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D. FOX: Rapid fire reactions to UFC Fight Night 62 "Maia vs. LaFlare" event
Mar 22, 2015 - 12:55:50 AM D. FOX: Rapid fire reactions to UFC Fight Night 62 "Maia vs. LaFlare" event

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By: Dayne Fox, MMATorch Contributor

In a card that was very weak on paper, there were a hell of a lot of fun fights that went down. Fredy Serrano and Kevin Souza had some highlight Kos, and Godofredo Pepey scored a delayed flying triangle (if you saw it, you know what I mean by that description). The main event was slow paced as Maia turned it into a grapple-fest, but I may have been one of the few that enjoyed Maia's grappling abilities. But I digress. If nothing else, I'd say that this was another no-name show that delivered good but not great action. And I'm always fine with that.

Demian Maia defeated Ryan LaFlare via unanimous decision

Maia hit the wall HARD in the fifth round, and kind of spoiled what had been a dominant performance up to that point. However, he maintained his status as a top 10 fighter at welterweight, showing he is still one of, if not the best pure grapplers in the UFC. He shouldn't ever be a contender again, but he can be a gatekeeper into the top five. LaFlare actually had good defense underneath the Brazilian, but Maia had an answer for every escape attempt. LaFlare should learn from this experience, as this is his first loss, and feel good knowing that he was the better fighter at the end of the fight. Hopefully he can avoid another long layoff like the one he had coming into this bout.


Erick Silva defeated Josh Koscheck via submission at 4:21 of the first round

Please, please, please retire Koscheck! While I understand no one likes to get hit, Koscheck seemed to wince every time a shot came his way, and looked like a shell of his former self. He did go for it by throwing haymakers in hopes of getting a stoppage, but that was all he had. Silva has two straight wins in the UFC for the first time, and as much as the UFC likes to promote him, look for him to get a ranked opponent next. It's weird to say that he was the more disciplined fighter in the cage, but it was the truth this time around. I don't expect to ever say that again.


Leonardo Santos defeated Tony Martin via submission at 2:29 of the second round

Santos was patient in looking for an opening, and Martin gave him one. A very tentative affair was ended when Martin gave a trip takedown to Santos who took the mount and then the back from there to sink in a RNC, ending the night for the youngster Martin. Santos is undefeated in his last 9 fights. He isn't going to be a contender, but should be taken more serious than your casual TUF winner. Martin is likely on his last lifeline now. He did take the fight on short notice so he should be safe, but he can't afford another loss like this and hope to stick around.


Amanda Nunes defeated Shayna Baszler via TKO at 1:56 of the first round

While Nunes looked impressive, I can't help but feel sad for Baszler as she looks like a shell of her former self, and the look on her face during the announcement indicates that she knows it at this point. This could be a sad end for one of the pioneers of WMMA. Jokes were abound on Twitter that Nunes deserves a title shot as beating Baszler got Bethe Correira her fight with Ronda Rousey. Jokes aside, Nunes looked like a beast with her measured and accurate strikes. Further controversy followed as she landed some blows on Baszler after Mario Yamasaki touched her on the back. I say fault on both sides: Nunes should have known why Yamasaki was behind her and Yamasaki should have been more forceful in stepping in there. Luckily Baszler wasn't hurt from the additional punches.


Gilbert Burns defeated Alex Oliveira via submission at 4:14 of the third round

Being seconds away from losing, Burns was able to lock in an armbar and get the upstart Oliveira to tap before the clock could run out. Burns looked like crap the first two rounds, as Oliveira hit him numerous times with his jab and uppercut, leaving Burns afraid of wading into his range. After a scolding from his corner, Burns showed loads of heart in getting the submission after trying to do so the entire round. Oliveira surprised many with his short notice performance, and proved to be a good pick up for an already deep lightweight class. Keep a VERY close eye on him.


Godofredo Pepey defeated Andre Fili via submission at 3:14 of the first round

Patience was the key, as Pepey had Fili trapped in a triangle choke for about two minutes before eliciting the tap. Fili seems destined to tease his potential without fulfilling it at this point, but it is early in his career to be fair. Pepey was on the verge of being cut a year ago, and has come storming back for three straight victories with this one by far the best in terms of quality. Between this flying triangle and his flying knee KO from last year, he's becoming one of the better action fighters for the UFC.


Francisco Trinaldo defeated Akbarh Arreola via unanimous decision

Not exactly a crowd-pleaser, but Trinaldo did everything he needed to do to take an easy decision. He took Arreola down in every round, but was also able to outbox him with ease. Trinaldo has a history of gassing, but didn't do so here. Either he has solved that problem or Arreola was such a favorable matchup for him he was able to pace himself. I'd lean towards the latter. Arreola's loss largely proves Yves Edwards did the right thing hanging up his gloves, as Arreola beat him for Arreola's lone UFC victory. The UFC could release him.


Kevin Souza defeated Katsunori Kikuno via KO at 1:31 of the first round

This didn't last long at all. Kikuno showed why so few people utilize a karate stance, as Souza fired a right hand down the middle that connected right on the chin to send Kikuno down like Hillary Clinton's stock. Souza now has three wins in three tries in the UFC and is about as long of a featherweight as you will find. He's a dark horse in the division for sure. Kikuno… well, he isn't going anywhere yet, but he NEEDS to revamp his style, as his defense is softer than Charmin.


Leandro Silva defeated Drew Dober via submission at 2:45 of the second round

This fight needs an asterisk next to it, as Dober didn't go unconscious or tap, but the referee still saw fit to stop the fight. I'm disappointed Silva claimed he felt Dober tap as video shows that is clearly untrue. Not a smart way to make fans. It was a fun fight up to that point with both having their moments. Expect a review in what should be a no contest, but considering decisions are rarely overturned anymore I wouldn't expect it to be reversed. Look for a rematch.


Leonardo Mafra defeated Cain Carrizosa via unanimous decision

After an explosive opening round, both fighters slowed down in what was still a solid fight. Carrizosa gassed first, and had few answers for Mafra's combinations following an early knockdown. It's hard to see him getting another opportunity in the UFC. After opening his UFC career at 185 lbs. and 170 lbs., Mafra is at home at lightweight, showing some wrestling and great striking. He still has some holes, but should improve from here.


Christos Giagos defated Jorge de Oliveira via submission at 3:12 of the first round

It was well-known that de Oliveira has little chance of pulling out a victory in a grappling dominated fight and Giagos did his homework putting together a smart performance by getting a powerful takedown off the bat, and landing a bunch of punches before taking the back and getting a RNC. If Giagos continues to fight smart, he has enough talent to hang around for an extended period of time. Don't expect to see de Oliveira come back.


Fredy Serrano defeated Bentley Syler via KO at 1:34 of the third round

The end of the fight was the only redeeming quality, as Serrano landed a highlight reel uppercut to put Syler out cold. Everything else screamed of prelims on an AXS Fight Night card. The UFC needs to implement a development program as TUF should serve to put UFC-caliber fighters on the roster… not drag down the quality of the roster. With the win we'll have to see Serrano fight again, but we should be spared Syler from this point.