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B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson - This fight was a battle for the vacant UFC lightweight championship, a belt vacated by Sean Sherk. The fight was commentated by Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan and the surprise guest: Sherk himself. Going into the fight: Penn had a two-inch height advantage over 'Daddy' Stevenson. The referee for the bout was Herb Dean.
The first round began. The fighters came out strong, touched gloves, but Penn dropped Stevenson with an uppercut literally within five seconds. Stevenson desperately attempted to defend as Penn pounded on him mercilessly, looking to finish the fight quickly. Stevenson pulled guard as much as possible as Penn pounded on him for literally over a minute. Meanwhile, the commentators calmly chatted about Penn's excellent Brazilian jiu jitsu. Stevenson looked shocked and worried as Penn repeatedly postured up and began passing his guard and shoving him up against the cage. Penn repeatedly got Stevenson's back, pressing him up against the cage consistently and then transitioning to side control. Stevenson impressively quickly moved it back to guard. With about thirty-eight seconds left in round one, Penn threw that fateful elbow. Joe touched his glove to his forehead and immediately blood began spraying everywhere. That elbow cut him wide open. The rest of the round continued, and Stevenson stood to allow the doctor to examine him. The replay was shown: just a glancing elbow, enough power to open the cut. The first round ended.
The second round began. Stevenson came out with a determined look in his eyes, dripping with blood. They exchanged strikes for a few seconds and Stevenson threw a big elbow. Stevenson moved around fluidly, apparently attempting to avoid the fight going to the ground once more; BJ's domain. Penn, however, possessed excellent standup as well. After a few minutes of striking, Herb Dean stopped the fight once more to allow the doctor to take a second look at the cut. Penn leaned impatiently against the cage, meanwhile. Stevenson went back to his corner and the fight resumed. With about two minutes and thirty-eight seconds left in the second round, Penn staggered Stevenson with what looked like two bombs and sent him wavering towards the fence. They went to the ground, Joe blindly flailing, and Penn immediately took Stevenson's back. Stevenson quickly rolled over, unfortunately giving Penn the mount, however. Penn once again got Stevenson's back, and Stevenson once again rolled over. Penn threw another elbow and hit him with a big left, rolled Stevenson over, and went for the rear-naked choke. With fifty-eight seconds remaining in the second round, Stevenson tapped out from the choke and B.J. Penn became the lightweight champion.
B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk - The fight was B.J.'s first defense of his newly-gained lightweight championship. Going into the fight, Penn had a three-inch height advantage and a three-inch reach advantage. Mario Yamasaki was the referee for the fight.
The first round began. The fighters came out strong, not even touching gloves. Sherk went for a takedown which was stuffed by Penn. Penn landed a right. Penn landed another good right, countered with a left by Sherk. Penn landed another right. The crowd began chanting 'BJ'. Sherk landed a hard left. Penn began landing consistent flicking jabs. At this point, Sherk was cut under the right eye. Penn landed a pair of hard jabs. Sherk landed a leg kick. Penn landed a hard uppercut, followed by a jab. The crowd chanted 'B.J.' as the first round ended.
The second round began. Sherk landed a leg kick. They exchanged strikes wildly and Sherk landed another leg kick. Penn landed a good combination, ending with a hard uppercut. They clinched with Penn landing a knee inside. Sherk's eye looked pretty bad now. They broke and Penn landed a hard right. The crowd chanted 'steroids, steroids', apparently aimed towards Sherk. Sherk landed a good combination, countered with a combination by Penn. Penn landed a hard jab. Sherk landed a leg kick and Penn landed a body shot. Penn landed a leg kick. Sherk went for the takedown, stuffed by Penn with fifteen seconds remaining in the second round. The second round came to conclusion.
The third round began and the fighters came out more slowly, not as chipper as they were in the first two rounds. Sherk seemed content once more to keep the fight similar to a kickboxing fight, despite his reputed wrestling skills. They clinched. As they broke, Sherk landed a hard overhand left. Penn went for the takedown and was stuffed, landing a hard left. They exchanged strikes. Sherk landed a hard jab. Penn landed a hard leg kick. Penn landed a good combination. Penn landed a jab. Sherk landed a leg kick. Sherk's face looked horrible. Penn landed a hard jab, trying to end the round well. Penn saw Sherk duck his head and landed a hard flying knee and Sherk went stumbling against the cage and Penn began ground-and-pounding and the fight was stopped at the buzzer. Penn had retained his new lightweight title. Sean Sherk might have broken his hand in the fight.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra 2 - The fight was a welterweight championship fight with Serra defending the title that he had won from St. Pierre in their first fight. Going into the fight, St. Pierre had a four-inch height advantage and an eight-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Serra came at St. Pierre but St. Pierre hit the takedown and went for half-guard, throwing some body blows. They struggled for about a minute on the ground. St. Pierre managed to pull full guard and threw some elbows. St. Pierre began the ground-and-pound with a nice combination, posturing up for a moment before. Serra pulled guard once more but St. Pierre bulled through into half-guard. Serra pulled a close guard again but ate an elbow. St. Pierre passed the guard finally into side control and then took Serra's back, hammerfisting from the dominant position. Serra got to his feet after a few seconds to a general ovation, and the striking finally began. St. Pierre tried for a Superman punch and then hit the takedown again, moving quickly to half-guard and then full mount and then side control in a rapid sequence, followed by taking Serra's back and ground-and-pounding. Serra was saved by the bell and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. St. Pierre went for the takedown once more and forced Serra right into the cage. Serra struggled to get to his feet but St. Pierre took his back. Serra managed to get up finally and threw a Superman punch, missing. Serra landed a head kick and St. Pierre tried for a spinning back kick. They exchanged punches in the clinch and then Serra let his hands down and ate quite a few jabs. He was taken down again, against the fence. Serra pulled guard after a few seconds of ground-and-pound. St. Pierre took his back once more and began landing repeated hard knees to Serra's kidneys. Serra rolled and caught a few strikes. St. Pierre passed to side control, took Serra's back, and hammerfisted once more. He began throwing the hard knees continuously into Serra's midsection. Serra turned and St. Pierre kept throwing the strikes. Serra rolled and St. Pierre kept throwing the knees. Then it was over. St. Pierre was the new welterweight champion. Serra congratulated St. Pierre, lifting him up and carrying him around the cage. They hugged.
Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar -- This fight was a heavyweight title match, with Couture defending. Going into the fight, Lesnar had a two-inch height advantage, a forty-five-pound weight advantage, and a six-inch reach advantage. The referee for the bout was Mario Yamasaki.
The fighters came out and touched gloves and began circling. They clinched early and Lesnar bulled forward and brought the fight towards the cage. Lesnar utilized good knees in the clinch. Couture turned the clinch and pressed Lesnar up against the cage. They broke the clinch and began circling again. Lesnar went for the takedown and bulled Couture against the cage. Couture defended the takedown successfully but after a few moments, Lesnar threw Couture down by the cage and pushed into half-guard and then he attempted side control before mounting. Couture quickly avoided and grabbed hold of Lesnar's leg, getting the bigger fighter's back. Lesnar spun Couture around back to the ground, and Couture pulled half-guard quickly. Couture got back to his feet and they clinched once more. Couture pressed Lesnar against the cage, and the larger fighter seemed gassed with thirty seconds remaining in round one.
Round two began and the fighters came out without touching gloves and immediately began jabbing. Couture utilized some dirty boxing and caught an elbow and was rocked. Couture wobbled and Lesnar hesitated before going in for the kill, allowing Couture to recover and shove Lesnar against the cage. They broke the clinch and backed off to the center of the cage. Lesnar was cut above the left eye at this point, and Couture pushed forward. They clinched once more and Couture shoved Lesnar back against the fence. They broke the clinch and Lesnar threw a big knee. They went back to strike again and with two minutes remaining, Couture caught a big right and went down. Lesnar began hammerfisting and with one minute and fifty-four seconds left, Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight. Brock Lesnar was the new heavyweight champion.
Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo 'Minatauro' Nogueira -- This fight was a battle for the interim heavyweight championship with Nogueira defending, and the coach's battle at the end of The Ultimate Fighter's eighth season. Mir had a two-inch reach advantage. Herb Dean was the referee for the bout.
The fighters came out without touching gloves and began circling. Mir began dominating the striking with his improved boxing. Mir took Nogueira down and began ground-and-pounding him. Mir allowed Nogueira to stand. The striking once again resumed. Mir dropped Nogueira with a strike but once again allowed him to stand. The striking resumed. Nogueira put together a nice combination, but Mir was smiling. He knew what the outcome of the fight would be at that point. Mir dropped Nogueira for the second time at the end of the first round and went to his corner looking very calm. Nogueira seemed frustrated.
The second round began and the fighters came out. Mir once again began dominating the striking game. Mir dropped Nogueira for the third time of the fight with three minutes and fourteen seconds left in the second round. Mir somehow knew this was the time to finish and he began viciously ground-and-pounding. Herb Dean almost immediately stopped the fight and Frank Mir was the new interim heavyweight champion. Nogueira was finished for the first time in his career. Nogueira and Mir were both very emotional after the fight. Mir stated that he had 'never been more afraid in my life than I was when I walked into that cage.'
Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson - The fight was a light-heavyweight championship fight, with Jackson defending. Going into the fight, Griffin had a two-inch height advantage and a four-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. Griffin began landing leg kicks after about twenty seconds. Griffin then began landing repeated leg kicks and occasional body kicks. The crowd began chanting 'Forrest'. Griffin landed a good right and then another. Jackson landed a good left and then another left followed by a right. With about two minutes and twenty-four seconds remaining in the first round, Jackson landed some very good punches and a left hook to the temple as well, staggering Griffin towards the cage. Griffin backed off and then began attacking, backing up Jackson with a combination and a kick, and clinched with Jackson against the cage. With two minutes remaining, the fighters backed off and began exchanging strikes once more. At this point, Jackson's leg began buckling every time a leg kick landed on his knee. With one minute and fourteen seconds remaining in the first round, Jackson knocked Griffin down with a big uppercut and went for him. Griffin quickly pulled guard and controlled Jackson's arms. Jackson brought Griffin over towards the cage. With twenty-five seconds remaining, Griffin scrambled to his feet and they clinched once more. Griffin landed a pair of excellent knees to Jackson's stomach and backed off. Jackson threw a leg kick. The crowd was roaring as the first round ended. Jackson won the round definitively.
The second round began. Within seconds, Griffin resumed with the leg kicks. The first leg kick hurt Jackson bad and his leg buckled and he staggered backwards towards the cage, hopping on one leg. Griffin threw another vicious leg kick. Jackson went to retaliate, Griffin grabbed the standing guillotine and began kneeing Jackson in the face before bringing him down towards the ground. Griffin released the choke, settling for being on top of Jackson on the ground as Jackson maintained a wide-open half-guard. Griffin passed the guard after a long time of grinding elbows and went to side control. Griffin continued throwing short elbows. Griffin moved to the mount, throwing strikes and elbows. Two minutes still remained in the round at that point. Jackson simply attempted to survive until round three. Griffin continued throwing short elbows. As Rogan stated, 'they're not doing too much damage but they're not fun.' The second round came to conclusion. Griffin had won the round.
The third round began. Jackson came out without putting weight on his injured leg. Griffin seemed very confident. They circled. The crowd began chanting 'Forrest'. With three minutes and twenty-three seconds remaining in the third round, Jackson leapt forward and landed a nice uppercut combination on Griffin and dazed his opponent. Griffin attempted to retaliate with leg kicks, but Jackson had wisened up and he avoided nearly every kick. He began trying to check the kicks. Jackson began moving ahead on his left leg a bit better. Jackson landed a good body punch, punishing Griffin's midsection. Griffin landed a Superman punch and a body kick. Griffin semed very calm, looking up at the time and landing an inside leg kick on Jackson's bad knee. With thirteen seconds remaining in the third round, Griffin pushed forward. Jackson responded and pushed forward with another good combination of his own. Griffin moved backwards fluidly. The round came to conclusion. The third round was tough to call, but it was Forrest's in the end. I'd give it to Rampage.
The fourth round began. Jackson seemed much more lively, leading with a left and landing a right after. They exchanged strikes and Jackson caught Griffin with a hook. They exchanged big uppercuts again and then Griffin brought Jackson down atop him. Griffin was cut above his right eye where the scar tissue was opened by the big uppercuts. The crowd now began chanting 'Rampage'. Forrest looked for a triangle and locked in the choke deep. Jackson lifted Griffin, but Griffin wisely grabbed ahold of Jackson's legs and dropped the choke and pulled his guard once again. Griffin tried for an armbar but Jackson escaped and landed some ground-and-pound and they stood. Griffin began landing kicks once more, backing Jackson up against the fence. They came back to the center of the Octagon. Jackson pushed forward, but Griffin responded. The cut was really opened up after that exchange. Jackson pushed forward once more, landing a big left followed by a right and another left. He landed another combination to the head of Griffin, followed by a hard body shot combination by Jackson. The fourth round ended. It was Jackson's round.
The fifth and final round began. The crowd began chanting 'Forrest' once more. Jackson landed a good strike and rocked Griffin, but Griffin kept coming doggedly. Griffin continued attempting to buckle Jackson's left leg. Jackson landed his own leg kick. Three minutes remained in the fifth round. Griffin landed a trio of punches and then a body kick. Jackson came in for a hook and ate another strike. Griffin landed another leg kick and Jackson pushed forward and punished Griffin's body with a strike of his own. Jackson landed a Superman punch. One minute remained. The crowd began going wild. The fighters exchanged. Jackson looked more wobbled on the injured leg, unable to push forward effectively. Jackson landed a body shot and pushed forward. Ten seconds remained. The fighters exchanged explosively and Griffin landed knees in the clinch and the round ended. The fighters hugged and moved to their corners. The round was Forrest's. Griffin looked worried as they went to the judge's scorecards. 48-46, 48-46, 49-46. Griffin was declared the new winner by unanimous decision and the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion.
Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva 3 - The fight was the third and possibly final fight of the grudge-match series between the two legendary fighters. Jackson had a two-inch height advantage and Silva had a one-inch reach advantage.
The fighters came out. Jackson quickly took the center of the Octagon, throwing a wild right hand and smartly moving back. Silva circled on the inside and threw an inside leg kick. Jackson attempted an uppercut. Silva threw a combination, forcing Jackson to cover up. Silva appeared very cautious. Silva attempted to push forward, holding his hands high. Jackson went for a takedown, Silva defended it and they circled. Silva threw a leg kick and then landed a temple strike. Jackson wildly pushed forward and missed. Silva landed yet another leg kick. Silva pushed forward and Jackson caught the leg kick with his hand and landed a strike. Silva went for a jab. Jackson backed away. Jackson came over the top and knocked out Silva with a left hook to the jaw. The fight was over. Jackson had won one out of three fights, getting his revenge.
Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell - The fight was a number-one contender match. The winner would face Forrest Griffin. The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. The fighters circled wide. Rogan began the opionated commentary quickly. Liddell cornered Evans and landed a strike. Evans circled away and began changing stances. Liddell threw a big right hand to Evans. They circled once more. Evans threw a body kick. The crowd began chanting 'Chuck'. Two minutes remained in the fight. Not much action had occured. Scattered boos began. Evans landed a leg kick, moving out of range. He changed stances, apparently attempting to throw off Liddell. Liddell had a tiny cut over his right eye. Thirty-five seconds remained in the first round. Liddell cornered Evans and landed an uppercut and then another. Evans wisely escaped. Liddell landed another strike and then a leg kick. Liddell was cut badly under his right eye. Greg Jackson's advice for Rashad in the corner was 'keep moving, keep making him miss, the moving is pissing him off.' Meanwhile in Chuck's corner, the cut men attended to Liddell's bleeding cheek.
The second round began. Liddell threw a good kick and they began exchanging. Evans landed a left hook and a right hand. Four minutes exactly remained in the second round. Liddell landed a right hand. Evans landed a left-right and then another left hook. Evans appeared to be getting more confident and circling more bouncily. With three minutes and ten seconds remaining in the second round, Rashad came over the top and hit Liddell in the chin, knocking him out. Liddell had moved forward with an uppercut and Rashad had come over the top.
Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans - The fight was a lightheavyweight title fight, with Forrest defending against Rashad. Griffin had a four-inch height advantage, and a two-inch reach advantage. The referee was Steve Mazagatti.
The fighters came out as the first round of the fight began. They began circling. The crowd immediately began chanting 'Forrest'. They exchanged, Griffin keeping his head high. Griffin landed a body kick. Evans landed a hard right hand. Griffin landed a leg kick and then a body kick. Evans landed a kick. Three minutes remained in the first round. Evans landed a couple good strikes and backed away quickly. Griffin landed a triple jab. Evans landed a strike and Griffin responded with a kick. The crowd erupted. Evans landed a body shot. Two minutes remained in the first round. Evans landed another good body shot and checked a body kick. Evans threw a good leg kick of his own, staggering Griffin. Griffin pushed forward. One minute remained in the first round. Evans landed a jab and then a hook. Griffin responded with a good right hand. The crowd began chanting 'Forrest'. Griffin landed a big kick to the ribs. Griffin went for a Superman punch and then the round ended.
Round two began. Griffin went for a kick and Evans slipped. Evans landed a good jab and then another and Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a nice right hand then a nice leg kick and pushed forward and then another leg kick and a jab and pushed forward. The crowd roared. Griffin landed a leg kick. Three minutes remained in the second round. Griffin landed a kick to the hip and then countered with an inside leg kick, pushing forward with strikes. Evans smiled. Griffin tried for a head kick, which was blocked. Two minutes remained in the second round. Evans landed a kick and then a body shot. An inadvertant low blow occured and the fighters touched gloves. The crowd chanted 'Forrest' and he landed a leg kick, Evans responded with a big right hand. Evans landed a leg kick. Fifty seconds remained. Evans pushed forward with a good combination. Griffin threw a leg kick, landed a good combination of his own. The round came to conclusion.
The third round began. Griffin went for a leg kick with four minutes and twenty-five seconds remaining, Evans caught the kick and began hammerfisting Griffin, looking to finish the fight quickly. Griffin was still smiling, waiting for Evans to punch himself into weariness. Griffin pulled full guard and began controlling Evans' arms. Evans began dominating however from the top. Griffin looked dazed. With two minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining, Rashad hit Forrest with a punch which badly rocked the champion and began hammerfisting. Mazzagati stopped the fight and Evans was the new light-heavyweight champion. Griffin broke his hand in the fight.
Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote - The fight was a middleweight championship fight with Silva defending. The referee was Herb Dean.
Silva bowed, Cote simultaneously returning the bow as a show of respect and the fighters went back to their corners. The first round began and the fighters came out. They touched gloves, Cote throwing a leg kick. Silva simply circled and waited, sizing Cote up. Cote threw another leg kick. The fighters continued circling. Cote dodged forward and caught Silva with a jab and seemed to piss Silva off. Silva threw an inside leg kick, his first real offensive activity of the fight, with three minutes and eleven seconds left in the first round. Cote checked the kick. They clinched. They broke. Silva threw a leg kick and then a body kick. Cote threw a leg kick of his own. Cote threw a body kick. Cote dodged forward, throwing missing strikes and then with about one minutes and thirty two seconds left, Silva hit him with a kick to the chin and then a few minutes later a knee to the forehead. Cote kept coming. The crowd roared. Cote was cut on his forehead about this point, most likely from the knee. One minute remained in the first round. Thirty seconds remained. They simply circled around and around. Silva threw a nice leg kick with twenty seconds remaining, and Cote began switching stances. With the final seconds, Silva hit him with a nice body kick and the two bowed to each other as the round ended.
The second round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves once more and Cote threw a very early leg kick. Silva dodged forward with two strikes and then a leg kick and attempted a switch to a scissor kick and landed a spinning back fist before clinching with Cote against the cage. The clinch broke and Silva landed a big kick. They exchanged strikes, Silva landed a leg kick, and then a body kick. Cote went for the takedown, Silva avoided, Cote ended up on the bottom and pulled guard. Cote threw a few very good elbows from the bottom and the crowd roared. He tried to roll into an armbar. Silva stood up, throwing lazy kicks towards Cote. Herb Dean asked him to let Cote up and Silva offered his hand. Silva touched gloves with Cote and the fight was restarted once more. Cote leaped forward. It seemed as if he had twisted his ankle when he missed the strike after the lunge. With forty-three seconds remaining in the second round, Silva went for a low leg kick and Cote grabbed it and went for the takedown. Silva twisted out of it and they began circling once more. Silva tried the kick again, Cote caught it again and he backed Silva up against the cage with that manipulation. In the last few seconds of the round, Silva turned the clinch around and threw hard knees to the body. The fighters went back to their corners without the fighters bowing to each other any longer.
The third round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Cote threw a jab that landed early and then a leg kick. With four minutes and thirty-three seconds of the round remaining, Cote went for a kick and collapsed. He tried to limp back to the fight but Herb Dean told him that the fight was over. Anderson Silva won the fight.
Kendall Grove vs. Patrick Cote - The first round began. The fighters came out and touched gloves. Cote swung wildly throwing bombs but missed. They clinched quickly and Cote shoved him against the cage. Grove continuously attempted to execute a foot stomp. Around three minutes and twenty-five seconds remained when Herb Dean finally broke the clinch. Cote landed a leg kick and another and Grove landed a body kick; Cote smiled. Grove pushed forward with a combintion and another. He landed a hardcore foot stomp. Cote pushed the clinch, shoving Grove against the cage. Grove turned the clinch around and landed a few knees to the body. Cote turned the clinch around. Cote lifted Grove up and carried him towards the opposite corner of the cage. They broke the clinch, Cote catching a right. Cote landed a good right and caught one. Grove landed a hard body kick and then another. He went for the takedown, defended by Cote, and the clinch resumed. Cote landed a big right hand at fifty-four seconds remaining in the first round and Grove dropped. Cote hammerfisted, mounted and took Grove's back. The fight returned to Cote mounted and pounding Grove's undefending form. Herb Dean stopped the fight. Cote won.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch - The fight was a defense of the UFC Welterweight title by St. Pierre. The referee for the bout was Yves Lavigne. Fitch was on a fifteen-fight win streak.
The fighters touched gloves and went back to their corners. They came out and touched glvoes again. St. Pierre took the takedown and Fitch pulled guard. The crowd began chanting 'GSP!' Fitch did a good job of controlling St. Pierre's hands, keeping him from landing any strikes. St. Pierre landed a good elbow and moved forward but Fitch managed to stop him in half guard. Fitch tried to get up, but St. Pierre got him in the sprawl position and went for another takedown against the cage. They stood. St. Pierre landed an excellent right hand and knocked Fitch on his ass like a little kid. Fitch covered his head as St. Pierre landed bombs. St. Pierre began landing big, big elbows from the top. Fitch got St. Pierre in the half-guard. Fitch was cut under his eye at this point. St. Pierre took Fitch's back and then Fitch attempted to scramble to his feet. Fitch leaped to his feet, looking wobbly. He went to one knee. St. Pierre continued teeing off, he gained mount. Fitch pulled full guard. St. Pierre continued landing big elbows. Fitch looked dazed as he continued to scramble. He gained half guard. St. Pierre gained side control. Twenty seconds remained in the first round. St. Pierre gained the full mount. The round came to conclusion.
The second round began, and they touched gloves. They began circling. Fitch landed a good bodyshot after about twenty seconds. St. Pierre threw a half-hearted leg kick. St. Pierre tried for a head kick. St. Pierre landed jab after jab. The crowd began chanting 'GSP'. Fitch landed another good bodyshot. St. Pierre landed another jab and Fitch landed another bodyshot. Fitch clinched and threw a good knee to the body. St. Pierre tossed Fitch aside and tried for a spinning back kick that missed. St. Pierre was cut on his forehead at this point. Fitch landed a hard bodyshot once more. St. Pierre threw an inside leg kick, and Fitch landed a good right. Fitch pushed forward, gaining some momentum. St. Pierre landed another jab and then another and tried for a head kick. He landed another jab. St. Pierre shot for the takedown, defended by Fitch. Fitch pushed forward with an excellent combination. Fitch clinched and threw a knee to the body. Twenty seconds remained in the second round. St. Pierre landed a good left hand and missed another spinning back kick. The round ended. The round had been better off this time for Jon Fitch. Fitch looked horrible in his corner: exhausted and bloodied.
The third round began and the fighters touched gloves. Fitch was smiling. Fitch landed a good jab. St. Pierre landed a good right hand with four minutes and forty-five seconds remaining, dropped Fitch, got Fitch's back and attempted to sink in the rear-naked choke. The crowd roared. Fitch escaped and got on top. St. Pierre pulled guard. The crowd began once again chanting 'GSP!' Fitch kept busy, landing strikes to St. Pierre's kidneys and midsection. St. Pierre did the same, however. Fitch stood a bit and landed a strike. St. Pierre dove back on top and began punching Fitch's kidneys. Fitch attempted to scramble to his feet. St. Pierre let Fitch up and they exchanged strikes. They circled. St. Pierre landed a leg kick and then a pair of body kicks. St. Pierre pushed Fitch against the cage, Fitch's blood lolling off onto St. Pierre's back. St. Pierre landed a big right hand, a big knee, a head kick, another big knee. Fitch stood. St. Pierre missed a body kick. They backed against the cage. Thirty seconds remained in the third round. Fitch ate a left, checked a kick, St. Pierre slammed Fitch to the ground. Fifteen seconds remained. The round came to conclusion.
The fighters came out as the fourth round began. Fitch clinched, threw a knee. They clinched once more but shoved off. St. Pierre was cut over the left eye. Fitch drove a hard knee to the body. St. Pierre landed a hard strike. Fitch landed a good body kick. Fitch went for the takedown weakly but was defended by St. Pierre. St. Pierre landed a body strike and then a jab. They both went for leg kicks at the same time and staggered. Fitch went for the takedown and shoved St. Pierre against the fence in a standing position. Both fighters looked exhausted. Just over a minute remained in the fourth round. St. Pierre shoved Fitch against the fence and Fitch pulled guard. Fitch's face was swollen and bloody at this point. Ten seconds remained. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round began and the fighters came out and they touched gloves. St. Pierre landed a left hook and Fitch tried for a head kick. St. Pierre landed a leg kick, feinted with the Superman punch, landed a leg kick, landed a right hand. Fitch landed a good right hook and then pushed forward. St. Pierre landed a leg kick and then a spinning back fist, and Fitch smiled even though he was rocked. At the four minute mark, St. Pierre took Fitch down and began passing his guard. Fitch was breathing hard. St. Pierre continued punching Fitch's kidneys. Fitch responded in the same way. Fitch pulled a more secure guard once more. Under three minutes remained. St. Pierre landed a good pair of strikes from the top. The crowd began chanting 'GSP!' St. Pierre landed a big elbow over the top. Fitch held a good half-guard. St. Pierre landed a good pair of strikes from the top. They stood. Under two minutes remained. St. Pierre landed the jab and then went for the takedown against the fence. Fitch pulled guard and landed a good shot from the bottom. One minute remained. Twenty-five seconds remained. They stood, wobbling bad. Ten seconds remained. They went back down. The fifth round ended and the fight was over. They fell to their knees in the middle of the ring, hugging, exhausted. There could be no doubt, though. Georges St. Pierre retained the welterweight champion by unanimous decision. Fitch picked St. Pierre up and carried him around the ring.
Tamdan McCrory vs. Luke Cummo - Coming into the fight, Luke Cummo was seven years older than McCrory, three inches shorter, three pounds lighter, and had a two-inch reach disadvantage. The referee for the fight was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and the fighters came out strong. They clinched against the cage, and Tamdan looked to sweep the legs. Tamdan landed some big right hands. Cummo landed a big knee, shrugging off the big shots. Four minutes remained in the so-far uneventful welterweight bout. Cummo landed a knee and broke the clinch. Tamdan landed another big shot and took Cummo down, moving aggressively into side control and transitioning to mount. The crowd roared. He lost it, and then got Cummo's back, sank in the rear-naked choke. Three minutes remained. Cummo fought the choke hard and eventually got out but he looked gassed after the attempt. Tamdan kept Cummos' back and mounted but Cummo rolled over and Tamdan took Cummo's back and tried for the choke again. Two minutes remained. Cummo attempted to set up a rubber guard, but Tamdan passed into full guard and landed some big shots. Cummo attempted another rubber guard. Tamdan bulled into north-south position. Then it was back to full guard. One minute remained in the first round. Tamdan stood and came back down with a heavy shot. He got side control and grabbed for an armbar. Twenty seconds remained. Cummo wound up on top, landing a few elbows. The round ended.
The second round began and the fighters came out, once more without touching gloves, and began circling. Cummo hit Tamdan over the top but Tamdan secured the takedown and went down into Cummo's half-guard. Cummo delivered some strikes from the bottom. Tamdan once again got Cummo's back, executing a full-body triangle. Three minutes remained in the second round. Tamdan sank in the rear-naked choke. Cummo escaped. Tamdan sank in a deep armbar but Cummo fought it hard, Cummo escaped. He ended up top, in Tamdan's full guard. Two minutes remained. Tamdan rolled for the armbar again, using it to take Cummo's back and trying for the rear-naked choke once again. Tamdan took Cummo's b ack, teeing off and ground-and-pounding him. Twenty seconds remained. Tamdan landed a big, big shot from the top. The round came to conclusion.
The third round began. Tamdan nearly slipped throwing a strike. Cummo landed a nice bodyshot, Tamdan stumbled. Cummo landed another bodyshot. Cummo tossed Tamdan from the clinch and tried to transition towards side control. They stood back into the clinch with Tamdan pushing Cummo against the fence. Tamdan tried for a judo throw but then took Cummo down and got stuck in Cummo's half-guard. Three minutes remained. Tamdan transitioned to side control. Cummo seemed gassed. The referee told them 'not to leave it to the judges, let's go'. Tamdan began landing hard elbows from the top. Two minutes remained. Cummo stood and allowed Tamdan to get up. Cummo landed an uppercut. At the one-minute mark, Tamdan got another takedown. Cummo locked in a triangle but Tamdan fought it, lifting Cummo and slamming him. The triangle lost. Fifteen seconds remained. The fight ended. 29-28, 30-27, 30-27. The winner by unanimous decision was declared Tamdan McCrory.
Ben Saunders vs. Ryan Thomas - Going into this welterweight bout, Ben Saunders was two years older, two inches taller, and had a two-inch reach advantage. The referee for the fight was Darryl Guthmiller. The fight was Ryan Thomas's UFC debut. Saunders was undefeated coming into the fight.
Round one began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Saunders landed a right cross early and a jumping knee right after and Thomas clipped him next. Saunders landed a body kick and then into the Muay Thai clinch. Thomas wisely backed off. Thomas landed a body kick. Saunders and Thomas exchanged kicks. Saunders landed a body kick and then a knee to the body. Thomas clinched and shoved Saunders against the fence. Four minutes remained. Saunders landed a knee to the body. Thomas landed a few elbows and Saunders just missed a head kick. Saunders landed a body kick and then another. Thomas landed a body kick. Saunders landed a kick to the elbow and Thomas clinched and they broke. Saunders landed a body kick. Saunders landed a few strikes and then a knee that knocked Thomas down. Thomas looked for a reverse triangle after Saunders pounced and clinched the choke. Saunders escaped into side control. Thomas was at this point bloodied up over the right eye, probably from the knee that knocked him down. Two minutes remained. Thomas rolled for the triangle again, striking at his head at the same time. Saunders popped out and passed through to half guard, pounding away on Thomas's midsection. Saunders pushed to side control again. Saunders turned and pushed to full guard. Saunders got Thomas's back and began executing a body triangle. Thirty seconds remained. Ten seconds remained. The body triangle continued. The first round came to conclusion. Thomas's corner ordered him to go for the takedown. Meanwhile, Saunders was told to stay standing.
The second round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Saunders threw a body kick. Thomas pushed hard for the takedown, dragging Saunders into full guard but Saudners stood, feeling that he had the stand-up advantage. Thomas tried for a head kick and threw a few jabs. Saunders threw a leg kick. Saunders landed a vicious head kick and Thomas went down. Saunders took Thomas's back but eventually stood up. They exchanged strikes with Thomas getting the better of the exchange with a one-two combination. Thomas's hands began dropping a bit. He looked a little gassed. Saunders landed a vicious elbow and Thomas dragged Saunders down to the ground but Saunders stood up once more. Thomas landed a jab but Saunders landed a body kick that hurt Thomas bad, followed by a straight right hand. Saunders pounced and dragged Thomas down, took his back and went for a kimura and changed it to an inverted armbar. Thomas tapped with two minutes and thirty-six seconds remaining in the second round.
Jon Jones vs. Andre Gusmao - Coming into the light-heavyweight bout, Gusmao was ten years older, he had a two-inch reach disadvantage and he was outweighed by over eight pounds.
The first round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Jones went for the takedown but it was defended by Gusmao. Gusmao clinched and pushed Jones against the cage. Gusmao landed a good knee in the clinch. Jones landed a good knee of his own to the body and then another. They broke the clinch. Gusmao landed a leg kick. Jones pushed forward, landing a few wild strikes, and they clinched. Jones slammed Gusmao to the ground in a takedown and went to side control. Gusmao seemed rocked, shoved up against the fence from a good side control position. Jones stood and they began striking from up close. Gusmao landed a good body kick and then they clinched, they broke the clinch, Jones landed a rib shot. Jones seemed to be gaining confidence. Gusmao backed away as Jones continually moved forward. They clinched once more and Jones landed a vicious knee to the groin with one minute to go. Gusmao took a break and then stood. He still took a break. The people kept booing. The crowd viewed a better replay and stopped booing when they saw it was a genuine groin shot. Gusmao nodded when he was ready. They came back out and touched gloves. Jones pushed Gusmao backwards continuously and Gusmao kept going defensive. Jones kept coming aggressively. They exchanged big knees in the clinch. Jones landed a hard spinning elbow to the back of Gusmao's head and then a spinning back fist. The first round ended with Gusmao in trouble, rocked bad.
The second round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Gusmao continued going on the defensive. He landed a leg kick, and Jones came in for the clinch. Jones went for the knees again and once more landed a groin shot. Gusmao walked away and collapsed near the cage. Jones began to look unnerved. On the replay, it looked like Gusmao landed a knee of his own into Jones' groin. The fight began again and Gusmao went for the takedown. Jones threw Gusmao onto his head but Gusmao scrambled back to his feet. Gusmao went for a kick, Jones grabbed it, they clinched. Jones attempted a takedown but Gusmao defended it. Gusmao landed two big shots, they clinched, Gusmao kneed, landed another right hand, landed a few more as Jones staggered backward, and they clinched again. The referee broke up the clinch and they started the fight up. Jones went for another spinning back fist and missed. Gusmao threw a leg kick and then another. Jones landed a big shot to Gusmao's chin. Gusmao threw another leg kick. They clinched against the cage. One minute remained. Jones tried for another spinning backfist. Gusmao landed plenty of strikes over the top. Jones came back with a few. Jones tried for a high kick and missed. He landed a body shot. Gusmao tried a high kick and they clinched. Twenty seconds remained in the second round. Gusmao threw a knee, they broke. They clinched. The second round came to a conclusion.
Round three began and they came out and touched gloves. Jones threw a leg kick, checked by Guasmo. Gusmao began backing up once more. They clinched and Jones took Gusmao down but Guasmo scrambled to his feet. They clinched, Guasmo threw a knee. Guasmo threw some strikes and they clinched. Jones threw some more knees. Guasmo threw a leg kick. They clinched. They exchanged knees. They broke. Jones landed two good left hands and they broke again. They clinched. They exchanged strikes. The clinch again. Knees exchanged. Guasmo shoving Jones against the cage. Two minutes remained. The referee broke up the fight and then they started again. They clinched again, broke, Guasmo pushed forward and threw a body kick. Guasmo went for the takedown but Jones defended and went into a clinch. Jones went for the takedown and got it and went to side control. Fifty seconds remained. Jones stood up and then went for the ground again and Gusmao pulled guard. Gusmao pulled rubber guard next. Ten seconds remained. The fight ended. Gusmao looked confident, waving his arms in the air. The fans began booing. Gusmao still looked confident. 30-27, 29-28, 30-27. Winner by unanimous decision was declared Jon Jones.
Chris Wilson vs. Steve Bruno - Chris Wilson was five years older than Steve Bruno, three inches taller and he had a three-inch reach advantage, going into this welterweight bout refereed by Nick Gamst. The fight was Bruno's UFC debut.
The first round began. The fighters came out and touched gloves. Wilson came in and they clinched early against the cage. Wilson broke the clinch at the four-minute mark. Steve Bruno landed a big right hand. Wilson landed a strike to the midsection. Wilson landed a nice right hand and an inside leg kick and Bruno went down. Wilson threw vicious elbows rapidly, looking for an early stoppage as he also looked for a kimura. Wilson stood and threw a headkick as Bruno came up, blocked by Bruno. Three minutes remained. Wilson took the takedown, stuck in Bruno's half-guard. They got up and clinched and Wilson shook him off. Wilson threw a hard body kick. Two minutes remained. Bruno landed a body kick. Wilson landed a few big knees and Bruno went down. Wilson took Bruno's back. One minute remained. Bruno attempted to stand but he went back down. Wilson still had his back. Twenty seconds remained. The first round ended.
The second round began and the fighters came out and didn't touch gloves. Bruno went for a takedown. Wilson sprawled and went to take Bruno's back again. Bruno shook him off. He was cut slightly under his right eye at this point. Wilson went for the takedown, and Bruno pulled guard. Wilson came back around for Bruno's back. Three minutes remained. They stood. Wilson landed a big knee. Bruno pushed forward and went for the takedown, but Wilson sprawled and got back to his feet. The referee broke up the clinch and the fight restarted. Wilson landed a big uppercut and then a big knee and Bruno went down. Two minutes remained. Bruno hung in there and struggled to get to his feet. Wilson locked in a vertical triangle on Bruno. Bruno shoved Wilson off, but Wilson went for a one-armed guillotine. Wilson once again set up a vertical triangle but let it go. The referee stood the fight up again. Bruno seemed reluctant to get up. Twenty seconds remained. Bruno went for the takedown. The second round ended. 
Third round began and the fighters came out and didn't touch gloves. Bruno tried for a leg kick and missed. Wilson landed a jab. Bruno landed a body kick. Wilson rocked Bruno with an uppercut and he went down. Four minutes remained. Wilson once again got Bruno's back but he got to his feet and dragged Bruno up. Wilson once again took Bruno's back. Bruno seemed gassed. Three minutes remained with Wilson in a mounted back triangle. They stood in the clinch and Bruno went for the takedown and got it. They got back to their feet. Wilson got the takedown and tee-ed off at the undefending Bruno. Bruno got to his feet. Bruno went for an extremely weak takedown. The crowd began booing loudly. The referee stood the fight up. Bruno seemed reluctant, but he got up. Wilson landed two hard body strikes. Bruno went for another takedown, Wilson sprawled. Scattered boos once more began. One minute remained. Thirty seconds remained. They got back to their feet. Wilson landed a big knee as Bruno 'shot in' for the takedown. Ten seconds remained. The fight ended. Wilson walked away with hand raised and the crowd cheered. All judges scored the fight 30-27, for a well-deserved unanimous decision victory for Chris Wilson.
Nate Mohr vs. Dennis Siver - Going into this lightweight bout, Dennis Siver was five years older, he was two inches shorter, and he had a two-inch reach disadvantage.
The fighters came out and touched gloves. Siver began throwing missing jabs early and then tried for a head kick which missed. Mohr threw a leg kick. Siver tried for another high kick, Siver rocked Mohr with an exchange and then he was all over Mohr, all over the cage. Mohr kept getting tagged and stumbling backwards as Siver flurried. He grabbed ahold of Siver and secured the mount. Siver had a massive welt on his leg from Mohr's earlier leg kick. Three minutes remained in the first round and Mohr maintained a solid mount. Siver pushed him into half guard and then full guard. Mohr kept delivering kidney punches. The referee stood the fight up and they went back at it. Siver tried for another head kick, and then delivered a big right hand. Mohr threw and connected with a jab. Mohr delivered a nice body kick and then another leg kick. Siver delivered a body kick. Siver delivered a good combination and then another. One minute remained. Mohr landed a pair of leg kicks. Mohr tried for another leg kick but Siver grabbed the leg and Mohr stumbled. The fight got back up. Mohr delivered a hard right. Siver tried for a head kick. Ten seconds remained. Mohr landed a leg kick. Siver landed a head kick barely. The round ended.
The second round began and the fighters didn't touch gloves. Siver delivered a body kick with that quick front leg. Siver delivered a good strike and they briefly clinched. Four minutes remained. Siver landed a leg kick and then a body kick and Mohr landed another hard leg kick. The welt continued on Siver's leg. They clinched, and Mohr landed a good knee to the midsection, buckling Siver slightly. They began striking again. Siver began unsteadily stepping now. Mohr landed a leg kick. Three minutes now remained. Siver landed a body kick and Mohr landed a kick to the midsection. Mohr landed a body strike and then yet another right leg kick. And then another. Two minutes remained. Mohr landed yet another leg kick. Siver landed a good strike and then another. Siver tried for another head kick and then another. Mohr landed a leg kick. Siver tried twice more for the vaunted head kick. The crowd roared. One minute remained. Siver landed a leg kick, tried for another head kick. Mohr landed a body kick. Siver tried for another head kick. Mohr landed a leg kick. Siver landed a leg kick, tried for another head kick, tried for another. Twenty seconds remained in the very second round. Mohr landed a body kick. Siver landed a hard shot to the face. The round ended.
The third round began but Siver's mouthpiece fell out. They touched gloves and the fight restarted. Siver began checking the leg kicks more. Mohr landed a Superman punch, pushing forward. Siver landed a left hook. Siver kept on trying for that head kick. Mohr landed a leg kick. Mohr landed a hard body punch. Siver landed a leg kick. He tried for yet another head kick and took a leg kick. Siver landed a hard shot and then a body kick. Siver shoved Mohr against the cage and they clinched. They backed away. Three minutes remained. Siver landed a high body kick. Mohr landed a leg kick. Siver landed a hard leg kick and then a strike. Siver landed a leg kick and nearly ate a right from Mohr. Mohr landed a body kick. Siver's leg nearly buckled. He landed a leg kick and then another and another. Mohr landed a leg kick. They flurried and exchanged. Siver landed a spinning back kick to Mohr's belly with one minute and twenty-three seconds remaining in the third round. He went down and Siver began hammerfisting. The referee stopped the fight and Siver took the win by TKO.
Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor - The fighters came out hard after touching gloves, striking viciously at each other as if it was a title fight. Both guys were throwing bombs, Kelly technical, Taylor wide and loose. They clinched against the cage. Four minutes remained. Kelly threw an elbow. They broke the clinch and Taylor threw an uppercut, a knee and a head kick. They clinched and Taylor took Kelly down with a guillotine but lost control and went to full guard. Three minutes remained. Two minutes remained. The two exchanged strikes on the ground as Taylor kept attempting to roll over, using the fence with his foot to move. At this point, Taylor was bleeding a little bit around his nose. Rogan commented that the start might have been 'one of the best opening exchanges we've ever seen'. One minute remained in the first round. Taylor threw numerous elbows from the bottom. Kelly began throwing bombs from the top. Forty seconds remained. Michael Bisping yelled instructions at his team mate Paul Kelly, yelling for him to 'elbow'. Fifteen seconds remained. The first round came to conclusion.
The second round began, and the fighters came out and touched gloves. They exchanged strikes once more. Kelly threw a knee, but Taylor took him down and went down into half-guard. Taylor attempted to take Kelly's back, but Kelly reversed it and came out on top. Taylor pulled guard and began striking from the bottom before Kelly pushed him against the fence and attempting to pass. The holes in Taylor's ground game began showing. Three minutes remained. Taylor went for a kimura and got it. Two minutes remained. Kelly fought the submission hard. He beat it and Taylor pulled guard. Kelly stood slightly and began throwing bombs from the top before going back into the guard. Kelly threw an elbow as Taylor tried for another kimura. Kelly threw some more bombs from the top. Goldberg commented that Kelly resembled his team mate Michael Bisping on the top. A big cut from the elbow was opened up on Taylor's forehead. Blood spattered everywhere. The fighters hugged as the round ended. The closeup showed that it was a nasty, two-inch long gash.
The third round began. They exchanged strikes and Paul Kelly took the takedown once more against the cage. Taylor went on the defensive. The gash continued bleeding. Kelly continued landing bombs from the top. Kelly moved into side control and Taylor was in serious trouble. Kelly began throwing big elbows. Taylor moved back to full guard. Three minutes remained in the third and final round. Herb Dean stood the fight up. They went back at it. Taylor began throwing bombs, Kelly responded off the cage. Taylor landed a decent uppercut. Kelly took Taylor down and transitioned to half-guard. Taylor moved it to full guard. Taylor went for the guillotine futilely, and then tried for a kimura. He threw some elbows from the bottom and then some strikes. Kelly threw bombs of his own from the top there. Twenty seconds remained. They scrambled, both landing strikes from the top and bottom. The fight ended and it was over. The fighters hugged. A standing ovation was given. Paul Kelly won by unanimous decision.
Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves - The fighters came out and touched gloves as the first round began. They circled and felt each other out. Hughes attempted a takedown, defended by Alves. Four minutes remained. Hughes tried for another takedown and Alves defended and they clinched. Hughes shoved Alves into the cage and then backed down into a takedown and pulled guard. Alves landed big shots from the top and they stood up. Hughes landed another takedown and went to side control and then half-guard. Hughes was bloodied up at this point in the fight. Three minutes remained. Alves pulled it to full guard. Two minutes remained. Scattered boos began. Hughes landed a shot from the top. The referee told Hughes to work or he'd stand the fight up. Hughes threw a body elbow. One minute remained. Alves pulled butterfly guard. Hughes moved to half guard. The referee repeated his previous statement. Forty seconds remained. Alves stood and they clinched against the cage. Hughes still had hold of a knee though. They stood completely and Alves took Hughes down. Ten seconds remained. Alves landed bombs from the top. The first round ended and the fighters went back to their corners.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Hughes tried for a takedown and Alves landed a big knee and took Hughes down. Hughes was bleeding. Alves tried to overpower Hughes and attempted to pass and managed to make it into half guard and kept pushing and working. Hughes was bleeding bad. With four minutes and two seconds remaining, Alves threw a big left knee to Hughes' face and knocked him out. The fight was over.
Pete Sell vs. Scott Smith - The first round began. The fighters touched gloves. Smith tried for a kick early and missed. He tried for a head kick. Sell landed a leg kick. Smith landed a body kick and then a flurry of strikes and they exchanged, toe to toe. THey touched glovesa nd grinned at each other. They exchanged strikes, throwing bombs. Smith landed a leg kick and nearly got cornered. Sell landed a leg kick. Sell was bloodied up under the right eye. They flurried and exchanged again. They touched gloves again. Two minutes remained. They clinched against the cage and Sell landed some foot stomps. Both men were bloodied up now. The clinch broke. Smith landed some lefts. Smith tried for a head kick. Smith landed a left that knocked Sell down. They clinched against the cage. Sell broke it. Sell landed a leg kick. Sell was bloodied up under both eyes. Smith landed a body kick. They exchanged strikes. Smith landed a knee. They clinched, exchanging strikes inside. The first round ended.
The second round began. Smith was grinning. Smith landed a leg kick. Sell nearly slipped. Smith landed a Superman punch. Smith tried a head kick and missed. Sell jabbed as Smith landed a leg kick. Smith missed a left and followed with a right that landed. Sell landed a few good strikes with Smith against the fence. Three minutes remained. Smith pushed forward, landing overtop rights. With one minute and forty seconds remaining, Sell landed a hard left hook to the body and staggered Smith backwards. Sell pushed forward for the kill with his hands down and Smith threw a hard shot to Sell's chin and knocked him out.
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida - The fight was a light-heavyweight championship bout with Evans defending. The referee for the fight was Mario Yamasaki.
The first round began, and the fighters came out without touching gloves. The two fighters circled. Machida looked like the aggressive one, strangely. Four minutes remained. Scattered boos began. Evans began to look frustrated and he tried for a leg kick. It was a battle of patience, as Goldberg stated. Machida tried for a kick and Evans showboated it off. Evans pushed forward with no clean hits. Two minutes remained. Machida landed a kick to the midsection. Evans tried a inside leg sweep but didn't sweep Machida. Evans tried to find the range for a jab. Machida pushed forward and they clinched, but Evans broke the clinch and they circled. One minute now remained.Machida pushed forward and put Evans on his back with a straight left hand, ground-and-pounding heavily. Evans looked worried. They pushed the fight to their feet and circled once more. Twenty seconds remained. Machida tried a switch kick. Machida tried for another body kick. The round had to go to Machida, as Goldberg stated. The round ended.
The second round began and Machida extended his glove, but Evans did not touch. They circled. The crowd began chanting 'Machida'. Machida landed a body kick and clinched, shoving Evans against the cage. They broke away and circled. Rogan sounded very caffeinated in the commentary. Evans tried for a punch and Machida flurried with so many punches to Evans' face that it was blurred. They circled. Machida landed a body kick. Evans landed a body kick. He tried for another kick. Two minutes remained. Machida flurried again and knocked Rashad down. Rashad kept wobbling, getting punched repeatedly. They staggered back. Machida landed a kick and then more strikes and then suddenly Rashad was twisting backward to the ground, knocked out and Machida was the new UFC light-heavyweight champion.
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague - The bout was Tim Hague's UFC debut. Tim Hague was a former kindergarten teacher.
The first round began. The newcomer Hague pushed forward quickly, but was sent back by Barry with a flurry of strikes and a high kick. Hague now looked more cautious. He still pushed forward with nothing landing flush from the lunge. He caught a hard head kick from Barry and was rocked. Barry pounced, going for another head kick. Hague recovered quickly and took Barry down hard, moving to side control. He quickly took Barry's back. Barry attempted to sweep Hague. Hague's nose was bloodied up at this point. Hague grabbed the guillotine and sank it in and Barry tapped quickly. Tim Hague had won by guillotine submission. In the post-fight interview, blood ran down from Hague's nose. He talked about how much he loved his wife and his little boy.
Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira - The fight was for the interim UFC heavyweight championship. The first round began. The fighters came out without touching gloves. Nogueira threw a leg kick early. Sylvia landed a good shot. Nogueira tried for the takedown and brought Sylvia down on top. Nogueira locked half-guard. Sylvia stood up and backed off. Sylvia landed a big right hand and then another. Nogueira landed a big strike. Nogueira clinched. Sylvia landed an uppercut. Sylvia knocked Nogueira down with a left hook and began pounding Nogueira with strikes from the top. Nogueira was trying to control Sylvia's posture but he was hurt badly. Sylvia tried to get out of Nogueira's grasp yet continue to land shots at the same time. Sylvia stood and Herb Dean stood Nogueira up as well. Nogueira looked rocked. He ate a few more strikes and weakly went for another takedown with Sylvia once again on top in half-guard. Nogueira was bleeding under his left eye now. Sylvia threw nice elbows from the top. Sylvia stood up. They clinched. Nogueira looked gassed at this point. Nogueira landed a good jab. Nogueira went for another takedown, defended by Sylvia into a clinch. They backed away. Nogueira looked like he was gaining his composure back now. Nogueira landed a good strike. Sylvia landed a big shot. Nogueira responded with a combination of his own. Sylvia caught Nogueira again with a left, and then again. Sylvia seemed to be utilizing his three-inch reach disadvantage. Nogueira went for yet another takedown. He got the takedown and went for side control but the first round ended. Sylvia looked calm and Nogueira looked flustered.
The second round began. The fighters came back out and exchanged jabs. Nogueira went for a takedown. Sylvia landed a few jabs after he stopped the takedown. Sylvia landed another hard strike. Nogueira seemed to be having a hard time offensively with Tim Sylvia's reach advantage. Nogueira went for another takedown, stuffed once more by Sylvia. Sylvia landed an uppercut.Sylvia landed another uppercut and then a jab. Nogueira went for another takedown, stuffed by Sylvia. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Sylvia landed a shot to the side of Nogueira's head. Body shot landed by Sylvia. Sylvia seemed to be gaining confidence. They clinched, but Sylvia broke it. Nogueira went for another takedown, grabbing a single and shoving Sylvia into the cage. Sylvia grabbed the fence a few times. Nogueira kept coming with the takedown until Sylvia escaped and they circled once more. Nogueira landed a body shot. One minute remained in the second round. Sylvia landed a hard uppercut again. Nogueira landed a hard left hook to the side of Sylvia's head. Ten seconds remained. Sylvia pushed forward. They exchanged jabs and the second round ended.
The third round began. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Sylvia countered with a big right hand. Nogueira went for a takedown, Sylvia brought it to a clinch, Nogueira landed a knee. Nogueira went for the takedown and got it, bringing it to closed guard. Nogueira flipped it around and got on top in side control. Nogueira transitioned to a guillotine and Tim was forced to tap with three minutes and thirty-four seconds remaining in the third round.
Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Heath Herring 3 - The fight was Nogueira's debut into the UFC. Going into the heavyweight fight, Nogueira was two years older, had a one-inch height disadvantage, a nineteen-pound weight disadvantage, and a one-inch reach advantage. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and the fighters came out and didn't touch gloves. Herring threw a leg kick. Nogueira ducked under a strike, clinched, took Herring down and went to side control. Herring struggled to his feet with four minutes remaining. Nogueira landed two hard strikes and backed Herring up. Herring tried a high kick. They exchanged strikes. Herring tried another head kick. They clinched, but Herring broke it. Herring landed a leg kick and backed up. Nogueira landed a knee. Nogueira staggered Herring with a straight strike and tried for a flying knee. Nogueira landed another quick left jab. Herring's nose was bloodied up at this point in the first round. Nogueira landed another quick jab. They clinched and Nogueira landed a good knee. The momentum began to become apparent. Nogueira landed another good knee. Another knee. They clinched against the cage. Nogueira broke the clinch. Herring landed a head kick as Nogueira shot in for a takedown and staggered Nogueira. He began ground-and-pounding. Herring stood up and Lavigne stood Nogueira up. Nogueira was hurt again though and put down. Herring didn't go in for the kill though and the first round ended. Rogan shrieked about 'what a missed oppurtunity'. Nogueira looked really wobbly even on the way back to his corner. Rogan shrieked once more about 'a missed oppurtunity'.
The second round began. They circled. Herring looked slightly gassed at this point. Herring landed a leg kick. Nogueira looked visibly cautious now, as Goldberg noted. Nogueira landed a quick jab. Herring landed a leg kick. Herring tried for another head kick, and then again a few seconds later. Three minutes remained. Nogueira went for and got the takedown, and transitioned to side control. Nogueira transitioned to mount quickly and then he got Herring's back. Herring rolled on top into Nogueira's full guard. Herring stood up. Nogueira landed a jab to Herring's forehead and then another and staggered him. Herring looked extremely gassed now. One minute remained. Herring landed a leg kick. Nogueira pushed forward with nothing landing really. They clinched with ten seconds left and Nogueira tossed Herring down, throwing hard strikes and elbows from the top. Rogan stated that Herring 'clearly won the first round' and that 'you gotta give to the second round to Minotauro'.
The third round began. Herring threw strikes early, looking extremely gassed still. Nogueira landed a hard jab. Herring landed a leg kick. Nogueira went for the takedown, moving quickly to side control and pushing Herring against the fence, utilizing his elbows. Nogueira rolled and got Herring's back. Herring rolled right into the rear-naked choke and Nogueira sank it in. Herring fought out of it, rolling on top of Nogueira and into Nogueira's guard. Nogueira tried for a kimura on Herring's left arm. Herring rolled out violently. Nogueira simply got his back again. Herring pushed to his feet but fell to his knees before getting back up. His hands hung low at his sides for several seconds. Herring landed a body kick. His hands were completely down. Nogueira landed two big shots, including a right that sent Herring flinching. They clinched agains tthe cage. Herring landed a big shot and backed away from it. Herring landed a body kick. Nogueira landed a good knee and backed Herring into the fence. Nogueira landed another good knee and Herring tried for a head kick and missed. Nogueira landed another knee and kept pushing forward. The third round and the fight ended. 29-28 was the score of all judges, with a unanimous decision victory going to Nogueira.
Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz - Going into this lightheavyweight bout, Evans was undefeated, five years younger, three inches shorter, and he had a four-inch reach disadvantage.
The first round began and the fighters came out hard. Evans blocked a headkick and Tito went for a takedown and got it, shoving Evans hard against the cage. The crowd began chanting 'Tito!' Not much was going on. Evans landed some body shots and they fought to a standing clinch against the fence. Evans broke with a knee and they exchanged missed strikes and Tito shoved Evans against the cage in the clinch. Tito threw an elbow inside. The referee broke the clinch. Evans lost his mouthpiece and the fight resumed. Two minutes remained in the first round. Tito landed two nice leg kicks. Tito landed a headkick and went for a takedown but Evans brought it to a standing clinch. Evans turned the tables. Tito had a cut under his right eye at this point. Forty seconds remained. Tito broke for a second, flurried, and grabbed the clinch. The referee broke up the clinch as the first round ended.
The second round began. Tito tried for a body kick. He tried for another body kick and then tried some overhand rights. Evans flailed defensively and backed off. Evans tried a body kick. Tito tried a body kick. Evans went for a takedown, defended by Tito. They clinched and Tito landed knees. Evans shoved Tito into the cage. Evans broke briefly and landed two strikes, going for a takedown. Tito landed a hard knee to the body. Tito broke the clinch. Two minutes remained. Tito landed a hard knee. Evans went for the takedown, stuffed by Tito who landed another knee. Tito went for the takedown, but Evans stuffed it. Tito continued holding onto the double-leg, and he then slammed Evans down for the takedown against the cage. Evans landed a few kidney punches. Evans escaped from the takedown to the feet and attempted his own takedown. He got the takedown against the cage. Tito grabbed the guillotine even as a point was taken away for him grabbing the fence. Evans was saved by the bell however.
The third round began. There was a little swelling over Evans' eye at this point. Evans landed a good left hook. Tito tried for a body kick. The pace of Tito looked a bit slower in the third round. Tito tried for a head kick. Tito tried for a takedown and got it against the cage. Evans grabbed the fence, 'un-noticed' by the referee. Three minutes now remained. They stood, but Tito still had a hold of the single. Evans turned it into a clinch with Tito on the outside. The referee stopped the clinch. Evans flurried unsuccessfully. Tito tried a head kick. Tito tried for a body kick and missed. Tito went for another takedown, but Evans defended with a nice sprawl and they clinched against the cage. Thirty seconds remained in the third round and the fight. Evans landed a few good strikes. He picked Tito up and slammed him, moving to side control. The fight was over. The official decision was 28-28. The fighters immediately hugged when they heard the unanimous draw decision.
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva 1 - The referee for the fight was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began and the fighters touched gloves. They circled. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a leg kick. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a leg kick, a strike combination and then another leg kick. Silva landed a straight front kick. Franklin landed a strike. Silva pushed forward and they clinched. Silva began landing knees to the body, repeated knees to the midsection. Silva landed a knee to the face. Franklin looked dazed. They broke the clinch. Silva landed another knee to the face, a headkick and they clinched. Another knee to the face was landed and Franklin collapsed. Anderson Silva was the new middleweight champion. Franklin broke his nose due the knee that he received from Silva.
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva 2 - Silva was defending this time. Big John McCarthy was again the referee.
The first round began and they circled. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a good right hand and then an inside leg kick. They clinched and Silva landed a knee to the body. Franklin spun around to attempt to shake off Silva, but Silva pressed Franklin into the cage. Silva landed more knees to the body. Franklin turned the clinch around and then Franklin took Silva down and got on top. They got to their feet, but Franklin still had hold of the leg. They clinched against the cage once more. They broke and Silva landed a knee to the body. Silva tried for a side kick. Two minutes remained. Franklin landed an overhand right. Silva landed a body kick and Silva pressed Franklin into the cage and began pounding away into Franklin's face. They clinched. Franklin pushed Silva into the cage in the clinch. Franklin was cut by his right eye at this point. Silva landed a knee to the body and tried for a takedown, which was evaded by Franklin. They circled. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed a good left. Silva tried a spinning back fist and tried a flying knee. Silva grabbed the clinch again, landing a big knee to the face and then a big right hook. Franklin looked dazed and went down. The first round ended. Franklin looked to be still hurt badly. He was wobbly.
The second round began. Franklin landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a body kick. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin pushed forward and they clinched. Silva landed a knee to the face and Franklin went down. Silva dragged him up, landed another knee to the face, a nice right hand, two more knees, and Franklin went down again. The fight was over.
Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson - The fight was a unification of the UFC and Pride middleweight titles between champions Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson. Dan Henderson was thought to be the only man that could finally take down the seemingly unstoppable Silva. The referee for the fight was Herb Dean. *
The first round began, and the fighters came out and Dan offered his glove to touch; Anderson didn't respond. They circled in the 'feeling-out process'. Henderson landed a pair of leg kicks. They circled for a bit. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Henderson tried to come over the top and ate an uppercut. Silva landed a straight front kick to Henderson's chest. They circled for a bit more. Silva tried for a head kick. They clinched and Henderson took Silva down, moving to half-guard. Henderson landed an elbow from the top. Henderson landed continual shots to the side of Silva's temple, hammerfisting. Henderson landed a big elbow. Henderson continued hammerfisting away. Thirty seconds remained. Henderson transitioned to side control. Silva struggled back to guard. Ten seconds remained. Henderson landed an elbow and then a big strike. The first round ended. The crowd gave a standing ovation to Henderson.
The second round began, and the fighters came out. Silva tried for a body kick. Henderson landed two big overhand rights and then an uppercut. Henderson ate a few kicks. Silva took Henderson down. Silva began landing body strikes. Henderson brought the fight back to its feet and clinched, landing knees to Silva's thighs. Three minutes remained in the second round. They broke the clinch and Henderson landed a good right hand. Henderson got caught by a devastating knee and went dwon. Silva pounced on top and threw a good elbow from half-guard. Two minutes remained in the second round. Silva began landing strikes from the top. Silva landed a knee inside. Henderson offered up his back and Silva took it. One minute remained. Silva landed strikes from the top and Silva back-mounted. Silva locked in a body triangle and continued landing strikes. Twenty-five seconds remained. Silva locked in the rear-naked choke. With ten seconds remaining in the second round, Henderson tapped out.
Luigi Fioravanti vs. Luke Cummo - Coming into the welterweight bout, both fighters were the same age. Cummo had a two-inch height advantage, and a four-inch reach advantage. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and the fighters came out and didn't touch gloves. Luigi threw a strike but tripped as Cummo landed a good shot. Cummo threw a push kick. They exchanged combinations with Luigi landing a good body shot. They clinched and both landed good knees. They broke the clinch. They circled. They clinched again, and Cummo landed a good knee. Luigi took Cummo down and went right into half-guard, landing hard elbows from the top. Cummo pulled full guard, moving towards a triangle but Luigi landed strikes from the top and stood. Luigi went for the takedown and slammed Cummo down against the fence. Cummo pulled full guard and they exchanged strikes. Luigi stood and landed two huge strikes from the top before grabbing Cummo and tossing him down and moving into side control and landing good elbows. Luigi began looking for an Americana but Cummo fought out of it. Luigi stood and then went back down into Cummo's full guard. Luigi continued landing good strikes from the top. One minute now remained in the first round. Luigi transitioned to a sort of side control. Cummo rolled out and Luigi landed some more hard strikes from the top before they fought to a standing clinch. Luigi took Cummo down again and went for side control. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Luigi went for the takedown and slammed Cummo down into full-guard. Cummo landed a few good elbows from the bottom. Luigi postured up and threw down a hard left. Cummo threw more good elbows from the bottom. Cummo looked like he was about to try for an armbar but Luigi battered him down. Luigi stood and let the fight back up to its feet. Luigi went for the takedown again but Cummo switched and clinched and landed a few good knees and strikes to the body. Luigi shoved forward and took him down, going quickly to side control and landing good elbows. Luigi stood and dived back in, throwing more hard ground-and-pound. Two minutes remained. Luigi threw good elbows. Scattered boos from the ground. Luigi spun out to his feet. Luigi went again for the takedown, but Cummo switched and got Luigi down and he scrambled on top. Luigi went for an armbar, but Cummo fought out of it. Luigi shoved Cummo off with his feet and got back up. Fifteen seconds remained in the second round. Luigi tossed Cummo on his face and the second round ended.
The third round began. Luigi went for a takedown but Cummo defended and landed some knees as it turned into a clinch. Cummo went for a guillotine but Luigi slammed him down, brought him back up and they clinched. Luigi threw Cummo down again, Cummo pulled full guard. Luigi landed a hammerfist. The referee stood the fight up. Luigi grabbed Cummo and slammed him down hard and Cummo pulled guard again. Matt Serra yelled from the cageside for Cummo to work harder or he was going to lose. Boos continued, getting louder. Rogan commented that the 'natives were restless'. Two minutes remained in the third and final round. They stood and clinched against the cage. Luigi took Cummo down again. Serra yelled 'where's the heart?' to Cummo. Luigi tossed Cummo back down as he got up. Luigi moved into half guard, Cummo struggled back up. Luigi went for yet another takedown. Cummo pulled guard. One minute remained. Cummo threw elbows from the bottom. Thirty seconds remained in the third and final round. Luigi threw more hard strikes from the top. The fight ended.
All three judges scored the contest 30-27, with Luigi Fioravanti winning the fight by unanimous decision. The fighters hugged after.
Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill - The referee for the light-heavyweight bout was Mario Yamasaki.
The first round began and the fighters touched gloves. Franklin tried a leg kick but missed largely. Franklin missed another leg kick. He missed another leg kick. Franklin landed a leg kick but barely. Four minutes remained. Hamill landed a leg kick and feinted. Hamill landed a good right hand. Franklin landed a good kick. Franklin tried a Superman punch. Hamill landed a leg kick and Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Three minutes remained. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a leg kick. Hamill tried for an uppercut, telegraphing it sort of. Franklin was cut under his left eye at this point. Franklin landed another good kick. Franklin landed two good strikes. The cut was under the left eyebrow of Rich Franklin. Hamill went for the takedown with fifty-one seconds remaining. Hamill half-stood and began landing strikes from the top but Franklin went for a tight armbar. Hamill broke free but he was cut now, too, under the right eyebrow. Franklin struggled to his feet and landed a knee on the way up. The first round ended and the fighters touched gloves on the way back to their corners. Rogan talked about how the grazing punch had cut Franklin. The cut men worked on the cuts in the corners.
The second round began with Franklin smiling as the fans cheered. They touched gloves. Franklin landed a leg kick, Hamill grabbed the leg, but Franklin pulled it out. Hamill landed another good uppercut. Franklin landed a good high kick, putting together great combinations. Franklin landed a leg kick. Mario Yamasaki called a time out and took Franklin to the corner to check the cut. The fans booed. The doctor came over. It was a flap of skin missing. The fight continued with four minutes remaining. Hamill went for the takedown and grabbed a leg but Franklin pulled out and they got back to their feet. Franklin pushed forward with a body kick to the midsection. They clinched, exchanging strikes. They exchanged strikes again in the clinch. Franklin landed a decent head kick and then tried for an inside leg kick but hit the groin. Hamill took a brief break by the cage. They came back out and touched gloves. Three minutes remained. They exchanged hard strikes with Franklin landed good combinations as he moved away. Hamill landed a few good strikes. Hamill looked slightly tired. Franklin landed a leg kick. Hamill landed a decent combination. Franklin landed a good body kick to the midsection. Two minutes remained. Franklin landed a leg kick and then another. Hamill landed some uppercuts. Franklin landed a leg kick and then another. One minute remained. Franklin landed a leg kick, Hamill grabbed the leg and held onto the ankle. He landed an uppercut, and they broke. Franklin tried for a head kick. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a good knee and Hamill grabbed the leg again but Franklin escaped. Ten seconds remained. Franklin tried a flying knee. Franklin landed a good strike and the second round ended. Hamill looked tired and sore. A big chunk of meat was missing under Franklin's eyebrow and the cut men attended to as best as they could.
The third and final round began and the fighters came out and Franklin was smiling. The fighters touched gloves. Franklin landed a body kick and tried for a leg kick but missed. Franklin landed a knee to the body. Franklin landed a body kick to the liver and Hamill went down. Franklin landed a few hammerfists and the fight was over. Franklin secured the win by TKO victory. Franklin checked on Hamill and hugged him while he was down and again when he got up.
Matt Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim - The referee for the welterweight fight was Mario Yamasaki. Brown was one year older than Kim, one inch shorter, they both weighed the same and both had the exact same reach.
The first round began and the fighters touched gloves. Both looked very aggressive. They clinched and exchanged knees. Kim tripped Brown to the ground but Brown got up. Kim grabbed a leg, took Brown down again. Kim took Brown's back. Brown grabbed the fence but Kim still held hold of his back. Kim sank in the rear-naked choke in a standing rear-naked, a rare thing. Brown fought out of it. The crowd cheered. Kim kept getting Brown's back repeatedly. Brown shook Kim down and went down into Kim's guard. They stood against the cage and Brown landed a knee to the midsection. They broke and circled. Brown landed a good right hook and then tried for a head kick. He tried again and landed it. Brown ducked under a shot and landed a body strike. The crowd began chanting 'USA'. Brown tried a spinning back fist. Kim tried to take Brown down and they clinched against the cage. Kim tried to trip Brown down but Brown fought it off and landed a knee to the body. Brown tried for a takedown. One minute remained. Kim took Brown down but Brown wound up on top and sank in a choke pretty deep as he took Kim's back. Kim took Brown's back, showing off his extremely excellent back control. Brown kept trying to shake Kim off. The first round ended. Rogan commented that it was a very nice round.
The second round began, and the fighters touched gloves. Brown landed two leg kicks and tried for a head kick. He tried a spinning back kick. Brown landed a good strike. He landed a good body shot and tried a Superman punch. He landed a leg kick. Kim tried a jumping knee and landed hard on his back with Brown standing. Brown let him up after a moment and landed two body kicks and two good knees and tried for a head kick. He ducked under a shot and landed a body shot, landed a body kick. Kim tossed Brown against the cage and they clinched. Brown tried for a takedown but Brown defended greatly. They stood again and Brown landed another body kick. They clinched. Brown landed another knee to the midsection. Kim tripped Brown down and pulled guard again. Kim began looking for a rubber guard. Brown postured up and stood. Brown ate two upkicks and tried for a downward spinning back fist. Brown was semi-standing and doing a traditional ground-and-pound. Brown stood and let Kim up. They clinched and Brown continued landing the knees. Kim checked a knee. One minute remained. Brown broke the clinch and ducked a big left from Kim, landing a great combination. Brown took Kim down and began landing shots. Thirty seconds remained. Kim looked utterly exhausted now. Brown moved to half-guard and looked for an arm triangle. He got the arm triangle secured but he let it go and began ground-and-pounding. Five seconds remained. Brown landed some elbows. The second round ended.
The third round began, and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Brown still seemed entergetic at this point, with a big smile on his face. Kim tried an uppercut and missed. Mario paused the fight when he realized that Brown forgot his mouthpiece. They touched gloves and the fight restarted. Kim landed a left and tried for a head kick. Brown tried for a leg kick and Kim tried to grab the leg. Brown landed another leg kick and then another. Brown tried a Superman punch. Kim went for the takedown and got Brown down into side control, pressing down. Brown stood up and began landing the knees again. They clinched against the cage and Brown continued landing knees. Three minutes remained. Brown grabbed the leg and landed strikes to the body. He let go of the leg. Kim landed a big left hook. He went for the takedown but Brown defended against it. Two minutes remained. Kim got Brown down into half-guard. Brown closed the guard. One minute remained. Kim landed a big elbow from the top and then a second. Brown looked for an arm triangle from the bottom but Kim fought out of it. Brown was cut pretty big at this point around his right eye. Brown scrambled to try to get up and ten seconds remained in the fight. The fight ended. Brown had a big smile on his face as the cut men attended to his eye. 29-28 Kim, 29-28 Brown, 29-28 Kim. Kim won the fight by split decision and remained undefeated. The fighters hugged. The crowd booed. Kim apologized through an interpreter.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona - The fight was a bout from Pride Fighting Championship. Rampage's strategy, apparently, was to 'whup that ass.' The winner would the number-one contender for the middleweight championship against Wanderlei Silva. The fight occurred on Jackson's twenty-sixth birthday.
The fight began and the fighters came out and circled. Arona landed a leg kick and then another early. Jackson landed a body shot and Arona backpedaled. Arona delivered a leg kick. Arona landed another leg kick. They clinched and Arona delivered a knee before going into standing guard. Jackson carried Arona over to the corner of the ring and laid him down into a laid-down guard. The referee stood the fight up and again restarted the ground position in the center of the ring. Arona tried to go for an armbar but Jackson stood up and delivered kicks from the standing position. The referee stood the fight up. Arona pushed forward, delivering a body shot and then a body kick to the liver. Arona went down to the ground purposefully but stood when Jackson didn't go for it. Jackson landed a hard shot. Arona went for the takedown, pulling Jackson down into his closed guard. Arona looked for an armbar on Jackson's right arm, but Jackson wasn't having any of that. Jackson landed shots from the top. Arona tried for a triangle and Jackson tried to stand but took some upkicks and some strikes from the bottom and he got cut above his right eye, bleeding badly. Jackson looked hurt and he struggled to survive and laid on top. Arona tried for a kimura and then again. The referee asked if Jackson gave up and Jackson had a look on his face that clearly showed that he was still in the fight. He broke free. Jackson landed a strike from the bottom on Arona's nose. Arona was looking for a guillotine and then a triangle right after, delivering strikes from the bottom at the same time. Jackson grabbed Arona up while he was in the triangle and slammed him hard, punching him twice after he landed. Rampage Jackson knocked out Ricardo Arona and earned his title shot against Wanderlei Silva.
Some think that when Rampage slammed Arona down, Arona's head may have bounced off the mat into Rampage and they had an unfortunate headbutt, which is what KO'd Arona, not the slam itself. This means the fight should be ruled a NC. Rampage also had two cuts on his forehead after the slam that look to be inflicted by Arona's jaw/teeth maybe.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Mauricio Shogun Rua - The fight was a bout in Pride Fighting Championship.
The fight began. Shogun landed a hard shot. They clinched against the ropes and exchanged knees in the clinch. The referee broke the clinch eventually. Rampage landed a hard shot and they clinched again with Shogun landing hard knees close to Rampage's chin. Rampage broke the clinch and took a head kick. Rampage looked rattled. He backed into the corner and they clinched again. The referee broke the clinch. Shogun landed a hard shot. Shogun clinched with him again and continued landing the hard knees to the body, dominating the fight and (later known) breaking Rampage's ribs. Rampage landed a knee and then another. Shogun landed a pair of knees and the referee broke the clinch. Shogun landed a hard shot and rocked Rampage. They clinched. Shogun took Rampage down and went down into half-guard. Shogun passed to side control and went for full mount but Rampage stood and ate some big knees in the clinch. Shogun landed a big right to the liver. Shogun landed a knee to the face. Rampage went for a takedown and continued taking knees and kicks. They stood in a clinch and Rampage nearly collapsed into the corner. Rampage went down and took a trio of soccer kicks before the referee stopped the fight. Shogun had won the fight by TKO.
BJ Penn vs. Matt Serra - Lightweight bout for number-one contendership for the lightweight title, referee Big John McCarthy.
The first round began, with Serra going for the takedown, defended by Penn. They clinched against the cage. The crowd chanted 'Serra' briefly. Penn shoved Serra down and the fight resumed with the fighters standing. Serra grabbed a leg but Penn defended and landed some knees in the clinch and they went to the cage. Three minutes remained. Penn landed a good knee. Serra broke the clinch. Serra grabbed a leg after an exchange but Penn defended once more and they clinched against the cage. Penn landed a good shot as they broke. Penn was winning the standup fight. Serra went for the takedown, grabbed a leg and Penn defended yet again. They circled. Fifty seconds remained. Penn landed a leg kick. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. Serra went for the takedown, lost it, lay on his back. He delivered a good upkick and they stood. They clinched with ten seconds remaining and the first round ended. The corner told Serra that he had given up the first round and that he had to 'fight his balls off now'.
