Ricardo Cachorrão em sua última luta no UFC, em 2011. Foto: Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG

Ex-atleta do UFC e professor de Frankie Edgar, Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida voltou a pisar nos tatames este ano, e em grande estilo.

Professor de Jiu-Jitsu e nosso GMA em Nova Jersey, onde ensina há quase uma década, Cachorrão sagrou-se campeão absoluto no Pan Sem Kimono 2012, na categoria sênior 1, contra Fernando Zulick.

No campeonato, realizado em setembro em Nova York, Cachorrão venceu ainda o peso meio-pesado, ao vencer Tobias Owen. Relembre a final do absoluto e aprenda com ele.

Ricardo Cachorrão during his last fight in the  UFC, in 2011. (Photo by Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG)

A former UFC fighter and coach to Frankie Edgar, Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida returned to the mats of competition this year–and did so in grand style.

The Jiu-Jitsu Professor and GMA of ours in New Jersey, USA, where he has been teaching for the last decade, took top honors in the 2012 No-Gi Pan senior 1 absolute division upon beating Fernando Zulick.

At that tournament last September in New York, Cachorrão would also win the medium heavyweight division, beating Tobias Owen. Refresh your memory of the absolute final, and see what you can learn from him.

Jon Jones e Vitor Belfort na pesagem do UFC 152. Foto:UFC/Divulgação.

Pronto, a hora é essa. De todos os lutadores escalados para o UFC 152, apenas Charles do Bronx não conseguiu bater o peso, ultrapassando 500 gramas do limite de sua categoria (Bronx terá duas horas para tirar a diferença, ou perde 20% da bolsa para Cub Swanson).

A pesagem oficial rolou esta tarde, em Toronto, no Canadá e por lá, Vitor Belfort, desafiante ao título dos meio-pesados, entrou com a bandeira do Brasil e acompanhado do faixa-preta Zé Mario. Na balança, o carioca cravou 92,8kg.

Já o campeão Jon Jones adentrou o pavilhão barbudo, encapuzado e sob vaias, e no medidor bateu 93,2kg. Na tradicional encarada, os lutadores foram bem cordiais.

Nos outros cara-a-cara, os mais nervosos foram entre Michael Bisping e Brian Stann, além do reestreante Vinny Magalhães contra Igor Pokrajac.

O Canal Combate transmite o UFC 152 a partir das 19h45 deste sábado.

Confira mais sobre o UFC aqui no GRACIEMAG.com.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Jon Jones e Vitor Belfort na coletiva de imprensa do UFC 152. Foto:UFC/Divulgação

O campeão dos meio-pesados do UFC Jon Jones e o desafiante Vitor Belfort vão se engalfinhar neste sábado, em Toronto no Canadá. Entretanto, eles e mais uma penca de cascas-grossas vão ter que enfrentar outro adversário impiedoso, a balança. A pesagem oficial do UFC 152 rola nesta sexta-feira, às 17h (horário de Brasília) e você confere tudo aqui no seu site predileito, o GRACIEMAG.com.

Não perca e siga ligado no GRACIEMAG.com e no twitter @graciemag_br.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort

Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson

Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann

TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham

Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko

Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx

Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen

Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage

Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães

Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson

Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort at pre-UFC 152 press conference / UFC publicity photo

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Vitor Belfort will square off this Saturday in Toronto, Canada. But first they and a handful of other burly bruisers will have to contend with a merciless adversary—the scale. Official weigh-ins for UFC 152 kick off this Friday at 6 pm GMT, and you can watch it all live here on your favorite fight site—GRACIEMAG.com.

Don’t miss it. Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Vitor Belfort, between ex-UFC champion Rashad Evans and Jiu-Jitsu champ Brazilian Estima, during training at Blackzilians camp in Florida / Photo by Ryan Loco

Bráulio Estima had a sterling maiden outing in MMA last month, and following some well-deserved off time surfing, his mind is already back on training—and his eyes on UFC 152.

“It’s hugely satisfying to train with Vitor. I’m a fan of his from way back, so I’m somewhat partial,” said Carcará, another elite athlete helping Belfort prepare for his attempt to take the light heavyweight title from the fearsome Jon Jones, during a chat with GRACIEMAG.com. “Vitor’s a born professional. He’s dedicated and has a wealth of knowledge. Having started so early, he’s got some crazy octagon experience. I’ve learned a lot from him. Training here at Blackzilians is really professional, with lots of tactics, specific training on attacks and blocking takedowns and attacks,” added the Jiu-Jitsu professor from Gracie Barra Birmingham.

As for training, the black belt feels the help of one of Jones’s former friends will prove essential.

