It looks like these surprise endings come in threes.
Maybe he was going to catch him in an armbar or even possibly grind out a very tough decision, but I don't think I heard from anyone that said Gabriel Gonzaga was going to knock out Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in the main event at UFC 70 Saturday night in Manchester, England -- Let alone with a high kick to the head; the very same technique Cro Cop can base an entire highlight reel on.
The win gives Gonzaga a title shot against UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, the same person that picked him to win this match and the same person that defeated Tim Sylvia for the belt at UFC 68. This is the third consecutive major UFC show where the favorite has lost. Matt Serra, who will fight former champion Matt Hughes next, knocked out Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 69.
Cro Cop landed one crushing left-leg kick to the ribs of Gonzaga, but would not land another strike of significance. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt threw a right roundhouse kick that landed on the side of Cro Cop's head, ending the fight with nine seconds left in the first round.
In the undercard, Michael Bisping, supported by his home crowd, overwhelmed mixed martial arts veteran Elvis Sinosic and earned the referee stoppage win at 1:40 in the second round. Bisping, punching mostly from Sinosic's guard, hit the Australian with a barrage of punches that opened a cut in the first round and ended the fight in the second.
Andrei Arlovski outpointed Cro Cop's training partner Fabricio Werdum and earned the unanimous decision victory. Arlovski hammered Werdum with vicious leg kicks that had Werdum constantly changing his stance. The win moves Arlovski right back into title contention behind Gonzaga.
In the other televised bouts:
Cheick Kongo beat Assuerio Silva by majority decision.
England's Terry Etim submitted Matt Grice with a guillotine choke in the first round.
Fightin' Words readers....in your opinion, what was the most unbelievable defeat?
Randy Couture defeats Tim Sylvia at UFC 68.
Matt Serra defeats Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69.
Gabriel Gonzaga defeats Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 70.
Comments (6)
Serra over GSP. Love Serra, but GSP just destroyed the Champ, while Matt labored to win the Utilmate Fighter title. Great win for Gonzaga. It looked like Cro Cop misread the kick. He was in position to defend, then lowered his hands as if he expected the shot to the ribs not the head. By the way, is he still in the hospital? That was an old school, Tank Abbott type knockout
To everyone else, definitely Matt Serra defeating Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69. But I called it along with the rest of WAR SERRA. We had no doubt. You have a great blog Joe and keep up the great work.
It has to be serra ! Randy was a past two-time champion. And Gonzaga was 9-1 and a rising start, who was 20 pounds (looked like 60 pounds) heavier the cro crop. I serra is goin to have the 2nd biggest upset, when he destroys Matt Hughes!!
Matt Serra is a punk who will get destroyed by Matt Hughes. Serra just got lucky - it happens sometimes in the UFC. A much weaker fight throws his fists wildly and manages to connect. I can't wait to see Hughes beat Serra's face into the mat!
Serra beating GSP was by far the most shocking of the 3 fights. It pissed me off royaly being a canadian.
Gotta say cro cops loss to gonzaga, especially how he lost, guess those pride guys arent as good as everyone thinks