UFC 141?s Three Stars: Overeem, Hendricks and Hettes

UFC 141?s Three Stars: Overeem, Hendricks and Hettes

The last card of 2011 started slowly, but became must-watch when the pay-per-view fights started. In the last five bouts, three fighters earned first-round knockouts. Here are our three stars from the eve of the Eve. Tell us yours in the comments or on Facebook.

No. 1 star -- Alistair Overeem: Any question about his lack of competitive opponents was answered with a first-round knockout of former champ Brock Lesnar. Overeem overwhelmed Lesnar from the bell, then used knees to attack where Lesnar was most vulnerable. Next, he'll get to match up with Junior dos Santos in a fight that is nearly guaranteed to end in a knockout.

No. 2 star -- Johny Hendricks: You could practically hear the MMA world groan as the Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks match-up was announced. Fitch's last nine fights went the distance, and Hendricks is a top-notch wrestler. Of course this would be another boring grapplefest. Hendricks proved us all wrong with a 12-second knockout of a man with a tough chin.

No. 3 star -- Jim Hettes: Did you expect Hettes to put on a three-round beatdown of Nam Phan? Me neither. "The Kid" is now 10-0, and ready for a step up in competition. After that display, he has earned it.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-141-s-Three-Stars-Overeem-Hendricks-and-He?urn=mma-wp11448

Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama 

UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan, Volkmann escapes Escudero

UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan, Volkmann escapes Escudero

LAS VEGAS - Diego Nunes lost to Kenny Florian back at UFC 131, but he sent a clear message he'd be a player in the UFC's 145-pound division.

Using his kicks as a huge weapon, Nunes took on former title contender Manny Gamburyan and rolled past him for a unanimous decision victory, 29-28 on all three scorecards, in bout No. 1 of the night at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Nunes (17-2, 1-1 UFC) ate a couple big right hands from Gamburyan in the second and third rounds, but walked right through them. Beyond that, all the effective came from the Brazilian. Fighting from a conventional stance, Nunes softened up Gamburyan (11-7, 0-2 UFC) in the opening with good leg kicks to his lead leg.

Nunes switched his stance to southpaw in the second and punished Gamburyan's right side. By the end of the fight, the swelling was evident on Gamburyan's right rib cage.

Gamburyan, the runner-up on Season 5 of "The Ultimate Fighter," has now lost three straight.

UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan, Volkmann escapes Escudero

Volkmann survives late sub scare to beat Escudero

Escudero waited a long time to make his return to the UFC. Sadly, he spent the entire night underneath the might of Jacob Volkmann. Volkmann scored takedowns in each round, maintained top control for most of the fight and survived a very dangerous submission predicament on his way to a unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three scorecards.

Escudero, the champ from Season 8 of TUF, was making his return to the octagon for the first time since late 2010. He was 5-1 away from the UFC, but his gameplan was incredibly flawed. A former All-American college wrestler, Volkmann is a very good one-trick pony yet Escudero allowed him to close space in each round to basically hand him takedowns.

In both the first and round. Volkmann moved into close quarters and Escudero inexplicably dropped for guillotine attempts. Volkmann got out of the choke attempt quickly and worked from side control for the rest of each round.

In the final round, Escudero tried a knee to leave himself open for the takedown. Volkmann took advantage and dumped him. Volkmann was working him over on the ground, but referee Herb Dean decided to put the fight back on the feet with 2:45 left. It gave Escudero one final chance to pull off a miracle and he nearly did it. With 1;48 left, Volkmann drove Escudero into the cage for another double-leg takedown attempt, but he left his head exposed. The Mexican-American fighter locked on a power guillotine and worked the choke on the ground in two different dangerous scenarios.

UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan, Volkmann escapes Escudero

Volkmann (14-2, 5-2 UFC) escaped to get his fifth straight victory at lightweight. His style may not be the most exciting, but he's posted victories over Danny Castillo, Paul Kelly, Ronys Torres, Antonio McKee and now Escudero.

UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan, Volkmann escapes Escudero

Kim nearly takes out Pierson in the second to roll to easy win

Dong Hyun Kim looked for a spectacular kick for most of the first two rounds when he landed it was a little too close to the end of the second. Otherwise, his victory tonight would've been via knockout or TKO. Kim got the nod from the judges, 29-28 on all three scorecards in fight No. 3 of the night.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-141-opener-Nunes-gets-past-Gamburyan-Volkm?urn=mma-wp11298

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott

Five ways the UFC can survive a post-Brock Lesnar world

Five ways the UFC can survive a post-Brock Lesnar worldBrock Lesnar retiring from MMA is not just a problem for the legion of fans who were hoping to see the former WWE star return to championship form. It's a problem for the UFC, as Lesnar brought with him regular consumers of pay-per-views and merchandise.

But his decision to hang up the four-ounce gloves to spend time with his wife and suddenly deceased animals doesn't have to be the death knell for the UFC.

1. Build up Alistair Overeem vs. Junior dos Santos as battle of skill and size. The next heavyweight UFC championship battle will be between two huge men who can hit really hard. Though that's reason enough to tune in, the UFC can only go to that well so many times. They would be better served by pointing out how dos Santos is a skilled puncher and Overeem is a master of strategy, not just two behemoths winging at each other.

2. Get Jon Jones on every talk show, magazine cover and any other piece of media. The light heavyweight champ is personable outside the Octagon and unstoppable in it. He is the exact person the UFC can build their next big growth spurt on, but to do it, he needs to be the guy your mom watches on "The View."

3. Embrace the heel of Chael Sonnen. Villains sell tickets, whether it's because the buyers love to hate him or they secretly envy the way he embraces the dark side. Sonnen is a first-rate talker who Dana White compared to Muhammad Ali, and is incredibly skilled at the heel role. The UFC needs to use that. Pull from his best speeches and press conferences for commercials. He called himself "the real American Idol," and that line should run at least once during Fox's broadcast of the incredibly popular show. If Fox is serious about promoting his fight with Mark Munoz at UFC on Fox 2, put him on the show.

4. Put the lighter weights center stage. Though conventional combat sports wisdom is that only the big fighters sell, Manny Pacquiao is the world's most popular fighter and has never boxed at over 155 lbs. The UFC has a stable of interesting fighters at who are Pacquiao-sized. Sell them as skilled, interesting, and maybe even good singers like Pac-Man.

5. Move over Strikeforce heavyweights as soon as humanly possible. The UFC plans to migrate Strikeforce's big men after the Grand Prix final. Considering that this group includes master of the post-fight speech Josh Barnett, two-time Olympian Daniel Cormier, the gigantic yet sweet Antonio "Big Foot" Silva, and many other fighters with great back stories, it makes sense to get them in the UFC as soon as can be.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Five-ways-the-UFC-can-survive-a-post-Brock-Lesna?urn=mma-wp11468

Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana 

Video analysis: Johny Hendricks sprints into the welterweight title race

Video analysis: Johny Hendricks sprints into the welterweight title race

It's likely that no one will get their hands on Georges St-Pierre's UFC welterweight title belt before the end of 2012, but the race for the interim strap could be epic. The contenders lining up behind Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit should make the 170-pound division the most entertaining in the sport in 2012.

With his devastating victory over Jon Fitch, Johny Hendricks made sure he got a spot in the race.  Hendricks, who's only career loss is a close decision against fellow contender Rick Story, pleased some in UFC management by making quick work of Jon Fitch in just 12 seconds.

Yahoo! Sports' MMA expert Kevin Iole joined myself following the festivities at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to talk about Hendricks' place in the division and what may be next.

After undergoing surgery for a torn ACL, GSP is out until late-2012. Condit and Diaz will fight for the interim UFC welterweight title belt at UFC 143 in early February.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Video-analysis-Johny-Hendricks-sprints-into-the?urn=mma-wp11422

Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe

UFC 141 Medical Suspensions: Lesnar, Diaz, Matyushenko, Gamburyan Out 6 Months

Brock Lesnar retired after suffering a first-round TKO to Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 141 this past Friday in Las Vegas, but the former UFC heavyweight champion was still among four fighters who received six month medical suspensions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/27062/ufc-141-medical-suspensions-lesnar-diaz-matyushenko-gamburyan-out-6-months/

José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez

Photo: Jon Fitch wrestles referee after UFC 141 knockout

Photo: Jon Fitch wrestles referee after UFC 141 knockout

Johny Hendricks scored a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday night. When Fitch came to, he thought he was still fighting and tried to wrestle referee Steve Mazzagatti.

