Though it lacked the shoulder-checking excitement of the UFC 148 weigh-ins, last night’s UFC on FUEL 4 weigh-ins were not without their fair share of close calls. Mainly, that of Rafael Natal, Francis Carmont, and Alex Caceres, who all had to drop trou in order to make weight for their scheduled contests with Andrew Craig, Karlos Vemola, and Damacio Page, respectively. Caceres went au naturale right off the get-go to make 136, whereas Natal and Carmont managed to shed a pound following the aforementioned removal of their trousers, which must have been lined with a paper thin piece of iron or had a ham sandwich in the back pocket. Mark Munoz, on the other hand, squeaked in at the 186 pound limit for his main event matchup with fellow wrestling standout Chris Wediman.
And speaking of ham sandwiches/UFC 148, Subway aficionado Jay Glazer sat down alongside Ariel Helwani and recently dispatched middleweight contender Chael Sonnen to break down tonight’s main event, as well as discuss Sonnen’s UFC 148 loss and his future in the sport after the weigh-ins had concluded. We gotta give props to Glazer, who came right out and asked Sonnen, “What the hell were you thinking with that spinning elbow?” to which Sonnen responded in good humor, “I wish I could tell you…but I fell down like a doofus and I gotta live with it.” That you do, Chael. That you do.
Check out both of those videos and the full weigh-in results after the jump, and make sure to swing by CagePotato at 7 p.m. EST, where we will be liveblogging all the action in between heated games of Battleshots.
Though it lacked the shoulder-checking excitement of the UFC 148 weigh-ins, last night’s UFC on FUEL 4 weigh-ins were not without their fair share of close calls. Mainly, that of Rafael Natal, Francis Carmont, and Alex Caceres, who all had to drop trou in order to make weight for their scheduled contests with Andrew Craig, Karlos Vemola, and Damacio Page, respectively. Caceres went au naturale right off the get-go to make 136, whereas Natal and Carmont managed to shed a pound following the aforementioned removal of their trousers, which must have been lined with a paper thin piece of iron or had a ham sandwich in the back pocket. Mark Munoz, on the other hand, squeaked in at the 186 pound limit for his main event matchup with fellow wrestling standout Chris Wediman.
And speaking of ham sandwiches/UFC 148, Subway aficionado Jay Glazer sat down alongside Ariel Helwani and recently dispatched middleweight contender Chael Sonnen to break down tonight’s main event, as well as discuss Sonnen’s UFC 148 loss and his future in the sport after the weigh-ins had concluded. We gotta give props to Glazer, who came right out and asked Sonnen, “What the hell were you thinking with that spinning elbow?” to which Sonnen responded in good humor, “I wish I could tell you…but I fell down like a doofus and I gotta live with it.” That you do, Chael. That you do.
Check out both of those videos and the full weigh-in results after the jump, and make sure to swing by CagePotato at 7 p.m. EST, where we will be liveblogging all the action in between heated games of Battleshots.
Weigh-in Video (starts at the 10 minute mark)
Interview with Chael Sonnen
When asked on the perceived illegality of the knee in question, Sonnen stated that:
Here’s the reality. We don’t do instant replay in this sport and we shouldn’t. It comes down to a judgement call and wherever the referee says the knee landed, officially, that’s where the knee landed. That’s an excellent official as they all are; he made his call and that’s the way it goes, and I will never complain or look back.
Helwani immediately brought up the recent decision by Sonnen’s camp to appeal the fight verdict, as it seemed somewhat contradictory to what Sonnen had just said, to which Sonnen replied that “We would never appeal a decision.” If that is truly the case, then I have just gained back a ton of respect for Sonnen. Now if only I could hold onto it for more than a week at a time. Sonnen also said that he would not even begin to consider retirement for at least a few more weeks, referring to but not mentioning the hasty, emotion-based retirements of guys like BJ Penn.
Preliminary Card (Facebook) Damacio Page (136 lbs.) vs. Alex Caceres (136 lbs.)
Chris Cariaso (125 lbs.) vs. Josh Ferguson (125 lbs.)
Rafael Natal (186 lbs.) vs. Andrew Craig (185 lbs.)
Marcelo Guimaraes (171 lbs.) vs. Dan Stittgen (170 lbs.)
Raphael Assuncao (136 lbs.) vs. Issei Tamura (135 lbs.)
Will Munoz follow through on his promise to throw some bombs? Will Beltran’s glorious return to the UFC at 205 lbs against the hard hitting Te Huna be all for naught? Will “The Angel of Death” fall prey to a submission yet again? Tune in tonight and find out.
(Right before this picture was taken, Chael asked Anderson to smell his finger. And yes, it smelled like steak sauce. / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com. For more from this set, click here.)
Live round-by-round results from the “Silva vs. Sonnen 2” pay-per-view main card will be piling up after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, courtesy of Elias Cepeda. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please toss in your own two cents in the comments section.
(Right before this picture was taken, Chael asked Anderson to smell his finger. And yes, it smelled like steak sauce. / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com. For more from this set, click here.)
Live round-by-round results from the “Silva vs. Sonnen 2″ pay-per-view main card will be piling up after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, courtesy of Elias Cepeda. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please toss in your own two cents in the comments section.
We are live, ‘tater nation! The main card for the biggest card since for ever since is underway.
Easton takes the center of the ring and is moving in and out, bouncing up and down while incorporating lots of head movement early. Glancing leg kick and jab from Easton. Menjivar lands a rear leg kick, swings and misses with a head kick. Menjivar misses on an over hand right. Easton throws a punch combo, misses, Ivan misses with a spinning back fist.
The, overhand right from Menjivar, countered by Easton swinging a right cross, left hook combo pattern repeats itself. Neither man has been able to connect solidly yet though. Easton lands a lead head kick that backs Menjivar up. Ivan appears to still have his legs under him, though, and continues his movement.
Ivan returns fire with a read head kick but Easton blocks it. Easton attempts but misses on a spinning back kick. Easton counters a punch from Menjivar with a cross. Easton starting to finish his combos with rear round house leg kicks. Menjivar using teeps to keep Easton at bay.
Ivan swings and misses with another overhand right, is countered by a right from Easton. Easton shoots for a take down with seconds left in the round but is stuffed. The horn sounds and we head into the 2nd.
Rd 2
Easton with a switch kick with his left leg to the right side of Menjivar’s body. Lots of feints from Ivan, lots of head movement from Mike. The pair briefly get tied up in a head and arm clinch but soon separate. Easton throws a lead inside leg kick, Menjivar tries to counter but misses with another over hand right.
Easton throws another right cross, left hook combo and the left hook lands. Menjivar working straight front kicks to the knees of Easton. Nothing has landed too stiff yet though. Menjivar catches a right kick to the body from Easton and tries to kick sweep the other leg out from him but can’t move him.
Easton still taking the center of the cage most of the time, dictating the pace. Menjivar lands a right high kick. Easton looks unmoved. Easton blocks a left high kick. Under a minute left and Menjivar is moving to his left, Easton’s power side. Menjivar lands a right hook to the body.
Easton lands a body shot of his own. Easton has Menjivar backed against the cage and throws a flying knee that is blocked. Round ends. Fans boo. Plebians.
Rd 3
Joe Rogan comments that Easton is probably up on the scorecards based on his aggression and a slight edge in shots landed. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s probably right.
Easton is speeding it up, throwing more punch combos. They are not landing, but he’s swinging hard. Menjivar has yet to mount much of an offense yet this round either, but is pawing and measuring with the jab and looking to counter with punches. Menjivar throws a spinning back forearm but is blocked. Easton throws a left high kick that is blocked.
Menjivar throws a spinning side kick but misses as Easton changes levels and takes him down. Two and a half minutes left in the round and Easton has Ivan pinned against the cage in his full guard. Menjivar throws up an arm bar attempt but Easton quickly gets out.
Easton postures up from inside the full guard, Menjivar scrambles to his feet. Menjivar complains about something and referee Josh Rosenthal steps in momentarily but restarts the action with barely a moment’s delay.
A minute left and Menjivar lands a right hand to Easton’s body. Easton fires back but misses. Easton tries a jumping switch kick or something and misses and falls to the ground. He gets right back up and tries a spinning kick.
The round ends and the fans boo again. Both fighters embrace, Easton raises his hands in victory. What do the judges think?
Two judges have it 30-27 for Easton and the third scores it 29-28. Mike Easton gets it done. Who cares if Antonio Esfandiari and his fellow hooligan Vegas crowd members liked it or not?
McKenzie has such a nasty guillotine, who cares if he pretends he invented it? He’s stepping up in level of competition for sure against Mendes. No matter how it goes down, you gotta hand it to the Alaska native McKenzie for truly looking like he’s from Alaska.
