UFC cut two fighters from the promotion this past weekend, including a former Strikeforce champion.
MMAFighting.com confirmed an initial report from Olimpo MMA regarding the release of former Strikeforce Champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Danie…
UFC cut two fighters from the promotion this past weekend, including a former Strikeforce champion.
MMAFighting.com confirmed an initial report from Olimpo MMA regarding the release of former Strikeforce Champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Daniel Sarafian from the promotion.
Cavalcante (15-6) most recently dropped a deciison to Ovince St. Preux during his last Octagon appearance in Las Vegas, Nevada this past February.
Meanwhile, Sarafian (15-6) last competed in the UFC at their event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 21st, where he lost via first round knockout to Oluwale Bamgbose.
Machida ran through Dollaway like Grant took Richmond. Seriously, the fight was reminiscent of Machida’s 2012 performance against Ryan Bader but even more devastating and one-sided. After being hit with a body kick from Machida, Dollaway recoiled back to the cage and turtled. Machida followed up with vicious strikes. Dollaway crumpled to the mat. The fight was over before it started.
See Renan Barao choke out Mitch Gagnon after the jump.
Sick of watching the same NOS and Metro PCS commercials 4,000 times just to watch one or two good fights on a Fox Sports 1 card?
Machida ran through Dollaway like Grant took Richmond. Seriously, the fight was reminiscent of Machida’s 2012 performance against Ryan Bader but even more devastating and one-sided. After being hit with a body kick from Machida, Dollaway recoiled back to the cage and turtled. Machida followed up with vicious strikes. Dollaway crumpled to the mat. The fight was over before it started.
Mitch Gagnon fought more competitively against Renan Barao despite losing. Barao seemed sluggish in the first round and a half, not steamrolling over Gagnon like many (including us) expected. However, Barao’s fighting acumen snowballed as the contest dragged on, culminating in a third-round submission victory via arm-triangle choke. A good win, but Barao will need to show up about 20x better if he’s going to avenge his loss to bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw.
Oh, and by the way, the UFC announced they resigned Quinton “Rampage” Jackson during the fight card. We’re not kidding, though we wish we were. Read more here.
The fight card’s complete results are below:
Main Card
Lyoto Machida def. C.B. Dollaway via TKO (kick and punches) (1st, 1:02).
Renan Barao def. Mitch Gagnon via submission (arm triangle) (3rd, 3:53).
Patrick Cummins def. Antonio Carlos Junior via unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Rashid Magomedov def. Elias Silverio via TKO (punches) (3rd, 4:57).
Erick Silva def. Mike Rhodes via submission (arm triangle) (1st, 1:15).
Daniel Sarafian def. Antonio dos Santos Jr. via TKO (finger injury) (2nd, 1:01).
Preliminary Card
Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Igor Pokrajac via TKO (punches) (1st, 1:59).
Renato Carneiro def. Tom Niinimaki via submission (rear-naked choke) (2nd, 3:30).
Hacran Dias def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
Leandro Issa def. Yuta Sasaki via submission (neck crank) (2nd, 4:13).
Tim Means def. Marcio Alexandre via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Vitor Miranda def. Jake Collier via knockout (head kick and punches), (1st, 4:55)
On Saturday night, C.B. Dollaway went into hostile territory by taking on hometown fighter Daniel Sarafian at UFC on FX 7. After 15 minutes of action, the pair earned $50,000 apiece and Fight of the Night honors, although it was Dollaway who emerged vi…
On Saturday night, C.B. Dollaway went into hostile territory by taking on hometown fighter Daniel Sarafian at UFC on FX 7. After 15 minutes of action, the pair earned $50,000 apiece and Fight of the Night honors, although it was Dollaway who emerged victorious by way of split decision.
Regardless of what the hometown crowd would have you believe with their merciless post-fight booing, there is nothing wrong with “The Doberman” taking home the decision victory in last Saturday’s co-main event. After two rounds, the scores appeared to be tied up at 19-19, with the final frame determining who would have their arm raised.
In a back-and-forth frame, Dollaway would score a pair of takedowns, while Sarafian would earn an equal number of sweeps from the bottom. Nearly all offense was neutralized, and the round honestly could have been scored 10-10.
Ultimately, two judges leaned in favor of the American, much to the chagrin of the native Sao Paulo crowd.
With the victory, it is time to look ahead and see what’s next for C.B. Dollaway.
Currently holding a two-fight winning streak, as well as a co-main event victory, Dollaway sees his star rise with the UFC. This should allow the Ultimate Fighter finalist an opportunity to square off against a divisional notable.
