Hyden's Take
HYDEN BLOG: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from Bellator 119 and UFC Fight Night 40
May 14, 2014 - 11:55:41 AM HYDEN BLOG: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from Bellator 119 and UFC Fight Night 40

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By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

Bellator 119 and UFC Fight Night 40 both took place this past weekend. Let's get right to it.

Bellator 119

UGLY: Raphael Butler vs. Nick Rossborough

This fight was one of the most boring things I've seen in some time. It was ruled a majority draw after Butler was deducted a point for an intentional headbutt in the first round. Should have been a DQ there. Just a horrible fight.

GOOD/BAD: Marius Zaromskis vs. Vaughn Anderson

This fight wasn't very GOOD, but it wasn't very BAD either. To be honest, it was just kind of there. Zaromskis won the decision.

UGLY: Eric Wisely vs. John Alessio

Another crap fight with little action. Maybe if I wasn't so disgusted with the other fights I might go with BAD, but this card is a big turd. Alessio won the decision.

GOOD: Daniel Weichel submits Desmond Green

Green couldn't do anything to Weichel, who worked his way into the submission. It was a decent enough fight. It was certainly the best of this bunch, which means this was the worst card in years.


UFC Fight Night 40

GOOD: Chris Cariaso vs. Louis Smolka

It was a split decision win for Cariaso, which was a little odd because he was more active than Smolka throughout the fight, and just plain better in the fight. Nice win for Cariaso.

GOOD: Soa Palelei stops Ruan Potts

Palelei got the finish after a power shot that stoned Potts. Not much to it, but a nice finish.

GOOD/BAD: Neil Magny vs. Tim Means

Just an OK fight, nothing special. Magny wins the decision in a close fight.

GOOD: Daron Cruikshank stops Erik Koch

This is a huge win for Cruickshank. He blasted Koch with a headkick, followed up with more shots, and just kept unloading to finally get the stoppage. The ref should have been quicker to step in and stop things, but this was big for Cruickshank.

GOOD: Costas Philippou stops Lorenz Larkin

Both guys were looking for the knockout here, but it was Philippou who found it. Big power from Philippou, who bounces back after a couple of bad fights.

GREAT: Matt Brown stops Erick Silva

This was one of the best fights I've ever seen. In the first round Silva hurt Brown badly with a body shot that busted him up. Silva almost got him, but Brown battled back and somehow managed to unleash hell on Silva. Brown caught Silva with big combinations several times during this round. It's not often you see a fight where both guys survive big onslaughts and keep going. It was one of the craziest rounds ever.

It didn't stop there, though, as the action continued in the second. Brown just kept coming and coming and Silva took it. Silva took an amazing amount of abuse in this fight. He had to be stretchered out afterwards, but luckily he's fine. This wasn't some sloppy barroom brawl either, this was technical striking, along with takedowns and submission attempts and escapes. It was an incredible display from both men, one they should be very proud of. Brown finally got the finish in the third round. I couldn't believe that Silva took the punishment he did and survived for as long as he did. What a fight. I would love to see Brown fighting for the UFC Welterweight Title next. I think that would be a hell of a fight.


Comments and suggestions can be emailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter at @hydenfrank