Rd 1
McKenzie throws a few missed head kicks and then tries one to the body which Mendes catches and then lands a monster right punch to the body that drops his opponent to the mat, face-first. McKenzie has the wind knocked out of him, is turtled up and Mendes ends the fight with hammer fist strikes. Referee stoppage at thirty one seconds, Chad Mendes with the win.
Kim throws a lead low kick and Maia shoots right in. He’s clinched up against the fence and quickly works to the back of Kim, first getting one hook in and then letting go and trying to suplex Kim. Maia keeps control of Kim as he moves him around the ring, trying to slam him backwards and then forward.
Maia gets the trip, slamming Kim’s head right on the edge of the cage. Maia gets mount and starts to rain down punches. Its clear that Kim is in pain and Maia stands up, raising his hands in victory. No protest from Kim, he’s done.
Maia beats Mendes for quickest stoppage of the night thus far with a TKO in 27 seconds. Wow. I guess 170 might be a good weight for Maia if he can rag doll someone like Kim.
Whoah, on second (or 10th) instant replay viewing, it looks like Kim jacked his arm up by posting on it as he was being taken down, ala Shogun vs. Coleman I.
Cote walks out to Hammer’s “Too legit to 2 (?)quit.” And he looks to be singing along the shit out of it, too. If Cung Le comes out to something from Vanilla Ice, I’m getting up and walking away…He does not. LiveBlog continues.
Rd 1
Cote paws a jab, throws a body kick, Cung catches it and kicks out Cote’s other leg out from under him. Cote sorta blocks a head kick. Cote seems eager to strike with Le. Cote pushing the pace, Le, countering with marching-forward punches. No one has landed big yet with strikes.
Le continues to work the right side of Cote with his own rear left leg, lands a body kick. Le lands a jab to the head. Le lands a body kick, Cote answers with his own. Cote lands a hook, Le throws a body kick that’s blocked. Cote lands another hook.
Cote storms Le, clips him with an uppercut, Le side steps and hits the back of Cote’s head with an over hand right. Cote has made no attempt at a take down yet. Le clips Cote with a left punch. Le throws a body kick, gets mostly blocked. Le with a lead side kick to the thigh of Cote.
Cote switches to a south paw stance for a moment, then switches back. Cote stalks Le around the cage for the closing moments. The horn sounds and we head to round number two.
Rd 2
Cote takes the center of the ring but Le eagerly meets him. Cote gets a clinch, Le separates them with an over hand right. Le lands partially with a spinning heel kick to the head of Cote. Le throws another high kick. Cote blocks and answers with a straight right down the middle to the face of Le.
Cote lands another right hand in a punch combo to Le’s head. Le lands a stif lead right hook to the jaw of Cote that hurts him. Cote keeps moving forward, gets the Thai plum and throws a knee to the head of Le but is mostly blocked.
Le’s face is cute open. Does not seem to bother him at all yet. Cote gets his head moving, hoping to be more elusive. Le throws a left rear body kick and then a right hook. Cote lands an uppercut and pushes forward with punches that mostly miss and a kick to the hip of Le. Le looks composed but simply reacting to Cote may be taking its toll on the San Shou legend.
Le lands a right hook, then another. They are in the Thai clinch, trading shots, the round ends.
Rd 3
The two find themselves in the clinch once more. Cote is able to back Le up against the cage a minute in to the final round. Cote has both under hooks, Le swims in and lands a knee to the head of Cote as he circles away from the cage. They are in free standing range once more.
Le whiffs on two head kicks. Cote goes to the left side of Le’s body with a right hook and they are soon in a clinch again, with Le’s back pressed against the cage. Le is bleeding from under his left eye. Le lands a trip slam! Sanshou ain’t only good for crazy kicks, people. Cote gets back to his feet and tries for a single leg take down. Le defends and frees himself.
Le lands a counter right hook flush to Cote’s jaw. Cote fires back, more slowly, with punches to the head. They end up in a loose clinch and Cote fires shots, Le weaves under and lands a thudding over hand right to Cote’s head. Le lands another takedown. This time he holds Cote down for longer and he’s in the Canadian’s full guard with thirty seconds left. Le smothers Cote, Cote tries to create space by opening his guard and pushing on Le’s hip with his own left leg. The horn sounds and the fight ends.
Will Le get his first ever UFC win or will Cote have a successful return to the organization? Only Nevada’s finest know right now…
Le wins the unanimous decision! This guy deserves a lot of credit for venturing outside of his safe kickboxing and Sanshou world where he was famous and dominant into MMA. He now has a win in the best MMA organization in the world and no one will ever be able to take that away for him. Has to be the highest moment of his martial arts career.
Tito says this will be his final walk out to the Octagon. He’s fought more times in the UFC than anyone else and, win or lose, young or old, healthy or hurt, has never embarrassed himself in the cage. How good will Tito look against Griffin, another former champion and future hall of famer that may soon also be on the way out?
Tito is walking out first. Muy interesante. Damn it, Tito. Why did you have to ruin an introduction that I’m trying to make respectful and somber by wearing a toy medieval war helmet that, under a certain light, looks like a sado masochist mask? Oh well, Tito is amped-looking as always, as he sings along to Eminem playing over the arena’s loudspeakers.
Forrest looks calm, relaxed but focused as he walks to the ring in his awesome Hayabusa chimp shirt. Let’s get it on (like that one? Just a little phrase I came up with tonight).
Rd 1
Griffin bounces around, Tight stays tight with his guard. Tito lands an over hand right to Forrest’s head. Forrest throwing a lot of kicks for someone fighting a great wrestler. Tito gets a knee-pick and takes Forrest down almost a minute into the round. He has Griffin against the cage, Griffin tries to angle away. Griffin gets to one elbow and then hand against the cage, trying to stand up. Tito keeps the pressure on and Forrest cannot get up. He’s in a half, then butterfly guard.
Griffin gets up and they are back in free-standing range. Forrest throwing the jab and hooks, missing. Forrest then lands a right hand to the head. Forrest throws a left body kick that gets blocked. Tito goes for another knee-pick, doesn’t get it, throws a right head kick that is blocked. Forrest lands a rear leg kick and then two quick stiff punches on Tito’s head. Tito is stunned and then shoots from far away with no set-up. Forrest stuffs the shot.
Griffin looking more comfortable, he clips Tito with a left hook. Tito is hurt. Griffin throws him against the cage, Tito stumbles and turns back around to square up. But Tito is moving slowly now and getting tagged by Forrest.
Under a minute left, Tito lands a jab, then another, to the face of Griffin. Griffin lands a glancing super man punch. Forrest lands an inside leg kick and then a knee to the body. Tito shoots in at Forrest’s waist, takes his back and then switches to an ankle pick from the front, dragging Forrest down to the mat, but not cleanly. The horn sounds.
Rd 2
Tito starts the round by landing a right cross to Forrest’s head. Tito lands another one, it hurts Forrest. Tito lands a left hook. Forrest is hanging tough, gets the clinch and backs Tito against the cage, working a right under hook and controlling Tito’s right hand by holding the wrist with his left. Tito changes levels for a shot, gets stuffed but gets his back off of the fence. They are back standing in the center of the ring.
Forrest lands a rear leg kick. Forrest is more active with punches but Tito attempts to counter punch hard. Tito with a jab to the face, then a right cross that finds Forrest’s chin. Forrest lands his own punch to Tito’s dome. Forrest with a right hand down the middle through Tito’s guard and then another leg kick that Tito checks. Forrest connects with a jab. Then fires and lands with a quick cross. Forrest ducks under a Tito hook and hits Tito again.
Griffin lands another cross. Tito pumps and lands a double jab to the head. Tito is bleeding a little bit on the left side of his face. Forrest lands a right punch and pushes Tito away with his forearms. Tito is flat-footed. Forrest lands another right hand. Tito fires back but mostly misses.
Tito walks into another jab. One minute left. Forrest lands a a right hand to Tito’s jaw. Forrest glances Tito’s face with a front kick to the face. Forrest misses on a big uppercut. Tito shoots for a double leg with ten seconds left. At first it appears like he may have but Forrest defends, turns a corner and the round ends with Forrest landing hammer-fists to the side of Tito’s head as Tito hangs on to a leg of Forrest while on his own knees.
Rd 3
Possibly the last round of Tito Ortiz‘ career. Forrest opens with a rear leg kick. Forrest is fresher, bouncing around, Tito is still flat-footed. Forrest changes levels and then lands a right uppercut to the head. Forrest throwing quick punch combos now and finds his mark. Tito digs in and lands a big left hook, though, that drops Forrest!
