UFC on Versus 1 - Recap

RESULTS

•Jon Jones def. Brandon Vera via TKO (injury) - Round 1, 3:19

•Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:53

•Cheick Kongo def. Paul Buentello via TKO (elbow strikes) - Round 3, 1:16

•Alessio Sakara def. James Irvin via TKO (punch) - Round 1, 3:01

•Clay Guida def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 2, 3:40

•Vladimir Matyushenko def. Eliot Marshall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

•Darren Elkins def. Duane Ludwig via TKO (ankle injury) - Round 1, 0:44

•John Howard def. Daniel Roberts via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 2:01

•Brendan Schaub def. Chase Gormley via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 0:47

•Mike Pierce def. Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

•Jason Brilz def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

My thoughts on UFC's first card on Versus.

- I got 8 of 11 picks right.

- I chose method of win correct 5 times

- Jon Jones looked good but didn't really show us anything that tells us he's improved. He looked really good but I really hope they don't rush him into a title shot. Machida, Shogun, or any of the top 5 light-heavyweights would most likely capitalize on his defensive liabilities. Jones should've been armbarred a million times

-Vera will remain a 'gatekeeper' for the 205 lb division. The UFC won't cut him because they don't want Strikeforce to have any name guys for Gegard Mousasi to fight. It was pretty stupid for Vera to try double wrist control on a long fighter with big elbows. I can't wait until Vera's next fight when he tells us again that he's a new fighter and now he's taking his training seriously.

- Gonzaga did exactly what I thought he would. He stood and traded strikes with Cigano, who is a better striker, & he got hit in the face. Why would he go for a low kick standing 12 inches from dos Antos? It sounds funny but the way to beat Gonzaga is to punch him in the face.


- I still need to see what dos Antos is gonna do against a high caliber wrestler but I am very excited because they will most likely match him up against Cain Velasquez for a title eliminator

- Mike Pierce is gonna be a top welterweight real soon.

- I wish we would've gotten to see a more relevant match up than Sakara/Irvin

- This was a very good night of fights, especially for free