UFC 95 Recap

Results, Top Story

The biggest impact of UFC 95 will be felt in the middleweight division. Three months ago, it was the weakest weight class in the company, with no viable challengers to Anderson Silva‘s championship reign. After UFC 95, however, we now have two fighters who can lay claim to being the top contender in the division: Nate Marquardt and Demian Maia.

Maia likely has the strongest chance of being given the next title shot. He’s undefeated, has scored four Submission of the Night awards in five total UFC fights, and most importantly, he’s never lost to Silva. Marquardt is the better all around fighter, but he’s got the stigma of already having been slaughtered by Silva in a one-sided fight that wasn’t even a drawing card the first time around.

Diego Sanchez looked impressive at lightweight in beating Joe Stevenson, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s locking horns with the best in the division. He dominated Stevenson from the opening bell of the first round, but never came close to finishing him in a fight that pushed the tempo from beginning to end.

Josh Koscheck was the biggest loser of the night, getting knocked out by unknown Paulo Thiago. Koscheck’s mistake came from poor technique, as he dove in for a left jab with his head facing the ground, and Thiago made him pay with an uppercut that ended the fight. Koscheck was only two fights away from a rematch with Georges St. Pierre, so this one hurt him in a big way.

The official results:

Diego Sanchez def. Joe Stevenson via Decision (Unanimous)
Dan Hardy def. Rory Markham via KO (Punch) at 1:09 of Round 1
Nate Marquardt def. Wilson Gouveia via TKO (Strikes) at 3:10 of Round 3
Demian Maia def. Chael Sonnen via Submission (Triangle Choke) at 2:37 of Round 1
Paulo Thiago def. Josh Koscheck via KO (Punch) at 3:29 of Round 1
Terry Etim def. Brian Cobb via TKO (Strikes) at 0:10 of Round 2
Junior Dos Santos def. Stefan Struve via TKO (Strikes) at 0:54 of Round 1
Evan Dunham def. Per Eklund via TKO (Strikes) at 2:13 of Round 1
Mike Ciesnolevicz def. Neil Grove via Submission (Heel Hook) at 1:03 of Round 1
Paul Kelly def. Troy Mandaloniz via Decision (Unanimous)

FIGHT BONUSES:
All awards include a $40,000 bonus

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson

KNOCKOUT OF THE NIGHT
Paulo Thiago

SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT
Demian Maia