Forrest tumbles backwards and does a backwards somersault. He gets back to his feet. Tito hits another knee-pick take down. He’s inside of Forrest’s gull guard now. Forrest tries to get back up but cannot. Forrest gets his left foot on Tito’s hip, pushing him away and up into the air but Tito regains his pressure and forces Forrest back onto his back. Full guard again. Tito posturing down, Forrest tries to lock up a key-lock. tito defends.
Tito not able to connect with strikes yet, having his hands full keeping control of Forrest. Forrest backs up to the cage and stands up. They are clinched up with two minutes left. Forrest does not slow down at all and presses Tito against the cage. Forrest lands a knee to Tito’s body.
Ortiz is gassed and hurt, standing with his back to and near the cage. Forrest connects with three more left hands, then a clipping right cross. One minute left. Tito lands a looping right hand to the face of Forrest. Forrest is fresher but might be down on the score cards.
Thirty seconds left. Tito standing in front of Forrest. Tito lands a jab. Tito changes levels, thinks about a shot, doesn’t go for it. Ten seconds left,the two swing as wildly as they can, Tito lands a shot, Forrest lands a knee.
Decision time!
No, wait, Forrest walks out of the Octagon and steals Tito’s special moment!
Is Griffin frustrated? Does he feel he lost the fight? Tito is unsure what is happening but is obviously excited by the turn of events in some way and yells out. He’s in the cage and Forrest isn’t.
No, wait, Griffin has come back into the ring. Ok, decision time now…for reals, we think.
The stats show Griffin having landed nearly three times as many strikes, but Tito landed knockdowns and take downs at key points.
Not enough – Forrest Griffin gets the 29-28 unanimous decision. He shrugs his shoulders. The two fighters embrace.
“Tito Ortiz, that was an awesome performance. Was that really your last performance in the Octagon?” Forrest has taken the microphone and is conducting the interview! Ortiz he is done and thanks everyone for their support.
Rogan gets the mic back and interviews Griffin. “I feel like we’ve got three draws,” Forrest says. In a class move, both fighters trade t-shirts.
As an aside, let’s reflect on just how far our sport has come – that’s a lot of swoosh symbols and burger king logos.
Rd 1
Sonnen with the quick take down! Silva on his back, using full guard in the center of the cage. Sonnen pushing Silva closer to the cage. Silva trying to control Sonnen’s posture but Sonnen is active from the guard with punches. Sonnen working to pass! Sonnen passes, then gets back into half guard.
Sonnen working punches, elbows and controlling Silva’s far side. Anderson is holding Sonnen tight, trying to control his posture, with double under hooks. Sonnen staying heavy on top of Silva in his half guard. Sonnen uses some knees to the left side of Anderson’s body. Sonnen using open palm strikes to the side of Silva’s head. Chael swings big and misses, Silva locks in an arm-triangle hold but has nothing, Chael breaks free and gets back to work with short punches while Silva hugs down on his head and body.
The ref annoyingly calls for them to “work.” They are. Chael works to pass Silva’s half guard and then returns to punching. Chael into full mount with under a minute left!
Chael throwing short elbows and is now getting in his own shoulder strikes. Pay back is a son of a gun. Anderson has his hands up, under Chael’s arms, trying to control Chael’s posture. He does succeed at not letting Chael do any big damage to him while mounted. Round ends.
Silva stands in his corner during the break. Seconds out, time in.
Rd 2
Chael comes right back at Silva, manages not to get caught with any strikes, and clinches up with the champ. Silva is being pressed against the cage. Chael has an over-under body lock. Chael momentarily changes levels for a take down but Silva defends.
They separate, Silva lands a big punch to Chael. Chael lands a straight cross.
Chael tries for a spinning back fist and Silva, hands down, slips and circles away. Sonnen falls hard from the force of his own missed blow! Silva is late to follow up but does, with strikes and a knee that would have struck Chael’s head if he had not blocked it. Chael gets up but soon falls back down against the cage. Silva follows up with strikes on the ground and that’s the fight.
Sonnen once again took it to Silva but paid the price earlier than before, losing for a second time. Anderson Silva is still the UFC middleweight champion.
Pedro Rizzo and Silva’s stylishly dressed kids are in the ring to celebrate Anderson’s win as he is announced as the victor. Anderson walks over to Chael, brings him to the center of the ring, tells everyone to cheer him and then invites him to a party at his house.
Chael calls Anderson a “true champion,” in his interview with Rogan. Will uber promoter trash talking public Chael return soon or will respectful and honest public Chael stick around for awhile? Only time will tell.
That’s it for now, folks. Thanks for partying with us.
The UFC makes its first stop in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, tonight for an extraordinarily cursed card that, let’s face it, we probably wouldn’t be watching if it wasn’t our job. Wanderlei Silva is fighting Rich Franklin again, this time at a 190-pound catchweight. (Also known as “middleweight plus.”) Fabricio Werdum is battling fellow big-man Mike Russow. And some guys from TUF Brazil are fighting too, although not all of the ones who should be. It is what it is. I’m guessing that very few of you will be buying this card, but if you’re out doing something more interesting tonight, please use your smart phones to follow along when you can.
Handling the thankless liveblog duties for this evening is Anthony Gannon, who will be layin’ down round-by-round updates from the UFC 147 pay-per-view main card after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest. And to prevent this from becoming the least-commented CagePotato liveblog of all time, I encourage you to use the comments section to discuss anything that comes to mind. Seriously, it doesn’t have to be UFC related. I’ll give you a topic to start off with: Germany invaded Poland earlier today. Do you think America should get involved?
The UFC makes its first stop in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, tonight for an extraordinarily cursed card that, let’s face it, we probably wouldn’t be watching if it wasn’t our job. Wanderlei Silva is fighting Rich Franklin again, this time at a 190-pound catchweight. (Also known as “middleweight plus.”) Fabricio Werdum is battling fellow big-man Mike Russow. And some guys from TUF Brazil are fighting too, although not all of the ones who should be. It is what it is. I’m guessing that very few of you will be buying this card, but if you’re out doing something more interesting tonight, please use your smart phones to follow along when you can.
Handling the thankless liveblog duties for this evening is Anthony Gannon, who will be layin’ down round-by-round updates from the UFC 147 pay-per-view main card after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest. And to prevent this from becoming the least-commented CagePotato liveblog of all time, I encourage you to use the comments section to discuss anything that comes to mind. Seriously, it doesn’t have to be UFC related. I’ll give you a topic to start off with: Germany invaded Poland earlier today. Do you think America should get involved?
Please stand by…
UFC 146, son! Bring on the wings, Natty Ice, and some of dem ho’s, cause I’m fittin’ to lose my mind. Up in here. Up in here. Oh wait, UFC 146 was last month. This is UFC 147, ya know, the one that should be free on the FUEL channel no one gets, right after All-Star Bass Fishing. Yep, they only bring me out for the important shit.
I’m not going to go so far as to say that UFC 147 is a suck-ass card, per se, but it’s certainly not worthy of $50. Hell, that Grant can be used to buy so many other things: a night of serious drinking at the local bar (happy hour of course), an intimate dinner for two at Denny’s, or, if you’re fortunate enough to find a massage joint randy enough to specialize in over 50 masseuses, a nice rub n’ tug. Hey, don’t knock experience, bitch. That shit counts.
This card is so bad it’s rumored that the UFC didn’t even bother sending Rogan and Goldy down for it. Instead, Goldy’s role is being filled by a Magic 8 ball with uber-white bottom teeth programmed with redundant phrases like, “These guys train hard, Joe.” Rogan will be replaced with a hologram set to repeat, “Nice leg kick” every 19 seconds.
Previously scheduled to be Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, this is a much better fight for Wandy. Rich Franklin is a bad dude, but he aint a killer like Vitor. I know we all love Wandy n’ all, but let’s be honest, Vitor would give him a severe beating ala Colonel Braddock on General Yin. It wasn’t that Yin was a chump. Quite the contrary. But Braddock was just a much better fighter, plus Yin put a rat in a bag and tied it to Braddock’s head, while hanging him upside down with his hands tied behind his back. Such acts tend to have a lasting effect on people and make them a tad vengeful. Incidentally, seven years of confinement, torture, and malnutrition didn’t much affect Braddock physically as he was able to easily beat Yin to death before he bounced up outta that piece.
Anyway, if recent history is any indication, though, tonight’s fights should be kick ass. The worse a card looks on paper, the better the fights are. It’s like a cosmological joke, or something. So let’s get pumped for a phenomenal card, because hot DAMN does this one look like dog shit.