The second round began. Penn landed a leg kick. Serra knocked Penn down but stood up. Serra sank in a guillotine but Penn got out of it. They clinched against the cage. Serra got the takedown into Penn's closed guard. They stood, with Serra retaining a hold of the leg. He let go and they clinched yet again. The fighters exchanged knees. Serra broke and landed a good elbow to the left side of Penn's face. Serra broke the clinch and landed a few shots and took a few. Three minutes remained. Serra went for a takedown, again defended by Penn and they clinched against the cage. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. Penn got the takedown but they stood. Serra landed a good right hand and then another, beckoned to Penn and said 'bring it on' before he shot for the takedown, grabbed a leg, landed a bomb, and they clinched against the cage. A brief chant of 'Serra' went up. The second round ended. Penn's corner told him to 'not hold back' and to 'turn it up on the striking'.
The third round began. Both fighters had won a round at this point. Penn landed a good shot. Serra went for the takedown, defended by Penn and took a shot on the way back up. Serra went for the takedown and grabbed a leg, landing some good shots. They clinched briefly, Serra broke it and landed a good shot. They clinched, Penn landed some good knees, and they broke with Penn landing a good right hand to Serra's eye as they did. Serra stumbled, Penn came in, Serra took Penn down but Penn got up quickly. Penn landed a jab. Serra grabbed a leg and they stood there like that and Penn landed some elbows. Serra stood. One minute remained. Serra landed a leg kick. Serra tried for a head kick. Penn landed a leg kick. Ten seconds remained. They exchanged strikes. Serra tried for a leg kick. The fight ended. BJ Penn won the fight by unanimous decision.
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva - Coming into the light-heavyweight bout, Machida was four years older, they were both the same height and weight, and they had the exact same reach. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began. Machida threw a high kick which missed. Silva tried to lunge, missing and slipping. Machida landed a foot sweep. Machida landed a body kick. They clinched and exchanged knees in the clinch. Yves broke the clinch with an inadvertant groin strike with the knee by Machida. Mike Goldberg's comment was 'ouch'. Silva took a break until he was ready. The fight restarted again. Silva threw a kick. Machida got the takedown with a foot sweep, but stood when Silva went for a leglock. Machida landed a body knee and then a strike to the face and Silva went down and Machida pounced. Machida stood and landed kicks from the top. Silva landed some upkicks to Machida's legs. Two minutes remained. Machida leaped back on top and Silva pulled guard. Silva landed an elbow from the bottom. Machida stood once more and let Silva up. The crowd cheered. Machida landed a body kick. Machida landed a big strike and Silva went down again. Machida moved quickly to side control, landing some elbows. Machida moved to mount but Silva evaded and Machida stood once more. Machida leaped back down and took Silva's back. Silva grabbed the fence and was warned. They turned and clinched against the cage. Ten seconds remained. Silva landed an elbow in the clinch. Machida shoved Silva down with a few seconds remaining in the first round and landed two strikes from the top. The referee saw that Thiago was knocked out and stopped the fight.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller - The fight was Miller's UFC debut and his only UFC fight. Michael Clarke Duncan was in attendance for the fight. Coming into the welterweight bout, St. Pierre was one year younger, three inches shorter, and they both weighed the same. The reach was not stated. The referee for the fight was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began and the fighters came out and touched gloves. Both fighters were smiling. Miller tried for a leg kick and St. Pierre tossed him down. St. Pierre landed a downward kick. Miller shot to his feet. St. Pierre landed a body shot and then a good right hand. They clinched. St. Pierre landed a good knee. They exchanged. St. Pierre landed a good left hand, took a jab, took a spinning back fist. Miller tried a Superman punch. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. Miller landed a combination. They clinched and exchanged knees. Miller landed a body kick, landed a high kick. St. Pierre was bloodied up a bit. St. Pierre landed a good right hand and they clinched. St. Pierre got the takedown. St. Pierre was in half-guard. Miller pushed his feet against the cage to attempt to escape. St. Pierre stood up. Miller was bloodied up. St. Pierre landed continuous axe kicks from the top to Miller's body, dived in and landed hard shots from the top. St. Pierre went for the kimura. Miller slithered out. Miller struggled to a standing clinch. St. Pierre landed a knee. There was blood all over Miller's face. St. Pierre got another takedown but Miller stood. St. Pierre landed a spinning back kick and took Miller down once more. Miller worked the rubber guard, then half-guard. Ten seconds remained. St. Pierre moved to side control. The first round ended with the win of that round for St. Pierre. The doctor checked on Miller's cut, which appeared to be on his nose.
The second round began and both fighters still smiled. Miller landed a body kick. They clinched and Miller landed a knee. Miller had a leg and he attempted the takedown but St. Pierre defended. St. Pierre got the takedown and ended up on top, in Miller's half-guard. St. Pierre dropped some elbows. Three minutes remained. St. Pierre landed some knees to Miller's body. St. Pierre dropped some more insane elbows. Miller took some heavy shots from the top. St. Pierre landed a wicked shot to Miller's nose. He passed to full mount, but Miller rolled and St. Pierre got Miller's back. Miller rolled out and they stood into a clinch. The crowd cheered. Miller grabbed a leg but he couldn't get the takedown. St. Pierre landed continuous elbows to the back of Miller. St. Pierre landed a wicked elbow to Miller's face. St. Pierre got the mount again and then went for an armbar but Miller once more slithered out. The second round ended.
The third and final round began and the fighters touched gloves. Miller landed a shot. St. Pierre landed a jab. Miller landed a leg kick. Miller landed a body kick. St. Pierre went for the takedown and went down into full guard. St. Pierre passed to half-guard. Miller rolled out once more but St. Pierre countered and kept the fight on the ground and Miller went for the rubber guard again. St. Pierre escaped again and landed a hard shot from the top, and then another elbow, and then another. Miller tried to roll out again. St. Pierre landed another pair of elbows. Miller said 'Is that all you got, bitch?' Miller was bleeding from the nose bad. Three minutes remained. St. Pierre went for the armbar. Miller fought out of it and got on top, landing hard shots from the top, and moved into side control. He landed a pair of good knees into the body. He landed more good knees. St. Pierre rolled him and got into side control. St. Pierre landed horribly hard shots from the top. He got Miller's back and landed a hard knee and then more brutal ground-and-pound. They battled intoa standing clinch and then the fight was over. The two fighters hugged. Miller was still smiling.
The decision was 30-27 by all three judges with the winner by unanimous decision Georges St. Pierre.
Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn 2 - The fight was a welterweight championship fight with St. Pierre defending. BJ Penn was already the lightweight champion and had to move up to welterweight to try and gain the second championship from St. Pierre. Penn was three years older, one inch shorter, two pounds lighter, and he had a six-inch reach disadvantage coming into the fight. The referee for the fight was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they clinched early. They exchanged knees. St. Pierre landed a shot. St. Pierre began looking for a single but Penn defended. Penn landed a shot. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. St. Pierre had a leg but Penn still stood. St. Pierre landed a knee while still holding the leg. Penn landed a right hand over the top. Herb Dean ordered the fighters to work in the clinch and they broke. Penn landed a good shot, responded by St. Pierre over the top. St. Pierre landed a jab. They clinched once more and St. Pierre landed a knee. St. Pierre grabbed the leg once more but Penn just would not go down to the ground. Penn landed an over-the-top shot to the side of St. Pierre's head. The crowd now began chanting 'GSP'. Penn landed a good shot. They clinched once more. St. Pierre landed a knee. They broke and Penn landed a shot. Twenty seconds remained. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. They clinched once more, broke, and St. Pierre landed a shot and the first round ended. It was unclear who won the first round.
The second round began. Penn landed a jab. St. Pierre landed a body shot. Penn pushed forward and landed a good left. St. Pierre clenched and landed the knees. He landed a good over-the-top shot. Rogan commented that Penn didn't even look a 'little bit tired'. St. Pierre secured the takedown but Penn worked the rubber guard. He went back to full guard. Penn continued attempting to work the rubber guard but his legs kept slipping strangely on St. Pierre's shoulders. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. St. Pierre moved to half guard and then side control, ground-and-pounding viciously. St. Pierre landed a knee to Penn's midsection. St. Pierre continued ground-and-pounding. Penn pulled guard again somehow. St. Pierre half-stood and postured, throwing hard strikes from the top. St. Pierre landed two hard elbows from the top. Penn tried for another rubber guard. St. Pierre stood, landed hard shots from the top, went back to side control. Penn shoved back to full guard. The crowd chanted 'GSP'. Penn was cut underneath his eye at this point. St. Pierre continued landing hard shots from the top. Both commentators thought that the second round decisively belonged to the champion himself, St. Pierre. Penn looked exhausted at this point.
The third round began. St. Pierre landed a jab and then a leg kick, followed by a Superman punch. Penn was bleeding on his nose now, from the Superman punch. St. Pierre landed a hard shot and then a jab and then another. They clinched after Penn landed a jab. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. St. Pierre went for the takedown. Penn pulled half-guard. The crowd chanted 'GSP'. St. Pierre landed hard shots from the top. Penn struggled for the high guard again, but it just slid off St. Pierre's shoulders. Rogan commented that St. Pierre was slippery because of sweat. Penn got a leg and stood up and they stood against the cage. St. Pierre landed a hard knee. St. Pierre got the takedown against the cage and Penn pulled guard. One minute remained in the third round. St. Pierre landed a hard shot from the top. Penn looked dazed. The round came to conclusion. St. Pierre had decisively won the round.
The fourth round began. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. St. Pierre landed a jab and then a kick. St. Pierre got the takedown and moved quickly into half-guard and then into side control quickly. St. Pierre landed hard elbows from the top. St. Pierre landed numerous shots to the back of the head and was warned for it. He did it again, and was warned once more. St. Pierre landed an elbow. St. Pierre attempted to transition to mount. Herb Dean warned St. Pierre that he would stand the fight up if St. Pierre hit the back of the head anymore. Penn moved it back to half-guard but St. Pierre pushed back to side control. The crowd chanted 'GSP'. Herb Dean said 'BJ, you have to do something. You need to fight back.' Penn shoved it back to half-guard somehow. St. Pierre got back to side control. St. Pierre got the mount and Penn attempted to roll out but was unsuccessful. The crowd roared. St. Pierre went back to side control. One minute remained. St. Pierre landed hard elbows from the top and battered Penn. The ground-and-pound continued. Herb Dean warned that he was about to stop the fight. Penn fought as hard as he could to defend. St. Pierre landed a hard elbow and the fourth round ended. Penn looked dazed. Penn leaned against the fence, hurt badly. Penn's corner threw in the towel and the crowd roared. St. Pierre came over to hug and console BJ Penn. St. Pierre had won the fight by corner stoppage.
Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua - Coming into the light-heavyweight bout, Griffin was three years older, two inches taller, they both weighed the same, and Griffin had a good three-inch reach advantage. The referee was Steve Mazagatti.
The first round began. They exchanged strikes early and Griffin landed a good leg kick. Shogun went for the takedown, defended by Griffin. Griffin took an upkick and went to get on top of Shogun but they scrambled and stood. Griffin landed a leg kick. Shogun landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Forrest'. Shogun got the takedown on Griffin and went into half-guard, but Griffin pulled full guard. Shogun landed an elbow from the top. Shogun postured up but Griffin dragged him down. Griffin looked for a triangle, but pulled full guard again. The fight stood back up and Griffin landed an uppercut. Shogun landed a hard shot. Shogun tried ahead kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. They exchanged brutal strikes. Griffin go the takedown and took Shogun's back. Shogun rolled out and pulled full guard. Shogun threw good elbows from the bottom. Griffin stood and let Shogun up. Griffin landed a body kick. They exchanged kicks. Griffin landed a good left hook. There was a big mouse on Shogun's forehead. Shogun went for the takedown and got it, but Griffin stood up immediately. Shogun got a leg, but Griffin fought out of it. Shogun got the takedown. Shogun attempted to pass, but he was in half guard. Shogun stood and went back in but Griffin got his back, flipped it and got into Shogun's guard. He stood and went for side control but the round ended. The round appeared to have been won by Forrest Griffin. The crowd loudly chanted 'Forrest'. The cut man checked the big knot on Shogun's forehead.
The second round began. Shogun landed a leg kick and then a body shot. Griffin landed some leg kicks. Shogun got the takedown from a single. Griffin went for a guillotine but let it go and pulled full guard. Griffin did an excellent job of controlling Shogun's wrists and posture. Shogun landed a hard shot from the top, and then another, and another. Shogun landed an elbow to the bridge of Griffin's nose. Griffin was bloodied up now. They stood and clinched. Griffin sweeped the leg and got the takedown into half-guard and landed hard shots from the top. He stood, dived back in, got Shogun's back. Forrest broke and backed up. Griffin was cut on the bridge of the nose. Shogun tried for a takedown but Griffin got his back. They stood. Shogun landed a body kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Shogun landed a high body kick. Shogun went for the takedown, defended by Griffin. Griffin stood and landed a strike. Griffin landed a good jab. Shogun seemed tired. Griffin landed a body shot. The crowd chanted 'Forrest'. Shogun landed a pair of hard strikes now. Shogun weakly shot in and Griffin took his back again with one minute remaining. Shogun pulled half guard after he rolled out. Shogun looked exhausted now. Griffin landed good elbows and then some more big shots from the top. He took Shogun's back from the side and isolated Shogun's arm, teeing off. Ten seconds remained. The scond round ended. Rampage watched from the crowd apprehensively. Wanderlei Silva watched as well, looking very concerned for his Chutebox teammate Shogun in the fight.
The third round began. Griffin landed a jab. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Shogun went for the takedown and grabbed the leg, bringing the fight down. Griffin went for a triangle, but Shogun fought it off. Griffin pulled full guard. Shogun landed a good elbow. Griffin grabbed the fence twice and was warned. He did it again. Shogun landed some hard shots from the top. Shogun landed a pair of elbows. Griffin landed some shots from the bottom. Shogun postured up and grabbed the leg but Griffin got Shogun's back. Shogun stood halfway and dragged Griffin back down into his half guard. Griffin landed some hard grinding elbows and body shots from the top. Shogun looked exhausted. Griffin got Shogun's back yet again. Griffin landed a trio of knees to Shogun's kidneys. Shogun pulled it back to half guard. Griffin landed some hard shots from the top. One minute remained. Couture yelled for Griffin to posture up. Griffin got Shogun's back again. Twenty seconds remained. He sank in the rear-naked choke. Shogun tapped out. The fight was over. Forrest Griffin ran around the ring with blood running down from the cut on the bridge of his nose, grinning in celebration. Griffin was so overjoyed that he hugged Joe Rogan when the win was announced.
Keith Jardine vs. Chuck Liddell - 
The first round began and the fighters came out and didn't touch gloves. They circled. Jardine pushed forward. Jardine threw a leg kick and then a left hook. Jardine landed a leg kick. Liddell landed a few strikes. Liddell landed a strike. Jardine landed a body kick. Liddell stalked Jardine. Liddell landed a big right hand. Jardine ducked away. Liddell chased however and landed a few more strikes. They exchanged right hands. There was a big welt on the side of Jardine's right eye and there was a cut over his right eye as well. Jardine landed a pair of left hooks. Jardine landed a combination followed by a pair of kicks. Jardine landed a body kick. Three minutes remained. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a strike. Liddell landed a straight jab and then a kick. Liddell landed a left and Jardine landed a right. Liddell landed a strike. Jardine gave a poke to the eye and Liddell backed away. Jardine tried a Superman punch. Jardine landed a high body kick. He tried for another. Liddell landed some good strikes and then a knee. Jardine wisely got out of the way of any more damage. Jardine landed a right hand. Liddell landed an over-the-top left. Liddell chased Jardine against the cage, landing a high body kick. Jardine grinned. He seemed happy to go toe to toe. The first round ended.
The second round began. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a good jab. Jardine landed a body kick. Jardine dropped Liddell with a big right hand. Liddell got back to his feet quickly. Liddell landed a big strike. Jardine landed a body kick to Liddell's left side. Jardine landed another big right hand. Jardine landed another. Liddell had a big welt on the left side of his midsection. Jardine landed another right hand, utilizing great head movement. Jardine landed a high body kick. Jardine landed another big right hand. Jardine was bleeding again as he landed yet another leg kick now. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jardine was a mess, with blood coming down both sides of his face. He tripped and Liddell was all over him. Liddell landed a knee and a spinning back fist. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine looked exhausted now. Liddell still looked fresh. Jardine landed a body shot and then a leg kick. Thirty seconds remained. Jardine landed a leg kick and then another. Jardine landed a body kick that was, as Randy Couture said, 'all shin'. Jardine landed a big right hand. The second round came to conclusion. Wanderlei Silva, in the crowd, clapped enthusiastically.
The third and final round began. Jardine landed a huge leg kick. Liddell landed a left hook. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jardine landed another leg kick. Another. The same spot, every single time. Another kick, followed by a left hook. Another kick. A body kick. Another leg kick. Liddell chased Jardine, and they exchanged strikes. Another leg kick landed by Jardine, and then another, and another left hook. Another leg kick, another body kick and a left hook in a combination. Another body kick by Jardine. Jardine landed a right hand, and then another leg kick. One minute remained in the fight. Liddell landed a good right hand. Liddell landed a body shot. Jardine landed a Superman punch. Jardine landed a right hand. Liddell landed an uppercut. Another leg kick. Liddell landed a high kick. Jardine landed a leg kick. Liddell tried a spinning back fist. The fight was over. 29-28 Jardine, 29-28 Liddell, 29-28 for the winner by split-decision Jardine in one of the biggest upsets in a long time. Jardine admitted in his post-fight interview that he was 'seeing stars' for the entire first round.
Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua - The fight was possibly Liddell's last MMA fight ever before his retirement. The referee for the light heavyweight bout was Mario Yamasaki. Liddell was eight years older, one inch taller, the weight was the same and the reach was the same. The fighters shook hands and went back to their corners. There was a lot of mutual respect.
The first round began. Shogun landed a leg kick. Shogun tried for a high kick. Liddell pushed forward but didn't land anything. Shogun landed another leg kick. Shogun clipped Liddell with a right. Liddell landed some strikes and pushed forward. They exchanged strikes again. Shogun had a small cut on his forehead at this point. Shogun landed a big shot. Liddell landed some shots. Three minutes now remained. Liddell tried for a leg kick. Shogun went for the takedown and got it. He got Liddell's back. Shogun went for the leglock and Liddell attempted to spin out. The crowd roared. They got to their feet with Shogun retaining control of Liddell's back. Shogun landed knees as they turned it around to a clench. Liddell broke the clinch and landed a strike. Liddell landed a right hand. Liddell tried a high kick unsuccessfully. One minute remained. Liddell got the takedown into Shogun's full guard. Liddell managed to stand up. Forty seconds remained. With thirty-seven seconds remaining, Shogun landed a hard left and dropped Liddell, hammerfisted, and Yamasaki stopped the fight. Blood was all over Liddell's forehead. Liddell asked Yamasaki what happened and he asked if it was over. Liddell looked very dazed.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira 1 - The fight was for the Pride Heavyweight Championship with Nogueira defending.
The first round began. The two fighters touched gloves and came out fighting. Nogueira went for the takedown, Fedor sprawled. They stood again. Fedor rocked Nogueira to the ground with a big right hand. Nogueira landed an upkick. Nogueira landed some strikes from the bottom. Nogueira pulled full guard. Fedor broke out of the guard and postured up. He landed a big shot from the top and the crowd roared. Fedor postured up again and began landing massive punches. The vicious ground-and-pound continued. Nogueira managed to pull guard again and began setting up an armbar. He threw short punches from the bottom. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes and restarted it in the same position in the center. Fedor landed a big right hand from the top. Nogueira went for the armbar but Fedor fought out of it. Nogueira went for the kimura. Fedor broke free. The referee checked the glove of Fedor and then the fight continued onward. Fedor landed a pair of strikes from the top. Nogueira tried a triangle choke but Fedor fought out. Nogueira was bloodied up under his eye as he tried for an armbar. Fedor broke free and landed two bombs, and then another. Fedor landed a big shot. Nogueira tried for another triangle choke but Fedor once more escaped. Nogueira pulled guard once more. Fedor began ground-and-pounding once more into Nogueira's cheek, posturing up repeatedly as he did. The fight was pressed into the corner now. Fedor began ground-and-pounding once more. Nogueira tried for an armbar but Fedor just shoved out of it. As the commentator stated, it was 'Russian stamina versus Brazilian jiu jitsu.' Nogueira transitioned onto the top position and go into half-guard. Nogueira transitioned to side control but Fedor shoved him off and moved on top again. Nogueira landed an upkick. The fight was near the ropes. The first round ended. Nogueira had a fat lip already.
The second round began. Nogueira pushed forward. He went for the takedown, Fedor defended with a sprawl. Nogueira brought the fight to the corner, got a leg, and shoved, trying to get the takedown. He let go of the leg and brought Fedor down into his guard once more. Fedor landed a body shot from the top. Nogueira landed some shots from the bottom. The fight was against the ropes now. The referee restarted the fight into the middle of the ring. Fedor landed a big shot from the top. Fedor landed another big shot from the top. Fedor made it to half-guard, and then he got the full mount. He lost it, then stood up. He dived back down into Nogueira's guard. Nogueira tried the triangle but Fedor escaped. Nogueira threw some strikes from the bottom. More piledriver rights from Fedor. Fedor landed a big shot to Nogueira's chin. Nogueira sweeped and got on top of Fedor but the second round ended right then. Nogueira was bleeding from his ear as he walked back to his corner. He looked dazed and confused.
The third and final round began. They clinched early and Fedor went down into side control momentarily, giving it up to go into Nogueira's full guard and landing a big right hand. Nogueira kept Fedor away with his knees on Fedor's chest. They struggled through a series of rapid-fire submission attempts. The fight got too close to the ropes and the referee moved it to the center of the ring. Fedor landed a body punch. He stood up and then jumped back down into Nogueira's guard. Nogueira landed a few punches to the side of Fedor's head. Nogueira landed an upkick and Fedor landed a pair of big right hands. The fight was approaching the ropes again. Fedor landed a big right hand. The referee moved the fight to the center of the ring. Nogueira barely made it to the center of the ring but he pulled the guard. Nogueira landed an upkick. Fedor landed a pair of hammerfists. One minute remained in the fight, as the announcers stated. Fedor 'had it in the bag', as the commentators said. Nogueira landed an upkick. Nogueira was bleeding from his nose and cheek. The round -- and the fight -- ended. Fedor pulled Nogueira to his feet and hugged him. Nogueira's face 'said it all' though. He looked horrified; he knew that he had lost the fight, and the heavyweight championship. Fedor won by unanimous decision.
Michael Bisping vs. Rashad Evans - The first round began. Evans landed a big right hand. He went for the takedown against the cage but Bisping defended as best as he could. Evans relentlessly kept coming and got Bisping down into a sitting position. Bisping got back to his feet but Evans just kept coming. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Evans landed a knee in the clinch. He threw another strike and then went right back for the takedown. The referee broke the clinch. Evans dominated the striking for a few seconds, went for the takedown again and they clinched once more against the cage. Bisping broke and landed a knee to the body. Evans landed a strike and got the takedown. Evans stood, grabbing the legs and throwing a haymaker down. He passed Bisping's guard and got side control. Bisping got up to a standing clinch against the cage once more. Bisping landed a knee to the body and then an uppercut. Evans landed a pair of elbows inside the clinch, pulled Bisping down and landed in side control. Bisping turned it to half-guard. Forty seconds remained. Evans threw a good elbow and then another one right after. Bisping postured up constantly, attempting to roll. Evans threw some hammerfists. Bisping moved it to full guard. The round ended. Bisping was breathing very hard in his corner.
The second round began. Bisping came out and landed a body kick. Evans landed a big right at the same time as Bisping landed an inside leg kick. Evans picked Bisping up and slammed him down into full guard. The crowd roared. Evans landed a hammerfist. Bisping threw an elbow from the open. Bisping looked to secure an armbar. Evans threw another hammerfist. The referee stood the fight up. Evans was breathing very heavily as the referee stood it up and he took a second to get up. Bisping began controlling the stand-up fight. Bisping landed a good pair of jabs and then a right. Bisping tried for a head kick. Two minutes remained. They clinched, but broke quickly. Bisping landed a leg kick. Bisping landed a good jab. Evans landed a right hand and then a good left. Bisping landed a good right and tried for a clinch. They clinched again and Bisping threw a good knee. Forty seconds remained. Bisping landed an uppercut. Bisping landed a leg kick. Ten seconds remained. They exchanged strikes. Bisping threw a knee to the body. Bisping went for the takedown but the round ended as he slammed Evans down into a sitting position against the cage. Rampage was in the corner of Michael Bisping, giving advice to his teammate.
The third and final round began. Evans was breathing very heavily. Evans threw a good leg kick. Bisping landed a hook. Evans went for the takedown, defended by Bisping. Evans slammed Bisping down eventually but Bisping moved it to full guard. Bisping got the takedown, forcing Evans against the cage now. He got Evans' back. Evans stood. Bisping broke away. Evans landed a hook. Evans landed a good haymaker and got the takedown against the cage. Bisping got half-guard in the sitting position. Bisping stood up. Bisping landed a body kick. Evans landed a right hand combination. Evans went for the takedown and Bisping sprawled. They stood. Forty seconds remained. Bisping's left eye was bloodied up. Evans was breathing very very heavily. Evans landed a right. Bisping landed an uppercut and then a body shot. Fifteen seconds remained. Evans went for the takedown and got it. The fight ended. The fighters hugged and shook hands, and hugged again.
29-28 Evans, 29-28 Bisping, 29-28 Evans. Evans won the fight by split decision.
Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - The fight was a battle for the heavyweight championship of the UFC with Couture defending. Gonzaga was coming off a wicked headkick knockout win over Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic for the heavyweight title number-one contendership. The referee for the bout was Herb Dean. Going into the fight, they were both the same height and Couture was a few decades older. Gonzaga had a signifigant weight advantage and Couture had the advantage in the reach with three inches more than Gonzaga.
The first round began. The fighters came out and touched gloves. Gonzaga landed a right hand. Couture landed a left hook. They clinched and Randy went for the takedown, Gonzaga defended, Couture got Gonzaga's back, took Gonzaga down and retained his back, they stood up with Couture still having his back. Couture landed some knees in the clinch. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture continued landing those knees to the midsection. Couture got the takedown again and landed some big strikes as Gonzaga stood once more. Gonzaga landed a big kick and a big right hand. Couture pushed Gonzaga once more against the cage. Couture took Gonzaga down but Gonzaga got right back up. Gonzaga threw a big elbow and a big right hand. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Gonzaga was cut on the bridge of his nose now. Couture got the double underhooks in the clinch. Gonzaga threw a good knee to the body. Couture went for the throw but Gonzaga stayed solid. Blood dripped off Gonzaga's nose onto Couture's shoulder. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. It looked like Gonzaga's nose was broken as he breathed out of his mouth and not his nose. Gonzaga landed a good knee. Couture landed a good shot from the dirty boxing in the clinch. Couture threw a good elbow. One minute remained. Couture landed a good knee. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture threw some good lefts in the clinch. Couture threw a good elbow. Gonzaga looked exhausted and bloodied. Gonzaga threw some good strikes and Couture went for the takedown and the round ended. Gonzaga nearly collapsed.
The second round began. Blood still dribbled from Gonzaga's nose. Gonzaga landed a good strike, tried for a head kick which was blocked by Couture. Couture went for the clinch against the cage once more there. Couture tried to sweep the legs. He broke the clinch and threw a left. He landed more uppercuts. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture took Gonzaga's back once more. Herb Dean stopped the fight for a moment. Gonzaga told Dean that he couldn't see. Herb Dean asked if he wanted to continue. Gonzaga said that he wanted to continue. The fight was restarted with Couture retaining the back. Couture smelled blood and came in hard, landing knees to Gonzaga's back. Herb Dean took a point away from Gonzaga for grabbing the fence. Gonzaga turned around the clinch. Three minutes remained. The dirty boxing continued. Blood was all over Couture's back now. Couture landed an uppercut and some rights and then a knee and another big right. Gonzaga struggled to simply survive. Couture wisely closed the distance to get back into the clinch. Gonzaga seemed to be having an extremely hard time breathing. Herb Dean warned Gonzaga again not to grab the fence. Couture landed another uppercut and an elbow. Gonzaga defended but didn't put up any offense. Gonzaga looked dazed. Blood covered Couture's back now completely in big splashes. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. One minute remained. Couture landed a nice uppercut. Rogan commented that Gonzaga couldn't go five rounds with the nose busted up. Gonzaga landed a good knee. Ten seconds remained. Gonzaga tried for the trip. The second round ended. The cut men went to work on the nose of Gabriel Gonzaga.
The third round began. Gonzaga looked dazed but calculating. Gonzaga threw a head kick, blocked by Couture's arm (the kick broke Couture's arm). They circled. They exchanged strikes. Couture showed good head movement. Gonzaga landed an excellent head kick. Couture clinched against the cage with him and shook off the head kick, landing some knees. Couture got the slam takedown and went down into half-guard, ground-and-pounding pretty viciously with Gonzaga barely defending. Herb Dean stopped the fight. It was over. Couture broke his arm blocking one of the head-kicks.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo - Coming into the heavyweight fight, both men were thirty-two years old, Kongo had a two-inch height advantage and an eleven-pound weight advantage and a two-inch reach advantage. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. Kongo landed a leg kick. Mirko stalked Kongo. Kongo landed a leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Mirko'. Kongo landed a good knee to the body and an inside leg kick. Kongo landed a body kick. Kongo landed a leg kick. Mirko landed a body kick. Mirko backed Kongo against the cage and Kongo slipped. They clinched. The crowd chanted 'Mirko'. Kongo landed a knee and then another to the legs of Mirko. The referee broke the clinch. Kongo tried a high kick and missed. Mirko tried a head kick. They both tried kicks at the same time and Mirko grabbed the leg and moved to half guard. Mirko dragged him to the cage. Mirko softened Kongo up with punches from the top, and struggled to pass Kongo's guard. Mirko popped the leg out and got the full mount and the crowd roared. Forty seconds remained. Kongo did a good job of not letting Mirko posture up. Kongo reversed and got on top. The round ended. Juanito Ibarra, coach of Rampage Jackson, talked with Kongo in his corner.
The second round began. Kongo tried a leg kick, which Mirko checked. Mirko landed a body kick and then another. Kongo backed Mirko up. Mirko landed a body kick. Mirko landed a body kick. They clinched. Three minutes remained. Kongo landed a knee. Kongo got the takedown. Kongo moved to side control. Kongo threw some short elbows. Three minutes remained. Mirko moved it to half guard and then full guard. Kongo aggressively attempted to pass. Kongo stood and threw an ax kick to the body. He dived back down into the full guard. Mirko shoved Kongo off with his feet. They clinched against the cage now. Fifty seconds remained. Kongo threw a groin shot. Mirko winced and looked at Big John McCarthy for help. Kongo was warned. Thirty seconds remained. Mirko got the underhooks. Big John McCarthy broke the clinch. Ten seconds remained. Mirko looked frustrated while Kongo looked confident. Kongo landed a knee. The second round ended.
The third round began. Mirko tried a high kick. Kongo landed two leg kicks, a good right hand and then they now clinched. Kongo landed repeated knees to the groin. Mirko collapsed against the cage and the referee pulled him off. There was the second and final warning now. The fight restarted. Four minutes remained. Kongo landed a jab and then a high body kick. Kongo chased Mirko around. Kongo landed another pair of body kicks and they clinched. Mirko threw a knee to the body. Kongo threw some knees to the legs. The referee broke the clinch. Mirko tried a spinning back kick. Mirko threw a body kick kind of weakly. Mirko threw a body kick. They both tried kicks at the same time. Two minutes remained. They clinched. Big McCarthy told Kongo to 'keep them down', meaning the knees. Kongo threw some knees to the body now. The referee broke the clinch. Kongo threw a leg kick. Kongo threw a high body kick. One minute now remained. Kongo landed a knee to the face. Mirko landed a body kick. They clinched now against the cage. Thirty-five seconds remained. The fight ended. Kongo walked away with hands raised. Mirko looked disappointed. All three judges scored the contest 29-28, wth the winner by unanimous decision declared as Cheick Kongo. Kongo hugged Mirko, who lacklusterly hugged back before walking off dismissively.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Dan Henderson - The fight was a light-heavyweight championship bout and UFC-Pride unification bout, with Jackson defending in his first defense and Henderson defending as well. Jackson was eight years younger than Henderson, they were the same height, the weight was exactly the same, and the reach was exactly the same. The referee was Big John McCarthy. It was Henderson's debut back into the UFC.
The first round began, and the fighters came out and touched gloves. They began exchanging strikes early and clinched against the cage after wrestling briefly. They exchanged knees, with Jackson focusing on the legs. Henderson began concentrating on the knees in response. Henderson also threw a nice elbow inside. McCarthy told the fighters to work. Henderson continued throwing the knee to Jackson's right leg. Henderson broke the clinch with Jackson trying to catch him on the way out. They clinched once more, and Henderson got his back and trying the trip. Henderson got the takedown and went down into side control. Two minutes remained. Henderson got into the crucifix position but Jackson wrestled out and used the cage and they stood. Jackson threw a good knee to the body. They clinched once more. Henderson continued the knees to Jackson's right leg. One minute remained. Jackson threw some kidney punches. Jackson threw a nice knee to the kidney. Henderson landed a good uppercut as they broke and a right hand. Jackson threw a good knee. Fifteen seconds remained. Jackson threw a good knee. Henderson threw a good knee to Jackson's face and the first round ended.
The second round began. Henderson landed a leg kick. Henderson tried for an overhand right and Jackson landed an uppercut. They clinched and Henderson got the trip takedown and into side control immediately. Jackson was warned for hitting the back of the head from the bottom. Henderson threw some knees into Jackson's midsection and/or kidneys. Jackson managed to get to his feet and they clinched against the cage. Two minutes remained. Jackson got the takedown and moved to a side control of his own. Jackson landed some elbows from the top. Henderson pulled it to half guard. One minute remaining. Jackson threw some elbows to the body and kidney punches. Henderson threw an elbow from the bottom. Fifteen seconds remained. Jackson continued with the kidney punches. Jackson stood up and the second round ended. Both men were breathing hard.
The third round began. Henderson tried for a leg kick. Jackson landed a leg kick. Henderson landed a leg kick. Jackson landed a body shot. Jackson looked for a left hook. Henderson had his mouth open now breathing hard. Henderson threw a jumping knee to Jackson's face. Jackson got the takedown and went down into side control. Three minutes remained. Jackson began throwing knees to the body at this point. Henderson tried to scramble to his feet and Jackson threw some elbows. Henderson managed to make it to some sort of half guard. Henderson began looking for a kimura. Jackson popped out and began throwing the ground-and-pound strategically once more. Henderson looked for the kimura once again. Henderson yanked the arm out in the kimura but Jackson rolled out. Henderson retained hold of the arm as he got on top and began cranking the arm. Henderson threw an elbow at the same time from the top. He let go of the kimura. Jackson threw some kidney punches. They were by Henderson's corner now. Jackson tried to use the cage to stand up. Fifteen seconds remained. Jackson got to his feet and Henderson threw a good knee. Jackson replied with a knee. Jackson chased Henderson away and Henderson barely ducked a hard left hook. It was dubbed a 'hard round to score'.
The fourth round began; the first time Jackson had made it to the championship rounds in the UFC at that point. Jackson threw off a good jab. Henderson threw a good left hook. Jackson rocked Henderson with a hard left hook and dropped him. Jackson dived on top into full guard. Henderson attempted an armbar but Jackson ripped out and began to pass the guard. Henderson went for the armbar again. Four minutes remained. Jackson got out of the armbar and passed to side control, throwing the short knees to the midsection. Henderson put it to half-guard and went for the kimura again. He let it go. Henderson threw some elbows to Jackson's kidneys. Jackson threw some hard kidney punches. McCarthy told the fighters to work. Jackson landed a good right hand from the top. McCarthy stood the fight up. Henderson took a second to get to his feet. One minute remained. Henderson tried a spinning back high kick and missed, expending a lot of energy. Jackson landed some shots. Twenty seconds remained. Henderson landed the big right hand. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round began. Henderson landed an inside leg kick. Jackson landed a left hook. They clinched against the cage. There was a mouse on Henderson's left cheek now. Henderson landed a knee to the body and then another. Three minutes remained. They broke. Henderson landed a good uppercut. Jackson pushed forward with Henderson struggling to answer. Jackson landed a good leg kick. Jackson landed a good combination and a good left hand, a good right hand and a leg kick. Henderson landed a Superman punch, grabbed the clinch, got the takedown into Jackson's full guard. One minute now remained. Jackson stood, landed a knee, got the takedown into half guard. Jackson shoved Henderson backward as they stood and landed a few strikes and knocked Henderson down. Both men walked away with their hands in the air. They both also looked physically exhausted. 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 with the winner by unanimous decision Rampage Jackson.
Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Coming into the welterweight bout, Fitch was three years older, three inches taller, the weight was the same, and Fitch had a five-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. Fitch landed a leg kick, caught by Fioravanti but he let it go. Fioravanti missed a big left hook. Fitch tried for a head kick. They clinched and Fitch landed a couple of knees. Fioravanti landed a knee and broke the clinch away. Fitch went for the takedown, defended by Fioravanti. Fioravanti landed some body shots. Fitch landed a few knees. Fitch got a brief takedown and then the standing clinch. Fitch got the takedown and then into full guard and immediately began landing some shots from the top. Three minutes now remained. Fitch moved to side control and began landing knees to the midsection. Fitch spun to take the back of Fioravanti and began landing strikes from the top. Fioravanti moved it back to half guard and then full guard. Fioravanti landed a shot from the bottom. Two minutes remained. Fitch moved down to side control. Fioravanti moved it to half guard and then full guard. Fitch postured up and landed some shots from the top. They stood up. Fioravanti was bloodied up by his left eye now. Fioravanti landed a nice right hand. Fitch smiled. Fifty-five seconds remained. They clinched and exchanged knees. Luigi spun away and landed a right hand and then a left. Fitch tried for a high kick and they clinched. Both men exchanged knees. Fifteen seconds remained. Fioravanti threw a knee and then another. The first round ended.
The second round began. Fitch threw a leg kick and they clinched. Fioravanti threw a knee and then broke the clinch. Fitch winced, might have hit the groin but he continued. Fitch went for the takedown and grabbed a single but Fioravanti escaped. Fioravanti threw a leg kick and Fitch tried to respond but missed. They clinched and Fitch threw a wicked knee to the body. Fitch picked Fioravanti up and slammed him, probably a KO slam if Fioravanti hadn't held the fence on the wayd own. Fitch began landing some hard shots from the top. Fioravanti stood but Fitch still had the leg. Fioravanti attempted to spin around to take Fitch's back and then held a donkey guard. Fitch escaped and took Fioravanti's back. Fitch began softening Fioravanti up with some shots from the top position as he looked for a rear-naked choke. Fitch sank it in. Fioravanti spit out his mouthpiece. The choke continued. Fioravanti tapped out with one minute and fifty-two seconds remaining in the second round.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Dan Henderson 2 - The fight was for the Pride middleweight championship with Wanderlei Silva defending. Dan apparently suffered a broken second metacarpal in his right hand in the fight.
The first round began. Henderson threw an inside leg kick. Henderson slipped and went down. Silva began hammerfisting to take advantage from half guard. Silva threw some body punches. The referee stood the fight up with three minutes remaining now. Henderson landed a big right hand and they clinched into the corner with Henderson on the outside. Silva landed a knee and some short punches inside. The referee broke the clinch. Henderson threw a leg kick. Henderson went for the takedown and missed, threw some hard hands and bounced Silva off the ropes. Henderson threw another big right hand. Silva threw a body kick. Henderson landed a leg kick. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Henderson landed an inside leg kick. They exchanged some strikes. Silva landed a big right. Henderson landed an uppercut. Silva pushed Henderson backward with a hard flurry of short hooks, into the corner but the first round ended. Silva looked frustrated. Henderson was bleeding from his nose at this point.
The second round began. Henderson threw a leg kick. They clinched against the ropes. Henderson threw a knee. Henderson got the guillotine-type takedown and threw some knees to the head. They got into the standing clinch. Henderson got the takedown again against the corner but the referee restarted the fight in the center in the ground position. Silva pulled full guard. Henderson threw some good strikes from the top. Three minutes remained. The commentators stated that 'Henderson should go for body punches instead of head hunting here'. Henderson threw a pair of big hammerfists. Silva was bleeding by his right eye at this point. Henderson threw another pair of hammerfists and then again. Henderson threw some shoulder strikes, nearly knocking out Silva's mouthpiece. Two minutes remained. Silva attempted a brief armbar attempt, defended by Henderson within an instant. Henderson postured up and landed some hard ground-and-pound. They were near the ropes now. The referee moved it to the center. Ten seconds remained. Henderson threw an elbow. Silva attempted an armbar. Henderson defended and landed some huge shots. The second round ended.
The third round began. Silva attempted a leg kick. Silva threw some knees as he backed against the ropes and then they circled. Silva landed a leg kick and then another. Henderson landed a big right hand to Silva's jaw. Silva went for the takedown and got it but Silva scrambled and got the sprawl position and then got Henderson's standing back against the ropes in a great reversal. He moved Henderson face forward into the ropes. Henderson fought out and Silva landed a massive right hand. Silva landed a short punch. Henderson landed a spinning back fist. Henderson landed a left hook and Silva went down and Henderson landed one more hammerfist to the unconscious Silva before the fight was over and Henderson was the new middleweight champion by knockout. Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, and Chuck Norris were in attendance. The commentator wryly commented that it had been 'a fight worthy of Chuck Norris'. Silva looked dazed and utterly devastated. Henderson said for everyone to join him for a few beers at his after-party; 'either that or join me at Wanderlei's after-party... at the hospital'.
Frank Mir vs. Wes Sims 2 - Both men were the same age, Sims had a seven-inch height advantage and Mir had a nine-pound weight advantage. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
Sims looked like a 'caged animal' in his corner while Mir looked bored and unimpressed.The first round began. Mir landed a leg kick, landed an elbow, got the takedown into side control and then quickly into full mount. Sims threw some kidney punches. Sims tried to roll. Mir landed some ground-and-pound down and grabbed the arm from mount. Sims spun out of it and Mir went back to side control. Mir landed some more ground-and-pound. Mir rolled Sims over and got his back, softening Sims up with punches from the top. Sims rolled over and Mir got mount again. Mir threw a nice elbow. Mir began looking for an arm triangle and sank it in. Sims gave the thumbs-up, pointed to Mir and then held up a middle finger. Mir went back to just full mount. Sims threw some strikes from the bottom. Sims had a cut over his eye now and Mir's nose was bleeding. Twenty seconds remained. Mir landed a pair of big elbows and the crowd oohed. Another big elbow. The first round ended. Sims walked to the corner wobbling, cut up bad.
The second round began. Mir threw a leg kick, but Sims got the takedown. Mir got the takedown after standing, taking Sims down and going into full guard. Mark Coleman yelled 'let's go, do you want this or not?' from the corner. The referee stood the fight up and told them 'don't just lay there'. They clinched. Sims looked 'very arm-weary' as Goldberg noted. Mir looked weary as well, as Rogan said. Sims landed a good knee to the face in the clinch. Mir tried for the takedown and Sims sprawled. Sims landed some elbows to the body and then some kidney punches. Mir finally got the takedown and Sims pulled full guard once more. Mir looked very weary now. Mir threw a pair of elbows. The referee stood the fight up. Sims was bleeding bad. Mir landed a pair of knees in the clinch and then two strikes and Sims went down, knocked out.
Diego Sanchez vs. Luigi Fioravanti - The first round began and Sanchez came out hard as usual. The fighters circled. Sanchez tried a head kick. Sanchez tried for that big uppercut. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a body kick. Sanchez landed the uppercut combination and landed a flying knee and they clinched against the fence. Fioravanti landed an uppercut and they broke. Sanchez landed the head kick. Sanchez went for the takedown and Fioravanti sprawled, stood it up, and missed a knee on the way up. Two minutes remained. Fioravanti landed a good combination. Sanchez landed a good combination starting with a right hook. They clinched against the fence and Sanchez landed a knee to the body before breaking away. Sanchez landed the head kick again. Fioravanti dodged another takedown successfully. They clinched and Fioravanti landed a good knee and Sanchez landed a good uppercut before they broke. Sanchez tried for the head kick again. Fioravanti landed a good combination. Sanchez tried for another takedown, defended by Fioravanti, and they clinched against the cage. Fioravanti got the takedown but they stood. The first round ended.
The second round began. Sanchez landed a good right hand and caught a left himself. Fioravanti landed a knee. Sanchez landed a good right hand and knocked Fioravanti down and pounced, moving to half-guard. Sanchez began attempting a kimura from the half-guard. He softened Fioravanti up with some body strikes and let go of the kimura, heading for mount. Sanchez postured up and Fioravanti scrambled to his feet and landed a left hook. Three minutes remained. Sanchez landed a head kick and Sanchez took Fioravanti's standing back, trying to jump up and take Fioravanti down with the rear-naked choke. He began landing knees to Fioravanti's back. Fioravanti fought out and they broke. Fioravanti landed a body kick. Sanchez landed a good left and Fioravanti landed a strike. Sanchez pounced on a hurt Fioravanti. He took him down and began striking hard. Sanchez went for the kimura. Fioravanti fought out and stood. The crowd roared. One minute remained. Fioravanti tried a head kick, blocked well by Sanchez. Sanchez landed a big knee. The second round ended.
The third round began. Fioravanti landed a fade-away left hook. Sanchez landed another devastating head kick. Fioravanti tried a leg kick and pushed forward, catching a left from Sanchez. Sanchez landed a leg kick. Fioravanti landed an uppercut. Sanchez went for the takedown and Fioravanti sprawled and then escaped. Sanchez landed an uppercut and then another. They clinched against the cage. Sanchez landed a knee to the body. Fioravanti landed a body shot. Sanchez went for the takedown and Fioravanti escaped. Fioravanti tried a high kick. Sanchez landed a right hook. Sanchez landed another right hook and they scrambled on the ground before standing again. Sanchez landed the uppercut. Fioravanti tried a combination which Sanchez blocked. Sanchez landed a head kick and stumbled Fioravanti and then a big knee and began relentlessly ground-and-pounding. With fifty-three seconds remaining, the fight was stopped by the referee.
Gina Carano vs. Tonya Evinger - Coming into the EliteXC fight, Evinger was one year older, Carano was one inch taller, and Carano was also two pounds heavier. Carano was skilled in Muay Thai and boxing while Evinger's skills were wrestling and boxing. The referee was Mario Yamasaki. Carano came in undefeated to the fight. Evinger had said at the weigh-in that she would rather 'make out with Gina Carano but instead she was going to have to knock her out.'
The first round of the three three-minute round fight began. Evinger landed a right hand and got the takedown into side control. Evinger went for full mount but was unsuccessful. She managed to make it into half-guard. Evinger went for a guillotine choke from the half-guard. Carona sweeped and got out of the guillotine and got on top and went into Evinger's half-guard. Carano got to a crouch, shoving Evinger to the fence. Carano got Evinger's back and went for the rear-naked choke. Thirty seconds remained in the first round. With eight seconds remaining, Evinger tapped out to the rear-naked choke. It was Carano's first submission victory.
Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young - The first round began in the EliteXC fight. Carano landed some push kicks. Young landed a leg kick. Carano got the takedown into Young's full guard. Carano brought the fight back to the feet and Young broke away. Carano landed a big right. Young tried a body kick. Carano landed a push kick, and threw a right hand. Young landed a high body kick. They clinched. The crowd chanted 'Gina'. Carano got the takedown, pulling Young down into full guard. The referee told them to work. Young stood and landed a hard shot from the top. Carano stood and Young tried a high kick. Carano landed a roundhouse kick to the body. Young tried a high kick. Young landed a leg kick, responded by Carano. Carano was breathing heavy. Carano landed a looping right hand. The first round ended.
The second round began. Carano threw a leg kick. Young landed a leg kick. Carano threw a body kick and Young grabbed it and threw a knee to the thigh of Carano. Young landed a stiff right. Young landed a hard leg kick and another. Young threw two high kicks, tried a spinning back kick. Carano landed two stiff jabs, one to Young's throat. Carano looked winded. Young tried a high kick. Carano began landing some heavy shots. Young was rocked, with her eyes tearing up from a nose shot. They clinched and Young landed some knees. Young broke. Carano threw a push kick. Carano hit Young with a heavy shot. Young was still rocked. They clinched. One minute remained. Young was reeling as Carano continued teeing off into Young's face. Carano landed the push kick and dropped Young backwards. Carano took a kneeling Young's back. Twenty-five seconds remained. Carano sank in the rear-naked choke with ten seconds remaining. Young wouldn't tap however. The second round ended. Young was swollen heavily under her right eye. The doctor stopped the fight. Carano had won by doctor stoppage.
Chuck Liddell vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral 2 - The rematch between the two rivals was for the light-heavyweight championship with Liddell defending. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. Liddell looked relaxed and Sobral looked determined. The two men circled in the feeling-out process. Sobral landed some quick strikes, forcing Liddell backwards. Sobral went for the takedown and Liddell danced aside and landed an uppercut and Sobral went to his knees. Sobral stood and Liddell flurried strikes. Sobral was hurt bad. He stumbled away and fell, but Liddell kept coming after him. Liddell began landing some ground-and-pound from the standing position. With three minutes and twenty-seven seconds remaining in the first round, McCarthy stopped the fight.
Hermes Franca vs. Frankie Edgar - Coming into the lightweight bout, Franca was seven years older, both fighters were the same height, both weighed the same, and Edgar had a one-and-a-half inch reach advantage. The referee for the fight was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Edgar went for the takedown as Franca threw a kick and went down into Franca's full guard. Edgar landed a nice elbow from the top and then another. Edgar stood with Franca still on the ground, landing some kicks to Franca's lower body and landing some shots from the top before diving back down into full guard and landing a good elbow. Edgar stood once more and landed some more kicks to the lower body and shots from the top before going into full guard once more. Franca landed some shots from the bottom calmly. Franca had a big knot in the middle of his forehead at this point. Edgar landed a good elbow. Franca went for the armbar and got it. Edgar was in big trouble. Edgar escaped and began landing some shots from the top but Franca pulled guard once more. Edgar stood and landed some shots from the top, dived back down into full guard. Edgar stood and let Franca up. Franca landed a good knee as Edgar shot in. Edgar pushed forward and landed some good combinations. Franca landed a big right hand. Edgar got another takedown into full guard once more and landed another elbow. Franca had a mouse under his left eye. Edgar landed another pair of elbows. Twenty seconds remained. Edgar landed another pair of elbows. The first round ended.
The second round began. Franca landed a leg kick. Edgar landed an inside leg kick. Edgar pushed forward. Edgar landed a body kick. Edgar got the takedown as Franca threw a kick. Edgar threw an elbow from inside the full guard. Edgar stood and landed some shots from the top, dived back down into full guard. Edgar landed an elbow. Edgar landed some heavy, heavy ground-and-pound. Edgar threw another elbow and then another and some more ground-and-pound. Another elbow thrown by Edgar. Edgar stood and landed some kicks to the lower body. He dived into full guard once more. Edgar threw an elbow into Franca's face and then another and then another. Edgar stood once more, landed some kicks to the lower body, got Franca's back and began landing some more ground-and-pound. Franca rolled it back to full guard. Edgar threw an elbow, checked by Franca. Franca began looking for a triangle and ate an elbow. Fifty-five seconds remained. Edgar stood and they got to their feet. Franca looked exhausted. Edgar tried for the headkick. Edgar got the takedown into full guard. Franca's face was heavily swollen now. The second round ended.
The third round began. Edgar landed an uppercut. Franca landed a big uppercut. Edgar landed a body kick. Franca landed a big knee. Edgar got the takedown into full guard. Edgar tried for an elbow, checked by Franca. Edgar got Franca's back, landed a knee to the kidneys. Franca stood. Edgar landed a head kick. They clinched, Edgar landed a high body kick to Franca. Edgar got the sweep takedown into full guard. Edgar postured up. Franca tried for a triangle. Edgar avoided it instantly. Franca looked for a triangle and then an omoplata. They stood and Edgar landed a nice knee and then another in the clinch. Franca looked exhausted. They went back to the ground with Edgar landing knees to Franca's kidneys and midsection. They stood. Edgar got the takedown again into full guard. Another big elbow by Edgar and then another. Edgar stood and Franca went for a sweep. Edgar countered, got Franca's back, back to full guard by Franca. One minute now remained. Edgar landed an elbow. Edgar landed some ground-and-pound. They stood. Edgar landed a body kick. Franca tried a left hook and an uppercut. Franca landed a knee and Edgar was cut wide open. Edgar got the takedown into full guard. The fight ended.
The decision was unanimously 30-27, with the winner Frankie Edgar. The fighters hugged full-heartedly and shook hands good-naturedly.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson 1 - It was the final battle of a Pride tournament.
The first round began. Silva threw some strikes early. Jackson went for the takedown but Silva grabbed the standing guillotine against the ropes, locked up good. Silva looked calm. Silva brought it to the ground, still in the guillotine. Jackson pulled his head out but he was still in full guard, and landed some kidney punches. Jackson continuously attempted to posture up and bull out of Silva's guard. Silva went for a tight armbar, but Jackson fought out, moved to side control, landed some ground-and-pound and a left knee to the head. Silva moved it back to full guard. Jackson threw some elbows to the body. Jackson landed some heavy ground-and-pound. Silva was bleeding now just outside of his left eye, presumably from the knee or the ground-and-pound. Jackson postured up and landed some more ground-and-pound. The referee finally stood the fight up after Silva moved it back to full guard once more. The referee yellow-carded Silva.
Silva tried a head kick, threw a knee to the face, went for the trip, landed another knee, another knee, another knee, a knee to the body. Silva landed a leg kick, a head kick, two more knees, three more knees, another four knees, another knee, another knee, another knee, another knee. Jackson looked 'out on his feet'. Another knee. Jackson tried for the takedown. Some soccer kicks now. Silva finished with a pair of rights and a final knee before Jackson collapsed. Silva had won the Pride tournament by decisive knockout.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Chuck Liddell 1 - This was a fight in the same Pride tournament that the first fight between Rampage Jackson and Wanderlei Silva occurred in.
The first round began. The fighters exchanged jabs in the center of the ring. Jackson landed some body shots. There was a little blood on Liddell's nose now, presumably by a jab. Jackson missed a big uppercut. Jackson landed a pair of big strikes and missed another heavy uppercut. Liddell landed a hard leg kick and they clinched before breaking without taking any damage. Jackson landed a big right. Jackson landed another big right and another. Liddell landed a good right and then a combination. Jackson tried for another big right hook and another. Liddell landed a good left. Liddell landed a good leg kick. Jackson landed a good combination ended by the right hook and they clinched against the ropes. Jackson landed some good knees and then they now broke. Jackson landed a leg kick. Liddell landed a combination. Jackson landed another hurling right and Liddell was hurt and he clinched. They broke. Jackson's eye looked a bit swollen now. Jackson landed a body shot and they clinched. Liddell broke once more. Jackson landed another massive right. Jackson landed a big left. They clinched into the corner. Liddell landed some good knees. They broke. Jackson landed two big rights and missed another uppercut. They clinched into the ropes once more and Jackson went for the slam. The crowd roared. Liddell grabbed the guillotine to defend and fought away, backing off to the center of the ring. Jackson landed a leg kick. Jackson landed another flying right but not solidly. Jackson landed a big left followed by a big right and they clinched into the corner once more. Jackson landed a big knee to the body. Liddell broke and landed an uppercut. Jackson chased him, landing a big combination, and took Liddell down. The referee stood the fight up since it was against the ropes. The fight was restarted on the ground in the center. Jackson landed a right inside. Jackson pushed it towards the ropes, got Liddell's back, landed a knee to the kidney. Liddell got up. They clinched against the ropes and exchanged knees. One minute now remained in the first round. They broke. Liddell went down in the corner from a left. Jackson landed a knee to the face and a big right before they stood. Jackson landed another good right. Liddell struggled to hold on with thirty seconds remaining. Liddell looked exhausted as they broke. They clinched again against the ropes. Jackson got the takedown and the first round of the fight ended.
The second round began. They clinched in the corner and Liddell landed a knee. Liddell went for the guillotine as his corner instructed him to 'stay on the head, work on the head'. Liddell fought out and landed a right. They clinched once more, again in the corner. They broke. Jackson tried another big uppercut. Jackson landed another big right. They clinched and Jackson landed a knee in the clinch. Jackson landed a massive uppercut and Liddell went down. He stood and Jackson got the takedown into half guard. Jackson landed some hard body punches. The crowd roared. Liddell was hurt. Jackson landed some elbows to the kidneys of Liddell. Jackson postured up and landed some ground-and-pound. The fight was ended by corner stoppage and Jackson walked away. Liddell stayed laying down in his corner.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Kevin Randleman - The first round began. Randleman danced around for a moment while Fedor looked on impassively. Randleman charged in for the takedown into the corner, picked Fedor up and laid him down by the ropes into half-guard position. Fedor tried to roll out and stand and Randleman stood as well, taking Fedor's back. He delivered the infamous suplex and ended up in north-south position. Fedor struggled into side control and landed some strikes from the top, repeated strikes to Randleman's left ear. Fedor grabbed Randleman's right arm to set up a kimura. He sank in the kimura and Randleman screamed hoarsely and tapped out. Randleman picked up Fedor and the fighters hugged. Fedor cracked two ribs after the suplex.
Frankie Edgar vs. Tyson Griffin - Coming into the lightweight bout, Edgar was three years older, the height was the same for both fighters, Griffin was two pounds heavier, and Griffin had a one-inch height advantage. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began. The fighters touched gloves. Edgar landed a good right hand. They clinched against the cage. Edgar landed a good elbow inside. They broke. Edgar landed a good right and then another. Griffin tried for some strikes and Edgar landed a good counter right. Griffin landed a big uppercut and then a leg kick. Edgar got the takedown, capitalizing on the leg kick. Griffin went for the guillotine and it was sank in. Edgar moved to side control and broke out. As Rogan said, 'it's impossible to submit a guy in side control, unless he really sucks'. Mazzagatti warned Edgar not to hit the back of the head with strikes. Griffin picked Edgar up, slammed him, switched. Neither fighter was breathing heavy yet. Edgar threw some punches to the solar plexus. They stood and broke the clinch. Two minutes remained. Edgar landed a good left. Griffin landed a big overhand right and then a knee and Edgar landed a big right. Griffin landed a big uppercut. Edgar went for the takedown, clinched, landed a big knee and broke. Griffin landed a big right and then another uppercut. Goldberg commented that Griffin was telegraphing his uppercuts. Edgar landed a good jab. Edgar's nose was bloodied up. He shot in for the takedown and ate a knee but got the takedown into full guard. Griffin was breathing heavy now. Edgar moved it to half guard, landed a big knee to the body. Fifteen seconds remained. Edgar landed some ground-and-pound, passed to side control, got Griffin's back and stood. He gave Griffin no time to rest, throwing a Superman punch. The first round ended. Edgar looked encouraged and Griffin looked discouraged.
The second round began. Edgar landed a jab. Griffin landed a big uppercut and staggered Edgar and knocked him down. They stood, Griffin landed a big knee. Edgar grabbed the fence and was warned. They stood and Edgar was warned again for grabbing the fence. Griffin threw a big knee in the clinch. They broke. Edgar was breathing heavy. Edgar took a couple of big shots. Edgar threw an elbow inside the clinch. Griffin landed the leg kick and then another. Edgar grabbed the leg, got the takedown into full guard. Griffin looked for a kimura but Edgar fought out of it. They stood. Griffin landed a big head kick. Both looked exhausted. Griffin landed a pair of leg kicks, and another. Edgar toppled as if his leg had been chopped but got up. Griffin tried for another leg kick, but Edgar grabbed the kick and passed to Griffin's half-guard. Griffin nearly got the kimura but Edgar fought out to half-guard. Griffin got Edgar's standing back. Edgar passed to mount and began ground-and-pounding. He took Griffin's back. He went back to half-guard. The second round ended. Edgar walked to his corner and Griffin had to be helped to his feet.
The third round began. Edgar landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick and Edgar staggered. Rogan commented that "if Tyson Griffin was a girl, you could say that he had a 'badonkadonk' because he has some serious legs". Griffin landed a leg kick and chopped Edgar's leg again. They stood. Griffin landed a good right hand. Edgar landed a good uppercut. Griffin landed a big left. Griffin landed a big leg kick. Rogan again commented that 'Tyson Griffin has legs like a heavyweight'. They clinched and Edgar landed some big uppercuts and knees. Griffin held his groin as he backed away, signifying an accidental groin shot from Edgar with the knees, but the fight continued. The standing clinch. Griffin threw a knee. Edgar broke and landed some big punches. Edgar got the takedown as Griffin threw a leg kick. They stood into a clinch against the cage once more. Edgar broke and landed some bombs. Edgar got the takedown into half-guard. Griffin went for another kimura but Edgar fought out and got Griffin's back. They stood. Edgar got the takedown and took Griffin's back again. Griffin switched and went for the kneebar. Edgar was gritting his teeth. The kneebar was deep. Ten seconds remained. Edgar landed continuosu punches to Griffin's lower leg. The third round ended. Edgar limped away while Griffin remained laying down.
29-28, 30-27, 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision Frankie Edgar. The fighters hugged.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic 2 - Coming into the fight, Mirko had a three-inch height advantage, a five-pound weight advantage, and he was two years older than Silva.
The first round began. The two exchanged strikes early. Mirko landed a pretty big shot. Mirko landed a stinging body kick and then a left. Silva landed some wild strikes. Mirko landed a straight left. Mirko got the takedown into full guard and immediately began raining down a series of hammerfist ground-and-pound. Silva went for the armbar, landed an upkick and they stood. Mirko dropped Silva with a straight left and followed him into full guard and began ground-and-pounding once more. There was some swelling around Silva's right eye now. The fight was near the ropes. The referee paused the fight for the doctor's to look at that bloody right eyebrow of Wanderlei Silva. Mirko lounged in his corner. Silva was obviously pleading with the medical staff. The fight was started once more and the crowd roared approvingly. The fight was restarted on the ground in full guard. Silva immediately began throwing strikes from the bottom desperately. The fight was stood up eventually and Silva got a yellow card. Mirko landed another excellent body kick. Silva landed numerous wild strikes. Mirko landed a wicked body kick. Mirko delivered the infamous left high kick and Silva went tumbling to the canvas unconscious. Mirko was on his way to the finals of the tournament.
Joe Stevenson vs. Yves Edwards - Coming into the lightweight bout, Edwards was five years older and he was also two inches taller. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began, and the fighters touched gloves. The fighters circled for a bit, in what was known as the feeling-out process. Edwards threw a leg kick. Stevenson went for the takedown and nearly got it, but Edwards defended. Stevenson got the leg and got Edwards down into full guard position. Stevenson pushed Edwards toward the fence and Edwards scrambled to his feet. Edwards landed a nice high kick and dropped Stevenson with some strikes and went into Stevenson's full guard. Stevenson locked in a body crush. Stevenson let it go finally and went back to full guard. Edwards threw some good elbows. Edwards stood up and let Stevenson up. They clinched and Edwards landed a good knee. Edwards tried for a jumping triangle and then transitioned almost instantly to an armbar and then finally went down with Stevenson in his full guard and Stevenson landed some big, big elbows after posturing up. Repeated barrage of elbows came down on Edwards' face. Stevenson postured up and landed more elbows before standing, grabbing the leg from the clinch and tried for the takedown. Edwards was bloodied up on the forehead now. Edwards brought it down in a triangle choke with fifteen seconds left. Edwards tried again for an armbar. The first round ended. The crowd cheered.
The second round began. The fighters touched gloves. Edwards threw a leg kick. Edwards landed a good straight left. Edwards landed a Superman punch. Stevenson went for the takedown, grabbed the leg, went down into half-guard. Edwards tried for the guillotine. Stevenson went for full guard though and Edwards obliged. Stevenson landed another big elbow and carried Edwards towards the fence once more. Stevenson postured up and landed the ground-and-pound. A big gash was opened up on Edwards' forehead now and blood was everywhere. Stevenson continued raining down elbows and ground-and-pound from the postured-up position. A pair of massive elbows. And then another pair. The fight was stopped for a moment to check the cut. Blood was absolutely everywhere. Edwards said he wanted to continue and the crowd cheered. The referee put them back in the same position. Stevenson immediately postured up once more and began landing more ground-and-pound. Stevenson landed more elbows from half-guard. Fifteen seconds remained. They stood. The second round ended. The doctors stopped the fight after looking at the cut. Joe Stevenson had won by doctor stoppage.
Matt Brown vs. Ryan Thomas - The first round began, and Thomas came out hard. Thomas landed a leg kick, and then another. Brown landed some good shots and Thomas went for the takedown. Brown threw a good knee to the body. Thomas got the takedown, ending up in side control in the scramble and landing a good elbow from the top. Thomas landed some more good ground-and-pound before getting moved to half-guard. Brown used the cage to get up into a clinch, and the fighters exchanged knees inside. Thomas got the takedown again, into half-guard, landing more good ground-and-pound. Brown used the cage to get to his feet once more into another clinch. Thomas had double underhooks once more, however. Thomas landed some foot stomps. Brown landed a good knee inside. Thomas got another slam takedown into full guard. Brown immediately began looking for a triangle. He sank in the triangle and then went for an armbar. Thomas got out and went into side control. Brown moved it back to half-guard. Brown landed a good elbow from the bottom. Brown got full guard once more. Thomas stood and went back into full guard, throwing a big bomb. Brown scrambled on top into Thomas's full guard now. Brown landed a good elbow from the top. Brown stood and landed a bomb. Thomas stood as well and grabbed the single. Brown grabbed the guillotine along with full guard. Thomas fought out of it however. Thomas landed some bombs from the top. Brown went for the triangle again. The first round ended.
The second round began. Brown came out and landed a knee quickly. Thomas shot in for the takedown and missed, tried a head kick and fell. Brown landed some combinations. Thomas got the slam takedown into full guard. Brown went for another armbar and got it again. Thomas slammed Brown down but the armbar stayed locked in. Thomas slammed Brown again but the armbar stayed still. Thomas finally tapped out. The fighters hugged.
Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca - The fight was a lightweight championship bout, with Sherk defending. Coming into the fight, Sherk was one year older, they were the same height, the weight was the same, and Sherk had a one-inch reach advantage. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Franca landed the knee and Sherk went for the takedown. Franca grabbed a tight, tight guillotine and Sherk slammed him down into full guard. Sherk moved to half-guard after a moment's struggle and popped his neck out of the choke. The crowd was roaring. Sherk began landing some ground-and-pound. Sherk passed to full mount. Sherk began landing some elbows. Franca looked very relaxed on the bottom though. Sherk began looking for an arm triangle. Sherk rolled around to side control. Franca sat up and brought it to full guard. Sherk kept coming relentlessly. Franca turtled up while Sherk looked to transition to take his back. The referee told the fighters to 'pick up the pace'. Sherk moved to half-guard. Sherk moved to mount again. Sherk rolled and took Franca's back. Franca stood and went for a kneebar from the top but Sherk got back on top. Sherk began landing some ground-and-pound. The first round ended.
The second round began. Franca landed a leg kick. Franca landed a big knee as Sherk shot in for a takedown and dropped Sherk and pounced. Sherk got the takedown again into full guard, looking dazed. Franca grabbed the guillotine but Sherk held his head high and got out of the guillotine. Sherk postured up and landed some ground-and-pound, moving to half-guard aggressively. Sherk struggled to pull out of half-guard and got the mount. Franca rolled Sherk over however and got on top into Sherk's full guard. Franca postured but Sherk shoved Franca away and then passed and got Franca in the north-south position with Franca turtled up. The referee told the fighters to work. Sherk got Franca's back. Franca rolled it quickly to half-guard. Sherk threw a big elbow from the top. Sherk passed to side control and landed some more ground-and-pound. Franca rolled over onto the top and then locked in another tight guillotine from half-guard. Twenty seconds remained. Sherk popped out and passed to side control as the second round ended.
The third round began. Franca tried for a big uppercut, Sherk came in and got the slam takedown and quickly moved to half guard. Sherk moved to side control. Boos began. Sherk landed a big elbow from the top. Sherk took Franca's back and then got the north-south choke. Franca rolled out however and Sherk moved to full-guard. Sherk passed to half-guard while softening Franca up with some short elbows and strikes. Sherk passed once more to side control and landed some more short ground-and-pound. Sherk got Franca's back and landed numerous body shots and then some shots to the side of Franca's head, followed by some knees to the kidneys and midsection of Franca. Franca looked exhausted. Sherk looked still refreshed. The crowd began booing heavily at this point. The referee told the fighters to work and not to just sit there. Franca struggled out but Sherk immediately took him down once more and into half-guard. Sherk passed effortlessly to side control, pinning Franca's left arm down with his knee. Sherk went for the kimura but Franca fought out of it. Sherk began throwing more shots from side control. The third round ended. Franca looked dazed and exhausted.
The fourth round began. Sherk landed a good jab. Franca stepped in and landed another big knee. Sherk went for the takedown into full guard. Sherk received his last 'back-of-the-head' warning from the ref. They got into the standing clinch against the cage. Franca tried for another guillotine and Sherk moved to half-guard and then quickly to side control. Sherk got Franca's back again. Franca got to his feet and backed off. Franca defended a takedown. They got into another standing clinch against the cage. Sherk slammed Franca hard and moved to side control. Sherk threw more short elbows from the top. Sherk got Franca's back once more and landed more kidney knees. Franca's corner screamed for him to stand up. Franca got to his feet and landed a leg kick. Franca landed another big knee and Sherk went for another takedown. Sherk got the leg and then went down into half guard. Sherk got Franca's back once more. Boos began again. Franca stood, but Sherk got a leg and quickly transitioned to side control. Sherk got Franca's back again. Franca seemed frustrated. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round began. Sherk landed a wicked leg kick. Franca tried for another knee and Sherk grabbed the leg and took Franca down and passed to half-guard. Franca moved to full guard however. Sherk landed a big elbow and then two more. Sherk postured up and Franca went for an armbar. Franca stood up. Sherk clinched him against the cage, grabbing the leg. Franca grabbed the guillotine again, but Sherk's head popped out once more. Franca was bloodied up now from his nose. Sherk moved to mount. Heavy boos began. Sherk took Franca's back. Franca managed to stand but Sherk took him down again. Sherk passed to side control once more. Franca stood again against the cage. Sherk got the slam takedown, took Franca's back. Franca stood once more and Sherk got yet another takedown. Franca stood but got taken down again into full guard. Twenty-five seconds remained. Franca struggled to his feet once more. Sherk got Franca's back again and dragged him down. The fifth round ended. The two fighters hugged on their knees. Sherk retained his lightweight championship by unanimous decision.
Chuck Liddell vs. Jeremy Horn 2 - Coming into the light heavyweight championship bout with Liddell defending, Liddell was six years older, they were the same height, and Horn had a half-inch reach advantage. The referee was John McCarthy. It was Liddell's first title defense.
The first round began. The fighters touched gloves. They circled. Horn landed an inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Chuck'. Liddell landed a leg kick and a few counter punches. Horn landed a good body kick. Horn landed a good counter right. Liddell landed a left. Horn landed some nice jabs and a leg kick. Liddell landed a good right. Liddell tried the uppercut. Liddell landed a wicked leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Chuck'. Liddell landed a good combination and dropped Horn and Liddell pounced and ground-and-pounded. Liddell stood and gestured for Horn to get up. Horn shot for the takedown, Liddell defended. They stood. Liddell landed a good bodyshot. Horn was wobbling against the cage. Horn shot for another takedown and laid on his back. Liddell pounced and landed some ground-and-pound. The referee stood the fight up again. The crowd was roaring. Horn ducked under a left. Horn landed a jab. Horn tried for a head kick and missed barely. Horn's nose was bloodied up. Horn shot for another takedown and then laid on his back. The referee stood it back. Liddell landed a spinning kick. The first round ended. Liddell had won the round.
The second round began. Horn landed a big right. Horn went for the takedown and Liddell simply tossed him. Horn stayed on his back until the referee stood him up. Horn landed a good left body kick. Liddell landed a good left. Horn landed a good left. Horn tried for a right head kick, checked by Liddell. Horn landed a low leg kick. They exchanged quick strikes. Horn landed a leg kcik. Liddell landed another big left and dropped Horn and Liddell pounced, landing some ground-and-pound. The referee stood it up again. Horn's legs were rubbery and he shot in for another takedown and laid on his back, the referee stood it up. He shot in for another takedown, Liddell sprawled and then stood and Horn was stood up again. Liddell landed a good jab. Liddell landed another jab. Horn landed a good jab and then another. Liddell landed a good combination. Horn tried for another takedown and laid on his back and the referee stood it up. The second round ended. Liddell had won the round.
The third round began. Horn's knuckle was cut, blood running down his arm. Horn tried a body kick now. Horn landed a low leg kick. Horn landed a leg kick and then another and then another. Horn landed a body shot. Liddell landed a good right. Liddell landed a good combination. Horn landed another leg kick. Horn landed a wicked body kick. Horn landed a right. Liddell landed a left. Liddell landed some good rights. Horn landed a good leg kick. Liddell landed a good combination, a good left and then a good front kick. Liddell landed a good leg kick. Horn landed a good right. Liddell landed two good lefts. The third round ended. The fighters slapped gloves. Horn had won that round.
The fourth round began. Horn landed a good leg kick. Liddell landed another combination. Liddell threw a leg kick. Liddell tried for a big uppercut. Horn landed a good combination and tried for a head kick. Liddell landed a good left to the eye socket and dropped Horn. Liddell backed off and Horn stood again but told McCarthy that he couldn't see. Liddell had won by verbal submission and remained the light heavyweight champion.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Dan Henderson 1 - Henderson came into the fight undefeated.
 The first round began. Silva landed a big right and dropped Henderson to his back. Henderson got a bit of an open guard, pulling Silva's head down and working a sort of butterfly guard. Henderson brought it to full guard. Silva landed a few kidney punches. Silva struggled to posture up. Henderson tried an armbar but Silva stood up. Silva landed some hard kicks to the thighs of the downed Henderson. Silva smiled as he continued landing the hard kicks. Silva landed some foot stomps as well to Henderson's feet. Henderson landed an upkick. The referee finally stood the fight up and the crowd applauded. Henderson shot in and landed a nice right hand and they clinched. Silva fought out of it, winging away and landing a few wild strikes. Silva was bleeding now above his eye. Henderson landed a big right and Silva was rocked. Henderson got the takedown, ground-and-pounding away as Silva struggled to pull guard. The crowd roared. Silva finally brought it to full guard. Silva was bleeding badly now. The referee stopped the fight for a moment to check the cut. The fight was restarted on the ground. Silva shoved Henderson off and stood. Silva landed a good right hand, they clinched, Silva landed a knee in the clinch. Silva took Henderson down and landed some knees while Henderson was down on all fours. The referee stopped the fight because of the illegal knees. The fight was resumed and the fighters shook hands. Silva came in and landed a good right. Henderson shot in for the takedown, defended by Silva. Silva got the takedown and landed some heavy ground-and-pound as Henderson struggled to pull guard. Silva stood and tried for a head kick from the standing but he missed and began landing the thigh kicks once more. Silva stepped into a hard soccer kick to the head before diving into full guard. Silva postured up and began landing some hard lefts from the top. Henderson went for the armbar again and Silva stood. Silva smiled and landed more thigh kicks to Henderson. Silva stepped in and landed a stomp kick to Henderson's face , going into a half-guard position. Silva made it to mount and began ground-and-pounding with rights while holding Henderson's neck. Thirty seconds remained. Silva stood over Henderson and landed two stomp kicks. Silva was warned for grabbing the ropes. Silva stayed standing and landed more thigh kicks now. Silva stepped into another stomp kick and the first round ended. Silva looked fresh and Henderson looked dazed.
