UFC 142 was a great event, all things considered. Only one major point of controversy surrounded the event: the disqualification of Erick Silva for illegal blows to the back of the head of his opponent, Carlo Prater. Replays added a little clarity to t…
UFC 142 was a great event, all things considered. Only one major point of controversy surrounded the event: the disqualification of Erick Silva for illegal blows to the back of the head of his opponent, Carlo Prater. Replays added a little clarity to the situation, although I still considered the issue up for debate. Given how quickly and thoroughly Silva handled Prater, and given what the instant replay seemed to show, many feel that the referee’s decision should be overturned. For better or worse we’ve now got some closure on this situation, as it’s been confirmed that the original decision will stand as is. Here are all the details as well as my reaction.
Courtesy of Sherdog, here are some quotes from UFC’s Marc Ratner that explain the situation: “Based on the referee’s verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed. Therefore the decision stands.”
Normally, the decision would be reviewed under whichever athletic commission the UFC was answering to at the time of their event. As an international event with no athletic commission, figuring out how to handle the Silva/Prater situation fell to Ratner, the UFC’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and a former member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
I know I’m in the smallest of minorities here, but I actually agree with this decision. Originally I had said that my fandom of Carlo Prater may be playing a role in my judgment of the fight, but enough time has passed from the original airing of UFC 142 that I’ve gotten the chance to replay the fight (all twenty-nine seconds of it) several times.
While I don’t think me being a fan of Carlo Prater has a role in my decision anymore, I do think my original decision stands: if the punch that knocked you out is illegal, your opponent deserves to get disqualified.
I admit that we can all see things differently, and that people definitely see this fight differently than I do. But what I saw with my very own eyes was this: Erick Silva dropping Carlo Prater was legal, the shots where Erick Silva swarmed on Carlo Prater were legal, but the shot that really dropped him, the one where it looked to knock him out cold…that shot looked like the back of the head to me.
It’s the same situation Jon Jones found himself in against Matt Hamill. The damage was already done, the opponent was already gone, but the final blow was against the rules.
I agreed with the decision in that fight, and I agree with the decision in this fight.
I’m not unsympathetic to Erick Silva, though. I think Silva is an incredibly hot prospect with a very bright future. But he made a mistake, and his punishment fit the crime. In my eyes, it really is as simple as that.
Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.
This is the UFC on FX live blog for all the preliminary bouts televised on FUEL in support of tonight’s FX card from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Round 1: Denis throwing a series of combos early. Sandoval getting tagged. Fighting in close and Denis lands a series of elbows from a Thai clinch that put Sandoval’s lights out. A quick ending to start the night.
Winner: Nick Denis via KO, Rd. 1 (0:22)
Daniel Pineda vs. Pat Schilling
Round 1: Both fighters are making their UFC debuts. The duo exchange kicks to the lead leg to start the action. Pineda takes Schilling down from a body lock and moves right into mount. After some ground and pound, Schilling gives his back. Schilling gets to his feet with Pineda on his back, but Pineda sinks in a rear naked choke and digs in his hips, pulling Schilling backwards and down. The choke is sunk, and it’s a wrap.
Winner: Daniel Pineda via rear naked choke, Rd. 1 (1:37)
Fabricio Camoes vs. Tommy Hayden
Round 1: Hayden staggers Camoes briefly with a stiff jab. Camoes shoots in but Hayden sidesteps him and gets free. In a scramble, Hayden takes Camoes back and drags him down. Camoes hunts a kimura, but Hayden works free. Back to their feet. Camoes initiates a clinch and they end up back on the ground, Hayden on top in half-guard. Camoes tries an oma plata. Hayden works free but sweeps Hayden down. Camoes lands punches from the top. Hayden gives up his back. Camoes digs in for the rear naked choke. Hayden looked like he was tapping but the ref let the action go on. Camoes regripped it and then got the tap.
Winner: Fabricio Camoes via rear naked choke, Rd. 1 (4:03)
Charlie Brenneman vs. Daniel Roberts
Round 1: After a long stretch between fights, we’re finally back to action. Roberts drills Brenneman with a left hand but gets taken down for his troubles. Brenneman moves to side mount but only briefly as Roberts stays active on the bottom. Brenneman with short strikes from the top, and back into side mount. He traps Roberts’ left arm in a crucifix and starts laying the leather. Roberts works his arm free but Brenneman retains the position. Brenneman with some knees to the body and peppering Roberts with punches. Nothing big enough to threaten a stoppage, but enough to keep the position. Roberts gets back to his feet with 10 seconds left but Brenneman slams him down. It’s Brenneman’s round 10-9.
