Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (#3) competed at 170 pounds just over four years ago. Two years ago, he defeated a former UFC Champion at heavyweight. Saturday night, he became the number one contender for the 205-pound championship.
Johnson took on Alexander Gustafsson (#1) in front of 30,000 screaming Swedish fans at UFC on Fox 14. Gustafsson was a lofty favorite, and seemed poised to earn a re-match with current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Johnson stopped that talk dead in its tracks with a vicious first round stoppage.
It became evident out of the gate that Johnson was a poor stylistic match-up for Gustafsson, as "Rumble" closed the distance with ease. Gustafsson was unable to use his long range strikes, and couldn't overcome the aggressive pace of Johnson. Rumble landed several big punches, leading to Gustafsson being pounded on from a turtled position. Johnson earned the stoppage and a light heavyweight title shot against Jon Jones.
Elsewhere on the card, Gegard Mousasi (#8) earned a controversial TKO victory over legend Dan Henderson (#9). Mousasi was likely to win regardless, but Henderson looked to have recovered from a stiff punch, and was working for a take down when the bout was stopped. Fans and media alike called for Henderson to retire after the bout, which he didn't do.
Ryan Bader (#7) picked up his fourth straight win in an uneventful decision over #5-ranked Phil Davis. The bout was close, but didn't do either man any favors in gaining new fans.
Someone who did gain new fans was Makwan Amirkhani, who flattened Andy Ogle in 8 seconds. Amirkhani jumped right out of the gate with a flying knee and followed with a punch that left Ogle grappling with the referee. Color commentator Joe Rogan was protesting the stoppage, all the while Ogle was trying to turn the corner on a single leg on the referee. The fight was actually closer to 6.9 seconds, but Amirkhani got hosed by the timekeeper.
There was no fight of the night awarded. Instead, Amirkhani, Mousasi, Johnson and Kenny Robertson all took home $50,000 performance bonuses.
Full UFC on Fox 14 results are below:
Main Card
Anthony Johnson (#3) def. Alexander Gustafsson (#1) via TKO (punches) – Round 1
Gegard Mousasi (#8) def. Dan Henderson (#9) via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:10
Ryan Bader (#7) def. Phil Davis (#5) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Sam Sicilia def. Akira Corassani via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:26
Prelim Card
Albert Tumenov def Nico Musoke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kenny Robertson def. Sultan Aliev via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:42
Makwan Amirkhani def. Andy Ogle via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:08
Nikita Krylov def. Stanislav Nedkov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:24
Mairbek Taisumov def. Anthony Christodoulou via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:38
Mirsad Bektic def. Paul Redmond via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
Viktor Pesta def. Konstantin Erokhin via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Neil Seery def. Chris Beal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC Fox 14 Results Legend Knocked Out, Unbelievable 8 Second KO
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