The second round began. Henderson landed a right in. They clinched into the corner and Silva landed a knee inside and then another. Henderson landed a knee. Henderson landed an uppercut inside and then a knee inside. They broke and Henderson shot for the takedown, and Silva smiled and sprawled. Silva went into the full guard of Henderson. Henderson landed some shots from the bottom. Silva managed to stand up and landed some more thigh kicks. Silva tried for another foot stomp but Henderson countered with an upkick and tripped Silva. Silva got back up and they restarted the match on the feet. Henderson looked winded. Henderson landed a big right and Silva responded with a big right of his own. Henderson tried for another takedown, Silva defended, Henderson laid on his back and Silva landed more thigh kicks. The referee restarted the fight on the feet again. Henderson took a moment to get up. Silva landed a high kick and took Henderson down into the corner. Both fighters were breathing hard. Henderson pulled guard. The referee had the fight pulled away from the corner but still in full guard. Henderson landed some kidney kicks from guard. The corner told him to 'keep kicking him in the kidneys'. The round was halfway through at this point. Silva landed some hammerfists. The referee restarted the fight on the feet now. The referee gave a yellow card to both fighters. Henderson landed a body kick. Henderson walked into a left. Silva took Henderson down into half guard. Henderson slid his leg out and bulled into full mount. Henderson landed some hard shots to the side of Henderson's head. The fight was nearing the ropes. The referee turned the fight away from the ropes. Henderson executed good head control while Silva struggled to sit up in the mount. Silva landed some kidney punches. One minute remained. Silva continued landing the kidney punches. The fight ended. Silva walked away with arms raised. Silva won by unanimous decision.
Jake O'Brien vs. Christian Wellisch - Coming into the light heavyweight matchup, Wellisch was nine years older, the height was the same, and Wellisch had a one-inch reach advantage. The referee was Yves Lavigne. The fight was the light heavyweight debut for both fighters.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Wellisch tried for a takedown early, stuffed by O'Brien. O'Brien landed a big strike and knocked Wellisch down. Wellisch stood but O'Brien continued landing some good shots. O'Brien got the takedown against the cage, into Wellisch's half-guard. Wellisch moved it to full guard. O'Brien landed some body shots from inside Wellisch's guard. Wellisch shoved O'Brien away and stood. Wellisch tried for a head kick and then tried for another. Wellisch missed a leg kick. Wellisch tried for another takedown and O'Brien shoved him down. O'Brien moved down into Wellisch's full guard. The referee told the fighters to work and finally stood them up. Wellisch landed a leg kick and a big right hand. Wellisch landed another leg kick. Wellisch landed a few good combinations. O'Brien got the takedown, transitioned to Wellisch's back. Wellisch tried to roll for a kneebar and they stood. Wellisch pushed forward, tried for the throw takedown, O'Brien got the north-south position with Wellisch turtled up. They stood and the round ended.
The second round began. Wellisch landed a body kick. Wellisch landed a leg kick. Wellisch landed a leg kick. Wellisch tried for a head kick. Wellisch landed a leg kick. Wellisch missed a leg kick now. Wellisch landed a big leg kick. O'Brien tried for a takedown, stuffed by Wellisch. O'Brien landed a jab. Wellisch's nose was bloodied up at this point. Wellisch landed a leg kick. O'Brien tried for another takedown, and got it into Wellisch's full guard. O'Brien landed some body punches now. O'Brien postured up but they stood. Wellisch landed a big left. O'Brien got the takedown into Wellisch's full guard. O'Brien landed some body punches. They stood. Wellisch tried another head kick, landed a right hand and then another leg kick. The second round ended.
The third and final round began and they touched gloves. Wellisch landed a body kick. O'Brien landed an uppercut. O'Brien landed a good jab. O'Brien went for the takedown into Wellisch's full guard. Wellisch tried to roll for an armbar and they stood. Wellisch landed an inside leg kick and then a few jabs. O'Brien went for the takedown again into Wellisch's full guard. They stood up once more. O'Brien looked exhausted. Wellisch tried for another head kick. Wellisch landed a good combination. Wellisch tried a big knee. Wellisch landed a big knee to O'Brien's face and O'Brien got the takedown into Wellisch's guard. Wellisch was bleeding bad. They stood. O'Brien tried for another takedown and Wellisch sprawled. The final round ended. The two fighters shook hands on their knees. 29-29 Wellisch, 29-28 O'Brien, 29-28 O'Brien by unanimous decision.
Luigi Fioravanti vs. Brodie Farber - Coming into the catchweight bout, Farber was one year older, five inches taller, the weight was the same, and Farber had a two-inch reach advantage over Fioravanti. The referee was Al Coley.
The first round began. They circled, feeling each other out. They clinched and Fioravanti got the takedown and carried Farber over to the cage in half-guard. Fioravanti moved to side control aggressively. Fioravanti threw a few short elbows and managed to scramble into the north-south position and moved back into half-guard. Fioravanti moved again to side control and then back to north-south and slapping in a standing guillotine. Farber fought out of it to the standing clinch. Fioravanti got the slam takedown and got Farber's back, trying to sink in both hooks. Fioravanti got both hooks after softening Farber up with some strikes. Two minutes remained. Fioravanti let go of the hooks, retaining Farber's back, pounding Farber with some strikes. They got back to their feet in the clinch. Farber threw a nice knee inside. Fioravanti got another relentless takedown into half-guard and then side control quickly. Fioravanti tried for mount, but Farber got a leg in between and back to half-guard. Farber tried for a leglock but they got to their feet. Twenty-five seconds remained. Fioravanti tried for a head kick. The first round ended.
The second round began. The fighters touched gloves. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Farber tried a push kick. They clinched again and Farber landed a few good high knees. Fioravanti got the takedown into half-guard and then immediately to side control. Fioravanti tried for full mount but Farber defended and Fioravanti went back to side control. Fioravanti continued dropping the short elbows and a few strikes. Fioravanti got Farber's back and sank in the choke. The crowd began cheering heavily. Farber got the reversal and then they stood and Farber got the trip takedown. They got to their feet again in the clinch. Fioravanti landed some good knees to the leg of Brodie Farber, same spot over and over again, as Rogan noted. Fioravanti got Farber's standing back and took him down, retaining Farber's back. Farber grabbed the kimura but Fioravanti struggled to fight out of it. They got to their feet. Fioravanti threw a nice knee and they separated. One minute remained. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a good combination, ending with a high body kick. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick. Fioravanti tried for a kick, grabbed by Farber, who shoved Fioravanti down. He let Fioravanti up and they circled. The second round ended.
The third and final round began and they touched gloves. Farber checked a body kick. Farber tried for a push kick. Farber grabbed the Muay Thai clinch, landing a few knees before Fioravanti broke away. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Farber landed a nice combination. Farber landed a kick and ate a hook that knocked him down. Fioravanti pounced and moved to side control and mounted. He tried for Farber's back and they stood into a clinch. Fioravanti got the takedown again and got Farber's back. Fioravanti threw some strikes from the top. They stood and Fioravanti tried a kick on the way up. Fioravanti got the takedown again, got Farber's back, landed some strikes to soften up Farber's back. Twenty seconds remained. Fioravanti sank in the rear-naked choke. The fight ended however. The fighters hugged. 30-27 unanimous decision victory for Luigi Fioravanti.
Ben Saunders vs. Brandon Wolff - The first round began and the fighters touched gloves. Saunders threw an inside leg kick, apparently a groin shot. Wolff walked it off as the crowd of soldiers booed loudly. The fighters came back out and touched gloves. Saunders got the Muay Thai clinch, threw the knees, landed a head kick, grabbed the clinch again, landed more hard, hard knees in the clinch, they broke, Saunders landed two good head kicks, they clinched, Saunders landed two knees. Saunders landed a head kick. They clinched and Saunders threw more crushing knees repeatedly. Saunders threw a high knee to the body. Saunders threw more knees. Wolff's face was bloodied up horribly. Saunders threw more knees. Wolff collapsed. The fight was over. The crowd roared.
Cheick Kongo vs. Mustapha Al-Turk - Coming into the heavyweight fight, Al-Turk was two years older, two inches shorter, had a four-pound weight advantage, and Kongo had a five-inch reach advantage. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti. The fight was the debut of Al-Turk.
The first round began. Al-Turk landed a jab early, answered by Kongo and Al-Turk stumbled. They circled. Al-Turk threw a leg kick, caught by Kongo who tossed Al-Turk. Kongo landed some hard kicks to Al-Turk's thighs. Al-Turk stood and went for the takedown,d efended by Kongo. They clinched. Al-Turk threw a knee to the body. Kongo threw a knee to the face. Kongo threw numerous elbows to Al-Turk's head. Kongo threw the inevitable knees to the legs of Al-Turk. Al-Turk threw a low knee and Kongo had to take a moment to recover. The fight was restarted. Al-Turk offered his glove and Kongo ignored it. Al-Turk tried for a big overhand right and Kongo ducked under it. Al-Turk tried for another takedown. Kongo threw some knees. A low blow by Kongo was thrown. Al-Turk had to take a moment. Mike Goldberg commented that it was '1-1' now, and chuckled. The fight was restarted. Kongo tried a wild leg kick. Kongo landed a few big rights and dropped Al-Turk, landing repeated hard elbows. Mazzagatti stood and watched while Kongo continued to drop elbows. Kongo began dropping hammerfists. Blood was everywhere from Al-Turk's forehead. Mazzagatti finally ended the fight. The crowd was roaring.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson 2 - This was the second of three fights between the two fighters, for the Pride middleweight championship with Silva defending.
The first round began. The fighters came out aggressively, striking immediately and clinching and exchanging knees against the ropes. They were against the corner after a number of knees exchanged, still clinched. They began exchanging body punches and knees now. The fight was paused because of a low blow by Jackson, apparently unintentional. They came back out after Wanderlei shook it off quickly and Jackson apologized. Silva landed a good combination, mostly blocked by Jackson. Silva landed another combination. Jackson landed a nice combination and a good knee to the head. Jackson landed another good left. They clinched and again exchanged knees. Jackson broke away. Silva grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and delivered a high knee. They went to the regular clinch against the ropes. The fight was broken away from the corner by the referee. Silva tried for a head kick. Silva landed a good right. Silva landed a good combination and grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and landed a trio of good knees. Jackson landed an excellent right and got the takedown into Silva's full guard. The fight was paused because of a massive cut on Jackson's face. The fight was restarted in the center of the ring with Jackson in Silva's guard and they immediately began struggling. Jackson landed some body elbows and strikes. Jackson postured up and landed some big ground-and-pound. Silva sank in a triangle and then tried for an armbar. Jackson fought out of both. Silva tried for a reverse kimura. Jackson fought out back into Silva's full guard. Jackson landed some more ground-and-pound and then some body punches to Silva's kidneys. Silva kept busy from the bottom, striking as well. Jackson landed some heavy ground-and-pound. Jackson postured up and ate an upkick from Silva before diving back into guard. The fight was stood up. Silva was given a yellow card, as was Jackson. Silva landed a good one-two combination, followed by a leg kick. Silva landed an uppercut. Silva landed a body kick and ate a right from Jackson. Silva landed a good left. Silva ate a big right and went down and Jackson pounced into full guard. Jackson passed to side control and Silva brought it back to full guard. Silva sank in the triangle and Jackson fought out of it. Silva tried for another triangle and Jackson passed to side control and landed a knee to the head and got half-guard and landed some ground-and-pound. The first round ended.
The second round began. Jackson's eye was starting to swell up. They began striking immediately once more. Silva tried a high kcik. They clinched and Jackson got the takedown into Silva's full guard once more. Silva shoved Jackson off and stood and dived into Jackson's full guard by the ropes. The fight was restarted in the center of the ring. Silva stood and tried for a few soccer sticks and got the stomp. Jackson stood and they clinched against the ropes. They broke. Silva landed a leg kick and then another. They clinched once more against the ropes. They broke. Silva landed a good combination and grabbed the clinch and began landing the hard knees once more and Jackson collapsed into the ropes and Silva had won by knockout. Jackson was bleeding once more.
Diego Sanchez vs. Nick Diaz - Coming into the fight, Sanchez was one year older, Diaz was one inch taller and Diaz had a one-and-a-half inch reach advantage. The referee for the fight was Big John McCarthy. Diego Sanchez later said he had forgotten his usual mouthpiece at home and he had to use Eric Apple's bloody mouthpiece in place of his own.
The first round began. Sanchez came running out as usual. They circled. Sanchez got Diaz's back and Diaz tried to roll out. Diaz tried to roll for a kneebar. Diaz brought it to full guard. Sanchez struggled to posture up. Sanchez missed some ground-and-pound and stood, diving back into full guard. Sanchez stood and made it to half-guard. Diaz landed some good elbows from the bottom into Sanchez's face. Sanchez stood repeatedly, struggling. The crowd chanted 'Diego'. Sanchez got Diaz's back. Sanchez began looking for a kimura. Diaz fought out and made it to side control but Sanchez fought out and they scrambled and rolled. Sanchez sprawled. They stood and Sanchez threw a big knee to Diaz's face as they stood. Sanchez took Diaz's back. They scrambled and rolled once more. Diaz ended up on his back, landing some good punches from the bottom and Sanchez stood, landing ground-and-pound. Sanchez continued with the ground-and-pound but Diaz seemed unaffected. Sanchez made it to half-guard. Diaz brought it back to full-guard but Sanchez continually postured up. Diaz landed a good kick from the bottom but Sanchez was smiling. Sanchez made it to side control. There was a mouse under Diaz's right eye. Diaz brought it to full guard. The crowd was chanting 'Diego'. Sanchez continued the ground-and-pound and stood and the first round ended.
The second round began. Diaz tried a kick and fell. They stood. Diaz avoided a takedown. Diaz landed a big left. Sanchez got the takedown into Diaz's full guard. He stood once more and ate a few upkicks. Diaz brought it back to full guard. Sanchez postured up and ate some shots from the bottom. Sanchez got the slam but he was still in full guard, landing ground-and-pound. Sanchez landed some good elbows. Diaz was starting to bleed pretty badly. Sanchez took Diaz's back but Diaz rolled out and brought it back to full guard. Diaz landed some shots from the bottom. Sanchez stood and ate an upkick but continued the ground-and-pound. Diaz brought it back to complete full guard. Sanchez landed a good knee to the face as Diaz tried to sweep. Diaz rolled into a leglock and ended up in Sanchez's full guard. Sanchez threw an elbow from the bottom. Diaz stood and landed some ground-and-pound. Sanchez spun out and they stood. Diaz was bloodied up bad. Sanchez got the takedown and got Diaz's back. The second round ended. Diaz was bleeding from his mouth in the corner.
The third round began. Diaz landed a big left hand and staggered Sanchez. Diaz landed a good jab. Sanchez shot in but missed. Sanchez landed a good right. Sanchez shot in again, avoided by Diaz. Sanchez was bleeding. Sanchez got the takedown into full guard. Diaz landed some shots from the bottom. Sanchez was bleeding a lot now. They stood. Sanchez got Diaz's back. Sanchez tried to mount but Diaz brought it back to guard. The crowd chanted 'Diego'. They stood and Sanchez got the headlock. Diaz got the takedown. Diaz was bleeding bad. Sanchez had a bad cut over his right eyebrow. Sanchez ate an elbow. Sanchez landed some elbows from the bottom. Sanchez locked up the armbar but Diaz fought out. Sanchez reversed Diaz. They scrambled viciously and Sanchez ended up in Diaz's full guard. Sanchez landed a big elbow and some ground-and-pound. Sanchez dropped bombs. Sanchez passed to half-guard. The third and final round ended. 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision Diego Sanchez.
Scott Smith vs. Nick Diaz - The fight was a Strikeforce fight. The referee was Big John McCarthy. Coming into the fight, Smith was four years older, Diaz was one inch taller, they weighed the same and Diaz had a four-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. The fighters exchanged strikes early. Diaz held his hands wide, telling Smith to 'bring it on' and Smith landed a left and they clinched against the cage. Diaz landed repeated shots to the side of Smith's head inside. Diaz landed some kidney punches. They broke. Diaz continued holding his hands wide or high, attempting to draw Smith out. Smith came in and landed another wild right, chasing Diaz. Smith stumbled and then Diaz was on the pursuit. Diaz held his hands low and stuck his chin out and told Smith to 'come on and hit me' and Smith came in for the strike. They clinched. Diaz landed a good left after they broke. Smith landed a good right. Diaz landed some 'punches in bunches'. Diaz landed a stinging head kick to Smith's jaw. Diaz landed a one-two combination. Diaz landed a good right hook and Smith was staggering back. They clinched, exchanging knees. The crowd chanted 'Diaz' at this point. Diaz landed some kidney punches. The referee broke the clinch. Smith landed a good right hand and then an uppercut. Diaz hurt Smith with a right. They clinched again. Smith landed some knees in the clinch repeatedly to Smith's legs and thighs and inner thighs. They broke. Smith landed a high body kick. Smith backed up and Diaz growled and ate a right hand. Diaz was bloodied up somewhere. They clinched once more. Diaz grabbed a headlock. Smith took Diaz's back. Smith got the slam takedown and the crowd roared. They backed up. Smith landed a good combination. Diaz landed continual jabs to back Smith up. Smith landed a wicked inside leg kick. They clinched. Smith landed a hard uppercut as they broke and then a right hand. Smith contined landing combinations. Diaz got the trip takedown and the first round ended.
The second round began. Diaz landed some more 'punches in bunches'. Diaz landed an inside leg kick now. They clinched. Diaz landed a knee inside. They broke. Smith came in and landed a left. Smith got Diaz's back. They broke and Smith landed a good right, ate a jab as he tried for an uppercut. Smith ate three punches. Diaz landed more good combinations. Diaz punished Smith's body. Diaz was bleeding by his eye. Diaz landed more good combinations. Diaz landed a good right hook. Smith landed a good right hand and then another. They clinched. Smith landed two good elbows. They broke. Diaz landed more body shots. They clinched. Diaz landed some good knees. The referee broke the clinch. Smith was bleeding badly now. Smith landed a body punch. Smith continued taking blows. Smith ate a high body kick and then another. Smith landed another good inside leg kick. Smith ate more body punches. Smith ate a head kick. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Diaz ate an inside leg kick. Smith missed a Superman punch. They clinched. Diaz continued the body punches. Smith went down but the second round ended now.
The third round began. Smith offered his glove but Diaz slapped it away. They exchanged heavy strikes now. They clinched. The referee broke it. They clinched again. Smith tried a head kick. Diaz continued the body shots. Diaz got Smith's back on the ground. Diaz got the rear-naked choke and Scott Smith tapped out quickly.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - The fight was for the heavyweight number-one contendership, for a chance to face champion Randy Couture. The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began. Mirko circled away. Gonzaga landed a leg kick. Gonzaga landed a right hand. Gonzaga missed a kick. Mirko landed a body kick and Gonzaga caught the kick and got the takedown into Mirko's full guard. Gonzaga landed an elbow and then another. Gonzaga continued landing the elbows. Mirko was cut by the hairline on the left side. Gonzaga continued landing the elbows. Herb Dean finally stood the fight up. Gonzaga had a welt on his body from the single body kick Mirko had landed. Gonzaga landed a head kick and the win by knockout went to Gabriel Gonzaga.
Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo - The referee was Dan Miragliotta. The fight was the day before Herring's thirtieth birthday.
 The first round began. Herring came out hard while Kongo stood still and Herring landed a big right to Kongo's nose and dropped Kongo. They clinched against the cage. Kongo landed some body shots. Kongo got the slam takedown into half-guard. Kongo got Herring's back. Herring grabbed a kimura armlock. Kongo fought out. They stood. Herring landed a few good combinations. Herring landed a high body kick and a leg kick. Kongo got the takedown into half-guard. Herring reversed but Kongo struggled to get up. Herring held Kongo down however in a semi-crouched position. They stood with Herring holding a headlock and looking for a guillotine. Kongo landed some knees to Herring's thighs. Kongo slammed Herring down into a sitting-up mount. Kongo landed some kidney punches from mount and then some strikes to the midsection. Kongo got Herring's back. Herring reversed and got Kongo's standing back. Kongo struggled to turn. Kongo turned Herring and got a headlock on him. Herring dragged Kongo down, they scrambled. Kongo got mount once more and then got Herring's back. Kongo gave up the back and stood and went into north-south position. Herring was cut under his left eye. Herring held Kongo's left arm with both hands, leaving his ribs exposed to Kongo's mercy. Kongo showed no mercy. The first round ended. The doctor's attended to Herring's cut.
The second round began. Herring came out quickly and missed another big right. Kongo dragged him down, they scrambled. Kongo ended up on top in half-guard, landing some ground-and-pound to Herring. Herring's half-guard was loose but Kongo did not attempt to pass, landing punches to the side of Herring's head. Kongo landed an elbow. Kongo tried to stand and Herring landed a good upkick. The crowd roared. Kongo landed some thigh kicks. The referee stood Herring up and Herring immediately came in and they clinched against the cage. Herring landed some knees in the clinch. Kongo landed some knees. Kongo got the slam takedown into side control. Herring brought it to north-south position. Kongo got Herring's back and landed some ground-and-pound quickly. Herring rolled and reversed and got north-south position on Kongo, punishing Kongo's midsection brutally. Herring brought it to side control. Herring landed repeated knees to Kongo's midsection brutally. Kongo was hurt bad. The knees continued. Herring landed a knee to the shoulder. More knees to the midsection. The second round ended.
The third round began. Herring came out and they both threw kicks at the same time. They both fell. Herring grabbed a guillotine, lost it, pulled guard, they scrambled, Kongo ended up on top and took Herring's back. Kongo landed some knees to Herring's shoulder and midsection. Kongo got a headlock. Herring rolled out and they stood. Kongo landed a body kick. Herring landed a left. They clinched. Herring shoved Kongo against the cage. Kongo landed a nice knee. Back to the north-south by Kongo and then Kongo took Herring's back. Kongo threw a knee to Herring's midsection but Herring bulled up and Kongo got back to the north-south. Herring rolled Kongo over and got on top in side control. Kongo struggled to push off the cage. Herring landed some elbows to the side of Kongo's head. Herring brought it to north-south. Herring went back to side control and landed a pair of knees to the midsection. Back to north-south. Kongo was breathing heavily. Kongo landed some body shots. Kongo tried to get up but Herring kept him down and landed an elbow and some ground-and-pound. The knees to the body of Kongo continued. Herring brought it to full mount and landed some shots to the side of Kongo's head and some body shots. Herring got Kongo's back, brought it back to full mount. The fight ended.
29-28 Herring, 29-28 Kongo, 29-28 for the winner by split decision Heath Herring.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Eddie Sanchez - Coming into the heavyweight bout, Filipovic was eight years older, the height was the same, Sanchez weighed six pounds more, and Filipovic had a half-inch reach advantage. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Sanchez threw some wild strikes which Filipovic dodged and Sanchez stumbled. The pattern continued. Mirko landed a left, landed a high left body kick and then another. Mirko landed a straight left. Sanchez was wobbled, stepping back constantly away. Mirko landed another left. Sanchez's hands were down. Mirko was the aggressor. They exchanged strikes. Mirko landed another straight left. Mirko landed a high left body kick and then another. Sanchez threw some more wild strikes and landed a few, and ate another straight left from Mirko. They exchanged again. They clinched. Mirko landed another hard left. Sanchez was wobbled hard. Mirko dodged some more wild strikes from Sanchez. They both threw kicks at the same time. Mirko landed a wicked leg kick. They clinched. Mirko landed some very good combinations. Sanchez tried more wild strikes. Mirko landed the left head kick and Sanchez was wobbled. Another straight left from Mirko and Sanchez went down. North-south position. Sanchez went on his back. Mirko moved to side control. Mirko moved to mount. Mirko landed some ground-and-pound. One minute remained. Mazzagatti stopped the fight with twenty-six seconds remaining in the first round.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Mostapha Al-Turk - Coming into the heavyweight bout, Al-Turk was one year older, the height was the same, Al-Turk weighed three pounds more, and Al-Turk had a four-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. Al-Turk landed an overhand right to the temple of Mirko and a leg kick and then another good leg kick. Mirko landed a right. Al-Turk tried for the takedown and was thrown aside. Al-Turk tried a head kick, landed a leg kick. Al-Turk landed a left. Al-Turk landed a leg kick. Mirko landed a straight left. They clinched and broke. Al-Turk tried a wild strike and was thrown aside. Al-Turk landed a leg kick. Mirko had a welt on his right leg. Mirko checked a leg kick. Al-Turk continued looking for the wild right hand. Mirko landed a stiff jab. Mirko landed a good right and began landing soem body shots. Mirko was rocked. Al-Turk went down. Mirko began ground-and-pounding. Mirko stood. He let Al-Turk up. Al-Turk swung and missed and took an eye poke and turned away, taking unresponding punches. Al-Turk went down. The fight was over. Mirko with the win by TKO.
Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders - The first round began and they touched gloves, circling. Swick got the takedown and Saunders pulled guard, moving to a butterfly guard. Swick landed some shots to the side of Saunders' head. Swick landed some body shots. Saunders basically just continued to hug Swick to him. Swick said 'Are you gonna fuckin' hold me all night?' and Saunders replied with 'Why don't you let me up, bitch?' Swick landed some hard shots to the side of Saunders' head and then stood up. Swick went for a guillotine. Swick let go and went to half-guard. The referee told the fighters to work. Swick stood again and ate an upkick. Swick went back into full guard and landed some shots from the top. The referee stood them up. Saunders landed a good body kick. Swick landed a good right and then a hard knee and then a combination, those 'punches in bunches' as they are called. Swick landed a left. Swick landed an uppercut and they clinched. Saunders landed a knee inside and then another. Another knee from Saunders. Twenty seconds remained. Swick landed a few foot stomps. The first round ended. Saunders rubbed Swick's head as they went back to their corners amidst boos from the crowd.
The second round began. Saunders missed a high body kick and again. Swick landed a left and some knees. They clinched. Saunders landed some good knees. They exchanged knees. Swick got the trip takedown and went to mount. Saunders escaped. Swick landed some shots to the side of Saunders' head. Swick struggled to pass a butterfly guard that Saudners had. Swick passed to half-guard. Saunders brought it back to full guard. Saunders brought a body triangle from the bottom. He let it go. Swick landed some more hard ground-and-pound. The referee stood the fight back up. Saunders landed a high body kick. Saudners landed a leg kick. They clinched and exchanged knees, broke. Saunders landed a leg kick. Swick landed an uppercut and a knee to Saunders. Saunders was smiling, tried a push kick. Swick landed an uppercut as Saunders landed an inside leg kick. Swick landed some combinations and a few rights, the continued punches and bunches and Saunders was down. TKO victory for Mike Swick, who leaped over the cage and shook the hands of Dana White and others, leaped back inside.
Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez - The referee was Dan Miragliotta. Velasquez came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. They began the feeling-out process aggressively. Kongo landed a left and rocked Velasquez. Velasquez got the takedown. Velasquez tried to mount but was shaken off by Kongo. Kongo got on top. They scrambled. Velasquez got Kongo's back and landed some hammerfists. Kongo turned around. Velasquez got to side control. Kongo threw a good elbow from the bottom. Velasquez made it to mount, got Kongo's back. Velasquez grabbed the rear-naked choke. Kongo rolled out. Velasquez got mount. Velasquez got Kongo's back and landed more hammerfists. Kongo got to his feet, Velasquez got another slam takedown into side control. Kongo landed some shots from the bottom. Velasquez landed more ground-and-pound, got mount again and then got Kongo's back again. Velasquez got mount and then Kongo's back again and Kongo ate more hammerfists. Velasquez got mount again, got Kongo's back. Velasquez got mount yet again, got Kongo's back yet again. Kongo stood. Velasquez slammed Kongo back down into side control. Velasquez got mount, got Kongo's back. Velasquez landed a good elbow. Kongo brought it to a standing clinch and landed a knee. The first round ended.
The second round began. Kongo landed a good left. Velasquez landed a right. Velasquez landed a Superman punch. Kongo landed a left and rocked Velasquez again. Velasquez stuffed Kongo's takedown attempt. Kongo grabbed the clinch and landed some knees. Velasquez landed some knees. Velasquez got the spear takedown, got Kongo's back and landed some hammerfists relentlessly. Velasquez landed a knee to the body. Velasquez got mount and landed some elbows. Velasquez got Kongo's back yet again and landed more hammerfists. Kongo looked utterly exhausted. Velasquez landed more hammerfists. Kongo brought it standing up, got slammed back down though. Velasquez went right to side control. Kongo landed a nice elbow from the bottom to Velasquez. Velasquez got Kongo's back, landed a knee to Kongo's midsection. Velasquez landed more big knees, dragging Kongo around. Kongo's nose was bloodied up. Velasquez landed a big vicious knee to Kongo's body and more hammerfists. Velasquez moved to side control, tried for mount and got it. The second round ended. Kongo was bloodied up pretty good.
The third round ended. Kongo landed some good combinations. Velasquez stuffed the takedown but Kongo had a leg. Kongo got the slam takedown but Velasquez scrambled and got Kongo's back once more and more hammerfists. Velasquez continued the vicious ground-and-pound. Velasquez was cut inside of his mouth, blood was all over Kongo's back. Kongo tried to stand but Velasquez jsut held him down. The referee told Kongo to 'do something'. Kongo landed a good elbow to the body from the bottom. Velasquez got mount, got Kongo's back again. Another big knee to the midsection by Velasquez. Kongo got to his feet into a clinch and began landing the knees, punishing the midsection of Velasquez. Kongo rocked Velasquez with a combination. Velasquez got the takedown into side control. Velasquez got into the salisbury and went back to regular side control. Velasquez got full mount and landed more ground-and-pound. Velasquez landed an elbow from the top. Kongo landed some shots from the bottom. Velasquez landed some vicious elbows from the top. The third round and the fight itself ended. Velasquez won by unanimous decision and remained undefeated. The fight had resembled Kongo's previous unanimous decision loss to Heath Herring.
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva - The first round began. They touched gloves. They circled for a while. Silva missed a leg kick. Silva missed a counter right. Franklin landed a straight left. Silva landed a leg kick and then another, followed by a counter left. Silva landed a hard counter right and ate a counter from Franklin. Franklin landed a straight left and an overhand right, followed by a body kick and dodged a counter. Silva landed a head kick and then a high body kick, missed a leg kick. Franklin landed a body kick which Silva caught and got the takedown and Franklin pulled full guard. Silva landed some hammerfists. Silva landed some body shots. Franklin landed some shots from the bottom. Silva landed some good shots from the top. Franklin landed some good shots from the botom. They stood into the clinch. Silva tried to drop down for a guillotine and missed. Franklin ended up on top in Silva's half-guard. Silva was cut over the right eye. Franklin got mount, got Silva's back, throwing good shots. They stood and Franklin landed a nice knee. Franklin landed a body kick. The first round ended. Silva was breathing very heavily. Franklin said in his corner 'I think I broke his nose.'
The second round began. Silva landed a body kick and dodged a counter. They both landed kicks at the same time. Franklin tried a body kick and Silva nearly caught it. Silva landed an inside leg kick and ate a big shot. They exchanged strikes. Franklin landed an inside leg kick and then another after dodging some strikes. Franklin landed a good body kick. Silva slipped and fell but got back up. Silva tried for a head kick, checked by Franklin. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a push kick. Silva landed a good right. Franklin landed a good counter combination. Silva landed a head kick. Silva landed some hard wild looping shots. Franklin missed some jabs. Silva landed a counter left. Franklin checked a head kick and landed an inside leg kick and ate a pair of counter combinations from Silva. Silva continued with the counter combinations and then pounced. Franklin was hurt. Silva slipped and they backed off. Franklin landed a head kick and slipped. Silva landed a good jab, slipped. Both men were exhausted. They exchanged counter strikes. The second round ended.
The third round began. They clapped hands together. They exchanged missed strikes. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Silva was exhausted. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a hard body shot. Franklin landed a body kick and a left. Franklin landed some good jabs. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a hard left. Franklin landed a right. Franklin landed a groin kick. Silva shook it off quickly. They exchanged counter strikes. Silva staggered Franklin back. They clinched and Silva landed a knee to the head. Silva asked for the crowd to cheer with his hand movement. Silva landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a nice jab. They exchanged counter strikes. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed a jab. Franklin slipped. Silva moved for the crowd to react again. Silva pounced and Franklin was hurt. Silva landed a knee. Franklin got the throw takedown. Silva looked upset. Silva got up but Franklin landed some good lefts on the way up. Silva landed some vicious elbows as Franklin landed punches. The fighters hugged full-heartedly. Rich Franklin was the winner by unanimous decision. The fighters hugged again. Silva was smiling during his post-fight interview.
Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia - The fight was for the UFC heavyweight championship. Coming into the title fight, Couture was thirteen years older, Sylvia was six inches taller, Sylvia had a forty-one-and-a-half pound weight advantage, and Sylvia had a twelve-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. The fighters circled for a few seconds. Couture landed a big right hand. Sylvia was knocked flying backwards. Couture pounced as Sylvia struggled to get up. The crowd roared. Couture got Sylvia's back, struggling to slam him down. Couture got the takedown, retaining Sylvia's back with Couture on the bottom. The crowd was still roaring. Sylvia utilized wrist control to prevent any ground-and-pound from happening at all. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. The referee told Sylvia that he was not standing the fighters up. Couture landed some shots. The referee told the fighters to work. Couture began looking for the rear-naked choke. The boring first round ended.
The second round began. They circled once more. They clinched once more. Sylvia landed a good uppercut inside. They broke. Couture landed an overtop right and then a jab. Couture landed another big right. They clinched and Sylvia slammed a knee to the body and they slammed into the fence. They exchanged dirty boxign and broke. They clinched again. The crowd began chanting 'Randy'. Couture threw Sylvia down and Couture landed some ground-and-pound. Sylvia landed a shot from the bottom. Sylvia landed another shot from the bottom. Couture landed a wicked hammerfist. Sylvia pulled full guard. Sylvia landed a good elbow and then another. Couture landed a hammerfist. Couture landed a good elbow and more ground-and-pound. The referee told the fighters to work. Couture stood and ate a few upkicks. Couture landed a hammerfist and then another. Sylvia landed a hard shot from the bottom. Sylvia's nose was bloodied up. The referee told them to work. Sylvia pulled full guard. Couture landed an elbow. The referee stood the fight up finally. There were boos. Couture landed a combination with a left hook. They clinched and Sylvia landed a big knee. Couture got the sweep takedown but the second round ended. Sylvia was breathing heavy. Couture had won that round as well as the first.
The third round began. Couture landed a good left. Couture landed a leg kick. Couture landed another big right and then an overhand right. Sylvia landed a hard jab. Couture showed very good head movement. Couture landed another big right and then another. Sylvia landed a jab. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture landed a massive right. Couture landed another big right. Couture landed a big left and then ate a knee from Sylvia. They exchanged jabs. Couture landed a good combination. Couture with a hard combination including a left hook. Both fighters were tired. Couture landed a good combination and another big right and another. Fifteen seconds remained now. Couture landed a combination. Couture landed an uppercut. The third round ended. Couture had won the round.
The fourth round began. They touched gloves. Couture went for the takedown and Sylvia sprawled but Couture got the takedown after a while into Sylvia's full guard. Sylvia executed good wrist control but Couture broke free and landed some hammerfists. Couture landed a good hammerfist from the top. Sylvia landed a shot from the bottom. The referee stood the fight up. Couture landed a big right hand. Couture landed a big overhand right and another. They clinched and Couture went for the takedown into side control. The crowd roared. Couture got full mount. The crowd was roaring. Sylvia looked exhausted. Sylvia rolled out and stood, going for north-south position now on top and landing body shots. Couture got to his feet. Sylvia dragged him back down and landed more body shots. They stood. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round ended. They touched gloves. Couture landed a good right. They clinched. Sylvia landed a good uppercut inside. Couture got the slam takedown into half-guard. Couture threw elbows from the top. Couture stood and made it to side control. Sylvia used the fence to attempt to escape but Couture had none of it. Couture landed a knee to Sylvia's midsection. Couture landed more knees. Couture dropped more short elbows and landed more knees to the body. Couture made it to full mount. Sylvia rolled out and they stood. Couture got another takedown into Sylvia's full guard. Sylvia's face was bloody and his eye was swollen. Couture stood and the fifth round ended. Couture won by unanimous decision and won the heavyweight championship.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - The fight was for the interim Pride heavyweight championship with Nogueira defending.
The first round began. They circled. Nogueira finally went for the takedown and Mirko sprawled but went into Nogueira's full guard and landed two hammerfists. Mirko landed more hammerfists. Nogueira threw an elbow from the bottom. Mirko postured up and landed another hammerfist. Nogueira threw some shots from the bottom. Nogueira landed more shots from the bottom, effectively controlling the ground game. Mirko stood and let Nogueira get up. Nogueira blocked the devastating head kick and then another. Mirko landed a high body kick. Mirko landed a good combination. Nogueira missed a takedown and laid on his back, but Mirko let him up. Nogueira's nose was bloodied up. Nogueira missed another takedown and laid on his back but Mirko let him up. Nogueira went for another takedown and Mirko landed a soccer kick before letting him up. Mirko landed a high body kick. Nogueira checked another head kick. Mirko landed a combination and a liver kick. Mirko landed a high body kick and a straight left. Nogueira went for the takedown but had to stand up again. They clinched and Mirko shoved Nogueira down but Nogueira had to get up. Three minutes remained. Mirko shoved Nogueira down and let him up. Mirko landed a leg kick. Nogueira went for another takedown but had to get up. Mirko landed a wicked body kick. Nogueira landed some jabs. Nogueira landed a body kick. One minute remained. Mirko landed a liver kick. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Mirko landed a wicked head kick followed by a straight left and Nogueira went down but the first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Nogueira went for the takedown and got it, moving to side control and then mount quickly. The crowd was roaring. Nogueira landed some ground-and-pound. Nogueira landed some more hammerfists but Mirko bucked him off and Nogueira grabbed an armbar and Mirko tapped out.
Luke Cummo vs. Josh Haynes - Coming into the welterweight bout, Haynes was four years older, one inch shorter, one pound heavier, and Cummo had a five-inch reach advantage. The referee was Kerry Hatley.
The first round began. Cummo landed a combination. Haynes landed a good right hand. Haynes landed a body kick and ate a combination. They clinched and Cummo landed some knees. Haynes got the slam takedown into Cummo's full guard. Haynes landed some body shots. They stood. They clinched once more. Cummo landed some knees. They broke. Cummo landed a body shot. Cummo landed a push kick. Cummo landed a leg kick. Cummo landed a left and rocked Haynes. They clinched once more. Cummo nearly got the throw takedown. They broke. Haynes landed another good right. Cummo landed some excellent combinations. They clinched and broke. The first round ended.
The second round began. Haynes pushed forward with a good combination. Cummo landed a good combination and then another. Cummo landed a leg kick. They clinched and Cummo landed some knees. They broke. Cummo landed another push kick. Haynes landed a leg kick. Cummo landed a body shot combination. Cummo landed another push kick. Haynes landed another body shot. Cummo landed a good combination. Cummo landed more good combinations. Cummo landed another good combination. Cummo rocked Haynes and knocked him down. Haynes grabbed the referee's legs and took him down. The fight was over with Cummo winning by knockout.
Michael Bisping vs. Elvis Sinosic - Coming into the light heavyweight bout, Sinosic was eight years older, one inch taller, one pound heavier and had a half-inch reach advantage. The referee was Steve Mazagatti.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Sinosic landed a leg kick and then another. Sinosic grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and landed some knees. Bisping grabbed a kick and threw Sinosic down. Sinosic looked for an armbar. Bisping broke free quickly however and landed some hammerfists. Sinosic pulled guard. Sinosic landed some shots from the bottom. Bisping landed an elbow from the top and another hammerfist. He landed more ground-and-pound. Bisping continued landing bombs and stood. Bisping came back down and landed more hammerfists. Bisping landed some elbows. Sinosic was cut somewhere. Bisping stood, landing more ground-and-pound and threw more. Bisping landed more elbows. Sinosic was bleeding badly everywhere. Sinosic pulled full guard once more. Bisping stood once more and landed more ground-and-pound. Bisping landed more elbows and hammerfists. Sinosic was exhausted and bloody. Bisping landed more elbows and ground-and-pound. Bisping stood and landed more bombs. The first round ended. Sinosic had a two-inch gash in the middle of his forehead.
The second round began. Bisping landed a right. Sinosic landed two inside leg kicks. Bisping landed a high body kick. Sinosic caught Bisping with a knee and knocked him down and dived on top into side control, to north-south. Sinosic grabbed a kimura and sank the submission in. Bisping escaped. Sinosic got Bisping's back. Bisping turned it over into Sinosic's guard and began landing more ground-and-pound. Mazzagatti stopped the fight.
Rich Franklin vs. David Loiseau - The fight was for the middleweight championship with Franklin defending. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Loiseau tried a head kick and again. Loiseau landed a high body kick. Franklin missed a left hook. Franklin landed a high body kick. Loiseau landed a right hand. Franklin checked a head kick. Franklin landed a combination and a body kick. Franklin landed a left to the body. They exchanged strikes. Franklin landed an inside leg kick and then another. Franklin landed a body kick and Loiseau stumbled. Franklin landed a knee inside. Franklin landed a leg kick. Loiseau landed a good left that staggered Franklin. Franklin landed an excellent body kick. Franklin landed a good right-left combination. Franklin landed a good body kick. Franklin tried a head kick. Forty seconds remained. Loiseau landed a body kick. Franklin landed a good left. Franklin tried for a knee. Franklin dodged a high body kick. Franklin pushed forward with a few good combinations. Franklin knocked Loiseau down with a right hook. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Loiseau tried a spinning back kick. Franklin landed a good knee to the body of Loiseau. Franklin landed a good combination to the body. Loiseau landed a body kick. Loiseau was hurt by a right hand. Franklin pushed forward with a combination. There was a mouse over Loiseau's right eye. Loiseau went down and Franklin had his back on the ground, landing some hammerfists. They stood and Franklin kept landing combinations. Loiseau was still wobbly. The mouse was growing over Loiseau's right eye. Franklin landed another good combination and Loiseau was running. Franklin landed a good combination and a knee. The crowd was chanting 'USA'. Franklin landed another good combination and a knee. Loiseau was bloodied up now. Franklin landed a knee to Loiseau's head. They clinched. Franklin landed some knees to the body. Franklin landed a good elbow inside. Franklin landed a good left hook and Loiseau was staggered. Franklin landed a stiff jab. Loiseau was backing up. Franklin got Loiseau's back, slammed Loiseau down, got Loiseau's back. He struggled to sink in the choke. Franklin stood and landed some ground-and-pound. The second round ended. As Rogan observed, Loiseau 'did almost nothing in that round offensively.' Franklin told his corner that he thought his left hand was broken and he was told not to worry about the pain.
The third round began. They touched gloves. Loiseau landed a high body kick and then another and then another. Franklin landed a good combination. Franklin landed a big left. They clinched. Franklin got the slam takedown and went for mount quickly, landing some ground-and-pound. Franklin got Loiseau's back. Loiseau turned into Franklin and ended up in north-south position. Franklin spun to take Loiseau's back again. Franklin stood, landing a body kick as he did. They both stood. Loiseau's face was a mess, over his right eye. The fight was paused to check the eye. The fight continued. They touched gloves. Franklin landed a right. Loiseau staggered Franklin badly with a hard left hook and pounced. Franklin staggered to his feet, wobbling badly. Loiseau landed some more combinations. Franklin had a leg. They clinched. Franklin landed some knees. Franklin landed a good elbow inside and broke, landing a body kick. Loiseau was hurt badly. Franklin landed a good combination and a knee to the face. Loiseau's eye was swelling shut, and his right eye was a bloody mess. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed a good knee to the body. Franklin landed more good combinations and a good knee. Now Loiseau's left eye was battered. Franklin landed more good combinations. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. They touched gloves. Loiseau was smiling. Loiseau landed a head kick but slipped trying to throw another one. Franklin got Loiseau's back and landed a knee to the midsection. The pace had slowed visibly. Franklin continued the ground-and-pound. Franklin got the suplex backwards as Loiseau attempted to roll out to his feet, and took Loiseau's back again with more ground-and-pound. They got up. Both of Loiseau's eyes were swelling shut. Franklin landed a body shot. They both landed kicks at the same time. Loiseau landed two uppercuts quickly. Loiseau landed a body shot. Franklin landed a straight right. Loiseau tried a head kick. Loiseau was running again. Loiseau landed a body kick. Franklin landed a head kick. Loiseau missed a body kick. Loiseau missed a head kick. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round began. They touched gloves. Loiseau landed a good body kick and then another and another and another one. Franklin landed a good left. Loiseau landed a good elbow inside. Franklin touched his glove to his face to check for a cut. Franklin got the takedown and they sprawled against the fence. Franklin was in an open half-guard. Franklin was briefly in mount but then in side control. Franklin landed a knee to the body. Loiseau got up and Franklin had a headlock. Loiseau got the takedown. Franklin scrambled and got back to side control, landing another knee to the body. Franklin got full mount again and began landing more ground-and-pound. Loiseau once more gave up his back. Franklin went back to side control position. Franklin got Loiseau's back once more. They stood. The fifth round ended. The fighters hugged. Franklin won by unanimous decision and retained his middleweight championship.
Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly - Kelly came into the fight undefeated. When Kelly entered the cage, he immediately walked over and shook Davis's hand and hugged him. Coming into the welterweight bout, Davis was twelve years older, one inch taller, had a two-inch weight advantage and the reachw as the same. The referee was Marc Goddard.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They began circling as the British crowd chanted 'Kelly'. Davis landed a body kick. Both fighters kept light on their feet. Davis landed a good inside leg kick. Kelly missed a leg kick. Kelly had his hands low. Kelly landed a good left hand. The crowd was chanting 'Kelly' again. Davis landed some good jabs and remained elusive. Davis landed a good high body kick. Davis landed a leg kick. Davis with another leg kick followed by a nice body kick. Davis landed an inside leg kick. Kelly landed a good combination. Davis got the takedown and Kelly attempted a guillotine. Davis landed some body shots rapidly and muscled out of the guillotine. They scrambled on the ground but Kelly had a half-guard solidly. Davis passed into side control by pure muscle, landing some hammerfists and elbows. They stood. Kelly was cut near the right ear now, probably by one of the elbows. Davis landed a nice body kick. Davis landed a leg kick and then another, followed by a body kick. Kelly tried a head kick. The fighters clapped hands. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Davis landed a leg kick. Kelly had his hands high now. They exchanged strikes. Davis landed another leg kick and a high body kick. Kelly tried for a big uppercut. Davis landed a good inside leg kick. Kelly pushed forward with another big uppercut attempt. Kelly got the takedown. Davis had a headlock for a few moments and decided to go for the guillotine and sank it in tight. Kelly tapped out. Kelly lay on his back, frustrated and disappointed at his first ever loss in his mixed martial arts career and Davis came over to console him and hugged him. Kelly said in the post-fight interview that he 'shouldn't have tapped and should have went out like a man'.
Paul Taylor vs. Chris Lytle - The fighters had both stated at the weigh-ins that they knew that it would be fight of the night, and they weren't lying. Taylor immediately walked over to Lytle and hugged him as he entered the cage. Coming into the welterweight bout, Lytle was six years older, one inch shorter, both weighed the same, and Taylor had a four-inch reach advantage. The referee was Kevil Mulhall.
The first round began. They touched gloves and immediately began striking punches and kicks aggressively. Lytle seemed to be landing the more solid shots. Taylor landed a good head kick as Lytle's head was down. Lytle landed an uppercut inside. Taylor landed another head kick. Lytle landed a body shot. They clinched. Lytle landed some knees. Lytle landed some body shots on the inside. Taylor landed a knee. The referee told them to get busy. They broke. They clinched once more and Lytle landed another knee. Taylor landed some dirty boxing. Lytle landed another knee inside. Lytle got the throw takedown but Taylor was right back up. Lytle landed more knees as they clinched. Lytle landed repeated kidney punches. They exchanged knees and body shots in the clinch. Taylor landed a left inside, and Lytle replied with a right. Taylor broke, landing an elbow as he did. Taylor landed a good combination. Lytle landed an uppercut. They clinched once more and Lytle continued punishing Taylor's midsection with knees and punches inside. Taylor landed a good punch inside. Lytle landed another pair of good knees. Taylor broke with another good elbow and they circled. They clinched and Lytle landed more knees. Taylor landed a good elbow inside and a good uppercut. Lytle continued with the knees. Lytle landed a good uppercut and body shots inside. Taylor landed a big right hand inside and nearly staggered Lytle. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. They came out quickly again. They exchanged combinations. Lytle landed a body kick. Taylor landed a good overhand right. Lytle landed a good combination. Lytle landed a straight right. They clinched again. Lytle landed more good knees inside. Lytle got the takedown into half-guard. Taylor used the cage effectively to try to escape and made it, getting on top in north-south position. Taylor landed some hard shots to the side of Lytle's head as Lytle reversed once more to take Taylor back down where Lytle was on top. Lytle had a headlock and was landing knees from a standing position to the crouched Taylor's legs. Taylor brought it to a standing clinch and they broke. Lytle landed a combination. The pace seemed to have slowed. Taylor landed a wicked leg kick. Lytle landed another combination ending with a head kick. They clinched and Lytle landed more knees. Taylor got the takedown but Taylor brought it very quickly back to a standing clinch. Lytle landed more knees and some dirty boxing, responded in kind by Taylor. Lytle landed more knees. Taylor landed a good elbow inside. They broke apart the clinch. They both were swinging for the fences still. Lytle landed a good combination. Taylor landed a good combination and a leg kick. Taylor landed a groin kick as he went for the inside leg kick and the fight was stopped for a moment. The fight restarted and they touched gloves. Lytle landed a body shot. They clinched again. They exchanged more knees. Taylor tried for the trip takedown but failed. The second round ended.
The third round began. They touched gloves. Taylor landed a leg kick and then an inside leg kick during the exchanges. Taylor checked a high body kick. Taylor landed an inside leg kick. Lytle landed more body shots. Lytle continued to punish the body and landed more heavy, heavy combinations to Taylor's face. Lytle continued landing bombs. The crowd was roaring. They clinched. Lytle landed more bombs to the body this time from inside and a big knee. Taylor landed a short uppercut inside and again. They broke. Lytle looked gassed, and his hands were starting to fall. Taylor landed a high body kick. Taylor landed a leg kick. Taylor landed another inside leg kick now. Lytle kept punishing the body. They clinched. Taylor landed another short uppercut on the inside. Lytle landed more knees to Taylor's ribs. The referee broke the clinch. Taylor landed a good combination. Taylor landed a good uppercut. Lytle landed a good left hook and slipped. They clinched again. Lytle got the takedown. Taylor got to his feet and the crowd roared. Taylor landed an inside leg kick. Taylor landed a good right hand. Taylor landed an uppercut and a left hook and another combination. They clinched and Lytle landed another big knee. The thid round and the fight ended. They hugged and the crowd roared. Chris Lytle was the winner by unanimous decision. Taylor looked shocked and disbelieving. He broke his ribs in the fight.
Luis Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Coming into the light heavyweight bout, Cane was three years older, had a two-inch height advantage, a one-pound weight advantage, and Sokoudjou had a one-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. They went to the feeling-out process. Sokoudjou landed a leg kick. Sokoudjou landed an inside leg kick and his head kick was blocked. Sokoudjou pushed forward with a body kick. Cane landed a straight left. Cane landed a jab. Sokoudjou landed a combination with a few body kicks. Cane landed a good right. Sokoudjou landed an uppercut. Cane landed a good body kick. Sokoudjou landed a solid leg kick and Cane's leg nearly buckled. Sokoudjo landed an inside leg kick and a body kick. Sokoudjou landed a Superman punch. Sokoudjou landed an uppercut and Cane backed off. Sokoudjou landed another uppercut. Sokoudjou landed a jab and a body shot, still pushing forward. Sokoudjou landed another good body kick. Sokoudjou landed a big right hand but Cane was still coming. Sokoudjou landed an inside leg kick. Cane landed a body kick. Cane landed a big knee to the head. Cane landed a jab. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Cane landed an accidental groin kick. The fight restarted. They touched gloves. Sokoudjou landed a jumping hard high body kick. Cane landed a straight left and then another. Cane landed an uppercut. Sokoudjou landed a wicked inside leg kick. Sokoudjou was taking big deep breaths. Cane landed a stiff jab. Sokoudjou landed a hard body kick but Cane kept coming. Sokoudjou landed a good combination. Cane landed a good right and then a hard knee and then a good left. Sokoudjou was breathing hard. Cane landed some good jabs. Sokoudjou landed a good uppercut. Cane landed a jab. Cane landed another big knee. Dan Henderson was yelling for the takedown. Cane landed a big knee and Sokoudjou went down and Cane was ground-and-pounding and then it was over. Cane had won by TKO.
Josh Koscheck vs. Paulo Thiago - Coming into the welterweight bout, Koscheck was three years older, one inch shorter, and one pound heavier and Thiago had a one-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. The referee was Marc Goddard. Thiago came into the fight undefeated in his UFC debut.
The first round began. They touched gloves. They circled. Koscheck kept coming for the overhand right or the wild left. Thiago landed a leg kick. Koscheck landed the left. Koscheck landed the big overhand right to Thiago's chin and staggered Thiago. Thiago landed a leg kick. Koscheck landed another big right. Koscheck landed a good combination leading with a left hook. Koscheck landed a leg kick. Koscheck landed a high body kick. Koscheck landed a big right again. Thiago was throwing punches and dropping his hands immediately afterward, and Koscheck was capitalizing on that. Thiago landed an uppercut and knocked out Koscheck. The fight was over. Koscheck was arguing. Thiago remained undefeated.
Demian Maia vs. Chael Sonnen - The fight was veteran Sonnen's return to the UFC. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Maia landed a body kick, which Sonnen caught and shoved Maia down but let him up. Maia landed another body kick. Sonnen landed an inside leg kick. Maia landed a body shot. Maia went for the takedown and Sonnen showed off a good sprawl. Maia got the double underhooks on the ground. Sonnen stood up. Maia landed a jab from the bottom. They grappled on the ground. Sonnen stood once more and landed a thigh kick. They continued grappling. Maia got full guard. Sonnen stood up and let Maia up. Sonnen landed a good one-two combination. They clinched. Maia got the throw takedown to full mount. Maia locked in a tight triangle and Sonnen was forced to tap. The fighters hugged. Wanderlei Silva patted Maia's back, proud that his partner had won.
Junior Dos Santos vs. Stefan Struve - The first round began with Dan Miragliotta as referee for the heavyweight bout. They touched gloves. They clinched and broke quickly. Dos Santos landed an inside leg kick. Dos Santos landed a body shot. Dos Santos came in with a big combination and another one, teeing off and Struve collapsed. Dos Santos got the knockout victory. The fighters hugged.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Nate Marquardt - Coming into the middleweight bout, Gouveia was one year older, one inch taller, they weighed the same and Gouveia had a two-inch reach advantage. The referee was Leon Roberts.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Marquardt landed an inside leg kick. They circled. Gouveia landed a leg kick. Gouveia blocked a head kick. Marquardt checked a leg kick. Gouveia checked another head kick. Marquardt landed a Superman punch and a pair of leg kicks. Marquardt attempted another Superman punch. Gouveia landed a few big shots and Marquardt retreated. Marquardt landed a big leg kick and then an inside leg kick. Marquardt landed a high body kick. Gouveia pushed forward with a good combination. Gouveia landed a good counter body kick. Marquardt landed an inside leg kick. Marquardt landed a push kick, missed a head kick. Marquardt landed a leg kick, tried for a Superman punch. Gouveia pushed forward with a good combination. Marquardt went for the takedown but Gouveia grabbed the guillotine with one arm from full guard. Marquardt pulled his head out but he was still in Gouveia's full guard. Marquardt threw some good elbows. Marquardt threw more ground-and-pound and postured up with a good knee to the body and stood. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Marquardt landed a leg kick. Gouviea landed a body kick. Gouviea landed a leg kick. Gouviea landed a good right. Marquardt landed a big knee. Marquardt landed another good right and a big knee. Gouviea staggered Marquardt with a good right, but Marquardt somehow took Gouveia's back. He rolled Gouviea over into Gouveia's full guard. Marquardt landed some shoulder strikes. Marquardt landed some big elbows from the top and postured up as he continued. Gouviea threw an elbow from the bottom. They stood. Marquardt had a headlock and grabbed a standing guillotine and landed a knee to the face as he broke away. Marquardt landed a switch kick. Marquardt landed some more good knees and a counter right. Marquardt landed a nice leg kick. Marquardt landed a nice right hand and a big knee. The crowd was roaring. Gouviea was wobbly. Ten seconds remained. They clinched. Marquardt landed a good right and a knee to the body and the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Marquardt landed a leg kick. Marquardt landed a good right hand and Gouviea was charging wildly. Marquardt landed a good right and took Gouveia's back standing up, landing good knees to Gouveia's back and some foot stomps. Gouveia seemed gassed. Marquardt landed some knees to Gouviea's thighs. They broke. Gouveia landed a body kick. Marquardt landed a straight right followed big flying knee and a pair of head kicks and a spinning back fist and a right. Gouveia was bleeding badly. The referee stopped the fight. Marquardt had won by TKO. Blood was everywhere.
Terry Etim vs. Brian Cobb - The lightweight bout was Cobb's UFC debut.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Etim landed a leg kick and tried another which Cobb caught but let it go. Cobb tried a head kick. The crowd chanted 'Terry'. Cobb tried for the takedown, defended by Etim. Etim landed a wicked leg kick. Etim landed an inside leg kick. Cobb caught another kick and threw Etim down and went into Etim's full guard. The referee told the fighters to work. The referee stood them up. Etim landed another leg kick. Etim landed another leg kick and another and another. Etim landed a head kick as Cobb leaned down. Cobb got the takedown into Etim's full guard and landed some body shots and hammerfists. Cobb had multiple welts on his left leg. The referee stood them up. Etim landed a pair of wicked leg kicks. Cobb landed a body kick. They clinched and Etim got the trip takedown, had mount briefly. Etim stood. Cobb got up but the first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Etim landed a leg kick and then a wicked head kick and knocked Cobb down and ground-and-pounded. The referee stopped the fight and Etim won the TKO victory.
Dan Hardy vs. Rory Markham - The referee was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began. They circled. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Hardy landed a good straight left. Markham was already bleeding from the nose. Markham was the aggressor pushing forward but landing nothing clean. Hardy landed a left and dropped Markham for the knockout victory.
Per Eklund vs. Evan Dunham - The lightweight bout was undefeated Dunham's UFC debut. The referee was Marc Goddard.
The first round began. They touched gloves. Dunham landed a good left and staggered Eklund, grabbed a guillotine with full guard. Eklund got out but took an elbow on the way out. Eklund stood up and Dunham did as well but Eklund went right back to the takedown into half-guard, catching Dunham with a big punch on the way down. Now Dunham ended up on top. Eklund landed some strikes from the bottom, went for an armbar. Dunham escaped to his feet and they circled. Eklund landed a head kick. Dunham landed a body shot. Eklund landed a right hand. Dunham landed a stiff jab. Eklund landed a body kick. Dunham landed a good combination. Dunham sent Eklund to the ground with a straight left for the knockout victory and remaining undefeated.
Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson - The fight was Sanchez's lightweight debut. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They touched gloves. They circled with Sanchez utilizing his reach advantage and landing some jabs. Stevenson landed a good right and then another. Stevenson stuffed a takedown. Sanchez landed a knee to the bdoy. Sanchez landed a body shot, a right hand and an uppercut combination. Stevenson landed a left hook. Sanchez landed another big knee, this time high on the body. Sanchez missed a head kick. Sanchez landed some more uppercuts. Stevenson was smiling as he was getting hit. Sanchez landed some good combinations and an uppercut and Stevenson wasn't smiling anymore. Sanchez landed a body shot. Stevenson landed a straight right. Stevenson landed antoehr good right. Sanchez landed another uppercut and missed a right hand, tried the same thing. Sanchez landed a body shot, tried for the uppercut and missed. They clinched and Stevenson landed a knee inside before they broke quickly. Stevenson was smiling again. Stevenson landed a left hook over the top of Sanchez's jab. Stevenson checked a head kick. Sanchez landed another uppercut. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Sanchez landed a big knee and pounced with the uppercut combinations and spun around to take Stevenson's back. Stevenson lifted Sanchez up by the legs and they stood up and touched gloves. Stevenson checked a head kick. Sanchez missed a front kick. They clinched and Stevenson grabbed a headlock and turned it to a guillotine. Sanchez picked Stevenson up and slammed him but Stevenson ended up on top. Sanchez went for a guillotine of his own but Stevenson got out and they scrambled every which way but Sanchez had Stevenson's back. They stood. Sanchez looked for a kimura. They spun into a clinch and broke. The crowd applauded. Sanchez landed a good combination starting with the knee. Stevenson landed a straight right. Sanchez landed a good counter. Sanchez tried for another uppercut. Sanchez landed a good straight left. Stevenson landed a right to the body. Sanchez landed a good right hook. Stevenson landed a counter combination. Stevenson landed a good uppercut. Sanchez landed the body shot. Stevenson pushed forward with some good combinations of his own. Sanchez landed a combination. Stevenson checked a head kick and then another.
The third round began. They touched gloves. Stevenson landed an uppercut combination. Sanchez landed a good right hand. Stevenson was smiling. Sanchez kept looking for the uppercut. Sanchez landed a good knee to Stevenson's midsection. Sanchez landed a good combination. Sanchez pushed forward with a combination. Sanchez landed a body kick. Sanchez went for the takedown but Stevenson sprawled. Stevenson waved his hands in the air for the crowd to react. Stevenson landed a combination. Sanchez landed a jab and then another and then another and finally a left hook now. Stevenson landed a jab and an uppercut. Stevenson landed a good combination. Sanchez landed an overhand right and an uppercut. Stevenson landed a left hook. Sanchez went for a takedown and shoved Stevenson down but Stevenson got back up and got Sanchez's back. They broke. Stevenson checked a head kick. They exchanged wildly in the last few seconds. The third round and the fight ended. Sanchez won by unanimous decision.
Paul Kelly vs. Troy Mandaloniz - The first round began. They came out quickly exchanging strikes and knees. Kelly landed a good left hook. Mandaloniz got the takedown into half-guard. They scrambled viciously on the ground and got to the feet in a clinch. Kelly tried for the trip takedown but Mandaloniz defended and they stayed in the clinch. They exchanged strikes in the pocket. They clinched again. Kelly landed some knees. The pace had slowed considerably. The referee broke the clinch. They clinched again immediately. Kelly landed a combination inside and another. Mandaloniz landed a good knee inside. Kelly landed more good knees. Kelly punished the body and then threw an uppercut. Kelly went for the takedown, stuffed by Mandaloniz. They broke. Kelly landed a body shot. Kelly landed a vicious body shot and then another. Kelly landed more combinations to the body and then a leg kick and more body shots and an uppercut. Kelly landed a knee. They clinched. Kelly got the trip takedown into Mandaloniz's full guard. Kelly landed elbows repeatedly. Mandaloniz was bleeding. Mandaloniz tried to roll for an armbar but Kelly fought out of it and landed more elbows. Mandaloniz was cut somewhere on the left side of his face. Kelly postured up and landed more elbows and ground-and-pound. Blood was all over Mandaloniz's face. The first round ended.
The second round began. Kelly landed a left hook and a jab and got the takedown into Mandaloniz's full guard again. Mandaloniz was bleeding under his right eye now as Kelly dropped more vicious elbows. The referee stood the fight up. Kelly landed a left hook to the body and a leg kick. Mandaloniz got the takedown into Kelly's full guard. Mandaloniz got full mount and got Kelly's back. Mandaloniz rolled Kelly over and tried for the rear-naked choke but Kelly turned into him into Mandaloniz's full guard and landed more ground-and-pound. Kelly landed more nasty elbows. Mandaloniz rolled into an armbar but Kelly fought out of it back into Mandaloniz's full guard. Mandaloniz looked bloody and exhausted. Kelly landed another big elbow. Kelly landed some hammerfists.
The third round began. Kelly went for the takedown but Mandaloniz defended. Kelly landed a body shot. Kelly landed a leg kick. Kelly landed an inside leg kick and a jab. Mandaloniz landed a jab. Kelly went for the takedown which Mandaloniz defended and slammed Kelly's head into the canvas for his own takedown, taking Kelly's back and sinking in the choke and transitioning to an armbar. Kelly turned it into Mandaloniz's full guard. Kelly landed another big elbow. The crowd booed. The referee told the fighters to 'get busy'. The referee stood them up. Kelly helped Mandaloniz up. Kelly landed an inside leg kick and then a leg kick. Mandaloniz pushed forward with a good combination. Kelly landed a good jab. Mandaloniz got the takedown into Kelly's guard. Mandaloniz was exhausted now. The third round and the fight itself ended. Paul Kelly was the winner by unanimous decision.
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva - The first round began. Both fighters were smiling. Jardine landed a nice leg kick. Jardine threw some probing strikes. Jardine landed a body kick and Silva shoved him down with a foot sweep into half-guard. Silva landed a body shot. They stood. Silva landed a big left in the exchange and dropped Jardine out cold and ground-and-pounded for the knockout victory.
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia - Maia came into the fight undefeated in his MMA career.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Maia landed an inside leg kick. Maia came in for a body kick with his hands down like an amateur and ate a big counter from Marquardt that dropped him for the knockout victory.
Todd Duffee vs. Tim Hague - Hague was three years older and had a slight weight advantage and Duffee had a three-inch reach advantage. The referee was Mario Yamasaki.
The first round began. Duffee landed a counter jab, dropped Hague and ground-and-pounded brutally for the knockout victory, making the record for the quickest knockout (seven seconds) in UFC history, beating out Don Frye and James Irvin who were tied at eight seconds.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuscherer - The fight was Tuscherer's UFC debut. The reach was identical and the weight one pound give or take. The referee was Dave Hagen.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Gonzaga landed a big slapping inside leg kick to the 
groin, caught by Tuscherer. The referee paused the fight, and Tuscherer collapsed in simple obvious agony. The commentators were actually speculating that Tuscherer was 'done'. Tuscherer was coughing where he was laying down. He was vomiting into a bucket. Gonzaga paced around shaking his head quietly. Tuscherer managed to sit onto a stool. He put his mouthpiece back in and stood up to continue. The referee told him to finish off the rest of the five minutes remaining. Tuscherer continued talking to the officials. Brock Lesnar, Tuscherer's manager or whatever, was also trying to make a decision outside of the Octagon. Gonzaga continued pacing. They were letting Chris continue now! He was a tough kid. Here they came. They touched gloves. Gonzaga landed a head kick and dropped Tuscherer and moved mount and began hammerfisting to the forehead of Tuscherer. Gonzaga moved to side control. Tuscherer pushed it to half-guard. Gonzaga moved to full mount once again. Gonzaga landed a big elbow. Gonzaga took Tuscherer's back. Tuscherer was bleeding now, a lot of blood. Gonzaga was staying on Tuscherer, pounding away. Gonzaga landed a knee to the body. Gonzaga was landing some big shots in under to Tuscherer's face and Tuscherer was rocked. Gonzaga mounted again. Gonzaga took Tuscherer's back. Gonzaga stood and Tuscherer was just laying there. Gonzaga took Tuscherer's back again. Gonzaga stood and let Tuscherer up. Tuscherer started to get up, ate a big right to the back of the head and went back down. Gonzaga had his back again, landing more big shots in under, and the referee stopped it finally.
Nate Marquardt vs. Martin Kampmann - The first round began and they circled and threw probing strikes. They both tried kicks at the same time. Kampmann landed a good counter right hand. Marquardt landed a head kick and dropped Kampmann and had him hurt. Kampmann stood immediately, covering up and they clinched. Marquardt broke with a big knee that hurt Kampmann again and some big uppercuts and some more big uppercuts, big fucking uppercuts, pouring it on, body shots, Kampmann collapsed for the knockout victory for Marquardt.
Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Denis Kang - Kang was five years older, had a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. They circled around with Xavier light on his feet. Xavier stepped into a good knee to the body and ate a counter combination from Kang. Xavier narrowly missed a head kick and the crowd oohed. Xavier landed another good knee to the body. Xavier landed a leg kick and Kang capitalized with a takedown into half-guard. Kang passed to side control and Xavier immediately pushed him back to half-guard. Kang appeared to be looking for an arm triangle. Xavier escaped and they stood. Xavier stayed light on his feet. Xavier landed a good body kick. Xavier landed another body kick, caught partially on Kang's arm. Kang landed a good counter right. Xavier landed an excellent leg kick that staggered Kang. Kang landed a good body shot. Kang landed another good body shot. Kang landed a good left hook. Xavier narrowly missed another head kick and missed a spinning back kick. They circled a bit more. Xavier landed a good leg kick. Kang came in and got the takedown into side control. Kang landed some nice short elbows repeatedly, solid elbows. Kang tried to go for an armbar and nearly lost his position as Xavier avoided. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled some more. Kang missed a body shot. They circled just a bit more. Kang was keeping his distance and dancing around. This was basically a dancing competition. Xavier landed a body kick and ate some counter rights from Kang. Xavier landed another body kick and then another and narrowly dodged a big left hook. Kang caught the next kick before it even landed and got the takedown into half-guard. Kang passed to side control. Kang landed some more solid short elbows. They weren't doing too much, though Kang was continually looking for the arm triangle and then an Americana. Kang landed some more vicious elbows. Kang went back to looking for the arm triangle. Xavier was defending well. Kang landed some more short elbows, these were solid elbows. Xavier was getting beat up. Xavier scrambled and they stood into the clinch and then broke. Xavier missed a high spinning back kick. Xavier landed a knee to the leg. Kang landed a good standing elbow. Xavier put his hands on his knees, visibly gassed. Kang landed a good body shot and Xavier missed a big headkick. Xavier put his hands back on his knees and ate a big unanswered combination from Kang. The second round ended.
The third round began. Xavier was visibly exhausted. They circled a bit, dancing around. The referee told them to move. Boos came. They circled. Xavier landed a body kick. Xavier landed a good right hand. They circled some more and boos were coming heavily. It was strange that Kang wasn't capitalizing. Kang got the takedown into half-guard and immediately began looking for a kimura. Kang was a bit cut under his right eye at this point. Kang passed to side control. Kang was still looking for that kimura. Kang let it go as Xavier scrambled and pushed it back to half-guard. Kang landed some more short elbows, just bullying Xavier. Xavier got the sweep and put Kang onto his back. They stood but Kang took Xavier right back down into half-guard and landed more short elbows, sapping his will to fight. Kang landed more short elbows. Kang tried to push to mount but Xavier popped him right back to half-guard. Kang landed some short shots to the nose of Xavier repeatedly. They weren't doing too much. Kang got the full mount. Kang took Xavier's back and got one hook in. They stood but Kang still had Xavier's back. They broke away. The third round and the fight ended. Denis Kang got the win by unanimous decision.
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt - Rosholt had a three-and-a-half-inch advantage, and a one-inch height advantage. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they circled for a little bit. Rosholt landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. Leben missed a leg kick. The crowd was chanting 'Leben'. Leben missed a head kick. Rosholt landed an inside leg kick. Rosholt was being very patient and elusive as they circled around and about. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Leben landed a leg kick. Rosholt replied with an inside leg kick. Leben landed a leg kick. Rosholt landed another inside leg kick. Rosholt landed a good combination and tried for a flying knee and Leben got the takedown into open guard. Leben landed some body shots and some pitter-patter face shots. Rosholt was bleeding a bit on his right cheek. They stood. Leben blocked a high kick. Some blood was coming out of Leben's nose as well. Leben landed a leg kick. Rosholt landed a hard inside leg kick. They clinched. Rosholt grabbed the body lock and took the trip takedown to mount. Leben was in trouble. Rosholt stood with Leben sat down. They stood up. Rosholt landed a knee to the face as they broke. Leben landed a leg kick. Leben stepped forward with a good combination and Rosholt blatantly ran away. Leben was swinging wildly, just wildly. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Rosholt landed a good left hand and missed a head kick and Leben dropped Rosholt with a big left hand and pounced into half-guard. Leben landed some good shots from the top. Rosholt pushed it to full guard. They weren't doing too terribly much right now. Leben was landing some body shots and Rosholt was primarily defending. Hmm. Leben was winning the round by default from being on top. The referee told them to work. The referee stood them up. Rosholt was blatantly running at times. Leben landed a leg kick. Rosholt landed an inside leg kick. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Leben landed a head kick that hurt Rosholt and then a big left hand that caught Rosholt sleeping kind of. They clinched and Leben landed some pretty big foot stomps. Leben kept landing those foot stomps. They broke. Rosholt landed a good combination and got the takedown into half-guard. Rosholt was looking for an arm-in guillotine from the top but pulled away and went back down into half-guard. Rosholt landed some big shots and stood. Leben stood. Leben came forward and swinged wildly. The second round ended. Leben's chin was really bruised.
The third round began and they touched. Leben landed a body kick. Leben landed another body kick and Rosholt capitalized with a takedown into half-guard. Rosholt was looking for an arm triangle and he passed to mount. Leben pushed it back to half-guard and landed some good shots. Rosholt landed a good elbow. Rosholt got to mount. Rosholt landed some big shots. Leben was defending well. Rosholt passed to side control and grabbed the arm triangle. Leben tried to tap out but then he passed out and finally the referee stopped Rosholt.
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Cyrille Diabate - The fight was for Pride.
The first round began. Diabate landed a body kick. Shogun landed a body kick of his own. Diabate tried a flying knee and landed a right. Shogun got the takedown and Diabate worked butterfly guard as Shogun tried to pass. Diabate tried to stand and Shogun used it to somersault over perfectly into side control. Shogun landed a nice jumping knee to the midsection of Diabate. Diabate exploded and swept and stood. Shogun came for the takedown again and Diabate was defending but Shogun got it after a moment into open guard. Shogun was trying to pass and he passed to half-guard. Shogun was trying to pass basically and Diabate was defending. Shogun finally made it to side control. Shogun was looking for an arm triangle but Diabate defended and Shogun let it go. They stood and Shogun landed a knee to the face on the way up. Shogun landed a hard inside leg kick. Diabate landed a good body kick. Diabate missed a spinning back fist. Shogun pushed forward with a good combination and they clinched. Shogun got the takedown into half-guard and landed some big shots and hammerfists and some elbows to the ribcage of Diabate. Shogun passed to side control but then stood and Diabate tried to escape but Shogun went back down into side control. Shogun passed to mount. Shogun stood and he was landing some foot stomps and soccer kicks, and more stomps and Diabate was hurt badly and the referee stopped the fight.
Ricardo Arona vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua - The fight was the final round of the Pride 2005 Middleweight GP.
The first round began. They stood there, circling. Shogun missed an 'artistic' spinning kick and Arona capitalized with the takedown and Shogun grabbed an omoplata and Arona was fighting it hard and he escaped and they stood. Shogun landed a stomp kick and tried aflying guard pass before going down into half-guard. Shogun landed some big shots and hammerfists and a soccer kick and stood and landed some big punches and landed some knees to the face in the clinch and Arona got the stumbling takedown. They stood into the clinch. Shogun landed a knee to the body. Wanderlei was shouting instructions from the crowd. Shogun got the takedown into half-guard. Shogun passed to side control pretty easily, landing some big elbows to the ribcage over and over. Shogun tried for mount but stood. Shogun landed a flying foot stomp and some hammerfists for the knockout victory. Arona was out cold.
