A Champions Kryptonite

The UFC's heavyweight division is one of the most hotly contested titles of all. Here we bring to you, who we think may just be the 'dark horse' for Cain Velasquez's belt.

Cain Velasquez, the champion, stands at 6ft1inch tall, weighs 108kg and moves quicker than a greyhound chasing a ball of fluff around a track. He is a real life 'Superman'. Those 3 things together with his NCAA wrestling skills make for one beast of a man. A freight train has nothing on the power Cain can generate when shooting for your hips. In his last fight. against former champ Junior Dos Santos, he left Dos Santos barely recognisable, such was the damage he had inflicted.

Cain making a mess of JDS in their last meeting

So how could anyone take his belt if he's so dangerous? Enter....

Travis 'Hapa' Browne                                                                                      

Born in Oahu, Hawaii, Travis Browne holds a professional record of 15-1-1, his only loss coming at the hands of Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva when Browne had torn his hamstring early in the fight. He stands a staggering 6ft7inch high and weighs no less than 115kg. This is what 'Supermans' Krytonite looks like. With knockout victories over Stefan Struve, Gabriel Gonzaga and Alistair Overeem, the power Travis holds is another crucial part to what's needed to bring down the champ. His long legs provide a bigger target for Cain, but his Muay Thai skills will have Velasquez hesitant on a takedown. With his long limbs he'll be able to keep Cain away at a safe distance, whilst picking him off with superior striking. The champ has power too, sure, but Travis took a beating from Alistair Overeem, remembering Alistair is a former K1 champion kickboxer, yet recovered to knock him out. You could argue that Cain's already beaten someone the same mould as Browne, in 'Bigfoot' Silva, but Bigfoots agility will not compare. Travis will be able to throw his hips back a lot quicker to avoid the takedown and keep the fight standing to his advantage. For now though, Hapa must a find a way through former UFC champ Josh Barnett, at UFC 168,  and hope Cain Velasquez can resist the punching power of Junior Dos Santos, at UFC 166. Only then may Kryptonite have the chance to bring Superman to his knees.

Travis 'Hapa' Browne after his recent victory

UFC 165 Live Review Jon 'Bones' Jones vs Alexander 'The Mauler' Gustafsson

Here we go! Light Heavyweight championship on the line. The most dominant light heavyweight ever begins confidently, with his trademark front kick to the knee keeping Gustafsson at bay. Alex remains confident though, throwing his fair share of strikes. A nice knee from Gustafsson that landed on Jones, looked to back Jon up. Some more good trading left Jones bruised early and Alex got the takedown, to the excitement of those at Melbournes Lion Bar. Jones finished the round with a good elbow. But Gustafsson should get the first round. What a start!
In between rounds it became apparent of the damage Alex had done, Jon's right eye was closing quickly. Early in the 2nd 'The Mauler' sat Jones down and ran in for the kill, Jon quickly recovered though and got back to his feet. Gustafsson continued to enjoy the better of the striking. Jon landed a nice kick and looked to wrestle back control of the fight. Jon shot for the takedown but Alex stuffed it nicely. Near the end Alex landed a nice over hand right, but Jkn probably did enough to take the second round. What a fight so far!
Huge combo from Gustafsson started us off in the 3rd. Jones kept throwing his front keg kick to Gustafsson's knee, Jones' kicks looked to be more effective now, landing more to the body, but it was still Alex countering well with the jab then overhand right. Jones begun to assert his dominance, throwing big body kicks and backing Alex up. The last minute of the round Gustafsson threw some nice combos but Jon countered with a spinning elbow. A seriously good fight, going into the championship rounds.
Coming into the 4th the champion looked the fresher and started by landing some nice strong jabs. Alex landed some strikes as well and we continued the back and forth battle. Gustafsson now begun to take the upper hand, his jabs were landing clean and now both of Jon's eyes look to be swelling. Some more right left combos forced Jon to shoot for the takedown, but Alex stuffed the attempt. Jon Jones landed a huge elbow that looked to rock Gustafsson and Jones went for the kill, Alex ran away for the remaining seconds of the round and survived.
With both guys now bleeding, its anyone's fight coming into the 5th and final. Both guys exactly the same now, throwing great strikes, getting in and out quickly. Good right left by Jones, good right left by Gustafsson, Jones gets the takedown and Gustafsson gets back up. What a fight! Jones started to land the more effective strikes, Alex exhausted tried and tried, Jones the fitter man went the harder as we closed. Jones head kick, Gustafsson upper cut, Jones elbow. Wow, that's it. We go to the judges, what an amazing fight!!!
Jones rightfully gets the unanimous decision victory, 48-47, 49-46, 48-47. But Jones finished busted up, bruised and battered. Alexander Gustafsson is a true warrior and he will get another crack at the belt. For now though, Jon Jones remains the Light Heavyweight Champion. In doing so sets a new record for the most Light Heavyweight Title defences. I've said it before , but what a fight!

UFC 165 Live Review Renan Barao vs Eddie Wineland

Interim Bantamweight title on the line! Eddie looking charged runs to the center of the octagon and is on the front foot right from the start. Renan Barao moves in for the clinch and presses Wineland to the cage, Yves Lavigne is quick to break them up though and its back to the center of the octagon we go. Both guys looking very confident exchanging clean blows. Barao landed some nice leg kicks that looked to have little impact on Eddie. Some big blows from both guys to finish the round. Good luck scoring the first, Wineland maybe with more octagon control.
Round 2 and again Eddie marches to the center of the octagon to take control. OOOHHHHHHH!!!! Renan Barao! Spinning back kick meant for the liver, lands on Eddie Winelands jaw as he ducks. Its enough to rock Wineland and Barao jumps all over him, throwing 3 more punches before the referee has seen enough and calls an end to the fight! What a knockout!