Dan Hardy Makes a Successful UFC Debut

Dan Hardy made a winning debut in the UFC. “The Outlaw” took a split decision over Akihiro Gono at UFC 89: Bisping vs Leben; held at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.

In the opening round Hardy got the better of things via hard leg-kicks and occasional punches as Gono backed up and beckoned the younger man in. Despite his best intentions, Hardy often fell short with shots or simply missed the target as Gono exhibited all his famed slickness and defensive nuances. At times, the Japanese star would look like a world-class boxer, slipping and sliding Hardy’s shots with his back against the Octagon and seemingly nowhere to manoeuvre.

However, while Hardy missed with many, he also landed many. Moreover, he looked to land many. On the flipside, Gono, ever the showman and ever the crafty counter-puncher, simply failed to work enough over the long haul to expect any favours. He landed some beautifully timed left-hooks in the first round and a couple of spiteful counter rights in the second but, save for sporadic success, simply failed to commit himself enough to gaining control of the fight.

When Gono became desperate in the final round and attempted to drag Hardy to the floor, Dan showed impressive composure and slickness to get back to his feet in a matter of seconds. After all, there was no time to mess about with a wily competitor like Gono.

Game plan executed and first UFC bout out the way, Hardy walked away a narrow albeit thoroughly deserved winner via scores of 29-28 (twice) to Gono’s 29-28.

Both Liverpool’s Terry Etim and Ontario’s Sam Stout stayed true to their word this evening in Birmingham as they kicked and punched incessantly for 15 minutes of lightweight action.

Aside from one quickly stuffed takedown attempt by each, Etim and Stout put on an enjoyable exhibition of stand-up hitting and kicking, much to the delight of the raucous NIA crowd. Sending them over the edge was the unanimous decision verdict Etim walked home with following the three intriguing rounds.

Home favourite Etim - an angular and awkward 6’1 fighter with impressive Muay-Thai skills – managed to contain the stockier Stout for much of the three rounds. Utilising well-placed leg-kicks and occasional counter jabs and left hooks, Etim would successfully time Stout’s advances and catch the shorter man coming in.

Eager to get inside and find the angles and distance to do his work, Stout used a selection of leg-kicks, wild left hooks and overhand rights – most missing. Sensing Etim was backing up with his chin in the air, Stout would stoop down low and come up with wide hooks or looping shots from awkward angles. Now and again, Stout would find the range and connect, but there often wasn’t enough sustained contact to pose a genuine threat to Etim.

Aside from a couple of decent shots landed by Stout towards the end of round two, Etim very much had the look of a man in control. He has maturity and poise beyond his mere 22 years. Despite the roar of the crowd and the threat of Stout’s heavy hands directly in front of him, Etim stuck to his game plan and picked his spots well.

As the rounds progressed, it was evident the 24-year-old’s Stout’s attacks were becoming born out of desperation rather than any pre-planning or method. He had to figure a way to get inside Etim’s reach and kicks and he struggled to stay in range long enough to unleash his own weapons.

Following three rounds of precise standup work, Etim received the nod by scores of 29-28 (twice) and 30-27.

Youthful exuberance and raw strength conquered experience and know-how as Jim Miller overpowered and eventually choked out French star David Baron at 3.19 of the third round in a battle of talented lightweights.

New Jersey’s Miller, 10 years Baron’s junior at 25, initiated the action from the outset, always looking to start attacks and always looking to be the boss on the ground.

The seasoned Baron, a man with a wealth of high-level mixed martial arts experience, found himself able to hang and deal with Miller’s advances, but he could never seem to generate any action of his own. He would always be reacting upon whatever Miller decided upon.

Numerous times Miller would get Baron’s back, only to be then shaken off by the slippery and composed Parisian. Nevertheless, Miller’s diligence and desire to finish things gradually broke the will and durability of Baron. He could only avoid the inevitable for so long.

Entering the third round, Miller was evidently the one with the skip in his step. Only five minutes away from victory, Miller took Baron to the floor – a recurring theme in the bout – and used all his superior strength to control the flow of the action.

Despite Baron’s attempts to keep Miller guessing and avoid countless choke attempts, Miller eventually caught his piece-de-resistance with only two minutes to go. Eager to not let this one slip away, Miller secured the rear-naked choke win.