Marcus Aurelio vs. Evan Dunham - Dunham came into the fight undefeated. Aurelio came in on short notice.
The first round began. They circled, throwing probing strikes, with Dunham the more aggressive fighter. That's pretty much all they were doing so far. Dunham landed a short right hook. Dunham pushed forward with a good combination. Aurelio landed a right hand. They were sort of feeling each other out. Dunham landed a good right. Dunham landed a really good combination. Aurelio was looping that overhand right out there. Dunham dropped Aurelio with a straight left and pounced with body shots as Aurelio turtled up. Aurelio went to his back and Dunham was ferociously ground-and-pounding. Aurelio grabbed the full guard but Dunham pulled out and stood and let Aurelio back to his feet. Aurelio tried for the takedown, and Dunham defended and they circled. Dunham landed another good combination. Aurelio landed a good jab. Dunham landed another straight left. Aurelio came for the takedown and Dunham sprawled and stood and let Aurelio up. Aurelio was looking a bit tired. Aurelio landed a looping right, and another. Dunham landed a good counter combination however. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Aurelio came for the takedown and Dunham defended again, stuffing it. Dunham landed a good combination. Dunham avoided another telegraphed takedown attempt from Aurelio. Dunham landed an inside leg kick. Dunham landed another inside leg kick. Dunham sprawled and avoided another takedown. Dunham landed another good straight left. Aurelio landed a good straight right and got the takedown into half-guard, landing some big ground-and-pound. Dunham escaped to his feet however, and Aurelio looked disappointed then. Aurelio landed another good right. Aurelio landed an excellent, excellent right hook. Dunham landed another few good rights. The referee paused the fight because of an eye poke that Dunham took but Dunham wanted to continue and so they did. Aurelio landed a good counter combination. They exchanged in close and Aurelio tried for the takedown but Dunham was defending into the clinch. They broke. Aurelio seemed tired. Dunham landed a good counter combination. Aurelio landed a good right hand and ate a counter right from Dunham. Aurelio came for the takedown and Dunham defended into the clinch. Aurelio was trying hard for that takedown. Dunham was defending well. They broke. Aurelio looked gassed. Dunham landed a leg kick. Aurelio landed a good right hand. Aurelio landed a good combination and ate a counter combo from Dunham. Dunham landed a body kick. Dunham landed a leg kick. Aurelio landed an inside leg kick. The second round came to conclusion.
The third round began. Aurelio came hard for the takedown and got it into open guard, landing some good body shots repeatedly. Aurelio was struggling to pass. Dunham landed a good elbow from the bottom. Aurelio passed to half-guard. Dunham tried to stand and Aurelio was trying for a standing guillotine. He had it pretty tight, an anaconda choke now. Dunham was fighting it. Dunham finally escaped and they stood and circled and the crowd roared. They exchanged. Dunham landed an inside leg kick. Aurelio came for the takedown and Dunham was fighting it. Aurelio got the takedown into what looked like half-guard. Dunham got the sweep and stood. Dunham landed another nice body kick. Aurelio tried for the takedown and Dunham countered on top. They stood. They were both exhausted. Dunham landed a good right hand. Dunham landed a good combination. Aurelio was trying for the takedown and Dunham defended into the clinch. They broke. Dunham landed a good high body kick. They exchanged with Dunham landing a lot more shots, most of them really. The third round and the fight ended. Evan Dunham got the win by split decision.
Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites - The fight was for the middleweight title, with Silva defending and it was notorious as one of the most hated, boring fights in UFC history, possibly tied with Severn-Shamrock 2. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled, looking relaxed. Silva had his hands comparatively low. Yep, yep.. Just kinda standing there, and then circling. Yep.. Boos began coming now. Leites tried a jumping knee and missed. Yep, yep.. Circling some more. Silva missed a probing uppercut. Circling some more. Boos more. Yep.. Leites landed an inside leg kick. Leites landed a head kick. Silva landed a body shot. Circling some more. Leites missed another high knee. Silva got the foot sweep and knocked Leites down and landed some leg kicks but let Leites up. They tumbled to the ground but Silva stood but Leites had hold of the leg. Silva landed some hammerfists downward, but Leites was pushing hard and Silva defended into the clinch. They just kinda stood there. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They just kinda circled more. Leites landed an inside leg kick. Silva missed a head kick. Leites got the takedown into half-guard. Silva had that half-guard locked down tight, he wasn't fooling around with Leites on the ground. Leites wasn't attempting any ground-and-pound either. Silva brought it to full-guard, locking in a body triangle. Leites landed some hammerfists. Silva landed some good elbows from the bottom. Leites landed some more hammerfists. Leites stood and went back down. Silva was trying for a triangle, landing some hammerfists from the bottom. Leites avoided and Silva stood and let Leites up, walking away. Silva had his hands blatantly by his sides. They were just kinda walking around casually. Yep.. Boos were coming heavily. Silva landed a leg kick in close. Circling some more. Leites blocked a head kick. Silva landed a wicked leg kick. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Leites landed an inside leg kick, caught by Silva. Leites tried for the takedown and Silva sprawled and stood and Leites was laying down. Silva walked away and the referee stood Leites up. Leites landed a good right hand. Leites took what looked like an eye poke and laid down. Silva was landing some leg kicks, inside and outside. The referee finally stood him up. Leites came for the single-leg and Silva stuffed it easily and Leites laid down. Silva landed some more leg kicks. Boos came heavily. The referee stood him up. Silva landed a really good leg kick. Leites landed an inside leg kick. There was a big chant of 'GSP'. Silva landed a leg kick. Silva landed another good inside leg kick. Silva checked an inside leg kick. Leites laid down and Silva shrugged and walked off frustrated. Leites stood. Silva missed a straight head kick. Silva landed a leg kick. Silva landed a body kick. Leites laid on his back and Silva walked away and Leites stood. The crowd booed. Silva landed a stomp kick to Leites' knee and then again HARD and then a switch kick to the face. Leites was bloodied up, from the switch kick. Silva landed some really good uppercuts and more. The crowd roared. Silva landed a good right hand and a good leg kick. Leites laid down and Silva walked off and Leites stood. They both looked frustrated. Silva landed another leg kick. Leites laid down and the referee stood Leites up. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. Leites extended his glove but Silva didn't touch. Silva landed another stomp kick to the knee. Leites was struggling to shake it off. Silva landed another stomp kick to the knee and another, one to the thigh. Another stomp kick. Silva was showboating and then he landed a good leg kick, doing some more showboating, like shaking around. Leites landed a body kick and Silva landed another hard leg kick. Silva landed a good right, and then a good head kick. Silva landed another stomp kick, and then another, and then a .. punch to the leg. They stood there. Silva landed another punch to the leg and missed a stomp kick. Silva landed another hard leg kick. Silva was showboating and dodging Leites' punches. Silva landed a jab, a leg kick and Leites came for th etakedown and Silva stuffed it and crouched a bit away as Leites laid on his back. They stood after a few moments. Silva landed a spinning leg kick, another stomp kick. Silva landed another leg punch and another stomp kick. Silva landed a kick to the shoulder. Silva landed another stomp kick. Silva was showboating again. Leites tried to scoot-slide on his butt and laid on his back as Silva avoided. Silva stood over him and landed a leg kick and Leites stood as Silva walked off. The fourth round ended. Boos came heavily.
The fifth round began. Silva landed a leg kick. They circled, throwing probing strikes. Silva landed another good leg kick. Leites came for the takedown and Silva shrugged out of a leglock attempt after stuffing the takedown. Silva spun out and landed on top, landing some big ground-and-pound. Silva stood and let Leites up. Leites's nose was bloodied up bad from the ground-and-pound. Silva landed a spinning back kick to the chest. Leites laid down again and Silva was landing some more big shots from the top. Silva stood and walked off. Boos came. The crowd cheered 'Bullshit' repeatedly and the referee told them to work. Silva landed another stomp kick. Leites came for the takedown and Silva shrugged it off and Leites stood. The crowd chanted 'GSP'. Silva landed another stomp kick. Leites came for the takedown, Silva shrugged it off, Leites stood. Leites landed a body kick and Silva caught it and Leites fell. The referee stood Leites up. Boos came heavily. Leites fell and the referee stood him up after a moment. The fifth round and the fight ended. Anderson Silva got the win by unanimous decision and retained his title.
Chris Lytle vs. Kyle Bradley - The fight was Bradley's UFC debut, on a seven-fight win streak. Haha. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Lytle landed a good knee to the body. Lytle landed a good right hand and a leg kick. Bradley was hurt. Lytle landed a good combination, stuffed a desperate takedown, some good quick hard right hands in close Takyama-Frye style, another right hand that dropped Bradley and the referee stopped the fight. Bradley didn't even know that the fight was over. He pulled guard and grabbed a hold of Yves Lavigne's head.
Joe Lauzon vs. Kyle Bradley - Bradley was two years older, Lauzon was one inch taller, Bradley had a one-inch reach advantage. Basically, it was pretty close. The fight was Bradley's lightweight debut. The referee was Josh Arney.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled around. They clinched. Lauzon dropped down for a heelhook after a moment. Lauzon landed a good elbow as well. Lauzon was trying hard, switching to an inverted heelhook. Bradley did a good job of defending, escaping and they stood into the clinch with Lauzon landing a good knee to the body on the way up. Lauzon broke with a good right hand. They circled around. Bradley hurt Lauzon with a body shot followed by a good right hand and nearly folded him, but Bradley did not capitalize and Lauzon seemed to recover. They circled around. Bradley landed another good right, and a good jab. Lauzon landed a good left hook, stalking Bradley, keeping the pressure on. Lauzon landed a good knee to the body. Bradley landed another good body shot. Bradley landed a leg kick. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled about. Bradley was the more aggressive fighter as they threw probing strikes. Lauzon came in for the double-leg takedown and got it into half-guard and the crowd roared. Lauzon transitioned to mount, and then he took Bradley's back. Lauzon was landing massive shots undefended by Bradley and the referee stopped the fight.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Keith Jardine - The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they immediately clinched and exchanged knees early. Jackson was landing more knees, mostly to the thighs of Jardine. Jardine landed a good shot inside, to the side of Jackson's head. The referee broke them up. They circled, with Jardine throwing probing strikes and Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a body kick. Jardine landed an inside leg kick. Jackson landed a good jab. Jardine landed an inside leg kick, dodging Jackson's counters nicely. They clinched but broke. They clinched again. Jackson landed some good shots inside. They broke but clinched again. Jardine broke away. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jackson landed a good counter. Jardine landed a body kick, caught by Jackson and Jackson landed some counters before Jardine broke away. Jackson landed a good combination that had Jardine running and then a leg kick. Jackson landed another good counter combination as Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a knee to the body. Jackson landed another good counter. They clinched. They broke. The first round ended. Greg Jackson told Jardine to 'calm down' in the corner.
The second round began. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jackson landed another counter. Jackson landed a good leg kick to counter a missed one from Jardine. Jardine landed a good body kick. Jardine landed a hard inside leg kick. Jardine landed a kick to the bicep of Jackson. Jardine landed a knee to the body, a nice leg kick. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jackson landed a good combination, and a moment later dropped Jardine with a massive right. Jackson pounded away repeatedly, but Jardine got to his feet after a few moments into the clinch. Jardine had a mouse under the right eye. They broke. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jackson got the takedown into side control. Jardine stood into the clinch to avoid Jackson taking his back, and they broke. Jardine looked tired or hurt. Jardine landed an inside leg kick that hit Jackson in the groin, and Jackson had to take a moment. They continued, however. Jardine landed an uppercut and nearly rocked Jackson. Jackson was wobbly. Jardine was pouncing with some big combinations. Jackson landed a body kick. Jardine landed more big combinations. jackson landed an uppercut. Jackson landed a body kick, Jardine landed a head kick. Jardine landed a Superman punch. Jackson landed a left to the jaw. Jardine landed an inside leg kick and ate a big right. Jackson landed another big combination, and they clinched. The second round ended and they clapped hands together in mutual respect. Greg Jackson told Jardine that he needed to get the takedown.
The third round began. Jardine was smiling. They immediately exchanged. Jardine landed an inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Rampage'. The fighters were being a bit more cautious now. Jackson landed a body kick. Jardine landed a straight left. Jackson got the takedown into half-guard. Jardine stood into the clinch. They broke. Jardine landed another leg kick, and then another, and another leg kick. Jardine landed a body kick. Jardine landed a big right. Jardine landed a body kick. Jardine landed another leg kick. Jackson landed a good counter combination. They clinched. The referee broke them up after a bit. Jackson landed a good counter combination. Jackson landed another good coutner combination, and then a combination. Jardine was wobbly as he backed off. Jackson landed a big right and then a left hook right after that dropped Jardine. The third round ended, however, as Jardine hugged Jackson's leg. Jackson was the winner by unanimous decision, however.
Din Thomas vs. Josh Neer - Thomas was six years older, Thomas had a three-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Neer landed a nice leg kick to start things off, and then another one, and Thomas capitalized by looking for the takedown and they clinched. Neer landed a good knee to the body. Neer landed some good shots inside, face and body, and some more. They broke. Neer landed an inside leg kick. Neer landed an inside leg kick. They exchanged. Neer landed a good uppercut. Neer landed a leg kick, and an inside leg kick. Neer landed another good inside leg kick, and Thomas checked another one, Neer landed another. Neer landed an inside leg kick and Thomas countered with one. Neer was becoming aggressive. Neer landed a good right hand and then another. They clinched, and Neer landed some really good shots inside. Neer got the takedown into side control. Thomas pushed it back to a sort of butterfly. Neer landed some big shots from the top and Thomas tried an armbar but Neer escaped it. Neer landed some good elbows. Thomas pulled full guard. Neer landed some more good elbows. Neer landed another big elbow, and then another big one. Neer landed more big ground-and-pound repeatedly, and some elbows. Thomas pushed Neer off with his feet. The referee paused the fight to cut some tape from Neer's glove. Neer landed an inside leg kick. Thomas landed some combinations and ate a counter. Thomas showed some nice head movement. Neer landed some good uppercuts. Thomas got the takedown into full guard after they clinched. Thomas stood and let Neer up. They clinched but broke. Thomas landed a good body shot. Thomas checked a head kick. The first round ended.
The second round began. Neer landed a leg kick. They circled and threw probing strikes. Neer landed another good inside leg kick. They clinched. Neer landed a knee to the body. Neer landed some good shots inside and they broke. Thomas landed some big fucking combinations and Neer replied with a good counter combination. They clinched and Neer broke with a combination. Thomas was landing some good consistent jabs. Neer landed some big shots and they clinched. Neer got the takedown into open guard. Thomas tried to spin out and Neer took Thomas's back, lookign for a kimura. Thomas spun out and they stood and Thomas took Neer's standing back, dragged Neer down and still had his back. Thomas took his hooks in and began looking for the choke. Neer flipped over and Thomas ended up in full guard though. Neer landed an elbow from the bottom. Thomas stood and let Neer up. It took Neer a moment to stand. Neer landed a goody body shot. Neer landed a big combination and they clinched. Thomas's mouth was bleeding. Neer got the takedown but Thomas spun and grabbed a leglock, rolling for a heelhook. Neer landed some big shots and escaped into open guard. Neer landed a big shot from the top. Thomas was breathing hard. Neer landed a big elbow and another and another. Thomas pushed Neer off with his feet. Neer landed a body kick. Neer landed a good uppercut. They exchanged combinations and clinched.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Neer landed a really good leg kick and an inside leg kick that stumbled Thomas. Neer got the takedown into open guard and landed some big shots. Neer landed some big elbows, repeatedly. Neer landed some more elbows. Neer landed some more, more elbows. Neer landed a massive elbow. Neer was landing nearly constant elbows. Thomas was bloodied up underneath one of his eyes, most likely from the massive elbow. Neer landed more and more elbows. The referee paused the fight to check the cut and he had to force Thomas to stand because Thomas was exhausted. The crowd booed. The cut was nasty, right underneath Thomas's left eye. Thomas wanted to continue, so they did. They clapped hands and grinned and Thomas laid down and they continued in the same position. Neer landed more elbows immediately, going to work on the cut. Big, big elbows, same spot repeatedly. Damn. Thomas attempted a rubber guard briefly but Neer escaped. Neer landed another massive elbow. Neer stood and after a moment let Thomas stand, and landed another pair of leg kicks. Neer got the weak takedown into full guard and scattered boos came. Neer landed more elbows, to the cut. Neer landed more massive elbows. God.. Neer landed more elbows. Neer landed more elbows. Neer stood and let Thomas up. They exchanged combinations brutally. The third round and the fight ended and they hugged. Neer tossed his mouthpiece away in victory and Thomas sat down in the middle of the Octagon. Josh Neer had the win by unanimous decision.
Tim Credeur vs. Nick Catone - Credeur had a three-inch reach advantage and a three-inch height advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Catone landed a good right hand. Catone came in and got the takedown into open guard. Catone was trying to pass, but Credeur was defending with a butterfly guard. Credeur transitioned and grabbed an armbar and he had it extremely tight. Catone escaped mostly but Credeur had it again a moment later. Credeur was forced to let it go and Catone went into full guard. Catone stood and went back into open guard, and Credeur once more utilized the butterfly guard. Catone passed to half-guard. Credeur transitioned again and grabbed a leg, but Catone escaped and Credeur grabbed the leg again, going for a heelhook. Catone escaped again though and Credeur grabbed the leg again. They stood and Credeur had Catone's back. They went to the clinch and Credeur landed a knee to the body and another. Credeur landed another nice knee and Catone got the takedown. Catone took Credeur's back. Credeur was looking for a kimura as they turned back around. Credeur let it go and Catone was in half-guard. Credeur pushed ti back to full guard. Catone landed some elbows. Credeur grabbed another armbar, transitioned to a triangle but Catone escaped. Catone landed a body shot and stood. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They threw probing strikes. Credeur landed a good jab. Credeur landed a body kick. Credeur landed a leg kick. Catone landed a good left. Catone landed a good front kick. Catone got the takedown into side control. Credeur pushed it back to half-guard. Catone landed a good shot from the top, stood, went down into half-guard. Catone was trying to make it to full mount, and he was getting close. Credeur went for a leglock again, using it to sweep and stand and he grabbed a tight standing guillotine, bringing Catone down turtled up. That guillotine was deep. Catone was forced to tap.
Jens Pulver vs. Takanori Gomi - The fight was for Pride, his Pride 'debut'.
The first round began. Gomi came for the takedown and Pulver defended and Gomi broke with an uppercut. Gomi landed a nice body shot. Gomi landed an inside leg kick. Gomi landed a good counter combination, and Pulver checked another inside leg kick. Pulver landed a nice body shot, and a good left. Gomi landed a nice right. Pulver checked another inside leg kick. Pulver landed a nice pair of jabs and a good combination of lefts to finish it off. Gomi landed a nice body shot. Gomi landed a good counter combination. Gomi landed another nice body shot. Gomi landed another body shot, a knee to the body. Gomi landed another knee to the body. Gomi landed a nice uppercut, a body shot, Pulver landed a right. Gomi landed a body kick. Gomi landed a nice body shot and Pulver responded. Pulver landed a nice combination. Gomi landed a nice body shot and a nice combination. Gomi landed a good combination and another and some knees to the body. Gomi landed another nice combination and another, a big body shot. Another big combination. Pulver landed a left hook. Gomi landed a body shot. Gomi dropped Pulver with a massive straight left for the knockout victory.
Clay Guida vs. Mac Danzig - Danzig had a two-inch reach advantage and a one-inch height advantage. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Danzig came forward with combinations that Guida blocked with his arms. They circled, light on their feet. Danzig was the aggressor with Guida avoiding the early onslaught. The crowd chanted 'Guida'. Guida landed a high leg kick. Guida landed an inside leg kick. Danzig was still looking to push forward. Guida landed a wicked leg kick, inside leg kick, ate a counter. They both landed kicks at the same time. Guida came for the takedown and Danzig defended nicely and they circled. Danzig missed a head kick. They clinched. Danzig landed some body shots, and Guida landed some knees. Danzig broke. Danzig landed a big right hand. Danzig landed a leg kick. Danzig ladned more combinations, blocked by Guida, and Guida got the takedown into open guard. Danzig was looking for a kimura. Danzig was trying to stand up. They did stand into the clinch. Guida was again looking for the takedown, and he slammed Danzig down. The crowd chanted 'Guida'. Danzig almost stood and then he was standing. Guida slammed him back down into full guard. Danzig worked a rubber guard, turned it to an omoplata. Guida escaped into open guard though. Guida landed some good shots from the top. Guida landed body shots. They stood into a bit of a clinch. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Guida landed a leg kick. Danzig landed a leg kick of his own. Guida landed a switch body kick, very nice. Danzig landed a nice right hand, but Danzig landed a good counter and pursued Danzig across the cage and got the takedown. They stood right up into the clinch. Danzig landed some elbows to the ribs of Guida. They broke. Guida pushed forward with missed combinations. Guida landed a leg kick. Guida came for the takedown and Danzig was defending, but Guida got it after a moment. Danzig then stood into a bit of a clinch. They broke apart. Danzig landed a good right. Guida landed an inside leg kick and got the takedown. Danzig was on top though, with Guida a bit turtled up. They stood and broke. Danzig landed another big right hand and came for the takedown and they clinched. Guida responded with a single-leg attempt but Danzig was defending. Guida broke up and landed some good right hands and dropped back down and took Danzig's standing back, brought him down and had his back. Guida suplexed Danzig around and still had Danzig's back, put the hooks in. Guida came up on top in half-guard, landed some good shots from the top. The second round ended.
The third round began. Guida came for the takedown and Danzig defended and they broke. Guida landed a big leg kick. Guida came for the takedown and Danzig was defending. Guida landed some knees to the thighs repeatedly. Guida landed a big knee to the body. They broke and Danzig landed some combinations. Danzig landed a nice inside leg kick and got the takedown. Danzig was looking for an armbar, then a kimura. Guida was trying to pry his arm out. Danzig got out and had Danzig's back, landing some big shots. Guida was landing some big knees to the body. They turned into the clinch. Danzig was exhausted. The crowd chanted 'Guida'. Guida finally got Danzig down. Guida went into half-guard. Danzig was pissed, he cussed to himself. Guida took his back again. Guida landed a knee to the shoulder as they stood. Guida got the takedown again, however. They stood but Guida still had his back, landing more knees. They turned into the clinch. Guida had Danzig down again. They stood but Guida had Danzig's back again, landing more knees repeatedly, to the back of Danzig's leg. Guida went down into full guard, landing big ground-and-pound. The third round and the fight ended. Clay Guida got the win by unanimous decision.
Yves Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal - The fight was for Bodog or some shit.
The first round began. They exchanged probing strikes. Masvidal landed a good hard body kick. Edwards came in and landed two body kicks and a leg kick. Masvidal landed an inside leg kick. Edwards landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Masvidal checked a head kick. Edwards landed a leg kick. They threw some more probing strikes. Masvidal landed a body kick. Masvidal landed a leg kick and a right hand. Masvidal landed a leg kick. Edwards landed a leg kick. Edwards landed a good combination. Edwards landed another leg kick. Masvidal checked a leg kick. Edwards landed a body kick to the liver. Masvidal landed a vicious body shot. Edwards landed an uppercut in close. Masvidal landed a good body shot and ate some counters from Edwards. Masvidal landed a good combination and ate some counters from Edwards. Masvidal landed a nice combination. Neither fighter appeared to remember they could take each other down. Masvidal landed a inside leg kick to the groin. Edwards took just a moment before continuing. Edwards landed some good combinations. Edwards landed a good body kick. Edwards landed an inside leg kick. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled with probing strikes. Edwards landed a good counter combination. Masvidal landed a good body kick. Edwards landed a leg kick. Edwards landed a wicked body kick. Masvidal pushed forward with the takedown but Edwards was working the butterfly guard and then he pulled full guard. Masvidal landed some body shots, working on the ribcage. They exchanged shots with Masvidal landing more shots. Edwards got up and they both stood. Edwards was cut by his right eye. Edwards landed a good combination, a big combination to the body, a body kick, and backed off. Masvidal landed a straight right, trying to work on the cut. Edwards landed a good left. Masvidal landed a head kick that dropped Edwards and ground-and-pounded for the knockout upset victory. Masvidal was laying on the ground as well though, and it appeared that he was hurt, too. The fighters hugged as the decision was announced. Masvidal, 11-2.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Alistair Overeem - The fight was for Dream. Fedor Emelianenko was in attendance. 
The first round began. They circled, throwing probing strikes and leg kicks that mainly missed. They clinched but broke. Mirko checked an inside leg kick. They clinched once more. Overeem threw Mirko to the ground and went down into full guard. Mirko landed some shots from the bottom. Overeem responded with some ground-and-pound and hammerfists. They weren't doing too much. Overeem landed some body shots. Mirko was cut somewhere. Overeem landed some more hard hammerfists from the top. The referee stood them up and paused the fight to check the cut. Mirko was cut by his right eye, a steady stream of blood coming there. They let the fight continue in the same position on the ground. Overeem immediately landed some more body shots to the ribcage and some more hammerfists. Overeem landed some more body shots. Mirko was bleeding pretty badly beside his right eye. Mirko shoved Overeem off with his feet and the referee then stood Mirko up after a moment. Mirko landed a body kick and Overeem checked a head kick, caught the kick too and shoved Mirko back down into full guard by the ropes, landing some big ground-and-pound. The referee moved them away from the ropes. They restarted in the center and Overeem landed some hammerfists and big shots, big big shots. Overeem landed some more body shots. The referee paused the fight again to check the cut again. Mirko was very bloodied. They resumed standing. Overeem landed a leg kick. Overeem landed a knee to the groin and they broke. Mirko tried to tell the referee but Overeem charged in and grabbed the clinch and landed more knees to the body repeatedly. These were hard knees. Overeem landed another to the groin and the referee paused them and Mirko crouched, holding his groin, and then sat down. Mirko was laying facedown, struggling to recover. Mirko stood to continue finally. They continued and Overeem landed a knee to the body as they clinched and broke. They clinched again and Overeem landed more knees, hard knees. Overeem landed another to the groin and got the takedown but the referee paused the fight again. Mirko was laying down, struggling to recover again. The referee gave Overeem a yellow card, about time. The fight ended in a no-contest because Mirko could not continue, understandably.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Wesley "Cabbage" Correira - The age was the same, Arlovski was one inch taller, and Cabbage had over twenty pounds heavier. The referee was Mario Yamasaki.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick, and then another a moment later. Arlovski landed a big right. Arlovski landed another leg kick, another big right. Cabbage was stalking Arlovski, he was mad. Arlovski landed another big right. Arlovski landed a right once more. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another right. Cabbage missed a leg kick. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick, big combinations. Cabbage didn't seem affected, he smiled. Arlovski rocked Cabbage with a big right but he backed off, wobbly. Arlovski landed a leg kick. Cabbage missed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick, big combinations, an uppercut, big combinations, Cabbage stayed calm and backed off. Cabbage's left ear was bleeding. Cabbage checked an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Cabbage landed a leg kick of his own. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick, big combinations, a body kick, Cabbage missed a responding knee. Arlovski landed a big uppercut, a big right hand, some big combinations, a knee to the chin. Cabbage checked an inside leg kick. The first round ended. They had a timeout before the second round began so they could clear the ice scattered in Cabbage's corner. It was a pretty decent delay, because they had to clear it.
The second round began. They circled. Arlovski missed an inside leg kick. Cabbage landed a leg kick of his own. Arlovski landed more big combinations, repeatedly, both hands, uppercuts, big combinations, over and over. They clinched but Arlovski pulled away. Cabbage was stalking Arlovski. Arlovski dropped Cabbage with two big rights and Yamasaki stopped the fight for the... the TKO victory for Arlovski even as Cabbage stood up. Controversial stoppage.
Jens Pulver vs. BJ Penn 2 - The fight was the coach's battle of TUF 5.
The first round began. Penn landed a big combination immediately that rocked Pulver, a right hand, another combination. Penn got the takedown into half-guard seemingly effortlessly. The crowd was chanting 'BJ'. Pulver was trying to stand. Pulver got up but Penn slammed him back down into half-guard once more. Penn was trying to pass but Pulver was defending pretty well. Penn made it to full mount. Penn took Pulver's back, spun for an armbar and he had it. Pulver escaped right into top position, into a triangle by Penn instantly. That triangle was tight. Penn was landing elbows at the same time. Pulver landed some body shots. Pulver escaped into full guard. Pulver landed a pretty big elbow from the top. Penn got to his feet. Penn landed a jab. Penn landed a big uppercut. They clinched and Penn landed a left inside and Pulver landed a left inside and they exchanged knees inside. They broke away. Pulver missed a head kick. Pulver landed some jabs. Penn landed some jabs. The first round ended.
The second round began. They exchanged probing strikes. Penn landed a right hand. Pulver landed a good left and Penn got the takedown into half-guard. Penn landed some good shots from the top, looking to pass. Penn was getting close to mount, Pulver was doing a good job of defending and he put Penn in butterfly guard. Penn landed some shots from the top. Penn kept trying though and he finally got to mount. Penn landed some good shots from the top, punishing Pulver. Pulver rolled and Penn had Pulver's back, landing big shots in under. Pulver rolled and gave Penn the mount again and ate more big shots from Penn. Penn took Pulver's back again as Pulver rolled. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. Penn landed some hammerfists in under. Penn got the hooks in and grabbed the rear-naked choke and Pulver was forced to tap out. Penn hugged Pulver on the ground, a show of respect.
Mark Moreno vs. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller - The fight was for the 'North American lightweight championship'. They were 175 though, basically welterweight... Not sure who was 'defending', maybe it was vacant. I think it was Miller, the 'Icon Sports' champion. Who cares?
The first round began. Miller missed a leg kick. Miller was noticeably bigger. Miller landed a hard leg kick and they clinched in the corner, jockeying for position. Miller landed some big knees to the body with the Thai clinch. Miller tried for the takedown but Moreno sprawled. Miller got the takedown into side control and landed huge knees to the ribs, these were massive knees, WHAM a fourth one, God those were big knees, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh. Moreno was hurt. Miller landed an eight, a ninth, a tenth knee to the ribs. An eleventh, a twelth, some of these were to the kidneys, a thirteenth. Miller was going for a side choke, it looked like. Miller let it go, landing some hammerfists. Miller was landing more big hammerfists. Miller landed more hammerfists from side control. Miller landed a knee to the head. Miller landed another knee to the body. Moreno was holding the shorts, trying to defend those knees. Miller got the crucifix and began landing big shots, elbows, big shots, oh man they kept coming. Moreno was struggling to escape. Miller was smiling and landing more big shots, repeatedly, Moreno could not defend himself. Moreno escaped the crucifix. Miller was landing more hammerfists from side control, repeatedly, body head body head, repeatedly. Miller got the full mount and was just pounding away, letting it all fly. Miller was going for an armbar from mount. Moreno was forced to tap out with seven seconds remaining. Miller showboated and the crowd roared.
Brandon Vera vs. Justin Eilers - The first round began and they touched gloves. Eilers landed a good combination as Vera missed a body kick. They clinched. Eilers landed a good knee to Vera's thigh, and some more, swift biting little knees. Vera landed a big knee to the body. The referee broke them up after a bit. Vera landed a big body kick. Vera landed another body kick, and a big head kick that dropped Eilers for the knockout victory and Vera did his little celebration.
Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Tavares - Tavares came into the fight undefeated. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled around, with Griffin the more aggressive fighter so far, throwing missing strikes and such. Tavares landed a counter body kick during one of these attempts. Griffin kept throwing missing strikes. Griffin landed a very good leg kick that stumbled Tavares visibly and effectively ended the dancing. Griffin landed a good right hand. Griffin shot for the takedown and got it into full guard. Griffin passed to half-guard, spun out of a leglock attempt and they stood. Griffin landed a good right and a left hook and clinched, looking for the takedown. Tavares nearly got the takedown himself, a throw. But they scrambled on their knees and stood. Thiago landed a knee to the body. Thiago got the sweep and they scrambled. Griffin ended up on top in half-guard, grabbed a guillotine from the top. Thiago escaped and Griffin postured up, struggling to avoid upkicks that narrowly missed. Thiagow as warned for holding the cage. Griffin landed some ground-and-pound and Thiago grabbed a leg and looked for another leglock. Thiago took Griffin's back. Griffin shook him off and postured up, went down with a big right hand into half-guard. Thiago utilized the butterfly guard. Griffin landed some good body shots. Thiago recovered full guard. Griffin postured up to avoid an omoplata and they stood. Griffin landed a big right, dropped for a takedown, Thiago defended into a clinch. Griffin landed a knee to the thigh, and then some more and some more. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled with Griffin the more aggressive. Thiago rocked Griffin with a flying knee as Griffin shot in and Thiago got the takedown into full guard. Griffin was rocked. Thiago landed some punishing hammerfists and shots. Griffin struggled to stand and ate another shot. Thiago pushed Griffin right back down however and passed to half-guard. Thiago passed to mount. Griffin bucked and Thiago took Griffin's back and began looking for the rear-naked choke. Griffin stood but Thiagow as hanging on and still looking for that choke. Thiago had that body triangle locked in and he wasn't going off. This was amazing. Griffin shook Thiago off and turned in to full guard, landing some big shots. Thiago was looking for an armbar and Griffin was struggling to escape the deep armbar. Griffin escaped and the crowd roared. Thiago briefly looked for an omoplata but Griffin escaped easily there. Griffin postured up and landed some big hammerfists, these were big, big shots now. Thiago briefly looked for another armbar and made it on top into half-guard. Griffin was looking for a guillotine. Thiago passed to side control and popped out. Thiago took Griffin's back once more. Griffin was breathing very heavily now. Griffin stood once more but Thiago was holding on. Griffin dumped Thiago onto his head and Thiago was bleeding. Griffin muscled his way on top into full guard. Thiago's right eyebrow was bloodied up, and there was a big mouse under his left eye. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled about. Thiago came for the takedown and Griffin sprawled and pushed forward but Thiago defended into the clinch and landed a good knee to the body. Griffin landed a knee to the thigh. Griffin landed some shoulder strikes and Thiago used the momentum to get the takedown and tried for the mount, they scrambled, Thiago grabbed an omoplata and he had it, man. Griffin landed some hammerfists to Thiago's... ass, and then spun out with a spinning back fist on the GROUND and the crowd ROARED and they stood into the clinch. Griffin landed some knees to the leg of Thiago. Thiago got the sweep again but Griffin stood right back up into the clinch. Griffin landed some more knees to the leg. Griffin landed some dirty boxing inside. Griffin broke with a good elbow and Thiago tried for a single but they backed off. Thiago came for the single-leg again and got it. Griffin landed some shots backwards. They stood into the clinch. They exchanged knees to the body. Griffin overcompensated on a knee and slipped down, and Thiago went with him, struggling to take Griffin's back in the scramble. He instead went for an arm but Griffin ended up on top in half-guard as the crowd applauded. Griffin landed more hammerfists, but Thiago had a leglock. Griffin escaped. Thiago got the throw and he was on top. The third round ended and both fighters were celebrating. Tyson Griffin was the winner by unanimous decision with Thiago taking his first defeat. Both fighters embraced, but Thiago looked very disappointed. He obviously thought he had won the fight. Either way, the fight won Fight of the Night, and a well-deserved pay bonus for both men.
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller - Danzig was trying to break a two-fight losing streak with hard-fought losses to Josh Neer and Clay Guida.
The first round began. Miller threw some probing jabs. Miller was the more aggressive fighter. Miller landed a good counter, and Danzig got tagged. Miller landed a good combination, a nice leg kick and another combination. Miller got the takedown into half-guard. Miller landed a good elbow. Miller was looking to pass. Danzig landed some elbows from the bottom, some good ones. Danzig retained full guard. Miller landed a good elbow. Someone was bleeding. Yep, Danzig was bleeding big time from that last elbow. Miller landed another big elbow. Danzig landed some elbows from the bottom, desperate to end the fight as quick as he could. Miller landed another elbow. Danzig tried to stand but Miller shoved forward into the clinch and they exchanged big knees. Blood was all over Danzig's face, forehead and arm, just dripping out, it was on his eyebrow, which was swollen now. Miller got the takedown again against the fence. Danzig was working a rubber guard. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Miller landed a massive body kick. Miller landed a big left. Miller landed a good right, a headkick that grazed Danzig. Miller got another easy takedown into full guard, and landed some good body shots. Danzig was looking for an omoplata but Miller pulled out pretty easily. Miller landed another big elbow. Blood was all over Danzig's face. Danzig was looking for a kimura. Miller passed to half-guard and pulled out. Danzig retained full guard. Miller landed some big ground-and-pound to the cut and it was opened up again big, and Danzig was trying to cover up with one glove. Miller tried to pass. Danzig was defending effectively, constantly looking for submissions. Miller landed some more good elbows. Danzig landed some more elbows from the bottom. Miller landed some big shots from the top. Danzig landed some shots from the bottom, elbows. Miller landed some more elbows. The referee told them he wanted some action. Danzig briefly tried another kimura. Miller responded with some ground-and-pound. Danzig landed some elbows from the bottom. The referee stood them up. Blood was all over the Octagon. Miller missed another headkick. Danzig landed an inside leg kick. Miller landed a right hook. Danzig landed a body kick. Miller got the takedown and Danzig grabbed a tight guillotine but the second round ended. Danzig was extremely disappointed.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Danzig landed a body shot and dodged a counter from Miller. Miller threw some missed probing strikes. Miller landed some right hooks. Danzig landed a good knee to the head and Miller capitalized with the takedown into full guard. Danzig was trying to stand and he did, into the clinch. Danzig landed a knee to the body and Miller responded with his own and they broke. Danzig looked exhausted and weak, possibly from blood loss. Miller landed a good jab. Miller landed an inside leg kick. Miller landed a Superman punch. Danzig landed a good right hand and stepped into a good knee to the body and Miller immediately capitalized with another takedown into full guard and landed a good elbow. Danzig landed some swift elbows from the bottom. Danzig worked a rubber guard but Miller pulled out. Danzig worked another rubber guard, possibly trying for an omoplata. Miller slid right out after a moment and landed some body shots. Miller passed to half-guard and Danzig grabbed the arm and began working for another kimura. Miller escaped however and he had Danzig's back. Miller got both hooks in. Danzig was trying to turn in to his guard. Miller locked in the rear-naked choke. It was sunk in but Miller rolled for the mount. Danzig reversed to side control and landed some big shots repeatedly, over and over. Miller tried to stand but Danzig was staying on top. The third round ended though. Danzig helped Miller up and they hugged. Jim Miller was the winner by unanimous decision.
Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno - The fight was Uno's short-lived return to the UFC. The referee was Mario Yamasaki. The fight ended in a controversial decision.
The first round began. Fisher landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. They circled some more... Uno came for the takedown and Fisher sprawled and Uno was turtled up. Fisher landed some knees to the shoulder of Uno, some more, some more. Uno exploded to his feet and they clinched. They exchanged some knees. Fisher was landing more of the knees and the harder ones, to the midsection of Uno. Fisher landed another knee to the body. Uno landed a knee of his own to the body. Fisher landed a knee to the hip. Some boos came. They started coming more heavily and more heavily. Fisher landed a hard knee to the body. The referee broke them up. Uno landed an inside leg kick. More boos came. Uno landed a leg kick and ate a counter left from Fisher. Fisher landed a leg kick. Fisher landed a really big leg kick. Fisher landed a nice right hook. Uno came for the takedown and Fisher sprawled and landed another knee to Uno's shoulder and Unos tood into the clinch. Boos came heavily once more. They weren't doing much. Fisher landed another knee to the body and they broke. Uno landed a good combination, ate another knee to the body, and they clinched. The first round ended, and the crowd was still restless. Fisher's corner told him 'don't pay attention to the crowd, you're doing a good job.'
The second round began. Fisher landed a good inside leg kick. Fisher landed a straight left and Uno dropped for a single-leg and came for the takedown hard and got it with Fisher sitting down against the cage. Fisher struggled to his feet into the clinch. Fisher landed some hard knees to the body. They broke. Fisher dropped for a single-leg and Fisher sprawled and Uno was turtled up. Fisher stood up and nearly landed an accidental soccer kick. The referee stood Uno up. Fisher landed a nice leg kick. Uno landed a really nice leg kick, and then another, these were hard. Uno shot for another takedown and Fisher sprawled with Uno turtled up. Uno turned in to Fisher's full guard however. They weren't doing much. Uno postured up and Fisher put his feet on Uno's hips and pushed him off and they stood. They clinched after a moment and Fisher landed another hard knee to the body and another and another. They scrambled on the ground and went back up into the clinch and Uno landed some good uppercuts inside and they broke. They clinched again after Fisher defended a takedown. Fisher got the sweep downward but Uno ended up on top in half-guard, looking to mount. They scrambled and stood into the clinch. Fisher landed another knee to the body. Uno landed a knee to the face. Fisher got the takedown into full guard. Uno briefly tried for a triangle but Fisher escaped and landed some shoulder strikes. Uno was trying to stand and he managed to turtle up. Fisher landed another knee to the shoulder. They stood into the clinch. Fisher landed another knee to the body. The second round ended. The crowd was upset. Fisher stayed standing near the fence, he looked sort of tired basically, as Uno went back to his corner. Fisher finally went to his own.
The third round began. Uno came immediately for the takedown and they clinched. Uno was looking for a trip but Fisher was defending. Fisher landed a good uppercut inside and some good knees to the body. They broke, Fisher landed a good left and a knee to the body and they clinched. Fisher landed a good elbow inside. Uno got Fisher down in a sitting position against the cage. Fisher was defending effectively. Fisher stood into the clinch. Fisher landed another good knee to the body. Uno kept trying for a takedown and Fisher was defending as much as he could. Fisher landed another knee to the body. The referee broke them up. Fisher landed a good straight left. Uno landed a good leg kick and he slipped and fell down. Fisher landed a leg kick to the downed Uno and then another, inside. The referee stood Uno up. Fisher landed a good right hook and got the takedown into Uno's full guard. Fisher passed to side control, and Uno scrambled to his feet and ate a big combination from Fisher in close before they clinched. Fisher was defending more takedown action from Uno. Boos were coming pretty heavily. Uno kept trying for the takedown. Fisher landed some good shots inside, some more nice knees to the body. Uno was relentlessly trying for the takedown and he it, he had full mount, landing some good hammerfists and elbows. Uno landed some good elbows. Uno was in half-guard now, landing some more nice shots from the top. Uno went back to mount, landing some big hammerfists and ground-and-pound. Uno was just ground-and-pounding away. The third round ended. Both men were exhausted. Spencer Fisher got the controversial win by unanimous decision, however. Uno looked shocked.
Nick Thompson vs. Paul Daley - The first round began. Daley landed a leg kick. Thompson landed an inside leg kick. Daley landed a good leg kick, an inside leg kick. Daley landed another leg kick. Daley landed a dangerous high leg kick. Daley landed a hard inside leg kick. Daley landed a leg kick. Daley landed another leg kick. Thompson's leg was bruised pretty badly already. Thompson landed a leg kick. Daley landed a leg kick. Thompson landed a leg kick. Daley landed a good counter right. Daley landed another leg kick. Daley landed another leg kick. Daley landed another leg kick. Thompson landed a good counter combination. They clinched back against the ropes. Thompson got the takedown into half-guard. Thompson postured up and landed some more big shots from the top, and another. Thompson landed more big shots. Daley was trying to roll out but Thompson was back in full guard. The first round ended.
The second round began. Daley landed an inside leg kick. Thompson checked a leg kick. Daley landed a big overhand right. Daley landed a body kick. Thompson shot for the takedown and Daley defended. Daley landed a leg kick. Daley landed an inside leg kick. Daley landed a jab. Daley's nose was bloodied up just a bit. Thompson landed some jabs. He was just hitting those jabs pretty repeatedly. Thompson was really working that jab. Daley landed a leg kick. Thompson was landing more jabs. Daley landed a good combination and ate a counter combo from Daley. Daley dropped Thompson with a big right to the back of the head, right behind the ear, and began ground-and-pounding. Thompson recovered and pulled full guard. Too bad, because Thompson was winning the fight on the standup game. The referee told them that they had to improve their positions because they weren't really doing anything. The referee again said 'improve your position, top man'. Daley really wasn't doing ANYTHING at all. Yawn. Thompson looked frustrated. Daley landed a big shot from the top. Thompson stood and got on top and landed some elbows from the top, all blocked by Daley partially and the second round ended.
The third round began. Daley looked a bit tired, breathing through his mouth. They circled, throwing probing strikes. Thompson came for the takedown and Daley sprawled but Thompson kept coming. They were scrambling and Thompson ended up on top in half-guard. Thompson passed to side control and was looking for a kimura. They were by the ropes but Thompson was still looking for that kimura. Thompson let it go and landed some good elbows. The referee told them to get away from the ropes. Thompson landed a few good shots. Thompson landed another good elbow, and a few more. Thompson landed another nice elbow. The referee told them again to try to get away from the ropes. Thompson landed some more good elbows and a hammerfist, shots. Thompson landed another elbow, took Daley's back and landed some shots in under. Daley was exhausted and he had nothing to offer Thompson anymore, he was just trying to survive. Thompson landed more shots in under. Thompson stood as the third round ended. They hugged. Nick Thompson was the winner by unanimous decision.
Robbie Lawler vs. Evan Tanner - The first round began and they touched gloves. Tanner landed an inside leg kick. They threw missed strikes. Tanner landed a good jab. Tanner landed a body kick, an inside leg kick. They circled a bit more. Tanner landed two consecutive inside leg kicks, good ones. Tanner landed a good short left hand. They clinched. Lawler picked Tanner up and slammed him down HARD with a double. Tanner grabbed a triangle however and he had it deep. This was just deep. Lawler was fighting it. Lawler was finally forced to tap and Lawler helped Tanner up and they embraced.
Bas Rutten vs. Ken Shamrock 2 - The fight was for Pancrase. They were bare-knuckled.
The first round began. Rutten landed a leg kick. Shamrock responded with the takedown into full guard. Shamrock passed to half-guard. Shamrock rolled and grabbed Rutten's leg and he was looking for a kneebar and he had the leg torqued at a horrible angle and Rutten shrieked like a woman in pain and tapped immediately. The doctors rushed in and attended to the leg of a disappointed Rutten.
Mark Coleman vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua 2 - The fight was touted as one of the worst fights in UFC history, a contender with Leites-Anderson Silva. Coleman was eighteen years older, the height was the same, and everything else was pretty much identical as well. The referee for the bout was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began. The crowd roared. Shogun landed a big leg kick immediately. Coleman shot for the takedown immediately though and had Shogun pressed facedown on the mat. Shogun was trying to roll. Coleman was all over him though. Shogun stood into the clinch. Coleman was constantly trying for a takedown. Coleman got Shogun back down facedown. Shogun tried to roll and Shogun was trying for a kneebar. Coleman turned out and they stood into the clinch and Shogun landed a big knee to the body and they broke. Shogun landed a big right hand. They clinched and Shogun landed another big knee to the body and Coleman shoved Shogun down and stood over him. The crowd chanted 'Coleman'. Shogun tried a triangle as Coleman came down and Coleman pulled out. Shogun almost had another kneebar but Coleman avoided. Shogun got the takedown into half-guard and passed instantly to side control. Shogun landed a knee to the midsection. They weren't doing much. Shogun tried for mount but they were scrambling. They stood. Shogun landed a big body kick and a combination. Shogun landed an uppercut and a leg kick and another leg kick. Coleman landed a big left hook. Shogun landed another leg kick. Coleman looked exhausted. Shogun grabbed the Thai clinch and landed two knees to the chin. Coleman looked for another takedown but Shogun was struggling to stay on top, trying to take Coleman's back. Coleman avoided and had Shogun's back. Shogun was trying to scramble to his feet. They stood and broke. Shogun landed a big right hand again and dropped Coleman and stood over him, landing big shots to the turtled-up Coleman. Colemanw as exhausted. Shogun landed some big elbows to Coleman's body. Coleman stood into the clinch and they broke. Shogun landed a big body kick. Shogun landed some good jab. They clinched, Shogun grabbed the Thai clinch and landed more good knees. The first round ended. Shogun looked very fresh as Coleman looked dead on his feet.
The second round began. Shogun missed a leg kick. Shogun landed a big leg kick and then another, and a body kick. Coleman landed a good jab and a glancing left hook. Shogun landed a good uppercut. Coleman came for the takedown and got it after a moment into half-guard. Shogun stood and escaped. Coleman's hands were really low. They clinched again and Shogun landed a big knee to the body. Coleman got the throw takedown but Shogun was struggling to his feet. They clinched again. Shogun landed some more good knees to the body and an elbow and they broke away. Coleman landed a good jab. Coleman landed an uppercut. Shogun landed a big right hand and a left. Shogun landed a jab. Coleman's face was wide open, hands low. They clinched. They broke after a moment. Coleman landed a good jab. They clinched once more. Shogun landed a good knee to the leg. They broke. Shogun landed a good right hand to the ear. Shogun grabbed the Thai clinch and landed some more good knees and Coleman grabbed one and got the takedown into open guard. Shogun stood and ate a big left hook from Coleman on the way up. Coleman landed some good jabs and ate a few counter jabs from Shogun that hurt him. Coleman got the takedown and Shogun was attempting an omoplata. That omoplata was tight, and Shogun was landing some hammerfists as well. Damn, that was tight. Coleman was just laying there, taking the sub. The second round ended and they separated with the omoplata having been locked in for about forty seconds. Coleman rolled away.
The third round began. Both fighters looked exhausted now. Coleman landed a good jab and a good body shot that hurt Shogun. Shogun grabbed the Thai clinch and landed some more good knees and Coleman broke away and landed an uppercut and some more body shots. Coleman came for the takedown and Shogun was defending. Coleman finally got him down. Coleman was landing some pretty consistent body shots. Shogun was struggling to push Coleman off but Coleman was desperately pushing on, passing to half-guard. Coleman landed some really good elbows from the top. The crowd was cheering, probably because Coleman was half-Irish. The crowd chanted 'Coleman'. Shogun was trying for the sweep and he got it, grabbed a kneebar, switched to a heelhook. He had it. Coleman spun out after a moment and he had Shogun's back. Shogun rolled but Coleman stayed on top, landing big punches in under. Both fighters were exhausted. Shogun rolled for another kneebar but Coleman stayed on top. He had Shogun's back still. Shogun turned and he was standing while Coleman was sitting down. Shogun landed a knee to the face as Coleman was on the ground and the referee paused the fight. The crowd sounded restless. They were stood up. Shogun missed a leg kick. Shogun landed a big right and another. Coleman landed some uppercuts in close. Shogun landed another right, big combinations, an uppercut, and Coleman went to his knees and the referee...stopped the fight with twenty seconds left. Coleman looked pissed. Coleman was cut by his left eye.
Diego Sanchez vs. Jon Fitch - Sanchez had a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. Sanchez came running out and came for the takedown and Fitch defended into the clinch. Sanchez landed a big knee to the body. They broke. Fitch barely missed a head kick as Sanchez ducked under. Fitch landed a knee to the body. Fitch landed a leg kick. Sanchez came forward again for the takedown and Fitch once more defended into the clinch. Fitch landed a good knee to the body. Fitch landed a good shot inside. Sanchez landed a good knee to the leg. Fitch responded with a knee to the thigh. Sanchez landed some good knees to the thighs. Boos came. They broke. Sanchez came for the takedown and he almost had it. Fitch was fighting it. Sanchez had him down against the fence. Fitch pushed forward himself and had Sanchez down in full guard. Sanchez was trying for a triangle, turned it to an armbar. Fitch threw some knees to the body and escaped back to full guard. Fitch landed some body shots. Sanchez tried for an armbar and Fitch landed some hammerfists and escaped and they scrambled. Fitch was on top in half-guard. Sanchez pushed it back to full guard. The first round ended.
The second round began. They touched gloves. Sanchez came for the takedown and Fitch turned it into his own takedown on top in half-guard. Sanchez was immediately looking to sweep. They stood and broke away. Fitch landed a body kick and Sanchez capitalized by catching it and getting the takedown into half-guard, immediately looking for pass. Lmfao, Fitch's foot was stuck in Sanchez's shorts. Sanchez freed it. Fitch was trying to stand and Sanchez was trying to sprawl out. Fitch was turtled up. Sanchez picked Sanchez up and dumped him up and over and Fitch had Sanchez's back. Fitch got one hook in. Fitch landed some heel strieks to the calves of Sanchez. Sanchez turned in to Fitch's full guard. Sanchez landed a big shot after posturing up. Fitch picked Sanchez up once more and dumped Sanchez on his head. 'What a great reaction from the crowd.' Sanchez was on Fitch's back again, vertically, like a 69. Fitchw as landing elbows to the tith of Sanchez, hammering away. Sanchez responded withe lbows of his own to Fitch's kidneys. They scrambled explosively again. Sanchez was working a rubber guard as Fitch ended up on top. Fitch made it to full guard. Fitch landed some body shots, repeated body shots. Sanchez tried a triangle and Fitch escaped and landed some big hammerfists and made it back to full guard. Sanchez tried another armbar. Fitch escaped and punished Sanchez with more hammerfists. Sanchez was cut somewhere, his nose I think. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled about, the pace seeming to have slowed just a bit. Sanchez blocked a head kick. Fitch landed a right hand and got the takedown and Sanchez grabbed a very tight guillotine. Fitch was in trouble. The crowd was roaring. Fitch gave the thumbs-up however to show that he was fine. Sanchez was straining hard. Fitch popped out and he was pushing hard, but he couldn't pass. Fitch was landing some good body shots. Sanchez was looking for a kimura now. Fitch pulled free though after a bit. Sanchez was looking for an omoplata or a triangle in the rubber guard position. Fitch escaped though before it was formed. Fitch landed a few good shots from the top. Fitch landed another good shot. Fitch landed another good shot. Sanchez locked in a triangle and it was tight, it was locked in. Fitch popped out however back to full guard. Sanchez was looking for another triangle. Fitch escaped. The third round ended. Jon Fitch was the winner by split decision. Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre applauded in the crowd because with the win, Fitch had earned a shot at him.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Aleksander Emelianenko - The first round began. Werdum landed a leg kick. Werdum landed another leg kick. Werdum missed a body kick. They clinched against the ropes. Werdum got the takedown into half-guard and immediately began landing some good body shots. Werdum landed some more body shots. Werdum landed some hammerfists. Werdum landed some more hammerfists. Werdum passed to side control. Werdum grabbed an arm triangle and Emelianenko was forced to tap after a few moments.
Lyoto Machida vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - The fight was Sokoudjou's UFC debut.
The first round began. They circled. Machida landed a straight left that Goldberg mistook for a jab haha. Sokoudjou landed a body kick and a big right that actually landed on Machida. They clinched and Sokoudjou got the takedown and immediately looked for a kimura on top but Machida swiftly sweeped into half-guard. Machida was looking for a kimura but stopped. No, wait, Machida had that kimura locked in now and he was really close to pulling it away from the body of Soukoudjou to actually get it. Sokoudjou was defending effectively though. Sokoudjou escaped the submission attempt. Machida landed a few good shots to soften him up. Machida was trying to pass. Machida landed some more good shots. Boos came pretty heavily. Machida landed a good elbow. Machida ladned some good hammerfists. Sokoudjou was looking for a guillotine but Machida popped out easily. Machida landed some elbows to the thighs of Sokoudjou and some more shots. The referee stood them up. Unusual... Machida landed a good body kick. Machida landed a pretty good inside leg kick. Sokoudjou came and got the clinch and got the takedown again against the fence. They stood. Sokoudjo landed a good right and they clinched once more. The first round ended.
The second round began. Machida landed a leg kick. Machida landed a HEAD kick. Sokoudjou was right there though, didn't waver. Machida landed a good leg kick. Machida landed another leg kick and dodged the counter. Machida landed a body kick. Machida missed another head kick and Sokoudjou responded with a body kick. Machida landed a straight kick to the body. Machida got the foot sweep and put Sokoudjou on his back into full guard and he was pounding away hard for a bit and he stood and went back down into half-guard. Machida landed a good elbow. Machida was looking for an arm triangle and... he had that. He had it tight. Sokoudjou was fighting it. Machida lost the arm triangle and got to full mount. Rogan said 'Sokoudjou is getting owned in this fight'. Machida landed some good elbows. Machida was looking for the arm triangle again. Sokoudjou escaped and put Machida back in half-guard. Machida landed some more elbows to the thigh. Machida landed a big elbow, and then some more. Machida grabbed that arm triangle again and passed to side control and he had it tight, and Sokoudjou tapped after a moment.
Carlos Condit vs. Jake Shields - The fight was the final round of the Rumble on the Rock welterweight tournament. Condit had already fought and beaten Frank Trigg by armbar in the first round earlier that night. Shields had already fought and beaten Yushin Okami in a war by decision earlier that night. Troy Mandaloniz was the referee for the fight.
The first round began. They circled aggressively. Shields came for the takedown and got it. Condit retained full guard after a moment. Condit landed some good elbows from the bottom. Shields was trying to pass, he dodged an armbar attempt. Condit had apparently reopened a cut on Shields' head from the Okami fight with those elbows and the fight was paused. No, wait, this was a new cut. The doctors let it continue and the fight was restarted in the same position. Shields began landing some good shots from the top and trying to pass still. Condit briefly looked for an omoplata. Shields passed to half-guard. Condit was rolling however. Condit pushed it back to full guard. Condit landed more elbows from the bottom. Shields was cut again. Shields postured up. He went back down into full guard. Sheilds' forehead was split open wide. Shields postured up and landed more good shots. Condit was defending himself well though. Shields passed to side control. Damn, nasty cut visible now. Shields briefly looked for a guillotine. Shields landed some good elbows of his own. Condit retained full guard. Shields landed a good elbow to the body, posturing up repeatedly. Both guys were giving it their all with a lot of energy being expended. Condit was cut by his left eye a bit, from those side control elbows. Condit landed some big punches from the top. Condit landed a few more elbows from the bottom. Shields postured up and landed some more good shots. Shields passed to side control once more. Shields landed a nice elbow. Condit tried to land some knees from the bottom. Shields landed some more nice elbows. The first round ended. Shields was cut on the back of his head too, as his corner observed, along with his forehead in two places.
The second round began. Condit landed an inside leg kick. Condit landed a flying knee grazing Shields and they clinched. Shields got the slam takedown into half-guard. Condit briefly tried a guillotine but let it go and retained full guard. Shields postured up and went back down into half-guard. Shields passed to full mount. Shields landed some pitterpatter shots in under. Condit was trying to buck him off. Condit rolled and Shields grabbed the armbar and he had it. Condit escaped immediately and they stood. Shields stumbled a bit up there, a little confused.. Shields's nose was bloodied up. Shields came for the takedown once more and got it into full guard. Shields passed to half-guard. Shields landed a few nice elbows and punches. Shields took.. Condit's back? Condit spun out of it and they stood into the clinch. They broke after a moment. Condit landed a body shot and Shields came for the takedown and Condit defended into the clinch but Shields got the takedown into side control. Shields took Condit's back once more. Shields was looking for the rear-naked choke, but Condit shook him off and got on top into half-guard. Condit stood however and Shields stayed laying down. Condit landed a leg kick and went down with a big shot into... half-guard it seemed. Shields swept on top into full guard. What a war. Condit briefly looked for a kimura and landed some more elbows from the bottom. Shields was cut AGAIN somewhere. The second round began.
The third round began. They circled. Condit landed a good right and missed a high body kick. Shields came for the takedown and Condit sprawled and they circled. Condit landed a body kick. Condit landed a good right hand. Shields came for the takedown and Condit was defending. Shields got the trip takedown after a moment into side control. Condit rolled and Shields had north-south, landing a few good knees to the head before passing to side control. Shields landed another knee to the head. Condit tried a reverse triangle and Shields got out by going back to north-south and then side control. Shields landed some more knees to the body. Shields was back to north-south. Shields passed to half-guard for some reason and Condit was looking for a kimura. Shields escaped and had Condit's back. Condit tried to roll and ended up on top in full guard. Condit landed an elbow and stood and the referee stood Shields up. Condit landed a left. Shields came for the takedown and Condit was defending into the clinch. Shields kept coming though, but Condit tried to get the back. Shields ended up on top, landing body shots. Condit was looking for an omoplata briefly. Shields passed to side control. Shields was looking for mount, he took Condit's back again. Shields landed some shots from the top. Condit pushed it back to full guard after a moment. They didn't do much for the last forty seconds. The third round ended. Jake Shields had the win by decision.
Pedro Rizzo vs. Jeff Monson 2 - Monson was on a big win streak coming into this fight, and Rizzo was on a slight knockout losing streak.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled a bit. Monson landed an inside leg kick. Rizzo landed a good right hand after feinting with a few left jabs. Rizzo landed a good counter. They weren't doing much. They circled and circled. Monson was backing up a lot. Rizzo landed a good left and narrowly missed a right. Rizzo landed a good leg kick. Monson shot for the takedown and Rizzo sprawled and Monson slipped a bit standing up trying to throw a wild combination. They circled some more. Rizzo landed another good leg kick. They circled some more. Rizzo landed yet another good leg kick, and now the crowd was cheering every time he did. Rizzo landed a good right hand. Rizzo landed a good inside leg kick. Rizzo landed a counter right, and another. Monson shot for the takedown and Rizzo stuffed it easily. Rizzo landed a good combination that rocked Monson. Monson tried for the takedown and Rizzo countered it and ended up in open guard. Rizzo stood and the referee stood Monson up. Rizzo narrowly missed a head kick, landed a leg kick, landed another leg kick and landed another leg kick. Rizzo landed another leg kick and landed a counter right as Monson tried to respond. The first round ended. Monson limped back to his corner.
The second round began. Monson immediately came for the takedown and they clinched. They broke and Monson stumbled. They circled some more. Rizzo landed a counter right. Monson telegraphed a takedown and Rizzo sprawled. They circled some more. Rizzo landed a good jab combination. Monson telegraphed another takedown and Rizzo sprawled. They circled some more. Rizzo was utilizing that jab to keep Monson 'at bay'. Rizzo landed a good counter combination that dropped Monson and Rizzo ground-and-pounded a bit and stood and Monson stayed laying down. Rizzo landed a leg kick. The referee let Monson up after a moment. They circled some more. Monson came for the takedown hard now and Rizzo was defending. Monson was trying hard for that single leg. Rizzo pulled away and they circled some more. They circled some more. Rizzo landed a good leg kick. They clinched and Monson landed a knee to the body. Monson landed some uppercuts inside and they broke. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Monson landed an inside leg kick, Rizzo checked a leg kick. They circled a bit more. Rizzo landed a counter right, a counter leg kick, Rizzo defended a takedown effectively. They touched gloves. Monson landed a big right and came for the takedown once more and he was looking hard for that single but Rizzo was defending well. They stood into the clinch. Monson landed aknee to the body and some big knees to the legs, probably his biggest offensive action of the fight. Monson was trying hard for the takedown again and he got it finally but Rizzo escaped to his feet. God-damn what a boring fight. Not as bad as Griffin-Severn, thank science. Rizzo landed a good right. Rizzo landed another big right. They circled some more. They circled some more. They circled some more.. And more. The third round ended. They hugged. Pedro Rizzo was the winner by well-deserved unanimous decision.
Tank Abbott vs. Paul Buentello - The fight was for Strikeforce.
The first round began. They circled. Buentello landed a jab. Buentello landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and exchanged in close with Buentello landed some good shots. Abbott was cut over his left eye. Abbott landed a big left hand in close. They broke. Buentello landed a big right and dropped Abbott and the fight was over for the knockout victory for Buentello.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason Lambert - The fight ended in one of the most 'incredible' knockouts in UFC history. The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled aggressively early. Lambert landed a good jab. Gouveia was being backed up and bullied by the aggressive Lambert. Lambert landed a leg kick. Gouveia grabbed a guillotine and pulled Lambert down into half-guard. After a moment, Lambert popped out. Lambert landed some good shots from the top. Gouveia looked for a triangle but Lambert pulled out quickly back into full guard. Lambert landed some more good shots to Gouveia's ears. Lambert stood and then went back down into full guard. Lambert landed a good elbow and some big shots from the top. 'All he has to do is get through one time. You can defend 99 times but if you don't defend that one punch, you're in big trouble.' Gouveia pushed Lambert off and they stood into the clinch. Lambert landed a knee to the body and Gouveia landed an uppercut inside. Gouveia dropped down for another guillotine and Lambert popped out in half-guard. Gouveia retained full guard. Lambert landed some hard body shots inside the guard. Lambert postured up and Gouveia grabbed a tight triangle and Lambert was fighting it, trying to slam out. Gouveia turned it to an omoplata but Lambert popped out back to full guard. The crowd applauded. Lambert landed a good shot from the top. Lambert landed some really good elbows. Lambert landed some more good elbows. Lambert's nose was bloodied up just a bit. The first round ended. There was a delay between rounds because Gouveia's corner had lost his mouthpiece. Finally, they found it.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Lambert landed a body kick. Gouveia landed a good right hand. Lambert was a bit overconfident. That was never good. They clinched and Lambert landed some good shots inside, really good shots, knee to the body, some good shots inside, knee to the body, just whaling away on Gouveia. They broke. Gouveia landed a lazy right and a left hook that dropped Lambert cold for the knockout victory out of nowhere.
Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Alex Stiebling - The first round began. They circled around, sizing each other up. They landed inside leg kicks at the same time. Stiebling landed a good counter. Rua landed a good right hand. Rua landed a head kick and dropped Stiebling and pounced with ground and pound for the impressively quick knockout victory.
Ken Shamrock vs. Don Frye - The fight was for Pride. They had an epic staredown as the referee gave the instructions and rules. Shamrock was sporting some epic sideburns. Don Frye apparently broke his heel in the fight.
The first round began and they came out hard and clinched immediately with Frye going constantly with big big body shots. Just big body shots. Shamrock landed a knee to the body and ate more body shots. Shamrock was starting to land some of his own body shots as Frye continued with his own. Shamrock landed some knees to the leg and Frye just kept coming with those body uppercuts and such. Damn. Frye was just going to town on Shamrock's body. They exchanged knees to the legs. The referee broke them up and the crowd roared. They exchanged briefly and then clinched again. Shamrock landed more knees and Frye landed some body shots. Frye landed a knee to the body. They broke. They clinched. Shamrock landed a good knee to the body. Frye landed some more body shots. The referee broke them up. Frye looked a bit tired. Shamrock landed a good combination. Frye landed a good combination. They clinched. Frye got the takedown and Shamrock was rolling for a leg. Shamrock had the heelhook but Frye was struggling to escape but Shamrock had that leg grabbed. I think he had the heelhook in. Oh, man. Frye was strill trying to escape. He had that heel torqued. Frye was landing body shots, trying to escape. Shamrock was torquing the heel as hard as he could, trying to get the tap. The first round finally ended.
The second round began. Frye landed a good combination and they clinched. Frye landed a good body shot and Shamrock responded in kind. They broke. They exchanged in the center of the ring and Shamrock folded to the ground after a moment of exchanging and Frye followed him down into half-guard, landing some brutal hammerfists and then big shots from the top. Shamrock was in really deep trouble. Frye was giving him no chance to recover. Shamrock tried tos tand and Frye took his back but Shamrock dumped him off and ended up into open guard. Shamrock's corner was yelling for the kneebar but Frye pulled full guard. Frye landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Frye was briefly trying some sort of double-arm submission. Shamrock pulled out, either way, whatever it was. Shamrock pulled out of guard and grabbed the leg again, looking for another heelhook and Frye was trying to pull out again. Yep. He had it tight.. Damn. The second round ended. The two men sat up on their knees and then stood and hugged. The crowd applauded them heartily. Don Frye was the winner by split decision. The fighters hugged.
Anderson Silva vs. Tony Fryklund - The fight was for the Cage Rage middleweight championship with Silva defending.
The first round began and they circled. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Fryklund landed another leg kick. Fryklund landed another leg kick. They circled some more. Anderson hadn't thrown anything so far. Anderson threw some missed punches, landed a high body kick, landed a leg kick. They circled. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Silva landed a big knee to the body, grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and landed antoher knee to the body and some more. Fryklund landed some good shots inside. Anderson broke, landed a combination, grabbed the clinch and landed some more really good knees to the body. They broke. Silva landed an uppercut, leg kick, flying knee to the body, knee to the body. They broke. Silva landed an elbow that dropped Fryklund out cold out of nowhere, man. Yes, you read that correctly. A friggin' elbow.
Roger Huerta vs. Jason Dent - The fight was the UFC debut of both men. The fight won Fight of the Night honors.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Huerta landed a nice uppercut, constantly coming forward. They clinched and Dent landed some good knees to the body and Huerta replied with some nice knees of his own, a nice knee to the face, another to the body. They broke. Huerta landed a really good combination. They landed leg kciks at the same time. Huerta landed a knee to the body. Dent landed a leg kick. Dent landed a spinning back kick to the body that hurt Huerta. Huerta got the takedown into half-guard and Dent retained full guard. Dent did a good job of defending. Huerta picked Dent up in full guard, carried him across and threw him into the fence and passed instantly to mount. Huerta landed some good hammerfists. Dent pushed it to half-guard, using the fence. Huerta landed a good elbow. Huerta landed a good shot and stood. Huerta landed a big right downward. Dent said 'bring it on'. Huerta dodged the upkicks and went back down into open guard. Huerta stood and was dodging the upkicks again. Huerta landed some more big shots downward. Huerta went back down into full guard. Dent was doing a really good defensive job. Mazzagatti warned them to work or he'd stand them up. Dent looked for a triangle but Huerta escaped. Dent used the fence to move away and ate a few big shots. Huerta stood and Dent followed him. Dent landed a good knee to the body. Dent blocked a head kick neatly. Dent landed a good uppercut. Dent missed another spinning back kick and Huerta capitalized with a takedown into side control. Huerta pushed it back to half-guard. Huerta landed some really good elbows. The first round ended.
The second round began. They both landed kicks at the same time, Huerta caught Dent's and got the takedown into full guard. Huerta landed some more really big shots from the top. Dent was taking the shots though, he didn't look affected, he had a good chin. Dent was using the fence effectively also to look for submissions constantly. Huerta landed some good body shots, body face body face. Huerta landed a good elbow and some more nice shots. Huerta passed to half-guard efficiently. Huerta landed another good shot. Dent retained full guard. Huerta landed some more good elbows. Huerta landed some more good elbows. Huerta landed a really good hammerfist and stood and let Dent up. Dent landed a good right. Huerta landed a good uppercut. Huerta landed a body kick and a good combination. Huerta came for the takedown and got it after a moment. Dent was working a butterfly guard. Huerta made it to full guard. Huerta landed some hammerfists to the body, hard. Huerta landed some big shots. Huerta landed some more of those body hammerfists hard. Dent got the sweep and they scrambled and Huerta was on top in half-guard. Dent retained full guard. Huerta landed some more good ground-and-pound. The referee stood them up and the crowd cheered. Dent landed a body kick. Huerta landed a good combination and ate a few counters. Huerta landed some good uppercuts. Huerta came for the takedown and Dent was defending but Huerta finally got it into full guard. Dent looked to have a mouse by his right eye. Dent was looking for an omoplata as the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Huerta landed a really good body kick, a really good inside leg kick, another good body kick. They exchanged, Huerta landed a good uppercut, Dent landed a combination, Huerta missed the flying knee, Huerta missed a spinning back fist, Huerta got the takedown into half-guard. Dent retained full guard. They didn't do much. The referee stood them up. Dent missed a spinning back kick. They exchanged again. Huerta landed some more uppercuts. Dent landed a knee to the body. Dent sprawled to avoid a takedown and landed a body shot. They stood and exchanged in close evenly. They exchanged in the center. Dent landed a leg kick. Huerta got the takedown into half-guard. Huerta landed some good elbows. Dent retained full guard, tried for a triangle but Huerta got out. Huerta landed a big shot from the top. Dent grabbed a really tight triangle but Huerta slipped out back to half-guard. Dent retained full guard now. Huerta landed some more ground-and-pound repeatedly. Just repeated shots. Huerta landed more big shots. Dent looked for another triangle but Huerta escaped. Huerta passed to full mount position. Dent pushed it back to half-guard. Huerta landed more big shots. The third round and fight ended. Roger Huerta got the win by unanimous decision. Dent applauded.
Cung Le vs. Tony Fryklund - The first round began and they touched gloves. Le landed a body kick. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a side kick. Le tried an axe kick and slipped. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a body kick. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a side kick. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick and ate a counte rright. Le landed a body kick. Le landed a side kick and grazed a head kick. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Le landed a combination. The crowd chanted 'Cung Le'. Fryklund ate a right hand from Le, missed a spinning back fist. Le missed a spinning back kick and ate a counter. Le landed a body kick. Fryklund landed a good combination. Fryklund missed a spinning back kick. Cung Le landed a body kick and a counter combination. Fryklund was rocked and dropped but he stood up and showed some heart. Le landed a spinning back kick to the midsection. The crowd chanted 'Cung Le' again. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Le landed a head kick. Le landed a spinning heel kick to the side of the head. Le checked a leg kick. Le landed a combination. Le landed another spinning heel kick. Le landed a side kick to the body and another spinning back kick to the body and Fryklund was winded but still coming. Le landed a side kick. Le landed a body kick, a head kick. Fryklund missed a spinning back fist. The first round ended and they touched gloves in respect for heart and skill by Fryklund and Le respectively. In between rounds, hot girls danced on the ramp. Nice touch.
The second round began. Le landed another side kick. Le landed another body kick. Le landed another side kick. Fryklund came for the takedown and Le tossed him aside. Le landed a combination and a body kick. Le landed a spinning back kick. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Le landed a leg kick. Fryklund landed a right hand. Fryklund landed a body kick. Le landed a spinning back kick. Le landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a leg kick and then a left. Fryklund was swinging wildly. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Fryklund landed a body shot combination. Fryklund landed some big combinations, grazing Le. Fryklund said something. Le landed a nice combination ending it with a body kick. Fryklund missed another spinning back fist. Le landed a side kick, and another one right after. Fryklund landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a right hand. Le landed a spinning back fist to the chin. Le landed a knee to the body. Fryklund landed a good combination. Le landed a big leg kick. Le landed another leg kick, a body kick. Fryklund landed a body kick. Fryklund landed a leg kick. Le landed another spinning back fist. The second round ended and they clapped gloves together in respect once more.
The third round began. Le landed a side kick to the jaw and a side kick to the body. Le landed two body kicks and Fryklund was visibly hurt. Le landed a combination to finish it off and Fryklund dropped to the canvas and the referee stopped the fight for the knockout victory for Le.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Fabricio Werdum - Everything was pretty much identical. The fight was Werdum's UFC debut.
The first round began. They circled, sizing each other up. Arlovski landed a good inside leg kick to start things off after a few long moments. Werdum landed an inside leg kick a second later. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick and a counter right and ate a few counters himself before they clinched and Werdum landed a few pitterpatter body shots. Werdum landed a good elbow and right hand as they broke. Werdum landed a nice leg kick. Arlovski missed a big right hand. Arlovski landed a leg kick. Arlovski dropped Werdum in close with an uppercut right to the jaw and stood over him, landing leg kicks. Werdum beckoned as if to say 'come down here' and Arlovski laughed and kept kicking the downed Werdum's legs. The crowd sounded restless. Herb Dean stood Werdum up. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Werdum pushed forward with massive straight combinations, landing at least four of the punches and they clinched. 'What a buzz in this room, here, Joe.' 'Yeah these people looove this sport.' Arlovski landed a big uppercut inside and a right hand as Werdum pulled away that rocked Werdum. They circled. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a good leg kick. Werdum was limping a bit. Werdum landed a combination and ate a counter right from Arlovski. Arlovski landed another leg kick. Arlovski landed another leg kick. The first round ended.