“Vitor has been practicing a bit of everything. Rashad Evans is backing Vitor up big time. There’s no one better than him to teach Vitor what he needs to know. Predicting the outcome of a fight like this one is difficult, but there is one thing I can say: Vitor’s doing awesome in striking, ground and pound and Jiu-Jitsu. A fight’s a fight, and nobody’s invincible. The way I see it, the first one to slip up will pay dearly,” he said in closing.

What do you think, savvy reader, will Vitor Belfort hold his own against Jon Jones on the coming 22nd? Will Belfort’s Jiu-Jitsu make the difference? Share your take with us.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Vitor Belfort em seu camp na Flórida, na equipe Blackzilians, entre o ex-campeão do UFC Rashad Evans e o campeão de Jiu-Jitsu Braulio Estima. Foto: Ryan Loco

Bráulio Estima obteve uma bela vitória em sua estreia no MMA, no mês passado, e após merecidas férias surfando, ele já está com a mente de volta aos treinos – e de olho no UFC 152.

“Treinar com o Vitor é uma satisfação enorme. Sou fã dele de longa data, então sou suspeito pra falar”, diz o Carcará, mais um casca-grossa que está ajudando Belfort na luta pelo cinturão dos meio-pesados, hoje em posse do monstro Jon Jones. “Vitor é um profissional nato. Dedicado e sabe muito. Como começou cedo, tem uma experiência no octógono sinistra. Aprendi muito com ele, os treinos aqui na Blackzilians são bem profissionais com muita tática, treino específico de golpes e bloqueio de quedas e golpes”, completou o professor da Gracie Barra Birmingham, em papo com o GRACIEMAG.com.

Quanto aos treinos, o faixa-preta conta que o auxílio de um ex-amigo de Jones é essencial.

“Vitor tem treinado de tudo um pouco. O Rashad Evans está dando uma grande força para o Vitor. Ninguém melhor que ele para passar tudo o que o Vitor precisa. Prever o desfecho de uma luta como esta é difícil. Mas uma coisa posso adiantar: Vitor está muito bem na trocação, no ground and pound e no Jiu-Jitsu. Luta é luta, e ninguém é invencível. Na minha análise, o primeiro que errar vai pagar mais caro”, encerrou.

E você sagaz leitor, acha que Vitor Belfort pode fazer bonito contra Jon Jones no dia 22? O Jiu-Jitsu de Belfort vai fazer a diferença? Comente com a gente.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Belfort contra Akiyama no UFC 133. Foto: UFC/Divulgação.

Se ninguém aceitou encarar Jon Jones (além de Chael Sonnen, claro), Vitor Belfort nem pestanejou e concordou em enfrentar o campeão dos meio-pesados do UFC. O duelo será no Canadá, no próximo dia 22, e o Ultimate lançou o vídeo promocional da edição 152.

O brasileiro se mostrou plenamente confiante na vitória. “Vou nocauteá-lo. É bom que ele esteja preparado para mim. Estou lá para lutar, estou lá para vencer. Vai ser leão contra leão. Vou vencer a luta, vou ditar o ritmo. O plano é derrotá-lo”, garantiu.

Confira o vídeo abaixo, que ainda traz os anúncios dos conferes entre Joseph Benavidez e Demetrious Johnson, pelo cinturão dos moscas, e entre as estrelas Michael Bisping e Brian Stann, válido pela divisão dos médios.

E para você leitor, o que Vitor Belfort precisa fazer para chocar o mundo e derrubar Jones? Deixe sua opinião nos comentários.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Belfort against Akiyama at UFC 133 / UFC publicity photo

While no one else accepted a shot at Jon Jones (except Chael Sonnen, of course), Vitor Belfort didn’t even blink and agreed to face the UFC light heavyweight champion right away. The two will square off on the coming 22nd in the main event of UFC 153, and the promotion has already released the promo video for the show.

The Brazilian has made it clear he’s confident going into the fight: “I’m going to knock him out. He’d better be ready for me. I’m going there to fight. I’m going there to win. It’ll be lion against lion. I’m going to win the fight, dictate the pace. The plan is to beat him,” he says.

Check out the video below, which also features teasers for the Joseph Benavidez-Demetrious Johnson flyweight-title affair and the middleweight showdown between Michael Bisping and Brian Stann.

What do you think, gentle reader? What does Vitor Belfort need to do to shock the world and take out Jon Jones? Let us know in the comments section below.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

It was the opening fight for the UFC 141 main card in Las Vegas. Jimy, 24 years old and the bearer of one of the most deceivingly innocent faces in the world, seamlessly moved between striking and a mind-boggling series of takedowns (ouchi gari, kouchi gari, harai goshi). On the ground, he put the hapless Phan through the wringer and routed him with a unanimous decision win. Undefeated with ten wins in as many pro fights, it was the first time he didn’t finish his opponent.

