UFC on Fuel TV 4 Recap: Weidman Dominates Munoz, Asks for Silva Next
By Chris Leslie on July 11, 2012
UFC on Fuel TV 4 took place live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Chris Weidman continued his rocket-like ascent up the UFC middleweight division with an absolutely dominating performance against Mark Munoz.
In the event’s co-main event, James Te Huna battered Joey Beltran for the better part of three rounds but Beltran simply refused to go down. Aaron Simpson, Francis Carmont, T.J. Dillashaw, and Rafael Dos Anjos also notched wins on the televised card.
Weidman Destroys Munoz, Calls for Silva
Chris Weidman was dominant against Mark Munoz from start to finish tonight. Weidman showed elite grappling in the first by brilliantly blending wrestling and BJJ to give the former NCAA Division 1 national champion fits on the ground.
In the second, Weidman displayed his striking. After opening up with more wrestling Munoz finally escaped to his feet but Weidman would not be deterred as he looked strong theere as well. Weidman managed to land the coup de grâce with a brilliantly timed elbow countering a wild overhand shot from Munoz. While the stoppage would not come for several strikes later, Munoz was clearly done after the elbow.
After the fight an emotional Weidman asked for a shot at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Te Huna Pounds Beltran
Joey Beltran has always been known as one of the tougher fighters in the UFC’s history and it was that toughness that brought him back to the Octagon after a brief stint on the local circuit and a drop to light-heavyweight. That toughness was on full display this evening as James Te Huna pounded Beltran for the better part of three rounds but Beltran held on and landed a few shots of his own as Te Huna started to punch himself out. Te Huna impressed from the start in the bout and set a light heavyweight record for strikes landed in a round during the first.
Te Huna is now 4-1 in the UFC with the lone loss coming to top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustaffson.
Simpson Dominates Robertson
Aaron Simpson was impressive in his welterweight debut as he dominated Kenny Robertson en route to a unanimous decision victory. Simpson did his absolute best to finish the fight with various submissions and strikes in the third but Robertson would not yield and held on to make it to the bell.
Carmont Stops “The Terminator”
Francis Carmont marked his third straight UFC victory by defeating Karlos Vemola. The Tristar product weathered a back and forth first round and took control of the second with a nasty teep kick to the face of Vemola. While Vemola somehow walked through it, Carmont locked in a sitting kimura from the crucifix position before transitioning beautifully to a rear-naked choke for the finish.
Dillashaw Submits Lee
T.J. Dillashaw was out-gunned on his feet against Vaughn Lee but was able to weather the storm and get the fight to the mat to prove victorious. Dillashaw took Lee down early in the first and immediately began looking for the choke. While Lee was able to work to his feet, he was unable to fend off Dillashaw as he finished Lee with a rear-naked choke/neck crank hybrid.
Dos Anjos Controls Njokuani
Rafael Dos Anjos knew his the best route to victory was to take down his opponent and utilize his BJJ. Dos Anjos was able to do just that as he dominated Anthony Njokuani. Njokuani was unable to utilize his striking advantage during the bout and it not help matters when he appeared to break his hand in the first round.
Full Results
Main Card (FUEL TV)
- Chris Weidman def. Mark Munoz via TKO at 1:37 of Round 2
- James Te Huna def. Joey Beltran via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Aaron Simpson def. Kenny Robertson via unanimous decision (30-27,29-28,29-28)
- Francis Carmont def. Karlos Vemola via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:39 of Round 2
- T.J. Dillashaw def. Vaughan Lee via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:33 of Round 1
- Rafael dos Anjos def. Anthony Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,29-28)
Preliminary Card (Facebook)
- Alex Caceres def. Damacio Page via submission (triangle choke) at 1:27 of Round 2
- Chris Cariaso def. Josh Ferguson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Andrew Craig def. Rafael Natal via KO (headkick) at 4:52 of Round 2
- Marcelo Guimaraes def. Dan Stittgen via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Raphael Assuncao def. Issei Tamura via TKO (punches) at 0:25 of Round 2
Latest
If the Silva/GSP or Silva/Jones super-fights aren’t going to happen, then Weidman is the next best choice to challenge the Spider. Bisping isn’t in Silva’s league, Belcher would put up a fight but isn’t up to the task, and nobody else is close enough to a shot to mention. Weidman provides offensive wrestling, aggressive top control and he’s constantly on the hunt for submissions. Make it happen Dana and Joe!