The second round began. Werdum looked a little nervous, Arlovski was looking very confident in comparison. They circled around for a bit, sizing each other up once again. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick and dodged a counter combination. Werdum telegraphed a takedown attempt and Arlovski sprawled and landed some leg kicks to the downed Werdum for a bit until letting him stand up. Arlovski landed the inside leg kick and Werdum caught it but Arlovski pushed him away. Werdum missed a high spinning back kick. Werdum landed a body kick. The pace had slowed a tad bit. Werdum landed a leg kick. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Werdum landed a good counter. Arlovski landed some good jabs. Arlovski landed a leg kick. Werdum pushed forward with another good combination. Arlovski landed a leg kick. They circled around. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Werdum's leg was welted above, both legs actually. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick and Werdum responded with a counter combination and ate another shot from Arlovski. The second round ended. Herb Dean warned the fighters in between rounds that he'd take a point from the first fighter who retreats.
The third round began. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Werdum tried a flying knee and ate a big counter. They circled. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. They circled. Arlovski barely missed a right hand. Arlovski missed a leg kick. Arlovski landed a really good inside leg kick. They weren't doing much. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Werdum shot for the takedown and Arlovski sprawled and stuffed it. Werdum tried to push forward and ate a counter from Arlovski. Werdum landed a slap to Arlovski's head in an exchange, hahaha. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Werdum landed a body kick. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. The crowd sounded restless. Werdum landed a good counter combination. Werdum landed a body kick. Werdum landed more good combinations and slipped and laid on his back but then stood up after a second. The third round ended and they hugged. Andrei Arlovski was the winner by unanimous decision.
Tim Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera - Vera came into the fight undefeated. It was Sylvia's last fight in the UFC so far.
The first round began. They clinched immediately and exchanged knees to the body. Sylvia landed a body shot. Sylvia landed a knee to the body. Sylvia landed a nice elbow inside and another knee to the body. Vera landed some knees of his own. They weren't doing much otherwise. Sylvia landed a good body shot. Sylvia landed a nice knee and Vera broke with a nice elbow of his own. They clinched once more. Vera landed some good knees. Wow, they were just clinching. Sylvia landed a good knee to the body. They exchanged more knees quickly, body and legs. Sylvia said 'come on, Brandon.' He said something else. Sylvia broke with a combination. Vera landed a left hook and a body shot. Vera landed a leg kick. They clinched once more. Sylvia landed another good knee to the body, and another. They broke after a moment. Sylvia landed an uppercut and ate an elbow from Vera. Sylvia landed a knee to the body. They clinched again and Sylvia landed several more knees. Sylvia landed a body shot. The first round ended. Vera broke his hand in that first round, as later found.
The second round began. Vera landed a head kick and a left hook and they clinched. They weren't doing much at all... I'm surprised the crowd wasn't booing by now. Quite a 'fight'. I'm all for technical chess matches but Jesus... Vera landed a knee to the leg. The referee finally broke them up, thank God. They immediately clinched again with Vera landing elbows. They broke. Sylvia landed a right hand. They clinched. Heavy boos came again. Sylvia landed some knees to the thighs, another to the body, one to the leg. They exchanged knees. Sylvia landed a good knee to the body. Vera got the trip takedown into side control and the crowd cheered. Hmm.. God, come on, Brandon... They weren't doing anything. Vera landed a few knees to the body, oh and there's a hard one! They weren't doing much now again. Phew. God, this fight pisses me off. Why the hell wasn't the crowd booing? Vera landed a knee to the belly. They stood. Vera landed a hard knee to the temple on the way up though... while Sylvia was down with one knee on the ground still. The fight was paused and Vera apologized and a warning was given. Thirteen seconds were frozen left in the round. They continued. Vera landed two hard body kicks and a good leg kick, landed a good right cross and tried a head kick and slipped and the second round ended. The crowd cheered.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They clinched immediately. Sylvia landed a hard knee to the body. They broke. Sylvia landed a good uppercut. Vera was getting bullied around by the much bigger Sylvia. Vera landed a right hand. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Sylvia landed a few big right hands and an elbow and they clinched. Sylvia landed some body shots. Sylvia landed a knee to the body and then another a few moments later. Sylvia landed a hard knee to the body. Vera landed a knee to the body. Sylvia landed a knee to the body. Sylvia landed a body shot. Boos began coming. It's about time. Vera broke with a good combination. Vera landed a leg kick. Sylvia landed good uppercuts and a combination, an elbow. Vera landed a big right. Sylvia landed a knee to the body. They clinched. Sylvia landed a knee to the body. Sylvia landed more knees. The referee broke them up and called time to cut some loose tape from Vera's glove. They continued. Vera landed a leg kick. Sylvia landed a combination. Vera landed a leg kick. Sylvia landed an elbow and Vera was cut badly on the top of his head, blood running down his face as they clinched. The referee finally broke them up later. Sylvia landed constant combinations, a leg kick, more combinations, a big elbow, some uppercuts, and the third round ended. Tim Sylvia was the winner by unanimous decision. Vera crouched in the center, exhausted, as cut men attended to his head and he told them 'I broke my hand, dude.' He was obviously in pain as they cut the tape off. His hand was swollen horribly. The fighters shook hands and hugged after the decision was announced. Brandon Vera had been defeated for the first time.
Alan Belcher vs. Yushin Okami - The fight was Belcher's UFC debut, and Okami's as well. Everything was pretty much identical.
The first round began and they slapped gloves. They circled around. Belcher had his hands comparitively low. Okami landed a jab. Okami missed an uppercut. Belcher landed a leg kick. Belcher had his hands low and was shaking his face out tauntingly, trying to goad Okami into coming forward. Okami responded with a combination. Belcher landed a leg kick. Okami landed a leg kick. Belcher landed a glancing right. Okami's eye was just a tiny bit bloody from the right hand Belcher landed. Boos were coming as they just circled around. Belcher narrowly missed a head kick. They clinched. Okami got the expected takedown into full guard. Belcher scooted out and almost stood but Okami shoved him back down and passed to half-guard. Okami passed heftily to full mount. Belcher bucked Okami off. Okami stood and let Belcher up. Okami landed a good straight left. The first round ended. Boos came.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Belcher landed an inside leg kick. Okami landed a good inside leg kick. Okami landed a glancing head kick. Belcher landed a good Superman punch. Okami shot for the takedown and Belcher sprawled and stuffed it. Belcher pushed forward with some good combinations. Belcher landed a flying knee to the neck area and they clinched. Okami got the trip takedown into half-guard. Okami passed to side control after a moment. Okami landed some good elbows, over and over and over. Just repeatedly. Belcher spun out after a bit and stood and the crowd cheered. Belcher landed a body kick. Okami shot for the takedown and Belcher sprawled but Okami got it after a moment into half-guard once more. Okami got to full mount after a moment. Belcher pushed it back to half-guard. The second round ended blessfully.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They clinched and Belcher tried for the takedown but Okami got it instead and he took Belcher's back. Okami got both hooks in but Belcher stood and carried Okami, landing elbows to Okami's leg. Okami locked in the body triangle at the same time though and it was tight, cutting off Belcher's breath. They were just standing there. Belcher dropped Okami on his head but Okami still had his back. Belcher was smiling about it and the crowd was roaring loudly. Okami was looking for the rear-naked choke now. Belcher was doing a good job defensively. Belcher turned in to Okami's guard and the crowd roared again. Belcher landed some body shots. Okami was looking for a kimura. Okami had the arm out and he was looking to secure the submission now. Belcher was doing a good job defensively, landing body shots. Belcher passed to half-guard but Okami was still looking for that kimura. Belcher finally escaped and stood and Okami stood as well. Belcher was still smiling. Belcher sprawled and avoided a takedown from Okami. Okami landed a good straight left and they clinched. Okami got the trip takedown into full guard. Okami landed some good shots from the top. Okami landed some more good shots. Just repeated shots. Belcher stood but Okami had his back. Belcher went for a rolling kneebar but the third round ended. Yushin Okami had the win by unanimous decision.
Ed Herman vs. Alan Belcher - Everything was basically identical. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. Herman took an eyepoke in an early exchange but the fight wasn't paused. Belcher stuffed a takedown and they clinched and Herman landed some good knees to the body inside. The referee broke them up quickly. Herman landed a good right. Belcher landed a right hand. Belcher landed a nice body kick. Belcher landed a good straight left. Belcher landed a good leg kick. Belcher landed a good jab. Belcher landed a brutal thudding leg kick, Herman caught it and they clinched. Belcher landed some good knees to the body. The referee broke them up quickly once more. Herman landed a good left hook. Belcher landed a good straight left. Belcher landed a good jab. Herman rocked Belcher with a good uppercut and Herman came to pounce but they clinched as Belcher stuffed the takedown. Belcher landed a good knee to the body. Belcher landed a good elbow inside. Herman landed a good knee inside and a good shot inside and then got the double-leg takedown into full guard. Herman landed a good shot. Herman passed to half-guard. Herman was looking for a D'arce choke. Herman landed an elbow, still looking for it. Belcher escaped to the feet in the clinch. Herman picked Belcher up and slammed him back down into half-guard. Herman was trying for an arm triangle, and then turned it to a D'arce choke attempt. Belcher stood into the clinch and the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, a bit more cautious. Belcher landed a big left that rocked Herman. They circled. Belcher landed another jab and another. Herman landed a good counter shot. Belcher landed another jab. Herman landed a wicked left hook to the body and an elbow to the face. Belcher landed a body shot and then a big overhand right that hurt Herman badly and Belcher came for the clinch instead of capitalizing, strangely. Herman landed an uppercut inside and Belcher broke with a nice elbow. Herman landed a good left. Belcher landed an inside leg kick. Herman landed a right. Belcher landed another good jab. Herman landed a good coutner. Belcher landed a leg kick and ate a counter. Belcher landed a body kick, Herman caught it and Belcher got off balance and fell and Herman followed him down into half-guard with some good elbows and some body shots. Belcher struggled to his feet and Herman landed some knees to the body and an elbow before they separated. Belcher landed another good jab. Belcher landed an excellent Superman punch. Belcher was going for another one as the second round ended, but stopped in time.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Herman came for the takedown and Belcher stuffed it. Belcher landed another good right. Herman landed a good combo. Belcher landed another good jab. Belcher landed a leg kick. Belcher landed another leg kick. Herman landed a left hand. Herman came for the takedown and Belcher shrugged it off into the clinch. The referee broke them up after a few moments. Herman landed a good jab of his own. Belcher landed a good straight right, and another. Belcher landed a spinning back elbow that hurt Herman and Herman came for the takedown and Belcher was defending. Belcher defended finally completely up into the clinch game. Herman got Belcher down into half-guard. Herman landed a good shot. Belcher stood into the clinch and broke. Herman was tired. Belcher landed a head kick and a right hand. Herman was exhausted and hurt. Herman landed a good jab and missed an overhand right. Herman came for the takedown and got Belcher down against the cage. Herman got to mount and landed big shots in under. Big shots. For about thirty or forty seconds. The third round ended and they stood and hugged. Alan Belcher was the winner by split decision.
Chris Leben vs. Joe Doerksen - It was for the 'Freestyle Fighting Championships' middleweight title haha with Doerksen defending, and a main event. Leben came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. Doerksen landed a body kick and ate a counter. Leben landed a good combination and Doerksen got a nice takedown into full guard. The crowd chanted 'USA' for some reason. Drunken meathead idiots. Doerksen picked Leben up and slammed him back down. Doerksen slammed Leben again a moment later. Doerksen landed some body shots. The referee stood them up and the crowd cheered. Leben landed a nice leg kick and a good combination. They clinched and Doerksen got the trip takedown into full guard. For some reason, the hick announcers were calling Leben 'Lebben'. Doerksen slammed Leben again. Leben got the sweep into full guard and Doerksen had a tight guillotine. Doerksen sweeped into mount and let go of the guillotine. Doerksen switched to an armbar from mount and it was tight, torqued hard. Oh my God... Leben's arm was torqued. OWW. Leben did not want to suffer his first defeat though. Leben finally fought out into full guard. The crowd cheered. Doerksen tried an omoplata and Leben escaped. Doerksen grabbed a triangle. Leben pulled out. Leben landed some body shots. Doerksen was looking for a kimura. The crowd chanted 'USA' again... Oh because Doerksen was from Canada. The first round ended.
The second round began. Leben landed two good knees to the head. They clinched and Doerksen landed some good knees. They broke. Leben escaped a takedown attempt and landed some good knees to the body, big combinations, a knee to the body. Leben's arm seemed to be fine. They clinched and Leben landed more good knees, they broke, Leben landed a big combination and Doerksen pulled Leben down into his full guard. Leben stood up after a bit and Doerksen followed up. Leben landed another big combination. Leben landed another big shot and Doerksen pulled Leben down into half-guard. Doerksen retained full guard. Leben landed a big shot. Leben stood after a bit. Leben landed more big combinations repeatedly and Doerksen landed some counters, Leben kept swinging away with more. Leben landed a knee to the head that dropped Doerksen and Doerksen pulled Leben into his half-guard and tried for the kimura hard and he had it locked up tight. Leben was fighting it. God, that was torqued. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Leben pulled out and stood. Leben landed a head kick and ate a big counter, landed another combination. The second round ended. Leben was cut by the right eye.
The third round began. Doerksen landed a right hand and ate a counter. They circled. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Doerksen landed a leg kick and ate some counters. Leben landed a big combination. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Doerksen came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. Leben retained full guard after a while. Leben worked a rubber guard briefly. Yep.. The referee stood them up and the crowd cheered. Leben landed big combinations, a knee to the body, another big combination. Leben landed a big combination. Leben landed another big combination. Leben landed an inside leg kick and ate a big counter from Doerksen and they clinched. Doerksen ladned a big elbow inside the clinch. They broke. Doerksen landed an inside leg kick, a leg kick, and ate a counter from Leben. Leben's nose was bloodied up from that elbow, possibly broken. Doerksen landed a nice right, a jab. Leben landed a big combination. They exchanged in the center and Leben landed a body kick and a combination, a big left a big combination repeatedly and they clinched as the third round ended. Joe Doerksen was the winner by unanimous decision and he retained his title and he was the first man to ever defeat Chris Leben.
Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith - The first round began and they touched gloves. Herman came for the takedown early into full guard. Herman landed some body shots, really working it. Herman postured up and landed a good elbow. Herman took Smith's back as they stood. They turned to a clinch. Herman landed some good knees to the body, and kept coming with them. Herman was looking for the takedown again. Smith grabbed the guillotine but Herman slammed Smith down into full guard and pulled his head out after a moment. Herman landed an elbow. Herman landed another elbow. Herman landed another elbow, and then another big one, and another. Smith was cut badly from one of the elbows, on the bridge of his nose, leaking blood everywhere. Herman kept coming with more elbows. Horrible, horrible cut. Herb Dean paused the fight to check the cut. Blood was all over Smith's face. They restarted in the same position. Smith landed some good elbows from the bottom. Smith landed some more elbows. Smith tried to stand and he narly had and no wait theyw ere scrambling and Smith was on top and he landed a big shot and stood and went back down and grabbed a kneebar, a tight kneebar. Herman did as well. Herman pulled out and took Smith's back, landing big shots in under. Herman was looking for the rear-naked choke. Smith dumped him off and they scrambled. The first round ended. That was a nasty cut. Juanito Ibarra struggled to work on the cut.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Smith was breathing deeply. Herman came for the takedown and Smith sprawled up into the clinch. Smith grabbed a standing guillotine. After a moment, Smith pulled him down into full guard and he still had that guillotine tight, oh man that was so, so deep. Herman popped out but he was still in full guard. Herman landed some more elbows now. Herman landed a good shot. Herman landed a massive elbow. 'Posture up, throw down'. Herman landed another big elbow and the cut was reopened. Smith landed a good elbow from the bottom. Herman landed a few more elbows. The blood was going into Smith's eyes now. Herman landed more elbows. 'Just missed'. Herman took Smith's back now. He grabbed the rear-naked choke and Smith tapped very very quickly.
Nate Marquardt vs. Yves Edwards - The first round began and they touched gloves. Marquardt landed a front kick. Marquardt landed a body kick. Marquardt landed a good right hand and a body kick and Edwards came for the takedown and Marquardt defended into the clinch. Edwards got him down into half-guard. Marquardt was looking for a kimura. For some reason, the commentators were calling Edwards 'Steve Edwards'... Marquardt went for a guillotine but couldn't get it. They weren't doing much now. Edwards grabbed an ankelock and Marquardt grabbed one as well. One of them tapped out... It was Edwards.
Tim Credeur vs. Nate Quarry - The fight won Fight of the Night.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. They circled some more. Credeur landed a body kick. Quarry landed a good right hook. Credeur landed a front kick. Credeur landed a body kick. Quarry landed a body shot. Credeur landed a counter jab. Credeur landed a good inside leg kick. Credeur landed a good combination and a good counter combination. Quarry landed a leg kick. Quarry landed the big right. Quarry landed a body kick. Quarry landed a leg kick and ate a counter. Quarry landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a good combination and dropped Quarry with a big right hand and pounced, taking Quarry's back and looking for the rear-naked choke. Quarry was fighting it though. They stood after a moment. Quarry landed a leg kick. Quarry landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a good combination and another. The first round ended.
The second round began. Quarry landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a good combination and another and another, he caught a big right and dropped, caught a combination from Quarry on the way down, Quarry pounced with vicious ground-and-pound from half-guard. Credeur retained full guard. Quarry landed nearly continuous shots from the top, keeping the pressure on nearly constantly. Credeur tried an armbar but Quarry avoided and landed more shots. Quarry landed a few elbows. Credeur landed some shots from the bottom. Quarry kept landing some shots from the top. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Quarry landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a big combination and some mroe, a body kick, more combinations, Quarry dropped Credeur with another right and pounced into full guard once more. Quarry landed more big shots. Credeur struggled to his feet, ate a combination, a leg kick, two big rights. Credeur just kept tugging along, landed a combination. They exchanged, toe to toe. Quarry landed a big right. Quarry landed a big right, a left, another big right and Credeur fell again and Quarry landed more big ground-and-pound from full guard. Credeur rolled for a heelhook but Quarry escaped, landing elbows. Credeur rolled back to butterfly guard position. Quarry landed more big shots. Quarry landed more big shots from the top. Non-stop action from both men. The referee stood them up and they took a second to get to their feet. Quarry landed another big right, a body shot. Credeur landed a big headkick and slipped but stood. They exchanged, toe to toe. Credeur landed a body kick, a combination, another body kick as the third round ended and they hugged. There was a BIG mouse under the left eye of Nate Quarry. Nate Quarry was the winner by unanimous decision. The crowd cheered both fighters during their interviews.
Carlos Condit vs. Jake Ellenberger - Condit was looking for his first win in the UFC. Ellenberger was making his UFC debut.
The first round began. They circled aggressively. Ellenberger got a takedown and Condit worked a rubber guard briefly. They weren't doing too much, they canceled each other out effectively on the ground. Condit landed an elbow from the bottom. They stood and Ellenberger landed a big right and they clinched and then broke. They circled. Condit landed a leg kick and ate massive combinations from Ellenberger, a big right hand, Condit went down and Ellenberger had his back, looking for a D'arce choke. They stood into the clinch, Condit landed a knee to the head. Condit ate another right hand and dropped and turtled up and Ellenberger landed big hammerfists. Condit reversed into the top position in half-guard and then to mount. Ellenberger shoved Condit off and grabbed a guillotine and pulled Condit down into half-guard. Ellenberger got the reversal with it on top into full guard and let it go, landing some good shots. Condit landed some good elbows from the bottom, just like repeatedly over and over. Ellenberger stood and pursued Condit, landing a big headkick. They circled. Condit missed a spinning back fist by a mile. They clinched and Condit landed a nice body shot. Condit was lookign for the takedown but Ellenberger sprawled. They broke and Ellenberger landed a big right.
The second round began. They circled. Ellenberger landed a body kick. Ellenberger got the takedown into full guard. Condit worked a rubber guard once more, using it to land some good elbows from the bottom. Condit let it go after a moment. They weren't doing much else. Condit stood into the clinch but Ellenberger took him right back down. Condit was looking for a kimura and oh man, he had it tight, used it to sweep to mount. Condit landed some good elbows and shots from the top. Ellenberger pushed it back to half-guard. Condit got back to mount. Condit landed a nice elbow. Condit tried to take Ellenberger's back but Ellenberger reversed and got back on top in full guard. Ellenberger stood and let Condit up. Ellenberger missed a flying knee. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled a bit, the pace a bit slowed. Condit landed a headkick and Ellenberger shrugged it off and raised his hands as if to say 'bring it on'. Ellenberger got the takedown into full guard and they didn't do much for about thirty seconds and landed a big elbow. They stood. Ellenberger landed a body kick. They clinched. Condit got the takedown into half-guard but Ellenberger grabbed the guillotine and it was tight. Condit pulled out. Condit landed some good pitterpatter shots. Some more pitterpatter shots. He was holding Ellenberger down, keeping the pressure on and not letting Ellenberger stand. Ellenberger seemed a bit gassed. Condit kept landing those shots relentlessly. Condit took Ellenberger's back, got one hook in, the second hook in, landing some shots in under. Ellenberger spun out on top into full guard. Condit landed some elbows from the bottom. They stood. Ellenberger came for the single-leg and got it and Condit landed some elbows downward as Ellenberger was a bit turtled up here. Condit had Ellenberger's back now, showing his superior gas tank. Condit was landing some shots to the back of the head repeatedly, unwarned. The third round ended. Carlos Condit got the win by split decision.
Roger Huerta vs. Gray Maynard - The fight was Huerta's last fight in the UFC for a while as he wanted to pursue a movie career. Maynard came into the fight undefeated. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They circled, throwing probing strikes occasionally. They clinched and Maynard landed a knee to the body and they broke. They circled some more. Huerta kept missing leg kicks.. Maynard landed a big right hand. Huerta shook it off and landed a body kick that didn't look too impressive. Maynard landed another counter right. Huerta looked sloppy. They circled around. Maynard landed another good overhand right. Huerta landed a big combination and another. Maynard was hurt. Maynard was retreating. Maynard landed a counter right. Huerta was struggling to capitalize, pursuing Maynard. Maynard seemed to have recovered. Maynard came for the takedown and Huerta defended to the clinch. Maynard got Huerta down to his knees against the cage. They stood into the clinch and Huerta broke with a good combination. The first round ended and they touched gloves.
The second round began. They circled. Huerta landed a leg kick. Huerta landed a body kick, a leg kick. Maynard landed a good combination and a body shot. They circled. Maynard landed a good left hook. Huerta landed a leg kick. Huerta landed an inside leg kick. Maynard landed a good counter right. Huerta landed a leg kick. Maynard landed a big right that caught Huerta visibly. Huerta landed big combinations but Maynard avoided most of the shots with good head movement. Maynard landed a good jab and a good body shot. Maynard was retreating. Maynard landed a good jab that knocked Huerta on his ass but Huerta stood. Huerta landed a leg kick. Huerta landed some more punches in bunches. Huerta was starting to slow down. Maynard had a bit of a bloody nose. Huerta landed a good counter. Maynard landed a good counter of his own. Maynard landed a big right. Maynard landed a knee to the body, caught by Huerta, but they broke away. Maynard landed a good jab. Huerta landed a leg kick. Maynard landed a counter combination. Huerta landed a few good combinations. The second round ended.
The third round began. Huerta landed a good knee to the body. Maynard landed a good left hook to the chin. Huerta landed a leg kick. Huerta landed a good knee to the body. He was bullying the bully. Maynard landed a big right. Huerta landed a good right hook. Maynard came for the takedown and got it. Maynard had Huerta's back. No, wait, he was still on top in a strange position now. Huerta was turtled up now. They stood and Maynard still had Huerta's back. Maynard had Huerta down again and had his back still, landing good hammerfists. Maynard had Huerta's back again. Huerta rolled and Maynard had half-guard, grabbing a tight kimura. Huerta was shaking his head no. That was a tight, tight kimura. Oh god. Huerta was punching Maynard's legs. Huerta landed a knee to the body of Maynard. Maynard was turtled up. No they stood into the clinch. Maynard dumped Huerta back down. They stood and Maynard had Huert'as back. He dumped him down. They stood into the clinch. The third round ended. Gray Maynard was the winner by split decision.
Nate Diaz vs. Melvin Guillard - Diaz had a five-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. They exchanged early and Diaz folded from a counter by Guillard. Guillard landed a few shots and let Diaz up. They circled. They clinched. They broke. They clinched once more and Diaz got the takedown and Diaz was sitting against the cage. They stood into the clinch and Guillard got a takedown of his own into side control and Diaz quickly retained full guard. Guillard stood and walked off. Diaz said something. Diaz was bloodied up by his right eye pretty badly. They clinched. Diaz got the takedown and pushed Guillard against the cage again. They stood into the clinch. They broke. They circled. They clinched. Guillard landed two nice methodical right hands. They circled. Guillard landed a good body kick. Guillard looked gassed. They clinched and Diaz got a judo throw but Diaz stood and let Guillard up. The first round ended.
The second round began. That cut over Diaz's eye was nasty. They clinched. Guillard landed some good shots inside and they broke. They clinched. Diaz landed a good knee. They exchanged some knees. Guillard got the takedown into... half-guard. Guillard stood and let Diaz up. Diaz landd a good jab and took Diaz's back but Diaz was looking for a standing kimura. They broke. Diaz landed a combination to the body. Guillard landed a good combination. Diaz landed a good combination. Guillard played a little rope a dope and landed a good right and got the takedown and Diaz grabbed a tight modified guillotine. Guillard fought it but was finally forced to tap.
Rich Franklin vs. Edwin Dewees - The referee was Sean Brockmole. The fight was the UFC debut of Dewees.
The first round began. They clinched almost immediately. Dewees got the throw takedown into half-guard after a moment. They weren't doing much. Franklin reversed and Dewees nearly had a guillotine clasped but Franklin pulled away and they stood. Dewees landed a leg kick. They clinched again. Franklin landed a good knee and another. Franklin landed some more knees. Franklin landed a nice uppercut inside. Franklin landed some more nice knees, and Dewees wasn't liking it. More knees. Franklin landed a jumping knee to the face and broke and landed some big shots and Dewees went down and Franklin stood and let him up after half-pouncing. Franklin landed some big knees to the head and Dewees was rocked. Franklin landed more big shots and Dewees went down. Dewees tried an armbar but Franklin stood as did Dewees. Dewees collapsed again and Franklin was trying to ground-and-pound, landing bombs. Franklin landed a good knee to the body and more big shots. Franklin landed another nice knee to the body and more big shots. The referee finally stopped the fight for a dominant TKO victory for Franklin.
Rich Franklin vs. Ken Shamrock - The first round began. They circled about. Shamrock blocked a headkick. They exchanged with Franklin landing a few good counters. Shamrock came in and ate a big right but got the takedown. Franklin was looking for an omoplata. Shamrock escaped after a moment and went for a leglock. Daaamn, he had it I think. Franklin escaped and landed a headkick as they stood. Franklin landed a good combination to the body. Franklin landed a nice right hand and ate a counter. Franklin landed a body kick. Shamrock tried a headkick and slipped and Franklin pounced and landed big ground-and-pound. Shamrock was rocked. Franklin kept pounding away, and the referee stopped the fight.
Rich Franklin vs. Evan Tanner 2 - The fight was for the middleweight championship, with Tanner defending.
The first round began. Tanner landed a few good rights and they clinched. Tanner landed some good elbows nside. They broke. Franklin landed a body kick. Tanner landed a good body shot. Franklin landed a counter left. Franklin tried a headkick and slipped but stood. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Tanner landed a good body shot. Franklin landed a body shot and a good high body kick. Tanner landed a good left hand. Tanner landed a body kick. Franklin landed a left hook and rocked Tanner but Tanner stayed in there. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed some good counters. Franklin landed a good body kick. Franklin landed some good combinations. Franklin landed a good counter left. Tanner landed a big right hand and dropped Franklin and he was trying to pounce. Tanner nearly had an armbar and Franklin ended up on top, escaped a triangle attempt and then another and landed some big shots. The first round ended.
The second round began. Tanner landed a good body kick and another. Franklin landed some big combinations, and Tanner got the takedown. Franklin worked a butterfly guard. Tanner was struggling to pass. They stood. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Tanner's nose was bleeding just a bit. Tanner landed a good leg kick. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed a jab and an uppercut. Tanner was bleeding pretty badly now. Tanner landed a right hand. Franklin landed some knees in close and a right. Franklin landed a nice left. Franklin landed a knee and a good combination. Tanner landed a leg kick. Franklin landed a nice combination. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled around. I was asleep for the first thirty seconds of the third round. Franklin landed a good combination and some good knees. Franklin landed big combinations, a knee to the body. Tanner was still there though. Franklin landed a good right hand again. Franklin landed an inside leg kick. Tanner landed a good counter combination, ate a counter, Franklin pounced with more big combinations and Tanner went down, turtled up. Franklin was trying a guillotine but Tanner defended and got out. Tanner was trying to escape. They stood and broke. Tanner's right eye was swollen, as was his nose. Franklin landed a good left and rocked Tanner but Tanner was still there. Franklin landed more big combinations. The third round came to an end.
The fourth round began. Again, missed first half of the round. Franklin landed good combinations, a head kick, another combination, got the takedown and Tanner turtled up. They stood. Franklin landed some good jabs. They circled. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed an inside leg kick, a good combination, a knee to the head. Tanner's face was a mess, his left cheek was bleeding now. Franklin landed a good uppercut. Franklin landed a nice jab. There was a big hematoma over Tanner's left eye. Franklin landed another big combination. The referee paused the fight to check the cuts, mainly the hematoma. The doctor stopped the fight. Rich Franklin was the new middleweight champion.
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca - The first round began. Griffin landed a nice leg kick as Franca went for a spinning back kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a body shot. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a good body kick. Franca blocked a head kick. Griffin landed a nice uppercut. Griffin landed yet another nice thudding leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a nice double jab. They circled. Griffin landed a nice right hand. Griffin landed a good left hook and hurt Franca. They circled. Franca checked a leg kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick and another, and another. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Franca landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter. Franca landed a big right hand and another, a knee to the body. Griffin landed a body kick and caught it and was holding onto it and landing big shots. He let it go and they circled. Griffin landed a good jab. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick, and a nice right hand. Griffin landed a nice jab. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a nice combination. Griffin landed a leg kick, a body kick. Franca blocked a head kick. Franca landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a hard inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin dropped Franca with a right hand and began ground-and-pounding repeatedly, over and over, repeatedly, kept coming, over and over, and the referee stopped the fight as Franca went limp and unconscious finally hahaha.
Frank Trigg vs. Josh Koscheck - The fight was Trigg's return to the UFC. Koscheck had a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They threw probing missed strikes. Trigg landed a nice straight left. Koscheck landed a body shot. Koscheck landed an accidental wrist to the back of the head, followed it up with a massive straight right reminiscent of Yoshida, dropped Trigg and began landing massive ground and pound in under to the crouched Trigg until the referee stopped the fight. Trigg protested that it was a premature stoppage, but it definitely didn't look like it.
Paul Daley vs. Martin Kampmann - The fight was the UFC debut of Daley. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they circled aggressively. Kampmann landed a good combination. Kampmann landed a good jab. Daley landed a left hook. Kampmann tried for a takedown and ate an uppercut and a left hook from Daley and landed a right hand. Daley landed a combination. Daley landed a good left hook and Kampmann landed a few counters. Daley landed another good combination. Daley landed a hard left hook. Daley landed another left hook. Kampmann looked rocked. Kampmann landed a combination. Kampmann landed a nice right hand. Daley landed a good right hand of his own. They clinched. Kampmann landed a knee to the body. Kampmann landed a knee to the body and they broke. Daley landed another left hook and another that hurt Kampmann and Daley just kept landing repeated left hooks with Kampmann reeling against the cage until the referee stopped the fight standing.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Junior Dos Santos - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They circled around. They clinched but broke. Mirko landed a good body kick. Dos Santos was the aggressor with Mirko looking extremely timid. Mirko landed a good body kick. Mirko landed another body kick. Mirko was still looking tentative. Dos Santos landed a good combination, a good left hook, Mirko was hurt. Dos Santos landed a good uppercut. They clinched. Dos Santos was cut somewhere, and there was a mouse on the side of Mirko's head where the left hook had landed. They exchanged knees and broke. They clinched once more. The crowd chanted 'Cro Cop'. Mirko tried for the takedown and got it down but Dos Santos stood and they broke. Dos Santos was cut over or around both eyes, it seemed. The crowd chanted 'Cro Cop'. Mirko landed a nice straight left. Mirko landed another straight left and they clinched but broke. There was a pretty good-sized cut over Dos Santos's eye. They clinched. Dos Santos landed a good knee. They broke. Mirko landed another straight left. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Dos Santos landed a good right hand. Mirko missed a good left head kick. Mirko landed a leg kick. Mirko landed a leg kick. Dos Santos landed a good combination, Mirko landed a counter left, Dos Santos landed another combination. They circled once more. Boos came. Dos Santos landed a big uppercut and then a massive one. Mirko missed a left head kick. Dos Santos landed a good right hand, good uppercut to the body. They clinched and Mirko landed a knee to the body. They broke. They clinched once more, Dos Santos landed a good knee and they broke. Boos came as they circled. Mirko landed an inside leg kick.. to the groin area haha.. Dos Santos got Tuscherer'd, and he collapsed. He got five minutes to recover. Dos Santos recovered after about a minute and they touched gloves and continued. Dos Santos landed a good left hook. Dos Santos landed a left hook and a right hand and cut Mirko over his left eye. Dos Santos landed a body kick. The second round ended.
The third round began. Mirko landed a good left hand. Mirko landed a leg kick. Dos Santos stepped into a knee to the body. Dos Santos landed another knee to the body, and another, and a big right and another right and a body shot and a knee to the body. Dos Santos stepped into another knee to the midsection, one to the chin that rocked Mirko. They clinched and Dos Santos grabbed the Thai clinch and landed more massive knees to the midsection. Dos Santos landed a right as they broke and Mirko touched his eye and said he can't see and Dos Santos ran away cheering. It was a cut on Mirko's eyelid so that he couldn't open or close the eye, reminiscent of Vitor Belfort-Randy Couture. There was talk of the fight being the beginning of Mirko's road to retirement, possibly right after the bout or after he finishes the last two fights of his three-fight contract with the UFC. A very sad occasion.
Ed Herman vs. Aaron Simpson - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, throwing probing strikes. Herman landed a good counter. They circled some more. Herman landed a good combination, missed a headkick. Simpson came for the takedown and shoved Herman down and stood over him to avoid upkicks. Herman stood and ate a big combination from Simpson. Simpson got the takedown into side control, stood avoiding more upkicks, landed a big shot, stood again. Simpson landed a kick to the leg. Herman hopped up into a headkick from the bottom but missed. He tried again but missed. Herman kept trying to upkick. Simpson landed a kick to the leg once more, and again. Simpson was getting a bit braver. Herman was really trying for those upkicks though. Simpson ate an upkick and another hard one and he was hurt. He stood and backed off and Herman stood and tried a takedown but then Herman slipped and fell and stood again. They circled. Simpson landed a really good combination. Simpson landed a big right and dropped Herman and Simpson pounced, trying to capitalize with ground-and-pound and he was landing some big shots and passed to side control. Herman retained guard. Simpson stood once more. Herman was still trying those upkicks. Herman stood after a moment. Simpson landed a big right and got the takedown into side control (this was where Herman got injured), and Simpson began landing some big hammerfists and shots from the top and Herman was struggling to recover. Herman retained full guard. Simpson stood. Herman stood after a moment. The first round ended. Ed Herman was vsiibly hurt, limping back to his corner painfully.
The second round began. They circled. Herman tried a body kick finally, Simpson caught it, landed a counter, and Herman fell and he was done. The referee stopped the fight. Herman was in obvious, serious agony.
Nate Diaz vs. Alvin Robinson - Diaz had a four-inch height advantage and a three-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. THey clinched immediately and Diaz got the takedown and stayed busy immediately, landing body shots. Diaz was looking to pass constantly as well but Robinson was defending well. Robinson was trying for a guillotine but Diaz stood, trying to escape but Robinson was still trying it. Diaz slammed Robinson down again but Robinson still had that guillotine very tightly. Diaz was landing some body shots. Robinson let the guillotine go and Diaz passed to half-guard. Robinson retained guard briefly but Diaz landed some nice shots and he was looking to pass again. Diaz passed to half-guard and then side control quickly. Robinson got the reversal on top but Diaz was immediately looking for a submission. Diaz was looking for an omoplata, used it to sweep, had the mount, but Robinson retained guard. They were staying active but not doing too terribly MUCH man. Robinson ended up on top, Diaz grabbed a tight triangle. Robinson fought it briefly but he was forced to tap.
Thiago Tavares vs. Michihiro Ochigama - The first round began and they circled. Tavares tried for a takedown and he got it after a moment. Tavares was struggling to pass. Ochigama was struggling to stand. Tavares picked Ochigama up and carried him across the cage and slammed him back down. Tavares was constantly trying to pass. Tavares dropped for a footlock, slipped out and tried to pass once more. Ochigama stood but Tavares took his back standing, keeping constant pressure on. They went to the ground and Tavares still had his back. Tavares appeared to be looking for the choke, he had both hooks in but Ochigama was defending effectively. They weren't doing much. Ochigama was trying to stand, but Tavares pulled him back down. Ochigama tried to stand again and shook Tavares off but Tavares was still looking for the takedown, and Ochigama was struggling, and he was down on his knees. Tavares had Ochigama's standing back now once more. He got the takedown and had Ochigama's back on the ground. Tavares rolled for an armbar and Ochigama was on top in full guard. They weren't doing much. Ochigama stood. Ochigama nearly had Tavares's back and he stood once more and landed a leg kick. The first round came to an end.
The second round began. They circled about. Thiago tried a takedown and Ochigama sprawled and they circled. Thiago tried again and Ochigama was defending. Thiago finally got him down into what looked like half-guard. Ochigama pushed Thiago off and they stood. Ochigama missed a spinning back fist. Thiago tried another takedown but Ochigama was defending. Still defending. They broke away. Thiago landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. And some more. Thiago tried another takedown and Ochigama sprawled. They circled. Thiago tried another takedown and fianlly got it. Ochigama was landing some good shots from the bottom. They stood after a bit and broke away, circling again. The second round ended.
The third round began. Tavares tried a takedown and Ochigama sprawled, Tavares kept trying and Ochigama was defending still against the fence. And still defending. Tavares finally got Ochigama down. Yawn. Not doing much. Ochigama was finally looking for an armbar. Ochigama got the sweep and got on top. Tavares was putting on a disappointing performance. Ochigama stood and went back down and stood again and went back up, ate some upkicks. Ochigama went back down. Down up, blah blah. Tavares turtled up, Ochigama looking for a guillotine. Ochigama was bloodied up on his forehead, from one of the upkicks. Ochigama was on top in side control. Tavares got the sweep and stood up. They stood into the clinch and Ochigama got the takedown, into half-guard. Tavares retained guard. The referee stood them up. Blood was all over Tavares's chest. The third round ended. Close, boring fight. Thiago Tavares was the winner by unanimous decision.
Anthony Johnson vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Johnson had an eight-inch reach advantage and a five-inch height advantage. After the fight, Fioravanti was cut by the UFC..
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled in the feeling-out period. Johnson missed a headkick. They circled. Johnson landed a nice inside leg kick. Fioravanti landed a nice leg kick. Very tentative fight, but not in a bad way. Johnson landed a really hard leg kick. Johnson landed a hard body kick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed another nasty leg kick. Johnson landed another hard leg kick and a jab, utilizing that reach advantage. Johnson landed another leg kick. Fioravanti landed a leg kick of his own. Fioravanti landed a good counter after dodging a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Fioravanti came for the takedown and Johnson stuffed it into the clinch. Fioravanti landed a knee to the groin and the referee paused the fight. Johnson continued quickly. Johnson landed a right and rocked Fioravanti to one knee and tried to pounce but Fioravanti was retreating. Johnson landed a big knee and dropped Fioravanti and Fioravanti was in a fetal position as Johnson pounded away, and the referee stopped the fight after a moment.
Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes - The fight was the light-heavyweight final for TUF8.
The first round began. Bader landed a leg kick. Vinny landed a body kick. Bader landed an inside leg kick. They were exchanging probing strikes with Bader mainly attempting counters. Magalhaes seemed jumpy, as if expecting a takedown. Bader landed a nice leg kick. Vinny landed a good body kick. Bader landed a good combo. Bader ran into a jumping knee to the body. They both landed body kicks at the same time and apparently Vinny's was harder because Bader lost balance but got back up quickly. Vinny pursued him but landed nothing. Bader landed a good body kick again. Vinny landed a body kick, more like a foot into the armpit. Bader landed a body kick. Bader landed a big right hand out of nowhere, a BIG one, and dropped Vinny hard for the knockout victory.
Rob MacDonald vs. Jason Lambert - The fight was the UFC debut of both. MacDonald had a bit of a height advantage.
The first round began. Lambert came for the takedown and MacDonald sprawled. They exchanged in close and backed off. They clinched. Lambert was trying for the takedown. He picked MacDonald up and slammed him but they stood back to the clinch. Lambert got the takedown again into side control. He was pushing a high pace. Lambert landed some good elbows. Lambert passed to north-south, grabbed a tight kimura and MacDonald tapped. Impressive victory for Jason Lambert.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Bob Sapp - The fight was in the semifinals for the Dream 2009 Super Hulk Tournament.
The first round began. Sokoudjou landed a leg kick, dodging backward as Sapp pushed forward wildly. They clinched and Sokoudjou was holding his own. Sokoudjou got the takedown, Sapp briefly tried a guillotine Sokoudjou passed to side control quickly, putting a knee on Sapp's stomach, landing some good shots, some nice shots. Sapp was trying to control Sokoudjou but he was still landing nice shots. Sokoudjou landed some nice hammerfists and more nice shots. Repeated big shots and the referee finally stopped the fight.
Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Carwin had a four-inch reach advantage. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They touched gloves. They circled for a bit. Carwin came forward but Gonzaga was avoiding. They circled. Gonzaga landed a good right hand and another that broke Carwin's nose and they clinched. Carwin was rocked. Gonzaga got the takedown into half-guard and he was looking to pass. Gonzaga landed a good elbow. Carwin was trying to stand and he did after a moment. They broke. Carwin landed a big right hand and dropped Gonzaga for the knockout victory. Carwin's nose was a bit bloody. Very impressive victory.
Marcus Davis vs. Chris Lytle - Davis had a two-inch reach advantage. The referee was Marc Goddard.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled around and the crowd was singing already. Lytle landed a right hand and hurt Davis. They circled some more. Lytle landed a good leg kick. They clinched and exchanged inside and broke. They circled for a bit. Lytle landed a good leg kick. Davis landed a body kick. Lytle landed a good body shot. Davis landed a good counter as Lytle pushed forward. Lytle landed a good right. Davis landed a good counter left hook. Davis landed a good counter left as Lytle came forward. Davis landed a body kick and moved back as Lytle tried to respond. Lytle landed an inside leg kick. Lytle landed a leg kick. The crowd was singing.. Wow, it was annoying. Lytle landed a body kick, Davis caught it and shoved Lytle down and stood. Lytle stood. Lytle landed a body kick. Lytle landed a good counter. Davis dropped Lytle with a counter but Davis let him up. Davis stepped into a knee to the body. Davis landed another body kick. Lytle landed an inside leg kick. Lytle landed an overhand right. Davis had a cut underneath his left eye, a small cut on his cheek there. Lytle had a mark on his chest from the body kicks. Lytle landed a body kick. Davis landed a body kick. Lytle had a welt on his ribs. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, a bit more closely together than in the first round. Lytle was the aggressor though. Lytle pushed forward with a big combination that put Davis to his knees, he continued with big combinations, Davis ducked away finally and ran. Davis landed a body kick and dropped Lytle with a counter and let him up. They touched gloves and continued. Davis landed a body kick and stepped into a nice knee to the body as well. Davis was showing really excellent head movement. Davis had a little scratch on the right side of his head. They exchanged dirty boxing inside. Lytle landed another big combination. Davis was backing away. Lytle landed a good body kick and ate a counter from Davis. Davis stepped into another knee to the body. Davis landed another body kick, and another. Lytle landed a leg kick. Lytle landed a few big rights. Lytle landed a good right hand and ate a counter from Davis. They circled. Davis caught Lytle finally with a counter. Lytle landed a good leg kick and a right hand. Davis landed a good body kick and another good counter. Davis landed aleft and Lytle yelled at him. Davis stepped into another knee to the body. Davis was bleeding out of the nose. They exchanged dirty boxing. They broke. The second round ended.
The third round began. They touched gloves and hugged. Davis landed a groin kick but Lytle shook it off quickly. Lytle had changed his stance to protect his bruised ribs. They circled. Davis landed another body kick, working on the left side of those ribs. Davis landed a good counter as Lytle faked the jab. Davis landed a nice counter left hook. Davis landed a good combination. Davis landed a good body kick. Davis landed a leg kick. Davis checked a leg kick. Lytle was trying to press forward. They circled some more. Davis landed another knee to the body. Lytle's pace had slowed a bit. He looked pretty tired. Davis landed another body kick. Lytle landed a big right hand finally. Davis landed a body kick. Davis landed a nice counter. Lytle landed a good body shot. Lytle's left eye was bruised up. Davis landed another knee and a combo. Lytle landed a good body shot and a combination and Davis landed some good counters. There was a big bruise on Davis's left cheekbone. Davis landed that knee again, and ate a counter left from Lytle. That mouse under Davis's left eye was huge. Lytle landed a good right. Davis landed a body kick. Lytle landed a body kick. Lytle landed a good left hand. Davis landed a knee and sent Lytle reeling backwards. Lytle landed a good combination in close. The third round and the fight ended. Marcus Davis was the winner by split decision.
Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis - This was an intense grudge match and very possible to become a rematch and necessitate me having to come back on this and make this Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis 1.
The first round began and they circled about. The crowd chanted 'Hardy'. Davis missed a body kick. They circled some more. Hardy landed a slight inside leg kick. Davis missed another body kick. They circled some more. Davis landed a slapping body kick, and came forward and they clinched. Davis was looking for the takedown, interestingly enough. The crowd was still chanting 'Hardy'. Davis was still looking for that takedown but otherwise they weren't doing much. Davis landed some shots inside. They weren't doing much. Davis got that takedown, dragged Hardy down in half-guard and he moved to mount and he was landing good shots. Continued shots. Hardy pushed it back to half-guard. Davis was trying to pass again. Hardy pushed it to full guard and he was hugging Davis in a high guard. Davis postured up with a few good shots. Davis took Hardy's back. They really weren't doing much. Hardy was looking to turn it around but Davis was having none of that, landing good shots in under, hammerfists etc. Good shots. Davis had Hardy turtled up and then he tried to take the back again and Hardy stood it up into the clinch with some good knees on the way up. Hardy landed some good body shots and broke with a big, vicious cracking elbow to the right cheek of Davis. Hardy landed a big combination that rocked Davis, the right hand rocked him, Hardy landed another knee as they clinched again. They exchanged knees. Davis was cut on the forehead. Davis got the arm drag takedown but they stood back into the clinch. Hardy landed a good knee. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled a bit more. Davis landed a body kick. Hardy tried a sloppy head kick. Hardy landed a hard inside leg kick. Davis landed an inside leg kick. Davis tried a flying knee and ate a counter left. Davis landed a body kick. Davis landed a good left hand, Hardy smiled, and then Davis landed the left again. Hardy landed a good leg kick. Hardy landed a really good counter combination, Davis responded with a left, Davis ate a big knee to the chin out of nowhere and dropped and Hardy pounced with some GNP, but Davis pulled it into guard and landed some decent elbows from the bottom. Davis was looking for an armbar. Hardy was yanking out and he escaped back to full guard. Davis was looking for a triangle but Hardy avoided. Hardy landed a good elbow. Hardy was looking to posture up but Davis was having none of that. Davis landed a good elbow from the bottom. The referee stood them up. It was about time. They clinched pretty quickly after circling for a bit. Hardy landed a knee and they broke. Hardy landed a big counter as Davis landed a big body kick. Davis landed a big left hand. They clinched again and Davis got the takedown into full guard once more, landing a few good shots. Davis passed to side control. Hardy put him back in half-guard. The second round ended.
The third round began. Davis dropped Hardy with a counter left immediately and followed him down into full guard. Davis landed some body shots. Davis landed a nice short elbow. Davis passed to half-guard. Davis landed a few good shots. Davis was looking to pass. Davis was looking for a footlock, and he was really going for it. Davis was really looking for it. Hardy spun out and they stood into the clinch. They exchanged knees to the leg. Hardy landed a knee to the body. Hardy got the takedown into full guard. Hardy landed a big elbow. Davis was bloodied up. The fight was paused after a bit to check the cut. Oh damn, that was a lot of blood, the cut was on the bridge of Davis's nose. They restarted the fight in the same position. Hardy landed some hammerfists. This was LNP at its finest. Gotta love Brit fighters... The ref finally stood them up. Davis's face was a mess. Hardy landed a left hook. Hardy landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter left. Hardy landed a body kick. Davis pushed forward and ate a counter left hook and they clinched. The third round and the fight ended, and they shook hands. Dan Hardy was the winner by split decision. Davis walked away, refusing to shake hands with Hardy again. Probably because he did in fact win that fight, in my opinion.
Damacio Page vs. Will Campuzano - The fight was in the WEC. Campuzano had a four-inch reach advantage. The fight was Campuzano's WEC debut, and he came into the fight undefeated, no losses.
The first round began. Page landed a massive right early and another and he was sending Campuzano reeling. They were exchanging bombs repeatedly and Page landed a body kick and got the takedown and Campuzano attempted atriangle and Page escaped to half-guard, back to full guard, Campuzano tried another triangle, and Page escaped and took Campuzano's back and he grabbed a tight rear-naked choke and Campuzano escaped but Page still had his back. Page grabbed the choke again and it was tight, and Campuzano was forced to tap for his first defeat. They shook hands on the ground. Campuzano looked disappointed.
Justin McCully vs. Antoni Hardonk - The fight was McCully's UFC debut.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Hardonk tried a high kick early and McCully grabbed the clinch and began looking for the takedown early but Hardonk was defending pretty well and McCully just pressed Hardonk into the cage. Hardonk landed a good knee. They exchanged some knees. They weren't doing too terribly much. McCully finally dumped Hardonk down into full guard. McCully was looking to posture up. McCully landed some good elbows. They weren't doing too much. McCully was posturing up again. Hardonk was getting dominated but not in the most exciting fashion. McCully landed some pitterpatter hammerfists. Hardonk was looking for an armbar. McCully landed some elbows, these were decent elbows. McCully was briefly in side control but Hardonk put him back in guard, utilizing that high guard. McCully was landing those Tito Ortiz-style elbows. Hardonk grabbed another armbar and he had it pretty deep, damn that was fucking deep as hell, oh my god... McCully finally escaped and got back on top and the first round ended. Damn that was almost a good finish.
The second round began and McCully immediately grabbed the clinch again, looking for a takedown and got it easily after a moment back into full guard. McCully rained down some elbows but Hardonk closed the guard again. McCully postured up and landed some big shots but Hardonk was doing a decent job defensively. McCully stood and Hardonk was looking for some upkicks but McCully went to his knees and then back into guard. McCully landed some more elbows and Hardonk was cut somewhere. McCully landed a good hammerfist. McCully ate an upkick as he postured up. McCully went back into guard. He was just sitting in guard a bit. Wow this is kinda boring. The second round finally, mercifully ended.
The third round uhh... was more of the same. I forgot to even watch it. McCully wins a decision basically.
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Nate Mohr - The fight was Mohr's UFC debut.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled for a bit. Mohr landed a spinning leg kick. Pellegrino tried a takedown and Mohr avoided and landed a counter combo downwards. They clinched and Mohr landed a good knee to the body. Pellegrino was really looking for that takedown and he finally got it and Mohr landed some good elbows from the bottom. Pellegrino passed quickly to half-guard. Pellegrino passed just as quickly to side control. Pellegrino got to mount just as quickly. He was putting on a clinic sort of. Mohr put him back in half-guard. Pellegrino was looking to pass. Mohr put him back in full guard after a bit. Pellegrino stood, dodged an upkick and dropped down for a leglock. A heelhook, I think? No wait it was a combination of a kneebar and an ankle lock. It was tight. Mohr tapped. Pellegrino celebrated with break dancing.
Joe Stevenson vs. Melvin Guillard - Everything was nearly identical. Ultimate grudge match apparently. These dudes were pissed.
The first round began. They circled in close. Stevenson landed a straight left or a jab that surprised Guillard and came for the takedown and he had Guillard down, landing a bit of GNP. Guillard got on top in the scramble and Stevenson grabbed a tight guillotine from guard and Guillard was forced to tap. Guillard was very upset but they exchanged words on their knees. Guillard was very disappointed and furious with himself. Stevenson was giving him some kind words and then he walked away.
David Baron vs. Jim Miller - The first round began and they touched gloves. Miller landed a good leg kick to start it off. They landed leg kicks at the same time and Miller got a takedown into half-guard. Miller nearly had the mount but he was forced back into half-guard. Miller was just smothering Baron, keeping the pressure on. Miller nearly had side control but he was forced back to half-guard once more. Baron had good defense. Miller VERY nearly had mount but Baron once again forced him back to half-guard. Miller kept up the pace though. Baron landed a few elbows from the bottom. Miller stood and landed some GNP and Baron pulled guard and landed another good elbow from the bottom. Miller passed to half-guard again and Baron tried the sweep and Miller had his back. Miller was almost in mount, landing some good hammerfists. He locked in a tight arm triangle and Baron was struggling to hold on to half-guard, the only thing keeping him conscious right then. Baron escaped and Miller took the oppurtunity to finally mount, he had his back and nearly had the RNC, back to mount, he was going for the RNC again and Baron was fighting it pretty hard, the choke was gone. They were squirming around. Miller was in side control now somehow. Miller landed some good hammerfists, stood, went down to side control with a massive shot, they stood and Miller got the takedown again after Baron tried a judo throw, and he had Baron's back. Miller was still looking for that choke. Miller had the hooks in, then the body triangle, and Miller was pretty well solid on there. Miller got the RNC in and ten seconds remained. Oh man Baron was fighting it hard. Seven seconds left. Baron was fighting it really hard. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Baron had his hands comparitively low. Miller landed a leg kick, Baron caught it, Baron landed an accidental groin knee and they continued quickly with a glove touch. Baron landed a good right hand. Miller missed a leg kick, ate a counter left and got the takedown into side control. Baron got the reversal surprisingly and caught the knee to the face on the way up. Baron landed a good combination in close and another and Miller got the takedown but Baron rolled and had Miller turtled up. Amazing! Miller rolled him over into side control once more, however. They stood and Miller tried a guillotine and they were rolling. Damn! Miller was looking for a D'arce choke from the top, no, Miller put him back in half-guard. Miller stood and landed a big shot, went back down into half-guard. Miller nearly passed to mount again, he was almost there. Miller finally passed to full mount. Miller had Baron's back now, no not now, landed an elbow and Baron was cut. He was back on his back and he had the hooks in. Baron... pushed him back to half-guard, no Miller had his back again, they were rolling but Miller still had his back. Baron was rolling to get on top. He was on top. Blood was all over Miller's chest. Baron was on top in full guard. He was bleeding badly. Miller was looking for a triangle or rubber guard. Miller... had that triangle locked in. Twenty seconds remained. Miller let it go. Miller was looking for an arm triangle from the bottom. The second round ended. They stopped the cut in his corner.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled, the pace hadn't even slowed. Miller landed a nice leg kick. Baron landed a body kick, Miller caught it, got the takedown into side control. Miller.. passed to mount. Baron looked weary. Miller tried to get his back, Baron was fighting it though, Miller was sort of in half-guard now. Miller landed another big elbow. Miller was sort of on Baron's back again, now he really was. He was back to mount. Miller had Baron's back again, locked in the body triangle. Damn.. He was back to mount, nope on his back again, pounding in under. He had his back again. Baron had heart, man. Miller grabbed the RNC and he had it tight and Baron was forced to tap. Great fight.
Alistair Overeem vs. Tony Sylvester - The fight was only eight days before Overeem was set to face James Thompson at Dream 12.
The firs tround began and they circled. Sylvester looked scared. They clinched but broke. Sylvester looked terrified. Sylvester landed an inside leg kick. Overeem landed a body kick. They clinched but broke. Overeem landed a big knee to Sylvester's chin and dropped him,s tanding over him and ground-and-pounding. Sylvester stood and the referee let him up. They clinched and Overeem landed another big knee to the chin, to the body, to the chin, to the body. Overeem grabbed a standing guillotine mercifully and Sylvester tapped. Destruction..
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Rubin Williams - Yeah.. this was Williams' MMA debut. He's a fucking boxer.
The first round began. They circled. Sakuraba alanded an inside leg kick, a high body kick. Sakuraba landed another body kick. Sakuraba missed an inside leg kick. Sakuraba tried for the takedown and Williams tried to defend but Sakuraba got it and passed easily to side control and landed punches downward, a knee to the body, hammerfists to the body. Sakuraba was looking for a kimura and he had it tight and Williams tapped.
Luigi Fioravanti vs. John Alessio -The first round began. They circled. Fioravanti seemed to be the more aggressive fighter. Fioravanti checked an inside leg kick. Alessio landed a nice front kick. They circled... Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a right, Alessio landed a left hook and snapped the jab. They circled. Circled. Fioravanti landed a good left. Alessio landed another good jab. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick, Alessio missed another front kick. Alessio landed a good body shot to the sternum. Fioravanti landed a good combination. They clinched, Alessio landed a good knee and they broke. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Alessio landed another good jab. Fioravanti landed a good combination, mostly blocked by Alessio though. Fioravanti landed a leg kick. Alessio landed a good left hook. Fioravanti checked another leg kick. Fioravanti landed a good combination and got tossed aside by the bigger Alessio. They clinched, Fioravanti landed a knee to the body, and then another to the thigh and another. Alessio broke with two good left hooks. Alessio missed a jumping knee. Fioravanti landed a good right. The first round ended. I'd say Fioravanti won that first round. Close though.
The second round began. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick and Alessio responded with a jab. Alessio checked an inside leg kick. Alessio tried a switch kick high but missed. Fioravanti landed a combination. Alessio landed an overhand right wildly, and they touched gloves. Fioravanti landed a right. Alessio landed a left. Fioravanti might have landed an eyepoke, a thumb to the left eye, but the referee said to continue. Fioravanti landed a left. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick. Fioravanti landed another good left. Alessio landed a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a really nice leg kick. Fioravanti landed a good left. Fioravanti missed a leg kick. Alessio landed a leg kick, Fioravanti caught it, they broke, Alessio landed a good left. Alessio had some swelling under his left eye, maybe a broken blood vessel. Alessio landed a counter right. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick, a leg kick. Fioravanti landed a good left, an inside leg kick, Alessio landed a right hand. Fioravanti missed a leg kick. Alessio landed a big right hand, that was good, beautiful. There was some swelling over Fioravanti's left eye now. Alessio landed a left hook to the body. They clinched, Alessio was forcing Fioravanti into the corner. Fioravanti landed a good knee to the body and another. Fioravanti broke with a good left hook. Alessio tried another jumping knee. The second round ended. I'd say Fioravanti won that round a bit more decisively but not by too much. Just my opinion.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick. Fioravanti landed a good right hand. Alessio came for the takedown and Fioravanti defended into the clinch and got the underhooks. They broke. Alessio was smiling. Fioravanti landed an inside leg kick. Alessio landed an inside leg kick. Fioravanti landed a body shot, an overhand right. Alessio missed a body kick. Alessio was breathing a bit heavier. Alessio landed a massive right hand and dropped Fioravanti cold for the knockout victory.
Lyoto Machida vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - The fight was Nakamura's UFC debut. Machida had a three-inch reach advantage, and a two-inch height advantage. The referee for the fight was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. Nakamura circled around and then they touched. Nakamura checked a leg kick. Machida landed a nice body kick. Machida tried for a trip, Nakamura avoided. Nakamura checked a leg kick. They clinched. Machida landed a knee to the leg after being warned for grabbing the trunks. Machida landed a knee to the body, tried another trip and didn't get it, and then they broke away. Nakamura checked an inside leg kick. They clinched but broke quickly. Machida stepped into a knee to the body. Machida landed another good body kick. Nakamura tried a judo throw but slipped, Machida countered the throw and ended up on top in half-guard. Machida was turning towards a kimura, but he soon stopped. Nakamura impressively stood into the clinch and Machida landed a knee to the groin but the referee didn't notice. Nakamura landed a good elbow inside. Nakamura tried a trip but slipped and they broke. Nakamura checked an inside leg kick and blocked a headkick. They clinched once again. Machida barely missed an uppercut in close and landed a knee to the body. Nakamura tried another trip but didn't get it. They broke a moment afterwards. Machida shoved Nakamura down as he slipped and ended up once more in half-guard and he was trying to pass. Machida landed a few nice short elbows. Machida was looking for that kimura again but he stopped. Machida was trying to pass again. Machida stood and then tried a flying guard pass back to half-guard and landed a good shot. They scrambled half-up and the first round ended.
The second round began. Machida landed a big right hand immediately and shoved Nakamura down and he was swarming with elbows and punches, very aggressively. He stood. Nakamura tried an upkick and Machida went back down into side control, landing a big shot. Machida got to MOUNT. Nakamura tried to spin out and Machida took his back, looking for the RNC. Nakamura tried to spun out and Machida was back to mount, landing big elbows, and he had Nakamura's back once again, looking for that choke again. He got the choke in. Nakamura was fighting it. He escaped but Machida still had his back. Nakamura spun out, scrambling and Machida was against the cage standing and Nakamura was on his legs, trying to drag him down. They stood into the clinch. Machida was warned for grabbing the trunks and he got the takedown again, dragging Nakamura down and he passed to mount immediately. Nakamura seemed like he was tiring. Machida was landing more elbows, nice short elbows. Machida was pouring it on with punches. Nakamura tried to spin out and he stood into the clinch. Machida landed a knee to the body. Machida blocked a trip and landed another knee to the body and they broke. Machida landed a big right hand. Nakamura landed a big inside leg kick that seemed to surprise Machida as he tried to throw his own. Nakamura landed a right hand. They clinched. Nakamura tried the foot sweep and he got it and he was on top of Machida in Machida's open guard. Nakamura landed some elbows of his own and passed to half-guard. The second round ended.
The third round began. Both fighters looked tired with their mouths wide open. Nakamura was pressing forward hard, awkwardly, throwing a wild jumping kick. Machida narrowly missed a spinning back kick. Machida landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and Nakamura was trying for the takedown and Machida held the fence, was warned, he let go, Nakamura got the takedown against the fence, they stood into the clinch and Nakamura landed a knee to the body. Nakamura attempted another judo throw. Machida landed a knee to the body. Machida got the foot sweep and ended up on top in half-guard. Machida landed a couple of hammerfists to the body, and another big elbow and another. Machida passed to mount, landed a few shots. Nakamura rolled, Machida retained his back. Nakamura stood and landed a big uppercut on the way up. Machida landed a big knee to the body. Nakamura ate a big counter left and they clinched. Machida landed a knee to the groin. Nakamura's nose was a bit bloodied up. Nakamura attempted another judo throw, Machida had his back standing, they went back to regular, Machida landed a body shot. Machida landed a big elbow inside. Machida landed some good knees to the body. Machida looked.. tired. The crowd was restless. Machida landed a big knee to the body and another. Machida landed an elbow inside and some nice body shots. Machida landed a nice right hand inside. Nakamura landed that massive elbow inside. Machida broke with a nice right hand. They clinched again. Machida got the takedown just as the third round ended. Nakamura stayed laying on the Octagon floor exhausted as Machida walked away. Lyoto Machida was the winner by UD. The fighters hugged.
Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hornbuckle - The fight was for Sengoku. Gono was in a fancy suit and his gloves as he was being introduced. This amuses me. He then undressed to his trunks as the crowd watched. O.O
The first round began and they circled light on their feet. Hornbuckle landed a nice leg kick and Gono responded snappily with a body kick. Hornbuckle seemed very respectful of Gono's striking. Gono seemed very confident. Hornbuckle landed another leg, another, ate a counter from Gono. Gono landed another good body kick. Gono seemed TOO confident, he had his hands low constantly, and he ate a jab from Hornbuckle. Gono landed a good body shot. Gono landed an excellent leg kick. Hornbuckle landed a nice body kick. They clinched and broke quickly. Gono was staying out of range and making Hornbuckle miss kicks and punches even though his hands were low. He was baiting him for something. Hornbuckle landed a leg kick and ate a counter. Hornbuckle landed another leg kick, Gono caught it but Hornbuckle broke away. Hornbuckle grabbed the MT clinch and landed repeated knees to the face and body for what seemed like fifteen seconds and Gono collapsed. Hornbuckle landed a stomp to the face, dodged a leglock attempt and then went down into Gono's full guard. Hornbuckle was sort of just laying there, landing a few body shots, he passed to half-guard and landed some more body shots, staying busy. Just keeping up those body shots. He finally stopped. He stood and tried a soccer kick after a moment but Gono avoided and stood. Hornbuckle tried a front kick but Gono caught it as the first round ended. Gono had a few dabbles of blood on his face, not sure where they were from.
The second round began and they touched gloves and circled. Gono landed an excellent right hand that visibly tagged Hornbuckle. They circled some more, Hornbuckle tried some missed jabs. Gono landed a good leg kick. Gono landed a slapping body kick. Gono landed another body kick. Gono seemed overconfident still. Hornbuckle tried a leg kick, Gono caught it and landed a body shot that dropped Hornbuckle but he let him up. Gono landed a body kick. Hornbuckle landed a body kick and they clinched but broke. Gono landed a right. Gono was really looking for that right hand. Gono landed another body shot, another, surprised Hornbuckle with a big left. Gono landed a good combination. Hornbuckle landed a body kick. Gono landed a really good right hook. Gono landed a body kick. Gono landed a good left hook, a body shot, a right hook, a good combination and they clinched but broke. Hornbuckle came for the takedown and slammed Gono down easily into half-guard. They weren't doing much. Hornbuckle was constantly looking to pass but Gono was defending. Hornbuckle.. got to mount finally. Gono was hugging him though. Hornbuckle landed a few shots in under. Hornbuckle finally sat up and landed some decent ground and pound but Gono hugged him again. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Hornbuckle landed a hard leg kick. Gono danced it off. They both tried leg kicks at the same time. They circled some more. Hornbuckle tried a body kick and ate a big counter right and made the 'bring it on' gesture angrily. Hornbuckle blocked a few hard rights from Gono. Gono landed a slapping left hook and they clinched. They didn't do much and the referee broke them up. Gono had his hands way too low, man. They circled some, throwing missing probing strikes. Gono landed a right hand, a body shot. Gono landed a good right hand. Hornbuckle landed a leg kick. Gono landed a few jabs to the body. Hornbuckle landed a good counter right. Gono landed a good body shot. Gono tried a leg kick, Hornbuckle caught it and Gono was trying to pull away with his hands down and Hornbuckle landed a massive headkick that dropped Gono cold for the knockout victory. Hornbuckle looked shocked and emotional. Gono was down hard, with head and neck injuries later announced. He wasn't moving, and he was carried out by a stretcher. After a moment, Hornbuckled smiled and accepted his trophy, went to check on Gono and then shook hands with Gono's corner. Gono.. wasn't moving. He looked dead. He.. still wasn't moving. Jesus, it's been five minutes and he's still laying there. Wait, he had his eyes opened now finally. When Gono was carried out by the stretcher, general applause echoed, including from Hornbuckle. That was like the most devastating headkick I've ever seen, besides Marius Zaromskis winning the Dream welterweight grand prix.
Alan Belcher vs. Jason Day - The fight was Day's UFC debut.
The first round began. Belcher was showing some fancy footwork, looked like he was expecting a takedown. Day landed a nice leg kick. They clinched, Day landed some good dirty boxing, Belcher grabbed the underhooks and shoved Day into the fence utilizing them. Belcher got the nice takedown into side control. Belcher was looking to pass to mount and Day was looking to stop him. Day escaped to put him to full guard, grabbed the rubber guard and he was landing some very nice elbows to the left forehead of Belcher, just repeatedly, slowly and calculated, damn these were hurting Belcher. Belcher was regretting taking Day down. Those elbows kept coming, punches now. Nice rubber guard by Day. Day was landing some good punches. Belcher escaped the rubber guard but he was still in full guard. Belcher postured up. Day had a tight guard though and he brought him back down. Day was landing some good shots from the bottom. Belcher stood, holding on to Day's legs and then he backed away. Belcher came in with a body shot and they clinched, Day landed some dirty boxing and some big elbows, Belcher was hurt, Belcher was staggering backwards, Day was swarming with big combinations just over and over and over, uppercuts and hooks and combinations, just repeatedly, the crowd was roaring, big punches, Belcher was just covering up against the fence and the referee finally stopped the fight for a standing TKO and Belcher collapsed to his knees and then crouched, disappointed. Day was egging the crowd on with his hands and he was getting a standing ovation and he deserved it. That was impressive.
Alessio Sakara vs. Chris Leben - The fight was light-heavyweight Sakara's middleweight debut lol. Sakara had about an inch-and-a-half reach advantage and a one-inch height advantage. The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Leben landed a body kick early. Leben landed a leg kick. Leben landed a body kick. Sakara landed a right hand and Leben landed a left hook. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Leben was just pushing forward wildly, he landed that left hook again, just taking Sakara's combinations to land his own punches. Leben landed a leg kick, a body kick. They clinched. They broke quickly. Leben landed a leg kick. Leben landed a body kick. Sakara landed a good combination, Leben landed some good counters. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Sakara landed a right to the chin. Sakara was landing a shitload of shots, too many for me to count. Sakara landed a good right and a good right hook, both right to the chin. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Leben landed an inside leg kick. Leben landed a big body kick and they clinched. Leben was really pushing forward in this fight. They broke. Leben was bloodied up decently under his left eye. Leben landed a big combination, a knee to the face, some good uppercuts, and a left hook that hurt Sakara and then another dropped Sakara and Leben pounded away and the referee stopped the fight. Sakara was very upset, saying it was an early stoppage.
Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs. Wesley 'Cabbage' Correira - The fight was for EliteXC. Silva outweighed Cabbage by about twenty pounds. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled in close. Silva landed a good jab, they were mainly throwing missed strikes in close. Silva landed a good leg kick. Cabbage landed a few good jabs and ate a counter from Silva. Cabbage threw a few missed strikes. Silva landed a good leg kick. Silva came for the takedown and got it into open guard. Silva passed to half-guard. Silva landed some hammerfists and some big punches. Silva was landing more big shots, hammerfists and punches, just unloading, Cabbage was struggling to cover up, he was turtled up with Silva on top. Cabbage was telling the referee 'I'm fine'. Silva was looking for a guillotine. Cabbage stood into the clinch. Silva landed a knee to the head. Silva broke with an uppercut and a straight left. Cabbage was looking slow. Cabbage came for a body shot and ate a counter combination. Silva landed another combination, came for another takedown, Cabbage defended into the clinch. They didn't do much for a bit. Silva landed a knee to the leg. The referee finally broke them up. Silva landed a jumping knee that hurt Cabbage and hit him with a combination and Cabbage collapsed, Silva pounded away and the referee stopped the fight. Damn. Cabbage had a nice cut over his left eye.
Ben Rothwell vs. Andrei Arlovski - The fight was for Affliction.
The first round began and they circled, staring each other down. Rothwell didn't show any fear, he was coming forward. Arlovski landed two consecutive inside leg kicks. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick, a leg kick. They clinched and Rothwell got the underhooks. Rothwell landed some foot stomps and they broke. Rothwell landed a nice right hand and ate a nice counter right from Arlovski. They clinched, no Rothwell had the MT clinch behind the head. They broke. Arlovski landed a leg kick. Rothwell was pushing forward without fear. Rothwell landed a good uppercut to the body and they clinched. Rothwell landed some body shots. Arlovski got the takedown into full guard. Rothwell got the sweep and he was nearly on top, Arlovski tried the heelhook turned to an anklelock but Rothwell escaped. Rothwell landed two consecutive leg kicks then. Arlovski landed a good inside leg kick. Rothwell landed a good right hand, and they clinched against the ropes. They broke. Arlovski landed a big right and Rothwell was hurt. Arlovski tried to pounce and he landed a few more nice rights and lefts but Rothwell recovered after a moment and they circled again. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a nice overhand right, a nice leg kick. Rothwell landed a big right hand to the temple and they clinched. The first round ended, and it had been very competitive.
The second round began. Arlovski started it off with the inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another nice overhand right, a nice body shot. Rothwell pushed forward with a nice combination, they clinched and Arlovski broke with a nice left-right, and then a big right and then more big combinations, Rothwell was in trouble, Arlovski was raining in punches, Rothwell backed up and then they clinched, Arlovski got the takedown to half-guard got mount, Rothwell was bloodied up from those combinations, Rothwell got him back to full guard pretty impressively quickly. They didn't do too much. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes. Arlovski was landing some good shots from the top. He was landing some good GNP, Arlovski dropped back for another heelhook, Rothwell escaped and stood, Arlovski stayed laying down and Rothwell went back down into full guard and he was landing some nice body shots. Rothwell landed a nice elbow and another nice elbow. Rothwell's nose was bloodied up. Rothwell landed another massive elbow and another. Another massive elbow, damn. Good top control from Rothwell. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes. Rothwell landed more good body shots. Rothwell landed some good shots from the top. The referee stood them up finally. Rothwell's face didn't look good. Arlovski landed big combinations and backed Rothwell into the corner, uppercuts, hooks, big punches, a headkick, an uppercut, a jumping knee to the cheek, more punches, blood was flying everywhere, the second round ended. Rothwell's ear was bleeding, his nose was bloody.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Rothwell came forward and landed nothing and they clinched. They weren't doing much. Rothwell had underhooks, they were in the corner. They weren't really doing much. The fans were booing now. Arlovski broke with a massive right. Rothwell was visibly hurt. Arlovski landed a leg kick. There was blood on the camera, two big drops. Rothwell was wobbling in the corner. Arlovski landed a massive right and an uppercut and dropped Rothwell spinning for the knockout victory.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Roy Nelson - The fight was for EliteXC. Nelson was on a five-fight win streak coming into the fight. The reach was the same, and Arlovski had a four-inch height advantage over Nelson. The referee was Jorge Ortiz. TITO Ortiz was cageside watching.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick and another. Nelson came for the takedown and Arlovski defended into the clinch easily. Arlovski tried the trip but Nelson ended up on top in half-guard and passed to side control. What a blanket. Nelson was uh just laying on top, not even trying to get to mount. He was looking for a kimura but Arlovski was struggling to escape. He pushed Nelson into where he was still on top in north-south. Just uh just laying on him. Arlovski rolled away and he was on his back, Nelson standing over him. Nelson went back down into half-guard. Phew.. Nelson was looking for that kimura again, passed to side control still looking for it, landed a knee to the body, still looking for it. Another knee to the body. The referee finally stood them up? Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Nelson came forward and clinched yet again. Arlovski landed a nice knee to the head inside after Nelson got lazy and left his face open. They were still clinched though. Hmm.. The referee told them to improve their position. The crowd was very restless. Nelson landed a knee to the thigh. The referee told them to work. The referee finally broke them up. Arlovski landed a big leg kick and a nice jab to the chin. Arlovski landed a nice right hand, Arlovski landed two consecutive hard leg kicks. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. They didn't do anything. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They exchanged missed strikes. Nelson caught Arlovski with a left hook and looked like he rocked him but Arlovski slipped. Nelson moved forward and clinched. They weren't doing anything. Nelson landed some hard knees to the thigh. Arlovski landed another knee to the face. They broke. Arlovski landed a left hook. Arlovski landed a big right, a headkick. Nelson was hanging in there. They clinched once again. Arlovski landed a knee to the body, and another, a knee to the face, a big uppercut, nelson was covering up, Nelson landed two jabs, Arlovski landed an inside leg kick, Arlovski landed a big right hand and then another that dropped Nelson for the knockout victory. Nelson wasn't happy about it. They shook hands and hugged.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Pat Barry - The fight was on the Spike TV card of UFC 104.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled aggressively, exchanging missed kicks quickly. Hardonk narrowly missed a head kick. Hardonk landed a good leg kick. Barry landed a good leg kick. Hardonk landed a body kick. Hardonk landed a hard leg kick. Barry landed a good right hook. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Barry landed an inside leg kick. Barry landed another right hook. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Barry switched stances, ouch. Hardonk landed an eyepoke and then an inside leg kick, and the fight was paused. Ouch. They continued quickly. Hardonk landed a jab and a leg kick. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Hardonk stepped into a knee to the body, and a nice left hook, and a nice inside leg kick. That eye poke was affecting Barry. Barry landed a good jab and a big body kick. Hardonk landed a nice inside leg kick. Hardonk landed another leg kick. Barry landed a nice leg kick. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Hardonk landed a body kick and another. Barry landed a right hook as Hardonk shot for the takedown and Barry sprawled and ended up on top in side control. There was a mouse under Barry's eye from the eyepoke. Barry was... looking to get to mount. This kickboxer-turned-MMA-fighter. He didn't do much and they stood. Barry landed a good combination and another. Barry landed a good jab. Hardonk barely missed a headkick, and landed a good leg kick. Barry's leg was really messed up. Barry checked a leg kick and landed one. Hardonk's nose was bleeding. Barry checked a leg kick. Hardonk sort of landed a head kick. Hardonk landed an inside leg kick and Barry countered with a body kick. The first round ended. Barry's right eye was really bruised up.
