UFC 87 ‘Seek and Destroy’ was the organization’s debut event in Minneapolis, Minn. and featured the showdown for the welterweight title between champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Jon Fitch. The undercard was highlighted by Brock Lesnar making his second UFC appearance against the veteran Heath Herring, as well as a much anticipated lightweight matchup between Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta.
Jason MacDonald vs Demian Maia (185 lbs)
In the first round, MacDonald quickly gets a takedown then gets caught in Maia’s triangle. He escapes and gets Maia’s back, attempts a rear naked choke but Maia is able to escape as well. MacDonald works ground and pound from the top; towards the end of the round Maia gets MacDonald’s back and threatens an RNC of his own.
MacDonald does enough to win the first round, but the next two is all Maia as he gets takedown early in both rounds and works MacDonald on the ground, mounting him and constantly threatening submissions. MacDonald survives until the middle of the third round, when he finally gets caught in an RNC he can’t escape and is forced to tap.
The aftermath: MacDonald put up a good fight and will likely remain in the lower half of UFC’s middleweight division. Maia shows a great display of grappling against a very game opponent, and is only a fight or two away from a title shot should he keep winning.
Fight grade: 4/5
Kenny Florian vs Roger Huerta (155 lbs)
In a very competitive fight that wasn’t quite as fast paced as most fans expected, Florian fought a very measured and technical bout and was able to shut down most of Huerta’s offense. Through all three rounds, Florian avoided the brawl that Huerta was trying to impose, and picked Roger apart with kicks and punches, dazing him several times in the later rounds. Florian also was able to get several takedowns and dominated Huerta on the ground, though Roger escaped back to his feet every time. Florian took every round on all three judges scorecards.
The aftermath: This was thought to be a number one contender bout, but with BJ Penn’s desire to move back up to welterweight, it’s not clear what will happen next for Florian or the lightweight title picture. Regardless, Florian moves up the middleweight ranks while Huerta’s six-win UFC streak is over.
Fight grade: 4.5/5
Manvel Gamburyan vs Robert Emerson (155 lbs)
Gamburyan comes out wild and is dropped by Emerson’s punch. Robert follows up with a huge hook while Manvel is still on the ground, knocking him momentarily unconscious only 13 seconds into the first round.
The aftermath: A big win for Emerson, and a big setback for Gamburyan, but neither is very high up the lightweight ladder, and both are sure to be back in the Octagon soon.
Fight grade: 3/5
Cheik Kongo vs Dan Evensen (HW)
The big Norwegian is clearly no match for Kongo, who punishes him from the get-go with leg kicks, gets a takedown then kicks at Evensen’s legs some more in the prone position, works him with body kicks once Evensen gets back to the feet, and finally knocks him out with a right hand midway through the first round.
The aftermath: Kongo demands a title shot in a very abrupt post-fight interview; strange rhetoric for a fighter coming off an unglamorous loss. Evensen shows nothing to prove he deserves another chance in the UFC.
Fight grade: 3.5/5
Brock Lesnar vs Heath Herring (HW)
Lesnar bowls Herring over with a huge punch early in the first round, then proceeds to maul him for the rest of the fight. Lesnar punishes Herring standing and in clinch; takes him down and mounts at will, and though Lesnar is unable to finish, Herring’s both eyes are swollen shut by the end of the bout. Very one-sided bout; Lesnar takes a 30-26 decision on all scorecards.
The aftermath: Lesnar looks very impressive, and I am curious to see who the UFC will throw at him next – perhaps Kongo? Herring remains a gatekeeper.
Fight grade: 2.5/5
Champion George St. Pierre vs Jon Fitch (170 lbs title bout)
Throughout the five rounds of this championship bout, St. Pierre dominates Fitch standing and on the ground, almost knocking him out in the first and again in the third round. Fitch miraculously survives and even fights back, bloodying St. Pierre late in the fight, but never comes close to finishing or even winning a single round. St. Pierre takes the decision, 50-44, 50-44, 50-43.
The aftermath: BJ Penn appears in the Octagon after the fight, to challenge St. Pierre to a rematch. Fitch’s eight-win UFC streak is over, leaving him tied with Royce Gracie for most consecutive wins.
Fight grade: 4/5
A solid show, though all the featured bouts went to decision and the Lesnar – Herring fight was hard to watch after the first round.