Round 2: Roberts comes out with a left high kick early. It doesn’t land flush. Brenneman tries a takedown, Roberts attempts a guillotine, well defended. Brenneman on top again, and works into side control, and into the crucifix again. Roberts works back to a neutral position and ties Brenneman up, leading to a standup. Brenneman wastes no time going low again. Roberts goes for a kimura, then tries to get to his opponent’s back. Then he slickly transitions to an inverted triangle. There are just seconds left and he can’t tighten it up enough for the tap before the horn. It’s still Brenneman’s round, 10-9.
Round 3: Roberts is on his back again within the opening 20 seconds. Brenneman is mostly having his way with Roberts on the ground. His strikes aren’t shaking the cage, but it’s enough to score points and keep Roberts from throwing up sub attempts. Midway through the round, ref Herb Dean stands them up. On the restart, Roberts goes for the takedown but Brenneman defends and ends up on top. It’s an effective smothering by him. Roberts hunts a kimura as time runs low. He pulls Brenneman’s arm out but can’t torque it enough to force the tap. It’s Brenneman with the shutout, 10-9.
Winner: Charlie Brenneman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Kamal Shalorus
Round 1: Nurmagomedov is an undefeated 23-year-old who has never fought in a cage before. Nurmagomedov looks a bit uncomfortable early, circling against the fence keeping a distance. Shalorus takes the center of the cage. Out of nowhere, Nurmagomedov lands a right hand that floors Shalorus. Nurmagomedov pours it on as Shalorus tries to keep moving and out of trouble. Ref Mario Yamasaki looks them over but Shalorus is defending well enough to allow the fight to continue. Nurmagomedov’s strikes come from unorthodox angles but land. They’re back to their feet with 45 seconds left. Both men throwing haymakers but it’s Nurmagomedov landing the bigger blows. It’s his round 10-9.
Round 2: Shalorus looks a takedown, Nurmagomedov defends and instead puts him on his back against the cage. Nurmagomedov moves to half-guard with his ground and pound. The ref stands them up with three minutes left. Nurmagomedov shoots low for a takedown and puts Shalorus down again. Shalorus keeps his hips active, not allowing Nurmagomedov to land anything significant, but he can’t escape from being underneath. The ref restarts them again. Nurmagomedov lands a left uppercut as the round ends. It’s his round again, 10-9.
Round 3: Shalorus is trying to measure an overhand right to end things, probably knowing he’s down on the scorecards. Nurmagomedov went for a single leg and Shalorus countered with a guillotine that was never close. Nurmagomedov mounts with 3:00 left and sinks in a choke. Shalorus taps with a quickness.
Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov via rear naked choke, Rd. 3 (2:08)
Jorge Rivera vs. Eric Schafer
Rivera has announced that win or lose, this will be the last fight of his decade-long career.
Round 1: Rivera tries to let his hands go early but Schafer ducks under a right hand and puts Rivera on his back. No surprise as Schafer wants to be on the ground at all times, and even more so against a big puncher. Schafer to half-guard as he throws elbows from the top. Rivera uses a whizzer to get to his feet. They’re engaged against the fence with Schafer trying to go low, and he successfully scores another takedown. Schafer with a big right from the top as Rivera tried to escape. Schafer worked to get the mount but Rivera wouldn’t allow it and ended up on top. Schafer had an oma plata and was throwing elbows from the bottom as the round ended. Schafer, 10-9.
Round 2: Schafer is tenacious in trying to get the fight to the ground. Rivera sprawls and lands a hard right hand that cuts Schafer. Rivera swarms from the top with right hands. Schafer tries to cover up but Rivera continues unloading with right hands to the head and ref Herb Dean has no choice but to stop it.
Rivera drops down and kisses the mat as the fans chant “Jorge.” A nice ending to his career. He retires with a 20-9 overall record, and 8-7 in the UFC.
Winner: Jorge Rivera via TKO, Rd. 2(1:31)
“I’m grateful,” Rivera said afterward. “I’m grateful that I fought here in front of a lot of people. I met a lot of great people. It’s been a real nice trip. It’s been real good to me. I’m extremely grateful. Thank you.”
This is the UFC on FX live blog for all the preliminary bouts televised on FUEL in support of tonight’s FX card from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Round 1: Denis throwing a series of combos early. Sandoval getting tagged. Fighting in close and Denis lands a series of elbows from a Thai clinch that put Sandoval’s lights out. A quick ending to start the night.
