UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber

 
UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber
Saturday, February 1, 2014
From the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Live on Pay-Per-View at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT
 
Main Event:
 
UFC Bantamweight Championship: Renan Barao (C) vs. Urijah Faber
 
Main Card Bouts:
 
UFC Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo (C) vs. Ricardo Lamas
 
Heavyweight Bout: Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem
 
Flyweight Bout: John Lineker vs. Ali Bagautinov
 
Lightweight Bout: Jamie Varner vs. Abel Trujillo
 
Preliminary Bouts: (Live on FOX Sports 1 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT)
 
Lightweight Bout: John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick
 
Flyweight Bout: Chris Cariaso vs. Danny Martinez
 
Middleweight Bout: Nick Catone vs. Tom Watson
 
Lightweight Bout: Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee
 
Preliminary Bouts: (Live on UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT)
 
Middleweight Bout: Clint Hester vs. Andy Enz
 
Lightweight Bout: Tony Martin vs. Rashid Magomedov
 
Welterweight Bout: Neil Magny vs. Gasan Umalatov

I felt the stoppage in the main event was early and that Herb could have let it go on longer. Barao was clearly the better fighter up until then though. Sucks for Faber as he is in no mans land again. I guess Barao can fight Raphael Assuanco if he wins his next fight.

Aldo got another dominant decision over Lamas, keeping the fight standing and outstriking him for the majority of the 5 rds. I really want to see him move up to LW now and hopefully face Pettis. Otherwise a rematch with Mendes is likely.

Trujillo KO'ing Varner was a great comeback moment. Trujillo always brings the violence.

Prelims sucked for the most part.

Faber will keep getting shots. Personally, I really don't have much interest in him getting these title shots, especially against guys that have already beat him, but I get the logic. I didn't watch the fight, but I am not surprised he got caught. There is something about Team Alpha Male where they just can't win the big one and fast strikers in the lower weight classes have made a career out of proving it.

I was at a bar and I had no idea why it was so packed (usually isn't) and I realized they bought the fight. Only really saw the main event (some guys left and we got some seats) but I thought it was an okay stop by the ref. The owner of the bar was not happy though as he screamed "I PAID 60 DOLLARS FOR THAT SHIT?!?!"

There were only two finishes right?

Yes, UFC 169 set a new record for the most decisions on a UFC event (10). Those early prelims were brutal, and a clear example of why the UFC signs way too many fighters now before they are truly ready to compete in the organization.

SBR wrote:I was at a bar and I had no idea why it was so packed (usually isn't) and I realized they bought the fight. Only really saw the main event (some guys left and we got some seats) but I thought it was an okay stop by the ref. The owner of the bar was not happy though as he screamed "I PAID 60 DOLLARS FOR THAT SHIT?!?!"

Imagine if he had actually paid for the fight the legal way that a bar has to do it; pay between $1000 to $1500 to Joe Hand Promotions.

But that stoppage did suck. Yeah, Barao likely would have finished Faber anyway, but like Abel Trujillo showed in that incredible opening main card fight against Jamie Varner, a fight can completely change with just one punch.

Considering it was a title fight, it really was a shame that "Best Referee Ever" Herb Dean stopped the fight at such an awkward moment. It's even worse that Barao essentially convinced him to do it too.

That being said, Barao was looking excellent. He dropped Faber twice and was likely closing in on a more definitive finish. Credit to Faber though for stepping up on such short notice and giving Barao a decent challenge early on. Despite the questionable finish, Faber's title hopes are likely over at 135. I'd actually like to see Faber face Dominick Cruz whenever Cruz is able to return.

Jose Aldo put on a clinic for the majority of 5 rounds. Ricardo Lamas was tough and had some decent offense towards the end of Round 5, but he never truly put Aldo in any serious danger. I have no problem with Aldo most likely moving up to face Anthony Pettis for the Lightweight title as Aldo has basically defeated all of the noteworthy contenders at 145 already.

Although he didn't get a finish like expected, Alistair Overeem absolutely dominated Frank Mir. The total strike stats were ridiculous, Overeem's 139 to Mir's 5. The performance was solid, but the fight was not incredibly entertaining. Calling out Brock Lesnar, who Overeem has already defeated and isn't coming back to MMA anyway, made him look foolish though. He should have called out JDS or some other top contenders.

Brock/Overeem is happening Saturday before WM next year in Cali. You can bank on it.

Slayer wrote:Yes, UFC 169 set a new record for the most decisions on a UFC event (10). Those early prelims were brutal, and a clear example of why the UFC signs way too many fighters now before they are truly ready to compete in the organization.

SBR wrote:I was at a bar and I had no idea why it was so packed (usually isn't) and I realized they bought the fight. Only really saw the main event (some guys left and we got some seats) but I thought it was an okay stop by the ref. The owner of the bar was not happy though as he screamed "I PAID 60 DOLLARS FOR THAT SHIT?!?!"

Imagine if he had actually paid for the fight the legal way that a bar has to do it; pay between $1000 to $1500 to Joe Hand Promotions.

But that stoppage did suck. Yeah, Barao likely would have finished Faber anyway, but like Abel Trujillo showed in that incredible opening main card fight against Jamie Varner, a fight can completely change with just one punch.

Considering it was a title fight, it really was a shame that "Best Referee Ever" Herb Dean stopped the fight at such an awkward moment. It's even worse that Barao essentially convinced him to do it too.

That being said, Barao was looking excellent. He dropped Faber twice and was likely closing in on a more definitive finish. Credit to Faber though for stepping up on such short notice and giving Barao a decent challenge early on. Despite the questionable finish, Faber's title hopes are likely over at 135. I'd actually like to see Faber face Dominick Cruz whenever Cruz is able to return.

Jose Aldo put on a clinic for the majority of 5 rounds. Ricardo Lamas was tough and had some decent offense towards the end of Round 5, but he never truly put Aldo in any serious danger. I have no problem with Aldo most likely moving up to face Anthony Pettis for the Lightweight title as Aldo has basically defeated all of the noteworthy contenders at 145 already.

Although he didn't get a finish like expected, Alistair Overeem absolutely dominated Frank Mir. The total strike stats were ridiculous, Overeem's 139 to Mir's 5. The performance was solid, but the fight was not incredibly entertaining. Calling out Brock Lesnar, who Overeem has already defeated and isn't coming back to MMA anyway, made him look foolish though. He should have called out JDS or some other top contenders.

Snap! Don't tell them I told you!

As long as you don't mention the name of the bar, they're good. Zuffa's legal team is ruthless.

JustSkiff wrote:Brock/Overeem is happening Saturday before WM next year in Cali. You can bank on it.

I just don't see it. I would imagine that the UFC would either want to salvage whatever title hopes that Overeem has left, or use him to put over potential contenders.

And Brock doesn't seem like he's coming back at all.