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Velasquez makes example of Nogueira at UFC 110

Cain Velasquez remains undefeated in his MMA career © Getty Images

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Cain Velasquez is coming for Brock Lesnar's UFC heavyweight title after he tore through Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira's defences at UFC 110.

Lesnar's lay-off due to serious intestinal problems has prompted a four-way competition for the honour of No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division, with Velasquez fighting Nogueira at UFC 110 before Frank Mir and Shane Carwin square off at UFC 111. On Saturday February 20, Velasquez made the first move.

Showing the type of MMA brain that proves Velasquez is far more than the one-dimensional wrestler he was previously labelled, he disregarded his grappling forte in acknowledgement of Nogueira's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess. Instead, the Acer Arena crowd - witnessing the first UFC event to reach Australia - were treated to a stand-up masterclass from Velasquez.

In two minutes and 20 seconds, the American Kickboxing Academy student never allowed his legendary opponent to settle, before eventually beating him to the punch to secure the most impressive victory of his career via TKO.

"We were planning to push the pace wherever we could and keep him off-balance the whole time," said Velasquez, who moves to 8-0. "I just tried to keep focused, and when I got in position, to beat him to the punch."

In the co-main event of the evening, Michael Bisping took plenty of pride but little else from a tight decision loss to Wanderlei Silva, who moves to 33-10-1. The Briton won the first round comfortably against "The Axe Murderer", but Silva took a unanimous 29-28 decision after twice coming close to finishing the fight.

Bisping's game plan worked to perfection in the opening stanza. Boxing cleverly from the outside to implement his reach advantage, he registered two big takedowns against his Brazilian opponent, before bloodying Silva's nose as both men returned to their corners.

Round two largely followed a similar pattern despite Silva making a greater effort to close off the Octagon, but Bisping's hard work went to waste in the closing seconds as he pushed for a second takedown - only to fall straight into a tight guillotine choke as the bell came to his rescue. A similar fate then befell the Brit in the third round as Wanderlei again snatched it at the death, this time with a big right that may have brought about a TKO victory but for the sound of the final bell.

Michael Bisping performed admirably against Wanderlei Silva © Getty Images

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"It was an absolute pleasure stepping in there with someone like Wanderlei Silva, and I do have absolute respect for the guy," said Bisping. "I believe the reason he got the decision was because of the knockdown at the end, and I'm bummed out about it, but congratulations to Wanderlei."

Ryan Bader produced the knock-out of the night as he registered the biggest win of his career, defeating Keith Jardine with a huge third-round stoppage to move to 12-0.

Bader and Jardine came out swinging at the start of a hugely-entertaining fight, which saw Ultimate Fighter series eight winner Bader take round one due to landing the cleaner blows and completing a successful takedown/ground-and-pound attempt.

Jardine was typically unorthodox, but he could not land any big punches despite the fact Bader clearly tired as the fight progressed. The bout appeared to be petering out until midway through round three, when a jarring right from Bader allowed him to follow up with a flying knee and thunderous left for a knockout victory.

Mirko Cro Cop was always expected to beat late stand-in Anthony Perosh, but the Croatian was made to go two full rounds before Perosh retired on medical advice. Cro Cop tagged Perosh time and again throughout the contest, bloodying his foe by the end of round one with that laser-like left hand. Perosh continuously looked for the takedown, but he only invited some Cro Cop ground-and-pound, which consequently produced the elbow that opened the match-ending cut on Perosh's forehead. Cro Cop improves to 26-7-2.

Perosh's fellow Australian George Sotiropoulos fared much better in his lightweight battle with Joe Stevenson, besting his more illustrious opponent to send ripples through the 155lb division.

Sotiropoulos (12-2) possessed the better stand-up and he enjoyed the better moments on the deck as his outstanding ability to pass guard had Stevenson reeling in round one. Securing mount, Sotiropoulos nearly raised the roof at the Acer Arena with late kimura and armbar attempts but Stevenson held on.

Rounds two and three were more even as Sotiropoulos hurt Stevenson early on in the second, only to then find himself on the end of multiple takedowns and a close ankle-lock attempt. However, the Australian was always busy from the bottom, nearly finding a guillotine choke, and he was a deserved winner at the death.

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