Returning to the O2 Arena in London, UFC 120 was broadcast with taped delay on Spike TV in the US, and featured Michael Bisping taking on Yoshihiro Akiyama in a middleweight bout for the main event. The fight card lacked title matches or star power, and featured mainly the British and European competitors in most bouts.
Cyrille Diabate vs. Alexander Gustafsson (205 lbs)
Round 1: The fighters exchange leg kicks and circle. Eventually Gustafsson comes forward with a flurry and drops Diabate. Gustafsson follows to the ground, landing in side control. Gustafsson keeps Diabate down and lands punches. Diabate eventually gets back to the feet. They clinch and trade, and Gustafsson drops Diabate again with an uppercut. Gustafsson looking to follow up on the ground but Diabate is up quickly and returns fire. Diabate landing solid body and leg kicks. Gustafsson closes the distance and puts Diabate on his back with a trip. Gustafsson punches away from side control as the round ends. Round 10-9 Gustaffson
Round 2: Diabate opens up with his hands; Gustafsson clinches and slams Diabate to the ground. Gustafsson in side control again, passing into north-south then mount. Diabate gives up his back and Gustafsson is looking for a choke. It’s not there and so he opens up with punches from the back. Another choke attempt then more punches, another adjustment and this time the choke is locked in and Diabate taps quickly.
Aftermath: After being stifled and submitted by Phil Davis in his previous fight, the Swedish striker Gustafsson rebounds with an impressive win, dominating Diabate in every aspect. Brandon Vera would be the perfect test for Gustafsson’s next bout.
The veteran kickboxer Diabate looked every bit of his 37 years against Gustafsson. The loss ends a six-win streak for the Frenchman, who knocked out Luis Arthur Cane in his Octagon debut. After being matched up with other strikers in his first two UFC bouts, he should face a wrestler such as Jason Brilz or Vladimir Matyushenko to measure his viability in the division.
Ranking Impact: Gustafsson rises 36 spots to #27 LHW. Diabate falls 13 spots to #36 LHW.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne (HW)
Round 1: Browne is the aggressor early, coming forward with telegraphed windmill punches. Kongo is on the defense, throwing only leg kicks. Browne is winging punches and head kicks, nothing coming close until Kongo opens up with his hands and attacks; Browne catches Cheick with a counter and Kongo backs off, hurt. They clinch and the action slows down. They separate and exchange, Browne hurting Kongo again with punches. Kongo fires back as the round ends. Round 10-9 Browne
Round 2: More leg kicks from Kongo and Browne responds in kind. Browne throwing haymakers and Kongo moves in for a clinch then knees Browne in the groin and follows up with a hook before the referee grants Travis a break. They restart and Kongo goes for a clinch but as he throws a knee Browne pushes him to the ground. Kongo gets up and walks away with his back turned, complaining about an eye poke, but the ref tells him to fight on. Kongo clinches quickly, pushing Browne into the cage. Kongo keeps landing knees to Browne’s thighs. Ref breaks them up but they quickly end up back in the same position. Another break and this time Browne clinches but Kongo reverses and keeps punishing the legs with knees. Browne gets a takedown late in the round but can’t capitalize. Round 10-9 Kongo
Round 3: Browne attempts a takedown; Kongo reverses and pushes Travis into the fence. Kongo is warned for holding the shorts, then has a point taken away by the referee. Right back to clinch and Kongo is again warned for holding the shorts; the ref goes as far as pulling Kongo’s hand off of Browne. Kongo keeps going back to the clinch, landing knees to the thigh and foot stomps. Browne looks tired and Kongo is now landing an occasional punch. Browne gets another takedown at the end of the round. Round 9-9 draw
The fight is ruled a draw, 28-28 on all three scorecards.
Aftermath: This was an ugly fight that did little for either fighter. Cheick Kongo should next take on the winner of an upcoming bout between Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon Schaub. Travis Browne should fight Mike Russow or Ben Rothwell.
Ranking Impact: Cheik Kongo falls 1 spot to #17 HW. Travis Browne rises 15 spots to #40 HW.
Fight Grade: 2/5
John Hathaway vs. Mike Pyle (170 lbs)
Round 1: Hathaway is looking to strike but Pyle gets inside his range and scores a takedown. Hathaway tries to reverse and put Pyle on his back but it’s a stalemate and they get back up. Hathaway goes back to striking, having some success until Pyle counters with a combination that rocks Hathaway. Hathaway recovers but Pyle keeps on him, then trips John to the canvas and ends the round in Hathaway’s guard. Round 10-9 Pyle
Round 2: Hathaway jabs, trying to utilize his reach advantage. Pyle looks for a takedown but Hathaway remains on his feet. Hathaway connects with a combination. Pyle is persistent with takedown attempts; Hathaway defends another one but eventually goes down. Pyle steps over into side control and locks in an inverted triangle. Hathaway is trapped with a lot of time left in the round; he is not in danger of a stoppage but can’t offer much defense as Pyle repeatedly punches his face. Round 10-8 Pyle
Round 3: Hathaway looks for a takedown of his own. Pyle blocks and they trade punches. Pyle gets a quick takedown; Hathaway escapes but gets taken down again. This time Pyle is working from Hathaway’s guard; Hathaway looks for a submission or a sweep but nothing is there. Pyle maintains control on the ground for the remainder of the round. Round 10-9 Pyle
Mike Pyle wins by unanimous decision, 30-27 from all three judges.
