The Weigh-Ins (Rights of the UFC)
Yeah I know its old news but I just ran across this fight and remembered all the hype. So here’s what I think.
1st Round: During the first round Huerta pushed the pace and came out with some strong leg kicks to Florian’s low and mid-section. He also made attempts at his favored faint to Superman punch combination. Florian managed a takedown and later mananged to get his back. However, Huerta was able to push through Florian’s rear guard and escape the bottom postion. Once Huerta brought the fight back to the feet he utilized the cage to try and open up Florian. Huerta’s gameplan seemed to be to push the pace and keep the distance close for a KO or the possible takedown and patented ground and pound. Florian’s gameplan during the first round was to remain distant from Huerta, go for the takedown and put Florian Jujitsu to work. He maintianed his distance and did not manage to capitalize enough to win the round.
2nd Round: Prior to round 2 Kenny’s corner told him to up the ante in response to Huerta’s aggression. This was shown in the second round where we see a more aggressive Florian willing to trade with Huerta. Florian attempts another takedown that results in more of a scap that ends with Huerta standing back up. Another takedown attempt almost gets Florian tied up in a Kamora by Huerta. Huerta loosens to reign down on Kenny with numerous elbows. Huerta’s slight release gives Florian his needed room to pull out of the Kamora as well as Roger’s back. However Huerta spends little time in the bottom position before slipping out. There is some exchanging leg kicks before the round ends.
3rd and Final Round: Before the third Kenny is encouraged by his corner “Get on this kid! Jump on this kid! Don’t let him steal this from you!” Florian comes out much more aggressive and lands a left straight kick right on Huerta’s chin. He follows up with a connecting knee and flying knee combo. Huerta all the while lands most of his attacks but they are sparse. The fight goes the distance and to the judges scorecards for a decision. Huerta’s involvement in the first two rounds were not enough to win over the judges after Kenny’s performance in the third.
My 2 cents: In my opinion Huerta threw WAY too many superman punch attempts. With a move like the superman punch it is too easily telegraphed and should be held on reserve to catch an unsuspecting or pre-injured opponent. He pushed the pace all three rounds but that also caused him to sustain some damage from Kenny’s deadly elbows. I’m sure coming off of 6 back to back wins in the UFC he wanted this to be another BANG. But truthfully if he had not focused as much on finishing the fight spectacularlly, he showed that he could handle Florian’s ground game and in my opinon could have taken the three rounds on points.
Thanks for looking guys don’t forget to comment and subscribe O-(‘-’O)
Florian with a High Kick (Rights of the UFC)
JohnnyOcho's MMA Blog 