Winner: Nick Denis via KO, Rd. 1 (0:22)
Daniel Pineda vs. Pat Schilling
Round 1: Both fighters are making their UFC debuts. The duo exchange kicks to the lead leg to start the action. Pineda takes Schilling down from a body lock and moves right into mount. After some ground and pound, Schilling gives his back. Schilling gets to his feet with Pineda on his back, but Pineda sinks in a rear naked choke and digs in his hips, pulling Schilling backwards and down. The choke is sunk, and it’s a wrap.
Winner: Daniel Pineda via rear naked choke, Rd. 1 (1:37)
Fabricio Camoes vs. Tommy Hayden
Round 1: Hayden staggers Camoes briefly with a stiff jab. Camoes shoots in but Hayden sidesteps him and gets free. In a scramble, Hayden takes Camoes back and drags him down. Camoes hunts a kimura, but Hayden works free. Back to their feet. Camoes initiates a clinch and they end up back on the ground, Hayden on top in half-guard. Camoes tries an oma plata. Hayden works free but sweeps Hayden down. Camoes lands punches from the top. Hayden gives up his back. Camoes digs in for the rear naked choke. Hayden looked like he was tapping but the ref let the action go on. Camoes regripped it and then got the tap.
Winner: Fabricio Camoes via rear naked choke, Rd. 1 (4:03)
Charlie Brenneman vs. Daniel Roberts
Round 1: After a long stretch between fights, we’re finally back to action. Roberts drills Brenneman with a left hand but gets taken down for his troubles. Brenneman moves to side mount but only briefly as Roberts stays active on the bottom. Brenneman with short strikes from the top, and back into side mount. He traps Roberts’ left arm in a crucifix and starts laying the leather. Roberts works his arm free but Brenneman retains the position. Brenneman with some knees to the body and peppering Roberts with punches. Nothing big enough to threaten a stoppage, but enough to keep the position. Roberts gets back to his feet with 10 seconds left but Brenneman slams him down. It’s Brenneman’s round 10-9.
Round 2: Roberts comes out with a left high kick early. It doesn’t land flush. Brenneman tries a takedown, Roberts attempts a guillotine, well defended. Brenneman on top again, and works into side control, and into the crucifix again. Roberts works back to a neutral position and ties Brenneman up, leading to a standup. Brenneman wastes no time going low again. Roberts goes for a kimura, then tries to get to his opponent’s back. Then he slickly transitions to an inverted triangle. There are just seconds left and he can’t tighten it up enough for the tap before the horn. It’s still Brenneman’s round, 10-9.
Round 3: Roberts is on his back again within the opening 20 seconds. Brenneman is mostly having his way with Roberts on the ground. His strikes aren’t shaking the cage, but it’s enough to score points and keep Roberts from throwing up sub attempts. Midway through the round, ref Herb Dean stands them up. On the restart, Roberts goes for the takedown but Brenneman defends and ends up on top. It’s an effective smothering by him. Roberts hunts a kimura as time runs low. He pulls Brenneman’s arm out but can’t torque it enough to force the tap. It’s Brenneman with the shutout, 10-9.
Winner: Charlie Brenneman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Kamal Shalorus
Round 1: Nurmagomedov is an undefeated 23-year-old who has never fought in a cage before. Nurmagomedov looks a bit uncomfortable early, circling against the fence keeping a distance. Shalorus takes the center of the cage. Out of nowhere, Nurmagomedov lands a right hand that floors Shalorus. Nurmagomedov pours it on as Shalorus tries to keep moving and out of trouble. Ref Mario Yamasaki looks them over but Shalorus is defending well enough to allow the fight to continue. Nurmagomedov’s strikes come from unorthodox angles but land. They’re back to their feet with 45 seconds left. Both men throwing haymakers but it’s Nurmagomedov landing the bigger blows. It’s his round 10-9.
Round 2: Shalorus looks a takedown, Nurmagomedov defends and instead puts him on his back against the cage. Nurmagomedov moves to half-guard with his ground and pound. The ref stands them up with three minutes left. Nurmagomedov shoots low for a takedown and puts Shalorus down again. Shalorus keeps his hips active, not allowing Nurmagomedov to land anything significant, but he can’t escape from being underneath. The ref restarts them again. Nurmagomedov lands a left uppercut as the round ends. It’s his round again, 10-9.
Round 3: Shalorus is trying to measure an overhand right to end things, probably knowing he’s down on the scorecards. Nurmagomedov went for a single leg and Shalorus countered with a guillotine that was never close. Nurmagomedov mounts with 3:00 left and sinks in a choke. Shalorus taps with a quickness.
Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov via rear naked choke, Rd. 3 (2:08)
Jorge Rivera vs. Eric Schafer
Rivera has announced that win or lose, this will be the last fight of his decade-long career.
