Jul 12, 2017
Two very different fights,
both every bit as brilliant and beautiful as MMA can be. We break
them both down (and more) on this week’s Heavy Hands. Justin
Gaethje made his UFC debut in the main event of July 7th’s TUF 25
Finale, and while those of us who have watched him for years were
worried about his chances, he did exactly what he always does.
Michael Johnson had a speed advantage, and a better chin than just
about anybody else Gaethje has fought. Gaethje took his best shots
and knocked him out anyway, in a wild war that may not be topped
for the rest of the year.
The next night, Robert
Whittaker stepped into the Octagon to challenge Yoel Romero for the
UFC interim title, and a guaranteed shot at Michael Bisping’s belt.
A few months ago, the superhumanly explosive Romero, alongside
jiu-jitsu ace Ronaldo Souza, was considered one of the two best
middleweights in the world. Whittaker obliterated Souza back in
April, and while the first two rounds of this fight were much
tougher, Bobby Knuckles did it again. He outsmarted and outpaced
Romero down the stretch in a display of striking skill and takedown
defense that can only be called sublime. That he did all of this
with a busted knee renders his accomplishment all the more
remarkable.
It was not the greatest
International Fight Week ever, and plenty of things went wrong in
the lead-up. The two main events, however, will be remembered for a
very long time. Instant classics, courtesy of Justin Gaethje and
Robert Whittaker.