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March 1st, 2014, 9:04 PM
#1
The UFC Fight Pass Events General Thread
As they are being promoted as tier 4 events (behind PPV, FOX and FS1), I think it makes sense to have one thread for every fight card held exclusively (in America) on Fight Pass.
The morning/afternoon card from Macao has come and gone, and was a reasonably enjoyable affair. There was the usual issues with the local cards - guys with padded records looking as dangerous as spoons, mismatches designed to promote said fighters to mixed success, and a severe lack of relevance throughout the card. What it did give us, however, was a tremendous knockout by Dong Hyun Kim on John Hathaway, wiping him out cold on the counter with a spinning back elbow. Kim is now at the point where he's earned a big fight by opening his style up and taking a risk. His name's out there, people are talking about him. He can get a top 10 guy next, and I fully expect (and would encourage him) to revert back to his strength of incredible top control and stifling grappling. He can beat most fighters on the planet like that, he's not going to escape unscathed if he continues to brawl like this. BUT it's made him in the fan's eyes, so he can now afford to play it safe as he'll be doing so in relevant fights that can put him on the verge of contention.
Elsewhere, Matt Mitrione looked solid against Shawn Jordan - Mitrione's career can probably be rejuvenated if they care to promote him, big finisher and a lot of personality. He's getting on though and will never beat anybody great. Hatsu Hioki survived fading late AGAIN, putting points in the bank before struggling late against Ivan bloody Menjivar. His top control is great but he just doesn't look for openings for the finish and it's costing him. Good fighter, not great. The Finale of TUF China was a load of shite I barely watched. Finally, good little scrap between Nam and Tokudome - 4 knockdowns Tok survived and nearly came through on points but faded late.
Next card is this Saturday from England. It's on Channel 5 over here, terrestrial TV, so more eyes than ever should be on a live fight in the UK. Main event is Gustafsson vs. Manuwa, a fine fight even though Gustafsson should be fighting Jon Jones in an immediate rematch. Manuwa's a local boy in the 02 should be a great atmosphere. Rest of the card is the usual mix of Brit's/Europeans fighting American's coming off losses, and a solid co-main between Michael Johnson and Melvin Guillard - Johnson with another finish could catapult up the rankings. Also of note is Brad Pickett's flyweight debut (against replacement Neil Seery) and undefeated Gunnar Nelson returning from a year's layoff.
Following that, Abu Dhabi in April with Nelson/Nog and Guida/Kawajiri. TUF Nations Finale promises good prelims as well. It's consumerism at it's finest this Fight Pass, but it's not bad for £5.99 a month. I'd be slightly more irritated if I was paying $60 for a PPV every month and still having to subscribe to this to get all the coverage, but we get it pretty good over here for UFC.
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March 2nd, 2014, 2:36 PM
#2