We begin with a scan of the crowd, and they look fired up. Apparently no one told the Brazilians that this is a weak card. Rogan and Goldy play up the significance of the main event. And it’s very difficult to take Rich Franklin seriously when that hair makes him look like Lloyd Christmas.
Yuri Alcantara vs. Hacran Dias
Holy shit, Buffer busts out some Portuguese.
Round 1: God Arianny is hot. Here we go. Yuri fakes a kick. He charges forward, Dias pushes him into the cage, going for a trip, eventually gets it. He peppers Yuri with a few shots. Dias looking to take Yuri’s back. Now he’s on top, looking for a head and arm triangle, but the cage is in his way. Yuri is out of trouble, but still has Dias on top of him. Dias blasts him with an elbow. Yuri is up, but Dias slams him back to the mat. He’s in Yuri’s full guard. Dias controlling Yuri, but not doing much damage. Now Dias lands a few good ones. Yuri reverses out and is on Dias’ back, kneeing him in the ass. Dias has a standing Kimura, and they break. They end the round by trading kicks.
Round 2: Flying knee by Dias, skims Yuri. Yuri misses a hook. Dias misses a leg kick. Yuri lands a body kick and clinches, tries to take Dias down but ends up on the bottom. Shitty break. Dias working the body. Lands a decent elbow. Yuri goes for an armbar, looks pretty nasty, but Dias is out. He jumps back into Yuri’s guard. Yuri looks eerily relaxed down there. Someone needs to tell him he’s losing this fight. Dias passes to half guard. Yuri is back to his feet. Dias is having none of that and takes him down again. He’s in half guard, trying to pass to mount, but Yuri is hanging tough. Dias is dropping elbows, mostly being blocked. They get stood up for lack of action. Dias with a front kick. Yuri with a nice straight left, but he’s now down two rounds to none.
Round 3: Yuri looks like someone gave him a lude. He needs to get going. He lands a shot. Then misses a combo. Yuri lands a kick. Dias to the body in return, then hits a leg kick. Yuri misses with a huge bomb. Dias kicks the body, Yuri catches it and shrugs it off. Leg kick checked by Yuri. Dias has Yuri against the cage, scores another takedown. He peppering Yuri with little shots to the head. Yuri is up, and Dias plants him yet again. He’s in Yuri’s guard, and the crowd is getting restless. They get stood up again. Now with 40 seconds left, Yuri comes alive. He’s on top, in half guard, lands some decent shots. Too little too late, more than likely. We go to the judges.
Dias wins unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27.
Next up is Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Russow
Russow roles out to ‘Simple Man.’ Sweet.
While we have a minute, walkout music needs to be addressed. It pretty much sucks ass and is getting progressively worse. Why wouldn’t a guy come out to ‘Run to the Hills’ by Iron Maiden? That song makes me want to drop indiscriminant bombs on unsuspecting villagers. Some of these songs make me want to snuggle up on the couch with a Marcel Proust novel and a cup of hot cocoa. With marshmallows. I’m just waiting for someone to come out to Air Supply. Granted, one would be hard pressed to find a lovelier tune than ‘I’m All Outta Love,’ but you’re only supposed to listen to that shit in the confines of your car with the windows securely shut, like any decent person. This issue is imperative to the future of the sport and needs to be addressed at the next fighter summit.
Round 1: Herb Dean is the ref and we’re set to go. Russow charges forward with a couple short jabs. Werdum grabs Russow and delivers a knee. They clinch, and separate. Russow with a nice hook. Werdum with a huge leg kick, then a left to the face. He lands a right too. A big uppercut drops Russow, and Werdum commences to batter Russow’s head with hammer fists. Herb kindly steps in and halts the action.
Russow is a tough guy, but this is what happens when you match a part time fighter against a Top 10 heavyweight.
Werdum takes home a TKO victory at 2:28 of the first round.
Godofredo Pepev vs. Rony Mariano is up next.
Rony is crying on his way to the cage, wearing a Jason mask to boot. Very cool contrast of emotions.
See this is what I’m talking about. Fredo rolls out to Disturbed. Nice.
These cats are scrapping to be the featherweight TUF: Brazil winner. Mike Goldberg gives us a sociology lesson on humble beginnings and what winning this would mean.
Round 1: Fredo pushes forward with a right, clinches Rony against the cage. He delivers a knee. Rony answers with a knee of his own. Fredo charges again, has Rony against the cage. Fredo actually pulls guard. He’s looking for a Kimura. Rony is free. Fredo delivers a few punches to Rony’s back. Rony is just holding on for dear life. They get stood up. Rony misses a head kick by a mile, but lands a nice leg kick. Fredo jumps in and catches a flying knee to the grill. He then pulls guard again and lands a few elbows to the dome. Fredo is pretty active down there, but he ends the round on the bottom.
Round 2: Leg kick by Fredo. Rony with a jab to the body. And another. Fredo misses a high kick, but lands a left. Another body jab by Rony. Rony misses an overhand right, and they tie up. Fredo pulls guard again. Rony finally realizes he’s allowed to strike from top position, lands an elbow. Fredo is up. Fredo charges forward wildly, and eats a coupe shots for his effort. Rony lands a nice left. Fredo with a leg kick. Rony kicks to the body, Fredo catches it and throws him off. Fredo lands a left hook, and a jab. Rony with a nice overhand right. Fredo misses a spinning back fist. Damn, Rony misses a wheel kick to end the round.
Round 3: Fredo kicks high, Rony blocks. Rony lands a huge right, rocks Fredo. They’re clinched against the cage, now they separate. Fredo misses another spinning backfist by a mile. Wild exchange by both guys. Rony lands a straight right. Fredo kicks Rony in the jimmy. Rony is nursing his jewels, and we’re all set to go again. Jab by Fredo. Big shot from Rony, misses with a flying knee. Fredo going for a takedown, decides to just pull guard again, and why not, it’s worked out so well for him thus far. Rony is kicking Fredo’s legs, refuses to jump into guard again. Now they’re up. Inside leg kick from Fredo. Rony misses a wild left, then lands a right. He gets hit in the pills again. Rony’s looking pretty miserable. And we’re back. Spinning kick glances Rony’s ribs. Rony goes for a takedown to end the round, fails, and they keep going after the bell for some reason.
Rony wins a unanimous decision, 29-28 across the board.
Cezar Ferreira vs. Sergio Moraes are on deck for the middleweight TUF crown.
Sergio dances into the cage with some of the tightest shorts of all time.
Round 1: They touch and it’s on. Sergio charges and swings wildly. Cezar lands a Capoeira kick. He grabs Sergio by the back of the head and punches him in the face. Cezar lands a knee to the body. Sergio misses another wild hook. Body kick by Sergio. Then a leg kick. Cezar with an overhand left. Cezar charges in, Sergio backs him up with a big right. Elbow by Sergio. Cezar kicks Sergio in the pills. DAMN, the replay shows directly to the pills. That had to suck. And he’s ready to go. Sergio swings wildly again, blocked by Cezar. Wild exchange by both guys, Sergio gets the better of it. Cezar with a front kick, and a high kick that’s blocked. That’s the round.
Round 2: Sergio has a weird half smile on his face, and we’re set to go again. Cezar lands a left. Sergio tries to pull guard. Cezar drops Sergio. Lands a wheel kick, drops Sergio again, and lets him up. Cezar misses a high kick. So does Sergio. Sergio shoots, gets easily stuffed. Cezar with an overhand right, comes up short on a flying knee. The crowd chants. Goldy informs us that it’s “something in Portuguese.” Cezar with a kick to the body. Sergio is battering Cezar with wild punches. Cezar fights back with a few of his own. This just got a hell of a lot better. Goldy fucks it up as usual by comparing it to Forrest/Stephan. The round closes with the crowd going nuts.
Round 3: They embrace to start the third. Front kick to the body by Cezar. He drops Sergio with an uppercut, and let’s him up. Cezar is terrified to go to the ground with Sergio, second time he let him up. Cezar misses a kick, as does Sergio. Now Sergio lands one to the body. Cezar barely brushes Sergio with a pair of front kicks. Sergio lands a straight right that stuns Cezar. Cezar whiffs an overhand left. Cezar charges forward, misses. Sergio tags Cezar. They aren’t really throwing much. Cezar is hesitant, then drops Sergio with a straight left. He’s kicking the legs, still will not jump on top of Sergio. The round ends with a tough decision for the judges.
Cezar wins a unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27. and 30-27 to become the middleweight TUF winner.
Rogan tells Cezar he’s the first Ultimate Fighter winner. That would be cool if there weren’t already about 90 seasons in the books.
