UFC FRIDAY FOR the Troops 2 proved to be a great success both in and out of the Octagon last Saturday as a peak viewing audience of 2.5 million witnessed some impressive displays from Melvin Guillard, Matt Mitrione and Mark Hominick to name a few.
As well as this, Facebook streamed two of the prelims live to people who “liked” their page, gaining an estimated 66,000 “likes” over the space of the weekend.
Those who tuned in online saw TUF season 12 competitor and Guillotine choke specialist Cody McKenzie ironically get choked out by Yves Edwards near the end of the second round, while DaMarques Johnson submitted Mike Guymon via body triangle in round one.
On the main card Matt Wiman upset the odds when dominating TUF season five housemate Cole Miller on his way to a unanimous points victory. Wiman continuously took Miller down and caused damage with strikes and elbows while on top in a fight the judges scored 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. This extended Wiman’s UFC winning streak to three.
In the first heavyweight fight of the evening, Pat Barry chopped down “The Mexicutioner” Joey Beltran with a barrage of vicious leg kicks over three rounds. Beltran showed heart to hang on to the final bell after being repeatedly felled by heavy shots to his thighs and shins.
An emotional Barry thanked the troops in attendance and dedicated the fight to his deceased father while speaking in the ring after winning. A battered and bruised Beltran posted pictures of his injuries on twitter. Ouch.
It’s a knockout
The other three fights in the event seen the winner crowned in the first round and by way of TKO on each occasion. Mark Hominick set up a mouth-watering clash with WEC superstar Jose Aldo after an impressive display of accurate striking against the hapless George Roop, finishing the fight just 1minute 28seconds into the first round.
In the co-main event of the evening ex- NHL player turned Mixed Martial Artist Matt Mitrione moved to a record of 4-0, dropping Tim Hague with a straight left before swarming on top of him forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. The defeat meant Hague suffered the embarrassment of being dropped from the UFC yet again, the third time this year.
Melvin Guillard announced himself as a genuine lightweight contender after defeating the well fancied Evan Dunham in the last fight of the night. Guillard landed thirty five strikes in less than three minutes as he floored Dunham with a swift combo and finished him with a couple knees forcing referee Mario Yamasaki to step in.
News of a possible “Superfight” in the making?
UFC President Dana White posted footage of his Q&A session with the Fort Hood troops on his video blog recently and seemed to confirm news that will have UFC fans watering at the mouth.
White hinted that if Anderson Silva beats Vitor Belfort in their upcoming UFC 126 Middleweight title clash in February and if George St. Pierre sees off Jake Shields in April then GSP could move up in weight to take on “The Spider” and the matchup could take place before the year is out.
It’s by no means a certainty to happen, both have difficult title defences against dangerous opponents, but if it did, it could be one of the most eagerly anticipated fights ever as two of the best pound-for-pound fighters on Earth would face off in the Octagon.