Dollaway has a sloppy standup attack and is best when he can utilize his wrestling to grind out a decision victory. However, that isn’t a style that bodes well for him with a fresh batch of jiu-jitsu masters moving into the division.
There are a few options for Dollaway in his next contest, but I’ve settled on a pair of grapplers who have ties to the Strikeforce brand: Jake Shields and Roger Gracie.
Were his decision victory over Ed Herman not overturned due to a failed drug test, former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields would also be riding the momentum of consecutive wins. Like Dollaway, his standup leaves much to be desired, although his ground work can give opponents fits.
Although Shields has name recognition, his performances since joining the UFC have been fairly lackluster. Both of his official wins have been fairly controversial, with a UFC 144 victory over YoshihiroAkiyamabeing named one of the biggest robberies of 2012.
The other opponent, Roger Gracie, is a grappling wizard who earned submission wins in five of his six career victories. Like the aforementioned middleweights, Gracie needs to continue working on his striking prowess, as he tends to run into trouble against those who can thwart his takedown attempts.
Gracie holds a two-win streak of his own after picking up victories over Keith Jardine and Anthony Smith while fighting for Strikeforce.
The second-degree black belt would be a major challenge for Dollaway, who would be a fool to utilize his wrestling in that matchup. This would serve as a solid organizational debut for Gracie, who enters the UFC after the demise of Strikeforce earlier this month.
If you ask any of the Brazilians in attendance at Saturday’s UFC on FX 7 event, Daniel Sarafian was absolutely swindled out of a decision victory in the evening’s co-main event. In reality, the fight between Sarafian and The Ultimate Fighter …
If you ask any of the Brazilians in attendance at Saturday’s UFC on FX 7 event, Daniel Sarafian was absolutely swindled out of a decision victory in the evening’s co-main event.
In reality, the fight between Sarafian and The Ultimate Fighter runner-up C.B. Dollaway was dead even heading into the final round, which was a back-and-forth round that could have been scored in either man’s favor.
After the hard-fought loss in the evening’s Fight of the Night, Sarafian unfortunately joins the long list of Ultimate Fighter alumni who came up short in their Octagon debut. After the razor-thin decision, it’s time to take a look at what’s next for TUF: Brasil fighter Daniel Sarafian.
Sarafian is a short and stocky powerhouse who utilizes looping punches and wild haymakers while standing, but also has a dangerous submission game at his disposal in the event that the fight hits the canvas.
Choosing an opponent for the Brazilian is fairly simple. Considering his lower-tier placement on the roster, as long as he faces someone also on the bottom rung of the division, it’s an acceptable pairing.
However, considering the excitement put forth by Sarafian against an 11-fight UFC veteran like Dollaway, there is no problem with giving the Sao Paulo native another UFC notable who happens to be down on his luck.
The signs point to a fellow slugger who prefers to bang but doesn’t mind submitting foes if absolutely necessary: Chris “The Crippler” Leben.
Chris Leben is one of the most popular stars to ever step foot into the Octagon. Part of that has to do with his memorable appearance on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, but primarily, it is because he is a game fighter with an iron chin and a desire to end contests in violent fashion.
At the pinnacle of his career, Leben won his first five contests inside the Octagon. However, his biggest wins came years later when he finished highly regarded YoshihiroAkiyama and Wanderlei Silva.
Currently, Leben is on a career-worst 1-3 stretch in his most recent bouts. His most recent loss came against wrestler Derek Brunson at UFC 155, although he was previously scheduled to meet unrankedKarlosVemola on the card.
A fight between Sarafian and Leben is perfect for any Brazilian card, as the hometown star will be beloved by the audience, while Leben has the name-value to support main-card placement on any event.
Saturday night wasn’t Daniel Sarafian’s night. The powerful TUF: Brazil product didn’t exactly live up to the hype surrounding him.The stout middleweight met the discordant C.B. Dollaway in his official UFC debut Saturday night, and w…
Saturday night wasn’t Daniel Sarafian’s night. The powerful TUF: Brazil product didn’t exactly live up to the hype surrounding him.
The stout middleweight met the discordant C.B. Dollaway in his official UFC debut Saturday night, and while he proved a game opponent, he failed to do what most expected: destroy C.B. Dollaway.
Dollaway was rattled on more than one occasion in the early portions of the fight, but as the clock wore on, Sarafian slowed.
Dollaway was able to take control midway through the second round, and he did a fair job of keeping the upper hand over his opponent for the remainder of the fight.
Fortunately for Sarafian, the loss means little. Octagon jitters may well have played a factor in the fight, and the Brazilian did keep things competitive until the final bell sounded.
Daniel will be back, the only question is, who welcomes him in his sophomore effort?