And the main event is next. Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Rich gets a raw deal. He’s mocked as a ‘company man,’ as Dana White’s boy. But I gots to imagine being D. White’s boy comes with some sweet bennies. Rich makes that long dough, and word has it he only has to caddy when Dana AND Lorenzzohit the greens, so that aint that bad. Plus they know Rich is always going to come in-shape, win or lose he always fights his guts out, and this cat will have a black eye, which the medical community is at a loss to explain.
Hey, some things are just unexplainable in this life: JFK assassination, Loch Ness Monster, how Heidi Klum spent all those years married to that ugly mother fucker Seal, and how in the name of all that is holy Rich Franklin has had a Goddamn black eye for the past six years.
Anyway, considering their limited options, the UFC must be given credit for finding Wandy a suitable replacement, even if it is a rematch. At a catchweight. With absolutely no divisional relevance whatsoever. The only better option would have been to get Wandy’s plastic surgeon in the cage with him so he could get some revenge on that bastard for doing whateverthefuck weird thing he did to Wandy’s face that makes him look like a serial killer from the Dagobah system. And to further expound on that topic, I never in a million years thought I’d say this, but Wandy’s opponent actually looks creepier than he does. What is with Rich’s hair? Midlife crisis? Lost a bet? He should just buy a Vet already and be done with it. No need to go around at Rich’s age looking like a soft ass teenage boy who wears Capris and flip flops.
Damn, Rich rolls out to some AC/DC, but he’s wearing some pink ass shorts, small ones too. Weird.
Wandy comes out to some fist pump shit, looking real intense though.
I’m having an extremely difficult time focusing on my duties what with Rich’s hair n’ all. That must be the point though. It must be a tactical move. There’s just no other explanation as to why someone would choose to walk around looking like that. This is war, god dammit, and hilarious distractions are part of the mutha fuckin’ competition. That was Sun Tzu, if I’m not mistaken. We must never forget what the late, great Patrice O’Neal said about African rebels, how they fight wearing “sweat pants and tuxedo shoes.” You think that’s just cause they lack uniform funds? Sheeeeeeeeeeeet. That’s strategy, cuz. They know you look at em laughing your ass off, with their sweat pants, dress shoes, UNLV t-shirts and pink Yankee caps. But then they start machete hacking your fucking arms off and you know they aint playin’. Then it’s too late. It’s no different than Rich’s Dumb and Dumber hairdo.
Round 1: Wandy opens up with a kick to the legs. Rich throws a kick, gets blasted in the face. Wandy lands a left. Rich with a straight left, and again,. Rich with a jab. High kick by Wandy, caught by Rich. Rich lands a short hook, stuns Wandy. Rich with another good shot. Rich with a nice punch kick combo. Jab by Rich. Wandy fires back with a right. Rich with a body kick. Wandy lands a kick to the face. Another, blocked by Rich though. Rich lands a couple shots. Rich with a high kick of his own, and round 1 is in the books.
Round 2: Wandy skims a right, lands a leg kick, then falls. They trade big misses. Wandy goes upstairs, Rich gets out of the way. Rich with a nice shot to the head. Rich unloads with a few. And again. Wandy jabs. Wandy misses, Rich lands to the body. Wandy lands to the head. Rich goes to the body again, and to the head. He’s picking Wandy apart. Wandy strikes back though, lands a couple hooks, rocks Rich, OH MY GOD and knocks Franklin on his ass, swarming on him. Rich grabs a leg, and is barely surviving. Wandy is kicking his ass! WOW, Franklin survives the round, but he’s looking rough.
Round 3: Franklin looks OK, but he took a whooping. Let’s see how he holds up here. Rich kicks to the body. Now he punches to the body. Wandy with a head kick, blocked. Rich is jabbing away. Rich lands a solid kick to Wandy’s ribs. Rich just keeps sticking that jab out there. Wandy isn’t throwing anything. Another body kick by Franklin. Straight left by Rich. Wandy with a nice jab, and answered with another body kick. Rich with a pair of straight lefts, then scores a takedown. Franklin moves to half guard, and is delivering some nice elbows and punches to close out the round.
Round 4: Wandy jumps in, misses a hook. Rich misses a shot, Wandy connects with a short hook. Rich goes to the body again. Rich jabs, then connects with a straight left. And another. Then a right hook. Wandy looks rough. Hard shot to the body. Rich is just standing on the outside and jabbing Wandy to death. Oof, Rich takes a nasty one to the sack. That’s what you get for wearing those tiny pink shorts though. Rich looks recovered and here we go. Rich lands a shot, Wandy answers back. Another jab by Rich. Wandy with a left to the grill. And a right. Rich sticks a straight left. Wandy tags Rich to end the round.
Round 5: Nice bro hug to start things off. And Wandy blocks a jab with his forehead. Wandy kicks high, Rich isn’t there to eat it. Another jab by Rich. Wandy with a nice left hook. Rich is jabbing away. Wandy wades in with a knee, eats a shot for it. Another jab. Rich lands a left. Franklin is dancing around, jabbing away. Not a whole lot happening in this final round. Wandy gets in his face, looking to end hard, lands a huge right. And another. And another. This is the tsunami we’ve been waiting for. Thanks for waiting until the end of the fight, Wandy. Silva swarming, Franklin ends the round by knocking Wandy down with a short shot. Rich should take this decision.
Rich Franklin takes the unanimous decision with 49-46 across the board.
The translations are killing me. Bascially, Rich showed off his Portuguese, and Wandy fights for the people.
That’s it people, thanks for getting your chill on with me. We’ll be back tomorrow to analyze this shit.
Tonight, the UFC makes its ever glorious return to FX, and if the undercard is any indication, we are in for a night of action packed goodness, Potato Nation. Clay Guida and Gray Maynard will battle for a spot amongst the endless string of lightweight contenders, and Spencer Fisher will be battling for his dignity against Sam Stout. Our very own Jared Jones will be liveblogging everything as it goes down, so join him as he recaps all the action as it plays out, won’t you?
Tonight, the UFC makes its ever glorious return to FX, and if the undercard is any indication, we are in for a night of action packed goodness, Potato Nation. Clay Guida and Gray Maynard will battle for a spot amongst the endless string of lightweight contenders, and Spencer Fisher will be battling for his dignity against Sam Stout. Our very own Jared Jones will be liveblogging everything as it goes down, so join him as he recaps all the action as it plays out, won’t you?
God Damn was Cub Swanson’s TKO of George Roop brutal. That said, I got Pearson all day on this one.
Round 1: And we are underway. Pearson with a left hook. Cub is trying to get in and out. Pearson throws a knee that’s off the mark. Leg kick misses for Swanson. Pearson with a nice takedown, but Swanson gets to his feet quickly. Very nice. Swanson lands a right that sends Pearson spinning, then throws a beautiful elbow. Don’t you fuck my Parlay already, you British bastard. Swanson with an uppercut that partially lands. Swanson nails Pearson with a capoeria style kick as he falls to the mat, then throws a couple upkicks. Pearson wades right through them and lands a couple punches of his own, and Swanson gets back to his feet. A couple nice combinations, but mostly feints from both men. Swanson lands a nice straight right and the round is over.
Round 2: They trade leg kicks to start the round. Pearson with a nice pair of jabs. Swanson lands a nice right, and then a spinning punch (?). Hell of an exchange; I’m having trouble keeping up. Anyway, Person lands a takedown, but Swanson gets up as Pearson goes for his back. Right hand Swanson. Pearson looks cut. Nice left by Pearson. Both these guys are displaying some great chins. Swanson throws a kick that Pearson catches and turns into a takedown. Swanson lands another nice upkick before Pearson moves into his guard, postures, and lands some nice GnP. Nice inside elbows from pearson, followed by a couple almost-as-nice body shots. Swanson to his feet, and Pearson lands a nice left…and SWANSON LANDS A LEFT HOOK THAT KNOCKS PEARSON DOWN!!! Motherfuckersonofabitch!!! Pearson was battered, and definitely seemed to be dazed, but was going for a takedown when Yves dove in. Either way, nice win for Swanson. Florian compares his athleticism to Jose Aldo. I’m laughing so hard that I nearly pee’d, yet somehow crying that my parlay is already fucked at the same time.
Cub Swanson def. Ross Pearson via TKO at 4:14 of round 2
Enough with the FOX football music. ENOUGH!!
Brian Ebersole vs. TJ Waldburger
The tale of the tape informs us that Waldburger has age on his side, but Ebersole has number of chest hair shaped arrows on his. You tell me which counts more.
