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UFC ON FUEL TV 5 "STRUVE VS. MIOCIC" LIVE RESULTS: Hansen's round by round event report
Sep 29, 2012 - 6:30:48 PM UFC ON FUEL TV 5 "STRUVE VS. MIOCIC" LIVE RESULTS: Hansen's round by round event report

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By Rich Hansen, MMA Torch Columnist

.UFC ON FUEL TV: STRUVE VS. MIOCIC
FACEBOOK PRELIMS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2012
LIVE FROM NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, UK


FACEBOOK PRELIMS


FIGHT ONE: ROBERT PERALTA VS. JASON YOUNG (FEATHERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Young is an inch taller and possesses a 2 inch reach advantage. The referee for the opening fight is Marc Goddard. Not much to say here, Peralta knocked him out in 23 seconds. A big right hand knocked Young silly, and the punches on the mat were just gravy.

WINNER: Robert Peralta by KO at 0:23 of round one

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**+ )Well, it was fun while it landed. The action was fast and furious, and Peralta landed first.


FIGHT TWO: DAMARQUES JOHNSON VS. GUNNAR NE,LSON (CATCHWEIGHT)

- Johnson, coming off of a vicious KO last month, agreed to this fight on late notice, as a 175 lb. catchweight. He weighed in at 13.1 stone. Nelson did not have to agree to fight, but chose to take the fight regardless.

ROUND ONE: The third man in the cage is Herb Dean. Nelson comes out in a karate stance, and lands a right high kick. He then changes stances to southpaw and lands a side kick. Nelson shoots and gets Johnson down. Not a good start for the American. Half-guard. Johnson using the cage to his advantage, and almost locked in an omaplata. That made nelson regroup a little. Nelson passes guard to side-control, and he’s trying to get Johnson off the cage a little more. Full mount now; that was a slick transition. Johnson bucks his hips, and Nelson takes his back. He’s working for a rear naked choke, but Nelson’s arm isn’t under Johnson’s chin as of yet. Nelson has the figure four, and is landing elbows to soften Johnson up a little. Johnson is belly down now with Nelson riding him with the figure four. Johnson’s flattened out, and Nelson is going for the choke. Nelson rolls to his back, and Johnson is going to tap. There it is. Nelson by submission. That was predictable. Johnson never should have been asked to take this fight, and when asked he should have told Joe Silva to stick it.

WINNER: Gunnar Nelson by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:34 of round one.

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**+) Complete domination by Nelson. Hard to know how much of it was him, and how much of it was Johnson’s weakened state.


FIGHT THREE: TOM WATSON VS. BRAD TAVARES (MIDDLEWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Leon Roberts will be controlling the action for this middleweight fight. Tavares starts out with a heavy jab. Watson follows up with a big right hand. Tavares follows up a double jab with a double leg against the cage, but Kong walks the cage to get back up quickly. Tavares disengages, and we’re back to the middle. Nice left switch kick by Watson. Tavares follows up with a big combination of punches that backed Watson up. Kong lands a knee to the jublees, and the fight is paused. Clearly unintentional, Watson apologized before Roberts could stop the fight. We’re back after a minute or so. Tavares is doing a good job of getting inside of Watson’s kicking range and making him pay for the body kicks he likes to throw. Tavares is doing a great job with the jab. Watson landed a nice cross to Tavares’ chin. Watson grabs a clinch and pushes Tavares into the cage, but missed with an elbow as he pushed out of the clinch. Watson eating more jabs. Almost ate a big knee when he ducked under the jab. Tavares has done a good job researching Watson’s tendencies. Tavares gets a takedown against the fence. Takes him down again as Watson tries to walk the cage. Watson finally gets back up, and avoids damage. Another low blow, and the fight is paused again. It was a kick this time. Watson doesn’t think he landed in the privates, but yeah, he did. Roberts is choosing to not take a point, but will if it happens again. Tavares comes out aggressive, and lands a big knee. 10-9 Tavares