Aftermath: Mike Pyle has had a rocky start to his UFC career but has shown tremendous improvement in his past couple of fights. A bout with Dan Hardy should be the next step up the ladder.
John Hathaway is dealt the first loss of his career and falls into the middle of the pack. As a valuable prospect, he will most likely be given a ‘rebound’ matchup against a UFC newcomer after being dominated by Pyle.
Ranking Impact: Mike Pyle moves up 15 spots to #13 WW. John Hathaway falls 13 spots to #26 WW.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Paul Sass vs. Mark Holst (155 lbs)
Round 1: They engage and Sass pulls guard in an initial exchange. Sass looking for a triangle right away. Holst avoids and stands up. Back to the feet, Sass attempts a takedown but ends up in guard again. Sass looks for a triangle, then a leg lock. Holst spins out; back to the feet and Sass throws a kick off-balance then pulls guard again. Holst wants the fight on the feet but Sass keeps finding ways to pull Mark into his guard despite not being able to secure a takedown. Another triangle attempt is locked in deep, and Sass finally forces a submission with his signature move.
Aftermath: Paul’s successful debut gives UFC a much-needed new UK prospect after a string of high-profile losses by British fighters. Thiago Tavares, Spencer Fisher, or Rafael dos Anjos would all make for a good opponent, though the UFC matchmakers may choose to bring the undefeated fighter along more slowly. Mark Holst is likely on his way out after going 0-2 in the promotion.
Ranking Impact: Paul Sass rises 5 spots to #68 LW. Mark Holst remains outside of the Top 250.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit (170 lbs)
Round 1: Both fighters start out trading leg kicks. Hardy mixes in a few head kick attempts while Condit targets the body. Eventually they move into punching range and exchange big hooks. Condit catches a kick but can’t capitalize; Hardy does the same. Both fighters throwing big hooks and Condit lands first, turning Hardy’s head backwards. Hardy is out before he hits the ground but Condit has time to follow up with two more shots to his fallen opponent before the referee makes it official.
Aftermath: A great performance for Condit, making it three in a row in the UFC and launching him into the Top 5. He is within the reach of a title shot, and his next fight should come against Martin Kampmann or Jake Shields, both of whom hold decision victories over Condit. Which one he will face depends on the outcome of the upcoming bout between Shields and Kampmann, as well as the outcome of George St. Pierre’s next title defense vs. Josh Koscheck.
Dan Hardy is knocked out for the first time in his career, and picks up his second consecutive loss to fall out of the welterweight Top 10. Nate Diaz, Thiago Alves, or Mike Pyle would all be suitable opponents for his next bout.
Ranking Impact: Carlos Condit moves up 7 spots to #5 WW. Dan Hardy falls 5 spots to #11 WW.
Fight Grade: 5/5
Michael Bisping vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama (185 lbs)
Round 1: Akiyama hurts Bisping early with a big right hand. He can’t capitalize; Bisping recovers and trades with Akiyama. Akiyama lands another big punch that makes Bisping back up. They exchange leg kicks, with both landing low, but referee grants no breaks. Bisping takes down Akiyama but Yoshihiro is right back up. Bisping starting to find his range and outlanding Akiyama in the second half of the round. Round 10-9 Akiyama
Round 2: Akiyama starts off the second with a punch combination that finds its target. Bisping is light on his feet, doing a good job of moving in and out of range and outpointing Akiyama. Akiyama slows down his strike output and Bisping is keeping up a fast pace. Akiyama flurries at the bell. Round 10-9 Bisping
Round 3: Bisping leads with a kick. Akiyama looking to land a big punch but Bisping is picking him apart. Akiyama is tired and hurt. Bisping connects with a low kick to the groin and the fight is paused. They continue trading with Bisping getting the best of exchanges. Akiyama pours it on in the final minute of the round but it’s not enough. Round 10-9 Bisping
Michael Bisping wins a unanimous decision, 30-27 on all three scorecards.
Aftermath: Michael Bisping requested a rematch with Wanderlei Silva after this fight. Personally I would prefer to see him take on Nate Marquardt or the winner of an upcoming bout between Kendall Grove and Demian Maia.
Yoshihiro Akiyama, now 1-2 in the Octagon, needs to cut down to 170 lbs and try his luck in the welterweight division before he becomes another footnote of a Japanese fighter who failed to make a successful transition to the State-side MMA scene.
Ranking Impact: Michael Bisping moves up two spots to #9 MW. Yoshihiro Akiyama falls 4 spots to #33 MW.
Fight Grade: 3/5
An average fight card made for an average event, with Condit’s knockout being the highlight of the night.