What can you learn from this up-and-coming star to apply to your daily training—and everyday life? GRACIEMAG.com put together a list of eight lessons for you:

Jim Hettes: wielding grown up Jiu-Jitsu at UFC 141

1: DON’T AVOID TRAINING WITH THE TOUGHEST GUYS AT THE GYM

From white belt on, learn that systematically dribbling the tough sparring partners means putting a hold on progress. Take on the guy who makes you work the most. “For this fight I trained by alternating between Frankie Edgar and Tom DeBlass, really tough guys. I train with fully rested guys every five minutes,and they’re not just average guys, not to mention they’re much heavier than me. When I do face a featherweight it feels like I’m even breaking the law,” remarked Jimy in an interview followingUFC 141.

2. TEST YOUR JIU-JITSU THE WHOLE TIME

When you find yourself in a new situation, be thankful: it enhances your self-awareness, shoots your Jiu-Jitsu knowledge through the roof. That’s what The Kid ascertained in his first decision win. “I’d never even fought a third round. It was good as a test, since I got a taste of that awful cardiorespiratory feeling of fighting after the second round,” said the Ricardo Cachorrão student in jest.

3. HEED NOT YOUR JIU-JITSU BELT COLOR

Himself a purple belt, Jimy lay a beating on a black belt last Friday. Asked whether he feels he deserves a darker belt, he wisely replied: “I love Jiu-Jitsu first of all because it saves me from getting beat up, so it doesn’t matter what color my belt is today, I’m just grateful,” to later add, “I’m just having fun.”

4. THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO TRUST YOU IS YOU

Jimy—half joking half serious—told of how a Nevada Athletic Commission official nearly barred him from fighting, thinking he wasn’t yet 18 years of age. “When I’m behind the scenes at the UFC, the other fighters still look at me with surprise, as though someone had left their son behind there,” he said. The looks of surprise and puzzlement don’t intimidate someone with the heart of a fighter.

5. THE FIGHTER-COACH RELATIONSHIP IS KEY

“In my first UFC fight, [coach and friend] Kris McCray was yelling, ‘Let’s go! You look like a girl under there!’ Later we had a talk about it, and I asked him if he could say something positive… He was a lot more optimistic this second fight, but what matters is that he knows how to motivate me when I’m fighting,” said Jimy. What about you, are you good at listening to your trainer? Does what he says motivate you?

6. LEARN TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE THE FIGHT IS GOING

Jimy hadn’t found out what a judge is for ever since amateur MMA, a total of 13 fights. Until encountering Nam Phan. “In the first round I gave my all to put him away. But I looked in Nam Phan’s eyes and saw there was no quit in him. So I realized it was time to conserve energy for rounds 2 and 3. Now I just have to thank my coach for making me cry every day in training.”

7. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR GAME

The combination of Jiu-Jitsu and judo has worked for decades, at all the world’s grappling tournaments, for a reason. Have faith in your style of fighting when the going gets rough.

8. KEEP AN ACE UP YOUR SLEEVE

If none of the aforementioned pointers work, pull this acrobatic finish out of your hat. It even works in tennis! Compliments of Jimy Hettes.

Can you remember any other good lesson from The Kid? Comment below.

Foi a primeira luta do card principal do UFC 141, em Vegas. Jimy, 24 anos e uma das caras de bobo mais enganosas do mundo, desandou a alternar socos com uma inacreditável série de quedas (ouchi gari, kouchi gari, harai goshi). No chão, um amasso, e uma vitória por decisão, de goleada. Invicto (10v, 0d), foi a primeira vez que ele não finalizou um oponente.

O que você pode aprender com este futuro astro e aplicar nos seus treinos diários, e no seu dia-a-dia? O GRACIEMAG.com listou oito lições:

Jim Hettes: Jiu-Jitsu de gente grande no UFC 141.

1. Não fuja do treino mais duro de sua academia

Aprenda desde a faixa-branca que driblar sistematicamente um treino duro é adiar seu progresso. Encare o cara que te dá trabalho. “Eu treinei para esta luta revezando com Frankie Edgar, Tom DeBlass, caras muito duros. Treino com caras novinhos em folha a cada cinco minutos, e não são caras comuns – além de tudo são bem mais pesados. Quando entro para enfrentar um peso-pena parece até que estou burlando a regra”, comentou Jimy, em entrevistas após o UFC 141.

