UFC on FOX 6 featured a great main card filled with excitement, skill, and violence. This post recaps the first three main card fights leading up to the main event. There was plenty at stake for the winners of each fight, and two of them are likely headed for a title shot. Without further ado, here are your recaps for last night's main card bouts...
It wasn't a pretty first round as the two featherweight contenders neutralized each other's striking, and Lamas spent much of the round futilely trying to take Koch down. He managed only one late takedown only for Koch to spring back up. But in the 2nd round, the fight livened up as Lamas slipped while throwing a kick, Koch tried to jump on top of him, but ended up on his back instead. Lamas postured up from top position and rained down hard punches and elbows, and it was the elbows that did the most damage. Koch was badly cut from one elbow, and Lamas fired away with more vicious elbows before John McCarthy stopped the fight. It's the first time Koch (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has ever lost by stoppage, and the surging Lamas (13-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) made a big case for a title shot against the winner of Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar. You should watch this fight "now" despite the slow start, because the finish is worth the wait. Ricardo Lamas def. Erik Koch by TKO (elbows and punches) at 2:32 of round 2.
Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
It was a fight penned as one of the must-watch matchups of 2013, and it ended up as pure domination for Showtime. Pettis showcased impressive counter-punching as well as hard body kicks. The first significant body kick he landed clearly caused Cowboy to grimace. Joe Rogan pointed this out in commentary, and seconds later Pettis crushed Cerrone's live, sending him backwards and on the canvas, where he was finished with two punches to the side of the head. This marked only the 2nd stoppage loss for Cerrone (19-5 1 NC MMA, 6-2 UFC), and the first by KO/TKO. Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who turned 26 today, could very well be next in line for a title shot, meaning a rematch with Ben Henderson is possible if Ben beats Gilbert Melendez this April. Watch this fight now if you haven't already.. Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone by TKO (body kick and punches) at 2:35 of round 1.
Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira
In the night's co-main event, Rampage's night appeared to be over before it started, as Teixeira took him down in just over a minute, had control of his back and tried to submit him with an arm-triangle following some ground-and-pound. But Rampage survived, and the striking remained relatively even until a left to the temple wobbled Jackson, and he was knocked down with another left moments later. Rampage recovered well and finished the round strongly with a 1-2 combo.
The 2nd round saw Rampage once again taken down with ease, but Rampage was able to stand back up without sustaining any major damage. However, his pace notably slowed and while he did land several good strikes on Glover, they lacked any sort of power to trouble Teixeira. Rampage taunted Teixeira late in the 2nd, implying he doesn't have anything in his strikes.
Teixeira, in addition to his crisp body work and uppercuts, decided to use his takedowns to decisively win the 3rd round, and by then it was evident that the former LHW champion had nothing left to give. Glover easily grabbed Rampage for multiple single-leg takedowns, the last of which ended with Teixeira in full-mount and slamming Rampage's face with elbows all the way to the final horn. It wasn't the most convincing win for Teixeira (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), but it got the job done for the Brazilian. As for Quinton Jackson (32-11 MMA, 7-5 UFC), it was likely his final fight in the UFC, and he goes out having lost 4 of 6 fights. Watch this fight later, it had plenty of good action, but wasn't a war nor was it particularly close. Glover Teixeira def. Quinton Jackson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
SBN coverage of UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson
post-fight scrum