UFC 141 Spike TV Prelims Recap

Following a trio of tepid bouts on Facebook, lightweights Danny Castillo & Anthony Njokuani and featherweights Ross Pearson & Junior Assuncao looked to liven things up a bit on Spike TV. Join me, won't you, for a look back at the UFC's last prelim show on Spike...

Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani via Split-Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

This was a much closer fight than I expected. Castillo worked a high-paced grappling game, landing several high-velocity takedowns in the first round, but slowed noticeably in the latter two rounds, likely as a result of his stepping in on short notice. Njokuani made things interesting with an improved grappling game. Though he was rarely able to totally prevent Castillo's takedowns, he quite frequently scrambled to his feet before Castillo could effect any damage. Despite the loss, I have some renewed faith in Njokuani as a prospect.

Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

This was kind of an interesting match-up in that Pearson seemed to gain clout despite losing his last fight, while Assuncao seemed to lose the respect of fans even though he won in his last effort. Some of that probably has to do with Assuncao's inexplicable in-cage demeanor--I'll never understand how guys like him can cop such an attitude in the ring while at the same time remaining so generally ineffective. Pearson used a good sprawl and typically crisp boxing to earn a well-deserved victory. Fun Fact: despite Assuncao landing four takedowns to Pearson's one, both men landed the same amount of ground strikes (five).