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D. FOX: Rapid-fire reactions to UFC Fight Night 66 "Edgar vs. Faber"
May 16, 2015 - 1:10:33 PM D. FOX: Rapid-fire reactions to UFC Fight Night 66 "Edgar vs. Faber"

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By: Dayne Fox, MMATorch Contributor

The action on the card didn't match what was presented last week and many will likely declare the main event a dud (it wasn't) as neither Frankie Edgar or Urijah Faber delivered a dominant performance, but what do you expect when two highly skilled and evenly-matched performers square off? It wasn't an instant classic, but it provided a good technical chess match that crossed off a fantasy dream match-up off of many fan's list. The highlight of the night belonged to Mark Munoz ending his career on a high note in his ancestral home of the Philippines after a skid that had many (myself included) proclaiming him dead in the water even before the fight started. One of the true good guys of the sport, the UFC is losing a fantastic representative in Munoz, but at least they were able to send him off in the right way.

Frankie Edgar defeated Urijah Faber via unanimous decision

It wasn't the fast-paced barn burner that we all hoped for, but it was a very even fight that Edgar took, ending Faber's undefeated record in non-title fights. Edgar was able to land more overall strikes in a technical striking battle in addition to landing a high number of takedowns. He wasn't ever able to control Faber for an extended period of time, and didn't dominate the fight like the three 50-45 judges scores might indicate, but no one will doubt that he was the better man. Whether or not he gets a title shot after this depends on what happens in July between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, but he is the favorite ahead of Chad Mendes at this juncture due to Mendes already receiving two shots at the belt. Perhaps he could end up fighting Mendes, and I don't know anyone who wouldn't be excited about that.

Faber looked sharper than he did in his last two appearances. Whether that was due to him being hyped for the fight and wanting to come out sharp, the move up to 145 revitalizing him, or simply a lack of injuries during camp (which he reported) is impossible to say. Most likely it was a combination of all three. Where Faber goes is hard to say. Does he stay at 145 lbs. or is he moving back down to 135 lbs.? Are his days as a title contender over? If they are, how much will that affect his desire? Expect him to fight again fairly soon as Faber prefers to stay busy, but who and where he fights next will be anyone's guess.


Gegard Mousasi defeated Costas Philippou via unanimous decision

It was pretty much what everyone expected: Mousasi would play it safe on his feet and utilize his reach by jabbing Philippou to death and taking the fight to the ground when the opportunity presented itself. Rather than go for damage on the ground, Mousasi concentrated on keeping Philippou floored, and stayed just busy enough advancing position and landing short elbows and punches. It won't make anybody think Mousasi can break through into the middleweight elite, but it might be enough to earn him another opportunity to do so. Rather than get that opportunity, I'd look for him to get Michael Bisping next. Philippou has now lost three of his last four, firmly establishing him as nothing more than a gatekeeper. Then again, we already knew that.


Mark Munoz defeated Luke Barnatt via unanimous decision

Where has that Mark Munoz been for the last two years? In his swan song in the Octagon, Munoz looked vintage at times and reminded us all why he was once upon a time a candidate for the middleweight title, as he took Barnatt down many times and landed some of his patented “Donkey Kong” punches that Barnatt somehow was able to eat. Munoz gassed in the second after a dominant first, but found his second wind in the crowd in the third to get the nod from the judges and end his career on a positive note. Barnatt has the look of another failed prospect for the UFC having now lost three in a row. He will likely be cut, but don't be surprised to see him return with some regional circuit wins. Of course, he could end up in Bellator or WSOF…


Neil Magny defeated Hyun Gyu Lim via TKO at 1:24 of the second round

It is impossible to ignore Magny now. Overcoming some early adversity as the powerful Lim rocked him, Magny was able to stall long enough to recover and exposed a massive hole in Lim's porous ground game, taking him down multiple times and achieving mount multiple times. Lim tired out and couldn't shake Magny off and the ref called the bout. In addition to showing he can overcome adversity, Magny now has seven wins in a row with this easily being the best victory as he showed striking, wrestling, and even a little BJJ. He will get his first ranked opponent next. Lim needs to revamp his strategy if he hopes to break into the rankings. He is talented enough to do so, but really needs to learn to pace himself and work on his ground game. If he doesn't do that, he should still be a fun action fighter.


Phillipe Nover defeated Yui Chul Nam via split decision

This one really could have gone either way, and I would argue that a draw would have been more appropriate. After five years away from the UFC, Nover made a successful return by utilizing a grinding strategy that was a large departure from his previous style, as he took Nam down at will the first round and controlled enough of the second round to take a close decision in the eyes of the judges. Nam dominated the third round after stealing the momentum in the second, but did so too late to get the nod. The only difference between the two where they stand is Nover is coming off a win and Nam a loss.