Round 1: Rivera tries to let his hands go early but Schafer ducks under a right hand and puts Rivera on his back. No surprise as Schafer wants to be on the ground at all times, and even more so against a big puncher. Schafer to half-guard as he throws elbows from the top. Rivera uses a whizzer to get to his feet. They’re engaged against the fence with Schafer trying to go low, and he successfully scores another takedown. Schafer with a big right from the top as Rivera tried to escape. Schafer worked to get the mount but Rivera wouldn’t allow it and ended up on top. Schafer had an oma plata and was throwing elbows from the bottom as the round ended. Schafer, 10-9.
Round 2: Schafer is tenacious in trying to get the fight to the ground. Rivera sprawls and lands a hard right hand that cuts Schafer. Rivera swarms from the top with right hands. Schafer tries to cover up but Rivera continues unloading with right hands to the head and ref Herb Dean has no choice but to stop it.
Rivera drops down and kisses the mat as the fans chant “Jorge.” A nice ending to his career. He retires with a 20-9 overall record, and 8-7 in the UFC.
Winner: Jorge Rivera via TKO, Rd. 2(1:31)
“I’m grateful,” Rivera said afterward. “I’m grateful that I fought here in front of a lot of people. I met a lot of great people. It’s been a real nice trip. It’s been real good to me. I’m extremely grateful. Thank you.”
Middleweight contenders Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen don’t have a lot of time to hype up their upcoming Fox bout on January 28, but Bisping isn’t letting the chance slip to get a few words in to his opponent. In a recent interview with …
Middleweight contenders Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen don’t have a lot of time to hype up their upcoming Fox bout on January 28, but Bisping isn’t letting the chance slip to get a few words in to his opponent. In a recent interview with ChicagoNow.com, Bisping gives insight as to where he thinks he stands […]
The Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller prelims are live on FUEL TV Friday, January 20. Witness the next generation of UFC stars rise as FUEL TV kicks off a night of unforgettable action, featuring MMA’s hungriest and most promising fighters.
The Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller prelims are live on FUEL TV Friday, January 20. Witness the next generation of UFC stars rise as FUEL TV kicks off a night of unforgettable action, featuring MMA’s hungriest and most promising fighters.
Middleweight contenders Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen don’t have a lot of time to hype up their upcoming Fox bout on January 28, but Bisping isn’t letting the chance slip to get a few words in to his opponent.In a recent interview with ChicagoNow.co…
Middleweight contenders Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen don’t have a lot of time to hype up their upcoming Fox bout on January 28, but Bisping isn’t letting the chance slip to get a few words in to his opponent.
In a recent interview with ChicagoNow.com, Bisping gives insight as to where he thinks he stands in the division and what he thinks about his opponent. Love him or hate him, he is here to stay and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. With a 12-3 UFC record, he has had steady success throughout his career fighting in the Octagon.
“To be honest Chael Sonnen is a failed partisan and a failed politician,” said Bisping, who is currently riding a four-fight win streak. “He also failed as being a champion because he had many times in the past to achieve that and didn’t succeed. Honestly, I would have expected something a bit better from him than just calling me Pip. He could have done a hell of a lot better and frankly I’m disappointed. He failed as a politician and his first insult was also a failure.”
Sonnen recently came back from over a year-long break to defeat Brian Stann at UFC 136. That victory followed his unsuccessful title fight against reigning champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva in 2010.
Many regard Sonnen as the best trash-talker in the sport, but there hasn’t been too much coming from him in the lead-up to the fight.
“I don’t think the words will be going back and forth like other fights because of the short amount of time we have,” Bisping continued. “We were supposed to do The Ultimate Fighter together and that would have probably caused a nice stir of on-screen drama, but we still have a week. I’m sure we will talk some sh*t, but I’m looking forward to the press conference to see what he brings to the table.”
Originally, Bisping was supposed to fight jiu-jitsu ace Demian Maia while Sonnen was set to battle Mark Munoz on the same card. After Munoz was forced to pull out of his fight due to an injury, Bisping was set as the replacement.
Maia will now take on Chris Weidman. The main event will feature former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who is going up against Phil Davis.
“The thing is he thinks he’s going to win and I know that I’m going to win, which makes this fight that much more enjoyable,” said Bisping. “Sonnen is a world-class fighter and with a title shot on the line, what else would you want to see? This is a fight that you don’t want to miss and forget all the trash talk, just watch the fight next Saturday.”
MMA Fighting has UFC on FX results for all of the Jan. 20 UFC on FX fights, plus live blogs of all the fights and live UFC on FX twitter updates.
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