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UFC on Versus Fight Results: UFC on Versus - March 21, 2010

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UFC on Versus 1 will take place on Sunday, March 21, 2010 in Broomfield, Colorado at the The Odeum Colorado. The UFC on Versus event is scheduled to be headlined by exciting Light Heavyweight fighters Jon Jones and Brandon Vera. Check out all of the UFC on Versus predictions online here at ProFighting-fans.com prior to the fights as our live UFC on Versus results to be added on our UFC blog and come back after the fights to find all of the official UFC on Versus results for the March 21 event.

UFC on Versus took place Sunday night in Broomfield, Colorado at the 1stBank Center, featuring a wild night of fights, officiating, and knockouts. In the span of two hours, the UFC’s debut on Versus brought an unprecedented 3 Knockout of the Night honors and set the stage for two rising MMA stars to stake their claim as two of the best fighters in the world. The MMA universe was changed forever as 10 fighters entered the Octagon hoping to fulfill their dreams and propel themselves to the top of the UFC. Some succeeded, some failed. Here is where the 10 mixed martial artists stand now in their respective divisions, the UFC, and MMA following the event.

John Howard vs. Daniel Roberts

Loser: Daniel Roberts – For the first 1:30 of the fight, Roberts was impressive in his UFC debut, taking down Howard and aggressively going for submissions. However, the next 35 seconds didn’t fare so well, as he was slammed and then knocked unconscious with a plowing left hand. Roberts displayed some solid skills on the ground, but MMA fans will only remember the look of death upon his face as if he had just watched the videotape from the 2002 hit horror film The Ring. Roberts undefeated streak has come to an end in devastating fashion, but he’ll certainly have another chance in the Octagon. The question that now looms is whether or not Roberts can bounce back from such a death defying knockout and be confident in his abilities to compete at the top level of MMA.

Winner: John Howard – Howard was suppose to take on Anthony Johnson Sunday night, but luckily for him and his career, he faced Daniel Roberts instead. In what is sure to be a career defining moment for the 27-year-old fighter, Howard took advantage of the opportunity presented to him and, on national television, delivered a Knockout of the Night that will be remembered for years to come. This highlight reel knockout on Versus combined with his now 4-0 UFC record makes Howard all the more marketable, and a potential showdown with rival Anthony Johnson all the more anticipated.

UFC on Versus - Main Card

James Irvin vs. Alessio Sakara

Loser: James Irvin – Dropping down in weight class is typically a sign of desperation, a hope that one can rejuvenate one’s career against smaller opponents. For some fighters it works, but for many, it’s just the last straw in their attempt to stay competitive. James Irvin has now dropped weight classes twice, going all the way from heavyweight to middleweight; neither drop seems to have improved his ability to fight. Before the fight was stopped due to a clean punch to the eye, Irvin was clearly the slower of the fighters, and barring a chance punch, would have been stopped by the much faster and technical Sakara regardless. This may just be the last time we see Irvin in the UFC, and judging by his career trajectory, his last time on the big stage. It’s a shame, as it seems like just last week he burst onto the scene with an 8 second demolition of Houston Alexander and was set to be a star in the organization. Hopefully this loss inspires Irvin to stop cutting weight and improve his technique, and does not lead him down the path of despair he trod following his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC Fight Night 14.

Winner: Alessio Sakara –This win now gives Sakara 3 straight in the UFC and a 4-1 UFC record while training with ATT. While the fight didn’t go long enough to give us a clear demonstration of how much he’s been improving, his stand-up seemed much tighter and disciplined. His victory was a solid, albeit controversial, win for Sakara over a worthy opponent that should line him up for a fight with stiffer competition. A rematch with Chris Leben is a good possibility as Leben is the lone loss on Sakara’s record in his last five fights, and a win of the TUF alum could bring the Italian fighter increased marketability.

Cheick Kongo vs. Paul Buentello

Loser: Paul Buentello – The most memorable moment from the fight didn’t happen in the fight itself, but during a stoppage time after Buentello had dislocated his finger. A doctor called into the Octagon promptly popped Buentello’s finger back into place at Buentello’s urging and the fight was on. This great moment I’m sure not only earned “the Headhunter” more fans, but also the respect of Dana White by dancing around the possibility for the main card on Versus opening up with two consecutive controversial stoppages. Buentello looked good early on in the fight, hitting Kongo with some heavy shots that made the French fighter want to rush the fight to the ground, but as the fight wore on, Buentello grew tired from Kongo’s relentless takedown attempts and punishing strikes. His dislocated finger episode may have earned him one more fight in the Octagon, but if Buentello doesn’t take the time to improve his takedown defense, he’ll be left in the dust of this ever evolving sport.