The last time that Vitor Belfort fought in Sao Paulo, this happened. Fourteen years later, those still-lethal fists are the only thing separating Michael Bisping from the middleweight title shot that has stayed maddeningly out of his reach. So will Belfort triumph in front of his countrymen tonight at the Ibirapuera Arena, or will Bisping defy the haters and take what belongs to him?
Round-by-round updates from the “Belfort vs. Bisping” main card broadcast will be available after the jump beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and make the world a little less lonely by tossing your thoughts into the comments section.
The last time that Vitor Belfort fought in Sao Paulo, this happened. Fourteen years later, those still-lethal fists are the only thing separating Michael Bisping from the middleweight title shot that has stayed maddeningly out of his reach. So will Belfort triumph in front of his countrymen tonight at the Ibirapuera Arena, or will Bisping defy the haters and take what belongs to him?
Round-by-round updates from the “Belfort vs. Bisping” main card broadcast will be available after the jump beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and make the world a little less lonely by tossing your thoughts into the comments section.
Preliminary card results:
– Godofredo Castro def. Milton Vieira via split-decision (28-27 x 2, 27-28)
– Ronny Markes def. Andrew Craig via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Nik Lentz def. Diego Nunes via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 30-26)
– Edson Barboza def. Lucas Martins via submission (punches), 2:38 of round 1
– Yuri Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre resulted in a no contest (Nobre was knocked out by strikes to the back of the head), 2:11 of round 1
– Ildemar Alcantara def. Wagner Prado via submission (kneebar), 2:39 of round 2
– Francisco Trinaldo def. C.J. Keith via submission (arm triangle choke), 1:50 of round 2
And now the main card…
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Thiago Tavares As I once wrote, “God help the CagePotato writers who have to type [Nurmagomedov’s] name during liveblogs. (Not it, guys.)” Well, shit. Due to a last-minute withdrawal, I (BG) have to soldier up and make it happen. I’ll be shortening his name to “Nurma,” and I don’t even think Khabib himself would judge me for that.
Round 1: Tavares trying to back Nurma down to the fence, and Nurma brushes him away with a high kick and overhand right. Nurma throws another big wild punch but misses. Tavares lands a straight, but Nurma connects moments later with a sneaky left uppercut that drops Tavares to the canvas. He follows it up with a carpet-bombing of elbows from the top that puts Tavares’s lights out. Aaaaaaand still undefeated…Nurmagomedov def. Tavares via KO, 1:55 of round 1. The UFC production crew realizes that a translated English-to-Russian-to-English post-fight interview wouldn’t be very well-received by the Brazilian crowd, and they wisely skip it.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell
Round 1: Rothwell snaps out a pair of punches, and Gonzaga responds by shooting for a takedown. He gets Rothwell down, but Rothwell makes his way to his feet. Gonzaga sticks onto Rothwell, dragging Big Ben to the mat again despite a very blatant fence grab that Rothwell is warned for. Rothwell’s up again, and down again. Gonzaga with some wall-n-stall. They’re separated. Rothwell misses a jab and Gonzaga clinches up with him, landing a punch as Rothwell shakes out. Rothwell lands a punch. He puts Gonzaga against the fence, and is warned for a knee to the ball-area. They separate and Gonzaga starts finding his range with punches, making Rothwell’s legs go shaky at one point. Rothwell answers. A little jockeying against the fence and the horn sounds. Rothwell goes back to his corner with a cut under his eye. 10-9 Gonzaga.
Round 2: Right straight from Gonzaga lands. They clinch and trade knees. Gonzaga staggers Rothwell with two more rights, looks for a takedown, and grabs an arm-in guillotine when Rothwell tries to sprawl. Gonzaga pulls guard and bears down on the choke. Rothwell taps once, and looks pretty pissed off at himself as the ref ends the fight. Rothwell def. Gonzaga via submission (guillotine choke), 1:01 of round 2.
“Speaking of nice guys, the *infectious* Junior Dos Santos…” Jon Anik says, pointing out Cigano in the crowd, and making subtle reference to the herpes outbreak that ruined his marriage.
Daniel Sarafian vs. CB Dollaway
Round 1: Dollaway dashes in with some awkward looking jabs and Sarafian counters him with ease. Dollaway lands a leg kick. They land hooks simultaneously. Sarafian makes good contact with a charging punch combo. Sarafian lands an overhand right as Dollawya lands a kick to the body. Sarafian lands a straight to the body. Sarafian drops Dollaway, but Dollaway grabs onto Sarafian’s leg and makes his way back to his feet. Sarafian throwing with serious power, and lands a cross/hook combo. Dollaway jabbing. Sarafian again with the overhand right. Dollaway sticks the jab, Sarafian gives one back. He pushes forward with punches. Sarafian goes to the body. Dollaway taunting Sarafian, God knows why. Sarafian attacks at the horn but doesn’t catch Dollaway with anything. 10-9 Sarafian.
