Returning to fight in Japan for the first time in more than five years, Josh Barnett got back into the win column with a tactical, punishing victory over Roy “Big Country” Nelson in Saturday’s heavyweight main event.
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Below is everything you need to know about the fighters for the evening, plus the tale of the tape and a full statistcial breakdown of the competitiors and event.
Fight fans were rewarded with an exciting clash of veteran heavyweight brutes during the UFC Fight Night 75 headliner in Saitama, Japan last night (Sat. September 26, 2015).
Hall, who has won four of his seven UFC bouts, with the only losses against Kelvin Gastelum, John Howard and Rafael Natal all coming by way of split decision, could win his next 20 fights in the Octagon, all by knockout, and there would still be critics chirping somewhere. However, Viva Zapata is such a fantastic nickname that I’ll give him the nod just out of respect. I think if you’re not comfortable engaging opponent in whatever aspect of MMA you’re engaged in, then you should find another sport.
Jessica: I have watched 0 seconds of UFC’s Road to Japan series, but I have read at least three tweets from Shiroobi about the show.
Burnsy: I don’t want to ever pick Hall, because I don’t think he’s a good fighter (yet) and most of his wins seem to come by luck or just good fortune. The former PRIDE star landed knee after knee to Nelson’s midsection and also crushed “Big Country” with multiple elbows to the head and left kicks to his prodigious gut. “It’s a great matchup, and there’s an expectation of what he might do, but I’m excited because it’s completely outside my comfort zone”.
Nelson kept himself in the fight, and even edged out two rounds on a couple scorecards due to some timely takedowns.
Tonight that particular punch was just out of reach, as Barnett did a masterful job of avoiding Nelson’s stand-up attack, and neutralizing his reliance on one-time power shots with effective clinch work against the cage. He bounded out of his corner with his hands low, as is his typical style. Neither one appeared to know what to say at the conclusion.
BK: These guys are in the UFC?
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As anti-climatic as the result was, it might have been appropriate. Despite being the older man by 10 years, Hirota pushed the pace late and took advantage of Ishihara’s fading gas tank in the third. Hirota laughed it off.
