After The Crossfire – UFC 178: Johnson vs Cariaso

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson defended his UFC flyweight belt with a convincing submission win of Chris Carisaso at UFC 178.

Johnson was a step ahead of Cariaso for much of the bout, cinching in a kimura at 2:29 of the second round.

It’s the fifth consecutive title defence for Johnson.

Irish featherweight Conor McGregor made good on his first round prediction, stopping Dustin Poirier in a battle that got personal in the preamble.

McGregor and Dominick Cruz earned performance of the night honours while Tim Kennedy and Yoel Romero grabbed the fight of the night.

Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus, while attendance at the MGM Grand Garden arena was 10,544 with a gate of $2.2 million USD.

Welcome back to The Crossfire.

MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman checks in:

MANNY “THE ANVIL” GAMBURYAN VS CODY “THE RENEGADE” GIBSON

WISEMAN PREDICTION: MANNY GAMBURYAN VIA SUBMISSION

WINNER: MANNY GAMBURYAN VIA SUBMISSION

Wiseman: I was surprised at how Gibson handled Gamburyan. His combinations, display of power, and ability to fight at a range were perfect. However, Gamburyan showed his durability and just kept coming forward. Gamburyan, known for his ground game and judo showed why he is known for these things late in the second round when he squeezed out a choke for the tap. Gibson did everything right except the fact that he allowed things to go to the mat. The hilarious part of this fight occurred after the fight when Gamburyan called out Caraway with Ronda Rousey laughing in the background.

JON “THE SUPER SAIYAN” TUCK  VS KEVIN “THE MOTOWN PHENOM” LEE

WISEMAN PREDICTION: JON TUCK  VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

WINNER: KEVIN LEE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: The fight of blood and cup shots. The first round had Tuck injured and the second had Lee injured twice which led to the ref taking a point away from Tuck. The final round, the boys decided to stop kicking each other in the junk and get to business. Lee hurt Tuck and unloaded with ground-and-pound for a decision win. Tuck spilled a ton of blood, but didn’t quit. Great heart, but ultimately Lee was superior tonight in every way.

JOHN “DOMMSDAY” HOWARD VS “BAD BOY” BRIAN EBERSOLE

WISEMAN PREDICTION: BRIAN EBERSOLE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

WINNER: BRIAN EBERSOLE VIA SPLIT DECISION

Wiseman: As I predicted, boring. Ebersole with all of his experience just comes across as too calm in these fights. He is never in a hurry, never going for the win, always single shots to get in the clinch. Coming from a Muay Thai camp in Phuket, I just personally expect more. I expect harder kicks, better combinations, more….something. Then, after the fight, tea time in the center of the cage. What? All in all, a great fight to get snacks in. Neither are close to being where they need to be to be in the top ten. After sixty professional fights one would assume you would be able to crack the top ten.

Split decision win for Ebersole. Just gross.

PATRICK “THE PREDATOR” COTE VS STEPHEN “WONDERBOY” THOMPSON

WISEMAN PREDICTION: PATRICK COTE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

WINNER: STEPHEN THOMPSON VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: It was the stance of Thompson and his technical striking that threw Cote for a loop. Cote needed to close the gap and move forward with aggression, but instead he stood in front of Thompson giving him time to set things up. Thompson moved out of the way of shots, stuffed takedowns, and scored on strange angles. Good showing by Thompson.

JORGE “GAMEBRED” MASVIDAL VS JAMES “THE JAMES KRAUSE” KRAUSE 

WISEMAN PREDICTION: JAMES KRUASE VIA SUBMISSION

WINNER: JORGE MASVIDAL VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: It was the aggression and pace set by Masvidal from the beginning of the fight. Krause just couldn’t gain any control at all. With every punch or kick Masvidal would throw a flurry. Masvidal also showed that he can grind and defend well when on the mat. A great learning experience for Krause and an awesome showing by Masvidal for the decision win.

#10 DOMINICK CRUZ VS #5 TAKEYA MIZUGAKI 

WISEMAN PREDICTION: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA TKO

WINNER: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA TKO

Wiseman: Wow!! What happened! I said that I pitied the guy fighting Cruz on his return, but I didn’t see it going within the first minute. Amazing! From his movement, to his takedown, to his ground-and-pound. It all looked like the Cruz of old. Incredible!

#1 CAT “ALPHA” ZINGANO VS #8 AMANDA “THE LIONESS” NUNES 

WISEMAN PREDICTION: CAT ZINGANO VIA SUBMISSION

WINNER: CAT ZINGANO VS TKO

Wiseman: The throws, the control, the ground-and-pound, just brutal attack by Zingano leaving Nunes bleeding in the center of the cage. What a return by Zingano! After overcoming so much, to see Zingano and Cruz show that you can overcome anything. The first round was a situation for Zingano starting off, but what a furry she let loose after the butterflies cleared. Amazing fight. Nothing but respect for such a strong woman, inside and outside of the cage.

#6 TIM KENNEDY VS #10 YOEL “SOLDIER OF GOD ” ROMERO

WISEMAN PREDICTION: TIM KENNEDY VIA SUBMISSION

WINNER: YOEL ROMERO VIA TKO

Wiseman: This is just gross! Romero’s camp left the chair inside the octagon when the round should start, all to give Romero more time to recover as he was rocked hard at the end of the second round. Cheating to the fullest! Romero came out and rocked Kennedy in the final round, after cheating and giving himself more time, only for the fans to boo in disgust. Not a win when you cheat.

#5 DUSTIN “THE DIAMOND” POIRIER VS CONOR “THE NOROTIOUS” MCGREGOR

WISEMAN PREDICTION: CONOR MCGREGOR VIA TKO

WINNER: CONOR MCGREGOR VIA TKO

Wiseman: Wow! The hype behind McGregor is right on the money. He just made beating the #5 fighter look easy. Amazing! Poirier was out and Herb Dean called it. McGregor just fought too loose, throwing kicks and fighting long, showing superior power. The real deal McGregor wins via first round TKO.

#5 “COWBOY” DONALD CERRONE VS #14 EDDIE ALVAREZ 

WISEMAN PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA SUBMISSION

WINNER: DONALD CERRONE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: I’m surprised it went the distance, but the second and third rounds were all Cerrone. He continues to look amazing. He has been at a new level this year, a real warrior. Tonight he used his powerful leg kicks to damage to the lead leg of Alvarez which forced him to the ground near the end of the third. Fantastic cardio and heart shown by the Cowboy.

MAIN EVENT

DEMETRIOUS MIGHTY MOUSE” JOHNSON VS #8 CHRIS “KAMIKAZE” CARIASO

WISEMAN PREDICTION: DEMETIRIOUS JOHNSON VIA TKO

WINNER: DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON VIA SUBMISSION

Wiseman: The speed is something that everyone talks about when they talk about Johnson, but it’s more than that. Johnson has talent standing, his combinations and movement are above the rest. His wrestling is at a different level. His ability to pass guard and set up submissions, mind blowing. He is the best because he is a true mixed martial artist. Incredible.