(“Look, Andy, you’re clearly still upset about the pool party thing, but I swear, the Evite must have gone to your junk mail folder or something, because we totally included you on the-oh God noooooo NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)
“Perennial contender” is a back-handed compliment — it means you were always good enough to hang in the top ten, but never good enough to hold the belt. It suggests a kind of career limbo, in which you’re forever in the mix, highly regarded, but ultimately unsuccessful. Jon Fitch was a perennial contender, and when he was fired by the UFC in February, fans who never liked him in the first place criticized the UFC for getting rid of their #9-ranked contender — as if rankings held any sort of accurate measure of a fighter’s value. Fitch may have been more talented than most welterweights in the world, but he had outlived his usefulness, from both a competitive and promotional standpoint.
“He’s been with us forever. He was always a tough guy and was right up there, but it’s almost like he’d become a gatekeeper. I like Okami, and you’ve heard me say this many times, that a win over Yushin Okami meant something. But he was never able to get over the hump and win one of those [significant] fights. We have a lot of guys coming in and I’ve been saying this all year: We have a full roster and there are guys who deserve opportunities. When you bring guys in, someone has to go. That’s why these fights are so meaningful.”
Okami was already a 16-3 veteran when he joined the UFC, with appearances in Pancrase, Pride, Hero’s, and Rumble on the Rock, where he scored a bizarre DQ victory over Anderson Silva in January 2006. “Thunder” made his Octagon debut later that year at UFC 62, and began to steadily rise up the middleweight ranks, winning his first four fights — including decision victories against Alan Belcher and Mike Swick — before losing a #1 contender fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 72.
The rest of Okami’s UFC career would play out the exact same way.
(“Look, Andy, you’re clearly still upset about the pool party thing, but I swear, the Evite must have gone to your junk mail folder or something, because we totally included you on the-oh God noooooo NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)
“Perennial contender” is a back-handed compliment — it means you were always good enough to hang in the top ten, but never good enough to hold the belt. It suggests a kind of career limbo, in which you’re forever in the mix, highly regarded, but ultimately unsuccessful. Jon Fitch was a perennial contender, and when he was fired by the UFC in February, fans who never liked him in the first place criticized the UFC for getting rid of their #9-ranked contender — as if rankings held any sort of accurate measure of a fighter’s value. Fitch may have been more talented than most welterweights in the world, but he had outlived his usefulness, from both a competitive and promotional standpoint.
“He’s been with us forever. He was always a tough guy and was right up there, but it’s almost like he’d become a gatekeeper. I like Okami, and you’ve heard me say this many times, that a win over Yushin Okami meant something. But he was never able to get over the hump and win one of those [significant] fights. We have a lot of guys coming in and I’ve been saying this all year: We have a full roster and there are guys who deserve opportunities. When you bring guys in, someone has to go. That’s why these fights are so meaningful.”
Okami was already a 16-3 veteran when he joined the UFC, with appearances in Pancrase, Pride, Hero’s, and Rumble on the Rock, where he scored a bizarre DQ victory over Anderson Silva in January 2006. “Thunder” made his Octagon debut later that year at UFC 62, and began to steadily rise up the middleweight ranks, winning his first four fights — including decision victories against Alan Belcher and Mike Swick — before losing a #1 contender fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 72.
The rest of Okami’s UFC career would play out the exact same way. He won three fights in a row following his loss to Franklin — until a decision loss to Chael Sonnen bumped him back down the ladder. He won three more consecutive fights after that, including a decision win against Nate Marquardt — and was completely blown out by old rival Anderson Silva at UFC 134, during Okami’s first and only UFC title fight. He lost to Tim Boetsch after the Silva fight, in a come-from-behind shocker at UFC 144, but then cobbled together yet another three-fight win streak in the Octagon. Take a wild guess what happened next.
Theoretically, Yushin Okami could have continued his “win three, lose one” pattern forever, but would anybody care to watch it? Like Fitch, Okami’s grappling-based no-flash style gave him a limited ceiling of fan support. (His limited English didn’t help, either.) He had gone as far as he could go, and the UFC felt it was the right time to pull the plug on their investment. It’s hard to blame them for that. Okami is now a top-ten ranked free-agent, and between Bellator and the World Series of Fighting, guys like him don’t stay unemployed for long.
(Even in the face of despair, Fletcher always maintains a sunny disposition. Via Colin’s Twitter account.)
Although not completely unexpected given his current 0-2 record in the promotion, the UFC’s recent firing of TUF: Smashes lightweight runner-up Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher might represent one of the fastest post-TUF firings for a finalist in the show’s history. After dropping a tepid decision to fellow runner-up Mike Ricci at UFC 158, the news of Fletcher’s firing was passed along over the weekend via Colin’s twitter. As one would expect, “Freakshow” maintained his sunny disposition in the face of despair:
Fletcher now joins TUF 6’s Tommy Speer, TUF 8’s Vinny Magalhaes, and TUF 1’s Brad Imes as the only TUF finalists to not be given a third fight (or second post-TUF fight) in the UFC before getting axed. To be fair, Imes was eventually brought back to face Heath Herring at UFC 69, but that was before the time of The Great Deluge.
Dire times are upon us, Potato Nation. Dire times.
A video of Colin’s closest friends and family reacting to the news is after the jump.
(Even in the face of despair, Fletcher always maintains a sunny disposition. Via Colin’s Twitter account.)
Although not completely unexpected given his current 0-2 record in the promotion, the UFC’s recent firing of TUF: Smashes lightweight runner-up Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher might represent one of the fastest post-TUF firings for a finalist in the show’s history. After dropping a tepid decision to fellow runner-up Mike Ricci at UFC 158, the news of Fletcher’s firing was passed along over the weekend via Colin’s twitter. As one would expect, “Freakshow” maintained his sunny disposition in the face of despair:
Fletcher now joins TUF 6′s Tommy Speer, TUF 8′s Vinny Magalhaes, and TUF 1′s Brad Imes as the only TUF finalists to not be given a third fight (or second post-TUF fight) in the UFC before getting axed. To be fair, Imes was eventually brought back to face Heath Herring at UFC 69, but that was before the time of The Great Deluge.
Dire times are upon us, Potato Nation. Dire times.
Now, let’s see how Colin’s closest friends and family have taken the news…
At least it will be great to see the old gang again, right Colin? RIGHT COLIN?
(If there was ever an image that summed up Nick Diaz’s mental state at all times, this is it. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.)
By Jack Saladino
After months, nay, years of hype, trash-talking, late night hotel stalking incidents, and promises of Georges St. Pierre unleashing “his dark side,”UFC 158 finally transpired last weekend to mixed reception. While no one was left questioning how great the night’s co-main event battle between Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks was, GSP’s one-sided, grappling-heavy routing of Nick Diaz — which has become the champ’s M.O. as of late — left more than a few fans wondering just what it would take to get St. Pierre to actually try and finish an opponent. Because if that was his dark side, well, it looked a hell of a lot like his regular side.
On the other side of the coin, many fans saw GSP’s performance as the epitome of dominance and classiness in the face of an adversary that thrives when coercing opponents into playing his game, often through mental warfare and now attempted cheap shots after the bell. Based on his continually skyrocketing ticket sales, it appears that no one has grown tired of St. Pierre’s shtick just yet, but will a fight with Hendricks succeed in bringing in anywhere near as many ticket/PPV sales? And if not Hendricks, then who?
It’s not an easy question for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to answer, but luckily for him, this is typically the time when the Armchair Matchmaker swoops in and all but does his job for him. So join us after the jump as we break down the potential futures of last weekend’s biggest winners (and some of the losers) in an effort to once again bail out Silva and get ourselves back into the UFC’s good graces. You could detect the sarcasm in that last statement, right?
(If there was ever an image that summed up Nick Diaz’s mental state at all times, this is it. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.)
By Jack Saladino
After months, nay, years of hype, trash-talking, late night hotel stalking incidents, and promises of Georges St. Pierre unleashing “his dark side,”UFC 158 finally transpired last weekend to mixed reception. While no one was left questioning how great the night’s co-main event battle between Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks was, GSP’s one-sided, grappling-heavy routing of Nick Diaz — which has become the champ’s M.O. as of late — left more than a few fans wondering just what it would take to get St. Pierre to actually try and finish an opponent. Because if that was his dark side, well, it looked a hell of a lot like his regular side.
On the other side of the coin, many fans saw GSP’s performance as the epitome of dominance and classiness in the face of an adversary that thrives when coercing opponents into playing his game, often through mental warfare and now attempted cheap shots after the bell. Based on his continually skyrocketing ticket sales, it appears that no one has grown tired of St. Pierre’s shtick just yet, but will a fight with Hendricks succeed in bringing in anywhere near as many ticket/PPV sales? And if not Hendricks, then who?
It’s not an easy question for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to answer, but luckily for him, this is typically the time when the Armchair Matchmaker swoops in and all but does his job for him. So join us after the jump as we break down the potential futures of last weekend’s biggest winners (and some of the losers) in an effort to once again bail out Silva and get ourselves back into the UFC’s good graces. You could detect the sarcasm in that last statement, right?
Nick Diaz: Who the hell knows, man? In the weeks leading up to the fight, Diaz seemed like he was going to face facts and actually own up if he lost. Again, seemed. And as he could have hoped for, the Stocktonian had plenty of opportunities to punch GSP in the face without the fear of being taken down or rode like a pony during the fight itself. But of course, once he lost, things quickly devolved into the Tazmanian Devil-esque whir of incompetence and contradicting statements that only Nick Diaz can bring to the table.
While I love Nick, I think he should stick to fights with guys that actually want to stand up and fight. Guys with little-to-nothing to lose. Guys who aren’t afraid of a good old fashioned barnburner. Martin Kampmann expressed a desire to fight Diaz after he lost to GSP, which Diaz fans took as an insult (because of course they did) and took to the twit-o-sphere with a Stockton backlash. That might be the fuel Diaz needs to come in and showcase some of that boxing we all miss. Kampmann is no slouch either, compiling a nice winning streak until his flash KO against Hendricks last November. Two fighters with a slew of KO’s and subs who all but detest the thought of a decision victory; who wouldn’t want to see that matchup?
Jake “The Juggernaut, BITCH!” Ellenberger: Ellenberger looked absolutely menacing against Nate Marquardt, in what was slated to be a “don’t blink” kind of matchup. After a few exchanges, Jake was able to back Marquardt up against the cage and turn a missed body kick into a 1-2 combo that left Nate slumped in the corner, face down, ass up. Ellenberger certainly solidified that meaningless #6 next to his name and possibly passed Carlos Condit in the rankings with his victory. Because Ellenberger took almost no damage in his fight, I’d like to get him back in the octagon soon against another ranked welterweight like Demian Maia or preferably the last Strikeforce welterweight champion, Tarec Saffiedine, who is also coming off a win against Marquardt.
Carlos Condit: Although not completely unexpected, it was Johny Hendricks’ ability to take Condit down at will — not his Spiny Blue Shell of a left hand — that secured his victory by unanimous decision. Condit has now lost his last two fights and hasn’t finished a fight in his past three. He won’t lose his top ten ranking but he will need to rebound well if he doesn’t want to fall victim to the “Cut from the UFC Flow Chart.” I think his next match up should be tough guy and welterweight novice, Court McGee. McGee might not exactly be a big name, but Condit seemed to be fond of putting his knee into Hendricks’ beard and McGee’s scruffy soup-saver could simulate that same sort of pleasure. What? I’ll use whatever qualifications I see fit. Besides, we know that McGee is always down for a slugfest from his fights with Josh Neer, Costa Philippou, and Nick Ring. Set it up.
Chris Camozzi: Camozzi has compiled himself a nice and almost completely overlooked 4-fight win streak in the UFC since his loss to Francis Carmont at UFC 137. His victory against the always tough Nick Ring is a big step forward in his career and he will be a main card feature from now on. The hodgepodge of middleweights is a good place to keep your winning streak going, but he should be facing an even tougher challenge in his next bout against Tom Watson, a fellow banger and former BAMMA middleweight champ who recently scored a KOTN/FOTN victory over Stanislav Nedkov at UFC on FUEL 7. It would be a great win for either fighter and one that would be sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Mike Ricci: In his fight versus fellow TUF-loser Colin Fletcher, Ricci managed to secure a unanimous decision victory in a lackluster bout with “Freakshow,” whose nickname could not be less indicative of his fighting style. Ricci’s ability to use his jab and transition smoothly on the ground all the while adding some G-n-P (or GSP…) neutralized the height and reach of Fletcher, which seemed to be his only advantage in this bout.
Like most of you, I’m not really sure why this fight was on the main card; I would have much rather seen Makdessi and Cruickshank instead. While Ricci was victorious in his return to lightweight, he still came away from the bout appearing as if he needs some motivation to really light a fire under his ass. That’s why I’d send him to a fighter who could really put his lights out if he’s not careful: Yves Edwards. The “Thugjitsu Master” is coming off a split decision loss to Isaac Vallie-Flag and would surely love to showcase some skills against Ricci. This match up would be a good fit for UFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as Ricci is Canadian. As we know, Canadians really love supporting each other.
What do you guys think? Are there any different matchups you’d like to see in the wake of UFC 158?
(I don’t always get so excited about a fight that I quote Tito Ortiz, but when I do, I say July 4th…has come early. Photo courtesy of MMAMania)
GSP. Diaz. The Bell Centre in Montreal. That’s right, Potato Nation, it’s finally time for UFC 158. If I need to say literally anything else to get you excited about this card, there is no hope for you at this point. Please show yourself out quietly, and no, we don’t care how exciting you think spring league baseball nonsense is.
But Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz isn’t the only great welterweight fight we have to look forward to tonight. Elsewhere on the card, Johny Hendricks battles Carlos Condit, and Jake Ellenberger welcomes Nate Marquardt back to the big leagues. Plus: A middleweight tilt between Nick Ring and Chris Camozzi, as well as a lightweight bout between TUF finalists Mike Ricci and Colin Fletcher, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Handling tonight’s liveblog will be none other than Aaron Mandel, who will diligently record every punch, kick, and Stockton Heybuddy thrown in the cage after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and toss your own observations into the comments section. Let’s do it…
(I don’t always get so excited about a fight that I quote Tito Ortiz, but when I do, I say July 4th…has come early. Photo courtesy of MMAMania)
GSP. Diaz. The Bell Centre in Montreal. That’s right, Potato Nation, it’s finally time for UFC 158. If I need to say literally anything else to get you excited about this card, there is no hope for you at this point. Please show yourself out quietly, and no, we don’t care how exciting you think spring league baseball nonsense is.
But Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz isn’t the only great welterweight fight we have to look forward to tonight. Elsewhere on the card, Johny Hendricks battles Carlos Condit, and Jake Ellenberger welcomes Nate Marquardt back to the big leagues. Plus: A middleweight tilt between Nick Ring and Chris Camozzi, as well as a lightweight bout between TUF finalists Mike Ricci and Colin Fletcher, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Handling tonight’s liveblog will be none other than Aaron Mandel, who will diligently record every punch, kick, and Stockton Heybuddy thrown in the cage after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and toss your own observations into the comments section. Let’s do it…
Good evening PotatoHeads, if you like cage fights or just 170 pound men in general, tonight is your night! We’ve got your live play by play action so refresh early and often as we bring you all the action from UFC 158.
Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher
Recent TUF runner-ups clash in this battle with hometown pretty boy Ricci against horror movie extra Fletcher.
Round 1- Fighters feeling it out on the feet to start. Fletcher uses his long legs to throw some rangy kicks, Ricci firing back with hooks and straights. First 90 seconds pass by rather uneventfully, Fletcher working kicks with Ricci showing a more varied arsenal. Rogan calls Fletcher “the whitest human being he’s ever seen” and Goldberg wholeheartedly agrees which is indicative of the lack of action to call so far. An exchange of kicks and punches. Ricci throwing slow kicks and looking a bit stiff on the feet, Fletcher is flowing a little better but hasn’t landed yet, except to Ricci’s groin which Rogan calls “the best strike of the fight so far”, possibly true. Ricci recovers and the round ends uneventfully. 10-9 Ricci, because, pride?
Round 2- Quicker pace to start, Ricci landing and then takes Fletcher down and works from Fletcher’s full guard. Ricci postures up and lands some ground and pound, moves to side control along the cage as Fletcher goes for something Rogan calls “donkey guard”. Ricci works around to back side mount along the cage and Fletcher works back to the feet and clinches Ricci against the cage now. Fletcher is busted up, which gives his complexion a bit more variety. They separate and strike from the center of the cage. Body kick from Fletcher followed by a straight left from Ricci. Fletcher throws a strong leg kick. Ricci seems to be just barely getting the better of the striking but Fletcher is keeping a high volume of kicks coming. Round ends and another snoozer, 10-9 Ricci, again, maybe?
Round 3- Fletcher’s eye is damaged in a way that makes him look even more terrifying and there is ice in the Octagon which of course Rogan flips out about (youtube “Rogan ice in the Octagaon” if you don’t get this reference). Fletcher works for a takedown but Ricci defends and reverses as they pirouette around the cage. Action is lacking and the crowd voices its displeasure as Fletcher tries hopelessly to clinch and drag Ricci down. They separate and strike from the center. Fletcher throws a spinning back first that misses badly and he is auditioning for a role in the next Evil Dead movie as the damage mounts from Ricci’s jabs. Ricci drags Fletcher down against the cage with one minute left. Ricci works to half guard as Fletcher seeks for submissions amid a flurry of ground and pound. Ricci outscrambles Fletcher and takes his back with hooks in and searches for a choke that doesn’t quite get under the chin. Ricci switches to an armbar and the fight ends. 10-9 Ricci, meh.
Mike Ricci defeats Colin Fletcher by unanimous decision
Nick Ring vs. Chris Camozzi
Camozzi rocking a mustache that can be described as questionable, at best, while Ring makes some statements in the promo like “I hope to beat this guy” that threaten to turn the field of philosophy on its head.
Round 1- Leg kicks from both fighters to start. Good left from Camozzi. Lots of leg and body kicks from both fighters in the first minute here. Ring with a good left hook. Cartoon uppercut misses from Camozzi. Ring has his hands very low but hasn’t paid yet. Overhand left from Camozzi lands. Good exchange on the feet with both fighters getting some good shots in. Rings gets clipped, tries to shoot for a takedown and is shrugged off. Good right from Camozzi and Ring has a mouse forming under his right eye. Lots of leg kicks from Ring. A good flurry and combo from Ring as the round ends. Close, I’d say 10-9 Camozzi.
Round 2- More kicks from both fighters to start round 2. I wonder if there is a betting line now in Vegas on whether this card will see any more donkey guard? Both fighters throwing punches, nothing major landing as the round nears the halfway point. Good knee to the body from Camozzi followed by a good right hand. Camozzi rushes in and tries for a standing guillotine but it’s not there and they separate back to striking range. Camozzi seems to be at a sizeable speed disadvantage against Ring, perhaps he is tiring. Good straight right and double jab from Camozzi. Good knee from the clinch by Camozzi. Ring throwing more punches but nothing significant is landing. Rogan is convinced Ring is dominating but I disagree. Right hand from Camozzi briefly staggers Ring. Round ends and I’d say 10-9 Camozzi but Rogan feels differently.
Round 3- Final round begins on what so far has been a lackluster first two fights of the pay per view card. Leg kicks from Ring rip into Camozzi. Two lefts from Camozzi get through. Camozzi throwing bombs that aren’t landing and ends up clinching Ring from behind and trying to drag it to the mat. Ring works against the cage and separates. More leg kicks from Ring, Camozzi is going to have trouble walking tomorrow. Body shot from Ring and Camozzi is firing back. Rogan and I are watching different fights I think, Camozzi seems to be winning in my book. Ring is very tired and Camozzi is trying to pick him apart. Thirty seconds left and Ring is badly gassed. Camozzi can’t find a home for any of his bombs and the fight ends. 10-9 Camozzi, but we’ll see. The crowd is booing, two snoozers so far.
Chris Camozzi defeats Nick Ring by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt
Marquardt makes his return after a few years away and this is his first fight at welterweight in the UFC. He’s facing a tough test in Ellenberger and it will be interesting to see if the Marquardt who wrecked Tyron Woodley shows up or the one who dogged his way through a title loss to Tarec Saffedine. Winner of this is possibly in position for a title eliminator in the near future.
Round 1- Leg kicks back and forth to start but almost no action in the first minute. Marquardt flurries hard on Ellenberger but Jake escapes and nails Marquardt with a good shot. Marquardt trying to exorcise some demons with a bunch of leg kicks. Ellenberger rocks Marquardt with a right hook and drops him! Marquardt crawls around on the ground searching for a takedown but Ellenberger knocks him out face first into the canvas!
Jake Ellenberger defeats Nate Marquardt by KO in round 1
Nate was complaining about the stoppage which is about as comical as anyone saying either of the first two fights were exciting. Big win for Ellenberger, wouldn’t be surprised to see him get Condit if he wins or Hendricks if he loses next.
Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks
Huge test for Hendricks here, he’ll get a title shot if he wins (or probably have it taken away again). For Condit, this is a chance to play spoiler and vault himself right back into contention.
Round 1- Seven inch reach advantage for Condit, I never realized how small Hendricks is, but shit he packs the power. Touch of gloves to start, leg kick from Condit and Hendricks throws the left hand bomb but Condit survives. Hendricks lands again but Condit knees back. Hendricks slams Condit and then walks away. Incredible first minute. Flying knee and superman punch from Condit. Hendricks fires back like a cannon and then takes Condit down. Holy shit finally a breather as Hendricks lays on top of Condit against the cage. Condit back to his feet but Hendricks drags him back down. Condit slick off his back searching for an armbar/triangle. Hendricks in full guard but Condit tying him up off his back and threatening with submissions. Hendricks lets Condit back up as he was being outworked on the ground. Hendricks picks Condit up again to slam but Condit lands out of it. Hendricks back on top of Condit on the ground but Condit is rolling well. Top control for Hendricks and they are again back to the feet! Flying knee from Condit and huge lefts from Hendricks but Condit grabs and arm amidst the flurry and rolls for a Kimura. Hendricks is turtled up on the ground and Condit takes his back as Hendricks stands back up. Hendricks is free and they are both throwing bombs at each other. Round ends with Condit pulling guard and threatening another sub. Holy fuck best round of the year so far. 10-9 Hendricks and I need a new pair of pants.
Round 2- Incredible chin from Condit in that first round and unbelievable warrior spirit to throw back. Second round starts with a Condit headkick being blocked. Condit trying to take advantage of his reach. Condit with another flying knee and Hendricks winging bombs as he tries to put Condit against the cage and nullify his range. Hendricks using the left hook to the body now too and throws Condit into the cage and takes him down. Condit threatens with a Kimura but Hendricks is free in top full guard. Condit works back to the feet and nails Hendricks with a straight right. Left hooks from Hendricks being met with another flying knee from Condit. Hendricks shoots a double leg against the cage and gets Condit down. Condit back to the feet again. Hendricks can get him down but Condit can outmaneuver him when it’s there. Hendricks tiring but times a flying knee from Condit and powers him down to the mat. Hendricks on top in half guard and dropping elbows. Condit calm and composed working off his back and again works back to the feet. Condit tags Hendricks with a right hand. Wild exchange and Hendricks dumps Condit on his back. Round ends with Condit chasing Hendricks around the cage. THIS IS A FUCKING FIGHT@!!!!! 10-9 Hendricks
Round 3- Condit looks insane as the third round starts, bleeding and exhorting the crowd. Apparently Hendricks hurt his left hand but he’s still winging it. Hendricks grabs a single leg and takes Condit down. Condit working hard off his back but Hendricks holds him down well. Hendricks raining the right hand now as Condit tries to reverse off the cage. Condit is blasting Hendricks with punches and elbows from his back. Condit searches for a kimura and rises to his feet. Hendricks blasts Condit with a left hand. Hendricks ducks under a head kick and drags Condit down. Condit doing more damage from the bottom than Johny. They are back to the feet with 90 seconds left and Condit absolutely rocks Hendricks, eyes roll back in his head but he clinches up and hangs on for dear life. Condit separates but Hendricks powers him down again. Condit back up and moving forward like a boss nailing Hendricks right and left. Hendricks dumps him down though but Condit up again and fires forward as the fight ends. Holy fuck. 10-9 Condit. What a fight, these guys came to scrap.
Johny Hendricks defeats Carlos Condit by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
That was maybe the fight of the year! I think the decision was fair, first two rounds to Hendricks, third to Condit, but it’s hard to say there was a real loser here. With Hendricks takedown skills I think a match against GSP would be really interesting. Not sure we’ve seen the kind of chin or warrior spirit from GSP that Condit just showed.
Champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
It’s main event time! The buildup and talk is about to end (except for Diaz continuing to talk shit in the cage) and the fight is on. GSP holds most of the advantages here but if Diaz can be slick off his back and take GSP into the championship rounds with lots of volume punches to the body it could get interesting. Get your mean mug ready! Diaz walks out in jeans to a chorus of boos, GSP gets the usual deafening ovation from the hometown crowd in his heavily sponsored gi.
Round 1- I AM WAY TOO PUMPED RIGHT NOW! No touch of the gloves and Montreal is realllly loud. Leg kick from GSP and less than 30 seconds GSP takes Diaz down. GSP on top working some strikes to the body. Diaz throws his legs up looking for something but it’s not there. GSP working a lot from the top throwing punches. Diaz rolls to the turtled position but GSP is stuck to him throwing continual strikes. GSP hops over Diaz to the other side, Diaz sprawls and tries to take GSP down but to no avail. GSP back on top and working all around Diaz throwing strikes and transitioning quickly. Huge elbows from GSP as he postures up. Diaz trying to roll through but GSP is right with him and has maintained a dominant position throughout. Diaz tries to work up the cage but GSP drags him back down. Diaz with a blatant fence grab to get up but GSP muscles him down with ease. GSP on his back with one hook in. Diaz works up the cage again but GSP is smothering him. Diaz working a standing kimura against the cage but GSP absolutely smashes him down to the mat. 10-9 or maybe even 10-8 GSP.
Round 2- Diaz looks super concussed, GSP ready to go as the round starts. GSP with some kicks to start and 40 seconds in GSP dumps Diaz with a double leg. Diaz working his legs around in full guard but GSP raining down some heavy strikes again. Diaz tries to create space and roll for a leg but GSP defends and throws a huge knee to the body. GSP manhandling Diaz around the cage. A brief scramble ends with GSP on top in Diaz’s guard again. Diaz grabs a wrist and tries to roll but GSP stays on top. Diaz back to the feet finally and his face is a swollen mess. Diaz finally does some taunting on the feet, GSP responds with a superman punch. Round ends with Diaz talking shit and Yves Lavigne dragging him back to his corner. 10-9 GSP
“win or lose, he’s a bitch” – Nick Diaz in his corner between rounds.
Round 3- Diaz talking to GSP as they stand. Diaz stuffs a GSP takedown! GSP tries again and gets the fight to the ground. Diaz literally crawls to the cage and gets back to the feet. Nice body shot from Diaz, maybe the first real strike he’s landed this fight. They stand but no real offense from Diaz, GSP mixing in the kicks with punches. GSP tags Diaz with a punch and shoots for a takedown but Diaz shrugs him off against the cage. Diaz starts to finally open with the strikes and seems to clip GSP behind the ear. Volume striking begins but GSP dumps him to the canvas and starts unloading more ground and pound. Round ends with GSP on top. 10-9 GSP but the most life we’ve seen from Diaz.
Diaz took a swing at GSP after the bell, gets a warning from Yves Lavigne.
Round 4- GSP’s corner does not want it on the feet. Championship rounds begin and GSP working a stiff jab repeatedly. Diaz stuffs a GSP takedown and blocks a GSP headkick. Diaz shrugs off another takedown and is firing some big strikes, but none have landed flush. GSP is starting to look busted up and Diaz throws him off on another takedown attempt. They clinch against the cage with Diaz working some uppercuts and knees to the body. Diaz strolling around the cage with his hands down. GSP lands his first takedown of the round and lands in Diaz’s guard. Diaz again crawls to the cage and works back up but Diaz sticks to his back and slams him brutally. Diaz working for a kimura but GSP spins and takes his back. GSP leaning Diaz into the cage. Diaz drops down and works for a kimura again unsuccessfully. Diaz tries to roll under for a leg, GSP on top again as the round ends. 10-9 GSP, closest round so far.
Round 5- Diaz throws a headkick that is blocked. Straight left from Diaz and a good jab from GSP. Nick stuffs a takedown and they are clinched. Knees from the clinch from both fighters. They separate and GSP works the jab over and over. Diaz tries a headkick and slips, GSP is right on top of him and trying to take his back. Diaz trying for a kimura. GSP dominating the positions on the ground and throwing punches from the top. Diaz does some weird gumby shit and he’s somehow out with 90 seconds left they’re standing. Clinch between the two, Diaz working the body, they separate and GSP tries a headkick and then takes Diaz down. Time running out as Diaz hunts for a submission and GSP continues striking. Time expires, Diaz hugs GSP and raises his hand, classy. 10-9 GSP
Champ Georges St. Pierre defeats Nick Diaz by unanimous decision
GSP compliments Diaz’s jiu jitsu and boxing styles and exhorts the crowd to give respect to Diaz. Diaz surprisingly coherent and classy in his post-fight interview and maybe, kinda sorta retires and then starts speaking in incomplete sentences and sort of more definitively retires. He apologizes to Stockton and enters his fourth or fifth minute of talking before introducing Joe Rogan and walking off. Diaz gonna Diaz.
As Dana White announced earlier today at the UFC 158 press conference, a lightweight bout between TUF: The Smashes lightweight runner up and presumable collector of Haunter Pokemon memorabilia, Colin Fletcher, has been booked to take on TUF 16 runner up and sensitive artist, Mike Ricci, on the welterweight-heavy UFC 158 card in March.
On the heels of a UD loss to Northern Ireland’s “Stormin” Norman Parke at UFC on FX 6, Fletcher will no doubt be looking to utilize his reach advantage against Ricci, who will be making the drop from welterweight following a unanimous decision loss of his own to Colton Smith at the TUF 16 Finale. Ricci has gone win-loss in his past six contests, including notable losses to Daron Cruickshank and Pat Curran, and holds notable wins over Strikeforce veteran Jordan Mein and Canadian Rory MacDonald…
…I’m sorry, that’s Canadian Rory McDonell, who was able to score his last victory by, and I quote, “Gogoplata Straight Armbar.” Seriously, if you doubt me, just check out this photo of the finish. How that sub was somehow overlooked by nearly every MMA site out there is beyond me, but feel free to discuss this massive oversight in the comments section. Because, let’s be real, it’s probably more interesting than the subject at hand.
As Dana White announced earlier today at the UFC 158 press conference, a lightweight bout between TUF: The Smashes lightweight runner up and presumable collector of Haunter Pokemon memorabilia, Colin Fletcher, has been booked to take on TUF 16 runner up and sensitive artist, Mike Ricci, on the welterweight-heavy UFC 158 card in March.
On the heels of a UD loss to Northern Ireland’s “Stormin” Norman Parke at UFC on FX 6, Fletcher will no doubt be looking to utilize his reach advantage against Ricci, who will be making the drop from welterweight following a unanimous decision loss of his own to Colton Smith at the TUF 16 Finale. Ricci has gone win-loss in his past six contests, including notable losses to Daron Cruickshank and Pat Curran, and holds notable wins over Strikeforce veteran Jordan Mein and Canadian Rory MacDonald…
…I’m sorry, that’s Canadian Rory McDonell, who was able to score his last victory by, and I quote, “Gogoplata Straight Armbar.” Seriously, if you doubt me, just check out this photo of the finish. How that sub was somehow overlooked by nearly every MMA site out there is beyond me, but feel free to discuss this massive oversight in the comments section. Because, let’s be real, it’s probably more interesting than the subject at hand.
Mike Ricci may have been the more technical fighter, but Colton Smith proved that wrestling is MMA’s great equalizer at The Ultimate Fighter Season 16 Finale.From start to finish, Smith controlled the fight with relentless takedowns and suffocating top…
Mike Ricci may have been the more technical fighter, but Colton Smith proved that wrestling is MMA‘s great equalizer at The Ultimate Fighter Season 16 Finale.
From start to finish, Smith controlled the fight with relentless takedowns and suffocating top control.
It was a disappointing ending to a valiant effort from the undersized Ricci, who has already decided to move down and test the waters in the UFC’s lightweight division.
Is moving down in weight a smart move for Ricci? Could he become a contender at 155 pounds?
The decision to move down in weight would be beneficial to Ricci, but it’s also important to remember that size didn’t cost him the fight against Smith.
Ricci‘s grappling was exposed to some degree.
Smith secured takedown after takedown with little resistance. Ricci became stagnant on bottom and never really looked for any opportunities to scramble free or setup submissions. In the midst of desperation, he was more aggressive with his ground attack late in the third round, where he nearly caught Smith in an armbar.
Unfortunately, it was too little too late for Ricci, who lost a lopsided unanimous decision.
There are plenty of strong grapplers in the lightweight division that have the ability to replicate and follow through with the same game plan implemented by Smith.
Unless Ricci‘s grappling improves significantly, it’s tough to see him ever becoming a contender in arguably the most stacked weight class in MMA.
With that said, it’s ludicrous to think he won’t improve after this loss. At only 26 years of age, Ricci has plenty of time to reach his full potential and compete with the lightweight sharks somewhere down the line.
It also helps that he surrounds himself with guys like Georges St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald and FirasZahabi at Tristar Gym.
The future remains bright for Ricci, even if the MMA world doesn’t see it yet.