2. Teste o seu Jiu-Jitsu o tempo todo

Quando você é posto numa situação nova, agradeça. Seu autoconhecimento aumenta, seu conhecimento de Jiu-Jitsu voa. Foi o que o Garoto constatou, em sua primeira vitória por decisão dos jurados. “Nunca havia lutado nem no terceiro assalto. Foi bom me testar, enfim pude me deparar com aquela sensação cardiorrespiratória terrível de ter de lutar após o segundo assalto”, brincou o aluno de Ricardo Cachorrão.

3. Não ligue para a cor da sua faixa no Jiu-Jitsu

Faixa-roxa, Jimy deu uma surra num faixa-preta na sexta. Perguntado se acha que merece uma faixa mais escura, ensinou: “Amo o Jiu-Jitsu porque em primeira instância ele me salva de tomar uma surra, então não me importa muito a cor da minha faixa hoje, sou grato apenas”. E depois emendou: “Estou apenas me divertindo”.

4. Quem precisa confiar em você é você

Jimy contou, meio a brinca meio a sério, que quase foi barrado por uma representante da Comissão Atlética de Nevada, que não acreditou que ele tinha mais de 18. “Quando estou nos bastidores do UFC, os outros lutadores ainda me olham surpresos, como se alguém tivesse esquecido o filho por ali”, disse ele. Os olhares de surpresa e pouca fé não intimidam quem tem coração de lutador.

5. Um entrosamento entre você e seu treinador é vital

“Na minha primeira luta no UFC, [o técnico e amigo] Kris McCray ficava berrando, ‘Vamos lá! Você está parecendo uma moça aí embaixo!’. Conversamos depois, e eu perguntei se ele podia falar coisas mais positivas… Nesta segunda luta ele foi bem mais otimista, mas o que interessa é que ele sabe como me motivar no meio da luta”, contou Jimy. E você, sabe escutar seu treinador? O que ele fala o motiva?

6. Aprenda a sentir até onde a luta vai

Jimy não sabia para que servia um jurado desde o MMA amador, num total de 13 lutas. Até encontrar Nam Phan. “No primeiro assalto eu dei tudo de mim para despachá-lo. Mas olhei nos olhos do Nam Phan e vi que não existe desistir para ele. Percebi então que era hora de poupar energia para os rounds 2 e 3. Agora só posso agradecer ao meu preparador por me fazer chorar todo dia nos treinos.”

7. Aposte no seu jogo

A combinação de Jiu-Jitsu e judô não dá certo há décadas, em todos os torneios de luta agarrada do mundo, por acaso. Bote fé na sua modalidade quando o bicho pegar.

8. Tenha um ás na manga

Se nada das dicas acima funcionar, puxe esta finalização acrobática da cartola. Funciona até de tênis! Com os cumprimentos de Jimy Hettes.

E você, lembra mais alguma lição do Garoto? Comente aí abaixo!

Brock Lesnar hung up his gloves after losing in the first round. Photos: UFC/Publicity.

The last fight on the card at UFC 141, the promotion’s final event of the year 2011, turned out to be Brock Lesnar’s swan song. After having suffered from diverticulitis and two subsequent operations to treat it, could the giant be a match for the strength and skill of the experienced promotional first timer Alistair Overeem? The outcome Friday night proved he couldn’t.

Brock, who shot to fame on the pro-wrestling circuit, did start out well that night in Las Vegas, though, opening a cut by Overeem’s eye with a solid punch. But Alistair was just biding his time till encountering the right distance and moment to unleash his strikes without getting taken to the ground, which Brock made two attempts at doing. Until Overeem landed a shin to the monster’s ribs. One, two , three seconds and Lesnar finally felt the pain, backpedaling until his back was against the fencing, and the Dutchman wound up the massacre.

“I promise the fans and my wife that I’m officially retiring from MMA,” Lesnar announced in the cage during the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “If I’d won today, I’d have tried for the belt one last time; but since I lost, I’ll retire,” said Lesnar in closing out his career in the promotion, then congratulating the multi-promotional champion who drove him into retirement.

Diaz and Cerrone in a barnburner

On seeing his opponent again sporting his trademark cowboy hat just before Bruce Buffer made the official announcement of his unanimous decision victory, Nate Diaz couldn’t resist and gave it a flick—this time with no ill will about it.

With the gesture he seemed to be saying that, however disconcerting, his having sent the very hat flying at the pre-event press conference proved to be good luck. Indeed, Nate Diaz put in the best performance of his career that Friday night in Vegas, the last fight of the night. At the outset, he clinched with Cerrone up against the fencing and tried to get Cerrone off his feet. Next, though, he pulled a surprise, backing up and punishing the “Cowboy’s” nose with lightning quick straight punches, jabs and hooks that landed without causing too much discomfort.

