This is the second installment of the Ropes, Ring, and Cage UFC 91 preview, airing live on PPV this Saturday from Las Vegas, NV. Every day, RRC will provide background and analysis on one of the televised bouts. On Wednesday, RRC will preview Amir Sodallah vs. Nick Catone.
Gabriel Gonzaga (9-3) vs. Josh Hendricks (15-4)—Heavyweights
On Gonzaga
A 240+ pounder with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Yeah, that's a bad man. The 29-year-old has fought big names and been involved in some brawls in his five years of pro fighting.
Gonzaga compiled a 5-1 record before making it to the UFC, mainly winning by submission. Upon debuting in the Octagon with a knockout of Kevin Jordan in November 2005, the big man ripped off another two wins before getting his biggest opportunity to date: a battle with former PRIDE Champion Mirko Cro Cop. What followed was a spectacular leg kick knockout of Cro Cop that is one of the most recognizable KOs in recent UFC history.
This gave Gonzaga the No. 1 contender's position and a shot at Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture in August 2007. But Couture does what Couture does and defeated the 6'1" Gonzaga via TKO (strikes) in the third round, a battle that earned Fight of the Night honors.
Gonzaga would lose his next fight to Fabricio Werdum in January 2008 via TKO (strikes) before getting back on the winning track by submitting Justin McCully via first round Americana in July.
The Team Link member needs a consistent string of wins to get back to the contender status he was at just over a year ago and a win Saturday would certainly help.
comments (3) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Wait did I read that right? Hendricks over Gonzaga via 1st round TKO?
about 1 month ago
You did...calling for the upset!
about 1 month ago
Wow you are bold my friend =)
write a new comment