Levan Makashvili defeated Mark Eddiva via split decision

While it wasn't a banner debut, Makashvili made a solid impression in his UFC debut and showed the skills that made him a highly touted prospect coming in. Looking like he was a full weight class above Eddiva, Makashvili used his massive size advantage against Eddiva and took him to the mat multiple times. He didn't throw nearly enough (output was the biggest knock on him coming in), but did show power when he landed. Keep an eye on him as he could move into the rankings before we know it. Eddiva showed some good takedown defense at times, but wore down and couldn't keep the fight standing enough to implement his strategy. He very well could be released.


Jon Tuck defeated Tae Hyun Bang via submission at 3:56 of the first round

While Tuck was able to pick up the victory by submission, it was really his improved striking that gave him the win over a normally durable Bang. Tuck hasn't been known as a hard hitter by any means, but he landed a HUGE right hand to floor Bang and finished the job by sinking his arm under Bang's chin and choking him until he tapped. While Tuck is far from the top 10 fighter he claimed to be in his post-fight speech, he does have room to grow and has already hung around for a few years. I can't see him rising past the middle of the division, but he is fun to watch. Bang's career could be in trouble if his chin is beginning to crack as that has been integral to his success. His next fight will be for his job.


Kajan Johnson defeated Zhang Lipeng via unanimous decision

After appearing to be on the downside of his career in his last couple of fights, Johnson came out looking revitalized with much improved cardio and a strategy that didn't involve getting into a slugfest. The results were much better, as he used his length in his striking and slick grappling to put Lipeng in some bad situations, even if he wasn't able to get the finish. If he can maintain his current approach, Johnson could finish his career with a lengthy stay as a gatekeeper in the UFC. Lipeng had some moments himself and continues to show growth. Despite two losses in a row, he should stick around as the UFC wants to keep a few fighters from China on the roster and he is one of the better ones.


Jingliang Li defeated Dhiego Lima via KO at 1:25 of the first round

Despite being known as a grappler coming into the UFC, Li has turned into a striker since his entrance, and showed some solid power in knocking down Lima with a left-right combo, finishing him off with GNP in this short affair. Li is the most polished fighter coming out of China on the UFC roster, and still has some room to grow. Lima is now one of the most disappointing prospects that the UFC has seen in a while, as his physical talents haven't translated to success in the cage. There seems to be a mental disconnect as he falters under pressure every time. He is likely on his way out.


Ning Guangyou defeated Royston Wee via TKO at 4:59 of the second round

While the broadcast picked a horrible time to go to commercial (viewers missed the official stoppage), Guangyou landed a hard left to stumble Wee and was able to swarm for the kill just in time right before the round ended. Despite massive stiffness, it was clear both had worked on their striking and spent a good chunk of time trading strikes. Guangyou was the smarter fighter, in addition to the physically stronger fighter, as he mixed his strikes between punches and kicks in along with landing a number of takedowns. Wee looked as though his weight cut drained him as he was largely a stationary target… which should say something about how bad his striking appeared if I still think he looked improved.


Jon delos Reyes defeated Roldan Sangcha-an via submission at 3:13 of the second round

Luckily for the few viewers that got up in time to catch this fight, these two fighters couldn’t have cared less about defense, as they both swung for the fences in a real barn burner that promised violence and delivered. Sangcha-an opened up a nasty looking cut in the second, and delos Reyes was pouring blood throughout the rest of the fight, getting it all over Sangcha-an as he knocked Sangcha-an to the ground and entering his guard before getting the back for a RNC. Delos Reyes buys himself more time to harness his obvious talent as a loss would certainly have sent him packing. Sangcha-an might have bought himself more time as well despite the loss, as his aggression is the type of thing Uncle Dana loves to see.


Yao Zhikui defeated Nolan Ticman via split decision

I would have worked up a lot more anger over the horrible decision that the judges made in this fight if it was a pair of fighters I cared about and it didn't take place so damn early. Zhikui chased Ticman the entire bout and was easily outstruck by his countering opponent throughout the fight. Ticman also owned the ground advantage for the brief amount of time that the fight took place there. While Ticman did nothing to prove that he is a hot prospect worth keeping around, he did rightfully win that fight, and it would be a real shame if he ends up losing his roster spot with this loss. It really is hard to find something positive to say about Zhikui here, as I don't see how the judges could give him the win.