This Memorial Day weekend (Sat., May 23, 2015), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brings its best — as it always does — to “Sin City” for an epic line up of fights.
Though things got a bit rocky when former Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones was involved in a car accident and subsequently stripped of his belt, former No. 1 contender Daniel Cormier was tapped to replace him and battle the streaking Anthony Johnson for the 205-pound crown in the night’s main event.
Prior to that scrap, undefeated Middleweight titleholder Chris Weidman makes the third title defense of his Octagon career when he tangles with Vitor Belfort. Further down the pay-per-view (PPV) main card are tilts pitting top-tier Flyweight standouts Joseph Benavidez and John Moraga against each other, as well as a potential Lightweight title eliminator involving Donald Cerrone and late replacement John Makdessi.
However, we’d be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the stacked “Prelims” undercard, which will broadcast on UFC Fight Pass and FOX Sports 1. One bout flying under-the-radar involves former The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 17 runner up, Uriah Hall, who collides with Brazil’s Rafael Natal.
“Primetime” has been fighting in mixed martial arts (MMA) for nearly a decade. Ever since his appearance on TUF, and this highlight reel knockout, the expectations placed on the shoulders of the 30-year-old Jamaican have been high.
Hall began his MMA career in Oct. 2005 in the storied New Jersey fight promotion Ring of Combat (ROC) against Mike Iannone. His debut lasted all but 44 seconds after he destroyed his opponent with a plethora of knees and uppercuts in the clinch.
Then, the Karate expert spent over three years away from the sport and competed in the World Combat League. Hall would establish his dominance and personality in the Chuck Norris-inspired martial arts organization.
He returned to MMA in June 2009 and faced devastating knockout artist Edwin Aguilar at Bellator 11. Hall would defeat the heavy-handed Mexican via a head kick and strikes with 30 seconds left in the bout, following a back-and-forth kickboxing match.
Next up was a wrestler Mitch Whitesel in Nov. of the same year, whom Hall dispatched the only way he knows how, with his speed and striking power. “Primetime” was garnering a head of steam and all the confidence that comes with it.
Hall attained three finishes each of his three professional MMA fights and was awarded a shot at the vacant ROC 185-pound title against Roger Carroll in June 2010. Before the submission specialist could grab a hold of him, Hall stopped him with punches over halfway into the first frame.
With a belt around his waist just four fights into his professional career, Hall was riding high, but was brought down to earth in a hurry. Confidence can be a dangerous attribute — it can work for you or against you. It can force a fighter to remain stagnant and not sharpen his tools or acquire new skills and weapons to defeat the legion of challengers he will face in his or hers division.
Hall had defeated strikers and wrestlers both and was set to take on another standout ground fighter in the future UFC champion Weidman. In this case, “All-American” was an immovable object.
Weidman’s constant pressure and left hand spelled the end of Hall’s quick and forgetful reign as a ROC titleholder. Unfortunately for Hall, that wasn’t the end of the losing.
He was outpointed by power puncher and future UFC competitor Costas Philippou over three rounds. Now, on a two-fight skid, Hall was in serious need of a pick-me-up.
Hall coasted against Aung La N Sang, capturing a third-round knockout victory over the “The Burmese Python” with a hard right hand. Aiming to make it two in a row, he then faced Daniel Akinyemi. It appeared as if Akinyemi might make this a tough out for Hall, but the latter surprised many, snatching up a heel hook in the early going.
He was beginning to put the pieces together. Hall had now seen what defeat looks like and what the best are going to look to do to him in order to negate some of his profound offensive weapons, like his kicks. By incorporating a sound defensive strategy, and strengthening his jiu-jitsu, Hall was well on his way to achieving great things in MMA.
He had a chance to win back the ROC middleweight title when he took on Nodar Kudukhashvili in June 2012. In a well-rounded display, Hall fought hard over 25 minutes, surviving takedown attempts and mild dangers, before capturing full mount in the later rounds and cruising to a unanimous-decision win.
The win was his golden ticket to the big show. Hall was selected to appear on TUF 17 and was picked by team Chael Sonnen with its second pick. He won his first fight via decision and his fight with Adam Cella was what thrust him into the spotlight in homes across the country.
His blistering spinning-heel kick knockout of Cella has tallied 5 million YouTube views. Hall secured his next two victories by way of knockout and technical-knockout, which set up a date with fellow teammate Kelvin Gastelum at the show’s Finale.
Gastelum turned in a gutsy performance against the significantly taller and longer Hall. The wrestler would take the ‘W’ and the title of TUF winner behind the strength of an aggressive attack and looping punches. Consequentially, Hall would hear it from his boss, UFC President Dana White, and an assortment of other detractors for not stepping up when the spotlight shined brightest.
Nonetheless, Hall was still offered a UFC contract and made his second appearance in the promotion against the ferocious John Howard. Without offering up much in the means of significant strikes, “Primetime” lost a close decision.
He got back in the win column against a badly over-the-hill Chris Leben, forcing the latter to retire between rounds. Hall then coupled a unanimous-decision win over Thiago Santos with a first-round dismissal of Ron Stallings in January.
The latter two victories were all the more impressive, showcasing his growth in the striking department. In particular, in his win over Santos, Hall showed much disdain towards the stand-up ability of his opponent, often walking him down with his hands lowered.
Hall is on top of his game when he’s uncorking his jab and not retreating, which is when he crumbles and folds, typically. This was not the case against Leben, where he was often striking, while backing up.
His upcoming opponent will be on the offensive for a takedown.
Natal has been in the cage with some of the best the middleweight division has to offer, but he has come up short in four bouts; half of those losses were by knockout. His striking skills are rudimentary, leaving him susceptible to the kicking game of his opponents. “Sapo’s” opponents can let the leg kicks fly and not be afraid of retaliation because he is not that good of a counter striker.
Unless the Hall of old shows up (i.e. Gastelum and Howard versions), he is due for a coming out party tonight in the fight capital of the world.