 

And there was much of the same up until the third round. Greg Jackson, in Cerrone’s corner pleaded with his protege desperately, “Five minutes of hell! I want five minutes of hell from you; or do you want to go home with that taste of defeat?” But aside from getting uprooted by some kicks to his back leg and landing on the ground, Nate kept bringing it. All the cowboy had left to do was go home defeated for the first time in seven fights, and hide his sorrow behind the brim of his hat. The rodeo didn’t go as he’d expected it would.

Leading up to the climax

UFC 141 was sputtering as it got started but picked up steam as it went. The first let-down came just before the show kicked off in the MGM Arena, when the promoters announced Matt Riddle had come down with the flu and wouldn’t be able to make his commitment with Luis “Beição” Ramos.

Due to the pay-per-view time allotment, the event was delayed by 15 minutes before Diego Nunes and Manny Gamburyan got the show started. Having voiced his anger towards the Nova União fighter before the fight, Manny started out getting the better of the takedown and striking action. But Diego was turned the tides as the fight played out, earning the unanimous decision once the three rounds were done, something no one quite understood.

Jacob Volkmann and Efrain Escudero were up next, taking the place on the card of Beição and Riddle, and chugged along in first gear. Escudero irked the crowd by repeatedly trying the same guillotine hold over and over again to no avail, landing on bottom and letting Volkmann get side control and pressure him using his shoulder. But in the third round, when all seemed to be lost for Escudero, he showed he did in fact know what he was doing, latching on to Volkmann’s neck with what looked to be a fight-ending choke, as the clock ticked out the final seconds of the fight. “He’s breathing through a straw,” remarked “Joinha” Guimarães, the commentator on Brazil’s Combate channel,” as Volkmann hung on until the final bell and took the unanimous nod.

The always reliable South Korean Dong Hyun Kim moved the show into second gear, using his judo and ever-improving striking to outdo Canada’s Sean Pierson, who kept in the fight throughout but dropped the Facebook-broadcast fight by unanimous decision to his opponent’s convincing performance.

Lights out for Fitch: a first

The action picked up pace in the fights that followed, with Danny Castillo eking out a decision win over the Nigerian Anthony Njokuani and Ross Pearson outpointing the Brazilian Junior Assunção. While Castillo won by getting more takedowns and putting on a bit of pressure on the ground, Ross Pearson won by landing a few more strikes over Assunção in the standup action.

The event would only make it to third gear in the main card. A Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida purple belt, the fresh-faced Jimy Hettes displayed the Jiu-Jitsu of a veteran in drubbing Vietnam’s Nam Phan. Also a judo black belt, Jimy annuled Nam standing and punished him on the ground with strikes, armbar attempts mounts—a complete menu. “Judo and Jiu-Jitsu together are like a filet and good red wine,” posted UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin over Twitter.

From there on out things heated up, and Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson plowed his Volvo through the seasoned Vladimir Matyushenko, 40; knocking him out with a well-placed fist to the jowl two minutes after the opening bell. Even quicker on the trigger was welterweight Johnny Hendricks, who made a promise and kept it: he threw a left hook that knocked Jon Fitch out just 12 seconds into the fight. A dazed Fitch, who was coming off a shoulder injury, tried grappling with the referee who threw himself in the line of fire to prevent further injury to the downed fighter, before realizing he had been disconnected. Hendricks should now face GSP for the title by the end of 2012.

Savvy young Jimy against Nam Phan: undefeated thus far in his career

UFC 141

Las Vegas, United States

December 30, 2011

Alistar Overeem defeated Brock Lesnar via technical knockout at 2:26 min of R1;

Nate Diaz defeated Donald Cerrone via unanimous judges’ decision;

Johny Hendricks knocked out Jon Fitch at 0.12 min of R1;

Alexander Gustafsson knocked out Vladimir Matyushenko at 2:13 min of R1;

Jim Hettes defeated Nam Phan via unanimous decision.

Preliminary card (American TV):

Ross Pearson defeated Junior Assunção via unanimous decision;

Danny Castillo defeated Anthony Njokuani via split decision.

Card Preliminar (Facebook):

Dong Hyun Kim defeated Sean Pierson via unanimous decision;

Jacob Volkmann defeated Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision;

Matt Riddle vs Luis Ramos – canceled (Matt was pulled from the card due to influenza, according to UFC);

Diego Nunes defeated Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision.

Ross dishes out elbows on Junior Assunção from the bottom. "I did everything I could to win", lamented the Brazilian, who lost the decision.