UFC Mexico City: Final Thoughts

That was a pretty good card.

In the main event Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg put on an intriguing and very technical striking battle. Moreno's wide hooks ended up winning over Erceg's straight jabs. I think the scorecards may have done Erceg a little bit of a disservice. I think he won more than one round with his crisp combos. Moreno fought with a lot of drive and charisma, though, and I think he is the deserving winner.

In the co-main event Manual Torres dropped Drew Dober quickly with a straight punch and then hammerfisted him into the shadow realm. Dober held onto Torres' ankle, but that was closer to being rigor mortis than it was intelligent defense. Dober complained about the stoppage, but if anything he should be complaining that it was too late.

HIGHLIGHTS!

Before that Edgar Chairez ran through CJ Vergara. He dropped him with a big punch and then strangled him for an emotional finish.

Also on the main card Raul Rosas Jr and Vince Morales had a very fun fight, with both threatening with submissions. Rosas, who looked OK on the feet, spent more time on top though and earned a decision win.

Former Combate champ David Martinez announced himself on the big stage tonight. He blitzed Saimon Oliveira for a first round TKO in his first fight off of Contender Series.

HIGHLIGHTS!

We opened the main card with an upset. Peru's Kevin Borjas dropped Ronaldo Rodriguez twice to earn a decision.

The featured Prelim fight didn't last long. Jose Medina thought he could do his Homer Simpson routine against Ateba Gautier, but was sorely mistaken. After smirking and inviting Gautier to come at him, Gautier put him down with a knee for the first round KO.

HIGHLIGHTS!

Melquizael Costa beat Christian Rodriguez in a very fun fight that would be a front runner for Fight of the Night on many other cards.

Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri was also a lot of fun, with their third round being one of the best I can remember from this year. Godinez got the decision, due to her takedowns in round one and two but Polastri almost finished her in the third.

Also on the card Rafa Garcia and MarQuel Mederos took close decisions over Vinc Pichel and Austin Hubbard and Jamall Emmers blew up Gabriel Miranda (whose striking is so bad that he shouldn't be doing this).

Official decision: Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

That was a close fight, despite the scorecards. Steve Erceg did very well, coming off a big TKO loss. Moreno was just too active and unpredictable for him, though. Moreno landed some big shots early and throughout most the fight he was landing his hooks and showing a lot of aggression and positivity.

Moreno half lands a leg kick.

Erceg goes down, but I think he dripped while backing away. Moreno gets on top. Erceg goes for a triangle, but the angle is all wrong. Moreno gets side control and lands some elbows before the fight ends. He takes the final round and the fight 48-47 on my card.

Erceg lands his front kick to the body.

Moreno comes forwards swinging. He doesn't land, but it gets the crowd up. Moreno's personality and attitude might be doing a lot for him when it comes to the judges.

They trade hard leg kicks in the fifth round.

Both really turn over the kicks and land in the meaty part of the thigh.

10-9 Moreno. We're tied 38-38 on my scorecard.

They are both tired and getting sloppy, but Moreno's offense looks and feels more imposing than Erceg's at this point. His late takedown sealed the round.

Both guys are missing a lot in this round.

I think fatigue is starting to hit them. Moreno goes for a single leg, pushing Erceg to the fence late in the round. He lands some knees to the thigh and then drops down to complete the takedown.

Moreno tries to land his looping shots early in the fourth.

Erceg is still dedicated to throwing straight punches. His are landing with nice snap to them. Moreno is getting his hook on Erceg's ear but in the later rounds those shots aren't wobbling Erceg like they did in the first.

10-9 Erceg, marginally.

I think he pulled ahead there, taking the fight to 29-28 in his favor.

Erceg lands a jab.

Moments before he scored with a knee and then a front kick. He's being very economical with his shots and is looking fresher as a result. Moreno's wide punches look like they need a lot more effort to pull off and he's seeming slower as a result.