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D. FOX: Rapid fire reactions to UFC 183 "Silva vs. Diaz" event
Feb 1, 2015 - 12:55:04 AM D. FOX: Rapid fire reactions to UFC 183 "Silva vs. Diaz" event

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By: Dayne Fox, MMATorch Contributor

Tonight's main event certainly wasn't a classic, but it was one of the most interesting fights I've ever seen. Anderson Silva was successful in his long awaited return to the Octagon, and that is the biggest story, but the details of the fight are worth mentioning too. Nick Diaz taunted Silva the same way Silva had taunted past opponents in the first round. Silva almost looked like the Silva of old at times, too… but there was a slight difference. Anyway, here's my quick thoughts on the card:

Anderson Silva defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision

Silva looked good, but he didn't look like vintage Silva. His reaction time is still better than most of us mere mortals, but he seemed a hair slower. He had opportunities to turn up the volume and go for the kill, but he did so sporadically. I'd say he was more interested in shaking off the rust in this fight than going for the kill. Mission accomplished. Honey Badger - I mean Nick Diaz - didn't go for the kill, and with his attitude it is hard to say whether he respected Silva's abilities too much or he just doesn't care. Will he go back to welterweight or back into a self-imposed exile?


Tyron Woodley defeated Kelvin Gastelum via split decision

I don't know what fight the judge who scored it 30-27 in favor of Woodley saw, but it wasn't what everyone else was watching. Maybe it wasn't highway robbery, but Gastelum won the fight I was watching. He should still be a fighter to watch at middleweight as he showed an awesome chin. The lackluster win does nothing to advance Woodley in the title picture, as he let Gastelum dictate the pace, which also highlights the same old weakness of him getting caught against the fence. Overall he didn't look good.


Al Iaquinta defeated Joe Lauzon via TKO at 3:44 of second round

I was worried that Iaquinta would suffer another brain fart against the opportunist Lauzon, similar to when he lost to Mitch Clarke, but he seems to have ironed out his metal problems. He was sharp on his feet and wore down Lauzon throughout until his defenses finally cracked. He'll get a ranked opponent next. Lauzon will remain an action fighting gatekeeper.


Thales Leites defeated Tim Boetsch via submission at 3:45 of second round

Awesome and competitive fight! Boetsch's brute strength was proving to be the difference on the feet as he seemed to rock Leites multiple times, but once Leites got Boetsch to the ground (i.e. Leites' world), it was bed time for Boetsch. Leites looks better than ever, but I can't see him entering the elite of the class. He should be a high level gatekeeper at this point. Boetsch is what he is at this point: gatekeeper to the rankings.


Thiago Alves defeated Jordan Mein via TKO at 0:39 of second round

Great fight! Mein took control at the end of the first round, and I was shocked to see Alves still standing by the end. However, Alves reminded us how powerful his kicks were, as all he needed was one clean shot to the gut and Mein collapsed. Can't help but be worried about Alves' head movement, though, as Mein cracked him quite a bit in the opening round.


Miesha Tate defeated Sara McMann via majority decision

Awesome fight as McMann took the early advantage by rocking Tate and showing improved standup, only for Tate to hang in there and take the last two rounds. She is right back into title contention with the win, while it seems McMann will never get back to the top of the heap. Keep in mind McMann is still young in MMA... she should get better.


Derek Brunson defeated Ed Herman via TKO at 0:36 of first round

Herman looked slow... and he has never been fast to begin with. He normally exhibits a strong chin, too, but he has been in the game a long time and it may have eroded. His next fight will say a lot about that. Brunson looked sharp, but everyone knew he was the better athlete in the first place.


John Lineker defeated Ian McCall via unanimous decision

McCall lost his title shot... and he even started the fight well! Lineker surprised everyone by being the stronger fighter in the last two rounds, and showed some heart. At least he leaves flyweight on a good note. McCall starts all over, and the flyweight title picture is still in flux.


Rafael Natal defeated Tom Watson via unanimous decision

I was thinking Natal would gas and that would cost him the fight, but he was in control the whole fight. There were none of his usual mental gaffes, either. If he fights like that every time out, he could enter the rankings by the end of the year and finally start living up to his potential. Watson is what he is... a fun brawler. He isn't getting cut, but the hammer might come if he loses his next one.


Ildemar Alcantara defeated Richardson Moreira via split decision

Overall a very lackluster affair, as neither is very skilled on the feet, and their grappling largely negated each other. I would have given it to Moreira, but it wasn't a robbery as it could have gone either way. A fight to forget.


Thiago Santos defeated Andy Enz via TKO at 1:56 of first round

Santos looked much more aggressive this time around... though that is likely due to a lack of respect for Enz's striking skills. Enz did tag him once, but he clearly didn't have the same pop as Santos. Enz is done in the UFC