Winner: Cheick Kongo – Kongo’s wrestling looked improved as he took Buentello down at will throughout the three rounds. Surprisingly, early on it was Buentello getting the better of the striking; possibly due to the devastation of a Frank Mir left hook still playing in the back of Kongo’s mind. As the fight wore on, however, Kongo got the better of the exchanges and showed how brutal his ground and pound can be. While Kongo isn’t a top five heavyweight, he still is a pretty good fighter. If he can continue to improve his wrestling and refine his striking defense, he may be able to make another go at being a legitimate contender. A fight with either the winner of the UFC 115 bout between Pat Barry and Mirko “Cro Cop” or with Gabriel Gonzaga could make for an exciting, and career advancing, match for the Frenchman.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Loser: Gabriel Gonzaga – Gonzaga never had a chance to utilize his amazing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the one opportunity he did have to take Santos’ back was gone in a flash when Santos sprang back to his feet in a feat of athleticism worthy of only the top fighters in MMA. Gonzaga has now lost 2 of his last 3 in the Octagon, both to top 5 UFC Heavyweight fighters in Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos, and both in a devastating first round knockout. Gonzaga is a legitimate force in the heavyweight division, and was close to putting Carwin away in their brief skirmish at UFC 96, but he has yet to develop the game plan and discipline to beat the best of the best the UFC has to offer. In the four minutes that were the Gonzaga/Santos fight, Gonzaga was always a threat with his powerful hands, devastating head kick, and renowned jiu-jitsu, but he was in there against a legend on the rise, whose hands where even more powerful, accurate, and deadly than Gonzaga himself. Gabriel will be back in the Octagon soon, possibly in a fight with dangerous kick boxer Cheick Kongo, to prove that he belongs and was no flash in the pan.

Winner: Junior Dos Santos – Dos Santos is the real deal. Of his 11 wins, all have come via stoppage in the first round except for his 3 round dismantling of Mirko “Cro Cop”; which says more about the Croatian’s ability to still compete at the top level than Dos Santos’ inability to take out top guys. Much talk has been made about just how well Santos can handle himself on the ground considering that his only loss came via armbar in 2007, and we were expected to get some answers Sunday night, but thanks in part to Dos Santos’ amazing boxing and cat like scramble, we never did. Dos Santos has proven thus far that he can obliterate any fighter who can’t take him down, but the biggest test of his career, and the biggest indication of just how far Dos Santos can go in this sport, will come when he takes on one of the three big wrestlers in the UFC’s heavyweight division: Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, or Brock Lesnar. If Dos Santos can hold his own against any one of these standout wrestlers, a new era will dawn in the MMA universe, the Era of Santos.

Brandon Vera vs. Jon Jones

Loser: Brandon Vera – It seems Brandon Vera peaked in 2006, and were it not for his holding out for a better contract, may have been a UFC Champion four years ago. But as the sport continues to evolve rapidly, “The Next Big Thing” is unable to keep up with the best of them. Vera is still a good light heavyweight fighter, but he lacks the mindset and ability to become a top tier light heavyweight. His loss to Jon Jones shouldn’t be held against him, as Jones is a Lebron James like fighter capable of competing with the best at the young age of 22. However, Vera’s loss of killer instinct and inability to stop the takedown against quality wrestlers has turned “The Next Big Thing” into just another thing. At 32, Vera still has one or two more years to compete at his top athletic ability, but sadly, “The Truth” may forever be remembered for what he could have been and not what he was.

Winner: Jon Jones – With his Knockout of the Night victory over Brandon Vera, Jones solidified himself as a legitimate contender and potential champion in the light heavyweight division. At only 22 years of age, his potential is scary, but the pattern for young “prodigies” in MMA, from Vitor Belfort to BJ Penn, has shown that as fast as they rise, they fall. Jon Jones looks to break that pattern fighting in a stable, wealthy, UFC with a great supporting team at Jackson’s Submission Fighting. When Jones’ first debuted in the UFC he was 6-0 with six stoppages, his first two fights in the UFC however were decision victories. He has since developed the ability to put away top competition in the UFC, dismantling Matt Hamill before the controversial 12-6 elbow landed, and now cracking Vera’s skull with a thundering elbow to the skull. With his speed, quickness, unorthodox technique, creativity, and power, Jones is a threat to any light heavyweight from Lil’ Nog to UFC Champion Lyoto Machida. But before the UFC puts Jones in the Octagon with one of their best light heavyweights, look for the UFC to give him more time to develop both physically and mentally as he competes against fighters like Luis Cane and Rich Franklin who are closer to the top 10 than the top 5.

Rising Prelim Fighter: John Howard

Biggest Loser of the Night: James Irvin

Biggest Winner of the Night: Jon Jones

By Jeffrey Concerto
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer

Main UFC on Versus Fights:

> View more UFC results online listed by Pro Fighting Fans & check out the UFC schedule!

Versus Televised UFC March 21 Fight Card:

Jon Jones defeats Brandon Vera by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 3:19 - UFC on Versus Main Event
Junior Dos Santos defeats Gabriel Gonzaga by KO (Punches) - Round 1 @ 3:53
Cheick Kongo defeats Paul Buentello by TKO (Strikes) - Round 3 @ 1:16
Alessio Sakara defeats James Irvin by TKO (Punch to Eye) - Round 1 @ 3:01

Preliminary UFC March 21 Fight Card:

Clay Guida defeats Shannon Gugerty via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) - Round 2 @ 3:40
Vladimir Matyushenko defeats Eliot Marshall by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Darren Elkins defeats Duane Ludwig by TKO (Ankle Injury) - Round 1 @ 0:44
John Howard defeats Daniel Roberts by KO (Punch) - Round 1 @ 2:01
Brendan Schaub defeats Chase Gormley by TKO (Punches) - Round 1 @ 0:47
Mike Pierce defeats Julio Paulino by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jason Brilz defeats Eric Schafer by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)