UFC 113 has come to a close. Here’s a look at whose stock notably went up and those that held or lost ground Saturday in Montreal.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua: Yes, he was robbed point blank in the first bout. Let’s just get that out of the way and move on. “Shogun” left no doubt this time, as he put Machida to sleep with a counter right and finished him off with punches from the mount. I can’t think of a more satisfying statement from Rua’s perspective. Who’s next? Let’s hope it’s the winner of the Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans bout at UFC 114.
Matt Mitrione: Absolutely had his way with Internet legend Kimbo Slice using a barrage of kicks and some resourceful ground work, both on top and from guard. With his size and fast improvement, the former NFL player may be one to watch for going forward due to his high ceiling.
Alan Belcher: He went to work on Patrick Cote’s body early and held his own in punching exchanges before picking the Canadian up and throwing him right on his face. Seconds later, Cote was tapping to a rear-naked choke. Belcher quickly seized the opportunity to challenge Anderson Silva to a standup war. He should be careful what he asks for.
Joe Doerksen: Has quietly won six straight bouts with four finishes, including his submission of Tom Lawlor. Doerksen punched his ticket for another look by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva with the come-from-behind win.
Marcus Davis: He needed a win badly, and he got it with a quick punch to Jonathan Goulet’s questionable chin. “The Irish Hand Grenade” is back in the fold.
Johny Hendricks: The two-time NCAA national wrestling champion at Oklahoma State University ran his record to 8-0 with a hard-fought win over an experienced T.J. Grant. It’s time to see Hendricks take on a top-tier welterweight in his next contest.
Joey Beltran: Few gave the “Mexicutioner” much of a chance at having a long tenure when he signed with the UFC to take on Rolles Gracie, but Beltran is now 2-0 inside the Octagon after outpointing Tim Hague. Next for him? Hopefully lots of cardio training and a step up in competition.
Hold
Jason MacDonald: It wasn’t pretty. After suffering a head-turning lower-leg injury against John Salter, it looks like MacDonald will be on the shelf for several months. A long rehab stint (and perhaps some soul searching) awaits “The Athlete.”
Sam Stout and Jeremy Stephens: I felt Stout did enough in the second and third rounds to take a 29-28 decision, but unfortunately for the Canadian, only one official judge agreed with me. The first round was a near (not quite) 10-8 for Stephens, who landed his right hook at will through the opening five minutes. Rounds two and three were a different story, however, as Stout went to work on Stephens’ body and left leg. It was a razor-close duel that will never see a rematch, and that’s a shame.
Stock Down
Paul Daley: Duh. Not since the great depression has one man’s stock dropped more. Not only did Koscheck mop the floor with the Brit en route to a lopsided decision, but Daley brought a suspension upon himself with a post-fight sucker punch. He should consider himself blessed if the UFC doesn’t make an example of his unprofessional behavior in an era where the sport continues to flourish and branch out across the globe.
Lyoto Machida: I never expected him to lose in such a fashion. It’s back to the drawing board for the man once touted as untouchable in the UFC 205-pound division.
Kimbo Slice: It was a defeat that rivals his quick loss to Seth Petruzelli in terms of pure disappointment. Slice was dominated on the floor and had no answer for the chopping low kicks of Mitrione. Slice must address his standing defense, bottom ground game and gas tank if he wants to compete against the heavyweights of the UFC.
Patrick Cote: Don’t complain about the slam, Patrick. If you’re coherent enough to signal you’re giving up, that tells me you were aware enough to fight the hands of Belcher to defend the choke.
Yoshiyuki Yoshida: After starting his career with an electrifying submission of War Machine, Yoshida has fizzled out by losing three of his next four. “Zenko,” once viewed as Japan’s brightest prospect in the UFC, has likely fought his last bout with the organization after getting bested by Michael Guymon.
Tom Lawlor: Following his amazing Dan Severn impersonation at Friday’s weigh-ins, gravity hit Lawlor’s all-time high stock, causing it to plummet on the heels of his second straight loss. Lawlor is now .500 in the UFC.