Round 2: Sarafian getting loose in the cage, shuckin’ and duckin’. Dollaway lands a long jab. Sarafian throws a spinning kick and misses. They briefly clinch against the fence. Dollaway lands his jab. He scores with a leg kick. Sarafian staggers Dollaway again with his big overhand right. Dollaway with a solid kick to the body. He throws another one, Sarafian catches it and trips Dollaway down, but Dollaway pops back up. Dollaway sticking with those kicks even though Sarafian is onto them by now. Both guys trading punches, Dollaway continuing to work the jab, and Sarafian throwing more big rights. Dollaway catches Sarafian with a big punch coming in, and Sarafian drops to his knees on the mat. Dollaway fires down some shots in an attempt to end the fight before the round ends, but Sarafian is saved by the horn.
Round 3: Dollaway throws a high-kick. Big hook from Sarafian lands, Dollaway swings back to counter and lands. Dollaway reaching forward with that jab. Dollaway lands a kick to the gut, then a short hook. Sarafian lands a big overhand right, Dollaway answers with a big right of his own. Dollway lands again and Sarafian is on his heels. Dollaway takes Sarafian down. Sarafian works to his feet but Dollaway is hugging him around the middle, and converts the takedown. Dollaway on Sarafian’s back. Sarafian rolls, and sweeps a fatigued Dollaway off of him. Now Sarafian is on top. He’s got 90 seconds to steal this round. Dollaway rolls, Sarafian seizes his back and tries to set up a RNC. Dollaway escapes and gets in Sarafian’s guard. Sarafian escapes. Dollaway shoots for a leg and takes a knee to the face. He continues to pursue Sarafian as the round ends. Could be a close decision coming up… Dollaway def. Sarafian via split-decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29). Even the translator sounds pissed off. The crowd tries to drown out CB’s interview response with boos. Something about landing his takedowns. Oh man. This is kind of brutal. Honestly, if Bisping takes out Belfort next, there could be actual rioting in this building.
Unrelated: I wonder what these bros are up to tonight.
Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
Round 1: Bisping takes the center of the Octagon. He feels Belfort out with jabs. Belfort throws a front kick. Inside leg kick from Bisping. Belfort throws a left head kick that’s blocked. Belfort long-jumps into Bisping and almost gets punches out of mid-air. Bisping starting to committ with his punches. Belfort misses a reverse kick. Bisping whiffs on a right straight. He comes in again and eats on uppercut. Bisping lands the inside leg kick again. Swing and a miss from Belfort. Belfort lands a body kick. Bisping tapping Belfort with the jab. Bisping tries to call time-out for an eye poke, but changes his mind and goes right back in. Bisping moves in with a punch and spinning kick but doesn’t have the right range. Belfort lands a punch that staggers Bisping, and chases him with punches as the round ends. That might be enough to give Belfort the edge.
Round 2: Low leg kick from Bisping. Belfort scares Bisping off with a fast straight. 1-2 from Belfort. Bisping jabs. A massive left-head kick from Belfort drops Bisping! Belfort lays on some finishing punches from the top and it’s all over. Belfort def. Bisping via TKO, 1:27 of round 2. Belfort says he’s only there because of God. He thanks his wife, camp, and Brazil, and gives all the glory to Jesus. Then he loses his mind about Chael Sonnen, ordering Dana and Lorenzo to get that clown out of the title fight with Jon Jones. Hey, from your mouth to God’s ears, buddy.
Michael Bisping has no sour grapes in his post-fight interview. “He was the better man…you win some, you lose some, I’m not going away.”
So now what? Weidman vs. Lombard for the next middleweight title shot? I doubt Belfort will be getting another chance any time soon, despite his post-fight pleas.
And now we get a look at Edson Barboza’s execution of Lucas Martins from the prelims. Martins gets kicked in the balls about 30 seconds into the fight, and pops a squat against the cage to recover. Ugh. He’s going back in after about a minute and a half, but you can tell he’s not completely ready. Martins is a game opponent, active with his attacks even if they’re not doing much. He gets a little too wild, though, swinging his punches during a striking blitz and leaving his chin out. Barboza finds it with a left hand, and Martins’s legs go all noodly. Barboza slams down punches as Martins’s head is wedged against the fence, and Martins eventually taps to the onslaught. The fight is stopped at 2:38 of the first frame.
That’s it, folks. If you’re on the East Coast and you have no taste in comedy, enjoy the new episode of Anger Management.
On Saturday night, C.B. 