The second round began. Hardonk landed an inside leg kick. Barry landed a switch kick to the body. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Hardonk sort of landed a head kick. Barry landed a good combination pushing forward. Hardonk landed a leg kick and ate a counter right from Barry that rocked him. Hardonk landed another leg kick and ate another counter right and went down but stood. Hardonk landed another leg kick and ate another counter right. They clinched. Hardonk was looking for the takedown but Barry defended and they broke. Barry landed a nice jab and a right hook. Barry landed another jab. Barry landed another jab, Barry landed a big right hook that dropped Hardonk hard and Barry pounced after a moment and pounded for the TKO victory. Barry was extremely emotional, crying.
BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre 1 - The first round began and St. Pierre missed a head kicke arly and landed an inside leg kick. They circled aggressively. St. Pierre landed a good right hand. GSP landed a good inside leg kick, checked partly by Penn. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. GSP landed another inside leg kick. Penn landed a good combination. GSP winced and grabbed at his eye, it was bleeding, possibly an eyepoke, they continued. They circled aggressively. GSP's nose was bleeding as well. GSP landed a good leg kick. There was a lot of blood now. GSP tried a spinning back kick and caught Penn a bit. GSP tried another headkick. They clinched. The pace had slowed a bit. Penn landed a good knee to the body. They exchanged body shots. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. They weren't doing too much. Penn landed a knee to the body. GSP tried the takedown, Penn defended back to the clinch. Penn continued defending effortlessly. They broke. GSP missed a headkick. GSP's face was busted up. His eye was swelling shut and his nose was bleeding badly. Penn was unscathed as Rogan commented. GSP landed an inside leg kick. GSP landed an inside leg kick. GSP landed another good leg kick and another. Penn landed a good body shot. Penn checked another inside leg kick. They clinched and the first round ended.
The second round began and they came out hard, exchanging jabs. Penn checked two leg kicks in succession. They clinched. GSP kept trying for the takedown, Penn defended for a bit, GSP finally got him down. Penn worked a high guard. Otherwise, they didn't do much. They stood after a bit. Penn checked a leg kick. They clinched again. They broke after a bit. Penn checked two more kicks and ate a third one, they clinched. Yeah... it's been about a minute, they aren't doing nothing. Penn landed a good shot inside. GSP finally got a takedown and just laid on Penn. The second round ended.
The third round began. GSP landed a good leg kick. Penn landed a good leg kick and a good left hook. GSP landed a kick to the shoulder. GSP landed a good body shot and they clinched. The crowd chanted 'BJ' but not as enthusiastically as before. GSP landed some shots inside. Weren't doing too much.. GSP was trying for the single-leg. Penn was defending. GSP picked Penn up and slammed him down hard. Penn pushed GSP off and stood and GSP came forward and they clinched yet a-fucking-gain. They broke, and Penn surprisingly came for the takedown and GSP was defending but Penn was coming hard for it. GSP was defending well and he turned the clinch around. They weren't doing much. They broke. Penn landed a jab and ate one. GSP got another takedown into guard once more. Penn was looking for an omoplata, landing shots at the same time. GSP pulled out and postured up with good GNP and the fight ended. GSP got the win by split decision. Cecil Peoples scored it as Penn winning by split decision, of course, so that's the only reason Georges didn't win a UD.
Tim Sylvia vs. Tra Telligman - Sylvia had a signifigant reach advantage.
They touched gloves and the first round began. They circled in close, light on their feet for heavyweights. Sylvia landed a nice body kick. Sylvia landed a good jab. Sylvia landed a good counter. Telligman tried to push forward and landed nothing. They circled, Telligman tried it again and ate a counter uppercut and they clinched. They broke after a little bit. Sylvia landed a good leg kick. Sylvia landed a good counter combination. Sylvia landed another good counter, picking Telligman apart. Sylvia landed a body kick. Telligman was cut underneath the left eye. Sylvia landed a good jab. Sylvia landed an uppercut. Sylvia landed a right hand. That reach advantage was showing for Sylvia. Sylvia landed another nice leg kick. Telligman couldn't seem to hit Sylvia. Sylvia landed two counter rights, that cut was really streaming now. They clinched once more, Sylvia landed a knee to the body and they broke. Sylvia landed a big right and Telligman slipped. Telligman landed a right hand and an inside leg kick, his first signifigant offense of the fight. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Telligman landed a left hook. Sylvia landed a jab. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Sylvia landed a massive headkick and dropped Telligman hard for the knockout victory as the bell rang to signal the end of the round.
James Irvin vs. Terry Martin - Martin came into the fight undefeated, and the fight was his UFC debut.
The first round began. Irvin looked confident as they circled. Irvin landed a leg kick and they clinched, Martin was looking for the takedown and he slammed Irvin down after a moment into full guard. Irvin briefly tried for a guillotine. Irvin was trying to stand up, Martin was holding him down. Martin passed to half-guard and looked for a loose guillotine. As they stood into the clinch, Martin kept looking for it but let it go. Martin landed some good knees to the body in the clinch. Martin was looking for that takedown again but Irvin was defending effectively. Martin finally shoved Irvin back down into full guard after Irvin overcompensated on a knee to the body. Martin passed to half-guard. Martin landed a good shot from the top. They weren't doing much. I didn't watch much. The first round ended.
The second round began and Irvin landed a massive flying knee and dropped Martin for the knockout victory.
Matt Serra vs. Shonie Carter - The referee was Mario Yamasaki. The fight was Serra's UFC debut.
The first round began and Serra came out hard. Serra landed a leg kick. They circled in close. Carter landed a big leg kick. Serra grabbed a single-leg and tossed Carter down and went into half-guard. They were pushing a quite decent pace. Serra got to mount and put his hooks in. Carter rolled out powerfully and stood. Serra pulled guard standing and brought Carter down into his guard. Serra was trying for an omoplata and the commentators were calling it an 'armbar'. That might be the first omoplata ever seen in American mixed martial arts, or at least in the UFC, but I doubt it. Carter was in trouble. That arm was bent in the omoplata. Carter was rolling wildly and he made it out but Serra was staying on top with Carter turtled up, side-mounted, landing a knee or two to the body. Carter was trying to buck him off but he couldn't. Carter stood and shook Serra off. Serra landed a big headkick and Carter shoved Serra down. He tried to stand, Serra was trying a leglock, he used it to shove Carter down and got back on top in half-guard. Serra mounted. Carter rolled, and Serra had his back and put his hooks in. Serra was just on the back looking for that rear-naked choke pretty hard. The crowd was chanting 'Serra' repeatedly. Carter escaped and shoved Serra down and stood. They circled. Serra shot for another takedown, they grappled on the feet, Serra pulled guard and grabbed Carter down into guard, he attempted a triangle and Carter escaped, Carter landed some good ground and pound and Serra pulled guard again. Carter stood and escaped. Carter missed a leg kick and spun with the force and Serra pounced with a big spinning back elbow that glanced off of the forehead of Serra that knocked him down at the bell to end the round.
The second round began. They exchanged missed strikes, Carter landed a left. Serra landed a good leg kick. Serra came in and they clinched. Both were trying for the takedown. Carter landed a good right inside. Serra brought Carter down in a cradle and pulled guard. That was a tight guard, by the way. Carter finally stood and escaped the guard. Carter obviously wanted to stand. They both landed leg kicks at the same time. Carter landed an inside leg kick, Serra landed a high kick to the shoulder and came in and they clinched. Serra was really trying for that takedown but he seemed a bit tired. Serra was really looking for that takedown but he just couldn't seem to muster the strength. Serra finally dragged him down and Carter tried to stand from on top but Serra had hold of a leglock. Carter was trying to escape. He managed to stand into the clinch finally. Serra was taking some big breaths. Carter got a.. slow judo hip toss down into open guard. Serra stood into the clinch again and Serra landed a good knee. Carter replied with a knee. Serra tried for a takedown and Carter sprawled and Serra turtled up. Serra laid on his back but Carter stood after a moment. Serra came up with a kick haha. Both fighters were tired. Serra tried to drag Carter down but Carter avoided. The second round ended.
The third round began. Serra came in and hopped and pulled guard again and dragged Carter down into guard once again. They weren't doing much, both were tired. They stood into the clinch. Serra landed a good knee. Carter shoved Serra down with a leg trip. Serra landed a good shot from the bottom. Carter landed a big shot of his own and another and Serra pulled guard once more. Carter landed some good body shots. Serra briefly tried for a triangle but Carter escaped. Serra tried again, Carter escaped and stood. Carter landed a good legkick. Serra came hard for a double-leg and they scrambled and Serra had Carter's back. Carter turned in to the guard and dodged another triangle attempt. Serra stood into the clinch. Serra pulled guard once again standing but let it go and they clinched. Carter landed another good knee. Carter was defending another takedown and they broke away. Serra landed a good leg kick. Carter landed a body kick. Serra came for the takedown, Carter defended into the clinch and Carter got him down with that judo into.... open guard. Carter landed some good body shots. Good body work indeed. Serra tried for another triangle. He .. nearly had that. Ah man. Serra was landing shots from the bottom at the same time. Carter escaped. They stood and broke. Carter missed another leg kick and Serra tried to pounce again and Carter spun with a spinning back fist -- more of a spinning back forearm -- that dropped Serra hard for the knockout victory with about fifteen seconds remaining. Serra's nose was bleeding on the ground.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Fedor Emelianenko - The fight was for the WAMMA heavyweight title with Fedor defending. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. They circled, Fedor wasn't looking as aggressive as usual. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a good right hand. Fedor landed a good left hand and Arlovski swung and missed. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another leg kick. Fedor landed a body shot and missed a right and then a left. They clinched in the ropes. Fedor landed a knee. Arlovski was trying for the trip takedown but Fedor defended well. Fedor landed another knee. Fedor shoved Arlovski into the corner. They weren't doing much, sort of stalemating there. The referee broke them up after a little bit. Fedor checked an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a nice right hand. Arlovski landed another good right, a push kick and came for a big flying knee and ate a straight right from Fedor from nowhere that dropped him hard for the knockout victory, facedown, out mothafuckin' cold. Beautiful. Fedor just walked away.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers - Fedor was five years older. Rogers had at least a seven-inch reach advantage. The fight was Fedor's Strikeforce debut and his debut inside the MMA cage. Rogers came into the fight undefeated. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. They circled, showing respect for each other. Fedor swung wildly and missed. Rogers landed a counter jab that opened up a days-old training cut on Fedor's nose. Fedor was bleeding badly. They circled some more. They exchanged wildly and Fedor tossed Rogers down but Rogers stood quickly into the clinch. Fedor was really bleeding. Rogers was landing some good knees to the legs of Fedor. Rogers was warned twice for grabbing the fence. Rogers kept landing those knees to the legs. They broke. Fedor landed a big left hook that hurt Rogers and Rogers covered up. Fedor was trying wildly for the takedown and he got it and he was landing some good short punches inside from half-guard. The crowd was roaring. Rogers landed some body shots from the bottom. Fedor was looking for a kimura and Rogers reversed into open guard and Fedor kept looking for the kimura but Rogers pulled away, still in open guard and landed some big ground and pound for a bit, Fedor grabbed an armbar but Rogers escaped and lay on top but Fedor got back on top in half-guard. Rogers looked just a bit tired. There was blood everywhere, from Fedor's nose and mouth. Fedor was looking for an arm triangle and Rogers... Rogers escaped and pushed Fedor to open guard and then pulled full guard. Fedor stood and stood over Rogers. Fedor jumped down wildly with a wild right hand and Rogers pulled guard again. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, Rogers was looking a bit confident. Maybe a bit TOO confident. Rogers was light on his feet and relaxed. Fedor missed a wide left hook. Rogers missed a jab. The crowd chanted 'USA', drowning out the 'Fedor' chants. Fedor came in wildly and they clinched. Rogers landed some body shots inside. They broke. Fedor was throwing some wild combinations and Rogers blocked them, reminiscent of Tito-Chuck 1 except Rogers was blocking them all with his arms. They clinched once more. Rogers was looking really amazing, man. Rogers landed a big knee. They broke. Rogers backed off. Fedor landed a massive thwacking overhand right and dropped Rogers hard for the knockout victory and walked off. McCarthy consoled the grieving Rogers on the ground, telling him 'It's okay, you did good, buddy'. The crowd was just roaring. There's no shame in having your only loss to Fedor Emelianenko.
Melvin Guillard vs. Santino DeFranco - This was before either of the men tried their endeavours to the UFC. DeFranco was on TUF 9 and Guillard was on TUF 2, I believe. Yes, that was it.
The first round began. DeFranco immediately shot for the takedown and Guillard defended and threw him but DeFranco went like a monkey and took Guillard's back. Guillard shook him off after a moment into full guard. Almost immediately, the referee told them to work. DeFranco was trying for a triangle but Guillard escaped and pulled guard of his own and he looked to be trying for a guillotine, no he was just getting wrist control. DeFranco landed a few good shots from the top. DeFranco stood. DeFranco landed a good jab, shot for the takedown, Guillard defended into the clinch. DeFranco landed a good knee. DeFranco got the takedown but Guillard rolled on top into guard. DeFranco grabbed a triangle and he had it tight man. Guillard was fighting it, trying to roll out. He was finally forced to tap. Damn that was a good triangle choke.
Cung Le vs. Frank Shamrock - Cung Le came into the fight undefeated. The fight was for the Strikeforce middleweight championship, with Shamrock defending. Cung Le later vacated the title and Jake Shields won it by lackluster hugfest against Mayhem Miller. Anyways the referee was Mario Yamasaki.
The first round began. They circled in close. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Cung Le tried a side kick and Shamrock had his back looking for a body lock but Cung Le ripped himself away. Cung Le landed an inside leg kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Cung Le landed a body kick. Shamrock landed a body kick. Le landed another body kick. Le landed a good right hand to the jaw. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Le landed a body kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Shamrock had a welt on the right side of his face. Le landed a side kick. Le landed another kick to the body, damn. Le landed a good combination ending with a nice right hook. Le landed that side kick again. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick. Le landed a good barrage of kicks, mainly side kicks to the ribs. Shamrock landed a body kick. Le landed another body kick. Shamrock smiled. Le missed a high spinning back kick and Shamrock pounced with a good left hand, tried for a guillotine, landed a knee and they broke. Shamrock came forward with a good combination. Shamrock gave the thumbs-up and they smiled at each other. Le narrowly missed a headkick, Le landed a good spinning back fist as he came around. Shamrock landed a good combination. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Le landed a side kick and another. Shamrock landed another good combination as the first round ended. Excellent round.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Shamrock landed a body kick and ate one too. Shamrock landed a good counter right hand and then another and ate a big roundhouse kick to the face that sent his mouthpiece out. The referee put it back in and they continued. Shamrock was grinning. Le landed another kick to the arm. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Le landed a straight left. Shamrock landed another good body kick. The crowd chanted 'Cung Le' once more. Shamrock landed a body kick, Le caught it and tossed him down. Shamrock beckoned for Le to come on down. Le beckoned Shamrock to get up. Le landed a good inside leg kick. Le tagged him with a few good right hands and a side kick and another. Le landed a good leg kick. Shamrock landed a counter right and Le smiled. Shamrock missed a massive overhand right. Le landed a body kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick and a body kick. Le landed a big side kick. Le landed a massive vicious right hook and that hurt him man, Shamrock nodded. Le landed a few good side kicks. Le landed a good side kick. Le landed another side kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick. The second round ended.
The third round began. Le landed a stomp kick to the knee. Le landed a big roundhouse kick to that arm and another that kind of grazed the face as well. Le landed a body kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Le landed that big roundhouse kick to the arm once again. Le landed a nice combination. Shamrock landed a body kick and an inside leg kick. Le landed an inside leg kick and a body kick and then a big right hand and another big roundhouse kick to that arm, that hurt him. Shamrock's right arm was really red, swelling up. Le landed a left to the body and Shamrock landed a good push kick. Le landed a spinning back fist out of nowhere after missing a side kick. Le grabbed a kick and swept him with a low kick. Shamrock stood and he looked pissed, no more smile. The crowd chanted 'Cung Le'. Le landed another side kick. Le landed a good right hook. Shamrock tried a headkick. Le landed another good sidekick and another. Le landed another good kick to that arm and Shamrock landed a big right and then another big right and another. Cung Le was hurt. Shamrock landed a big combination and another big right and another. They clinched. Shamrock landed a big elbow inside and another. Shamrock barely missed a knee as they broke. Le landed another big spinning back fist. Shamrock landed another big right and another. Le landed that big headkick to the face of Shamrock again and landed some combinations and another headkick against the cage as the third round came to an end. Shamrock didn't look so good in his corner. The fight was ended after a moment because Shamrock's right arm was broken. Cung Le was the champion.
Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva - The first round began and they came out facing each other down. Silva threw a missed leg kick. They sized each other up. Silva landed an inside leg kick and dodged a hook from Belfort. Belfort came forward with combination after combination, very quick hands and chased Silva across the Octagon landing them over and over and Silva dropped after about six seconds of it against the cage. Belfort was the winner by (T)KO. Very nice.
Ron Waterman vs. Andre Roberts - The first round began. They circled. Roberts was swinging wildly. They clinched, they broke and Roberts swung wildly some more. Waterman landed good combinations, countering. They clinched. They exchanged strikes in close after breaking. Roberts looked rocked. Waterman landed a big knee to the face and some shots in under repeatedly, uppercuts. Roberts landed a good straight right and another big one that dropped Waterman and Waterman was turtled up and grabbing the leg and Roberts was landing good shots in under. Roberts was on top in side mount and Waterman stood and backed off. Roberts landed a good left hook and dropped Waterman for the knockout victory. That's... a bit of a shock. I figured Waterman was about to win.
Hayato Sakurai vs. Mac Danzig - The fight was for Pride. Danzig injured and possibly broke his left thumb.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Danzig landed an inside leg kick and circled light on his feet. Both fighters were hopping around. Danzig checked a high kick. Danzig landed a body kick. Danzig landed a counter knee to the body as Sakurai bullied him into the ropes with some missed strikes. Sakurai checked a leg kick. Danzig came forward and ate a big coutner combination from Sakurai and more counter combinations. They exchanged and Danzig circled out. Sakurai bullied Danzig into the corner landing a big combination, a big knee to the head and another big combination that dropped Danzig. Danzig lay on his back until the referee stood him up. Sakurai landed a good left hook. Sakurai landed a good body shot and they clinched. They broke after a few moments. They circled, exchanging missed jabs. Danzig missed a leg kick. Sakurai landed a wicked leg kick. Danzig landed an inside leg kick. Danzig landed a good right hand. Danzig landed a body kick. Sakurai missed a body kick, Danzig dodged, tried to take Sakurai's standing back, Sakurai judo threw him and ended up on top in half-guard. They were too close to the ropes and were moved to the center after a moment. Danzig pushed it to full guard after a bit. Danzig looked to work a rubber guard, and he had that. Danzig was trying to get a triangle and he nearly had it, but Sakurai stood and the referee stood Danzig up. Sakurai landed a good leg kick and another, and another. They clinched and Sakurai judo threw him again hard into side control. Sakurai was looking for a kimura and he had it tight. Sakurai let it go and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Sakurai landed an inside leg kick. Danzig came forward and they clinched, Sakurai got the trip takedown into side control and he grabbed that kimura again but Danzig escaped. Danzig rolled out, tried for an armbar but Sakurai escaped and stood and Danzig stood as well. Sakurai landed a good leg kick. Sakurai landed a good counter left hook. Danzig landed a body kick. They clinched but broke. Danzig landed a good left hook. Sakurai landed an inside leg kick. Danzig seemed a bit confident for some reason. Sakurai landed a good straight left. Sakurai landed a good body shot. Sakurai landed a good left hook. Danzig landed a good leg kick. Danzig landed a body kick. Sakurai landed a hard leg kick. Danzig narrowly missed a side kick. Sakurai landed a big body kick. Sakurai had his hands low. Sakurai nearly had Danzig's back standing but Danzig pulled away quickly. Sakurai landed a massive leg kick that visibly hurt Danzig. Sakurai landed a big knee to the body. Sakurai landed a big leg kick. Sakurai landed a big inside leg kick. Sakurai landed a good jab. Sakurai landed a big leg kick. He was utilizing those leg kicks. Sakurai landed a big left hook. Sakurai landed a straight left. Sakurai landed a massive looping right hand that dropped Danzig for the knockout victory.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic - Sakuraba's orbital bone was broken in this fight. Mirko has a strange habit of doing that.
The first round began. Sakuraba shot immediately for the takedown, Filipovic defended and landed a punch, did the same a moment later. Sakuraba circled hesitantly. Filipovic was stalking him. Filipovic landed a big leg kick. Sakuraba missed a big leg kick. Filipovic landed a good combination, defended a takedown, landed a good knee to the turtled-up Sakuraba's temple. They stood sort of. Filipovic landed a knee to the calf and let Sakuraba go and they circled. Sakuraba came forward and landed nothing. Filipovic landed a big straight left and shoved Sakuraba down and let him up. Sakuraba shot for a takedown and missed. Filipovic landed a big body kick, big leg kick. Sakuraba missed a leg kick of his own. Filipovic landed a leg kick. Sakuraba shot for a takedown, Filipovic sprawled and they stood. Sakuraba landed a good right hook. Filipovic sprawled and they stood. Filipovic missed a sort of head kick. Filipovic landed a body kick. Sakuraba came forward with a good combination. Filipovic sprawled to avoid another takedown but Sakuraba kept coming and finally got him down into full guard, he was avoiding Sakuraba's attempts to pass effectively and finally pulled guard tightly. Sakuraba continually postured up but landed nothing. Sakuraba landed a few decent shots. Sakuraba landed some hammerfists. The crowd chanted 'Sakuraba' and applauded rhythmically. Sakuraba landed a double hammerfist and they stood. They shook hands, Sakuraba grinning, as the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, in close. Sakuraba missed a leg kick. They circled some more. Mirko landed a big leg kick. Sakuraba threw a missed combination. Mirko narrowly missed a headkick, landed a leg kick. Sakuraba came forward with missed strikes. Sakuraba shot for a takedown, Mirko sprawled and they stood. Mirko landed a body kick but slipped backwards and Sakuraba pounced on top in... half-guard. Mirko was looking for an arm triangle from the bottom but Sakuraba pulled out. Sakuraba was looking for that kimura again. Mirko briefly looked for that arm triangle again. Sakuraba looked for that kimura again. Sakuraba postured up and ate a few big upkicks to the eye from Mirko from the bottom. Sakuraba stood, looked hurt, went back down into Mirko's full guard landing a few good shots. Mirko was laughing at Sakuraba for some reason from the bottom. Not sure why. He was indeed laughing. Sakuraba landed some really good hammerfists, postured up with big ground and pound, Mirko shoved Sakuraba away hard with his legs, Sakuraba came back down, Mirko tried for a triangle but Sakura escaped. Mirko landed some good elbows from the bottom to Sakuraba's face and then the top of Sakuraba's head. The second round ended. Sakuraba stayed on his knees. He wasn't getting up. His left eye was bleeding badly. His left orbital bone was broken, maybe from one of those elbows. Mirko looked calm in his corner, getting ready for a third round. Bas Rutten said 'Please do NOT let this be the end." Yep, the doctors stopped the fight. TKO (broken orbital bone).
Tito Ortiz vs. Guy Mezger 2 - Mezger had won the previous fight by guillotine, I believe. The referee was Big John McCarthy.
The first round began. Both were wearing shoes, and both were wearing gloves. They circled, Tito shot for the takedown early as Mezger tried for a legkick and got Mezger down, but Mezger was working for those butterfly guard. Tito was just holding Mezger down and shoving him into the cage. Mezger was trying to stand and he managed it and they clinched and Mezger landed a good knee and some body shots. Tito landed a good knee to the body and they broke the clinch. They circled around. Tito came for the takedown, grabbing at Mezger's ankle and he grabbed him down but Mezger stood into the clinch. Mezger escaped and Tito tried for another takedown and missed. Tito stood into the clinch. Mezger landed a good body shot inside, and another. Tito landed a good knee. Tito was trying for another single leg but Mezger was showing good balance, he dragged Tito down and he was grabbing for a kimura and he nearly had that from open guard. Shit he had it tight, extended, Tito escaped to half-guard. There were scattered cheers of 'Tito'. Mezger's cornerman -- Ken Shamrock -- yelled 'Be smart, Guy!' and 'Back door!' instistently and annoyingly. They weren't doing much. Tito landed a good elbow. Tito landed a few good shots. 'Come on, Guy, you've gotta want this'. Mezger kept stalling on the ground. 'Come on, Guy, he ain't got nothing.' Tito landed good shots, landed more good shots in under as Mezger tried to escape and turtled up. Ortiz shoved Mezger back into the fence, grabbing a headlock tightly. Mezger escaped and had Tito in open guard. 'Come on, Guy, stay in this.' Mezger briefly looked for another kimura, Tito escaped, no Mezger still looked for it. Tito had Mezger's back dominantly. Mezger was trying to stand. Tito landed some elbows to the back of the head and they stood. Mezger turned and Tito was turtled up, holding that leg. He grabbed Mezger down and had his back, landing more massive elbows to the back of the head. Mezger rolled and grabbed a triangle from guard quickly. Tito escaped back to guard and landed a big shot from the top. Mezger looked for that kimura again, Tito escaped to half-guard. Tito was smiling on top. Mezger put Tito back in guard, looked for that kimura again. Tito was holding his shorts to avoid that kimura. He finally escaped fully and Mezger pulled guard but then opened it. Tito covered Mezger's mouth. Tito landed some good elbows. The referee told them to work. Tito pushed Mezger back into the fence. Mezger rolled out and stood. He looked exhausted. They circled out. They clinched. Tito shoved Mezger down and had him turtled up again, briefly tried for a guillotine but mainly just sprawled out on top of him. Tito landed another big elbow to the back of the head. 'Watch the punch, Guy. Watch the knee to the side.' Tito began landing big knees to the body, three of them, oooh a big elbow to the back of the head, more big elbows. Mezger was trying to stand, more big elbows to the back of the head, hammerfists, more elbows, big shots. Mezger tried to roll out, he couldn't make it. Tito landed more hammerfists, just over and over, big elbow, hammerfists, hammerfist hammerfist hammerfist hammerfists, damn damn over and over, the referee finally stopped it. Tito fired his guns twice and double flipped off Ken Shamrock in the corner of Mezger, which started their rivalry. Ken leaped up on the Octagon and Ortiz came over and they trashtalked until someone dragged Ortiz away.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral - The referee was Big John McCarthy. Sokoudjou had a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled in close. Sokoudjou landed a leg kick. Sobral landed a leg kick. They clinched but broke. Sokoudjou landed an inside leg kick and they clinched. Sokoudjou got the takedown but Sobral escaped up into the clinch. They exchanged some nice knees, trading nicely. Sobral seemed to be getting the better of the knees to the body. Sokoudjou had those underhooks. The referee broke them up after Sobral complained to McCarthy that Sokoudjou was holding the ropes. Sokoudjou landed those leg kicks after dodging a high kick from Sobral. Sobral had Sokoudjou's back and Sokoudjou was through the ropes, trying to escape. They restarted in the same position with Sobral in the dominant position in the clinch, landing good knees. Sokoudjou got the takedown into full guard. The crowd chanted 'Babalu' I think. Sokoudjou rained down some good elbows and punches, oh damn a big elbow. Sobral escaped to the feet and Sobral shot for the single as they stood, and Sokoudjou defended, got the judo throw but they stood into the clinch. Sokoudjou landed some hammerfists in under and Sobral shoved Sokoudjou into the corner. Sokoudjou was warned for the second time for grabbing those ropes. Sobral landed some good knees inside. Sobral kept landing those knees, to the thighs now not the body. The referee broke them up finally. Sobral landed a push kick. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Sobral landed a good right hand and ate a nice uppercut from Sokoudjou. Sobral landed a good left combination ending with a body shot. Sobral came for the takedown and got it into full guard, immediately beginning to land big shots and then some nice hammerfists and the crowd roared. Sobral landed some more effective ground and pound and then some elbows, and passed to half-guard. Sobral was looking for that anaconda choke. Sobral landed some more good ground and pound. Sobral stood and landed more ground and pound. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes. Sokoudjou looked very tired. Sobral passed to half-guard, just stepping over, maybe looking for a kimura. Nope, he was landing more GNP and then some elbows. Sokoudjou tried to escape and turtled up. Sobral was looking for the anaconda and gator-rolled and had it and Sokoudjou was forced to tap and the crowd roared.
Ben Rothwell vs. Krzysztof '3Z' Soszynski 1 - The fight was for the IFL. Rothwell had a four-inch height advantage. 3Z was 238, Rothwell was 264 so Rothwell had like a twenty-five pound weight advantage. 3Z was four years older. Damn dude, 3Z looks... really like a completely different person as a heavyweight. Amazing, seriously. This is their first fight, the second Rothwell won in thirteen seconds.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, throwing missed strikes. Rothwell landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. 3Z looked like he wanted to measure him. 3Z landed a big left hand that hurt Rothwell and another. They backed off. 3Z landed another left hand. Rothwell seemed rocked and hesitant now. 3Z landed a good combination. They clinched and Rothwell landed a good knee to the face and they broke. Rothwell landed a good headkick, a body kick. Bas Rutten yelled at 3Z to 'move, Krystoff'. They clinched but broke. 3Z came forward with a good combination. Rothwell landed a big right hand that hurt 3Z and knocked him down but they stood quickly. They clinched. 3Z looked for a guillotine, Rothwell countered with a double-leg into half-guard. 3Z worked a butterfly guard and then full guard. Rothwell passed to side control. Rothwell began landing hammerfists. They stood, but Rothwell had that MT clinch and landed a good knee, and then landed big combinations and dropped 3Z and pounded with about ten seconds remaining, kept pounding and the referee stopped the fight.
Bas Rutten vs. Jason Delucia - The first round began. They had no gloves, bare-knuckled, weird boots on. They kept trying some front kicks and side kicks. Rutten landed a body kick. Rutten landed a closed fist illegally to Delucia's throat, but he continued pretty quickly and they clasped hands to show it was cool. Delucia landed a body kick. Delucia landed a side kick. Rutten landed an inside leg kick and they exchanged slaps. Delucia landed some slaps to the body and Rutten landed a body kick. Delucia landed a side kick. Rutten landed a right and left hook to the body, Delucia landed a body kick. Rutten checked a leg kick, Delucia missed a high kick. Delucia landed two side kicks. Delucia landed a leg kick, some slaps, landed a body kick, ate a big hook from Rutten, Rutten landed a right straight, Delucia landed a combination and they clinched. Rutten was cut somewhere, just a little cut, on his left cheek. Delucia landed a leg kick. Delucia landed a side kick. Rutten landed a body kick. Rutten landed a leg kick. Delucia landed a side kick and Rutten landed a body kick. Delucia landed a leg kick. Delucia landed a leg kick. Delucia landed a body kick. Rutten in his commentary said everything Delucia 'landed' was blocked. Rutten landed a left hook to the body and a straight right to the body. They clinched. Delucia got the takedown to mount. The referee stood them up after a bit. Rutten landed a body kick. Rutten landed a body kick. Delucia landed a body kick. Rutten landed a knee to the body. Rutten landed a body kick. Rutten landed a punch to the body, Delucia complained that it was to the face and the referee gave Rutten a yellow card even as Rutten disputed it. They continued. Rutten landed an inside leg kick. Rutten landed a high kick to the shoulder. Rutten landed another high kick to the wrist, straight right to the body, another straight right to the body, Delucia again said he was hit in the throat or face. Rutten looked angry, he got a red card. He looked extremely angry. They shook hands limply. Delucia landed a leg kick. Rutten landed a good body kick. Delucia landed a body kick. Delucia landed a leg kick. Rutten landed a straight right to the liver and another that dropped Delucia in extreme pain, the count was given and Delucia stood barely beating the count. That was to the head, eh? Rutten landed another liver shot, another kick to the liver and Delucia struggled tos tand, barely beating the count again. Delucia said it was to the groin, Rutten disputed it saying it was the body angrily. They shook hands very angrily and shortly, just for the audience. Another liver shot and Delucia dropped again, the count was being given, Delucia stood and barely beat the count again and the crowd applauded. Rutten landed another liver shot and that broke Delucia's liver and he dropped. The fight was over. TKO (liver shot).
Matt Lindland vs. Phil Baroni 1 - Big John asked if they were ready and Lindland grinned and said 'absolutely'. The first round began and Lindland landed a combination and they clinched against the cage. They exchanged shots inside, Lindland began landing some fast knees to the legs, surprisingly fast. Baroni landed some good body shots inside, going body body body body head repeatedly and quickly. Lindland was looking for the takedown. He was really looking for it. Baroni had Lindland turtled up and grabbed a guillotine and nearly had it, damn that was tight. He let it go and landed good punches in under, Lindland pushed forward and got Baroni on his back in open guard, Lindland passed to half-guard. Lindland landed a few nice elbows from the top, some good left hands. Lindland landed some body shots. A new rule change was that the fighters could be stood up if they weren't busy. Baroni was turtled up and he stood but Lindland had a headlock and Lindland landed big knees to the head. Baroni stood but Lindland had that headlock still landing big knees to the head just over and over. Baroni was still eating those big knees repeatedly. Big shots in under by Lindland. Lindland kept landing those big knees to that head of Baroni. Baroni broke away and landed a series of right hands and stunned Lindland but Lindland clinched quickly. Baroni had a swelling on his right eye from one of those knees. Lindland landed some quick knees to the legs inside, they exchanged dirty boxing reminiscent of Don Frye and Takyama. They broke away and Baroni landed a big straight left hand that dropped Lindland hard and Baroni pounced. Lindland was recovering nicely as Baroni passed to side control. Baroni landed a good forearm strike and another and another. Baroni stood and Lindland stayed laying down. Baroni landed a body kick downwards. The first round ended and the crowd cheered. Baroni looked at Lindland in their corners between rounds smiling tauntingly.
The second round began. Lindland landed a good leg kick and ate a counter striaght left. They clinched and Baroni landed big body shots and shots to the face inside that hurt Lindland. Lindland took Baroni down hard into side control. Lindland landed good hammerfists consistently. Lindland landed some more good shots inside, good elbows to the body. Lindland landed a good elbow to the face and another, and another, some good hammerfists, Lindland landed some more good shots, a good forearm strike. Baroni got back to full guard. Lindland landed more good shots from the top. Lindland landed a big elbow. Lindland landed some more good hammerfists. Lindland passed to mount and landed more good shots in under. Lindland kept raining those punches in under. Lindland landed some more forearm strikes. Baroni was trying to wall walk and he got it into Lindland's full guard and landed a good elbow and another. Lindland landed some good shots from the bottom. Baroni landed a few good elbows. Baroni stood and let Lindland up. Lindland landed some good combinations and took Baroni down and had his back, raining down more strikes, rolled him over into side control. Lindland landed two good knees to the back. Lindland landed two more good knees to the ribs. The second round ended. Tito Ortiz told Baroni in the corner 'Wall walk, man. This is what you fucking worked hard for. Come on, man.'
The third round began. Baroni was smiling again. Lindland landed a leg kick and ate another counter combination. Lindland landed a good right hand. Lindland landed a leg kick. Baroni landed a big straight left and Lindland clinched and he had Baroni's standing back, landing good knees to the leg and then to the head three times. Lindland took Baroni's back, had his hooks in, shoved Baroni down, looked for the choke, rained down blows in under, rolled him over into mount against the fence. Lindland landed shots in under. Lindland landed a good hammerfist. Lindland landed more good shots to the forehead. Baroni tried to wall walk again but Lindland was ready this time and stayed on top. Lindland landed a few good elbows to the forehead. Lindland landed constant shots in under. Baroni NEARLY rolled on top in guard and pushed it to half-guard, and ate some big forearm strikes to the face from Lindland. Lindland landed some elbows to the body. Baroni looked exhausted. Lindland passed to side control and landed two knees to the body. Lindland had Baroni's back again and got both hooks in, landed shots in under, just repeatedly, staying busy. Baroni turned on top into side control. Baroni took Lindlabd's back. Lindland rolled over on top in side control. The referee stood them up and gave them a time out. He told Lindland it was a foul because he had landed a knee to the head on the ground, and he took a point. They continued standing. Lindland landed a leg kick. They exchanged in close, Baroni was landing good shots inside, Lindland was hurt, continuous right hands. They exchanged again in close, Lindland was hurt, Baroni dropped Lindland, Lindland was turtled up, Baroni was landing shots in under, Lindland stood and was trying for a single leg, Baroni was defending for a bit and showing good balance, and Lindland got him down finally RIGHT as the fight ended. Both fighters put their hands up. Matt Lindland got the win by majority decision. It should have been either a win for Baroni or a draw because of that point taken.
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares - Pellegrino was six years older, and everything else was virtually identical.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled, light on their feet. They sort of sized each other up with missed jabs. Tavares was circling elusively. Pellegrino missed a straight right, landed a good right hand. Pellegrino landed a big overhand right hand that hurt Tavares and a big uppercut that dropped Tavares and he was pounding away, he got the mount, he took Tavares's back, Tavares stood and Pellegrino stood and landed another big right and dropped Tavares and Pellegrino landed some elbows and some more and then mounted Tavares and landed some elbows and punches, more elbows. Pellegrino landed another elbow, and another. Tavares was cut. Pellegrino landed another elbow. Tavares pushed it to half-guard. Pellegrino landed more elbows. Tavares pushed it back to open guard. Tavares was bleeding somewhere pretty badly. Pellegrino landed another big elbow and another. There was blood from Tavares on Pellegrino's blond hair. Pellegrino stood, landed two big right hands downward and dived back into half-guard. I don't know where that cut is. Pellegrino landed three more good short elbows. Looks like that cut is around his mouth or nose and maybe also another one over his right eye. Pellegrino landed another elbow. Tavares managed to stand into the clinch and they broke. Tavares landed a good jab, and ate a left from Pellegrino and then another and got the takedown into half-guard. Pellegrino stood and landed some leg kicks down and came down with a big shot to side control and then moved himself back to full guard. Maybe there was a cut under Tavares's left eye now, too. His face was messy. The first round ended.
The second round began. Tavares missed a headkick. They circled some more, Tavares was elusive. Pellegrino landed a leg kick, dodged a leg kick from Tavares. Pellegrino missed a combination. Pellegrino landed a good straight left between Tavares's eyes and ate an eyepoke from Tavares's pinkie or ring finger or maybe both at the same time and the fight was paused. Pellegrino continued relatively quickly. Tavares came forward with a combination, body kick, missed another body kick. Pellegrino came forward with a nice uppercut and a knee to the upper body and a hook over the top that hurt Tavares. They clinched. Tavares was looking for the takedown but Pellegrino was defending effectively. Tavares landed a big knee and broke with a big combination. Tavares was breathing with his mouth wide open, his nose was extremely bloody. Pellegrino landed another overhand right. Tavares landed a good leg kick. Tavares came forward aggressively but Pellegrino showed off good head movement. They clinched. Tavares got the takedown into full guard and landed a few good hammerfists. Tavares landed a few elbows. The difference was that Pellegrino had good defense on the ground. Pellegrino looked for an armbar and he nearly had it... Tavares might have.. tapped twice on Pellegrino's leg, but no,Tavares pulled away back to guard. Tavares passed to half-guard. 'Kurt, underhook and get up!' Kenny Florian yelled in the corner. Tavares landed some more good hammerfists. Tavares landed another good hammerfist to the nose. Tavares landed more good short elbows, hammerfists repeatedly, oh man hard hammerfists there. Tavares landed some more good shots from the top. Pellegrino was cut on the bridge of the nose, but nothing really special. The second round ended. The audience booed as the possible, controversial tap was showed.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled some more. Tavares landed a good right hand. Pellegrino swung and missed. Tavares landed a leg kick. Tavares swung a headkick and Pellegrino ducked under beautifully. Pellegrino landed a good one-two combination that staggered Tavares a bit. Tavares was still aggressive. He tried a takedown, Pellegrino sprawled and had a tight guillotine as Tavares was turtled up. Tavares's nose was dripping blood. Pellegrino let it go and as they stood, landed a good uppercut. Pellegrino landed a good jab. Tavares swung wildly with a combination and missed. Tavares landed a good leg kick. Tavares tried a takedown, Pellegrino stuffed it, Tavares landed a body kick, Pellegrino landed a good counter, Pellegrino landed a good leg kick. They clinched. 'Body shot, Kurt, body shot. He's dead, Kurt, he's dead!" Kenny Florian yelled. Pellegrino was looking for the takedown but Tavares was defending, and landing body shots as he did. Pellegrino ended the search for the takedown. Pellegrino landed a body shot and a knee to the body. Tavares got the trip takedown but Pellegrino scrambled and got his back and they scrambled, but Pellegrino was retaining the back. Tavares scrambled and they stood into the clinch. Kenny Florian yelled at Pellegrino to relax. The referee broke the clinch. They both looked tired. Tavares came for the takedown and Pellegrino sprawled and he was looking for either a D'arce choke or an anaconda choke, keeping Tavares turtled up. Pellegrino briefly had an anaconda choke but didn't roll, instead Tavares rolled and put Pellegrino in half-guard. Tavares pushed it t full guard and worked a rubber guard for a moment. The fight ended. Kurt Pellegrino was the winner by unanimous decision, 29-27, 29-27 and 29-28.
Jason 'Mayhem' Miller vs. Frank Trigg - The fight was for the ICON Sport middleweight championship, I believe. The referee was Yuji Shimada.
The first round began. Miller landed a leg kick. Trigg landed a leg kick. Miller shot for a single and Trigg defended and they broke. Miller landed a leg kick, an inside leg kick, Trigg landed a leg kick. Miller tried a takedown, Trigg defended and they broke. Trigg landed a leg kick. Trigg landed a combination and a body kick. Miller landed a body kick. Trigg came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. Miller was looking to roll out but Trigg had none of it. Nope they stood and Miller had his standing back. Miller got Trigg down and then had his standing back with one hook in. The referee told them 'action'. Miller had both hooks in, then one again. Miller threw Trigg down but Trigg stood again, back down. They scrambled. They clinched. Trigg shoved Miller down and stood over him, raining down ground and pound. Trigg went down patiently into half-guard. Trigg landed a few shots from the top. Trigg looked for an arm triangle from half-guard but let it go. Trigg looked really relaxed, landing short shots from the top. Trigg landed another good shot. Trigg looked for that arm triangle again and he had it, trying to step over into side control. Miller rolled and gave his back to Trigg, Trigg had both hooks in, looking for that rear-naked choke. Trigg stood over Miller as they rolled and he landed good shots. Miller was turtled up. Trigg landed a soccer kick and another, over and over to the head, over and over, fifteen or twenty of them, Trigg pounded away with more, Miller was turtled up, Trigg landed big knees to the head, soccer kicks, standed over him and pounded away on Miller. More and more pounding. The first round ended. Miller got up smiling, however. Miller's right eye was swelling up and he was cut over that eye as well.
The second round began. Miller landed a body kick, Trigg landed a body kick and another of his own. They clinched and Trigg landed some nice dirty boxign and they broke. Miller landed two body kicks, Trigg landed one and slipped. Trigg stood and got the takedown into half-guard. Miller tried for a guillotine but he wasn't going to get that, he wasn't near getting it. Miller was breathing heavily. They stood into the clinch. Miller landed a nice knee. Miller landed a few more good knees. The referee broke them up. Trigg landed a body kick. Trigg landed a good left hand, huge. Miller landed a body kick and ate a counter left hand. Miller shot for a single, Trigg defended and Miller turtled up. The crowd was 'eerily quiet'. Miller stood and ate a kick on the way up. Trigg landed a left hand and another and another. Miller landed a body kick. Trigg landed a left hand and another and another, two big knees to the chin. Miller was turtled up eating soccer kicks to the back of the head and the forehead. Miller had nothing left. Trigg kept landing those soccer kicks and the referee stopped the fight. Frank Trigg was the middleweight champion after a dominant performance.
Tito Ortiz vs. Wanderlei Silva - After Tito's loss to Frank Shamrock for the middleweight (199) title, Shamrock retired and vacated the championship and Ortiz and Wanderlei were chosen as top contenders. Damn they both look so young and... hungry. The referee was Big John McCarthy. After the fight, a number of time after, the division was renamed to light-heavyweight (205).
The first round began. They circled. Silva looked like he was expecting a takedown. They circled some more. Silva landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. Silva landed the leg kick. Tito came for the takedown but Silva sort of pushed him aside not too hard, Tito more like moved. Silva missed a combination and an uppercut and Tito got the takedown into full guard finally. Silva had his legs sort of split with one foot against the cage and the other in another direction. He was doing it again. He was really using that cage. Scattered chants of 'Tito' could be heard. Tito was smothering him. Silva was trying to wallwalk again. Tito postured up and landed some good shots. Silva was wallwalking again. This was kinda boring. Okay, I'll admit it, it's really boring. Yep... Just.. Yep. Yawn. Just over one minute left. Please hurry. I'm dying over here. The cheers had sorta stopped. Fifty-five seconds remained. Silva landed an elbow from the bottom. The referee told them to work, but I don't think at that point in UFC history they could stand them up. In Baroni-Lindland they could but not at this stage. Fifteen seconds left, you know? Tito landed a few pitter-patters from the top and the first round ended.
The second round began. They came out and circled. Silva landed some good usual haymaker combinations, stuffed a takedown, landed some more, Tito landed a big right and Silva went for a double leg and Tito sprawled. Tito shoved Silva down into full guard. Yep the round is over pretty much, this sucks. Tito landed a few nice shots and some more. Hugfest. Tito landed a few hammerfists. This sucked. Why isn't the crowd booing? Hey look, Tito even had his trademark flame trunks even then. Two minutes and ten seconds remained. Tito tried to pass but Silva scrambled back to guard. One minute and thirty-five seconds remained. Fifty-five seconds remained. Hmm they were already using ground-and-pound at this point, Mark Coleman coined the term. Fifteen seconds remained. Tito landed a few good shots from the top and some more. The second round ended. Wow, shitty Jap ring girls.
The third round began. They circled. Silva was keeping his distance. He put his hands on his knees for a moment and took a deep breath. Tito acted like he was going to strike. Yeah. They circled. Yeah. Tito was doing most of the moving, wanting Silva to come for him. A fan yelled 'Go Tito!' Why? Silva missed a leg kick. Risky. Tito came for the takedown, Silva sprawled and landed a knee to the forehead and Tito moved back. They circled. Tito landed a right hand glancing off. Tito landed a body kick, Silva caught it and he tossed Tito down, Tito stood, ate a big right and went to his knees, rocked and stood and ran, Silva ran after him as Tito ran away wildly, he was running lmao. Silva landed a combination and another, Tito was fighting for the takedown. Silva was avoiding, sprawling desperately. Tito got him down into guard. Le sigh x10000. Layin' there. One minute and fifty seconds remained. Tito landed a few good shots. Yep.. Forty-five seconds remained. Fifteen seconds remained. Tito landed a good shot. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. They circled. Yeah Tito sure you're gonna strike, stop headbobbin', bighead. They circled. The referee said 'let's get it on here, come on'. They circled. Silva missed a leg kick. They circled. Silva missed a leg kick. They circled. Silva missed a leg kick. Three minutes remained. Silva barely missed a combination, Tito came for the clinch and Silva defended for a moment but Tito got him down to full guard. Phew. Done. Two minutes left now... The commentator said 'The action's slowing a bit here'. Wait, it was fast? There was action? Wow, I must be blind. 'This pace has definitely slowed.' Phew. One minute now remained... Ten seconds remained. Tito postured up with some shots. The fourth round mercifully ended.
The fifth round began. They circled. Silva missed a combination, Tito came in and got that takedown... Tito passed to side control. Tito moved himself back to full guard. Tito moved to half-guard. One minute and fifty-five seconds remained. Silva NEARLY managed to stand but Tito smothered him. Drunk idiots chanted 'USA'. Naval guests, Goldberg noted. Drunk fucking sailors. Thirty seconds. Thank you. Silva was almost up, on his knees, Tito smothered him. The fight ended. THANK YOU GOD! They hugged and shook hands full-heartedly, but Silva looked furstrated. Tito Ortiz got the win by unanimous decision, and he was the light-heavyweight champion. They hugged again.
Mariusz Zaromskis vs. Myeon Ho Bae - Dream welterweight champion Zaromskis wasn't defending his title, non-title bout.
The first round began. Zaromskis came with a flying knee that basically missed and they exchanged in close. Bae missed a headkick. Zaromskis landed a headkick that dropped Bae out cold and landed two hammerfists, referee stopped it, Zaromskis walked away coldly and back-flipped in celebration.
Denis Kang vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - The fight was for Hero's, or something. Kang looked very focused.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Akiyama missed a leg kick. Kang landed a big leg kick a moment later. Akiyama landed a leg kick. Akiyama missed a leg kick again. Kang missed a leg kick of his own. Kang landed a big right hand and missed an uppercut. Akiyama landed a nice leg kick. Kang landed a front kick. Kang missed a leg kick. Akiyama landed a good jab. Kang almost landed a good flying knee. Kang came for the takedown and Akiyama avoided and landed a few good combinations in response. Akiyama landed a good jab. Kang landed an inside leg kick. Kang landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. Kang landed a big leg kick that hurt Akiyama visibly. Kang was cut on his nose, maybe inside the nose or on the bridge of the nose. Akiyama landed a good jab. Kang landed a headkick slightly, maybe to the shoulder. Kang was looking more hesitant to engage now. Akiyama landed a good leg kick, very nice. Akiyama landed a big uppercut and dropped Kang out cold in the corner and it was over.
Masakazu Imanari vs. Robbie Olivier - The fight was for the Cage Rage featherweight championship.
The first round began. Imanari came flying across the cage with a flying front kick and missed bad. Olivier landed a leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Robbie'. Imanari missed another flying front kick and Olivier went for the takedown but Imanari grabbed a flying armbar and Olivier was forced to tap. Wow.
Dan Hardy vs. David Baron 2 - The first round began. They circled around the ring. Baron missed a sort of spinning back fist. Baron came forward for the clinch and was looking for the takedown. Hardy tried to grab a guillotine but Baron slammed him down into half-guard dominantly. Hardy managed to put him back in guard after a few minutes. Baron landed some good hammerfists. They weren't doing terribly much, Baron landing body shots, etc, staying busy basically, good job. Baron stood finally and landed repeated leg kicks to Hardy. He came in and Hardy rolled away and they stood and exchanged in close before clinching. Hardy didn't seem to have much technique at this point in his career, I think he slapped Baron in that exchange. Baron got the takedown slowly into half-guard. Baron was looking like the much superior fighter. The first round ended.
The second round began. Hardy landed a good jab and a high kick to the shoulder. They clinched, Hardy landed a good knee and they broke. Baron landed a good leg kick. Hardy landed a body kick. Baron came for the takedown and got it, but Hardy was scrambling. Baron had Hardy's back now, looking to get the hooks in. He was a little high on it. Hardy's gonna shake him off. Yep Hardy shook him off, but Baron was looking for an armbar. Hardy escaped, however, into Baron's guard. Hardy landed some good shots. Baron looked for a triangle but Hardy pulled away and ate some upkicks. Baron rolled and Hardy had side back mount landing hammerfists. Hardy had Baron's back and he put his hooks in. Baron landed some shots backward, pounding Hardy's mohawk. He kept on doing it, obviously not scared of Hardy's rear-naked choke offense or lack thereof. Baron looked very relaxed. Hardy had that body triangle locked in, landing good shots in under. He was looking for that choke. Baron turned in to his guard. Baron landed some hammerfists. The second round ended and Baron reached down and helped Hardy up, good sportsmanship by both fighters. David Baron won a unanimous decision, and the fighters hugged and Hardy raised Baron's hand, Baron raised Hardy's hand. Hardy looked very disappointed, but gracious in defeat.
Matt Brown vs. James Wilks - The first round began and they hesitated, missing touching gloves and doing it again. Brown missed a leg kick. Wilks landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. Brown turned Wilks around and shoved him into the cage. Wilks landed a good knee to the body. Wilks landed some good dirty boxing. Oh man, Brown landed a good elbow over the top. Wilks was looking for the takedown. Brown was looking for a standing kimura but Wilks hopped up on Brown's back. Wilks missed a knee high to the face. Brown looked for a guillotine attempt. Brown gave it up after a moment. The referee broke them after a bit. Brown landed a really good combination and a high body kick. Wilks landed an inside leg kick and ate another combination. Wilks came for the takedown, Brown defended into the clinch. Wilks was really looking for that takedown. Someone was bleeding. They weren't doing too much now. The referee broke them up. Wilks landed a really good head kick and then a nice uppercut. Wilks pushed forward into the clinch. It looked like there was a mouse under Wilks's eye. Yep, probably from that elbow or those combinations. Brown turned the clinch around. Wilks landed some good shots inside. Brown landed a good knee to the body. That was a bad mouse, his left eye was closing up. Wilks again looked for the takedown, Brown was defending well, he tried that guillotine again, oh wait he had that standing guillotine, it was very deep, Wilks finally pulled out and got Brown down and the crowd cheered. Brown grabbed the kimura and used it to stand but Wilks took Brown's standing back. Brown spun out with a spinning back fist that grazed Wilks. Brown checked a headkick. In the corner, Stitch managed to take down the swelling under Wilks's left eye.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Brown landed a good leg kick early. Wilks landed some good jabs, Brown landed a counter right and a body kick, landed a high kick to the body. Wilks tried a side kick and nearly slipped. Brown landed a flying knee right to the jaw and knocked Wilks down and Brown pounced and he was pounding from half-guard. Wilks looked for a leglock and Brown was defending well. Wilks was really looking for that leglock. Brown pulled away and he landed a big shot in under as they stood into the clinch. Brown was looking for that standing guillotine again but Wilks just pulled out. They broke. Wilks landed a nice leg kick. They clinched again and exchanged knees and Brown broke with an elbow. They clinched again and Brown landed a nice knee. Wilks was looking for that takedown again, looking to score up points and Brown was countering with a kimura attempt. Brown let it go and Wilks stopped looking for the takedown. Wilks had his mouth wide open and blood was coming out of it, and his eye was badly swollen. The referee broke it for some reason. Brown checked a headkick, ate an uppercut and landed a really good combination, mainly to the head but once to the body, and Wilks shot in for a sloppy takedown attempt and turtled up as Brown landed shots in under. Brown tried for a guillotine from the top in half-guard. Brown had side back mount landing good shots in under. Wilks swept Brown and got on top in side control effortlessly, looking for the crucifix. Brown did a good job of defense and put him back in half-guard. Brown shoved Wilks off with his feet on his hips and Wilks stood over him. Wilks went back down to land a shot and Brown locked in a tight triangle lightning-fast but the bell rang, damn unfortunate. Brown said 'damn'. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Wilks landed an inside leg kick and missed a headkick. Brown landed a body kick. They clinched but broke quickly. Wilks landed an inside leg kick. Brown landed a good left hand. Wilks landed a leg kick. Brown landed a good left hook and they clinched. Brown landed a good knee to the face. Brown was looking for that kimura again, Brown was looking for the kimura again, they changed, Wilks pulled Brown down into full guard with that kimura. Brown grabbed on to his own leg to defend, Wilks was struggling to yank that arm out. Wilks had that kimura and he had it high. Oh man. Brown was trying to roll out. Oh my god, that was cranked. Oh maann... Brown escaped and they stood into the clinch, Brown grabbed the guillotine and used it for the takedown and mounted, pounding away, Brown had Wilks's back and was pounding away and the referee stopped the fight for the TKO victory for Brown. Brown's arm might be broken, damn. He got the win though, fuck it. Hahaha...
Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera - The fight was Couture's debut back to the light-heavyweight division. The referee was Marc Goddard.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Vera landed a good body kick, a good right hand and another and another, and they clinched. They were really working in that clinch surprisingly. Couture landed a knee to the leg. They were either chanting 'Brandon' or 'Randy' I can't tell. Couture was looking for that takedown. Hmm.. Just sort of clinching there. Brandon's corner yelled 'Come on, Brandon!' angrily. The referee told them to work. The referee finally broke them up. Couture immediately got the clinch again, ducking under a right hand that Vera threw. Couture got the takedown with Vera sitting against the fence. Vera managed to get back up into the clinch. Couture landed a knee to the forehead. Couture landed a knee to the leg. Boos were starting to come, almost unnoticeable. Hmm... Couture had Vera's leg and he's had it for about a minute. Couture landed a good shot inside. The referee finally broke them up. Couture immediately clinched. The first round ended.
The second round began. Vera landed an inside leg kick and a jab and the fight was paused because Couture had taken a combination groin kick and a thumb to the eye. Pwned. The fight continued. Vera stepped into a knee to the body. Vera switched stances and Couture came in and clinched but Vera broke away. Vera landed a body kick and Couture clinched once again, wow.. Vera landed a good knee to the body. Vera landed some more good knees. Couture was bullying Vera around in the clinch. The referee broke them up. Vera was keeping his distance. Vera landed a body kick. Vera landed a knee to the body that folded Couture and he dropped and Vera pounced into full guard. Vera wasn't doing much, just trying to catch his breath after that clinch game. The referee stood them up. Vera landed a leg kick. They clinched again. Yep yep yep. Couture landed some good right hands inside, uppercuts too, doing good dirty boxing as he should have been. They weren't doing much now. The second round ended.
The third round began. They started it off with Couture landing good combinations and they clinched. There was blood on Vera's face, from a cut on Couture over his left eye. Couture was really looking for a takedown. Couture landed a good elbow inside. The referee broke them up again. Vera landed another body kick, and then a headkick.They clinched... again. They broke finally. Couture clinched.. again. Vera got the takedown! In mount. Twenty-five seconds left, Couture hugging Vera. Couture bucked and got him off, they stood into the clinch, Vera landed an uppercut. They broke and exchanged big hooks for the last five seconds and hugged as the bell rang. Randy Couture got the win by UD. Brandon Vera walked out of the Octagon quietly, heartbroken and disappointed, and sat on the perimeter, hanging his head.
Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley - The first round began. They circled aggressively. They were sizing each other's up. Riley landed a body kick. Both were showing each other a lot of respect. Pearson barely missed a straight right. Pearson landed a short right, and then a straight right nice and tight. Riley landed a leg kick. Pearson landed a really hard leg kick. Riley landed a good overhand right. Pearson landed a good one-two and then a high kick to the shoulder. Pearson grabbed the MT clinch and landed some good knees to the face and body and then some uppercuts inside, a straight right, a knee to the body. Pearson landed another knee to the body. The crowd chanted 'Ross'. Pearson landed some more knees to the body and head, some big combinations inside, uppercuts, knee to the body, an elbow, another knee to the body, a straight right and they broke. Pearson landed a body kick. Pearson landed more knees to the body and a left hook over the top. Pearson landed an excellent body kick. Riley landed a knee of his own to the body. Riley barely missed a headkick. Riley landed a body kick and ate a counter right from Pearson. Riley landed another leg kick. Riley checked a leg kick. Pearson landed some uppercuts inside, a headkick, another. Pearson looked really impressive. Pearson ducked under a headkick. Riley came for the takedown, Pearson stuffed it and Riley pulled away. Riley missed an overhand right. Pearson landed a body shot. Pearson landed another high body kick to the underarm. Pearson grabbed the MT again and some more nice knees to the head and body, more punches and they broke. Riley landed a body kick. The first round ended.
The second round began and they clinched. Riley landed an elbow inside. Pearson landed a knee to the body and a hook over the top and they broke. Riley landed a body kick. Pearson landed a left-right-right combination, excellent. Pearson grabbed the MT clinch, but Riley pulled away and landed a body kick. Riley landed a kick to the shoulder. Pearson landed a leg kick. Pearson grabbed that clinch with a knee to the jaw and they regularly clinched. They exchanged knees and broke. Pearson landed a combination. Riley looked tentative. Pearson landed another combination. They clinched but broke. Riley landed a body kick, ate a counter combo from Pearson and a body kick.Pearson landed antoehr knee to the body and a hook. Pearson landed a hard body kick. They clinched. Riley landed a knee to the body and they broke. Pearson landed a good counter right and a left. Pearson landed an excellent leg kick. They clinched. Pearson landed another knee to the body and some dirty boxing, a jumping knee to the face, a knee to the body, a right hand. They broke. Riley was cut bad. The referee paused it and called for a doctor to check. The doctor said 'Aw shit, man, that's got to go.' The fight was over. Pearson hugged Riley and consoled him.
Michael Bisping vs. Denis Kang - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They circled intensely. Kang checked a high kick. Kang landed a good leg kick. They exchanged missed strikes in close. Kang landed an inside leg kick, Bisping nearly caught it. Bisping came in and ate a massive counter right hook to the temple and dropped and Kang pounced into half-guard. Kang passed to side control. Bisping put him back in half-guard pretty fast. It was mainly Kang trying to pass and Bisping defending really well. Kang got to the mount impressively. Bisping put him back in half-guard, wow. Nice hip escapes. Booing was coming heavily. Kang had Bisping's back and then mount. Bisping put him back in half-guard with another hip escape. Damn. Bisping got back to full guard. Bisping nearly had an armbar. Kang landed an elbow. Kang landed two elbows, Bisping nearly had an armbar and Kang moved to side control. Bisping put him back in full guard very quickly. Kang stood and went back down into half-guard. The first round ended. Excellent round for both fighters. Bisping asked 'What happened? How'd we get on the ground?' in his corner.
The second round began. Bisping missed another headkick. Bisping landed a good inside leg kick. Bisping missed another head kick. Bisping looked really impressive. Kang landed a really good jab and then another. Bisping landed a nice inside leg kick. Kang landed a massive overhand right. Kang landed that jab and again. Kang landed a big right hook again. Bisping missed another headkick. Bisping came for the takedown, Kang was defending, Bisping got it into full guard and the crowd ROARED. Bisping's corner yelled 'Make him pay'. Bisping was landing some punishing ground and pound. Kang was looking to escape. Just repeated hammerfists and shots, relentlessly pounding away, Kang tried to roll, Bisping pounded some more. Kang backed away, wobbly and bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Bisping came for the takedown and got it again easily and the crowd roared, Bisping elbowed and pounded. Kang was turtled up and then he stood and backed off. Kang was very wobbly, trying to shake that beating off. His face was a mess. Kang looked tentative. They exchanged and didn't land anything. Bisping missed a headkick, got the takedown to half-guard and pounded away, stood and pounded away, Kang was turtled up, Bisping landed a knee to the body and another and another, punches in under. Kang stood and ate a big knee to the face, went back down and turtled up and Bisping landed shots in under, and Miragliotta stopped the fight. Impressive performance, and that's coming from a Bisping HATER. That's the performance of his career, as Rogan noted. Bisping looked very emotional. Bisping's son came in. Kang was still laying on the ground. Bisping hugged his son as the announcement was made. Well... I do believe that Bisping has won me over. Bisping got down and his son grabbed an armbar haha.
Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy - The fight was for the number-one contendership in the UFC welterweight division. The winner was set to face GSP, the champion, and the loser would face the winner of the Koscheck/Anthony Johnson fight, I believe. The referee was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began. They circled. Swick landed an inside leg kick Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Hardy landed a good right hook to the chin as Swick came in, Swick stumbled but clinched. The crowd chanted Hardy's name. Hardy landed a nice knee. Hardy landed another knee. Swick landed a knee to the leg and another to the gut. Swick landed some good dirty boxing. Hardy landed some more good knees. Hardy landed an uppercut inside. Swick landed some more knees to the legs and more to the body, and Hardy replied earnestly. Both these young men were game. Swick landed a knee to the groin and Hardy took a break as the crowd booed. They continued, circling now. Swick came in, ducked under a Hardy shot and came for the takedown. He appeared to want it on the ground, perhaps that was the weakness in Hardy's game. Hardy landed some more good knees. Swick landed some good shots inside, and some more. Hardy landed a good knee. Hardy landed a really nice knee to the body and another to the thigh. Swick landed a nice knee of his own. Swick landed some more good knees. Hardy landed some body shots. Hardy landed another nice knee to the body. They were staying busy, you know? Hardy landed some more nice knees. Swick landed a knee and a right hand over the top inside, and again. Hardy broke with a good elbow and Swick tried to reply with a combination and landed a decent right hand. Hardy smiled. The first round ended. Hardy's corner told him that 'Your takedown defense is too good for him.'
The second round began. They circled. Hardy landed a big left hook and followed it with a right hand and rocked Swick, his back leg buckled Hardy landed another big shot and Hardy was chasing the rocked Swick and smiling and Hardy clinched. He was giving Swick an oppurtunity to recover. Hardy landed another nice elbow. Hardy landed another excellent elbow inside the clinch. Hardy landed some body shots inside and Swick replied with a knee to the body. Hardy landed a nice knee to the body. Hardy landed some nice body shots, nice left hooks to the body. Swick landed some nice shots over the top. Swick landed a knee to the body. Hardy landed another body shot. They exchanged a knee to the body each. Swick landed a good hook over the top and Hardy replied. 'You gotta get out of there, Mike' and Swick replied 'Alright' hahaha. Hardy landed a huge uppercut. Swick shook his head to show that it didn't damage him. Swick landed a very nice knee to the body. For some reason, Hardy just kept trying to take Swick down. Hardy landed some more nice body shots and the referee separated them. Swick tried a headkick and slipped but stood quickly. Hardy landed a good leg kick. Hardy landed a good leg kick. Swick landed a good combination. Swick tried a Superman punch, Hardy blocked it. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Hardy tried a massive right hand and Swick slipped it and landed a counter left hook. The crowd chanted Hardy's name. Hardy caught Swick again with a big shot. Hardy tried a Superman punch and Swick landed a counter left hook and they clinched. Hardy landed a knee to the body. Swick landed a knee to the body. Hardy broke with an elbow and a nice straight left.
The third round began. Hardy was smiling, confident. They circled. Hardy landed a good leg kick. Hardy landed a really big right hand and Swick landed a counter combination and a good combination, Hardy landed an inside leg kick, Hardy landed a combination, Swick replied with one, Hardy landed a combination, Swick landed a combination, Hardy replied with a counter combination. Damn. Hardy landed another big straight left that hurt him, missed a spinning back fist, they clinched, Hardy landed a big knee and another. Hardy kept going for that takedown and he lifted him up, Swick tried a guillotine but Hardy got him down and landed some big, big elbows. Swick was badly badly hurt, his mouth was wide open. Hardy kept landing those elbows. Swick was cut open, on his forehead I believe. Swick tried a triangle but Hardy had none of that and landed some hammerfists, body shots. The referee stood them up. The crowd chanted Hardy's name. Hardy landed a counter left hook as Swick came in, hurt him again. Hardy landed a leg kick. Swick landed an inside leg kick and ate another counter left. Hardy missed a leg kick. Hardy landed a big leg kick. Swick landed a combination. Swick landed an inside leg kick. Swick looked very tentative. Swick landed a combination and they clinched. The third round and the fight ended and they shook hands. Dan Hardy got the win by unanimous decision, and he apparently would be set to face GSP. Swick applauded. Great show of class. They hugged.
Andre Winner vs. Rolando Delgado - The referee was Leon Roberts.
The first round began. Delgado landed a high kick to the shoulder. Winner dropped his hands and taunted Delgado. Delgado tried a flying knee and missed and they clinched but broke. Winner missed a combination and landed a nice leg kick. Winner landed a massive overhand right and dropped Delgado on his ass and nearly pounced, couldn't land anything because Delgado trapped one of his arms. Winner quickly retreated to his feet, followed by Delgado, and landed a leg kick. Winner had his hands low, baiting Delgado. They clinched. Delgado landed a knee to the body and another. They broke and Delgado missed a knee as they broke. Delgado landed an inside leg kick. Winner landed a leg kick. Winner landed a good short left cross that hurt Delgado visibly. Delgado landed a body kick. Winner landed a good combination in close and they clinched. They broke. Winner landed another big right, they clinched but broke. Winner landed a leg kick. Winner landed a massive overhand right that dropped Delgado out cold and landed two or three unnecessary shots. Delgado was down hard. Winner got his first win in his UFC career.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jared Hamman - The fight was the UFC debut of both men. The referee was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Hamman landed an overhand right and another and another, and an inside leg kick and another. Gustafsson was just stalking him. Hamman landed a body kick. Hamman landed an overhand right and a left hook. Gustafsson landed a big left hand and eyepoked, the fight was paused and they continued. Right after they continued, Gustafson dropped Hamman hard with a straight right and pounded and the referee stopped the fight. Damn.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves - The fight was for the welterweight championship with St. Pierre defending.
The first round began and they touched gloves. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick. They circled around. Alves missed an inside leg kick, lol. The crowd chanted 'GSP'. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick. Alves missed a high kick and landed an inside leg kick. St. Pierre came for the takedown and got it. Alves stood but St. Pierre dumped him back down into half-guard. St. Pierre landed some body shots. Alves stood but St. Pierre had his back, leaning on him heavily. St. Pierre had a welt on his leg already. St. Pierre had Alves down and still had his back with both hooks in, now. Alves turned in to his guard but they stood and broke. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick. St. Pierre landed a jab. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick, ate a hook from Alves and landed a leg kick. Alves landed an inside leg kick. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. The crowd was singing. St. Pierre landed a nice inside leg kick. Alves landed an inside leg kick. Alves missed a leg kick. St. Pierre came for the takedown, Alves stuffed it and they broke. Alves checked an inside leg kick. St. Pierre missed a spinning back kick. Alves landed a combination, high kick to the shoulder, St. Pierre got the takedown into full guard. Alves was bleeding, from a cut on his right eyelid perhaps. Alves nearly stood, they stood into the clinch. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick, then a Superman punch and another leg kick. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick and Alves missed another. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick, and then a nice leg kick. St. Pierre came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. St. Pierre landed some body shots. St. Pierre got to mount
and landed some big right hands to Alves's nose but Alves retained guard almost immediately. Alves landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Alves was bleeding from his nose badly. St. Pierre landed an elbow and another, working on that nose. St. Pierre landed another elbow. St. Pierre landed another big shot from the top and another, landed some body shots. St. Pierre passed to half-guard. Alves was breathing heavily. Alves retained guard. St. Pierre landed some more big shots. St. Pierre passed to half-guard. Alves got to his feet in the clinch. They broke. Alves was coming after St. Pierre but the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Alves missed a leg kick. St. Pierre landed a good combination and ate a counter combination from Alves. Alves landed a good left hook. St. Pierre landed a good body kick. St. Pierre came for the takedown, Alves stuffed it and they broke. Alves missed a Superman punch. Alves checked an inside leg kick. Alves missed a leg kick. Alves was chasing after St. Pierre mainly. Alves landed an inside leg kick and a high kick to the shoulder, a leg kick. St. Pierre came for the takedown and he got it into half-guard. Alves got to his feet finally after a long while. St. Pierre landed a nice inside leg kick. They exchanged inside leg kicks. They exchanged in close. Alves landed a nice leg kick. St. Pierre landed a good body kick and then landed a big shot and dropped Alves and pounced into full guard landing big elbows and shots from the top, landed another elbow and another. The third round came to an end. It was later found out that St. Pierre hurt his groin in the third round.
The fourth round began and they touched gloves. They circled around. Alves was looking light on his feet now. St. Pierre came for the takedown and got it easily into half-guard and the crowd roared. St. Pierre passed effortlessly to mount. St. Pierre looked for an arm triangle from mount. Alves defended and put him back in half-guard. Alves tried to scramble to his feet, St. Pierre jumped for his back, rolled, nearly had an armbar, Alves rolled and got on top but St. Pierre was working a butterfly guard. Good butterfly guard. Alves landed some body shots. Alves was working hammerfists and then nice shots. Alves landed some more hammerfists, some more big shots, nice. St. Pierre got full guard. Alves landed some more good shots and they stood. Alves checked an inside leg kick. Alves landed a knee to the body as they clinched and then broke. Alves missed a big uppercut. Alves landed a leg kick and St. Pierre got the takedown to half-guard. St. Pierre took Alves's back and got both hooks in, looking for the rear-naked choke. Alves rolled away and the fourth round ended. In his corner, St. Pierre said 'I pulled my groin' and Greg Jackson said 'I don't care. This is our championship territory. It doesn't matter. Hit him with your groin. Jab and a lot of movement. What did I say?' St. Pierre replied 'Jabaloddamooment'.
The fifth round began. Alves landed a good leg kick. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick. Alves landed a right hand. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. Alves landed a high kick to the neck. St. Pierre came for the takedown after landing a jab and got it into half-guard. Alves stood into the clinch. They broke. St. Pierre landed a good combination and ate a counter. Alves landed a leg kick, St. Pierre came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. St. Pierre passed to side control. They stood and broke. St. Pierre got another takedown into half-guard. St. Pierre just laying on him.. Yep. They stood, St. Pierre had his back. The fifth round and the fight ended. Georges St. Pierre was the winner by unanimous decision and retained his championship.
Tank Abbott vs. Wesley 'Cabbage' Correira 2 - The first round began. They circled in close. Cabbage was landing some good jabs. Cabbage landed a good head kick and followed it back with a nice combination. Abbot landed a good leg kick and a good combination and ate a counter left. Abbott landed a left hook, Cabbage landed a right hand and then a left hook. Abbot landed an inside leg kick and a combination and some jabs. They were basically just slugging it out. It was surprising to see these two brawlers landing some kicks. It's amazing. Cabbage landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination, going for broke. Abbott landed a good right hand and dropped Cabbage and was pounding as well and the referee stopped the fight for the KO victory for Abbott. Cabbage was laying on the ground in a lot of pain.