ROUND TWO: FYI, Brittney Palmer has never looked better. I know that’s what you want to know. Tavares lands a switch kick to the body. Both fighters throwing kicks early. Jab by Tavares. I wonder if Watson’s corner told him to, you know, defend the jab? Looks like Watson’s bleeding from the bridge of the nose. Tavares lands a nice uppercut and is working a single up against the cage. He’s working hard for the takedown here. Tavares gives it up after almost a minute. Nice flurry from both fighters in the middle of the cage, highlighted by a knee by Watson. Neither fighter is backing down here, and it makes for a fun fight. Tavares is slowing down just a smidge, and as I say that he gets a double. Tavares has his back and is looking for a rear naked choke. So far it’s a neck crank, though. He’s got Watson flattened out on his belly, and has what looks like a loose figure four. Tavares gives up the choke in order to punch away. Tavares almost let Kong go, but re-established his position and tightened the figure four as the round end. 10-9 Tavares. 20-18 Tavares

ROUND THREE: Tavares starts out re-establishing the jab once again. Follows up with a big right hand. Not a lot of striking defense tonight. Tavares gets a takedown, but Watson almost grabbed a kimura during the transitions. Tavares bailed back to his feet, and landed another takedown 10 seconds later. Watson is on his butt with his back on the fence. He’s going to walk the cage to get back up again. He’s up, and eats a small knee to the chin. Roberts pauses the fight due to some loose tape from Watson’s right glove. Nice catch. Another jab from Tavares. It must be nice to have a good jab against someone who doesn’t move their head and doesn’t keep their hands up. Tavares shoots a doube, but Watson got his neck and wrenched Tavares down by the neck. Watson has Tavares turtled, but can’t do much with it. Tavares is on his butt now, with his back against the fence. Nice uppercut by Kong as they disengage, but Tavares lands a couple of his own. Tavares charges and forces Watson into the cage, looking for a takedown. Watson is trying to bait Tavares into leaving his neck out for a guillotine. Nope. Watson is down to his knees. Great pace by both fighters in this fight. Hard round to score, but it isn’t going to affect the final score at least. 10-9 Tavares, 30-27 Tavares

WINNER: Brad Tavares by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (***-) There was no moment to remember, but this was a really good fight. Solid action from bell to bell. Tavares is young enough where he has a bright future and room to grow. He must have landed 60 jabs and 10 takedowns. I don’t know how in the hell you give 2 rounds to Watson, but one incompetent scorecard does nothing to taint this fight.


FIGHT FOUR: ANDY OGLE VS. AKIRA CORASSANI (FEATHERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Ogle takes the middle of the cage with Corassani circling and landing the occasional leg kick from distance. Corassani charged in for a left high kick, and Ogle decked him with a left hook that dropped Corassani briefly. Might’ve been a balance issue, but Ogle definitely landed on Corassani, who was cut open from that hook. Ogle is being patient, looking for opportunities to counter. Ogle lands a big left hook that drops Corassani, and he’s playing in Corassani’s guard now. Corassani walked the cage to get back up, but Ogle’s got him in the fence. Corassani works the body as they separate. Nice body kick from Corassani, and followed up with a heavy spinning right hand. His right hand has been getting through rather consistently. Ogle is now on the outside circling around Corassani who has the center of the octagon now. It’s been all Corassani since the hook that knocked him down. Ogle looking for an ankle pick against the fence, but Corassani circled out of trouble. Ogle has a gigantic lump over his left eye. That is going to be a factor as the fight plays out. 10-9 Corassani Ogle had his moments, though.

ROUND TWO: Ogle ate a kick to the junk, but the fight was restarted literally five seconds later. Ogle trying to change levels to change Corassani’s field of vision. Nice right hook by Akira. And a leg kick follow. Ogle with one of his own. Ogle ducked under a wild hook and tried to get a trip takedown, to no avail. Ogle landed a nice 1-2. Ogle shoots and gets stuffed again, and ate an uppercut to the ribs as he backed out. Ogle’s defense is okay, but he’s not landing a lot. Corassani lands a nice combination there. Ogle’s committed to the takedown, but I’m committed to making my first billion too, ya know? Ogle catches a kick and gets a double, but Corassani is able to scoot all the way to the cage and is trying to walk the cage to get back up. Ogle is keeping him down by controlling Corassani’s head, threatening with a guillotine of Corassani overcommits to anything. Corassani’s doing a good job of defending it. Ogle gives it up as the round nears an end in order to land a bunch of powerful hooks. Corassani landed a massive shot that dropped Ogle, but it was a fraction of a second after the horn sounded. Tough round to score. 10-9 Ogle. 19-19 It’s a total toss up round, to be fair.

