UFC on Fox 8: Johnson retains belt, Rory-Jake disappoints
Published on Sunday, 7/29/13, at 9:49 p.m. Eastern
By Brian Edwards
–The picture of Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste works a lot better than one of Demetrious Johnson.
–Speaking of the ‘Mighty Mouse,’ Johnson returned to his home of Seattle and successfully defended his flyweight championship for the second time Saturday night at Key Arena. Johnson submitted John Moraga via armbar with only 17 seconds remaining in the fifth and final round. Johnson won as a -450 favorite, while ‘over’ 4.5 rounds was also a winner.
–The co-main event was a colossal disappointment to say the least. Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger spent weeks going at each other verbally, only to put on the most lackluster bout on the entire 12-fight card. MacDonald used a crisp jab to score points en route to a unanimous-decision (30-27 twice, 29-28) victory as a -240 ‘chalk.’ BE Sports had it 29-28 for MacDonald.
–The fans lustily roared their disapproval throughout the second and third rounds of Ellenberger-MacDonald. I was right there with them from my couch. In short, the fight sucked! I think it was the most disappointing fight of 2013. UFC President Dana White wasn’t impressed, either. He made it clear that MacDonald wouldn’t be getting a title shot.
–During his post-fight interview with White on FUEL TV, Ariel Helwani countered White’s negative thoughts with an unfathomable remark about Ellenberger-MacDonald being an “interesting and technical” fight. Say what?!
–MacDonald might get Robbie Lawler in his next match. Lawler dominated Round 1 versus Bobby Voelker and finished the fight with an early second-round KO thanks to a nasty head kick that landed right on the money. Lawler hooked up his backers as a -325 favorite. He is now 2-0 since returning to the promotion, including a first-round KO of perennial top-10 welterweight Josh Koscheck.
–Melvin Guillard got back in the win column with a vicious second-round knockout of Mac Danzig. Guillard earned an extra 50 large by winning KO of the Night honors. Gamblers taking Guillard on a prop to win KO of Night cashed a +650 ticket. Guillard is hoping to be added to the Oct. 19 card in Houston at Toyota Center. ‘The Young Assassin’ beat Danzig as a -140 favorite.
–The best payout of the night was for those that backed Ed Herman and Trevor Smith to win Fight of the Night honors. 5Dimes closed this prop with incredible 35/1 odds. Smith and Herman waged a three-round slugfest with Herman winning a split decision. Smith sustained a broken hand early in this middleweight clash, making his performance even more admirable.
–Aaron Riley announced his retirement after losing a split decision to Justin Salas in the second fight of the night. The 32-year-old Riley finishes his career with a 30-14-1 overall record and a 3-6 mark in the UFC.
–Liz Carmouche collected her first career UFC win with a second-round TKO of Jessica Andrade as a -600 ‘chalk.’
–The favorites dominated the card with an 11-1 record.
–The ‘over’ cashed at a 10-2 clip.
–I echo Dana White’s thoughts on the potential return of Tito Ortiz from out of retirement. The attention-starved Ortiz has sent out various tweets recently hinting at joining the Bellator promotion. White had this reaction: “Who gives a shit?”
