The frenzy surrounding the hugely touted UFC finally reached its crescendo, but the climax turned out to be something of a mixed bag. The organisers managed to fill every seat, but some – including UFC president Dana White, a mass of bloggers and even a couple of Abu Dhabi Week correspondents – felt the competition could have delivered more. Or rather, the competitors could have delivered more.
Written by: Laura Fulton
The good news: there’s no doubt the evening was entertaining. Starting the night, the crowd went wild when Saudi-born Mostapha al Turk entered the cage, though the cheers weren’t enough to bring the hometown favourite to victory over Jon Madsen. Phil Davis took down Alex Gustafsson in less than five minutes, proving that tough guys can wear fuchsia; and it was the consensus that if Terry Etim was going to arrive accompanied by mellow Phil Collins, he deserved the beating he got at the hands of Raphael Dos Anjos.
It was the top three fights, however, that got the motley crowd into their seats – and later into the blogosphere. Spectators seemed disappointed when Matt Hughes and Renzo Gracie – two legends of the sport – refused to treat each other with anything but respect; but it came as no real surprise when 44-time winner Hughes defeated Gracie, 43 years old and competing for the first time ever in the Octagon.
The title match between BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar for the World Lightweight Championship was a more gratifying match up. Penn was much loved going into the outdoor arena, but after five strenuous rounds Edgar took the title by the judges’ decision – which surprised the victor almost as much as the fans.
The highlight of the evening should have been the last bout, with the much-publicised Anderson Silva defending his World Middleweight Championship belt against Demian Maia. Silva – who has been called “the nicest guy in the sport” – seemed to take rather too much pleasure in beating Maia swollen and bloodied and then taunting him. Though Maia lost the fight by judges’ decision after five rounds, the arrogance of Silva had lost the support of the crowd; and that was entertaining enough.
So was UFC 112 a good advertisement for the sport? Worth bringing to Abu Dhabi? Worth trekking out to Yas to watch? The organisation was good, the organisers seemed happy enough with the takings, and many of the crowd went home buzzing. The top-name fights weren’t great, though, and mixed martial arts fighting was left bloodied and little bowed.