ROUND THREE: Ogle shot for a double, missed badly, and ate a head kick that dropped him. He recovered quickly enough to get Corassani down as he charged in, and Ogle’s working to get Corassani’s back. He doesn’t have the back, but he does have Corassani twisted up a little. Corassani’s arm is trapped, but I don’t know what Ogle can do to take advantage of this unusual position against the fence. Ogle is landing short elbows to Corassani’s ear, and Ogle is doing a great job keeping Corassani down. Corassani’s a one-armed fighter right now. Corassani’s on his hands and knees near the fence, and Ogle has Corassani’s right arm trapped in a crucifix., and is cross mounted over Corassani’s back. Corassani just can’t get his arm free, and the fence is keeping him from being able to circle out. Ogle is landing a ton of elbows and short punches from this position. Dominant round for Ogle. 10-9 Ogle. 29-28 Ogle I have no problem with 29-28 for either fighter.

WINNER: Akira Corassani by Split Dcision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**+) I’m in a giving mood. I went in with less than zero expectations here. And the half crucifix that dominated round number three was something you don’t see every day. The fight wasn’t, you know, good. But it was mildly entertaining. It was better than most of the tripe from last night, I guess.


FIGHT FIVE: KYLE KINGSBURY VS. JIMI MANUWA (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Manuwa has a 3.5 reach disadvantage here. Leon Roberts is the referee for this final prelim fight. Kingsbury with the immediate takedown and is working for a D’Arce choke early. Kingsbury on top, working for a guillotine. Manuwa explodes, can’t escape, but got to his side and has an underhook now. Manuwa trying to get out from under Kingsbury’s weight so he can wiggle free, to no avail. The crowd is crapping on this already. Manuwa got back up while Kingsbury was adjusting his grip. Kingsbury shoots, stuffed, and eats a knee. Big left hook from Manuwa that puts Kingsbury on his bike. Manuwa dropped Kingsbury with a left hook to the ear. He thought Kingsbury was out and didn’t accatck, but Kingsbury was conscious. Manuwa was tentative and it cost him. Kingsbury back up, and he’s eating power shots left and righ there. Huge knees and kicks. How much more can Kingsbury take. A gigantic knee! How is he still on his feet. Flying knee! Kingsbury flops, trying to get Manuwa to dive in, but he walks away. Kingsbury’s left eye is messed up, must be from one of those gigantic knees. This is ugly. Big right hand. Kingsbury staying on his feet defies the laws of physics! 10-8 Manuwa

ROUND TWO: Kingsbury’s left eye is grotesque. This would be stopped if they were in New Jersey. Kingsbury eats a huge right. Kingsbury charges in and gets a takedown against the cage. Half-guard. Manuwa is going to look to walk up the cage. Kingsbury is clearly all chin, muscle, and guts. Short elbows from Kingsbury. Manuwa up, clinch, knee, and Kingsbury pushes Manuwa into the fence.nice dirty boxking from Kingsbury. Short knees to the thighs from Kingsbury before they separate. 3 minutes left in the round. Back to the cage, in a clinch. Manuwa spins out and lands some big knees. Kingsbury retreats and eats a flying knee that might not have landed flush. Another kick lands and Kingsbury is on all fours. Manuwa is looking for a Peruvian necktie, but he’s no CB Dollaway! Back to a front facelock. Kingsbury powers through the exhausted Manuwa and almost took Manuwa down. Huge left hook from Manuwa. The crowd is reacting with every strike Manuwa throws. Nice double by Kingsbury. As damaged as he is, and as tired as Manuwa is, the third round, well, it won’t be good. 10-9 Kingsbury. 19-18 Manuwa Manuwa’s doing the damage, but Kingsbury spent almost 4 minutes on top, and wasn’t impotent from that position, either.

ROUND THREE: The fight has been stopped. Kingsbury is physically unable ot open his left eye.

WINNER: Jimi Manuwa by TKO at 5:00 of round two.