If Fitch was facing Mazzagatti, he would have had a nice start on the round. Unfortunately, he had already lost.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Photo-Jon-Fitch-wrestles-referee-after-UFC-141-?urn=mma-wp11371

Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio

Danny Castillo?s wrestling too much for Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141

Danny Castillo?s wrestling too much for Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141

LAS VEGAS - Anthony Njokuani had to avoid the takedown and Danny Castillo needed to nullify his opponent's striking. Wrestling usually trumps good standup and it did tonight at UFC 141.

The stronger grappler Castillo took the fight to the ground enough and controlled things on his way to a split decision win, 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28, over Njokuani in the first Spike broadcast fight at UFC 141.

In the postfight discussion, Castillo got a little irked with UFC analyst Joe Rogan, who called the decision controversial.

"It was that close to you?" asked Castillo. "I thought it was close, but not controversial."

Castillo (13-4, 3-1 UFC) got further annoyed when the crowd began to boo. He was quick to point out that in 2011 he took three fights on short notice. The fans in attendance didn't care, they were just booing to boo.

"It wasn't the fight I wanted or the performance I wanted but it's another victory. I came out there to fight. I won that," said Castillo. "It kind of disappointed me that everybody was booing me. I'm an exciting fighter. It's frustrating."

Castillo took this fight on Dec. 7 when Ramsey Nijem had to back out with an injury. He wasn't at 100 percent with his stamina, but he was good enough to control the pace of the fight.

Njokuani (14-6, 1-2 UFC) is a dangerous stand up fighter and his takedown defense has gotten better, but until he shores it up completely he's going to struggle against former college wrestlers.

Njokuani outlanded Castillo 44-33, but was taken down six times in 18 attempts. Judges generally don't reward much for avoiding takedowns. Maybe they should, but reality is that they don't.

"I just have to learn and keep improving. I have to just go in there and be the killer now. No more waiting because apparently you cannot leave it up to the judges. What happened tonight sucked," said Njokuani.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Danny-Castillo-s-wrestling-too-much-for-Anthony-?urn=mma-wp11309

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

Frank Mir says Alistair Overeem has little chance of staying on his feet against Brock Lesnar

Frank Mir says Alistair Overeem has little chance of staying on his feet against Brock LesnarWhen fellow fighters can't decide how a big tilt is going to shake out, you've got something big on the horizon.

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal says Alistair Overeem has a solid shot of stopping Brock Lesnar's powerful takedowns. Frank Mir, a former opponent of Lesnar, says Overeem will be like a fish out of water at UFC 141 this Friday in Las Vegas.

Watch UFC 141 right here on Yahoo! Sports

If Overeem sprawls or tries to knee, it'll do him no good.

"Brock doesn't shoot that low. He'll put his forehead in your chest, and he's going to run you through. If he's not able to take you down with that initial blast, he's going to run you against the cage," Mir told "The MMA Insiders" on ESPN1100/98.9 FM in Las Vegas. "Then he's going to rip your legs out from under you. Now, you should have gotten taken down in the middle of the area, but instead, you've been taken down against the cage [where it is more dangerous]. Speaking from experience, that sucks."

Mir, was a state champion high school wrestler in Nevada. He was helpless on the ground, crunched against the cage. Overeem is about the same size as Mir. Is he stronger, with better technique? We may find out Friday night.

"Now, you have a guy who is not a black belt in jiu-jitsu and who is not a wrestling All-American who is going to be able to get back to his feet, so what does he do?" Mir said.

Mir said Overeem's background indicates little to say that he'll get back to his feet. He also worries about all the extra mass Overeem has added over the years.

"Are you going to try to tell me he's going to wrestle with a national champion wrestler for five minutes? His cardio is going to suck [after wrestling with Lesnar for a while]. I've seen guys with muscles like that, and that's why he slows down," said Mir.

Overeem has to catch Lesnar in the first 90 seconds or he's got little shot.

Not only did Mir question Overeem's chances to survive grappling, but he's not overly impressed with the guy that some say is the best striker in the heavyweight division. Lesnar may even do some damage standing. Mir pointed out that Overeem was hit a lot in his fight against Fabricio Werdum and tired badly half way through the fight.

Frank Mir says Alistair Overeem has little chance of staying on his feet against Brock Lesnar

Quotes via Kevin Iole

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Frank-Mir-says-Alistair-Overeem-has-little-chanc?urn=mma-wp11153

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John AlessioÂ