Round 1: TJ lands a left hook, then a nice straight left that drops Ebersole! TJ in half guard, working for mount. He’s got it; not good for Ebersole. Ebersole is trying to push off, but Waldburger locks in a tight D’arce in the scramble! WOW. Ebersole is turning purple, but gets out and to his feet. Amazing escape. Nice body shot by Ebersole. Leg kick Waldburger, and they clinch. Nice elbow on the break by Ebersole. Body kick TJ. Both men land in an exchange, then a nice right by Waldurger. Ebersole answers with a left. Ebersole tries for a takedown but is firmly denied. Good round, but I’d give it to Waldburger easily.
Round 2: TJ starts with a left, then grabs a double and gets Ebersole down. TJ goes for the back but Ebersole spins him around and gets his own. Ebersole going for an omaplata, but Ebersole pulls out and lands a nice right, then a couple elbows. Now Waldburger goes for an armbar. Man, this kid is really something to behold off his back. Very similar to Tim Credeur in his constant attack/transitions. Ebersole escapes again and tries to land some punches, but TJ throws up a triangle now. Ebersole backs off and gets into full guard. Waldburger throws up another armbar attempt. Waldburger locks up a triangle after Ebersole lands a couple punches. Now Waldburger switches for a reverse triangle, but Ebersole breaks free and lands some nice strikes. Ebersole ends the round with some powerful punches from the top.
Round 3: Waldburger catches Ebersole coming in with a left hook, and Ebersole goes for the Muay Thai clinch and nails him with an elbow. Ebersole tries his patented cartwheel kick, but it is miles from the mark. TJ looks tired, and Ebersole goes in for a single. He gets it easy. Yep, Waldburger is definitely tired. TJ throws up another triangle, but it’s a little loose. He’s gotta shift position, but Ebersole breaks out and takes his back for a second. Back to full guard with a minute left. Walburger looking for a sweep, but Ebersole is looking real smooth on top. Ebersole lands a few hammerfists and a big left as the round ends. Ebersole really turned it around those last two rounds; I’d probably give it to him.
Brian Ebersole wins by UD (29-28×3)
Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout
I have some high expectations for this one, Potato Nation, as I’m sure you do.
Round 1: Nice left by Fisher to start. Body shot Stout. The combinations are quick on both ends, go figure. Nice right by Stout, but Fisher smiles and hits him a little low. Leg kick checked by Fisher. Nice right by Fisher, but Stout lands a counter left. Another nice left by Fisher, who is looking real sharp right now. Left hand Stout, but Fisher lands a right hook. Leg kick Stout, who lands a takedown and moves into guard. Stout tries to land some elbows, but they are blocked by Fisher. They get to their feet, and Stout immediately grabs a takedown. Spencer gets to his feet quickly this time. Both men land inside leg kicks, and Fisher lands a spinning backfist to end the round.
Round 2: Stout starts with an inside leg kick. Nice combo by Stout, answered by Fisher. Stout goes for a double, but gets denied. A good straight left by Fisher. Fisher lands another left as Stout goes for a body kick. Hard right hook by Stout, then a body shot. Right hand Fisher. Nice left hook from Stout, who’s going for the same right hook to the body, left up high that he KO’d Yves Edwards with. Stout lands a low blow that halts the action temporarily. After the break, Stout lands a takedown, and finishes the round in Fisher’s guard, likely taking the round.
Round 9 (you know what I mean): Fisher’s corner is calling for the knockout, and he lands a spinning elbow and a left. Fisher presses Stout to the cage, and Stout misses an inside trip. Nice overhand right from Fisher that lands. Stout has a decent sized mouse under his right eye, and Fisher is landing on it over and over again. Nice right by Stout, who follows shortly thereafter with a body and leg kick back to back. Another body kick by Stout, but Fisher answers with a right. Straight left by Fisher. Stout rushes in on a double and gets it. Fisher trying to wall walk, and manages to get to his feet. Left hook Stout, who rushes in for another takedown,which he grabs after a little resistance. Stout into half guard. Wow, quick stand up by Kevin Mulhall. Fisher with a nice right, and both men are swinging for the fences. Fisher gets cut as the bell rings.
And takedowns win the day again.
Sam Stout by Unanimous decision in a hell of a fight.
As with Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez, I could watch these two fight at every UFC event until the end of time.
And it’s main event time…
Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida
Guida comes out to “Walk” by Pantera. I now want Guida to win times a million bajillion. Maynard comes out to some autotuned Rap affair, which only confirms my decision. Dammit Buffer, please don’t remind us that we’re in New Jersey. Guida’s hair looks…odd. His staredown, on the other hand, is shit-your-pants intense. Interesting that KenFlo is commentating, being that he’s fought both men.
Round 1: Crowd chanting Guida immediately. Maynard lands a stiff left, then wings a right by Guida. Guida somehow has already cut Maynard on his nose. Lead left hand Maynard. Guida is moving like a coked up Cirque du Soleil performer, but isn’t throwing a lot. Maynard is just a bit short on most of his punches, and can’t seem to get Guida’s rhythm down, go figure. Guida lands a 1-2, but Maynard counters. Maynard goes low, and Guida follows with a body kick. The two juke it out to end the round.
Round 2: Guida pokes Maynard in the eyes at the start of the round, but action restarts quickly. Guida is all over the fucking place, and Maynard seems a bit puzzled. Nice right by Guida, then another looping overhand. Maynard needs to start pressing the action and throwing some multi-punch combos or go for a takedown. Mike Pyle agrees with this notion, and considering he just dicknailed Josh Neer, Maynard should follow his advice. Head kick from Guida that is partially blocked. Maynard whiffs a big right, and the crowd is sporadically booing. Head kick lands by Guida, but Maynard isn’t fazed. Maynard lands a couple nice punches to end the round but the crowd is really emphasizing their disappointment.
Round 3: Crowd is booing to start the round. Guida lands a knee, but Maynard with a crisp right. Guida needs to do less bouncing and more punch throwing. He obliges, and lands a couple nice jabs. Finally Gray shoots for a takedown, but is firmly denied by Guida. Guida shoots for a single but is also denied. Maynard is lifting his hands ala either Diaz in frustration. I feel you there, bro. Gray misses a huge right, and Guida lands a jab. Gray is just chasing Guida around instead of cutting off the cage. Nice right by Maynard, who is complaining about another eye poke, but gets no response from Miragliotta. Crowd is chanting Guida for some reason. Maynard lands a nice knee, but Guida backs out ala Carlos Condit as the round ends. Maynard is fucking pissed.
Round 4: Guida lands a short left, then a quick 1-2. Maynard tries to clinch and lands a knee after a failed takedown attempt. It’s two and a half minutes in and not much has landed from either fighter. Guida slips a left hook and the crowd is still on edge. Anytime Maynard even gets Guida in a corner he is literally sprinting out of it. Maynard with a short left and is now talking a little shit. Gray lands some knees in the clinch, and is now going full on Diaz on Guida, hands down and talking shit. Guida is suddenly caught off guard, as he just landed a flush right that Maynard walked right through. Maynard stuffs a takedown and goes for an arm in guillotine that looks deep, but Guida slams his way out of it and the round ends. Badass display by Maynard.
Round 5: Crowd now chanting Maynard, and for good reason. It’s like Rocky 4 up in this bitch. Maynard lands a right. Gray throws a right hook and a half ass flying knee. Maynard looks much fresher than he did against Edgar. Guida lands a good kick and combo, but Maynard answers with a hard right hand. Maynard misses a single leg attempt, and resorts back to chasing Guida like he’s his older brother on the playground. Guida with a left. Guida is running like a scared dog, and Miragliotta gives him a warning for doing so. Right hand by Maynard lands. I hate to come off as bias, but Guida is fighting not to lose, and Maynard is trying to finish this. Maynard goes for a single, and has Guida pressed up against the cage. Maynard throws a couple knees from the clinch and the two dance around and throw a couple punches that hit mostly air as the round ends.
If Guida wins this, I don’t even know…
Gray Maynard wins by Split Decision, proving that at least one MMA judge in every fight couldn’t see water if they fell out of a boat.
Well, that’s it for me, Potato Nation. Thanks for joining me tonight, I truly appreciate it. KenFlo says Guida had a “smart gameplan.” If putting up as little of a fight as possible is a great gameplan nowadays, I guess I agree with him. I’m going to finish off this bottle and forget everything that just happened.
The main card of the UFC’s third card on FX is almost upon us, and we’re sure that you’re almost just as interested as we are. But don’t let the lack of big men and big names get you down- we still have some interesting fights on our hands. Eddie Wineland battles Scott Jorgensen for bantamweight relevance, Josh Neer looks to maintain his momentum in the welterweight division against Mike Pyle, Erick Silva looks to establish himself as The Next Next Big Thing against Charlie Brenneman and Ian McCall meets Demetrious Johnson in The Most Anticipated Rematch of the Night to determine who advances in the UFC’s Flyweight tournament.
