Quijano: “The Spider” reigns supreme

UNDOUBTEDLY, attrition brings out the best (and worst) in people. Last Sunday at UFC 148, with his legacy at stake and his abilities questioned by a fierce, relentless rival, Anderson Silva re-affirmed his status as the sport’s number one fighter by stopping Chael Sonnen in 1:55 of the second round.

It didn’t come easy as the first round was practically a repeat of how majority of their first fight went, but Silva pulled it off in dramatic fashion.

THE FIGHT. Just seconds into the match, Sonnen once again had Silva on his back and aggressively took command trying to administer his own inexorable brand of ground-and-pound.

Silva, who is a master at smothering an opponent’s offense while on guard position, was able to prevent Sonnen from inflicting any real damage, but the challenger clearly dominated the round.

In the second, Sonnen again attempted to take down “The Spider” but the defending champ was able to snuff all attempts. At around 1:30 mark, Silva was backing up against the cage trying to lure Sonnen into a striking match when the latter charged and attempted a spinning back fist.

The fleet-footed Silva deftly stepped aside and Sonnen’s momentum carried him to the ground. In a flash, Silva was on him and landed a flying knee which landed on Sonnen’s gut.

That practically took the fight out of him and after Silva landed several unanswered blows, the fight was stopped.

We were spot on with our prediction for Silva to win it via stoppage after Sonnen was able to inflict some ground and pound, but I thought the denouement would come via another submission.

The normally obstinate Sonnen was cool and composed during the post-fight interview.

Though he promised to leave the UFC if he lost to Silva, this is one of those instances when I actually won’t mind if someone breaks a promise as Sonnen is one unrelenting competitor, full of heart and capable of giving us more exciting fights.

FEEDBACK. Just the other day, this writer bumped into the prolific Norman Go, chief instructor for Deftac Cebu, who has guided his fighters to success in numerous Jiu-jitsu tournaments here and abroad.

Solicited for his thoughts, Norman opined that Sonnen may have been careless and it was that mistake that cost him the match. Otherwise, he may have had his way with Silva again.

I totally agree Norm. Who knows what could have happened if Sonnen stuck to the game-plan of grinding out Silva, but the latter was also having success in preventing Sonnen from taking the fight to the ground in the second round.

But as we all know, in a fight what matters isn’t necessarily who is the best fighter.

It’s who is the best fighter at that particular, pivotal moment. In that split second, Sonnen made a mistake and that was all that Silva needed to come out on top.

INVINCIBLE. All roads lead to the New Cebu Coliseum this Saturday for the exciting sixth installment of the MMA extravaganza, “Ground and Pound: Invincible.”

Enjoying top-billing will be Lorde Rey “The Punisher” Yamit of Butuan Extreme MMA who will be facing Mark “The Terminator”Araneta of Team UMMA, Mandaue City.

There will be several firsts for this fight card. Yawyan Ardigma will be handing out division title belts which has become a yearly installment and it is reportedly the first officially sanctioned MMA event by the Games and Amusements Board.

A fellow media practitioner will also be venturing into the dangerous world of fighting, as Lemuel Maglinte, sportswriter for Banat and my fellow SAC member be strutting his wares.

Apparently deciding it was better to walk the walk rather than write about the talk, he trained long and hard and will be up against Zoren Pescador of Parkour Sugbo who will also be making his own pro debut.

Good Luck Lem. May your strikes be as sharp as your writing and your spirit as hard as the liquor that we drink!

LAST ROUNDS. Are on my kumpares, Rey “Gutzie” Guttierez and Stephen Villamor of Step-V Trading who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!