UFC 141 PPV Recap

Another maddening holiday season in the can, another end-of-the-year event from the UFC. The organization's had a rocky 2011, with triumphs like the purchase of Strikeforce offset by PR gaffes and injury-riddled fight cards. Did UFC 141 close out the year with a whimper or a bang?

Jimy Hettes def. Nam Phan by Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

In the night's opening bout, a very serious prospect made a fabulous impression in his main-card debut. Hettes crushed Phan in every respect, including on the feet, where many (I included) figured Phan would have an advantage. It seems his string of submission victories belie some significant striking skills, as Hettes out-landed Phan an astounding 117-27. Hettes is one to watch in 2012.

Alexander Gustafsson def. Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO, Round 1

No surprises here. Heading into this fight I wasn't all that high on Gustafsson, but he looked sharp against Matyushenko, and I can't deny his emerging contender status. He used his reach advantage well and displayed excellent power against a surging veteran. Comparisons to Jon Jones are sure to abound, given Gustafsson's frame, concussive style, and the fact that he and the champ share two common, similarly hapless opponents in Matt Hamill and Matyushenko.

Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch by KO, Round 1

With news that Georges St. Pierre would sit out for most of 2012, the welterweight field opened up quite a bit, and Fitch seemed primed for another (very likely successful) shot at the title. Two big left hands later, Dana White and top-control-phobic MMA fans everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief. Hendricks's punching power served him well against the vaunted durability of Jon Fitch, making him the only man other than GSP to best Fitch in the last nine years. Hendricks has planted himself firmly among the topmost of welterweight contenders, but I can't help but wish that the fight had gone a little longer so that we could get a more thorough look at him.

Nate Diaz def. Donald Cerrone by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

The vintage Diaz style was on full display in this front-runner for Fight of the Night. There was a lot of buzz around Nate Diaz following his destruction of Takanori Gomi, but I was stuck wondering how much of that success had to do with Gomi's steep decline. However, against a highly motivated Donald Cerrone in the midst of his own undefeated UFC campaign, Diaz showed that he has indeed turned a corner in his career. Cerrone had his moments, landing a pair of staggering head kicks, but was out-gunned when it came to boxing, landing only 33% of total strikes compared to Diaz's prodigious 82%. Great showing from Diaz and a big step up the lightweight ladder.