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (***) The was fun. Manuwa is violent. He also needs to work on his cardio and his takedown defense and a load of other stuff, but I’ll be watching from the edge of my seat every time he fights.


FUEL TV BROADCAST


UFC ON FUEL TV: STRUVE VS. MIOCIC
SEPTEMBER 29, 2012
LIVE FROM NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, UK


FIGHT ONE: CHE MILLS VS. DUANE LUDWIG (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Mills is three inches taller and owns a six inch reach advantage over Ludwig. The referee for this fight is the esteemed Herb Dean. Mills lands a knee from the clinch early and takes BANG down fast. Side control. Ludwig got busted open from that knee. Mills landing a couple knees to the body from side control, and some short elbows as well. Bang’s cut is underneath his eye, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Bang uses his underhook to escape, but can’t quite get free. He got Mills inside his guard at least. Bang is up, and ate a knee on his way up. While grappling, Ludwig fell to his back and the fight is over. He blew out his left knee. Oh no.

WINNER: Che Mills by TKO at 2:28 of round one.

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (NA) I’m not going to critique a short fight that ends due to a fluke injury. Just hope Bang is okay.

- Ludwig was on his feet as Mills had his hand raised, so hopefully it’s minor. It’s certainly not as severe as when he busted up his ankle against Darren Elkins two years ago.

- Fuel TV replays the Peralta vs. Young destruction.


FIGHT TWO: JOHN HATHAWAY VS. JOHN MAGUIRE (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage for the bout between fellow Englishmen. Tentative opening two minutes, seeing Maguire circling into Hathaway’s power hand. We’re 2.5 minutes in. No action. Make that 3.5 minutes now. Hathaway has gotten hit a couple times as he leaps in to strikes. That he is leaping in with a 7 inch reach advantage is interesting. Hathaway is bleeding from the mouth. Maguire is starting to land some short shots as he works his way inside. Maguire shoots a double and gets stopped by the fence. Hathaway counters and gets the takedown for about 2 seconds. 10-9 Maguire That was awful.

ROUND TWO: OK, no more feeling out. I said out, not up. Hathaway still not landing jabs and is lunging with the rights. Hathaway misses a lead left hook. Head kick by Hathaway, and follows up by clinching against the cage. Hathaway muscles Maguire down with a body lock takedown. Half guard for Hathaway. Hathaway is landing short shots to the ribs. Working hard to pass to side mount. Maguire stuffed that attempt with butterfly guard, and Maguire jumped into Maguire’s guard. That almost cost Hathaway his right arm to a triangle armbar, but he pulled out right away. Back to half-guard, belly to belly. Hathaway back to his feet, throwing leg kicks. Hathaway dives back into half-guard. Great stuff here. I mean grating stuff here, as this sucks to watch. Hathaway has been very active from top, and is wearing down Maguire, but this is not fun to watch. 10-9 Hathaway. 19-19

ROUND THREE: John and John are friends and training partners, and sometimes this is what happens when you fight someone you don’t want to fight. Maguire can’t get inside, and eats knees when he tries. This really, really, really, really, really, really, really sucks. Maguire is circling into Hathaway’s power, can’t get inside, and Hathaway has a huge reach advantage. Maguire hasn’t landed a thing this round, which is 3 minutes in. Standing elbow from Hathaway. This is like a bad sparring session at a third rate gym. Maybe from a gym that produces John Hathaway and John Maguire. Maguire lands a single, gets to side control. He has 75 seconds to get that armbar. Nope. He’s in the guard. If this wasn’t a fight of two Brits in the UK, there would be a really pissed off audience. 10-9 Hathaway, 29-28 Hathaway

WINNER: John Hathaway by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (0) Worst fight of the year. Would be worse than zero, but I prefer to be positive.


FIGHT THREE: PAUL SASS VS. MATT WIMAN (LIGHTWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Herb Dean is the referee who will be excoriating Sass to WORK when looking for his Sassangle. Matt Wiman throws a kick. Jeez. In other news, Sass is on top now. Sass in full guard, near the cage. Sass Is trying to open him up with wicked elbows to the forehead of Wiman. Sass sells out for a leglock, doesn’t get it, and Wiman’s on top now. Omaplata from Sass. As Wiman pulls out, he almost gave up a leg. Sass sweeps and is in top against the fence. Sass is looking for an ankle, but he gave it up. Wiman with a triangle! It’s deep, and he’s working for the arm. Sass circled out of it, and he’s back in top again. Elbow from the bottom by Wiman. Sass follows up with four heavy punches. Wiman is looking for an armbar. Sass is on top in a north south, but he can’t get free. This is similar to Hazelett vs. McCrory. Wiman gets the inverted armbar and Sass submits! WOW!

