Tapout Sports Nutrition - The Revolution In Nutrition

by John Morgan and Dann Stupp www.MMAJUNKIE.com <http://www.MMAJUNKIE.com>  on Mar 07, 2010 at 12:50 am ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Speed kills.

The bantamweight title fight between Dominick Cruz and Brian Bowles, which served as the main event of Saturday's "WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz" event in Columbus, Ohio, was correctly billed as a "speed vs. power" matchup.

Speed won, and the challenger walked away a champion.

Cruz used blindingly fast footwork, along with a pinpoint jab and stunning right hand counters, to frustrate the former champion from the opening bell. Bowles tried to remain patient, but he was forced into a chasing role as Cruz continually moved out of range. The fight unfolded precisely as Cruz had predicted as Bowles simply couldn't hit what he couldn't catch.

As the second opened, the momentum was clearly in Cruz's favor. Bowles' face told the story as his nose bled slightly and his eyes gave away the frustration in his mind. He earned a brief rest when Cruz caught him with a low blow, but it was only delaying the inevitable.

Cruz returned to his stunningly quick attack, complete with level changes, kicking strikes and a whole lot of movement. Another takedown capped off the round, and Bowles' spirit appeared broken. So, too, it turns out, was his body.

Doctors came in to examine Bowles on the stool between rounds, and after determining the once-undefeated fighter had a broken hand, the fight was waved off.

Cruz, who has openly given his stick-and-move gameplan since the bout was first announced, said he was happy that things went exactly as planned.

"He's got heavy hands," Cruz said. "He popped me a few times in the mouth. I just had to move a lot, just like I said I was going to do. I executed the gameplan."

The former champion, never one to show too much emotion, explained what led to the stoppage.

"The first punch I threw in the whole fight, I broke my hand," Bowles said. "It threw me off. My mind starting thinking about my hand."

Like any former champion, Bowles said he wants a chance to regain his title, though he knows he may have to wait for that chance.

"I'm sure I'll have to fight somebody before I fight for the belt again," Bowles said.