Luis Cane vs. Jason Lambert - The first round began. Lambert was light on his feet early. Cane landed a good straight left. Lambert was aggressive landing good combinations, ate a counter combination from Cane and they clinched. Lambert landed some knees to the legs. Cane landed an elbow inside and some good body shots, some good shots to the head. Cane landed an uppercut inside. Cane landed a knee to the leg. Lambert landed a good knee to the kidneys. Cane landed some good body shots, another good uppercut and good left hooks inside and they broke. Lambert came forward with good combinations, ate a big left from Cane right to the nose and dropped. Cane pounded to the turtled up Lambert and Lambert stood. Lambert was against the cage eating big combinations and he dropped again. Cane pounded, Lambert stood again, Lambert was covering up but eating big shots repeatedly, a big elbow from Cane, a big uppercut, more big combinations, Lambert went facedown and the referee stopped the fight as Lambert grabbed his legs. Cane earned his first victory in the UFC.
Thales Leites vs. Floyd Sword - The fight was in the UFC, didn't expect that, thought it was gonna be in a smaller org, dunno why. Anyways... Hmm Thales Leites is apparently a huge BJ Penn fan, wow. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began. Leites landed a big leg kick to start things off. Leites clipped Sword to the midsection with a spinning back kick. Sword came forward with a combination. Leites came forward with a good knee to the body and Sword grabbed the knee and looked for a takedown, pressing Sword up against the cage. Sword landed a knee to the thigh. Leites got the throw takedown into side control. Sword put him back in half-guard. Sword was trying to roll but Leites pushed him back on down. Sword retained guard impressively. They stood into the clinch. Sword held the fence to avoid a takedown. Leites was really looking for that takedown. Leites got another throw takedown into side control. Sword retained half-guard again. Leites stood and landed a good shot from the top. Leites land a kick to the downed Sword's legs and again and he went back down into full guard. Sword rolled and Leites had his back and he was landing some hammerfists. Leites got a hook in and then the other. Leites grabbed an arm triangle as he rolled into half-guard, that arm triangle was deep, Sword was forced to tap.
Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver - Kelly had a two-inch height advantage, reach was the same. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. Siver landed an inside leg kick. Siver landed a headkick and a left hook. Siver landed a good counter combination ending with that left hook and Kelly landed a good uppercut. Siver landed another combination and a straight kick to keep Kelly at distance, and again and again. Kelly landed a good combination. Siver landed a body kick. Kelly came and they clinched, Kelly was trying to take down, Kelly landed a few knees to the face and another and another as the crowd chanted 'Knees'. Kelly landed another knee. He had that head trapped in a headlock. The referee broke them up after a moment. There was a mouse under Kelly's eye from that left hook. Siver landed a nice body shot. Kelly landed a body kick. Siver landed that straight kick again, that teep. They exchanged in close, and Siver was landing six out of five shots. Siver landed a leg kick. Kelly landed a nice Superman punch, got the takedown, but Siver jumped right back up. Kelly missed that Superman again. Siver landed a hard inside leg kick and dodged a spinning back fist from Kelly. Siver landed another inside leg kick. Siver landed a combination. Siver was showing good headmovement. Siver landed a hard leg kick. Kelly ate another counter combination. Kelly landed an inside leg kick, Siver landed a leg kick. Kelly landed a good combination and rocked Siver and chased him but Siver still landed a good counter combination. Siver was showing that good head movement still. Siver landed a leg kick. Kelly had a mouse on his temple now. They exchanged in close with Kelly getting the better. Kelly got the takedown into half-guard, but there wasn't much time left. Siver retained guard. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled cautiously. Kelly landed an excellent Superman punch and ate a left hook then a right hand from Siver. Siver narrowly missed a spinning back kick. Siver landed a good jab and a counter combination, looping punches from all angles. Kelly landed a good flying knee and they clinched. Kelly tried for that takedown, but Siver avoided and broke. Kelly missed a big overhand right. Siver landed a good straight kick. Kelly narrowly missed that Superman punch again. Siver landed a massive spinning back kick to Kelly's midsection and Kelly crumpled, Siver pounced and stood and Kelly was just laying there, Siver backed off and Kelly was just laying there limply, Siver landed some leg kicks. Kelly was struggling to get up. The referee was telling him to get up. Siver was landing big combinations, a knee to the face, Kelly went down and the referee stopped the fight. The kick broke Kelly's ribs and he's out for eight months. Siver won KO of the Night.
Zelg Galesic vs. Taiei Kin 2 - The fight was in one of the somethingfinals of the Dream 2008 middleweight Grand Prix. Fuck it. Their first fight was ended by a cut (TKO doctor stoppage) in 2007 in K-1 HERO's.
The first round began. Kin immediately landed a quick combination and they clinched. Galesic landed a hammerfist to the hip of Kin. They weren't doing much otherwise. The referee told them action, then broke. Galesic landed a switch kick, missing the first and landing the second to the head, Galesic got the takedown and Kin landed on his arm and screamed in pain as his elbow bent back and the referee stopped the fight and gave the win by TKO (elbow injury) to Galesic. Galesic looked concerned. Kin was still laying down, in a lot of pain. Galesic promised a third fight to Kin, and said 'thank you, my friend' and bowed to him, and there was general applause. They hugged. Galesic bowed to and shook hands with Kin's corner, and then bowed to the referee Yuji Shimada and then bowed to... the camera, bowed to the crowd. Wow he's going a bit out of hand. Kin was still smiling as he left.
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - The first round began. They circled about. Johnson was huge compared to Yoshida. Yoshida landed a body kick. Johnson landed a good combination, missed a headkick, he was landing big uppercuts to Yoshida, Yoshida was covering up, another uppercut, Johnson landed a big right in close and dropped Yoshida out cold and limp for the knockout victory.
Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns 1 - Burns had been warned about the eye pokes earlier in the bout, and possibly fouled in this fashion three other times (Burns claimed in a post-fight interview that they were accidents due to having a broken hand). Johnson further appealed the decision because the fight was stopped after he was poked in the eye by Burns, which is an illegal move. Johnson lost his appeal due to lack of remedy. He was also forced to undergo serious surgery to that eye.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Johnson landed an inside leg kick, Burns replied and landed a big right hand and then another big combination and they clinched. They exchanged good knees to the legs and body inside, with Burns getting the better of the exchanges. These were hard knees. Burns was going primarily to the body there. Burns broke with an elbow over the top. They circled aggressively. Johnson landed a straight left. Burns landed a big right and a combination. Johnson landed a good leg kick. Burns landed another good combination. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick which hit the groin and Burns had to take a break by the cage, but he didn't look too affected. I think he's milking it. Burns continued. Johnson showed good head movement but he took an eye poke. The ref didn't stop it and Johnson got a hard slam takedown into full guard. Johnson was still squinting that eye, it seemed injured. Johnson landed some body shots. Johnson landed a good elbow to the forehead, and another. Burns looked like had a tight guard. Burns was palm-striking from the bottom well. Johnson was landing some good body shots. Mazzagatti told them he needed some action. Burns was doing an excellent job of avoiding damage. Burns kept landing those palm strikes to the side and top of Johnson's head from the bottom. Johnson landed a good shot from the top. Burns landed more palm strikes. The referee finally stood them up. Burns checked a headkick and ate a teep to the chest and then another push kick, they exchanged in close equally and clinched. Burns landed a good knee to the body and some good body shots as well, and the first round ended. Johnson's right eye looked pretty bad. Burns's left eye had a tiny cut above it.
The second round began. Burns landed a leg kick. Johnson landed a right hand and rocked Burns, landed a flying knee, and a combination and another flying knee, Burns came for the desperation takedown and Johnson defended into the clinch. Very nice. Burns landed some good knees to the leg. Johnson broke with a big left hand and an uppercut that grazed his chin. Johnson landed another inside leg kick and another right hand. Johnson checked a leg kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Johnson took another eye poke. Johnson landed a nice leg kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick and ate a left hook. Johnson landed a push kick and ate an inside leg kick. Johnson landed a counter left hand. He was starting to pick Burns apart. Johnson landed a good right hand and a body kick. Burns landed another eyepoke, and Johnson shook his head angrily. Mazzagati warned Burns. Johnson landed a good body kick. Burns landed a front kick. Burns landed a massive headkick and Johnson shook it off, caught a body kick but let it go. Johnson landed a body kick and a combination and got the takedown into open guard. Burns was looking for a kimura. Burns finally stopped looking for it after a moment. Johnson looked a bit tired on top, just laying there. Johnson postured up with a big left. Burns was bleeding from his right eye now as well. The referee finally stood them up. The referee told Burns to keep his hands closed on that jab. Johnson landed a body kick. Burns landed a leg kick and another and Johnson got the takedown into side control. The second round ended.
The third round began. Burns landed an inside leg kick immediately. Johnson landed an inside leg kick, Burns replied with an inside leg kick, a leg kick, a high kick to the shoulder, an inside leg kick. Burns landed an uppercut and a leg kick. Burns missed a headkick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick and then a leg kick. Johnson came for the takedown and got it into Burns's full guard. His corner yelled 'Let's go, AJ'. The referee finally stood them up. Johnson landed a big right and came for the takedown again and got it into full guard. Burns was trying to wall-walk. Burns landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Both men looked exhausted. The referee said he wanted action again. The referee finally stood them up. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Burns landed another big eye poke and Johnson screamed in pain and dropped facedown and the referee was kneeling beside him after Burns landed a hammerfist and stopped the fight. Johnson was yelling angrily that he got poked right in the eye with a finger. He rolled over and he was panting. Yep, in the replay the finger jabbed right into the eye. Johnson was in a lot of pain on the ground. Wooow. Goood... that's so gross how his finger just went right in there. Like knuckle deep.... They gave it to Burns by TKO. The crowd was not happy with that and Burns looked surprised. Johnson hugged Burns nonetheless. Burns was saying that it was accidental, saying that his hand had been broken three times in sixteen months and he had no choice except to throw that hand open. They hugged once again. Johnson told them to stop booing Kevin, telling them to give him his 'props'.
Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns 2 - The first round began. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Burns landed a jab. Burns landed a front kick and then an inside leg kick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. They touched gloves, someone had taken a groin kick, it was Burns but they continued immediately. Burns landed an inside leg kick and Johnson replied in kind. Burns landed a good body kick. Burns landed another good left jab. His hand appeared to be better. Johnson missed a headkick. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed a good jab and a leg kick. Burns landed a leg kick. Johnson got the takedown into full guard and this time he was looking to pass briefly. Johnson postured up with a hammerfist and another big shot and passed to side control. Burns was trying to slide sideways and get a knee between him and Johnson to get away. Burns locked in a reverse triangle from the bottom. That is... holy shit, that is amazing jiu jitsu. Johnson pulled out back to guard and landed a few good shots. Johnson landed a few hammerfists and then damn some big big shots, four or five of them. Burns landed a good elbow from the bottom. The referee stood them up. Johnson landed a hard body kick and ate a counter right from Burns, Burns tried a leg kick and tossed him down and stood over him landing hard leg kicks, over and over. Johnson was angry. He landed more leg kicks. More hard leg kicks. The referee stood Burns up. Johnson landed a hard body kick. Burns landed big combinations to Johnson's chin and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Johnson landed a body kick. Burns landed a leg kick. Johnson landed a body kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Johnson came for the takedown, Burns sprawled and defended. Johnson kept looking for that single-leg as they stood and he got him down to half-guard. Burns was looking for a kimura. He had it locked up and he was trying to pull it away from Johnson's body, he pulled it out but then Johnson escaped immediately. Burns pushed him back to full guard. Burns landed an elbow from the bottom. Johnson landed two good elbows. Burns landed three good elbows from the bottom. Burns threw up the high guard and looked for a triangle but Johnson had none of that. Johnson landed some hard thudding body shots. And more and more, working that body. Johnson landed a good left hook to the ear from the top. Johnson landed some good shots, and more body shots. Johnson landed two more really good elbows, and another. They both simultaneously worked the midsection for a moment. Johnson landed three good consecutive elbows. Burns looked for a triangle and Johnson escaped and looked for half-guard but Burns smartly got a knee in the way. Burns brought it back to full guard. Burns rolled for an armbar and ate a big hammerfist from Johnson, worked a butterfly guard and landed some hammerfists from the bottom. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Johnson landed an inside leg kick and then a body kick. Burns landed a leg kick, ate an inside leg kick. Johnson landed a good jab. Burns landed a good uppercut. Johnson landed a massive headkick and dropped Burns out cold for the knockout victory, out cold. Johnson rolled around explosively on the Octagon floor in celebration.
Josh Barnett vs. Randy Couture - The fight was for the UFC heavyweight championship with Couture defending. Barnett lost the title afterwards, testing positive for steroids and stripped of the title. Couture fought Ricco Rodriguez for the vacant title and lost, going down to 205.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Barnett came forward immediately and Couture came for the takedown and Barnett defended into the clinch and landed a good knee to the body, and Couture returned it. Couture had those underhooks. He landed another good knee to the body. Couture landed another knee. Couture dragged him down into half-guard, pressing Barnett into the cage. Couture landed a few good shots. Couture landed another shot and stood over Barnett, landed a good kick to the leg. Couture landed a big right hand from standing over Barnett. Barnett tried to switch to a kneebar and Couture went down into guard. Barnett worked a high guard, but Couture forced Barnett into the cage. Barnett seemed to be wanting a triangle. Couture landed some good short shots. Barnett looked for an armbar. Couture landed a big right square into the middle of Barnett's face, that was a big shot, really big, and then an elbow. Couture landed another big shot and another. Barnett tried to grab another armbar and Couture pulled away into side control. Barnett was wall-walking. Couture responded trying a kimura. Barnett rolled and nearly grabbed a kneebar. Couture stood to avoid and turned away and they stood into the clinch and Couture grabbed a standing guillotine, Barnett pulled out and Couture landed a knee to the face. Barnett landed a good knee to the body, and then another, and another. Barnett landed another big knee and another. Couture landed a knee to the thigh. They both looked for underhooks, meanwhile. Couture landed a good uppercut inside and then a nice hook inside. Barnett landed a good knee to the body and another. Barnett landed another big knee, these knees were counting, they were hurting. The first round ended. Close, exciting fight so far. Couture had a little cut above his right eyebrow, it looked like.
The second round began. Couture landed a body shot and they clinched. Couture looked for a double-leg but Barnett was having none of that. Couture dragged Barnett down however. Couture just sat on him for a moment and then passed to mount. Barnett bucked him off and Couture stood and went back down into half-guard to avoid another kneebar attempt. Barnett put him back in guard. Couture landed a few nice shots from the top. Barnett landed some elbows from the bottom. Couture landed some more good shots, going body-body-head. Barnett landed some good elbows from the bottom. Couture was trying to pass and Barnett nearly had a kneebar and Couture spun out and he was turtled up, Barnett had his back, landing big shots in under, Barnett was on top landing big elbows and shots just repeatedly, big elbows, big shots, just pounding Couture, big shots from... half-guard now, big shots. More big shots from Barnett. A big elbow from Barnett, more big shots. More big shots, big elbow, big shots, more big lefts, big shots, big big shots repeatedly, they just kept coming, big elbows, those were hurting. More big elbows and shots. More big shots from Barnett over and over and the referee stopped the fight with twenty-seven seconds left in the round, and Barnett drew the knife across his throat twice. He was the new UFC heavyweight champion... until the post-fight drug test.
Tim Credeur vs. Cale Yarbrough - The fight was Yarbrough's professional UFC and MMA debut. It was Credeur's UFC debut. Credeur had a four-inch reach advantage and a two-inch height advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Yarbrough landed a leg kick. Credeur landed an inside leg kick. Credeur landed a good combination. Credeur landed another nice combination, and another. Credeur landed another nice combination, and another. Yarbrough landed a body kick. Credeur landed a good counter combination. Yarbrough landed a leg kick. Credeur landed a good left hand. Credeur landed a good combination and another and another and another and Yarbrough went down and Credeur pounded for about a second before the referee stopped the fight.
Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites - The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Leites had a big wide stance and as Rogan commented, he looked ready to shoot. They circled. Leites narrowly missed a Superman punch. Leites missed a running knee. Leites switched his stance. Marquardt came forward with a nice combination. Leites landed a good combination and ate a few counters from Marquardt. They exchanged in close and Marquardt landed a good combo to the body. Leites dropped Marquardt with a big, beautiful fadeaway straight right hand out of nowhere and pounced into mount. Marquardt had the presence of mind to hip escape to half-guard but Leites got right back to mount. Marquardt was rolling and nearly gave his back but Leites retained the mount easily. Marquardt pushed it back to half-guard. Leites landed a good elbow. Leites passed to side control. Marquardt escaped to his feet and the crowd roared and whistled. Leites was throwing bombs, missing most of them. Marquardt landed a body shot and then a big right and they clinched. Marquardt landed a good knee to the body, and they broke. Marqaurdt landed an inside leg kick. Leites landed a spinning back kick. Marquardt landed a good combination in close, ending with an uppercut that rocked Leites and Leites went back and ate another combination but he kept backing up. Marquardt landed antother big right. Marquardt landed an inside leg kick and the first round ended. In his corner, Marquardt had a little bit of a mouse under his right (?) eye.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Marquardt landed a combination to the body and then a big right. Leites landed a nice combination of his own and they clinched. Marquardt landed a nice knee to the body. Leites was warned for grabbing the fence. Marquardt's corner yelled for him to knee. Marquardt landed an elbow and they broke. Marquardt landed an excellent combination in close and they clinched again and Marquardt got the takedown. Marquardt landed an illegal knee to the face, right on the chin actually, while Leites was downed and the referee stopped the fight. Leites got up, rocked and he was stumbling toward Marquardt wildly, trying to continue the fight but the referee held him back. Leites was getting a moment to recover. The referee told Leites he had time to recover if he wanted to continue the fight. The referee brought the doctor in. Leites said he was fine, 100%. Herb Dean was concerned but he allowed them to continue. Leites was taking his time, he had five minutes. Herb Dean took a point away from Marquardt and then they touched gloves and continued. Marquardt landed a good combination, they clinched and Marquardt got the takedown into half-guard and landed some big shots from the top and then some elbows. The referee warned Marquardt for hitting the back of the head. Leites was bleeding everywhere. Marquardt was landing more big ground and pound, just being extremely aggressive and relentless. The nose of Leites was bloodied up badly. Marquardt landed another big elbow. Damn that's bleeding. Leites retained guard. Leites said 'He's got my glove' and Herb Dean warned Marquardt for grabbing inside the glove. Marquardt landed more big shots inside the guard and more big elbows, he stood over him. Marquardt came back into guard with a massive shot. Leites landed some good hammerfists from the bottom. Leites was coughing and choking, it sounded like he had blood in his throat, maybe he was actually bleeding from his mouth. Marquardt landed hammerfists and then elbows. Leites briefly tried a triangle. Marquardt landed more big shots. Damn, blood. Leites grabbed a rubber guard very briefly. Marquardt landed another elbow. Marquardt passed to half-guard. The referee finally stood them up. Leites's nose was gushing blood, possibly broken. Marquardt came for the takedown again and Leites reversed into mount and landed a few shots, Marquardt put him back in half-guard. The second round ended. Hell of a fight, I agree with Rogan.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Marquart landed a body shot. Leites kept his hands up as Marquardt kept his hands down. Marquardt landed a nice body shot and a knee to the body. Leites landed a knee to the body but Marquardt got the takedown. Leites looked for an omoplata, Marquardt avoided, Leites tried atriangle, Marquardt escaped and Leites was turtled up but he had a leg. Marquardt landed some hammerfists and then some elbows to the back of the head and Herb Dean took a point away, but it was to the side of the head, as Marquardt and Rogan protested. They stood. Leites landed a jab. Marquardt landed a knee to the body. Marquardt landed a big right hand. Leites landed a big right hand as well. Marqaurdt landed a good double jab. Leites's nose was bleeding again. Marquardt got the takedown. Leites worked that rubber guard again very briefly. Leites tried a kimura from the bottom, let it go, landed a hammerfist to the back. He looked for that kimura again and ate a big hammerfist and another. Leites landed some elbows from the bottom, to the top of Marquardt's head. Leites was bleeding between the eyes as well, no one of his eyes really. Leites looked for that kimura again, diving deep. Marquardt escaped to half-guard. Leites was exhausted, he leaned back and took a huge breath. They were just sitting there. Big boos came. Marquardt landed more hammerfists in under. Leites was turtled up, they stood into the clinch, Marquardt screamed and pile-drived Leites onto his head and they broke and stood with Marquardt landing a knee to the face on the way out. They stood there across the Octagon and looked at each other. The third round ended and they hugged. Leites's face was messy as fuck. He got the win by split decision, 28-27 Leites, 28-27 Marquardt, 28-27 Leites by Cecil Peoples. Leites looked extremely happy by that. Leites said 'this guy is a fucking tough guy.'
Karl Amoussou vs. Lucio Linhares - They had an intense staredown and the first round began and they touched gloves. Amoussou landed a combination and a body kick and another combination and he got Linhares down in half-guard landing good shots. Amoussou landed some more good shots. Linhares pulled guard. They weren't doing too terribly much. Amoussou landed some good hammerfists. Linhares looked for a triangle but Amoussou pulled out and stood. Linhares stood as well and dropped Amoussou with a big right hand and pounced, avoided an armbar attempt from Amoussou and landed some good shots, Linhares avoided another armbar attempt, Amoussou landed more upkicks while Linhares was on the ground and Linhares was complaining to the referee even as he was continuing to be kicked. He finally shrugged and went back to guard even though the kicks were illegal. Linhares landed more good ground and pound and passed to half-guard. Linhares passed to side control. Linhares passed to mount. He went for an armbar from mount and Amoussou held on desperately so Linhares couldn't extend that arm. He landed some body shots and he was looking to straighten that arm out. He let it go and tried another triangle and then passed back to side control. Linhares put himself back in half-guard. Linhares landed some good hammerfists. The crowd rhymithically clapped. Linhares went back to mount, landing good shots, just over and over. Just over and over. Raining down punches. Over and over. The referee stopped the fight with about ten seconds remaining. Amoussou was defeated for the first time in M1 Challenge. Impressive victory.
Lucio Linhares vs. Tomasz Drwal - The first round began. Linhares came immediately and got the takedown to half-guard. He passed to side control and the crowd applauded. He immediately passed to mount. He then took Drwal's back, again immediately. He was hanging sideways off Drwal's back, Drwal was shaking him off. He switched to an armbar attempt and then pulled guard and Drwal landed some shots, he tried a triangle and Drwal slammed him and stood and landed some kicks to the downed Linhares's legs, a stomp to his leg wow. He dived down at Linhares with a big shot and they stood and Linhares had his back and then they broke. Drwal landed a combination, Linhares collapsed, Drwal followed him, Linhares nearly had a kneebar, they stood and went back down, Drwal on top landing big shots. He was standing over Linhares, landed a big shot, went down, stood again, landed more big shots. He landed a big shot and anotehr one. Just standing over him beating him over and over. Linhares looked for an armbar. Wait did he have that? Nearly. Drwal landed more big shots. More and more standing over him. Drwal landed an axe kick to the belly and more big shots and more and more. More big shots over and over. Linhares's corner screamed 'take the leg, you have to take the leg'. Drwal stood over him landing more big shots. He landed a massive one and Linhares went limp and the referee stopped the fight and the crowd applauded. Linhares was still down.
Patrick Cote vs. Steve Vigneault - The fight was for the TKO light-heavyweight title, with Vigneault defending. Cote came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. Cote landed a leg kick, shot for the takedown and Vigneault sprawled nicely and Cote was turtled up and then he stood and backed off. Vigneault landed a groin kick and Cote crouched by the ropes. He was wearing a cup apparently but still that must hurt. He stood in the corner leaning against the ropes wincing. He continued and they touched gloves. Cote landed a good right hand at the same time that Vigneault landed a good left hook. Cote landed a big right. Cote landed a big right hand and Vigneault sagged. Cote landed another big right and Vigneault dropped for the knockout victory for Cote.
Luis Cane vs. Steve Cantwell - Cantwell was on a four-fight win streak.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Cantwell was the one backing up as Cane sent that jab out there. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cane was stalking him. Cane landed an uppercut. Cantwell landed a slapping high kick to Cane's arm. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cane landed a vicious body shot. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cane landed a combination ending with a nice kick to the body. Cantwell landed a leg kick, and Cane landed a combination in response. Cantwell landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination. Cantwell's nose was bloody. They clinched and Cantwell was looking for the takedown but Cane was defending capably. Cane broke with an elbow and a nice combination. Cantwell landed that headkick and ate another combination. Cane landed a combination and a big knee to the face and another to the body. Cantwell landed a good combination ending with another missed high kick. Cane landed a straight left and then an uppercut. Cane blocked another headkick. Cane landed another combination, landing that uppercut again. Yeah, Cantwell's nose was bleeding just a bit. Cantwell threw a combination, all blocked by Cane. Cantwell showed good head movement and avoided a jab. Cantwell threw a combination and landed one or two. He threw another but landed nothing. His confidence was building again. Cantwell missed a body kick. Cane landed a good combination. Cantwell threw another combination and landed maybe one. Cane landed another body shot. Cane checked a leg kick. Cane landed an elbow a bit. Cantwell missed an overhand right. Cane missed a combination of his own. Cane checked an inside leg kick. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cantwell blocked a combination and blocked a Superman punch. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cantwell landed a good body shot. Cantwell was keeping him at distance with those missed combinations. The first round ended. As Goldberg noted, Luis Cane is a textbook striker. In Cantwell's corner, they went to work on that nose.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Cantwell threw a missed combination. Cantwell landed a nice right hand. Cane landed a good combination right down the pipe. Cane was tossing that jab out there. Cantwell was showing good head movement. Cane landed a good combination. Cantwell landed a good leg kick. Cantwell landed another leg kick. Cane missed a Superman punch. Cane landed a good combination. Cane landed a body kick. Cane landed an inside leg kick and a combination. Cane really didn't seem to respect Cantwell's power. Cantwell landed a jab and a leg kick. Cane landed a few jabs and a nice body kick. Cane landed a combination and Cantwell landed a good counter. Cantwell landed a body shot and then a body KICK. Cantwell landed a good counter, a good combination ending with a nice right hand and a body kick. Cantwell landed a headkick with the foot to the chin of Cane and Cane was hurt. Cantwell landed a combination, a body kick and a combination. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cantwell was showing good head movement. Cantwell landed a good combination. Cane landed that body kick, hitting the elbow more than anything. Cane landed an inside leg kick. Cantwell landed a good right hook. Cantwell landed that headkick again. Cane blocked a combination. Cane tried an uppercut and ate a counter right hook from Cantwell. The second round ended with a nice left hook from Cantwell right at the bell.
The third round began and they touched gloves. This was the first time Cane had been to the third round and Cantwell's corner believed that Cane was tired. Cantwell missed that headkick again. The pace had slowed just a bit. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cane was stalking him again. They circled. Cane landed a combination and a body kick, another combination and that uppercut. Cantwell had covered up through most of it. Cane landed a body kick and Cantwell returned it. Cantwell missed that headkick again and Cane backed off, he respected that headkick. Cantwell landed a good combination, mostly blocked really. Cane appeared to be fading a little bit. Cantwell barely missed that headkick again. Cane landed a good knee to the body, and then again and a good combination, a nice jab to the body. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cantwell landed a leg kick. Cane landed a good knee to the body. Cantwell had Cane backing up. Cane threw a missed combination. Cantwell landed another good combination and another. Cane looked tired. Cane landed a jab and another and another. Cantwell's nose was bleeding and his mouth was open, as was Cane's. Cane landed a body kick. Cane checked a leg kick. Cantwell tried that neck kick and Cane blocked it, and then again. Cane landed a good double jab and another and then a knee to the body and a good combination. Cane landed another stiff jab and a knee to the body and another jab. Both were breathing heavy. Cane landed another good stiff jab. Cane blocked that headkick again and that was hard. Cantwell missed a hard Superman punch. Cantwell landed a nice switch kick, body to leg, looked good but not a whole lot of damage. Cantwell landed a good jab. The third round ended with a good jab by Cane. Luis Cane got the unanimous decision.
Rich Franklin vs. Marvin Eastman - Franklin came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. Eastman came for the takedown, Franklin defended to the clinch and landed some good knees to the body, some really good knees, they broke. Franklin landed a good leg kick. Eastman landed a good combination and they clinched. Eastman came hard for the takedown and slammed Franklin down. Franklin rotated his hips and grabbed the armbar and Eastman was forced to tap. Eastman looked very unhappy. Eastman was very unhappy. Wait, the announcer giving the decision is Bruce Buffer. Holy shit.
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Rob Emerson - Pellegrino had a one-inch reach advantage and Emerson had a one-inch height advantage. The referee was Jorge Ortiz.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They exchanged missed jabs. More missed jabs. And more. Pellegrino landed a good right hand, setting it up with a good jab. Emerson landed a good counter. Emerson landed a good leg kick. Hmm.. Mainly missed or blocked strikes. Pellegrino landed a nice leg kick. Emerson landed a leg kick and ate a counter jab, counter right. Emerson landed a good leg kick. Kenny Florian yelled in the corner for Pellegrino to put pressure on. Emerson landed a leg kick. Pellegrino came for the takedown, Emerson avoided and got a counter takedown to full guard. Emerson landed a few nice shots. They stood and broke. Pellegrino blocked a headkick. Pellegrino landed a good leg kick. Emerson landed a leg kick. Emerson came for the takedown, Pellegrino defended to the clinch and they exchanged a few knees. Emerson finally got the takedown into full guard. The first round ended. Not the most exciting round, but Emerson definitely took it.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Pellegrino landed a good counter right. Pellegrino landed a good leg kick. Emerson landed a good head kick. Emerson landed a good jab and another. Emerson landed a good leg kick and another. Pellegrino came for the takedown and Emerson was defending. Pellegrino finally slammed him down into side control. Pellegrino put himself in guard himself. Pellegrino landed some body shots. Pellegrino passed to half-guard. Pellegrino passed to mount and then had his back and got both hooks in. Pellegrino grabbed the rear-naked choke and Emerson tapped quickly.
Lee Murray vs. Jorge Rivera - Murray had a two-inch height advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Rivera had a shooting stance. Rivera came in with a big shot and they clinched. Murray was warned for grabbing the fence to avoid the takedown. Rivera got the takedown into half-guard. Murray retained guard. Rivera stood and went down into Murray's guard again. Murray tried to grab an armbar and he had that, he had that. He just had to straighten out his body. Rivera landed some good shots in under. Yeah that armbar was deep. He transitioned to a triangle and that was deep as hell. Oh man. Rivera finally tapped and he looked disappointed in himself. Murray hopped on top of the cage and celebrated.
Nick Thompson vs. Dan Hornbuckle - The first round began. They circled, light on their feet. Hornbuckle landed a good body kick. Hornbuckle grabbed a single-leg but Thompson was defending capably. He had Thompson's standing back. Hornbuckle suplexed Thompson backwards and landed in what looked like half-guard. Thompson appeared to be looking for a kimura and he was on top looking for it. Hornbuckle responded by taking Thompson's back and pulling away from the kimura and then getting both hooks in. He was looking for the choke. He had it locked in, no Thompson escaped. Thompson turned in to his guard. Thompson stood and tripped and fell and Hornbuckle dived on top in half-guard. Hornbuckle stood and was just over him. The referee stood Thompson up immediately almost. Hornbuckle landed a good body shot and then a nice right hand. Thompson landed a good jab. Hornbuckle landed a good straight right, nice and stiff. Thompson landed a combination. Hornbuckle landed a good right hand. Hornbuckle landed a good combination and another. Hornbuckle landed another nice combination. Thompson landed a good combination. Hornbuckle landed a body kick and came for a flying knee and missed and they clinched. Hornbuckle landed a knee to the body, and the first round ended.
The second round began. They exchanged missed strikes in close. Hornbuckle landed a good combination ending in a right hook. Thompson was bleeding somewhere, I think above his right eye. Thompson landed a good right hook. That blood was running down Thompson's face. The referee paused the fight so that the cut could be checked. That was a decent gash over his right eye, right over it, under the eyebrow. The fight continued. Hornbuckle landed a good body kick and another. Hornbuckle landed a good combination and Thomspon was rocked, Hornbuckle landed another combination and a knee to the face and Thompson collapsed against the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. Hornbuckle was ecstatic.
Jay Hieron vs. Mark Miller - The fight was for the IFL welterweight title with Hieron defending. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Hieron landed a big right immediately and got the takedown into full guard. Hieron landed some nice body shots. Hieron landed a big shot from the top. Hieron landed a body shot. Hieron postured up with another couple of nice shots. Hieron postured up with a few more nice shots. He landed a few more good shots, just really dominating Miller. Just repeated shots, going to work. Big shots. These weren't love taps. Miller tried to shove off with his feet on the hips and ate more big shots for his troubles, more big shots, oh man those must suck, more big shots just over and over and the referee stopped the fight, and Hieron retained his welterweight title.
Diego Sanchez vs. Karo Parisyan - They had an intense staredown. The first round began. Sanchez landed a good double jab. Sanchez landed a good uppercut and they clinched. Sanchez got the takedown to half-guard, got to mount, got Parisyan's back. Parisyan grabbed one of Sanchez's feet. Sanchez landed some good shots in under. Parisyan was bleeding somehwere. Sanchez locked in the body triangle and landed more good shots in under. Parisyan had a bad cut over one of his eyebrows. Sanchez landed more shots in under. Parisyan stood with Sanchez on his back and they clinched once more. Sanchez landed a good knee to the body and Parisyan got the takedown into open guard. Parisyan landed a good elbow and stood and went back down into guard. Sanchez worked the butterfly guard. Parisyan landed a big shot and another one. Sanchez landed a good upkick and Parisyan came back down into guard and landed another good elbow. Parisyan's left eye was swelling. He had a mouse UNDERNEATH that eye from the uppercut Sanchez landed. Sanchez switched and took Parisyan's back and then they broke and circled. They clinched and broke. Parisyan might have taken an eyepoke when Sanchez landed those early shots at the start of the fight, probably the 'double jab'. Parisyan got a judo throw but they stood and circled. Parisyan landed a jab and they clinched and Parisyan got another judo throw, tossing Sanchez on his head but Sanchez ended up on top in full guard. They stood after a little bit. Parisyan landed a good left and then a right. Sanchez landed a good jab. The first round came to an end. The crowd was on their feet. Tito Ortiz was in Parisyan's corner, asking him if he could see and Parisyan said 'Yeah'.
The second round began. Parisyan landed a few stiff jabs. Sanchez landed a good combination and Parisyan landed a body kick. Parisyan landed a few good counters. Parisyan landed a good right hook and then they clinched. Parisyan got the slam takedown into half-guard. Parisyan landed a good elbow. Sanchez rolled out and almost grabbed a kneebar, they stood back up, Parisyan got him back down with a single leg. Sanchez got back up after a moment and missed another big uppercut as they broke away and circled. They circled, staring each other down. Sanchez got Parisyan's back and they rolled about. Sanchez ended up on top in Parisyan's guard after a moment landing good body shots, keeping busy. Parisyan's nose was bloody and he had that mouse/cut under his eye. Parisyan was taking some deep breaths on the bottom. Sanchez postured up with some big shots. Parisyan tried to stand and he made it to the clinch. Parisyan tried a judo throw but missed and they broke away and circled. Parisyan landed a good jab and another. Parisyan had a mouse under his right eye now as well. Parisyan shot for the takedown and they rolled. Sanchez was stuck underneath Parisyan in.. north-south. Sanchez was turtled up. They rolled some more. They rolled. Sanchez had Parisyan's back. The second round ended. Parisyan's face didn't look good.
The third round began. Parisyan came out swinging but missed. They clinched. They broke quickly. Sanchez landed a good body shot. They clinched, Parisyan landed a good knee to the body and they broke. Parisyan landed a good jab. Parisyan landed a good right hand. They exchanged in close, Sanchez landed a good uppercut right to the chin, Parisyan landed a knee to the body. Parisyan came forward with a combination and they clinched and Parisyan slammed Sanchez down. Sanchez took some deep breaths on the ground. Parisyan landed a good elbow. They stood and Sanchez got the takedown and then had Parisyan's back quickly. Sanchez grabbed the rear-naked choke but Parisyan escaped, no Sanchez was in mount, he had Parisyan's back again and then he landed an elbow and some good shots. Sanchez landed some hammerfists. Sanchez had Parisyan's back. He threw a hook in. Sanchez landed another hammerfist. They separated and stood into the clinch. Parisyan looked exhausted. They broke. Parisyan had his hands low. Parisyan landed a nice combination. Sanchez landed some good uppercuts inside and body shots as they clinched. Sanchez landed a knee to the face and there went Parisyan's tooth out. Parisyan got a judo throw but he ended up on his back and Sanchez was on top in guard, landing body shots. Sanchez landed more shots body and face. Sanchez landed an elbow and then some more body shots. Sanchez landed an elbow to the body, some more elbows to the body and some big shots to the face, postured up landing big shots and the third round and the fight ended. Diego Sanchez was the winner by unanimous decision.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Paul Buentello - The fight was for the UFC heavyweight championship with Arlovski defending.
The first round began. Buentello came out quickly and they exchanged missed strikes. Arlovski landed a big right hand right on the chin and dropped Buentello and the referee stopped the fight for the knockout victory. The commentators seemed shocked. The crowd was indignant, booing loudly and chanting 'Bullshit'.
Robbie Lawler vs. Aaron Riley - The referee was Larry Landless.
The fight was the UFC debut of both men. He came into the fight undefeated. They exchanged immediately, Lawler landed a body kick. They clinched. Lawler broke with a good combination, a knee to the face and another combination. They circled. They clinched but broke. They clinched again. Lawler landed a few big body shots and they broke. Lawler landed a good combination. Lawler landed a big combination and another. Riley was trying to throw back but he wasnt' landing anything. Riley missed a leg kick and they clinched but broke. Riley was coming forward. Riley landed an inside leg kick. They clinched, Riley landed a good knee and they broke. They clinched again. The pace had slowed a bit. Lawler landed a good knee to the body and they broke. Riley landed a good counter combination. They clinched again but broke. Lawler landed a good jab. Riley landed a good left and ate a counter combination from Lawler that dropped him, the first time he'd been dropped, and Lawler was all over him pounding away. Riley was trying to tie up his hands, but Lawler landed a nice short elbow from half-guard where he settled in. Lawler stood and let Riley up. Lawler landed another good combination. Riley landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a good straight right and then a straight left. Riley landed a leg kick and ate some counters. Riley landed an inside leg kick. Lawler got a nice takedown into full guard. They stood up. Riley landed a good left. The first round came to an end.
The second round began and they circled. They exchanged in close and Riley got in a good knee to the body and ate a nice counter. Lawler landed a good combination. Riley landed a leg kick. They clinched but broke with a missed right from Lawler. Riley landed a good counter and they clinched. Riley landed a good uppercut and they broke. Lawler landed a straight right. Riley landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a headkick and another, both grazing Riley. Riley landed a good uppercut inside and another as they clinched. Riley landed a nice knee to the stomach and another and they broke and Riley landed a big combination and another. They clinched and they exchanged a knee each. Lawler got the takedown. They stood into the clinch and exchanged another knee. Riley landed a knee to the chin and another to the body, a nice forearm inside. Riley landed another big knee, another to the eye. Riley landed some heel strikes to the back of Lawler's leg repeatedly. The pace had slowed a tiny bit. They broke. Lawler landed a combination and Riley replied with a knee to the face. Lawler landed another big combination. They clinched. Riley landed another big knee to the body and they broke. Riley landed an inside leg kick and another and they clinched and Lawler got the takedown but stood immediately and let Riley up. Riley landed a leg kick and a good combination and ate a counter, landed another leg kick. They clinched and Riley landed another big knee, and another forearm inside. Another forearm by Riley. They broke. They exchanged jabs in close. The second round ended.
The third round began and Lawler landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a body kick and then a front kick. Lawler landed a big left and a combination, Riley nearly had a single-leg. Someone's mouthpiece went out, Lawler's. Lawler got the takedown but they stood and Riley had Lawler's standing back and he got both hooks in with his back against the cage. No it was Riley's mouthpiece that was gone. Riley's nose was bloodied up a bit, from that big left. Riley grabbed the rear-naked choke. He had that. Lawler finally spun out and tossed Riley down and he was pounding away standing over him, they stood and Riley ate more combinations, Lawler landed a knee to the face, another combination, a knee to the neck, they clinched. Lawler was warned for grabbing the fence. Lawler broke with a missed right and the referee paused the fight to put Riley's mouthpiece back in. They continued. Lawler landed a straight right immediately and another combination. Lawler came for the takedown and got it into full guard. Riley looked for an armbar but Lawler stood and landed a big left hand. Lawler landed a big leg kick. Lawler was backing up with Riley pursuing. Riley landed a leg kick and they clinched. Lawler was looking for the takedown and he got it and was standing over Riley. Riley stood into the clinch. Riley landed a knee to the stomach and another, and another. They broke. They clinched and Lawler landed a good uppercut and they broke. Lawler landed another good uppercut. Riley landed a straight right and a body kick. Riley landed a leg kick. They clinched and Lawler landed a knee to the body and an uppercut and Riley replied in kind and the third round ended. Robbie Lawler was the winner by unanimous decision in a close fight.
Frank Trigg vs. Georges St. Pierre - The first round began. Trigg had a low stance. He came forward with some missed strikes. Trigg landed a nice jab. Trigg blocked a body kick. Trigg came forward and ate a jab from St. Pierre. Trigg came for a takedown and St. Pierre sprawled and shoved forward on top into side control and then passed to mount. Trigg was trying to buck St. Pierre off of him. St. Pierre landed some good shots. Trigg rolled and gave up his back. St. Pierre got the hooks in. Trigg rolled back to mount. St. Pierre brought down some big shots. Trigg escaped and he was nearly up. No, St. Pierre had his back again with both hooks in, back to mount though. St. Pierre locked in an arm triangle and went to half-guard. St. Pierre let go and he was still in half-guard. St. Pierre brought down some more bombs. St. Pierre passed to mount again, had his back again. Trigg rolled out back to mount. St. Pierre dropped an elbow, Trigg was bloodied up and battered, St. Pierre dropped more elbows, back to half-guard though for Trigg. St. Pierre was back to mount, he had his back again. St. Pierre landed more unanswered punches in under. St. Pierre dragged him down and grabbed the rear-naked choke and Trigg tapped out desperately. St. Pierre did his back flip and did the belt-around-the-waist motion.
Jason 'Mayhem' Miller vs. Lodune Sincaid - This fight was at 205.
The first round began. Miller landed an inside leg kick and came for a takedown but Sincaid defended into the clinch. Miller grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and landed some big knees to the body and then came for the takedown again and Sincaid defended once more and landed a good knee to the body. Miller landed a big knee and another to the body. They broke and Miller landed a body kick. Miller was all over Sincaid in the clinch once again. Miller grabbed that Muay Thai clinch again and landed more knees to the body and he had Sincaid down and turtled up in side back mount. Miller got a hook in and was looking for the other. Miller was high on the back. Miller locked in the body triangle however and landed some good shots in under. Good shots in under. His corner yelled 'flatten him out, Jason'. Miller landed a good hammerfist. Sincaid shook him off back to side back mount. Miller nearly had the crucifix, went back to the back. Sincaid finally escaped on top in half-guard. Sincaid went body-body-head. Miller nearly grabbed a kneebar however and was back on top on Sincaid's back landing elbows to the body. Miller got both hooks in and he grabbed the rear-naked choke. Sincaid tapped. It was all over. Miller breakdanced, spinner-roonee. Ala Booker T, as the commentators noted.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland - The first round began. Lindland came forward with a combination and they clinched. Fedor was already cut over his left eye. Lindland nearly lifted Emelianenko up, but Fedor grabbed the ropes Emelinaneko reversed into half-guard and then he was looking for mount. The crowd was going crazy. Fedor went for an Achilles leglock and Lindland grunted in pain and kicked at Fedor and escaped and they were folded. Lindland seemed to be looking to take Fedor's back. Fedor had the mount and then he rolled and grabbed an armbar. Lindland was fighting it but.. damn. Fedor was trying to extend that arm. Blood was all over the mat. Lindland screamed in pain and he tapped finally.
Mike Brown vs. Urijah Faber 1 - The fight was for the WEC featherweight championship with long-time champion Faber defending.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Faber missed a front kick. Faber missed a headkick. Brown was just walking down Faber. Faber landed a left hand and they clinched. They broke quickly. Faber missed a headkick. Brown landed a right hand and another and they clinched up. Brown landed a knee to the leg. Brown was looking for that takedown. Brown landed an elbow inside. Faber landed a knee to the face. Brown shoved Faber down. Faber stood with his hands down. Faber landed a jab. Brown came forward with a missed combination and dumped Faber down and Faber stood and came with a spinning back elbow telegraphed as fuck and ate a big shot from Brown and dropped. Brown had his back landing big shots in under and the referee stopped the fight and Brown was the new featherweight champion.
Nate Marquardt vs. Ricardo Almeida - The fight was for the King of Pancrase middleweight championship with Marquardt defending.
The first round began. They circled about. Almeida came for the takedown and Marquardt defended but Almeida kept coming, they rolled. Almeida ended up on top in half-guard. Marquardt stayed busy from the bottom landing hammerfists to the body. They weren't doing much. Marquardt retained guard after a bit. Almeida passed to half-guard. Not much... Marquardt turtled up and Almeida sprawled and landed a knee to the head. They stood into the clinch but Almeida dragged him back down on top into full guard. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes. Not much again... Almeida passed to side control. Almeida mounted, no Marquardt put him back in half-guard again. Almeida postured up with some big shots, he was laying down some punishment. And again, he kept coming, he was back in full guard. Marquardt turtled up again. Not much happening again. Marquardt stood into the clinch. Almeida grabbed a guillotine. Marquardt fought it hard but he finally tapped. The referee was unable to immediately separate the fighters, and the choke remained applied to Nate's neck. After he was freed a moment later, Marquardt threw a punch at Almeida's face and both corners stormed into the ring. Marquardt approached Almeida afterwards to congratulate him.
David Loiseau vs. Evan Tanner - Loiseau had a half-inch reach advantage and the height was the same. Loiseau earned his title shot with this win.
The first round began, they touched gloves, Tanner pushed forward quickly and backed up. Loiseau missed two headkicks. He missed another. Tanner came forward and they clinched. Tanner landed a good shot inside, they broke. Tanner landed a good jab. Tanner landed a leg kick and they clinched. Tanner was looking for the single-leg, he grabbed that leg and got Loiseau down after a moment into half-guard. Tanner mounted. Loiseau rolled and gave Tanner his back. Tanner got one hook in, then the other. Loiseau had great rear-naked choke defense however. Tanner was looking for that choke. Tanner rolled back to mount, briefly looked for an arm triangle and they stood into the clinch. Tanner got a beautiful drag takedown and he had Loiseau's back again, landing good shots in under. He got one hook in and then the other. Loiseau's nose was bleeding. Tanner lost a hook, he lost the other, he was back in half-guard. Tanner landed a good elbow. Tanner landed an elbow to the body from half-guard and another. That's great. Tanner had the back again, no hooks in, just riding him. Tanner got those hooks in. Tanner kept looking for that rear-naked choke, he nearly had it but lost it. Loiseau turned in to his guard, Tanner nearly grabbed an armbar. Loiseau dropped some massive elbows. The first round ended.
The second round began. Loiseau missed a headkick, he missed a switch headkick and another one and missed a spinning kick. Tanner missed a jumping knee. Tanner landed an inside leg kick to the groin but Loiseau continued. Tanner missed a big overhand right and slipped but he was right back to stance. Tanner stepped into a knee to the body and then landed a leg kick and got the takedown into half-guard. Tanner dropped a few short elbows and landed some good body shots. Tanner landed some more short shots. Tanner landed more short shots. Tanner took his back again and landed a big knee to the solar plexus. Tanner landed some good shots in under. Tanner landed another big knee to the body. Tanner got one hook in and dropped a sideways elbow and some hammerfists in under and some more. Tanner got both hooks back in and looked for that choke but Loiseau was defending well. Tanner pounded in under repeatedly. Loiseau turned in to his guard again and landed a big elbow and another. Tanner was cut somewhere. Loiseau landed another elbow and another and another and another and another, massive elbows, and the referee paused the fight so that the doctor could check. There was one cut over Tanner's eye and another above. Damn that was a lot of blood from there. They continued in the same position. Loiseau landed another big elbow. Loiseau passed to side control and then had Tanner's back and they stood. Loiseau barely missed a headkick. Tanner landed a jab. Loiseau landed a body kick, missed a high spinning back kick. Tanner got the takedown, they rolled and stood into the clinch, Tanner landed a knee to the body and they broke. Tanner landed a leg kick. Loiseau landed a combination and rocked Tanner. Tanner was hurt. The referee paused the fight to check the cut. That was a fucking nasty cut. Tanner looked nasty. The doctor stopped the fight. Tanner looked extremely, utterly disappointed.
Ben Rothwell vs. Kerry Schall 2 - Rothwell had won the previous fight by Schall breaking his foot and submitting in that manner, a few months before.
The first round began. They circled. Schall came forward with a wild missed combination. Rothwell came in, ate some counters and they clinched. Rothwell landed some good knees to the legs. Rothwell had those underhooks, landing knees to the legs. Rothwell was looking for the takedown against the ropes. Schall landed a good body shot and another. Schall landed a good elbow to the side of the head. Schall landed a nice right hand inside. Rothwell shoved him into the corner. Rothwell landed a knee to the leg. Schall landed a good shot inside. Clinch fest, wow. Rothwell landed a right hand inside and two big knees to the body. Rothwell landed a good knee to the body. Schall landed a good forearm to the chin of Rothwell. Rothwell landed some hard foot stomps, knowing that Schall had that previously broken foot. Schall landed a good combination. Rothwell landed a good right hand. Schall broke with a combination and landed a good right hand to the temple of Rothwell. Rothwell landed some nice shots inside and another. The first round ended. Schall was hurt, staggering on back to his corner with the help of his corner. He had no idea where he was at. After a moment, he answered how many fingers the referee had up, after about two or three minutes. The referee seemed hesitant to let him go on.
The second round began. Rothwell landed a combination and they clinched. Rothwell was just shoving Schall into the ropes. Rothwell was really looking for that takedown and he nearly had it. They were stuck in the ropes a bit and the referee broke it up. Rothwell immediately grabbed the clinch again. Schall looked dazed in the clinch. He must have been flash knocked out at the end of that round. Schall kept looking for a standing guillotine or something. Schall landed a right hand and some big uppercuts. Rothwell was hurt and he came hard for the takedown and Schall went hard through the ropes backward and smashed through a folding chair outside. Schall was out cold and doctors swarmed towards him. Schall wasn't moving. Scary situation. The fight was definitely over, Schall's neck was injured. Rothwell got the TKO victory as Schall regained consciousness and he was taken off on a stretcher to the local hospital for observation.
Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer - The fight was to decide the winner of the sixth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Speer came hard and got the clinch and immediately began looking for the takedown and Danzig was defending well. Speer landed a good knee inside and another. The crowd chanted 'Tommy'. Speer landed another nice knee. Danzig was looking for the single-leg. Danzig landed a knee to the body, Speer replied. Danzig was really pushing for that takedown hard and he got it into half-guard and landed some good shots from the top. Some more nice shots. Danzig passed to mount quickly. Danzig landed some more shots, really nice shots. Speer was cut, big. Danzig landed more big shots. Danzig landed a good elbow and more big shots. Speer rolled and gave up his back and Danzig was looking for that choke, really looking for it, landing big shots in under, looking for the choke, more shots in under, he had that tight. Speer tapped the mat and it was over, Danzig was The Ultimate Fighter.
Randy Couture vs. Kevin Randleman - The fight was for the UFC heavyweight title with Randleman defending.
The first round began. They circled, light on their feet. Randleman's ankles were swollen and wrapped up. Couture came in and ate a combination from Randleman and Randleman got the takedown into full guard. Randleman had the can opener in, both hands interlaced on the back of Randy's temples and dragging his head up to open the guard so he could pass. He let it go. They weren't really doing much. Randleman's corner yelled for him to watch the armbar. Couture looked for that armbar and he had it. Randleman was trying to stop Couture from extending that arm. He slammed Couture down, still trying to stop Couture from extending the arm. He escaped back to guard. Good strength by Randleman. Randleman landed a trio of good body shots and another and another and another and another and another. Randleman was winning this round so far. Randleman landed a good shot to Couture's face. Randleman landed a few hammerfists. Randleman landed another body shot and another and another. They were expending a lot of energy here. Not the most exciting fight, though. Randleman landed a good hammerfist. The first round ended.
The second round began. Randleman landed a good uppercut counter after Couture missed a right. Randleman landed a big left-right combination and they clinched. Randleman landed a good body shot. They weren't doing too much. This was a grueling position though, they were constantly forcing their weight against and into each other and such. They broke and Randleman landed a big combination and they clinched again and then broke and then clinched again. They were exhausted visibly. Couture was looking for a standing guillotine perhaps but Randleman got him down. Randleman was forcing Couture against the fence in a sitting position. Couture was breathing heavily. Randleman was winded as well. The crowd chanted 'Randy' rousingly. Randleman pushed into full guard and put Couture on his back. Randleman landed a few body shots. He was winning these rounds definitively with those. Randleman landed a body shot and another and another and another. Randleman's corner yelled 'no rest, move those hips and elbow.' Randleman landed another trio of body shots. Kim Couture yelled 'One minute, Randy, one minute.' Randleman landed another few body shots. 'You gotta start working, Kevin.' 'Don't let him rest in there'. Randleman landed a hammerfist. The second round ended. 'He's tired. You've gotta stay on your feet, don't be afraid to trade blows with him,' Kevin's corner told him.
The third round began. Randleman landed a leg kick. They clinched. Couture landed a knee to the body and another. Those hurt Randleman. Couture landed a knee to the body. Randleman landed a knee to the body and Couture replied. 'No rest, Randy'. Couture landed a trio of knees to the hip. Randleman looked frustrated. Couture got the takedown to full guard and landed some good body shots and then some shots to the face and more shots to the face repeatedly, nice straight shots down there. Couture was in half-guard dropping those shots down now. Couture dropped an elbow. Randleman was cut, I think. Couture dropped more shots. That cut was on the bridge of the nose, pretty bloody. Couture landed shots repetaedly downward, five times, six, seven, more shots. He got to mount. Couture dropped an elbow. Couture dropped more big shots just repeatedly over and over, over and over, again and again and again, just pounding away. The referee stopped the fight and it was over. Couture was the new champion.
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral - The fight was for the IFC light heavyweight tournament semifinals. Sobral had already defeated Trevor Prangley earlier that night, and he went on to defeat Jeremy Horn in the finals. Rua had already defeated Erik Wanderley earlier that night, as well.
The first round began. Sobral landed a leg kick and a right hand, checked a headkick and got the takedown into guard. Rua was constantly looking for submissions, looking for something from the bottom. Sobral managed to pass to half-guard after a bit. They weren't exactly working though, you know? Rua managed to stand and they broke away, Rua landing a body kick. Sobral came in with a knee to the tailbone and then got the takedown and stood over him, landing another kick to the tailbone and going back down to the full guard. As the commentators noted, Sobral had taken the comment 'kick his ass' literally. Sobral passed to half-guard a bit quicker this time. Rua spun out and Sobral rolled as well for a kneebar and he was really looking for it, a heelhook now, Rua spun out and he had Sobral's standing back and he dropped for a kneebar and he went down into full guard with Sobral on top. Interesting. Rua landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Rua landed a good shot from the bottom and some more hammerfists. There was a little cut underneath Sobral's left eye, starting to bleed a bit, and another above the right eye, right in that eyebrow. The first round came to an end.
The second round began and Rua came right at him with a right and Sobral kept him at his distance with a front kick to avoid it, stopping him cold. Rua landed a leg kick, Sobral landed an inside leg kick and came for the takedown, hugging his foot and then dropped back and lay there as Rua stood over him landing kicks to the legs. Rua landed agood right hand and went down into his guard. Rua stood back up to avoid an armbar and landed another kick to the leg, landed a good right from the top. Sobral was indeed cut under his left eye and above his right eye. Sobral managed to stand landed a jab and got the throw takedown and had Rua's side back mount. They rolled around and Sobral went for another kneebar. He grabbed that foot and he was twisting it, Rua rolled out and escaped as Sobral tried to hug his ankle. He dived back down into Sobral's full guard once again. They weren't doing much. The referee paused the fight to bring a new mouthpiece for Sobral, then they continued. Rua landed a big right hand from the top and another. Forrest Griffin and Jeremy Horn were sitting nearby, watching the fight closely. Sobral landed an elbow from the bottom. Sobral was looking for an armbar. He had that, he was trying to extend the arm. Rua was trying to escape. The second round ended. Sobral looked disappointed.
The third round began. Sobral landed a few jabs, shot and grabbed at Rua's ankle and got the takedown into full guard. Sobral passed rapidly to half-guard. They rolled out and Rua tried for a kneebar. Sobral pulled away and Rua stood over him. They went back down to full guard. Sobral locked in a triangle. Rua was caught. He escaped, he got his head out, and Sobral transitioned rapidly to an omoplata. Rua rolled out and Sobral was in his guard. Damn. Amazing. Sobral passed to half-guard. They rolled and Rua was turtled up with Sobral in north-south. Sobral tried to roll him for the anaconda but Rua defended. They stood, Sobral still had Rua in a standin guillotine, brought him down into full guard after a moment. That was tight as all fuck. He rolled over on top into half-guard after a moment, that was still tight, back to full guard after a moment. Rua finally tapped and sat up after the choke was released. Both men were exhausted. Rua looked extremely disappointed with his head down. The referee consoled him. Jeremy Horn defeated Forrest Griffin by headkick knockout and Sobral then defeated him to win the tournament.
Renato 'Babalu' Sobral vs. Jeremy Horn - The fight was the finals of the IFC light heavyweight tournament, for the championship. The referee was Josh Rosenthal.
The first round began. Sobral landed a big combination early and they clinched. Sobral landed a knee. Sobral looked for a guillotine and then let it go and they broke. Sobral got the takedown into guard. They both looked exhausted. This was their third fight that night. Horn locked in a triangle. He was really looking for that. He let it go and nearly had it again, that was pretty tight. Sobral was in trouble. Horn kept losing it and setting it up again, he wasn't giving up. Just over and over, oh shit that was extremely tight, Horn rolled over on top and that was tight and Sobral escaped out the back door and Horn was on top in full guard. Sobral had those two cuts from the Rua fight and he was still fighting. Incredible. Sobral wall-walked and got the reversal on top and landed some big ground and pound from open guard. Sobral landed three or four really good elbows, and another. Sobral landed some more of those good elbows, arcing them down and not in a straight line so they were legal. Sobral postured up with some more nice ground and pound. The first round ended. There were finally some welts on Horn's face after three fights.
The second round began. Sobral landed a good left hand. Horn got the double-leg into the full guard. Sobral rotated those hips, nearly had a kneebar, he got the reversal on top but Horn was working those butterflies. He moved to full guard. Sobral landed more big ground and pound and more, Horn tried for an armbar but couldn't even grab it, Sobral landed more nice elbows, three or four of them. Sobral landed a really nice elbow. Horn tried to grab another armbar but Sobral pulled away and landed more nice ground and pound, really nice, five or six shots, some more nice short elbows. Sobral went body-body-head for a moment. Sobral postured up and came down with a big straight right that just grazed Horn. Horn locked in another triangle and that was tight as all fuck, he turned it into an armbar as well, landing elbows as well. The second round ended. Horn shook Sobral's hand and congratulated him. Sobral's right eye was closed up somehow.
The third round began. Sobral dodged a headkick, landed a body kick. Horn landed a body kick, came for the takedown, Sobral sprawled and tried for a guillotine. Horn escaped and he was on top in full guard, no half-guard. They were rolling, Horn was back on top in full guard. Horn landed some good body shots. Horn landed a nice elbow. They weren't doing much, Horn wasn't being as busy as Sobral. Sobral landed some elbows from the bottom. Sobral's right eye looked just nasty and swollen. Horn landed some more elbows. Sobral tried for an armbar and Horn stood and went down into half-guard with a big right hand. Ahhh man, Sobral's eye. They rolled and Horn landed a knee to the face on the ground and the fight was paused. The crowd booed. Horn crouched and said he was sorry. The eye was growing by the second for Sobral. Oh god, Sobral's eye... Jesus fucking Christ. The commentators speculated that maybe both of Sobral's knees were off the ground, no they were both up, nope no foul. It was not illegal. They were in their corners resting as the commissioners talked it over. The referees and everyone were discussing it, the owners, everyone. Horn looked the most upset, with himself. Sobral's eye was just... seriously dude, that's motherfucking nasty. The fight continued. Horn said he was sorry again and touched gloves. They circled. They clinched and broke. Sobral landed a straight kick to the ear and got the takedown into Horn's full guard. Sobral was trying to pass. Sobral landed some body shots and then body-body-head, body-body-head, working hard. Body-body-body-body-head. The third round ended. Renato Sobral was the winner by unanimous decision 29-28, and he won the tournament. Jesus, his eye is nasty..
Rashad Evans vs. Stephan Bonnar - The first round began and they touched gloves. Bonnar had a definitive reach advantage coming in. Bonnar came in with the first attempted strike of the bout, a crazy jumping axe kick, blocked by Evans easily because of Bonnar telegraphing the kick. They circled, obviously respecting each other's technique. Evans missed a combination. Bonnar missed a leg kick and then missed a stepping-in knee and Evans capitalized with the takedown into full guard. This fight is going in like slow-mo for me right now because of the lag. It lets me see shit a bit easier and write it down easier and shit. Bonnar landed a couple of hammerfists from the bottom, a few body shots, making sure to stay active. He had good control of Evans's arms with hs own arms locked around them, making sure Evans could not land ground and pound. The referee stood them up relatively quickly. Bonnar was testing the range with that jab, knowing he had a good reach advantage over Evans. Evans was staying elusively out of range of Bonnar's strikes, however. Bonnar missed a counter combination and a body kick. Alright I'm gonna let the vid load because this is just ridiculous. It's already a shitty fight without the lag, shouldn't have to watch it with lag, as well. Evans came for the takedown again, Bonnar defended into the clinch, Evans picked Bonnar up, slammed him down into half-guard, Bonnar immediately tried for a kimura, Evans pulled away back to full guard. Evans was posturing up, he stood up and moved away and let Bonnar up. 'Blade the Series on Spike following Ultimate Fight Night. A nice combination of action, creepiness, and a nice dose of vampire sexuality, not to mention the best action production values on TV, Blade the Series here on Spike.' 'What exactly is a nice dose of vampire sexuality?' 'It's a card that I have to read.' Evans got the takedown into half-guard. Bonnar put him back in full guard. Bonnar was trying to wall-walk, to rotate his hips. Evans landed a good left. Evans postured up and landed some more nice shots. Evans went back down into open guard. Bonnar's nose is bloodied up, I believe, just a little bit. He had a little cut below his right eye as well. Bonnar managed to stand into the clinch. Evans kept going for the takedown and he slammed Bonnar down into side control, and the first round ended. Evans's fiance cheered in the crowd.
The second round began. They circled in close. Evans landed a good right hand. Bonnar stepped into a good knee high to the body, they clinched and broke with Bonnar avoiding the takedown, he landed another nice knee to the body, they broke and circled, Evans shot in for the takedown, Bonnar avoided for a moment and Evans slammed Bonnar down into full guard. Bonnar was looking for that kimura again. It was tough to control Evans enough to grab that kimura though, it was tough to submit him. Bonnar was trying to wall-walk again, briefly grabbed the fence and he was warned for it. Evans landed some body shots. Bonnar managed to stand into the clinch and they broke, Bonnar landed a combination. Bonnar landed a nice counter. Evans came for the takedown, Bonnar defended into the clinch with a knee to the body. Bonnar was showing good takedown defense now. They broke. Bonnar landed a really nice spinning back kick to the midsection, kinda glanced off, not full extention on the leg, they clinched and Evans was really trying that takedown again, Bonnar grabbed the fence and was warned, Evans took Bonnar down into full guard. Bonnar was constantly looking for submissions, rotating those hips. Evans was just too wily and explosive, too hard to control. Bonnar was controlling those arms. Evans wasn't even thinking about passing. Bonnar was rotating those hips again, throwing those legs up, trying to get wrist control. Bonnar rolled for the switch and the second round ended. Brent Bonnar, Stephan's brother, watched worrisomely. Rashad's fiance screamed 'Rashad has this, Rashad has this, it's over!' belligerently. Rogan commented 'I want to see a fight between Stephan's brother and Rashad's fiance.'
The third round began. Evans circled elusively, not letting Bonnar push forward with anything. Bonnar missed a leg kick. Bonnar landed a jab and Evans came forward for the takedown, Bonnar defended into the clinch, Evans lifted him up, Bonnar grabbed the fence and was warned, Bonnar was frustrated and let go and tried a guillotine on the way down as Evans slammed him down into full guard but it was useless. Evans landed some body shots. Evans landed a good body shot and another and another. Bonnar kept looking for that kimura or that armbar, possibly a triangle as well but he never even got close to it, never even grabbed it. Bonnar was trying for the switch. Evans pulled away. Bonnar was tired. What a boring fight. They were talking about Blade the Series and how the original Shaft would star as Blade's father, and Rogan was like 'I loves me some Shaft' and Goldberg was like 'That didn't sound right'. Evans passed to Bonnar's back, pounding in under for a while. Bonnar rolled, Evans held him down in side control. Bonnar tried to roll out, put Evans back in guard. Bonnar grabbed the triangle nearly, Evans escaped and had Bonnar's back. Bonnar stood into the clinch. Bonnar grabbed a guillotine, brought him down into guard. Bonnar furiously landed some elbows from the bottom. The third round ended and Bonnar slapped the mat in frustration. His brother looked disappointed in the crowd. Evans was the winner by majority decision, 30-27, 29-28, 29-29. There was frustration deep in Bonnar's eyes as the decision was announced.
Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner - This was Tanner's second-to-last fight before his death. The referee was Mark Matheny.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They were just sort of bouncing around staring at each other. Tanner was trying to come in with some punches occasionally but keeping ready to avoid a takedown. Tanner just didn't seem to land anything so far. Tanner blocked a high kick from Okami. Tanner landed a good straight right. Tanner landed a nice left hook. Okami landed a good combination, ending in a straight left to the jaw that dropped Tanner backwards. They rolled on the ground, Okami nearly had his back, they stood in the clinch, Tanner got Okami down, Tanner nearly had Okami's standing back, they stood into the clinch. Tanner was looking for that takedown. Tanner landed a knee to the leg. Okami landed a knee to the body. Tanner was already bleeding somewhere on his face. He bled a lot because of scar tissue. Tanner landed a good knee to the midsection. They broke. Tanner landed an inside leg kick, they clinched again and Okami landed a knee to the body. Okami landed another good knee to the body, and another, and another, and they broke. Okami landed an inside leg kick. Tanner landed an inside leg kick. The crowd was starting to boo a bit. Okami was trying to open up a bit but wasn't really being successful. Tanner landed a really good inside leg kick. Okami landed a nice hook. Tanner blocked a combination from Okami. Tanner pushed forward but didn't land anything, and the first round ended. In Tanner's corner, David 'Stitch' Duran worked on Tanner's cut, wherever it was. It looked to be under his right eye perhaps.
The second round began. Tanner landed a leg kick. Tanner was starting to work that footwork. Tanner landed another leg kick and another. Okami landed a decent combination. Okami landed a good straight right. Tanner came forward with a missed combination. Okami landed a really nice body kick, a nice inside leg kick. Okami came forward with a combination ending with a nice uppercut. Okami grabbed the MT clinch, landed a big knee to the body. They broke. Tanner landed a body kick but Okami slightly slipped with it. Tanner came in with a nice right hand. Okami landed another big straight left. Okami missed a combination. They clinched. Tanner landed a really nice body shot. Okami pulled Tanner's head down and landed a massive knee to the chin that dropped Tanner out cold and the fight was over. Tanner was sitting down disappointed with himself as Okami hopped over the fence and stood outside, happy as hell for his first finish in a fight since he was born probably.
Marcus Aurelio vs. Tyson Griffin - Marcus Aurelio entered to It's a Fight by Three Six Mafia, and Tyson Griffin entered to Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. Decent. The referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began. Griffin circled about quickly. They were just circling and sizing each other up for a little bit. Aurelio appeared to be looking to strike and no takedowns. Perhaps. Boos began as they just sort of circled about, heavy boos. Interesting. Griffin landed a nice right hand. Griffin came forward with a narrowly-missed left hook. Boos began once more. The fighters seemed unaffected. They circled some more. Griffin missed a leg kick. They didn't appear to be able to find the range. Griffin shoved Aurelio down and stood over him. Griffin was trying to avoid Aurelio's attempts to drag him into guard. Griffin was standing over him pounding and Aurelio was looking to grab an arm. Griffin was just pounding away, scoring points, still landing. Aurelio finally locked his legs around him in full guard but Griffin was still postured. Aurelio landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Aurelio was looking for a triangle or something. He turned it into an armbar, Griffin escaped, ate an upkick, landed some good shots, staying postured, standing over Aurelio in between his legs. Aurelio had a mouse growing under his left eye. Griffin let him up. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a combination, left hand, right. Griffin landed a really nice leg kick. Griffin seemed to be smoothing out, avoiding Aurelio's strikes. Griffin landed an excellent body shot and then an uppercut. Griffin landed another nice leg kick. Griffin landed another nice leg kick. Aurelio came for the takedown, Griffin defended into the clinch. The first round ended.
The second round began. Griffin came in with a good combination, he landed a nice leg kick, he was picking apart Aurelio, another nice leg kick. These were really hurting Griffin. Griffin feinted a kick and Aurelio flinched. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin seemed to have really sized up Aurelio already. Griffin landed a body kick. Griffin landed an excellent leg kick and a nice overhand right. Griffin landed a combination. Griffin landed a good right hand and missed a body kick, landed a leg kick. Aurelio landed a good combination of jabs and tried for the takedown, Griffin defended into the clinch. Griffin landed a knee to the body. Griffin was working the knees to the legs quite a bit. They exchanged knees to the body with Aurelio getting the better of the exchange. Griffin dumped Aurelio down solidly into half-guard, and he was looking to pass. Aurelio tried to sweep and he dumped Griffin down and then he had Griffin's back crouched. Griffin landed some backward upward hammerfists. Aurelio was looking to get a hook in and Griffin was rolling though, trying to get on top and he managed it into half-guard landing good body shots. Aurelio grabbed a triangle and then transitioned to an omoplata as Griffin pulled out and then out of that, Aurelio landed an upkick at the same time Griffin landed a couple of punches, Aurelio was incorrectly trying a rubber guard. He pulled guard. Griffin landed some good body shots, good constant body shots. The second round ended. Griffin entergetically ran back to the corner. Yeah, there was definitely some red swelling under Aurelio's eye.
The third round began. They circled about. Griffin missed a leg kick. Griffin landed another leg kick, a nice right hand, another leg kick, Griffin avoided a takedown, landed a body kick. Griffin landed another nice leg kick, his left leg was red and he was starting to wobble. Aurelio landed a nice right hand. Griffin went for a switch kick, landed the second to the body. Aurelio landed another nice right hand. Aurelio looked very tired. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin came forward with a combination to the body. Griffin ducked perfectly under an Aurelio punch. Griffin sprawled to avoid a takedown. Griffin landed another nice combination to the body excellently, a nice right hand and another, a nice body kick and another right hand. Aurelio was exhausted. Griffin landed another leg kick. Griffin landed a few nice combinations, a nice leg kick. This was a slaughter. Griffin blocked a sloppy headkick attempt. Griffin came for a takedown and got it utterly easily. Aurelio was looking for an armbar, Griffin pulled away. Griffin landed some good body shots. Aurelio looked for a triangle, Griffin pulled out. Griffin landed a good elbow. The third round ended. Tyson Griffin was the winner by unanimous decision, they both jogged around the Octagon after the bell, I guess to satisfy that adrenal dump.
Kendall Grove vs. Jake Rosholt - The first round began. They circled. They circled around some more, really light on their feet. Rosholt came for the takedown and picked Grove up, carried him away from the cage, slammed him down and took Grove's back. Grove was trying to roll but Rosholt was keeping that back. Grove stood, Rosholt still had his back, half-suplexed Grove back down, back to the standing back. He dumped Grove back down, had his crouched back. Rosholt landed a knee to the bottom. Rosholt had Grove's standing back. Rosholt had that body lock, trying to drag Grove back down. Grove turned into the clinch, had double underhooks, landed a good knee to the body, dumped Rosholt down after a moment into half-guard and Rosholt almost immediately put him in full guard. Rosholt showed some good arm control. Grove landed a nice body shot, and another and another. Rosholt used the wall to stand to the clinch and Rosholt broke with a left and another, landed a flying knee to the body and they clinched. Rosholt tried to drag Grove down, Rosholt was avoiding just a bit, Rosholt finally got it, ended up on top in half-guard. Grove was breathing out of his mouth. Grove tried to buck, Rosholt passed to mount. Grove tried to wallwalk and gave up his back to Rosholt. Grove rolled and got him back in half-guard. Rosholt was looking for that arm triangle. Nope, Grove grabbed an omoplata and instead decided to lock in a tight triangle and Rosholt tapped.
Marcus Davis vs. Ben Saunders - The first round began. They circled, Saunders came in with a missed headkick and they circled some more. Saunders grabbed that Muay Thai clinch, Davis landed some body shots and they regularly clinched. Saunders landed some knees to the legs and they broke. Saunders grabbed the Muay Thai clinch, Davis landed some decent uppercuts, Saunders started landing those knees high to the body and a few of those to the face, six or seven or eight. Davis regularly clinched. Davis was cut above his right eye. Saunders landed another knee to the face and then one to the body. Davis was bleeding badly from his broken nose, blood was all over them both now. Saunders landed some more knees to the body, Davis landed some uppercuts, Saunders had that MT clinch, landed more knees to the body and head, they broke. They accidentally headbutted but kept going. Davis landed a leg kick. Saunders landed a good jab, they clinched, Saunders landed a knee to the face. Saunders landed a knee to the leg. Saunders landed a knee to the body and another. They broke. Davis slipped a high body kick. Davis landed an inside leg kick. Saunders landed a good jab and another and he grabbed that MT clinch, more massive knees to the body, a big one to the chin that rocked him and another that put Davis to sleep, beddy bye time, Davis collapsed and the fight was over. Davis had been knocked out for the first time in his career. Saunders was ecstatic and smiley.
Antonio Rogerio 'Minotouro' Nogueira vs. Luis Cane - The fight was Nogueira's highly anticipated UFC debut.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They sized each other up in close. Cane landed an inside leg kick. Cane landed an inside leg kick. Nogueira landed a quick jab. Nogueira landed an inside leg kick, landed that jab again, another inside leg kick. Nogueira landed a big straight left and another, an inside leg kick. Nogueira landed that jab again. Nogueira landed that straight left and rocked Cane, another, a knee to the body, Cane ran away, Nogueira was hunting him down, stalking him, they exchanged, Nogueira landed another straight left and another and another. Nogueira landed a big sweeping left hand inside and dropped Cane and it was all over. Cane sat up, upset with himself visibly. His older brother, Minotauro, congratulated him.