I find it interesting that Weidman would have fought Bisping if Munoz didn’t get hurt. Instead as we know Bisping fought Sonnen, and lost but in closer fashion, I think Weidman would have been even a worse matchup for Bisping though.
I don’t typically post on these things, but I am making an exception to remark on how impressed I was with Weidman’s performance tonight. He made Munoz look like he was fighting at light=heavyweight again- which is to say, he looked completely outclassed and in over his head. I wouldn’t have considered Weidman a threat to Silva prior to this fight, and though I am hesitant to say that he would win such a match up, I will say that his style could definitely pose more than a few problems for the champ.
congrats to Weidman, outstanding performance all the way around. this kids seemingly got everything necessary for a strong push for the title or atleast a shot. Showed some great instincts when he threw up that short elbow.
Chris is the epitomy of a new breed fighter.
Haven’t seen Munoz get folded like that since I guess the Hammer Hamil at 205. Silva’s got to take notice of that for sure.
also the fans booing during the first round, I don’t get it. These people aren’t real MMA fans. They don’t even know what they’re watching. In that sense I think this sport still has a long ways to go in terms of fan ignorance as to what real top level MMA is.
Can’t wait to see what’s next for this kid! That was a masterpeice!
To be fair. If your not sitting near the cage it is hard to see what is happening in the grappling department. I know you can watch the screens, but people came to see the live action. So without seeing what is going on while on the ground I can see where fans will boo.
Weidman absolutely deserves Spider immediately. I’m convinced he would beat him, and I feel like it might even be the closest betting line a fighter ever had. This fight is so obvious that I am positive the UFC won’t do it. The two options I see them most likely to give are Lombard (only if he wins, and impressively over Boestch), and Hendo whether he wins or loses to Bones.
But Weidman is seriously ready to go. He stifled munoz in every facet beyond imagination, and he’s been doing that since he got here. Not to mention, have you ever seen anyone be so amazing at bjj with so little training? Unbelievable. Not only his ability to take down, but his top control should almost be illegal because its so unfair. I have been known to use hyperbole, but I don’t think I could understate how sick Weidman is right now at this point in his career. I love Belcher, but It’s ,Weidman’s time and turn.
I think weidman was in danas list of the 3 that r in the mix(wit lombard and bisping I think) so I could certainly see them puttin him in against anderson but lombard is an established name havin been on mtv KOin people so based on lombards recognition id say if he beats boetsch lombard will get it and weidman will fight bisping.
I’d give him the shot because of this impressive performance, his record and UFC record and because HE WANTS IT and straight up asked for it. Not to mention he would pose the greatest threat to the champ.
As I said in the other thread, even if Bisping were to beat Belcher or whoever he fights next, there is NO guarantee Michael even asks for a shot or calls out Anderson Silva. He’s been shying away from that fight for years.
Anderson ain’t getting any younger and at 38 they can’t wait 6-12 months for him to fight.
Your options are pretty slim right now.
1)Bones vs Hendo (either a super fight or a middle weight rematch with whoever wins this fight)
2) Weideman
3) Winner of Bisping vs Belcher? (not sure either guy is ready, capable or willing)
PS. GSP is a long shot. Still recovering. Still has a unification title match vs Condit….. Still would have to train for months to gain the weight properly like he’s stated. This would be well over a year in the works. So it leaves 3 choices.
1st shot: Lombard but only if he wins IMPRESSIVELY
2nd shot: Weidman
3rd shot: If Lombard gets the shot & Weidman waits, then we should see Weidman vs Belfort & Bisping vs Belcher or any combo of those two matchups all make sense
I’d still love to see GSP vs Anderson before Jones vs Anderson, and I really have no desire to see Henderson at 185 vs Anderson because his gas tank was crap his last fight at 185
@Justin
I’m a little confused. When was Weidman supposed to fight Bisping? If you are referring to the UFC on Fox 2 card in Chicago, you are mistaken. The original card had Sonnen vs Munoz and Bisping vs Maia. Bisping filled in for Munoz and Weidman took Maia on two weeks notice.