UFC 158 was one of the most anticipated events in the short year of 2013 mixed martial arts action. With a major “grudge” fight at the top of the bill, fans looked in to see Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz finally meet in the cage. When the evening was over what viewers walked away with was a dominant win for the champion and a new number one contender that shouldn’t be denied his shot.
For 25 minutes Georges St. Pierre used a strategy that we’ve seen him use time and time again when he used multiple takedowns to control Diaz and smother his grappling abilities. Diaz was unable to get his boxing abilities to the forefront against “Rush” and while he had his moments of pressuring the champion, he was unable to win a round as all three judges awarded the fight to St. Pierre at 50-45 apiece.
In the co-main event of the evening the MMA world watched another early candidate to 2013 fight of the year between Johny Hendricks and Carlos Condit. For 15 minutes Condit and Hendricks exchanged action on the feet and the ground as the Canadian crowd cheered both men on.
Hendricks scored with heavy shots early in the fight that seemed to have Condit hurt, however the former interim champion fired back with a variety of shots, including going to his famed flying knee. It was revealed by Hendricks’s corner that his left hand was injured which resulted to the former collegiate champion resorting to takedowns to solidify the fight.
After the bout Hendricks called out the champion to give him a shot at the title many felt he earned last year. Now 10-1 in the Octagon, Hendricks style and performance in this bout proves that he creates a lot of challenges for one of the longest reigning champions in the UFC.
Jake Ellenberger didn’t need a whole round to crumple Nate Marquardt with a combination of punches as a welcome gift back to the UFC. Injuries shook up the matchups for UFC 158 and Nate stepped in to take this bout on short notice but the style aspects he brought into the cage were not enough to deter the “Juggernaut.”
Marquardt was able to score early with leg kicks and staying outside of range during the opening moments. However, when the range was closed and Jake began swinging it was immediately apparent that he had the power to hurt the former middleweight contender. Pushing Nate against the cage Jake was able to catch him and finish him off with ground shots.
While the main event may not have been the guns blazing fight that the UFC sold, it was still a solid event from top to bottom that should leave fans pleased.
Full Results
Georges St. Pierre defeats Nick Diaz by unanimous decision
Johny Hendricks defeats Carlos Condit by unanimous decision
Jake Ellenberger defeats Nate Marquardt by first round knockout
Chris Camozzi defeats Nick Ring by spilt decision
Mike Ricci defeats Colin Fletcher by unanimous decision
Patrick Cote defeats Bobby Voelker by unanimous decision
Darren Elkins defeats Antonio Carvalho by first round TKO
Jordan Mein defeats Dan Miller by first round TKO
John Makdessi defeats Daron Cruickshank by unanimous decision
Rick Story defeats Quinn Mulhern by first round TKO
TJ Dillashaw defeats Issei Tamura by second round knockout
George Roop defeats Reuben Duran by unanimous decision
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