WINNER: Matt Wiman by submission (armbar) at 3:48 of round one

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (***+) I’m being way generous, but I love active grappling fights. Wiman was phenomenal. He had Sass pinned down, and used the fence to his advantage. Great great submission there.

- Fuel TV replays Gunnar Nelson’s fight with DaMarques Johnson


FIGHT FOUR: BRAD PICKETT VS. YVES JABOUIN (BANTAMWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Leon Roberts is in charge of the action for this fight. Pickett caught a finger to the eye 20 seconds in. His right eye is a little swollen, but we’re back to the action. Both guys come out firing, mixing a variety of strikes. Jabouin gets the better of a flurry, ending with a couple of kicks Pickett will feel tomorrow. These guys are landing leather galore. Nice knee during a flurry for Jabouin. Pickett coming forward, Jabouin circling. Too much action to call accurately in this evenly matched fight. 2 minutes left in the first. Pickett landed an uppercut to the jaw, and it’s over. One punch KO for Brad One Punch Pickett.

WINNER: Brad Pickett by Knockout at 3:40 of round one

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (***+) Brad Pickett is getting a KTFO bonus! I wouldn’t mind him getting Barao in January or so.

- Note: I don't delete my mistakes, but I will correct them. I was totally thinking Michael McDonald, but wrote Barao. apologies. RH


FIGHT FIVE: DAN HARDY VS. AMIR SADOLLAH (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Marc Goddard is the referee for the evening’s penultimate fight. Sadollah takes the center of the octagon to start the fight. Hardy not able to find his range as Sadollah is more active in the first minute. Hardy lands his left hook, which elicits a grin from himself, as if he’s finally shook the nerves of fighting at home. Sadollah’s still the more active fighter, but that’s to be expected against a counterpuncher like Hardy. Hardy baited Sadollah in and landed his left hook. Didn’t land hard, but it shows he’s getting more comfortable. The Nottingham fans are chanting PARTY. Man, they’re hardcore. Adollah gets a body lock and presses Sadollah into the fence. Hardy has underhooks and spins Sadollah around. Big right elbow from the clinch for Hardy. Hardy working hard for the trip, but gives up the position. Hardy lands a nice combination, which Sadollah felt. Sadollah responds with a combo of punches of his own. Hardy presses Sadollah into the fence again. Sadollah swinging like crazy trying to get Hardy to loosen the clinch. Hardy with a takedown literally as the horn sounds. 10-9 Sadollah Could go either way, could be 10-10 even.

ROUND TWO: Hardy comes out looking more crisp this round. Sadollah is taking a few left hooks. Hardy’s not just countering; he’s getting off first right now, and working the body and kicks as well. Nice big right hand from Hardy. He’s much more aggressive. Hardy shoots a double and gets a takedown. Sadollah gets back up with the help of the cage. Hardy has underhooks. Sadollah improves his position and is looking for a bodylock. Grueling stalemate against the fence here. The Nottingham fans are still chanting for a PARTY. Or Hardy. Whatever. They finally disengage. Sadollah lands a nice 1-2 that backs up Hardy. Amazing that someone who fought GSP is so evenly matched against Amir Sadollah. Hardy is starting to back Sadollah off with the double jab, and he lands another takedown. Hardy landing some elbows from inside Sadollah’s guard. I thought this was fighting, Hardy! Oh, sorry. Sadollah has a really high guard going now, he’s looking for Hardy’s right arm. Hardy noticed, and backed out. 10-9 Hardy. 19-19