Okay, so on paper it’s nothing to write home about. But it’s free fights on a Friday night, okay? Look, we know you don’t have plans or anything, so stop pretending to be Mr. Popular and join us after the jump for round-by-round results and commentary. Handling tonight’s action will be Seth Falvo, who promises that there will be no more obscure professional wrestling references this evening. Please stand by.
The main card of the UFC’s third card on FX is almost upon us, and we’re sure that you’re almost just as interested as we are. But don’t let the lack of big men and big names get you down- we still have some interesting fights on our hands. Eddie Wineland battles Scott Jorgensen for bantamweight relevance, Josh Neer looks to maintain his momentum in the welterweight division against Mike Pyle, Erick Silva looks to establish himself as The Next Next Big Thing against Charlie Brenneman and Ian McCall meets Demetrious Johnson in The Most Anticipated Rematch of the Night to determine who advances in the UFC’s Flyweight tournament.
Okay, so on paper it’s nothing to write home about. But it’s free fights on a Friday night, okay? Look, we know you don’t have plans or anything, so stop pretending to be Mr. Popular and join us after the jump for round-by-round results and commentary. Handling tonight’s action will be Seth Falvo, who promises that there will be no more obscure professional wrestling references this evening. Please stand by.
Remember when I used to have witty things to say? Me neither. Let’s get crackin’.
Eddie Wineland vs. Scott Jorgensen
Round One: No glove touch here, as Wineland looks to control the center of the cage early. Nice right hand by Wineland, but Jorgensen lands a stiff jab that stops Wineland from following up with anything. Jorgensen attempts to clinch, but Wineland gets away. Another nice right hand from Wineland. Leg kick Jorgensen. Wineland drops Jorgensen with a stiff jab, but Jorgensen clinches up and looks for a takedown. Nice trip though by Wineland, who ends up in Jorgensen’s guard. They’re back up, and Wineland is using his jab well to keep Jorgensen outside. They exchange punches, with both guys landing as this round comes to an end.
Round Two: Nice takedown by Jorgensen, although Wineland immediately gets back up. Jorgensen lands a knee as Wineland gets up. Leg kick Jorgensen. Wineland lands a nice straight right, and another. Both guys are bleeding, or maybe Jorgensen’s hair dye is just running (Wineland is definitely cut though from that knee). Jorgensen lands a takedown, but once again Wineland immediately gets back up. Nice jab by Jorgensen. Wineland is having a lot of success landing that right hand, even though Jorgensen isn’t getting rocked by any of them. Nice exchange here, but it’s interrupted as Wineland’s mouth guard almost falls out. We’re back on, and Wineland finally manages to drop Jorgensen with one of those right hands. Some follow-up ground and pound and that’s all she wrote. Yep, that definitely isn’t hair dye running down Jorgensen’s face now.
Eddie Wineland def. Scott Jorgensen by KO, 4:10 of Round Two
So these are some lovely commercials, huh guys? Oh man, another Adam Sandler movie? I can’t wait to watch that, said nobody ever.
Mike Pyle vs. Josh Neer
Round One: They come out swinging, although neither guy lands anything of significance. Nice takedown by Pyle, who ends up in Neer’s guard. Pyle tries to pass to side mount, but Neer uses his butterfly guard and attempts a knee bar. Pyle is now back in Neer’s guard, throwing some punches. Neer attempts a triangle, but Pyle is out and back in Neer’s guard. Both guys are back up now, and Neer is landing some nice knees in the clinch. Neer looks to have Pyle hurt, as he throws some punches to Pyle’s body and has Pyle backing up. Neer goes in for the kill, but out of nowhere Pyle lands a vicious, if not desperate right hand that knocks Neer out cold!
Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe the word I’m looking for is “dicknailed”. As in, that poor young man they call “The Dentist” just got dicknailed.
Mike Pyle def. Josh Neer via KO, 4:56 of Round One
Erick Silva vs. Charlie Brenneman
Round One: They touch gloves, as Brenneman looks for a takedown and gets kneed in the face for his effort. Silva looks for a spinning back kick, but Brenneman earns a takedown. Silva is back up, but Brenneman stays on him. Brenneman gets another takedown, but Silva is looking for some foot locks. Brenneman escapes, and pushes Silva against the cage looking for a takedown. He fails, and they’re free. Brenneman lands a nice cross, and earns another takedown. Once again, Silva is almost immediately up, although he is rewarded for his efforts by being pushed into the cage by Brenneman. Brenneman works his wall and stall, as the crowd boos loudly. They’re separated, and Silva throws another spinning back kick. Silva is showing little respect for Brenneman’s hands, as he’s holding his quite low and throwing a lot of spinning kicks. Silva gets Brenneman down, takes his back, sinks in the rear naked choke and earns the tap.
Textbook finish there by Silva. May we now dub him the Next Next Big Thing? We’ll discuss that more tomorrow.
Erick Silva def. Charlie Brenneman via submission (rear naked choke), 4:33 of Round One
If the rest of this card was any indication, we’re in for one hell of a main event. Great fights all around. And now, for the rematch we’ve been waiting for.
Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall
Round One: They touch gloves, and we’re underway. Leg kick McCall. Head kick attempt from Johnson. They clinch, and Johnson ties up McCall against the cage, earning a double leg takedown. McCall is back up, and we’re back in the center of the cage. Leg kick Johnson, followed up by a 1-2. Head kick attempt by McCall. Johnson lands a huge right hand that drops McCall, and Johnson is in McCall’s guard. Johnson grabs McCall’s back as McCall gets back up, but “Uncle Creepy” avoids the takedown, lands a knee and we’re back in the center of the cage. McCall now has Johnson against the cage and looks for a takedown, but Johnson immediately escapes. Nice hook from McCall, as Johnson attempts a takedown. Great job by McCall reversing the takedown, as both guys get back to their feet. McCall lands a nice hook, and Johnson looks for a takedown as this round comes to an end. Good start to this fight.
Round Two: McCall blitzes Johnson at the start, and earns a takedown. Johnson is down momentarily, but McCall can’t keep him there. McCall wobbles Johnson with an uppercut, but he can’t capitalize. Johnson now has McCall against the cage and lands a few knees before McCall switches position. We’re back to the center of the cage, with Johnson attempting to blitz McCall, although nothing lands. We have a leg kick catch Johnson low, so now we have a break in the action. The break is short lived, and we have a glove touch as soon as we’re back on. McCall earns a takedown off the break, but once again, he can’t keep Johnson down. McCall attempts to take Johnson’s back, eventually getting it and scoring a suplex. Johnson gets up and catches McCall with a nice straight right, pinning McCall against the cage and throwing knees. Nice spinning elbow from McCall, and we’re back in the center of the cage. With forty five seconds left in this round, Johnson lands a nice uppercut and looks to clinch, but McCall escapes. Head kick attempt by McCall, who earns a nice throw as this round comes to an end.
Round Three: They trade punches, as McCall clinches up and lands a few knees. Head kick attempt by McCall, followed by a takedown attempt. Johnson lands a knee on McCall, but Uncle Creepy gets Johnson against the cage and looks for a takedown. Johnson is out, and now earns a takedown against the cage. He grabs McCall’s back, and almost lands a huge straight right as McCall escapes. Great knee there by McCall. Johnson catches a leg kick and lands a few punches. McCall now manages to get Johnson against the cage, and tries for another foot sweep. Jump knee by McCall. McCall has Johnson back against the cage, as the two exchange knees. Johnson escapes, and lands a straight right and a nice teep. McCall once again has Johnson against the cage, and lands a knee. With thirty seconds left, Johnson gets McCall against the cage and works for a takedown. McCall attempts another foot sweep as this round comes to an end.
It appears that there won’t be another round. Tough fight to score. This one could go either way.
Official Result: Demetrious Johnson def. Ian McCall via Unanimous Decision
Johnson calls McCall the toughest guy in the UFC, even tougher than the entire bantamweight division. We’re reminded to play Xbox 360, and Johnson is out. McCall says he’s sorry for the loss, we’re reminded that this won’t be the end of Uncle Creepy in the UFC (Wait, does that mean someone out there thought he’d get cut if he lost?!) and we’re all done here.
Enjoy your evenings, everyone. We’ll have plenty to discuss tomorrow.
(Brookins and Chiesa will be fighting hard for the UFC’s new “Filthiest Hair” bonus. / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle. For more photos from this gallery, click here.)
