UFC 164 Recap

Some big fights took place last night in Milwaukee at UFC 164. Chad Mendes and Ben Rothwell got wins but lets focus on the two big ones. 

Josh Barnett returned to the UFC after being away from the company since 2002. He scored a 1st round TKO victory over former Heavyweight champ Frank Mir.  This is huge for the division.  Throw Barnett's name in the top mix with Velasquez and Dos Santos.  Hell even Travis Browne who crushed Alistair Overeem allows for some great potential match ups with the big boys. 

The main event saw the rematch between Lightweight champ Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, where it was the champ looking to overcome a loss in the WEC, a notable loss for how it happened.  (Pettis' crazy run up the cage kick to the face.)

Henderson started out all well and good but ultimately on the ground Pettis grabbed an arm and would have snapped in half.  Worst of all for Benson, he verbal tapped.  Is there anything worse?  Don't get me wrong Henderson is one of the best in the world and would kick my ass blah blah but verbal tap?  Yikes.  Wonder if he just said "uncle."

Great night of fights and don't blink but there are more coming this Wednesday on Fox Sports 1, headlined by Ryan Bader vs. Glover Teixeira. 

UFC Title Fights

Announcement day in the UFC, clearly up some of the title fight questions.  Here is what we know now...

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustaffson - UFC 165, September 21, Toronto


HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos - UFC 166, October 19, Houston


WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks - UFC 167, November 16, Las Vegas


Other match ups that have been set.

MIDDLEWEIGHT: Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman (UFC 162, July 6)

LIGHTWEIGHT: Benson Henderson vs. T.J. Grant (UFC 164, August 31)

FEATHERWEIGHT: Jose Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 163, August 3)

FLYWEIGHT: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga (UFC on Fox 8, July 27)

Audio: UFC Lightweight Champ Frankie Edgar

Rich Keefe talked to UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar prior to his title defense against Benson Henderson at UFC 144 this Saturday night in Japan. The two discussed his opponent, the Lightweight division, and the Jersey Shore.

Dos Santos Wins Title: Full UFC on Fox Results

The UFC made its debut on national television last night with a one-bout Heavyweight Championship showcase. The telecast began at 9:00pm EST and after 30+ minutes of build up with stories about the two (challenger Junior Dos Santos and champion Cain Velasquez) as well as commentary from UFC president Dana White and former UFC champ Brock Lesnar, the fight finally got underway. And it didn't last long.

Perhaps a bittersweet moment for the UFC, its first fight on Fox, which had been built up for months on their network, particularly during NFL games on Sunday. The fight lasted just over 1 minute, with Dos Santos becoming the newest Heavyweight Champ.

For those that criticized the fact that only one fight was shown on Fox (the rest of the card was seen on facebook and or FUEL TV), Dana White has two words for you, "Shut up." The fact is the contract between the UFC and Fox does not kick off until 2012, so this was really just a taste. But will it leave casual fans wanting more?

Full results below.

MAIN CARD
Junior Dos Santos def. Cain Velasquez via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 1:04 - Heavyweight Championship Bout

UNDER CARD
Ben Henderson def. Clay Guida via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Dustin Poirier def. Pablo Garza via submission (D'arce choke) - Round 2, 1:32
Ricardo Lamas def. Cub Swanson via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 2, 2:16
DaMarques Johnson def. Clay Harvison via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 1:34
Darren Uyenoyama def. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Robert Peralta def. Mackens Semerzier via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 1:54
Alex Caceres def. Cole Escovedo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mike Pierce def. Paul Bradley via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Aaron Rosa def. Matt Lucas via majority decision (28-28, 30-26, 30-26)