ROUND THREE: Sadollah working the straight kicks to start the final round. Hardy ducks under and shoots a double, but the cage interrupts his momentum. Hardy has over under with Sadollah’s back against the wall. They disengage after 45 seconds or so. Sadollah’s right eye area looks like dogmeat right now. Hardy lands another soft left hook. Hardy lands heavy and follows through with a strong double leg takedown. 2:30 left. Amir has Hardy’s arm, but Hardy’s in no trouble yet as long as he’s smart about it. Sadollah’s pressed up against the cage, which works in Hardy’s advantage. Nice elbows from the top by Hardy, who should win this fight as long as he doesn’t get sloppy with his arm. Some more nice elbows from Hardy, and Sadollah is cut from both eyes now. One minute left. Three big right hands by Hardy. I would’ve tapped by now. And cried. Pooped my pants. Threatened to sue. Sadollah gets up with 20 seconds left and eats a standing knee. Nice left hook by Hardy who had evil intentions there. 10-9 Hardy. 29-28 Hardy. 30-27 or 29-28 Hardy are the only legit scores for this one. Being as there is an English judge, I fully expect to see a 42-8 scorecard, though.

WINNER: Dan Hardy by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**) Meh. Average > slightly below average. I hope Hardy enjoys his moment, and I hope he remembers the GSP fight in case he has delusions of grandeur coming off of this one.


FIGHT SIX: STEFAN STRUVE VS. STIPE MIOCIC (HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Herb Dean has drawn the assignment for tonight’s main event bout. If this goes 25 minutes, I’ll be shocked. And bored out of my mind, I assume. Struve working his jab and taking advantage of his reach advantage like usual. Just kidding. Both fighters starting slowly feeling each other out. Inside leg kick from Miocic. Miocic working the body. Struve is using kicks and knees to keep the range, but they aren’t landing yet. Struve firing off a few jabs, more to keep Miocic at distance than anything. Missed head kick from Struve. Miocic is doing a good job of getting inside here, because, wait for it, Struve isn’t utilizing his reach advantage. Struve landed a head kick and followed up with a flying knee which missed by a mile as Miocic circled out. Struve lands a knee. Miocic lands an overhead right. Struve lands a knee, but Miocic grabs it and throws him down. Miocic backs off and forces Struve to stand. Miocic lands a jab. Miocic rocked Struve with a short punch. Struce misses with a standing knee and straight right. Miocic lands a 1-2 to the body and circles away. Struve stalks and lands a knee to the body, and then backs out. Struve with a leg kick. 10-9 Miocic

ROUND TWO: Struve lands a hard body kick and straight right punch. Miocic takes a kick to the crotch, and the fight is paused for 10 seconds or so. Struve throws the same kick upon restart, but lands legal. Miocic is getting inside almost at will with jabs and the use of feints. Miocic got inside and thought about a single leg, but changed his mind when he saw just how damn long the leg actually is. Struve lands five jabs in a row. About time. Hook to the body from Miocic. Struve lands a nice left hook to the head, and he’s starting to put it together. Miocic is backing off. Miocic is hurt and is on his bike big time. Struce is sprinting forward to keep the pressure on until Miocic recovers. That was comical. Struve is getting through with uppercuts, and Miocis is wobbly. Struve goes jab jab low kick. Miocic lands a big right, and Struve felt that one for sure. There’s literally no striking defense right now. And both fighters are standing about 6 inches from each other. Sometimes I just odn’t understand what Struve thinks. Struve working the jab repeatedly now that he’s inside. Miocic is wobbly, but I can’t see what did it. It was one of those uppercuts I think. Miocic is wobbling as Struve continues to throw. Dean stopped the fight! It’s over, Struve by KO! What a weird fight.

WINNER: Stefan Struve by TKO at 3:50 of round two.

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**+) that was frustrating, yet entertaining. The finishing sequence was strange. There was a big right cross as Miocic was reeling that pretty much finished it off. I rewatched the finish like 10 times and I still didn’t see what caught Miocic initially. Dean stopped the fight before Miocic fell. Miocic was sandwiched between the cage and Struve, and that’s the only reason he didn’t fall earlier. As soon as Struve walked off, Miocic staggered to the ground. It was a legit stoppage.

That said, Struve does a great job of fighting short, despite being like 42 feet tall. When he DID work the jabs and uppercuts, Miocic had nothing for him. I really like Struve, so I hope he learns to take advantage of his physical gifts more consistently.