Since he’s been recapping the season for us anyway, Elias Cepeda is back to handle liveblog duties for this evening. Round-by-round results from the Ultimate Fighter Live Finale main card broadcast will be collecting after the jump starting at 9 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please, no comment-section lurking; if you’ve got something to say, share it with the class.
(Brookins and Chiesa will be fighting hard for the UFC’s new “Filthiest Hair” bonus. / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle. For more photos from this gallery, click here.)
Since he’s been recapping the season for us anyway, Elias Cepeda is back to handle liveblog duties for this evening. Round-by-round results from the Ultimate Fighter Live Finale main card broadcast will be collecting after the jump starting at 9 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please, no comment-section lurking; if you’ve got something to say, share it with the class.
Sorry for the delay, folks – my cable went out. We are in the second round of John Cofer vs. Justin Lawrence now.
We pick up the action midway through the 2nd…
Both men are swinging big and in combinations each time and are showing fatigue. Overhand right from Lawrence finishes up a combination that includes leg kicks. Lawrence gets inside with punches, they clinch up, Cofer lands a knee to the head.
Cofer takes Lawrence’s back while standing and suplexes the kid. Cofer takes Lawrence’s back on the feet and works him into a face-down position and looks for the rear naked choke. Lawrence escapes, stands up and jumps into the full guard. Round ends.
Round 3
Lawrence lands a foot kick straight to the jaw of Cofer as he backs away and knocks him out cold!
“I’m here in the UFC and I’m here to stay,” Lawrence declares.
Max Halloway vs. Pat Schilling
Rd 1
Halloway with his hands low, Schilling shoots in for a single leg, switches to a high crotch but Halloway defends well. Schilling contines to press in, backs Halloway against the cage. Schilling hits a single leg but Halloway gets right back to his feet. Schilling lands a left kick, Halloway lands a body kick.
Halloway lands a long jab. Schilling shoots in but gets stuffed. Schilling rushes in with uppercuts that miss. Schilling throws a spinning back fist. Halloway throws a head kick that is blocked. Halloway trying to mix in left hooks to the body in and they are landing. Halloway misses a flying knee, lands a leg kick and head kick.
Schilling rushes in with uppercuts and hooks again, all miss. He shoots in from too far away and Halloway sprawls and stands. Schilling lands the cross of a one-two combo. Schilling shoots for a double leg against the cage with ten seconds left, he rolls for a knee bar at the close of the round and it ends with him extending Halloway’s leg. Saved by the bell?
Rd 2
Halloway lands an overhand right. Schilling ducks down, Halloway throws and misses another flying knee. Schilling doesn’t get the take down, they are back on their feet. Halloway starting to find his range with punches to Schilling’s head.
Schilling half commits to a take down attempt after getting hurt on the feet. Halloway separates and they are back on their feet. Halloway just unloading on Schilling now with punches and knees. Schilling absorbs shots, backs away and then circles out before another half-hearted shot. Halloway lands another two body punches and then an over hand right to Schilling’s head as Schilling shoots.
Schilling shoots, gets stuffed and has trouble getting up to his feet. The body shots have appeared to have really taken Schilling’s spirit. Schilling shoots for an ankle pick and gets stuffed again. Schilling is hurt but has the presence of mind to keep his hands up and to try to circle away when he can.
Halloway hurts Schilling again with body shots, his hands drop and his mouth opens. He shoots for another take down, gets nothing. Schilling lands a spinning back first but then eats a check counter left hand. Halloway drops Schilling with punches against the cage and tees off on him as the bell sounds. This time Schilling is saved by the bell
Rd 3
Jon Anik mentions that Schilling told his corner that his right shoulder is injured. Halloway throws rapid-fire jabs that land. Schilling counters with a big right cross that lands on Halloway’s head. Schilling tries to get a head and arm control from the feet, Halloway backs away. Schilling shoots low for a take down and whiffs.
Halloway taunts Schilling, Schilling throws a spinning back fist followed by a side kick. Both are blocked. Halloway lands a left kick to Schilling’s body. Halloway lands a stiff jab, and another. A left hook, right cross punch combo from Halloway that drops Schilling. Halloway refuses to go down to the ground to try and finish and they are back on their feet with under a minute left. Halloway with a left hook to the body and right cross to the head. Halloway attempts a jump-off-the-cage spinning back kick. He rushes Schilling with punches and kicks. Halloway attempts a jumping spinning back kick, misses and the fight finishes.
Official decision is next.
All three judges scored the fight 30-27 for Halloway. The youngest fighter currently on the UFC roster says he wanted to show that he “belonged in the UFC.” He clearly does.
Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira
Rd 1
Oliveira working kicks to the leg and body. Brookins gets inside and lands some nice dirty boxing punches to the head. Oliveira lands some hard knees to the body from the Thai plum. Oliveira misses a knee to the head and Brookins slips under and gets a double leg take down against the cage. Oliveira works a high guard and shoots an arm bar up at Brookins. Brookins defends and stands up.
They are both on their feet. Brookins lands a straight cross. Oliveira has Brookins backed against the cage now and Brookins’ chin starts to come up. Oliveira lands a huge over hand right that hurts Brookins.
Brookins gathers himself but still has his chin up and hands low as they stand up. He is eating punch after punch to the chin from Oliveira. Still, Brookins hanging tough. He starts to eat leg kicks to the inside and outside of his lead leg. Oliveira misses with a flying knee, Brookins catches a leg but fails to use it to score a take down.
Rd 2
Kenny Florian uses his multilingual skills to tell us that Oliveira’s corner was telling their fighter that Brookins has no hands, during the break. Brookins comes out hard, gets to work with slaps, yes slaps, to the head of Oliveira. The Brazilian responds with punches to the head. The punches look like they hurt more.
Brookins changes levels for another take down attempt, Oliveira gets a body lock of his own and lands a slam take down of his own. Brookins tries to lock in a guillotine choke but Oliveira escapes. Oliveira stands up, lands some short elbows to Brookins’ head as the tUF 12 winner tries to stand up. Oliveira locks in an arm-in guillotine from a D’arce grip, falls back into his own guard and gets the tap out win.
Oliveira with the 2nd-round submission win over Brookins.
Time for the TUF finale, nation!
Michael Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta
Rd 1
Iaquinta immediately lands two big right hands. Al catches a leg kick from Mike and throws some punches. Chiesa shoots for a single, Al goes down but gets back to his feet. Al pushes the pace.
Mike finishes a punch combo with a leg kick that is caught. Al goes for a take down but Mike gets his back and drags him down to the mat. Chiesa with Al’s back, face-up, working for a rear naked choke with nearly three minutes left in the round. Chiesa gets the choke, Al refuses to tap and goes to sleep!
Michael Chiesa finishes up the most dramatic story in TUF history by winning the entire season in impressive fashion just weeks after the death of his father. Amazing.
And, oh yeah, Chiesa wins a sweet Harley.
“It has been such a journey…no way I was going to lose this fight,” Mike says.
Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann in a welterweight title challenger eliminator, or something.
Kampann comes out to Three-6 Mafia. I love it. Danish crunk rap, ftw. Ellenberger goes with the more tried and true inspirational “Till I collapse,” by Eminem.
Rd 1
The pair feel each other out with no strikes or shots taken for the first twenty seconds or so. Ellenberger lands a huge left hand flush to the jaw of Kampmann. The Dane looks to be out but hangs on somehow through a ground strike onslaught from Ellenberger. Kampann wraps full guard and controls Ellenberger’s posture.
Ellenberger has Kampman pressed against the cage on his back with three minutes left. Ellenberger briefly postures up and throws a flurry of strikes. Kampmann survives again, tries for a switch, then a guillotine. Ellenberger defending the choke.
Under a minute left, Ellenbeger still defending as Kampann tries to get his grip. He doesn’t but gets up to his feet. Ellenberger continues to crowd him. Kampmann goes for a take down of his own with seconds left in the round but doesn’t get it. Round ends.
Rd 2
They get right back at it with furious punches! Kampmann rocks Ellenberger. The wrestler buckles but does not stop swinging back! Ellenberger lands another huge left hook on Kampmann. The race around the ring, throwing hard punches at each other’s heads.
Kampmann’s nose is cut badly. Kampmann drops and apparently knocks Ellenberger out with a knee to the head and follows up with strikes and referee Steve Mazzagatti steps in before he can do more damage. Fight over.
Another come from behind win for Kampmann!
“I need to get punched a little bit to wake up,” Kampmann says. Geez, dude. I guess so. Kampmann has made a career out of taking damage and then managing to gut through and finish.
