlled the pace that Stevenson was trying to rush. Florian tripped Stevenson and quickly gained the mount. Stevenson gave up his back to avoid strikes from Florian which is a cue for Forian to lock in a body triangle and the rear-naked choke to finish Stevenson at 4:03 of the first round.

Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar

Round 1

Both fighters have their game faces on. Randy relaxed as ever. Lesnar grins.

Couture clinched and backed up Lesnar, looking like he wanted to show the big man that he could deal with his size okay. Lesnar held space and landed knees and turned Couture onto fence. Lesnar attacked with takedown combinations until he put Couture down. Couture worked well to stop Lesnar rain down finishing blows. Couture tried to keep Lesnar on the defensive by attacking his balance. Lesnar now more experienced was not tying to over rush as this point.

Lesnar won the round, but Couture was still in the game.

Round 2

This round was a great display of both fighters trading blows and clinch fighting. Then Lesnar landed a right hand on the temple of Couture with his full body weight, chopping him to the canvas. Lesnar followed up with a rain of hammer punches until the referee stepped in to stop the fight 3:07 of the second round.

“I can’t believe it,” said Lesnar now the UFC Heavyweight Champion.

“I felt good,” he said. “He’s just a big guy. He caught me with a big shot.” Said the forever humble Couture.

With his fight Couture lost no face as all. His plan was starting to work; it was just the simple fact that Lesner was so much bigger and his punching power was too much for the much smaller Couture. Not to take anything away from Lesnar, as he did a great job and has shown he can wrestle and he can punch with real body power.

Lesnar with a tough opponent for anyone in the division he now reigns.

Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative of the 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
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For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk