Injury Report: Rousimar Palhares Broke His Foot During First Round of Lombard Fight


(At times like these, you just have to keep telling yourself, “At least I’m not Ray Elbe…at least I’m not Ray Elbe…” / Image via MiddleEasy)

Can we all just pretend that Hector Lombard‘s UFC debut against Tim Boetsch didn’t happen? The heavy-handed killer we saw run down Rousimar Palhares like a frightened deer at the TUF Smashes Finale was the guy we’ve been waiting for and expecting since he jumped over to the UFC from Bellator. But there was a reason why Lombard’s dance partner looked tentative during the match — Palhares suffered ligament damage and broken bones in his foot after throwing a kick in the opening moments. Toquinho explains:

During the fight, my kick was working well. But soon in the first round, one of my kicks hit Lombard’s shin below his knee. I heard a snap, and I knew something bad happened. From that moment on, I [started] feeling my foot more and more numb and without strength to walk around the Octagon.”

An injury early into a match can take a fighter’s mind completely out of the competition — just ask Travis Browne. As Palhares struggled to process his body’s new limitations, he turned into a sitting duck for Lombard’s power punches, and now the Cuban is officially a factor in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, Palhares has now lost his last two UFC bouts by first-round stoppage, including his TKO defeat against Alan Belcher in May. Get well soon, Stump.


(At times like these, you just have to keep telling yourself, “At least I’m not Ray Elbe…at least I’m not Ray Elbe…” / Image via MiddleEasy)

Can we all just pretend that Hector Lombard‘s UFC debut against Tim Boetsch didn’t happen? The heavy-handed killer we saw run down Rousimar Palhares like a frightened deer at the TUF Smashes Finale was the guy we’ve been waiting for and expecting since he jumped over to the UFC from Bellator. But there was a reason why Lombard’s dance partner looked tentative during the match — Palhares suffered ligament damage and broken bones in his foot after throwing a kick in the opening moments. Toquinho explains:

During the fight, my kick was working well. But soon in the first round, one of my kicks hit Lombard’s shin below his knee. I heard a snap, and I knew something bad happened. From that moment on, I [started] feeling my foot more and more numb and without strength to walk around the Octagon.”

An injury early into a match can take a fighter’s mind completely out of the competition — just ask Travis Browne. As Palhares struggled to process his body’s new limitations, he turned into a sitting duck for Lombard’s power punches, and now the Cuban is officially a factor in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, Palhares has now lost his last two UFC bouts by first-round stoppage, including his TKO defeat against Alan Belcher in May. Get well soon, Stump.

UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson — Main Card Results & Commentary


(Yeesh. That thing never gets easier to look at, does it. / Image via MMAJunkie)

Also known as the TUF: The Smashes Finale, tonight’s UFC card is coming to you live from the Gold Coast, and will feature the season’s lightweight and welterweight finals. (Remember, these are the Brits and Aussies. The “Let Me Bang, Bro” cast gets its big send-off tomorrow in Vegas.)

If you happened to read our brutally honest breakdown of the fights, you know that there’s not much on the line this evening outside of those lovely glass trophies. But at the very least, the lead-off fight between Hector Lombard and Rousimar Palhares should be memorable. Unless it isn’t, which is also possible.

Our own Matt Kaplan will be throwin’ down round-by-round results from the FX main card, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and if you’re watching along with us, please throw your own bullshit into the comments section.


(Yeesh. That thing never gets easier to look at, does it. / Image via MMAJunkie)

Also known as the TUF: The Smashes Finale, tonight’s UFC card is coming to you live from the Gold Coast, and will feature the season’s lightweight and welterweight finals. (Remember, these are the Brits and Aussies. The “Let Me Bang, Bro” cast gets its big send-off tomorrow in Vegas.)

If you happened to read our brutally honest breakdown of the fights, you know that there’s not much on the line this evening outside of those lovely glass trophies. But at the very least, the lead-off fight between Hector Lombard and Rousimar Palhares should be memorable. Unless it isn’t, which is also possible.

Our own Matt Kaplan will be throwin’ down round-by-round results from the FX main card, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and if you’re watching along with us, please throw your own bullshit into the comments section.

Please stand by…

Hey now. Mk here. Before we get to the liveblog, I just want to say how glad I am that these fights are on tonight. I have two little kids, so the more I hear/see/learn about the school shooting in Connecticut, the more furious/helpless/nervous I become. Once again, MMA is a welcomed respite – for a few hours, at least – and I’m sure I’m not the only one here at CP whose thoughts and prayers are with the families whose lives were forever changed today.

Now let’s get ready to watch some guys fight. Who ya got?

And the fighting robots can only mean one thing: “It’s time!” So cheezy.

Anik and Florian are once again behind the mic, kinda dressed alike too.

Hector Lombard vs. Rousimar Palhares

Rd. 1) We’ve got two short, stumpy thumpers going right here. I’m excited for this one. Lombard takes the center of the cage and opens with some kicks and punches, and Palhares accepts the invitation. Lombard misses a wild, leaping hook. Palhares is kicking low…and again…and is dropped by a Lombard right. Palhares circles away to his right and is being stalked by Lombard, who’s looking for a big left.Lombard connects with a big left and Palhares is down. Lombard is in his guard. Lombard is up and lets Palhares up. Lombard is peppering Palhares with big punches against the fence. Palhares is down again. More monster shots. He’s out. Lombard wins it with strikes (Rd. 1. 3:38). Damn, that was a nasty left from Lombard when Palhares was against the fence.

Lombard calls out Bisping in the post-fight interview. I’m down for that.

(That Southern Comfort commercial with the fat dude in the speedo is unreal.)

Colin Fletcher vs. Norman Parke

Rd 1) Joe Martinez is silky on the mic, as usual, and we’re off. Parke wades in with an overhand left and clinches Fletch before pressing him against the cage. He takes down Fletcher, who gets right back up and stuffs another takedown attempt. Woops, Parke trips him down again and is in Fletcher’s half guard, up against the cage. Fletcher is working for a kimura but Parke defends it without issue. Parke is still in half guard and can’t seem to pass. Big elbow from Parke to Fletcher’s face. Parke is in north-south position but passes to half. Fletcher spins out for a second – a scramble – and now it’s Fletcher with side control. He drops a few punches before the horn.

Rd 2)  Both men land some early low kicks. Again Parke throws the overhand left, clinches, and moves Fletcher to the fence. And there’s the takedown. Is Fletcher going for a heel hook? Nope. Parke is in side control again. Park is going for a one-armed guillotine, but Fletcher escapes. Parke now has Fletcher mounted, takes his back, but Fletcher escapes and is up on his feet. Parke lands a big left to the side of the head of Fletcher. Knee from Fletcher. Fletcher is throwing plenty of low kicks, but Parke lands some heavy punch combinations. Parke seems to be throwing with much more conviction – and power. Parke gets a takedown just before the round ends.

Rd 3) Kicks to the legs from Fletcher, punches to the head from Parke. Fletcher is swinging upstairs, but no luck. Parke ducks and counters. Solid left from Parke; Fletcher counters with a kick. Fletcher’s left eye is bleeding. Fletcher lands two punches on the jaw, but Parke counters with a left hook. Fletcher lands a left hook to the body. And a knee to the body. Parke has slowed a bit, it seems, and Fletcher is fighting as he should with a minute left. Parke hits two quick takedowns and has Fletcher’s back. Fletcher is up, and the fight ends with Parke pressing Fletcher against the cage. Norman Parke takes the unanimous decision and is the Smashes lightweight winner. Mazel tov on the new contract, Stormin.

The FX show The Americans looks like it could be pretty cool, no?

Robert Whittaker vs. Bradley Scott

Rd 1) Jeers for Scott. Cheers for Whittaker. Both men sample some kicks and punch combinations before Scott presses Whittaker against the fence. Whittaker knees as Scott presses. The crowd is anxious. Whittaker spins away and throws a big, glancing left hook. And another that lands clean on the nose of Scott. Nice right from Whittaker. Scott fires a right down the middle. Whittaker kicks hard at the lead leg and just misses with the right. Whittaker charges in with punches, drops Scott, but Scott is up, and both men are toe to toe. Scott presses forward against the cage. Whittaker is off the cage and counters a Scott right with three hard shots. Knee to the body from Scott, and a big Whittaker left hook lands at the horn.

Rd 2) Both men are firing punches early, and Scott again wants to press against the fence. Whittaker ain’t having it, though. A lead left uppercut and a follow-up right land for Whittaker. Whittaker kicks Scott in the junk, so we’re taking a breather. And we’re back. Scott lands a kick to the body. Some good dirty boxing from both men. Scott trips Whittaker and has the Aussie’s back. Scott is landing some short punches and knees. Scott has two hooks in and is dropping punches. Whittaker nearly sneaks out the back door. Yup, he’s out. Scott is pressing and Whittaker is bloodied. Whittaker lands a good left hook; Scott moves Whittaker against the cage once more. The round ends with Scott and Whittaker trading heavy leather.

Rd 3) Big left hook just misses for Whittaker. Whittaker is looking to turn the lights out with these punches. Scott moves in with punches, but Whittaker counters with hard combos. Whittaker is turning it up with nasty elbows. Scott lands a counter hook. Nasty elbow from Whittaker, followed by a 2 and a 3. Whittaker is getting the better of these exchanges. Scott jabs, Whittaker pounds. Whittaker attacks with a left uppercut that snaps back the head of Scott. Here’s a barrage of punches from Whittaker, and the crowd loves it. Hooks from Scott, elbows and straight punches from Whittaker. Great fight. Close, too. The judges award the unanimous decision victory to local boy Robert Whittaker, your new Smashes welterweight winner.

George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson

Rd 1) There will be no touching of the gloves in this one. Pearson fires some lead left hooks; Sotiropoulos slips and misses with he counter right. Pearson hits the kick to the inside of the lead leg. Big right form Pearson. Sotiropoulos is wobbly. Damn. Sotiropoulos pushes Pearson against the fence and is looking for a takedown. Knee from Sotiropoulos. both men trade rights. Pearson is landing hard punches and Sotiropoulos backs him off for a second with a close-range knee. A Pearson leg kick puts down Sotiropoulos, who gets right back up. Pearson might be smelling the big KO. Sotiropoulos is keeping his hands up as Pearson fires away. Sotiropoulos grabs a double, drags down Pearson, but Pearson gets back up. Uh oh. Sotiropoulos has Pearson’s back as Pearson is standing beside the fence. Pearson bucks Sotiropoulos off, but Sotiropoulos regains bach control as the round ends.

Rd 2) Sotiropoulos seems to have recovered. Pearson kicks low; Sotiropoulos counters with a straight right. High kick from Sotiropoulos. Body shot from Pearson. Pearson is winding up for the big one, it seems. Both men trade jabs. Sotiropoulos is finding his distance with the left jab. Another high kick from Sotiropoulos. Pearson lands a hard body shot with the right hand. Sotiropoulos counters, but a Pearson left hook drops Sotiropoulos. Sotiropoulos is wobbled again. Pearson’s left hook is getting through. Pearson slips after a left kick, but regains his footing. Another big Pearson left hits before the round ends.

Rd 3) A left hook from Pearson drops Sotiropoulos right away. Sotiropoulos gets up, but Pearson is hammering away. A straight left and a clobbering right hands drops Sotiropoulos, and the ref calls it off after Pearson lands one more right hand to a downed Sotiropoulos. Wow. Big power from Ross the boss. Ross Pearson wins via TKO at 41 seconds into the third.

Not a bad night of fights, CP. See you next time. Mk.

 

‘The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K. – The Smashes’ Full Episode 1 [VIDEO]


(Team U.K. lightweight Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher: You’ll know him when you see him.)

The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes premiered Wednesday in Australia and the U.K., pitting the George Sotiropoulos-led Aussies against Ross Pearson‘s gang of Brits. Needless to say, if you’re interested in seeing the UFC’s next wave of funny-accented fighters, we’ve got you covered. Check out the full episode #1 video after the jump, which features the guys moving into the TUF house — baller as hell, except for the bunk-beds — the standard f*ck-fueled pep-talk from Dana White, an immediate health crisis on Team U.K., and the first welterweight scrap between Benny Alloway (Team ‘Roo) vs. Valentino Petrescu (Team Queen).


(Team U.K. lightweight Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher: You’ll know him when you see him.)

The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes premiered Wednesday in Australia and the U.K., pitting the George Sotiropoulos-led Aussies against Ross Pearson‘s gang of Brits. Needless to say, if you’re interested in seeing the UFC’s next wave of funny-accented fighters, we’ve got you covered. Check out the full episode #1 video after the jump, which features the guys moving into the TUF house — baller as hell, except for the bunk-beds — the standard f*ck-fueled pep-talk from Dana White, an immediate health crisis on Team U.K., and the first welterweight scrap between Benny Alloway (Team ‘Roo) vs. Valentino Petrescu (Team Queen).


(Props: YouTube/TUF)

Hot Potato: 14 Photos of ‘TUF Smashes’ Ring Girl Kahili Blundell

Since you can’t have one without the other, we proudly present Australian model Kahili Blundell, the other half of the UFC’s new “Smashes” ring girl duo. The 23-year-old blonde from Sydney was named RALPH Australian Swimwear Model of the Year 2011, spent two years cheerleading in the Australian National Rugby League, and hustles on the side as a certified make up and spray-tan artist. To our knowledge, she isn’t dating a UFC fighter like her co-worker is. Check out more of our favorite Kahili Blundell photos in the gallery below, and if you like what you see, follow her on Twitter @Kahili_Blundell.

Since you can’t have one without the other, we proudly present Australian model Kahili Blundell, the other half of the UFC’s new “Smashes” ring girl duo. The 23-year-old blonde from Sydney was named RALPH Australian Swimwear Model of the Year 2011, spent two years cheerleading in the Australian National Rugby League, and hustles on the side as a certified make up and spray-tan artist. To our knowledge, she isn’t dating a UFC fighter like her co-worker is. Check out more of our favorite Kahili Blundell photos in the gallery above, and if you like what you see, follow her on Twitter @Kahili_Blundell.

Hot Potato: 16 Photos of ‘TUF Smashes’ Ring Girl Kristie Jane McKeon

Fightlinker gives us the heads-up that Australian models Kahili Blundell and Kristie Jane McKeon have been hired as ring girls for the UFC’s upcoming Australia vs. U.K. season of The Ultimate Fighter (aka “The Smashes“). As it turns out, Kristie McKeon is the girlfriend of Smashes coach Ross Pearson, which means that on-set hooting directed at the blonde fitness instructor will probably be kept to a minimum.

In honor of Pearson’s impressive accomplishment, we’ve rounded up 16 great photos of Kristie, which you can check out in the gallery after the jump. If you like what you see, follow Kristie on twitter for more. The Smashes debuts this Wednesday on FX Australia and ESPN UK.

Fightlinker gives us the heads-up that Australian models Kahili Blundell and Kristie Jane McKeon have been hired as ring girls for the UFC’s upcoming Australia vs. U.K. season of The Ultimate Fighter (aka “The Smashes“). As it turns out, Kristie McKeon is the girlfriend of Smashes coach Ross Pearson, which means that on-set hooting directed at the blonde fitness instructor will probably be kept to a minimum.

In honor of Pearson’s impressive accomplishment, we’ve rounded up 16 great photos of Kristie, which you can check out in the gallery above. If you like what you see, follow Kristie on twitter for more. The Smashes debuts this Wednesday on FX Australia and ESPN UK.

UFC Booking Roundup: Lombard, Stout & Maldonado Have Next Opponents, ‘TUF Smashes’ Finals Set


Hint.

With the UFC returning to Australia with UFC on FX 6 on December 14, the promotion is beginning to announce upcoming bouts. While the organization hasn’t announced a venue for said return yet, the card will be headlined by Hector Lombard attempting to redeem himself after his promotional debut at UFC 149, a completely forgettable three round sleeper against Tim Boetsch. The Cuban-born Australian has been given a second chance against none other than Brazilian leg lock specialist Rousimar Palhares. In other words, he isn’t exactly being given a rebound fight.

We all know about the lofty expectations that Hector Lombard carried into the UFC as a Bellator middleweight champion who hasn’t lost in twenty five fights. While Lombard claims that he was too injured to have been fighting during his UFC 149 clash against Tim Boetsch, many fans were quick to jump off of the Lombard bandwagon after that performance. A loss to perennial almost-contender Rousimar Palhares – especially a boring loss to Paul Harris, if that’s possible – could be enough to send Lombard back to Bellator. Likewise, Palhares has built an impressive 7-3 record in the UFC, yet has choked in the fights that would separate him from the pack and potentially earn him a title shot. If Toquinho can’t secure one of Lombard’s legs, he may be permanently relegated to gatekeeper status. Not exactly a great spot for either guy to be in.

Also, UFC on FX 6 will feature the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes, including the fight between TUF: Smashes coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson. You guys remember Smashes, right? British fighters squaring off against Aussies? The answer to the TUF ratings woes? An opportunity for comments sections across the internet to rant about cockiness and make “That’s not a _____, THIS is a _____!” jokes? Well, you have three months to get familiar with it.

In other booking news…


Hint.

With the UFC returning to Australia with UFC on FX 6 on December 14, the promotion is beginning to announce upcoming bouts. While the organization hasn’t announced a venue for said return yet, the card will be headlined by Hector Lombard attempting to redeem himself after his promotional debut at UFC 149, a completely forgettable three round sleeper against Tim Boetsch. The Cuban-born Australian has been given a second chance against none other than Brazilian leg lock specialist Rousimar Palhares. In other words, he isn’t exactly being given a rebound fight.

We all know about the lofty expectations that Hector Lombard carried into the UFC as a Bellator middleweight champion who hasn’t lost in twenty five fights. While Lombard claims that he was too injured to have been fighting during his UFC 149 clash against Tim Boetsch, many fans were quick to jump off of the Lombard bandwagon after that performance. A loss to perennial almost-contender Rousimar Palhares – especially a boring loss to Paul Harris, if that’s possible – could be enough to send Lombard back to Bellator. Likewise, Palhares has built an impressive 7-3 record in the UFC, yet has choked in the fights that would separate him from the pack and potentially earn him a title shot. If Toquinho can’t secure one of Lombard’s legs, he may be permanently relegated to gatekeeper status. Not exactly a great spot for either guy to be in.

Also, UFC on FX 6 will feature the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes, including the fight between TUF: Smashes coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson. You guys remember Smashes, right? British fighters squaring off against Aussies? The answer to the TUF ratings woes? An opportunity for comments sections across the internet to rant about cockiness and make “That’s not a _____, THIS is a _____!” jokes? Well, you have three months to get familiar with it.

In other booking news…

– UFC 154, which takes place in Montreal, Canada,  will feature a lightweight bout between Canadians Sam Stout and John Makdessi (In professional wrestling, this is known as a hometown pop). Stout is coming off of a unanimous decision victory over Spencer Fisher at UFC on FX 3, which earned Fight of the Night honors. Makdessi, meanwhile, is riding a two fight losing streak. His most recent loss was a unanimous decision against Anthony Njokuani at UFC 145, which was held at a catchweight of 158 pounds because Makdessi missed weight. Don’t expect him to remain employed by the UFC if he drops this contest.

– Yesterday, we announced that Swedish kickboxing legend Jorgen Kruth had retired from competition, despite being one month away from his UFC debut at UFC on FUEL 5. His original opponent, Fabio Maldonado, will now fight Cyrille Diabate. Presumably because asking Maldonado to fight a completely different striker with less than one month to prepare for him would be the dumbest idea ever, the UFC has decided to shift this bout to UFC 154 as well. Diabate is coming off of a majority decision victory over Tom DeBlass at UFC on FUEL 2.

So, who ya got?

@SethFalvo