Brian Foster vs. Brock Larson - The first round began. They circled cautiously. They circled around some more. They clinched explosively, moving around strongly. Larson grabbed a guillotine, broke it and they broke away. Foster came for the takedown, clinched, landed the knee to the body, Larson dropped for a single and he was really trying it, he dumped Foster down. He was in half-guard with Foster sitting against the cage. Larson passed to side control but fell back into half-guard after a moment. He transitioned to take Foster's back. Foster was trying to stand. Larson landed some hammerfists in under and some more. Foster dumped Larson down into mount, stood away as Larson looked for a kneebar and stood over him. Foster landed a big body shot from standing over him and another and another and another and oh some more to the face. Foster landed anothe big shot, came down with another big shot into side control. Foster went back to mount and he was landing more big shots. Foster landed some really good hammerfists in under. Foster stood over him again. Foster landed a nice kick to the leg. Foster came down for a shot to the face and he ate a kick to the eye from the downed Foster as he was on the ground. That was illegal. Foster was telling the referee that he got poked in the eye with... Larson's toe. Foster was having a hard time seeing, his eye seemed to be injured. The referee took one point from Larson and they continued onwards and touched gloves. Larson came for the takedown, Foster nearly got a throw takedown, they were back in the clinch, Larson was trying an arm-in standing guillotine. He landed a knee to the head while Foster was up and another as Foster had his hand down, and the referee paused the fight again. Another illegal blow. The referee deducted another point. Larson looked frustrated himself. They restarted, and the first round ended as they stood facing each other for about two seconds.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Foster missed a leg kick. Foster landed a good leg kick. Foster landed a big right hand. Foster landed a right hand, missed a headkick. Foster landed another good right. Foster landed a nice leg kick. YAWN, circle circle. Foster landed a spinning back kick and a good right hand, missed a spinning back kick, Larson grabbed a standing guillotine, Foster slammed Larson down into side control and landed some big hammerfists over and over. Larson retained guard. Foster stood up. Larson shot for a takedown, Foster landed a big uppercut, sprawled and landed hammerfists, the referee stopped the fight. Larson's face was extremely bloody. Good stoppage.
Amir Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni - The fight was Baroni's best eva return to the UFC.
The first round began and they clinched, Baroni landed some big shots in close, rocked Amir with a big right hand, they clinched again, Baroni landed big shots inside, Amir landed three or four good knees to the body, Baroni landed three big uppercuts inside, some big uppercuts, Amir landed some knees to the body, Baroni landed some more uppercuts, Baroni briefly looked for a takedown. Baroni broke with a good combination. Amir landed a leg kick. They exchanged in close with Baroni landing only. They clinched again and Baroni landed a knee, Amir landed a few nice ones, Baroni landed another knee and an uppercut, nice dirty boxing. Amir landed another quick barrage of knees. Baroni landed some good body shots. Baroni landed some good uppercuts, really working that dirty boxing. Amir landed a knee to the body and another and another. Amir landed a leg kick from the clinch. Baroni got the takedown into open guard. Amir was looking for an armbar. He wasn't really close to getting it. Baroni postured up with some nice shots. Baroni stood, landing a leg kick and let Amir up, landed a nice left hook, Amir landed a push kick, Baroni grabbed the leg and they clinched. Amir landed another nice body knee. Baroni landed a good body shot, Amir landed a knee and broke with a big right hand and clinched again. Baroni's left eye was bleeding. Amir landed a knee to the chin and another. Amir landed another to the body, and another. These were hurting Baroni. Baroni looked for the takedown but Amir was defending well. Baroni was really pressing for it. Amir landed a good knee to the body and another to the head and Baroni's face was really bloody from a cut over his left eye, as the first round ended.
The second round began and Amir began with a leg kick and a blocked headkick. Amir came forward with a combination and a jumping knee to the head, a really nice leg kick that he swiveled his hips into and they clinched. Amir broke after a moment. Amir came back in and they clinched. They exchanged a knee each to the thighs. Amir broke and ate a right hand from Baroni. Amir landed that teep to the face of Baroni, narrowly missed a Superman punch and they clinched once more. Amir landed another couple of nice knees to the body. Baroni replied. They broke, Amir landed a push kick to the leg and then to the body. Amir landed an inside leg kick. Baroni's legs were red. Baroni landed a combination and they clinched. Blood was all over Amir's shoulder from Baroni's face. Amir landed a nice elbow inside and another. Amir landed another nice knee to the body, and another. Baroni broke with a good combination. Amir landed a leg kick and a combination and a knee to the body and they clinched. They broke. Baroni blocked a headkick, ate a front kick to the body. Amir landed a nice leg kick, dug in deep there. Amir landed that front kick and a jumping knee high to the body and they clinched. Amir landed a knee to the body. The pace seemed to have slowed. Amir landed a couple of more good knees, and a nice elbow inside. They broke. Amir was cut on his hairline. Amir landed a body kick and slipped but hopped back up. Baroni landed a good combination to counter a body kick, Amir landed a leg kick and another. Baroni blocked a headkick. They clinched. Baroni looked very tired and he was bleeding from his nose and left eye. The second round came to an end.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Amir landed a leg kick, an inside leg kick, these were hurting, that push kick. Amir landed a leg kick and another. Amir landed yet another leg kick, these were painful. Baroni's shin and thigh were black and blue. Sadollah came in with a right hand, two big jumping knees to the body, Amir landed a leg kick and another. Amir landed a massive leg kick and they clinched. They broke. Amir landed an inside leg kick and the push kick. Amir missed a headkick and they clinched. Amir came in with an elbow, backed off, came in with another and another, now Baroni had a massive cut on his forehead. Amir landed a knee to the body and broke away. Amir landed an inside leg kick. Baroni was limping. They clinched again. They broke after a moment. Amir landed an inside leg kick. Amir landed a leg kick. Amir landed an inside leg kick and another. Amir landed a Superman punch, a knee to the body and a one-two elbow and a headkick and a combination to the body, a push kick, in close. Amir landed an inside leg kick. Amir landed a leg kick. Baroni blocked a headkick. Baroni blocked a headkick. Amir came in with a few big knees to the body. Amir landed a push kick. Amir landed a body kick and rocked Baroni. Amir landed some big trio of knees to the body and some elbows inside and the third round ended. Amir was the winner by unanimous decision, and they hugged.
Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson - The referee was Mario Yamasaki. The bout was incredibly controversial.
The first round began. They circled in close. They exchanged inside leg kicks. Johnson switched up stances. Koscheck landed a good left hook. Koscheck landed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Koscheck blocked a headkick. Koscheck missed that right hand and then an inside leg kick, and landed that right hand hard. Johnson landed a combination and a jab. Johnson landed an inside leg kick and a leg kick. Johnson landed a nice inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Koscheck'. Koscheck tried for a takedown and missed, caught a right hand on the way up, was backed against the cage, grabbed the clinch, almost dragged Johnson down, Johnson slipped out and Koscheck tripped, Johnson leaped on top and spralwed and Koscheck was kneeling on the ground. Koscheck had that underhook, trying to stand. Koscheck nearly stood. Johnson stood with a knee to the head of the downed Koscheck, to the eyeball of Koscheck, clearly illegal and Koscheck laid facedown. That might be it. Koscheck looked hurt. Yamasaki took a point away from Johnson. Koscheck was taking a break. Yamasaki asked Koscheck if he wanted a doctor, Koscheck was mumbling something, Yamasaki called the doctor in. In the replay, it looked like Johnson's knee didn't even hit that left eye, it looked like Johnson had somehow spiked Koscheck's finger into his right eye, the crowd was booing. Koscheck had faked that knee impact. Koscheck had been squinting his left eye. Koscheck had faked it. He had blurry vision though, or so he told the doctor. Johnson paced in his corner, pissed that he was getting a point taken away for no reason. Koscheck said he was ready, though. They touched gloves. Koscheck blocked a headkick. Koscheck landed a big right hand, Johnson was bleeding over his left eye. Koscheck blocked the headkick, ate a big leg kick, dodged another one from Johnson. Koscheck came for the takedown, Johnson sprawled, Koscheck drove Johnson hard standing into the fence and he was still looking for that takedown hard. He was really looking for it and he finally got Johnson down and he had his back. Koscheck landed a hammerfist and he was really looking to get those hooks in as well. He landed a big knee to Johnson's kidneys. He got one hook in. Johnson rolled out and tried to turn it around into his own takedown but Koscheck was avoiding, crouched. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled in close. Johnson landed a leg kick. Johnson landed another leg kick. Apparently, Johnson got eyepoked and the referee called a timeout and Johnson was shaking his head and then they continued. Koscheck landed a big right and a headkick that hit Johnson's shoulder. Koscheck landed another big right hand, a body shot, a good jab and another eyepoke and a big right hand and Johnson went down on his knees and the crowd was booing angrily. Oh man yeah in the replay that finger went right in there. They continued after a few moments. Koscheck blocked another headkick. Johnson landed a right hook and a good combination, Johnson landed a solid left hook, Koscheck landed a right hand, Johnson landed an inside leg kick, Koscheck got the takedown and he was looking to pass, Johnson kept him in half-guard. Koscheck dropped a big elbow. Koscheck landed another elbow and another and another and another and another, nice short elbows, he nearly had mount but Johnson locked him back down, oohh another short elbow. Koscheck landed another couple of short elbows, went for some body shots. Koscheck dropped two more short elbows. Johnson was bleeding pretty badly, someone was, I really think it's Johnson, no maybe Koscheck. Yep, Johnson's nose. Koscheck looked for an arm triangle from half-guard. Johnson looked exhausted. Koscheck was looking to take his back. Koscheck had his back, locked in the rear-naked choke and he had that tight. Johnson was going out, he tapped the mat first and Koscheck hopped on top of the Octagon. Controversial fight.
Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 2 - The fight was Ortiz's long-awaited return to the UFC, his first bout since the Machida fight. The referee was Josh Rosenthal, the fighters towered over him when the isntructions were being given, hilarious.
The first round began and they touched gloves. The crowd cheered. Griffin landed a combination. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin looked extremely improved and the crowd cheered his name. Ortiz blocked a headkick and landed a body kick, Ortiz landed a feint and lead with a left for a combination. Griffin landed a groin kick but Ortiz continued. Griffin landed a leg kick. Ortiz came for the takedown and got it easily into half-guard. Ortiz landed a good elbow to the forehead. Griffin retained guard. Ortiz landed some more elbows, three or four, then a fifth one and then some body shots, five or six. Ortiz tried to pass, Griffin kept him there. Griffin looked for akimura from the bottom, used it to throw Ortiz off, rolled off and Ortiz was turtled up, Griffin was using the cage to walk up and they stood, Griffin looked for the kimura, landed a knee to the body, and they were back to the clinch. The chants of Tito and Forrest blended together. Ortiz landed a knee to the body. Griffin landed a knee to the body, and another. Griffin looked for the trip takedown. They broke. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a left-right combination, Ortiz blocked a headkick, came for the takedown and Griffin evaded it. Griffin landed a leg kick, and Ortiz checked another. The chants of Forrest took over. They exchanged jabs. Griffin blocked a headkick. The chants mixed again. Griffin landed an inside leg kick, and then a leg kick, a front kick to the leg. Griffin landed a combination, slipped but stood immediately. They clinched. Griffin landed five or six knees to the legs. Ortiz was slapping the sides of Griffin's head and the first round ended.
The second round began. Ortiz landed a good left hand. Griffin landed a leg kick and Ortiz got the takedown and Griffin got the full guard immediately. Ortiz landed a big elbow. Ortiz landed another good elbow and another. Ortiz passed to half-guard, Griffin stood into the clinch, broke with a knee and a right hand and a big leg kick that was unfortunately checked. Ortiz ducked under a Superman punch. Griffin landed a front kick/teep to the face and the mouthpiece fell out and the mouthpiece came out and the referee paused the fight, had it rinsed and they continued. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a combination, ate a counter left hook. Griffin landed a body shot, left hook, body kick. Ortiz came for the takedown and got it into full guard. Griffin nearly swept. He used the butterflies and underhooks to keep Ortiz down. The crowd chanted 'Forrest' dominantly now. Griffin kept using those butterly guards. Griffin got back to full guard. Ortiz landed an elbow. Ortiz landed some nice shots. Griffin had a bit of a mouse by his left eye, I believe, no that was a cut, he was cut bad from that scar tissue, that was bad. More big elbows from Ortiz and the crowd roared. Griffin gator rolled on top into full guard and passed to half-guard. Griffin landed four or five short elbows. Six or seven short elbows. Some body shots, more short elbows, five or six of them, two or three more, some body shots. Griffin landed three or four short shots down there. The second round ended and Griffin stood and Ortiz shoved Griffin.
The third round began. Ortiz came out but the referee shoved him back and then they continued, they touched gloves. Ortiz blocked two headkicks. Griffin landed a good left hand, a good inside leg kick, a good leg kick. Griffin landed a body kick. Griffin landed a good right-left combination. Ortiz blocked another headkick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin checked a leg kick. Griffin landed a good right hand, Ortiz blocked a headkick. Griffin landed a good body shot, and a nice leg kick, picking Ortiz apart. Ortiz blocked a body kick. Griffin landed a leg kick, Ortiz tried a takedown, Griffin avoided and they broke. Griffin landed a leg kick, and then another. Griffin landed two big body shots. Griffin landed a big jab. Griffin landed a right-left combination. Griffin landed a big headkick, Ortiz was rocked and stumbled a bit. Griffin was beating Ortiz up. Griffin landed a body kick. Griffin landed another combination. Griffin landed a leg kick. Ortiz landed a good left hand. Griffin landed a right hand. Griffin landed a body kick, inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick, turning his hips into it. Ortiz came for the takedown, Griffin defended, they broke, Ortiz landed a body kick. Griffin landed a good right and another. Griffin landed a right hand and Ortiz landed a good counter combination, the third round ended and they hugged. Griffin was the winner by split decision. They hugged again and bowed. Forrest said he wanted a third one in the post-fight interview, he also said you could tell Tito had been preparing for Mark Coleman. Anderson Silva applauded in the crowd. Ortiz said he hadn't been able to spar at all, Rogan asked the injury, bulging disks in his neck, the crowd booed. Ortiz said a cracked skull. The crowd booed, Ortiz was angrily yelling at the crowd. Griffin stepped in to save the day and said 'You get hurt training, guys, come on.' The crowd cheered after that. Rogan watched in dismay. The crowd cheered slightly as Tito was over. Embarassing interview.
Sam Stout vs. Rich Clementi - Going on no sound for this one because I'm getting rid of that fucking virus. The referee was Yves Lavigne. Clementi had a two-and-a-half inch reach advantage, which is rare in the lightweights.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled about with Stout looking more aggressive, as expected. Clementi landed a good counter body kick, missed a combination and they clinched. Stout landed a good knee to the body. Clementi was looking for that trip takedown hard. Stout was defending capably. Clementi finally got it into half-guard and Stout immediately wall-walked but Clementi rolled and took his back sitting up. He got both hooks in. He was looking to get that choke in, nearly had it a few times, Stout rolled to let Clementi have mount. Clementi wasn't doing much, just sort of laying on him. Stout could do nothing. Clementi dropped some ineffectual short shots, but they score points. It's been about a minute. Yawn. Clementi landed a nice shot from the top. Stout escaped mount, Clementi was standing over him trying to pass and got to mount with Stout sitting against the cage. Stout struggled to his feet, Clementi had his standing back, he avoided a throw takedown and backed off, Clementi stumbled down but stood from his back after a moment. Stout landed a body kick. Clementi landed an inside leg kick, Stout landed an inside leg kick to retaliate, just what Clementi wanted and Clementi got the takedown to half-guard and he was looking for a kimura. He had it locked up and he was turning that arm. Stout fought it hard and Clementi used the oppurtunity to pass smoothly to mount. Stout rolled and gave up his back. Clementi got a hook in but Stout rolled back to mount. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Clementi landed a good counter jab. Stout landed a good left hand. Stout blocked a headkick. Clementi stepped into a nice knee to the body. Stout landed a good leg kick. Clementi tried for a nice spinning back fist, unfortunately blocked by Stout. Clementi landed another good counter, shot for the takedown, Stout sprawled, Clementi tried t pull guard and Stout fled and Clementi stood and followed him. Clementi landed a good counter right. Clementi landed a good inside leg kick. Stout still looked the most aggressive. Clementi landed another good inside leg kick. Stout was getting outstruck by Rich Clementi, though. Wow. Stout was just swinging for the fences and missing. Stout landed a good combination, barely dodged a big uppercut. Clementi missed a headkick, grazed the shoulder with it, landed a good inside leg kick once more. They clinched but Clementi broke quickly attempting a knee to the forehead. Clementi buckled Stout with a leg kick. Stout landed a leg kick, Clementib locked a headkick. Clementi shot for the single-leg, Stout showed good balance and avoided and they circled. Stout landed a good leg kick. Clementi landed a body kick. Stout landed quickly a leg kick and body kick going righ to left leg. Stout shot for a takedown, shoved Clementi down, avoided his attempt to pull guard, stood over him and landed a kick to the legs, let him up. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Clementi checked a leg kick. Stout landed a leg kick and a body kick. Clementi landed an inside leg kick, Stout blocked a headkick. Clementi barely missed that spinning back fist again. Stout landed a good body shot. Stout landed another good body shot. Clementi landed a big inside leg kick. Stout landed an inside leg kick. Stout landed an inside leg kick. Both fighters looked tired, Stout seemed fresher. Clementi shot for the double-leg, forced Stout standing into the cage, slammed him down after a moment into side control. Clementi was looking for that kimura again briefly but Stout defended well this time. Stout retained guard, trying to wall walk up the cage. Clementi was holding him down but no they stood into the clinch and broke with missed strikes from both. Clementi landed a good left hand. Clementi was using that reach advantage to avoid Stout's wild combinations. Stout landed a good right hand and came in for another, Clementi responded by going for a takedown, Stout defended into the clinch but Clementi kept coming for it. He had Stout's back, Stout turned it back to the clinch. Clementi kept going for that takedown. The referee broke them up after a bit. Stout blocked a headkick and landed a nice leg kick, landed another nice leg kick. Clementi landed a good jab. Clementi landed another jab and Stout landed a pair of nice leg kicks. Stout was the one backing up now. Clementi landed an inside leg kick. Stout landed a wild combination and a body kick, another wild combination. Stout landed a body kick. Stout landed a good right hand and a body kick, a leg kick. Stout landed a Superman punch and a high body kick. The third round ended and they hugged. Rich Clementi was the winner by decision, most likely unanimous but I can't hear.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Kerry Schall - The first round began and Schall came in immediately and ate big combinations. He ate another and clinched and Fedor got the throw takedown into side control and immediately grabbed an armbar and Schall nearly tapped but he managed to get on top of Fedor in what looked like half-guard. The referee stood them up. Schall landed a body kick, and another. Fedor came for the clinch and got the takedown to half-guard, went for a kneebar and.. he had that. Schall was looking for an anklelock of his own. Fedor finally stood and escaped to a sort of north-south and grabbed the armbar again and he had it tight, and Schall was forced to tap out. Good try by Schall.
Royce Gracie vs. Gerard Gordeau - The fight was the final for the UFC 1 tournament. There were no rounds, it was no-holds-barred.
The fight began. Gracie came for the takedown, Gordeau defended for a moment, Gracie was looking for the trip. Gordeau was really defending well. Gracie finally got him down into mount and grabbed what looked like an arm triangle choke. No, Gracie took Gordeau's back and he looked for a rear-naked choke. Now he had it. Gordeau finally tapped rapidly, first with one hand and then with both. Gracie held it a bit longer than necessary.
Anthony Johnson vs. Chad Reiner - The first round began. Reiner came in with missed strikes, ate a big counter combination and dropped and it was over. Johnson danced around screaming wildly in exultation. Wow.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Sergei Tunic - Damn they're in a tiny cage. Really kickboxing, but I guess sort of MMA.
The first round began. Yvel landed a big leg kick. Yvel landed a Superman punch and an inside leg kick and a big right hook and Tunic dropped and he was getting the eight count and he managed to stand. Man that had been a knockout in MMA. They continued, Yvel pounced big uppercuts and knees to the chin and more to the body, another to the chin and a big left hook and two big knees to the face, big uppercuts and a right hook and another and Tunic dropped. He was knocked out. The referee was giving him the eight count. Yeah it was over. Tunic had a big cut under his right eye, just running down his cheek with dark blood. Yvel back-flipped.
Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Gary Goodridge - The first round began. Vovchanchyn landed a nice leg kick. Goodridge landed a jab and they clinched and Goodridge had a good body lock, trying to drag Vovchanchyn down but he was defending well, he finally got Vovchanchyn down on top into full guard. Vovchanchyn was cut over his right eye, maybe from that jab? Goodridge dropped back for a kneebar but Vovchanchyn pulled out and jumped on top into mount. Goodridge gave up his back and exploded and turned in to full guard on top. Good ground fight so far. That was a nasty cut over Vovchanchyn's eye. Goodridge stood, holding Vovchanchyn's legs. He went back down into guard once more. Goodridge landed two windmilling punches and Vovchanchyn kicked him off and Goodridge pounced however and they clinched. Oh man, Vovchanchyn's eye was red and bloody as all hell. Goodridge got that body lock again and got the takedown into full guard. Goodridge passed to half-guard after a moment. Vovchanchyn retained guard and landed some good shots from the bottom. Goodridge stood over Vovchanchyn. Vovchanchyn managed to stand after a little bit and they clinched. Vovchanchyn shoved Goodridge away, landed a combination and they clinched again. Goodridge landed a knee to the body. Vovchanchyn broke witha good combination, landed another and rocked Goodridge and Goodridge collapsed into the corner still standing but he was clearly out, those shots had been to the chin and Goodridge had been hugging the ropes, and the referee stopped the fight. Goodridge stared at the referee incredulously. Blood was all over the right side of Vovchanchyn's face.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - The first round began. They circled, Minowa was light on his feet and hopping back and forth, he looked tiny compared to Wanderlei. Minowa kept hopping back and forth. He came for the takedown finally and Silva sprawled and Minowa turtled up. Silva went on top into full guard. Silva landed some good shots from the top. He landed some more good shots and Minowa was out, he landed another few shots and the referee said stop and Silva leaped atop the corner and raised his hands, tossing his mouthpiece into the crowd.
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - The first round began. Fujita looked to be wanting that takedown. Filipovic dodged three consecutive times. Fujita came for it again, ate a big knee to the face and Filipovic tripped, grabbed the ropes, was warned, let go, and Fujita got it into full guard, passed quickly to side control. The referee paused the fight so that the doctor could check a big cut on Fujita's face. Blood was all over Mirko's chest. The referee stopped the fight. It was all over. Big cut.
Mike Whitehead vs. Mark Kerr - The first round began and they touched gloves. Kerr landed a front kick and then a leg kick, caught by Whitehead but he pulled away. Whitehead landed a good combination, and came for the takedown, Kerr sprawled and defended into the clinch and they broke. They clinched again. Whitehead landed a good knee and broke with a combination and they clinched, he landed another good knee, Kerr got the takedown but Whitehead was working the butterfly guard and then he pulled guard. The referee moved the fight away from the ropes. Whitehead kicked him off and as they stood, Kerr landed a knee to the face that just pissed Whitehead off, Whitehead came with a big combination and they clinched. Whitehead landed a big knee to the body and another and they broke. Kerr landed a good right hook and they clinched in the corner once again. They broke and Whitehead landed a good combination and dropped Kerr and turtled him up, pounding under over and over and over, he was down with Whitehead on top in half-guard pounding away and the referee stopped the fight.
Drew Fickett vs. Nick Diaz - The first round began and they exchanged immediately with big shots, clinched, Diaz pulled Fickett down on top of him into half-guard and quickly got to full guard awkwardly. Nice flexibility by Diaz. Diaz landed some pitter patter hammerfists. Diaz was throwing those legs up, looking for a triangle or armbar in high guard. Diaz kept busy, landing those hammerfists constantly from the bottom and he kept that high guard, too. Gotta be exhausting for Fickett. Diaz rolled and grabbed an armbar and... was that an omoplata now? Yeah it was. Fickett rolled out, however and he stood and ate an upkick, stood over Diaz. Diaz tried to stand, Fickett turtled him up, pulled guard and tried for a guillotine in full guard. Diaz landed some body shots, keeping busy. Fickett kept looking for that guillotine. He stopped. Diaz landed a nice short elbow and another and another. Diaz landed a good body shot. Fickett rolled for something, Diaz escaped and he was on top in half-guard. No, Fickett stood into the clinch. Diaz landed some more pitterpatter body shots. The referee broke them up. The referee pulled Fickett away for some reason. Ohhh that upkick knocked out Fickett's mouthpiece. They put it back in and continued the fight. Diaz landed a jumping kick to the body and they clinched. Fickett looked for a standing guillotine, pulled guard and had it there. Diaz landed some body shots but that guillotine was decently tight man. Diaz kept landing body shots. Diaz pulled out. He landed more body shots on both sides, worked more on the left, damn just repeatedly. Diaz stood and came down with a big shot, landed more big shots from the top, stood and landed big shots, just repeatedly pounding, Fickett was struggling to do something, Diaz stood pounding over him as Fickett rolled around. Over and over. The referee finally stopped the fight and Diaz helped Fickett up.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley - The referee was Herb Dean. The fight was for the Strikeforce lightweight championship with Melendez defending.
The first round began. Melendez landed a good counter jab. Lemley landed a good body kick. Melendez rocked Lemley with another counter and sent him to one knee but let him recover for some reason. They circled aggressively for a bit. Melendez came for the takedown and got it easily into full guard. Lemley looked for a takedown but never came even close. Lemley shoved Melendez off but he came right back on. Lemley nearly locked in a triangle but Melendez postured up and escaped, went back down into guard, passed to half-guard. Lemley retained guard. Lemley nearly grabbed another triangle, Melendez pulled out to a sort of north-south for a moment, back to side control and then into half-guard smoothly. Melendez landed some nice shots from the top. He passed to side control once again and nearly to mount but Lemley put him back in half-guard as Melendez landed some good shots. Lemley retained guard. Melendez postured up with some big shots. Melendez landed more big shots. Melendez landed a flurry of hard hammerfists and then more big shots and he was looking to pass. Lemley defended for a bit and put him back in guard. Melendez postured up with more big shots,s tood over Lemley, came down with a big shot into half-guard it looked like. Lemley retained guard after a moment. Melendez postured up and threw more shots, mainly blocked by Lemley. Melendez landed anice shot, then some pretty good hammerfists and some more, more nice hammerfists and more big shots, oh damn some nice hammerfists right to the chin and more and more and more and more, but the first round ended.
The second round began. Lemley landed a good body kick after a moment. Lemley missed an uppercut and ate a big left. They clinched but broke. Melendez landed a counter combination and another and got a takedown easily into full guard. Lemley had good arm control now. They weren't doing much besides Melendez trying to pass. The pace had slowed. Melendez passed to half-guard. Lemley retained guard. Melendez landed some nice hammerfists. Melendez postured up with some nice shots and some more. He passed to side control and Lemley rolled and put him back into half-guard. Melendez landed some big shots in under and hammerfists and more big shots straight downward repeatedly with Lemley just covering up. The referee stopped the fight.
Dustin Hazelett vs. Josh Koscheck - Koscheck was nine years older and everything else was virtually identical.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Koscheck looked pumped. They circled, throwing probing jabs. Hazelett landed a headkick that hurt Koscheck and came forward with a flying knee and they flurried everywhere evenly and Koscheck missed some big shots. They circled, both looked rocked. Koscheck more so. Koscheck landed a jab and missed a massive overhand right. Hazelett blocked a headkick. They missed strikes. Koscheck backed off. They circled for a bit more. Koscheck faked a body shot. koscheck landed a right hand that hurt Hazelett and they clinched. Koscheck was looking for that single-leg. Hazelett pulled standing guard and grabbed an arm-in guillotine, Koscheck had that arm in and he didn't look like he was in too much trouble, but... no that guillotine was deep. They were still standing. Koscheck pulled away and they circled some more. They exchanged jabs. Hazelett landed an inside leg kick and a high leg kick. Koscheck landed an inside leg kick. Koscheck blocked that headkick again and backed up and Hazelett missed that flying knee. Hazelett landed a good jab. Koscheck landed a double jab and that overhand right. Hazelett was the one backing up. He blocked a headkick and Koscheck landed an inside leg kick, a leg kick and a combination and a big right hand, a nice inside leg kick. Koscheck blocked that headkick once more. Koscheck landed a conter jab and came for the takedown and got it aggressively into half-guard. Hazelett grabbed a tight triangle however now and that was cinched in. Koscheck seemed fine however for the last twenty seconds of the round. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled for a bit. Koscheck landed a leg kick. Hazelett landed an inside leg kick. Hazelett landed a body kick. Hazelett landed a nice body shot and an inside leg kick. Koscheck dodged that headkick nicely. Koscheck landed that big right and then a big headkick and rocked Hazelett and Hazelett fell facedown immediately and Koscheck pounced with punches and the referee stopped the fight and Koscheck literally jumped for joy. Hazelett crouched against the cage afterwards, overwhelmed with emotion.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Vladimir Matyushenko - The referee was Larry Landless.
The first round began. Matyushenko landed a big right hand and came for the takedown, Arlovski sprawled and they circled out, Arlovski sprawled again and they broke. They circled in close, Arlovski had that right hand cocked. He missed a nice left hand. Matyushenko came for the takedown, Arlovski sprawled, shoved Matyushenko back and landed a right that dropped him and pounded. Matyushenko tried to get up but Arlovski sprawled and tried a guillotine and used it to get on top in half-guard. Matyushenko stood and they broke. Matyushenko tried another takedown but Arlovski defended. Arlovski barely missed a big right hand. Matyushenko landed anice right and dropped Arlovski and a big knee to the face on the way up and came after him hard and the fight was paused because of the illegal knee. They continued, Matyushenko landed an inside leg kick and Arlovski got the takedown into mount, pounded away, had his back and got his hooks in, and they stood. Matyushenko came in, missed a big right hand and then ate a big uppercut right after and dropped hard on his back.
Kimo Leopoldo vs. Ken Shamrock - The first round began. It was a main event. Leopolod came forward hard and Shamrock clinched and pressed him against the fence nicely. They went out into the center. Shamrock landed a good knee to the body and another. Shamrock landed another knee and another and another. And another. Another knee. The crowd chanted 'Kimo'. Shamrock landed another knee to the body and another to the elbow. Shamrock landed another to the body. Leopoldo shoved Shamrock into the fence. Shamrock began going towards the center and landed a nice knee to the chin and Leopoldo crumpled and Shamrock landed a hammerfist to the back of the head before the referee stopped it.
Din Thomas vs. Jeremy Stephens - Thomas's armbar won submission of the night honors.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled around with Thomas pumping that jab out, testing the range. Thomas came for the takedown and got it into full guard. Stephens executed good arm control. Thomas landed a nice series of hammerfists to the body. Thomas landed some more to the face. Thomas was looking to pass, and he made it to side control quickly. He was trying to mount, Stephens defended back to full guard quite impressively. Thomas landed a good pair of elbows and he was looking again to pass and he made it back to side control. Thomas isolated that arm and landed a nice trio of elbows. He took Stephens's back and was looking for that choke, landing shots in under. He had both hooks in but Stephens was rolling around. He couldn't escape those hooks. Thomas locked in a body triangle, damn that sucks. He was still looking for that choke. He... looked like he nearly had it. No, Stephens rolled again. Thomas was constantly pressuring, trying for the choke or landing hammerfists in around. He was looking to trap that arm with his leg and he nearly did, but overcompensated and Stephens was on top, Stephens avoided a triangle and came down with big shots, came down attempting a flying guard pass Shogun-style and nearly got caught in another armbar. He let Thomas up. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled, throwing those probing strikes again. Stephens missed a spinning back fist by a mile. Thomas was still pumping that missing jab out again, finding that range. Stephens was missing punches by a mile, Thomas seemed to have a reach advantage. Stephens landed an inside leg kick and a body kick an instant later, nice. Thomas landed an inside leg kick. Thomas landed another inside leg kick. Thomas kept pumping that jab on out there. Not much in the way of hand striking. Thomas landed an inside leg kick. Stephens landed a hard leg kick. Stephens just didn't seem able to connect. Thomas landed an inside leg kick, came for the takedown, Stephens defended and Thomas dragged him down into his guard. Stephens landed a nice elbow to the forehead. Thomas rolled for an armbar and that was tight. Stephens lifted him and slammed him down, but Thomas had that tight and the arm was extended hard and he was forced to tap. Thomas did some weird vibrating African dance to celebrate.
Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Alistair Overeem - The first round began. Overeem came forward with a flying knee and missed by a mile. Overeem was really looking to strike. Vovchanchyn looked tentative to exchange. They clinched and Overeem landed a massive knee to the body and another to the chin and another to the body, Vovchanchyn tried a throw takedown, Overeem landed another hard knee to the body and another, got the trip takedown to half-guard, passed quickly to side control and held Vovchanchn down securely. Vovchanchyn retained half-guard, Overeem was back to half-guard, they stood into the clinch but Overeem had a tight standing guillotine now, Vovchanchyn tapped rapidly, that was tight.
Mark Coleman vs. Maurice Smith - The fight was for the UFC heavyweight championship with Coleman defending, his first title defense and THE first UFC heavyweight title defense. The fight was one big round lasting twenty-one minutes. The fight was Smith's UFC debut, ironically. Mark Coleman looked very serious -- and young -- in his corner. He came in undefeated.
The fight began. Coleman switched stances back and forth three times. They circled lightly. Coleman came for the takedown and got it, but Smith was using those butterflies. Coleman landed seven or eight consecutive headbutts and then some big shots from the top, hammerfists and then another pair of headbutts. Coleman was in open guard now. The pace had slowed a bit. Coleman was just laying in Smith's guard. Smith landed three elbows from the bottom to Coleman's right ear it looked like. Coleman passed to half-guard, Smith put him back in full guard and landed another pair of elbows from the bottom. Smith landed two or three nice shots from the bottom after a few moments. Coleman passed again to half-guard. Smith retained full guard after a bit. Coleman passed again to half-guard. Smith retained full guard. Smith landed a nice pair of elbows from the bottom to the top of Coleman's head. Coleman passed to side control and had Smith's back, five minutes into the fight. He was looking for the rear-naked choke. Smith rolled and gave Coleman the mount. Coleman landed some big shots. The referee was watching the action closely even as the pace slowed, six minutes in. Coleman landed a big shot and another and some more, just teeing off on Smith. Smith was covering up. The pace slowed. Smith gave up his back again, Coleman had one hook in. Smith rolled and nearly had a leg but Coleman ended up on top in half-guard and passed into side control, Smith put him back in half-guard seven minutes in. They weren't doing much, eight minutes in. They both looked exhausted. Smith landed a nice elbow from the bottom to Coleman's ear. Coleman passed to mount, exactly nine minutes in. Smith put him back in half-guard. They stood. Coleman looked exhausted and pissed. He put his hands on his knees. He ducked pitifully from strikes. They got water in their corners. The time kept running along, 9:40. Coleman looked exhausted absolutely. Smith landed a leg kick. Smith landed another leg kick. This was pathetic. Coleman was just cowering. Smith missed a headkick and Coleman got the takedown into half-guard. Ten minutes thirty seconds in. Smith landed a pair of elbows from the bottom and Coleman passed to side control. Coleman tried for the back, Smith put him back in half-guard. Eleven minutes in. Smith landed a nice trio of forearms to the forehead from the bottom. Twelve minutes in. Smith tried to roll and he nearly had full guard, Coleman rolled too and got on top in side control. He tried some sort of smother but gave it up. Thirteen minutes in. Smith put him back in guard and landed five elbows from the bottom. Smith landed three or four or five good shots from the bottom. Another trio of good shots. Coleman passed to side control and Smith put him back in half-guard. Fourteen minutes in. Smith was covering Coleman's mouth, he was... damn going crazy with it, whole glove. Coleman complained, they rolled, Smith had his back, landed good shots in under and let him up. Coleman was utterly gassed. Smith landed a big inside leg kick. Coleman put his hands on his knees. Smith landed a nice right hand. There was a big mouse under both of Coleman's eyes. Both fighters got water in their corners. The time paused. The fight continued atfer a bit. They circled. Smith landed aleg kick. He was toying with Coleman. Coleman telegraphed a takedown. Smith landed a leg kick. The fight had resumed with a new clock, fifty seconds in. Smith landed a leg kick. He was toying with Coleman. Coleman was just cowering. Smith landed a leg kick. Smith landed a leg kick. Two minutes in. Coleman was just exhausted. He tried a takedown and missed and scrambled to his feet, put his hands on his knees. Smih landed a big right hand and another and a left hand and a headkick and backed off laughing. The ref said keep going at him. Smith landed a leg kick. Coleman put his hands on his knees. Smith had his hands low tauntingly. The fight paused mercifully and Smith raised his hands. Coleman had that mouse under his right eye, actually. They continued. Smith landed a big leg kick. Smith landed another big leg kick. Smith missed a big headkick and fell and scrambled away. Coleman put his hands on his knees. Smith landed another leg kick. Coleman put his hands on his knees. Smith landed another leg kick. Smith backed off, showing Big John that some tape was loose on his gloves and the fight paused. They fixed it, continued. Smith feinted an inside leg kick. A minute, forty in. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Smith landed a massive leg kick. Smith landed another. Coleman was just covering up. You had to admire his heart though. Smith landed another big leg kick. Two minutes thirty in. Smith landed a nice straight left to the nose that pissed Coleman off, defended a takedown, raised his hands with a grin, landed a nice leg kick. The fight finally stopped and they hugged full-heartedly. Smith got the win by unanimous decision and became the new heavyweight champion of the UFC.
Seth Petruzelli vs. Bernard Rutherford - The fight won Seth Petruzelli the UWC KO Of the Year award.
The first round began and they circled around entergetically. Petruzelli missed a Superman punch. Petruzelli missed a leg kick. Rutherford bounced around. Petruzelli landed a body kick and they clinched. Petruzelli landed a knee to the body and they broke. Petruzelli landed a nice trio of right hands and missed a headkick. Rutherford caught a body kick but Petruzelli shoved him off. Petruzelli grazed him with a headkick. Rutherford seemed unphased. Petruzelli landed a leg kick dangerously high. Petruzelli landed a nice combination. He landed a big right hand and dropped Rutherford to his knees and kept hitting him there until he went to his back a few seconds later and the fight was over.
Josh Burkman vs. Jon Fitch - The first round began and they touched gloves. Burkman landed a good knee to the face early and they clinched and Burkman immediately landed good knees to the legs, just over and over, nice and steady, just working those legs of Fitch. Fitch landed a good knee to the body. Burkman kept landing those knees to the legs for a bit until the referee broke them apart. Fitch landed a good leg kick and ate a nice counter double jab from Fitch. Burkman landed a body kick, caught by Fitch and ate a coutner right and then a left that both dropped him on his ass. He hopped up, Fitch tried a standing guillotine, let him go with a combination, a knee to the face, another combination, they exchanged in close, Fitch slammed Burkman down but Burkman nearly had his back, he was crouched over him now. They stood into the clinch and Burkman landed some more knees to the legs, just going to town now, as before. Fitch landed some good body shots. Burkman tried to lift Fitch up and was unsuccessful, tried again and nearly had it, lost balance and Fitch capitalized into open guard and landed some pitter-patter shots to the face and body. Mainly going to the body with those now. Burkman looked for a guillotine from the bottom but never got close to even grabbing it. Fitch is a calm guy on top. Fitch landed some more pitterpatter body shots. More and more. More and more. The referee stood them up finally. Fitch landed a body kick. They exchanged missed strikes in close and clinched. Burkman looked winded. The first round ended. Fitch put his hands on his knees as well.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They both landed leg kicks at the same time and clinched. Fitch landed a knee to the body and some good body shots. Burkman was really looking for that takedown. Fitch looked for it instead and got it into half-guard and landed a nice elbow and another and followed it up with nice body shots, another nice trio of elbows. Burkman retained guard nicely. Fitch landed some more body shots. Fitch landed three more nice elbows after he passed to half-guard once again. Burkman ate a knee to the nose on the way up into the clinch and began looking for the takedown. Fitch landed two good downward elbows inside. They broke. Fitch landed a leg kick. Fitch landed a switch kick to the body. They clinched. Fitch broke with a combination. Burkman landed a headkick and rocked Fitch, Fitch got the takedown to half-guard, Burkman was trying a guillotine. It was pretty tight. Fitch pulled out after a moment and landed a series of nice short hammerfists to Burkman's face and some looping body shots. Fitch landed a nice pair of elbows. Fitch landed another pair to the ear, some hammerfists, some body shots, another elbow to the ear, passed to half-guard. Burkman retained guard but ate some hammerfists for his effort. Fitch landed more body shots and hammerfists and body shots. The referee stood them up finally. They clinched and Fitch got the takedown right into mount. Burkman rolled and gave up his back and Fitch locked in that rear-naked choke. The bell was about ten seconds away and Burkman tapped.
Kenny Florian vs. Alvin Robinson - The first round began, they touched gloves and clinched and broke. Florian landed a good right hand. They clinched. Robinson landed a pair of good knees to the body. Florian rolled and nearly had the takedown, they stood and broke. They clinched and Florian landed a vicious knee to the body and Robinson replied and again. Florian got the throw takedown but Robinson worked those butterflies. Robinson pulled guard and Florian picked him up a bit and dumped him closer to the cage. The referee stood them up almost immediately. Robinson checked a wicked leg kick. They clinched. Florian landed some good shots inside but so did Robinson. God-damn, what a pace. Florian got the trip takedown but Robinston worked those butterflies again and then pulled guard again. Florian dropped two massive elbows and another and another. Florian passed to half-guard and then side control swiftly and dropped two slicing elbows hardcore. Florian had the mount. Robinson pushed him off. Florian stood over him and landed abig leg kick, went back to full guard. Florian landed a trio of hard shots. He was trying to pass and he made it to side control, bending Robinson's leg. Florian almost mounted, they stood and broke and clinched, Robinson landed good shots inside and a knee to the body, Florian landed a knee high to the body, got the single-leg and dumped Robinson down into side control. He passed to mount and began pounding away with massive elbows repeatedly and then punches and then elbows and punches and Robinson said something while getting pounded and the referee stopped the fight and it was over.
Alvin Robinson vs. Jorge Gurgel - The referee was Mark Matheny.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They immediately exchanged strikes in close and Robinson tried to pull Gurgel down, they rolled and Gurgel ended up on top in full guard. Gurgel looked a bit bigger than Robinson. Robinson landed some shots from the bottom. Gurgel landed a good elbow. Gurgel was looking to pass for a bit, Robinson scooted back and tried for a guillotine but Gurgel made it to side control. They were circling around on the floor. Robinson nearly reversed, Gurgel shoved him back into north-south and then to side control. Robinson put Gurgel back in half-guard after a bit. Robinson then retained guard after a moment. Gurgel passed back to side control after Robinson attempted to wall-walk. Gurgel landed some good shots. Robinson retained guard, tried to wall walk and Gurgel went back to side control. Not the best fight so far. Gurgel stood. He went down and Robinson rolled. Robinson went for an armbar and Gurgel passed to mount quickly but the first round ended.
The second round began. Robinson landed a leg kick at the same time that Gurgel landed a body kick and they clinched and broke. Robinson came for the takedown and got it into full guard. Gurgel grabbed an armbar but Robinson rolled out, nearly had mount, they rolled some more. Robinson had Gurgel's back on the ground landing shots in under. Robinson was looking for a kimura. Gurgel turned in to Robinson's guard. Gurgel was looking to pass for a bit. Robinson was defending capably. Robinson landed some hammerfists from the bottom. They weren't doing much aesthetically. Robinson sloppily tried for an omoplata and Robinson used it to spin and he had Gurgel's back very briefly and then he was on top in guard landing some good shots. Gurgel landed a pair of elbows from the bottom. Robinson landed some good shots and then some more. He landed a nice hammerfist. Some more nice shots. More nice shots ending with a hammerfist. Woah wait was Gurgel cut? More nice shots. Robinson landed an elbow and some more nice shots, and more and Gurgel tried an armbar and Robinson avoided. It looked like Gurgel had a bad cut on the bridge of his nose. Robinson landed a pair of hammerfists. He passed to side control and then mount and landed some nice hammerfists, and he had Gurgel's back landing more nice shots in under and the second round ended. Gurgel was dazed as he got up, and he nearly went to Robinson's corner and he had to be led back to his own.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Robinson tried a takedown, Gurgel sprawled, they stood and Robinson shoved Gurgel down into full guard. Robinson landed some body shots. Robinson landed a hammerfist. Gurgel rotates his hips for an armbar but Robinson seems well aware and he avoids. Gurgel trying to wall walk, Robinson landed some good forearm strikes. Robinson landed more big shots. Robinson landed another pair of hammerfists and another and then a big elbow and some more big shots. Gurgel is just faded. Robinson landed a good hammerfist. Robinson landed more big shots and more and more and more, just keeping constant pressure on, more big shots. Gurgel's face was all swollen up by this point and just getting worse by the second. Robinson landed more big shots. Robinson landed a hammerfist and more big shots. Gurgel tried to wallwalk and roll but Robinson had none of that. Gurgel looked for an armbar, Robinson avoided and after a moment took Gurgel's back from the side. He locked in a crucifix type thing, landing hammerfists in under, just keeping up constant pressure. More and more and more. Gurgel rolled back to open guard and the third round ended. They clasped hands on the ground and smiled. Alvin Robinson rightfully won the unanimous decision.
Gleison Tibau vs. Jeremy Stephens - The first round began. They circled about. Nice beard for Stephens. Stephens was getting backed into the cage. Tibau came for the takedown but Stephens defended into the clinch very impressively. Tibau landed a good knee to the body. Tibau nearly had Stephens down but Stephens tossed Tibau down and they stood into the clinch. Stephens broke with a nice knee to the body. Tibau seemed loose, bouncing around. Stephens missed an inside leg kick. Looked like it would have hurt. Stephens landed a leg kick slightly, checked and nearly caught by Tibau. Tibau came for the takedown hard and Stephens defended. Tibau had Stephens' back crouched down, then standing. Back to the regular clinch swiftly, though. Tibau was still looking for that takedown for a bit. Stephens landed a good knee to the body. The referee finally broke them up after a bit of inactivity. Stephens missed a body kick but landed a few shots out of the combination he threw and Tibau came for the takedown and got it into full guard and quickly passed to half-guard. Tibau looked for an arm triangle and he looked like he had it pretty tight, all he had to do was pass to side control but Stephens defended the pass and Tibau was forced to let go. Stephens retained guard. Tibau landed a few nice hammerfists. Stephens nearly had a triangle, Tibau pulled out and passed to side control. Tibau passed to mount after a moment or two. Stephens was hugging Tibau. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled for a bit. And some more. Stephens landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. Tibau landed a nice counter right hook that caught Stephens by surprise. Tibau caught a leg kick and came forward hard and got the takedown into full guard and landed some body shots. Tibau stood, looking to pass. He goes down into half-guard. Stephens landed a good elbow from the bottom and another. Tibau passed to side control. He came around and got the crucifix position, landing good shots but Stephens escaped to his feet and Tibau had his standing back but Stephens pulled away. Tibau came again for the takedown and Stephens stuffed it into the clinch. Tibau got the single-leg finally after a moment, into half-guard. He was looking to set up that arm triangle again and yep there it is, he has that locked in tight now, tight as a nun's pussy. Oh man. Tibau was really keeping that locked in, it's been like forty or fifty seconds, he passed to side control and it was still tight as fuck, the referee was watching closely, Tibau finally passed to mount and let it go and the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled and circled some more. Stephens came forward wildly and they clinched. For some reason, Stephens there reminds me of Seann William Scott. Stephens landed a good knee to the body. Stephens landed another good knee and another. Tibau was looking for that takedown again. Stephens landed a hammerfist in under. Tibau was driving hard for that takedown. Stephens had his mouth wide open. They broke. Tibau landed a good right hook. Stephens came for a flying knee and Tibau scooped him right out of the air down into half-guard. That was awesome. Not much was going on though. Stephens put himself in the crucifix position briefly and ate some short shots but escaped. Stephens retained guard. Stephens looked for a guillotine. Stephens landed an elbow from the bottom. Tibau landed some hammerfists. Stephens was trying to stand but Tibau had a headlock or guillotine where he was crouched. They stood into the clinch but Tibau had that tight standing guillotine. He let go back to the clinch. Stephens had an MT clinch and missed a pair of jumping knees and landed another and another and some nice dirty boxing. Tibau dropped down and got a single-leg into full guard and the third round ended. Tibau got the unanimous decision.
Kendall Grove vs. Evan Tanner - This was Tanner's last MMA fight before his death.
The first round began. They came out intensely and circled. Tanner had a hobo beard, didn't look himself. They clinched, Grove had that plum in. Tanner escaped the plum. They jockeyed for position along the cage. Grove had that plum again briefly, Tanner was looking for the takedown pretty hard and he had it into side control. Grove put him in half-guard. Tanner landed some good shots in under and missed a knee to the face on the way up and had Grove's standing back. Grove turned into the clinch. Grove landed a good elbow inside and Tanner was cut somewhere. Grove grabbed that plum and landed a knee to the body and broke with a right hand. Grove tried a headkick and slipped and Tanner came forward with a blocked combination as he stood. Grove grabbed that plum again. He landed a good knee to the body and Tanner broke away and Grove landed a good combination and they clinched once again. Tanner was looking for the single-leg. Grove responded by jumping up with the one leg he had and landing a big knee to Tanner's bloody face, Urijah Faber and Frank Mir style. Tanner abandoned his attempts for a takedown and went back to the clinch as Grove nearly had that plum again. Tanner almost slammed Grove down, Grove was defending well and then Tanner put him down hard into full guard. It's like trying to fell a tree, Grove is lanky. Grove locked in a triangle but.. escaped to his feet for some reason. Tanner stood as well and Grove landed a nice right hand and they scrambled and Grove had Tanner's back and he got one hook in and was looking for the other. Tanner was bleeding everywhere. Tanner shook him off after a moment and stood over him. He just sort of stood there for a bit, dodging upkicks. Tanner tried to come down, ate an upkick, and went into full guard. They sort of crouched against the fence for a bit, stood into the clinch and then the first round ended.
The second round began and Grove narrowly missed another knee to the face. They circled, throwing probing strikes. Tanner blocked a combination and after a moment came forward and clinched. Grove landed a knee to the face and broke with a big right hand and another knee to the face and another to the body. Tanner was rocked. Grove landed another combination. Tanner was trying to compose himself, keeping his distance. Grove missed a body kick. Tanner seemed recovered now. He landed a leg kick and they clinched. Tanner tried to drag Grove down, Grove defended, no he was on his knee now against the cage. He managed to struggle to his feet back to the clinch. Tanner kept on looking for that takedown. He grabbed the single-leg. Grove landed an elbow to the body and some more to the ear. Tanner picked Grove up and slammed him down into half-guard. Grove put him in the butterfly and began looking for a kimura, using it as a decoy to try to stand. Grove got to his feet with Tanner having his standing back and they turned into the clinch. Tanner landed a knee to the body. Tanner came for the takedown, they scrambled and stood and Tanner tried for a single-leg, ate a massive elbow, a combination in close, a big knee to the chin and another to the forehead and a big elbow and another and a big uppercut and they clinched again. Tanner broke with a nice elbow of his own. Grove came in with a nice knee to the body and an elbow and they clinched. Tanner landed a knee to the body. They were sort of stalemating now, for the past twenty seconds. Grove broke with a nice pair of combinations as the second round ended.
The third round began. They circled for a bit and Tanner came for another takedown and backed Grove against the fence. They broke after a bit. Tanner landed a nice leg kick. Tanner seemed to be blocking Grove's punches with his face, walking through them to close the distance to get the clinch. Tanner initiated the clinch once again. They weren't doing too much. Tanner landed a knee to the body. They broke after a bit. Tanner landed a big right hook. There was a look of desperation on Tanner's face. Tanner landed a straight right and a nice combination, Grove retaliated with a knee to the face. Tanner landed a big left hook and Grove stumbled. The announcers appeared not to notice. Grove landed a big knee to the face as the third round ended. Grove got the split decision win.
James Thompson vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - The first round began. Fujita came for the takedown, Thompson defended, and again. Thompson landed a nice jab, defended another takedown and clinched, landed a big pair of knees to the body and forced Fujita into the corner. They broke and stood in close. Thompson landed an inside leg kick and a leg kick. They clinched once more and Thompson landed a knee to the body and another and a pair of big shots inside. They broke. Thompson landed a big knee to the body and they exchanged combinations in close sluggishly and clinched and Thompson landed four big uppercuts inside and broke with a pair of knees to the face and they clinched and Thompson landed more knees to the body and broke and they clinched again and Thompson landed three big knees to the face. They broke and clinched again. Thompson broke with a combination and clinched again and then the same again and they clinched. They broke. Fujita was looking for a single-leg. Both men were exhausted. Fujita pulled Thompson down into full guard. Thompson landed four nice shots from the top. He stood and let Fujita up. Fujita landed a nice combination and some big Takyama-Frye shots inside and some more and more, right to the chin, and a combination and another and another and another. Fujita landed a massive right hook. More big combinations from Fujita, a nice jab, a big right hook to the chin and Thompson folded. As Fujita raised his hands, his own nose was bloody.
Dan Hardy vs. Akihiro Gono - The fight was Hardy's UFC debut. Hardy had a signifigant reach advantage. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Gono had his signature stance. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Hardy landed a big leg kick, Gono caught it but let it go. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Gono was the one backing up more often than not. Hardy landed a good combination and an inside leg kick. Hardy landed another inside leg kick. Gono showed good head movement to avoid a combination in close. Hardy landed a leg kick, Gono caught it but let it go. Gono checked an inside leg kick. Hardy landed a nice left hand. Hardy tried a leg kick and fell and stood and they clapped gloves. Gono landed a good inside leg kick. Hardy landed a very nice side kick to the body that caught Gono off-guard and off-balance. He landed an inside leg kick, as well. Gono landed a body kick. Hardy landed a body kick of his own. Gono was still backing up more often than not. They clinched. Gono got double underhooks briefly. Hardy broke with a knee to the body. Hardy landed a good counter left hook and a leg kick, Gono caught it but let it go. Gono landed a good right hand that landed clean on Hardy and they clinched but broke. Hardy backed up briefly to dodge a combination from Gono. Hardy landed a very nice body kick. Gono blocked a combination. Hardy slightly landed a spinning back kick, they clinched and broke, Gono missed a spinning back kick of his own and ate a left hook for his troubles. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Hardy landed an inside leg kick, Gono instantly replied with a switch kick to the body. Gono was still backing up. His face looked heavily swollen, not sure what caused that. Hardy missed a combination and they clinched and broke. Hardy landed a hard leg kick. Hardy landed an inside leg kick and Gono again replied with that switch kick and then a leg kick and got the takedown into side control nicely and then north-south with Hardy turtled up and they rolled and stood. Gono landed an excellent counter combination that definitely landed flush on Hardy. Hardy landed a good left hook. Gono landed a good left hook and a good counter right hook, they clinched, Gono nearly had Hardy down, they were back standing. They broke. Gono checked an inside leg kick. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. Gono ducked under an elbow and broke, landed a nice spinning back kick to the body. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Gono landed a leg kick, ate an inside leg kick. Hardy landed an inside leg kick, Gono caught a body kick but let it go and ate a counter combination. Hardy landed a good front kick. Gono landed a good combination in close and a body kick. Hardy landed a good left hook and they traded body kicks. Hardy landed a hard combination to the face of Gono. Gono landed a body kick, showed good head movement to avoid two combinations but ate a nice right hook as the second round ended.
The third round began. Gono landed a body shot and landed a leg kick. Gono showed good head movement and avoided a combination. They both landed leg kicks at the same time. Hardy landed another nice side kick to the body that caught Gono off balance. Hardy blocked a body kick. Gono landed a nice counter right. Hardy seemed to be cut over his eye somewhere. Hardy landed a leg kick, a nice inside leg kick. Hardy caught a leg kick but let it go. Hardy attempted a Superman punch. Gono landed a nice left hand and leg kick. Gono showed more good head movement and clinched. They broke. Hardy landed an inside leg kick. Gono landed a combination and another, eating a pair of counters from Hardy. Hardy was starting to swing a bit more wildly. Hardy landed an inside leg kick to the groin and Gono immediately grabbed at the area in pain and crouched by the fence and the fight paused. Gono took a few moments, pacing by the fence. He was bleeding pretty badly under his right eye. They continued and clasped hands. Hardy landed a good knee to the body. Hardy landed a nice counter left hook. They clinched and Gono got the takedown to side control and then took Hardy's back, had a hook in, Hardy dumped him off and they stood. They clinched, Gono got another takedown to side control and then went to north-south and Hardy was trying to stand and he ate two big knees to the face while his own knees were on the canvas, Miragliotta tackled Gono off and paused the fight. Hardy was obviously rocked by those knees, he was taking a moment to recover. They continued and touched gloves. Gono showed more good head movement, checked an inside leg kick. Gono caught a body kick, showed good head movement even then, and let it go. Gono landed a nice leg kick and a combination ending with a punch to the chin that caught Hardy off balance. Gono landed a leg kick. Gono came in and ate a counter left hook that knocked him on his ass but he was right back up. Gono came for a flying knee right at the bell and Miragliotta tackled him sideways. Hardy blinked and then raised his hands. Hardy takes the split decision controversially.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - The first round began. Nogueira came out with a flying knee to the face immediately that rocked Sakuraba and more big knees to the face, seven or eight of them. They broke away. Not a bad start. Nogueira landed a counter combination to the face. They stood in close for a bit. Nogueira landed a good straight right that hurt Sakuraba and tried to pounce but instead they broke and stood in close for a bit once more. Nogueira landed a really nice left hand and Sakuraba landed a good counter and another and came for the single-leg in the corner. The referee paused the fight to check a big cut under Nogueira's right eye which was bleeding all over his nose. O.o How? Maybe those counters. Either way, nice cut. Proves any strike is dangerous in a mixed martial arts fight, even a pathetic-looking one. The fight continued and they touched gloves. Sakuraba narrowly missed a spinning back kick. Nogueira seemed to have a bit more respect for Sakuraba now. He wasn't wading in any more. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Sakuraba landed a good right hand and missed a leg kick. Sakuraba missed another, and a moment later another. Nogueira landed a leg kick, Sakuraba caught it and dumped Nogueira down and stood over him. Sakuraba landed a kick to the leg. The referee finally stood Nogueira up. Blood was starting to run from a cut under Nogueira's right eye. Nogueira landed a big body kick. Nogueira landed a big counter right. He came for the takedown and Sakuraba sprawled against the ropes, defending well. Nogueira kept coming for the single leg and landed big shots in under, and they broke. Nogueira landed a body kick. Sakuraba came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. Nogueira immediately looked for a kimura, Sakuraba defended and went to full guard. Decent fight so far. Sakuraba landed a hammerfist. Nogueira landed some pitterpatter shots from the bottom. Sakuraba stood and ate an upkick on the way. Sakuraba stood over him. Nogueira's eye looked nasty as he beckoned Sakuraba to come down. The referee stood him up quickly and the fight continued. They circled around. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick. Nogueira landed a massive counter right that staggered Sakuraba. They kept circling. Nogueira landed a pretty good clean combination. Nogueira's eye looked pretty bad. Sakuraba landed a leg kick. He seemed a bit gassed. Tenacious pace, understandable. Sarcasm. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Nogueira came forward with a good right hand and dropped Sakuraba and had him turtled up but they stood and circled some more. Nogueira looked like he wanted this fight to be over. Sakuraba landed a nice leg kick. Nogueira checked a leg kick. Nogueira landed another big right hand to the chin, flush, and Sakuraba went down on his ass, almost through the ropes and he had hold of a leg and the referee pulled them away in the same position and they restarted and broke away and Nogueira landed a good combination, tried a flying knee but Sakuraba shoved him down and stood over him for the third time in the fight. The first round ended. Sakuraba crouched by the ropes, tired. Between rounds, they repeatedly showed that big right hand hitting Sakuraba's chin and him almost going through the ropes.
The second round began. Sakuraba ducked a punch, tried a takedown and Nogueira defended and landed three or four more knees to the face, went after Sakuraba hard by the ropes, they scrambled technically and Sakuraba ended up on top in full guard inevitably. Nogueira landed an upkick as Sakuraba stood. Sakuraba landed a kick to the leg. The referee stood Nogueira up relatively quickly. Nogueira landed a nice jab. Sakuraba landed a right hook. Nogueira made the bring-it-on gesture. Nogueira landed a nice leg kick. To Sakuraba's credit, he keeps on coming no matter what. Nogueira's eye was bleeding again. Nogueira landed a big leg kick, caught by Sakuraba and Nogueira fell on his back and Sakuraba stood over him for the fifth time in the fight I believe. Just standing over him. The referee finally stood Nogueira up. Sakuraba missed a combination. Nogueira landed a massive right hand to the chin and pulled guard and grabbed a tight guillotine but Sakuraba pulled out. Nogueira locked up a triangle. That was nice. He hammerfisted to the top of Sakuraba's head at the same time. Nogueira was straining hard for that choke, still hammerfisting away. Sakuraba turned out and turtled Nogueira up impressively. The second round ended and Nogueira helped Sakuraba up.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Both men looked weary and Nogueira was bloody and battered. Sakuraba shot for a takedown, Nogueira defended and turtled Sakuraba up. They stood into the clinch, Nogueira landed a knee and a combination, Sakuraba came back with a combination and another angrily. Nogueira landed a combination. They circled, the referee told them action. Nogueira landed a counter combination. Sakuraba landed a nice body shot. Sakuraba landed a good counter right hand. Nogueira seemed to be fading a bit, or already faded. Nogueira landed a big right to the chin and another that rocked Sakuraba hard, tried for a takedown and Sakuraba defended and they broke. Nogueira landed a good jab to the wobbly Sakuraba's nose. They exchanged jabs. Sakuraba landed a leg kick, and another. They circled a bit. Nogueira landed another massive right hand. Sakuraba had a tiny cut above his lip. Nogueira landed a good one-two combination. Sakuraba landed a good counter right. Nogueira blocked a vicious combination from Sakuraba. Nogueira landed a massive right-left-right and dropped Sakuraba and pounded away with three consecutive soccer kicks to Sakuraba's face. The referee pulled Nogueira away as the third round ended and Sakuraba stood up with blood spilling out of his mouth like strawberry juice. Just coming out. That was nasty. Nogueira got the rightful win by unanimous decision.
Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic - The first round began. Vovchanchyn pumped a jab out to test the range a bit. Filipovic narrowly missed a headkick. Vovchanchyn seemed unafraid by the specter of the looming knockout. Vovchanchyn missed a combination. Vovchanchyn landed a high body kick. Mirko blocked another body kick with his arm. They clinched but broke. Mirko landed a good straight left and then out of nowhere a brutal headkick that just dropped Vovchanchyn dead cold and landed a hammerfist or two before the referee dragged him off of the corpse rofl.
James Thompson vs. Alistair Overeem - The first round began. Thompson bulled forward repeatedly and Overeem shoved him off. Hmm white cage, Just repeatedly. Overeem missed a flying knee and nearly went over the cage. They clinched, Overeem grabbed an extremely tight standing guillotine and Thompson was forced to tap after a moment.
Din Thomas vs. Clay Guida - Thomas had a three-inch height advantage and a one-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Guida was light on his feet and bouncing around carefully. They clinched after a bit but broke, Guida's too slippery. Guida landed an inside leg kick. Guida landed a nice left hook and got the takedown into full guard. Guida landed some body shots, keeping up the pressure as he always does. Thomas was doing a good job of controlling Guida's wrists, though. Hmm, yep. Just pretty much Guida controlling Thomas. Thomas kept rotating those hips and looking for an armbar or triangle. Guida landed a nice shot from the top and another and another and another, postured up. The referee stood them up after another bout of inactivity for about thirty seconds. Thomas landed a good combination and Guida went for the takedown and got it into full guard. Thomas nearly locked in a triangle but Guida pulled out. Guida postured up with a pair of good shots. Guida landed some body shots. Thomas rotated for an armbar but didn't even get close. Guida postured up with some more shots. Guida postured up with another shot and ate an upkick as the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Guida landed a leg kick. He dodged a pair of combinations from Thomas. Guida landed a leg kick. They circled some more. Thomas landed a nice leg kick. Guida landed a nice counter jab, I believe. Guida shot for the takedown and got it easily into full guard. Guida landed a nice pair of elbows, one to each side of Thomas's face. Guida passed to half-guard. Thomas appeared to be looking for akimura but he stopped. Thomas worked a rubber guard briefly and then back to open guard. Guida passed back to half-guard, Thomas put him in full guard. Guida stood and Thomas snapped up a leg and went for a kneebar but Guida escaped and tried to stand, Thomas sprawled out and they stood into the clinch. They broke. Guida missed a Superman punch, ate a big uppercut, shot, Thomas sprawled into the clinch and they broke. Guida shot in again but Thomas was defending on his knees against the cage. They were standing, Guida was trying a single-leg, he was trying it hard and he got it into full guard and ended the second round with a flurry of shots from the top. Guida's nose was bloody in his corner, it might be broken...
The third round began. They circled. Thomas landed a good jab and then a nice leg kick. Thomas went for an inside leg kick, Guida shot, Thomas sprawled and they broke. Guida missed a jumping knee by a mile. They circled some more. Thomas landed an inside leg kick, Guida shot, grabbed the single-leg and got it into half-guard, blanketing Thomas securely. Thomas shoved Guida off with his legs, Guida came right back for the takedown and Thomas was defending against the cage. Thomas looked for a standing kimura as Guida got some close takedown attempts in. Guida went to his knees, they stood into the clinch, Thomas landed some uppercuts and sprawled on another attempt and they broke. The referee paused the fight. I'm not sure why. On the replay, it showed them standing and Thomas sort of tapped Guida on the nose. I dunno. Thomas landed a good combination. They circled a bit. Guida came for the takedown, Thomas sprawled and they broke apart. They circled some more, Thomas stuffed a takedown, Guida kept trying a single leg, he landed a right hand and got Thomas off balance, came for the takedown against the fence but Thomas was defending. They broke. Thomas landed a good right hand. The third round came to an end. Thomas was the winner by unanimous decision. Robbery.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - The first round began. Minowa came in and ate a counter combination. Yvel looks massive compared to Minowa. Minowa got a single-leg takedown into full guard. Yvel began looking for an armbar but Minowa dropped back and began looking for a kneebar and he... he was really going for that. Yvel was trying to escape. Minowa turned it to an anklelock or heelhook. Yvel finally was forced to tap out.
David Loiseau vs. Ed Herman - The fight was Loiseau's last in the UFC to date.
The first round began, Loiseau had a half-inch reach advantage and Herman had a two-inch height advantage. Hmm. They touched gloves. Loiseau grazed Herman's face with a high spinning back kick, tried another and landed it to Herman's chin, Herman came for the clinch, got the body lock and he was looking hard for the takedown and he got it into full guard. Loiseau rolled and gave up his back. Herman landed some good shots in under, shots and hammerfists. Loiseau was struggling to cover up but he was getting pounded on, just repeatedly over and over. Loiseau stood and nearly shook Herman off, Herman dragged him back down still on his back, landed a big knee to the ribs. Herman was pounding in under once again but Loiseau was covering up well this time. Herman was just basically raping Loiseau. He was all over his back. Herman briefly looked for a kimura. He looked for it once more. They got up and Herman had Loiseau's back. Herman dragged him back down and had Loiseau's back once again. Herman was just trying to get some hammerfists and punches through but Loiseau was blocking pretty well. He landed another knee to the ribs and pounded under some more. This was just domination. I'm embarassed for The Crow here. Where's the heart? Herman landed another big knee to the ribs. Herman landed another knee to the opposite ribs and another and then another to Loiseau's blocking arm. He was just raping Loiseau. Another big knee to those new ribs target. Pounding under some more. Another big knee and another. Another big knee and another and another and another and another. Loiseau finally stood into the clinch. Herman landed another knee to the body and another. The first round ended.
The second round began, Loiseau missed a high spinning back kick cause Herman ducked and Herman capitalized with the takedown into half-guard. Herman still landed a knee to the body and another and another. Damn. Herman is just putting on a clinic of how to punish an inferior fighter on the ground. Loiseau pulled guard. Herman dropped a nice elbow. Herman passed to half-guard once more. Herman landed another knee to the body and another. Herman passed to mount. Loiseau rolled and gave up his back again. Herman landed an elbow to the kidneys and a big knee to the body and another. He landed another to Loiseau's blocking elbow. Another knee to the opposite ribs. Another knee. Herman pounded in under with both hands. Loiseau was offering up only defense. No attempts to escape or roll out. Wait there he goes. He stood and Herman had his standing back and then Herman dragged him back down and pounded in under. Loiseau stood into the clinch. Herman landed a few knees to the body. Herman nearly had a trip takedown. Herman landed a few more knees and the referee separated them. Loiseau came for a big right hand, missing by a mile and went facedown, Herman was on his back again pounding in under and the second round ended.
The third round began. Loiseau threw some wild strikes, landing a snappy left hook and they clinched and broke. They clinched and Herman landed a knee to the body and another and another. Herman landed another knee. Herman landed another knee and another and another knee and another and another. Another knee from Herman and another and another. Herman got the takedown hard into half-guard. He landed some body shots. Herman dropped a big elbow. He had Loiseau's back yet again. Loiseau stood quickly into the clinch this time without taking punishment. Loiseau avoided a trip takedown. Herman landed another knee and they broke. Loiseau leaped forward again and Herman responded with a takedown to half-guard. Herman landed some hard body shots and a knee and a nice elbow. Herman mounted again. Herman postured up with some shots, and held Loiseau down. Loiseau was trying hard to roll out and he finally managed it and gave up his back and Herman landed another big knee to the ribs. Loiseau stood and dumped Herman off and tried a big downward right hand and they broke and circled. Herman caught a body kick and they clinched. Herman landed a pair of knees and another knee. They broke. Loiseau missed a flying knee and they clinched and the third round ended. Ed Herman was the winner by unanimous decision.
Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet - The height was the same and Swick had a three-and-a-half inch reach advantage. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They circled, light on their feet. Swick looked very aggressive. Swick landed a nice counter jab. He landed a good combination and dropped Goulet and pounded under with hammerfists repeatedly as Goulet hugged his leg and the referee finally stopped the fight. Goulet was out cold, twitching. The crowd of troops chanted 'USA'. Goulet was still out, his eyes were rolling back in his head.
Frank Mir vs. Dan Christison - The referee was Yves Lavigne. Christison actually clapped as Buffer was introducing his opponent, the former heavyweight champion, Mir.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled about probingly. Christon landed a leg kick, Mir landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick and came forward and they clinched. Christison landed a body shot. Mir landed an elbow and a knee. Christison landed a body shot and ate a pair of knees and landed one of his own and Mir got a nice foot sweep into side control, landed some nice shots and mounted. Mir rolled out for an armbar but missed and got back to full guard and landed a nice elbow. Mir landed a nice shot and the crowd oohed. Mir landed an elbow to the body and some more nice body shots. Mir landed a few nice shots. Mir postured up and began looking to pass. Mir landed a nice elbow. Christison landed a shot from the bottom and went for an armbar and he nearly had it and the crowd oohed but Mir spun out to the clinch. Mir looked very tired already, with one minute and ten seconds left. Christison landed a few good knees. Mir broke with a knee to the body. Christison landed an inside leg kick and adjusted his knee guard. Mir came in with a nice knee to the body and clinched and they broke. Mir faked with a kick and landed an overhand left, Christison smiled and they clinched. Christison broke with a pair of good combinations, Mir nodded and Christison landed an inside leg kick and they clinched. The first round ended. Mir's corner told him to keep those hands up.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Mir came for the double-leg and Christison stuffed it into the clinch quickly. Mir landed a knee to the body. Christison broke with a blocked combination and Mir checked a leg kick and ate another combination and they clinched, broke and clinched again. They broke. Christison landed a combination and a knee high to the body and they clinched again. Christison landed a nice uppercut and broke with a big elbow and backed off. Christison landed a front kick and they clinched. Mir landed a knee to the body. Christison landed some body shots. Mir landed a knee to the body. Christison landed some more body shots. Mir landed a nice knee. They broke and Christison landed a good left hand and a body kick and they clinched. Christison broke with a blocked combination and they clinched. They broke again. Christison landed a leg kick and Mir got the weak takedown into open guard and he was trying for a sweep or a triangle. Mir was turning. Christison landed some elbows to the body from the bottom. Mir was back in full guard now. Christison landed an elbow from the bottom. The pace had slowed a bit. Christison tried another armbar, Mir avoided. Mir looked absolutely exhausted. The referee told them to keep on working. Christison worked a high guard. Christison landed a big hammerfist from the bottom, attempted an omoplata briefly and Mir pulled out and Christison kept working that high guard. The referee stood them up as the crowd booed heavily. The referee had to order Christison to stand. Christison landed a big front kick to the body and that hurt Mir and they clinched. Mir briefly tried for a standing kimura. Mir was gassed badly. Christison landed a jumping knee to the body. The second round ended. In his corner, Mir had a few mouses under his right eye.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Mir landed a weak leg kick in close. Christison landed a big inside leg kick, they clinched and broke. They clinched and Mir landed a knee to the body. Mir landed another big knee and they broke. Mir checked a body kick and landed a good right hand and they clinched. Mir landed a knee to the body and got the foot sweep into half-guard. Mir landed some nice shots. Hmm, is Christison's nose bloody. Mir landed big shots repeatedly from the top, eight or nine of them and some more just pounding away from half-guard with punches and elbows, too many to count, just pounding away and the crowd roared. Christison was bleeding bad now. Christison retained guard, Mir made it back to half-guard, Christison moved him back and Mir postured up. They were laying right on a big patch of bloody canvas. Couture commented 'What's with that side of the cage? Everyone wants to bleed on that side of the cage.' And Goldberg agreed 'It's not really fair.' Oh that was from Yves Edwards vs. Joe Stevenson. That makes sense. Mir passed to side control and landed some really nice shots repeatedly and went for a kimura but let it go. Christison wall-walked and retained guard. Christison shoved Mir off hard with his feet but Mir leaped right back on and stayed on top and postured up and landed a nice shot. Mir stood over him and went back down into guard. Mir's corner yelled at him to work, hammerfist and elbows. Mir landed a few nice shots. Mir landed some body shots. The referee stood them up finally. Fifty seconds remained. Christison stood and put his hands on his knees, clearing his nose. Mir came for the double-leg and Christison sprawled and turtled Mir up and pounded in under, if you can call it that. The crowd booed heavily. They stood into the clinch. Mir landed a knee to the body. The third round ended. They hugged and the crowd was booing hard. Mir got the unanimous decision 29-28. Eddie Bravo said that he gave it to Christison 29-28. Mir said that it was the first time he had gone three rounds.
Gleison Tibau vs. Joe Stevenson - The fight occurred a short time after Joe Daddy became a daddy again, his baby boy Max being born.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled with Stevenson looking more aggressive. Stevenson came in with a good straight left. Stevenson was circling about. Tibau landed a body kick. Stevenson landed a good right hand and dropped Tibau and tried to pounce, Tibau clinched and lifted him up and slammed him down into full guard, Stevenson grabbed a tight guillotine, Tibau pulled away and was on top and they scrambled, Tibau grabbed an over-under and they rolled some more and stood into the clinch. Impressive by Stevenson. Stevenson landed a really nice elbow over the top. Tibau got the takedown again easily into full guard, Stevenson briefly looked for another guillotine, Tibau forced him against the cage but Stevenson managed to stand very swiftly into the clinch. Stevenson missed another big elbow over the top. Stevenson broke with another big elbow and landed a nice combination ending with a nice right hand and tried for a double-leg and got it after a moment into full guard. Tibau looked for a triangle but Stevenson avoided. Tibau was turning for an omoplata and he had that locked in I think. Oh man, that shoulder was fucking torqued. Mazzagatti asked him if he was okay and Stevenson responded 'yes'. It wasn't completely locked in yet, it was just really uncomfortable and dangerous. Stevenson was struggling to pull out. Tibau landed seven or eight hammerfists from the bottom and three more and another and another and another and another and another, Stevenson was nodding with a big smile after each hit. Stevenson was saying 'come on' to Mazzagatti. The crowd was booing. They were booing heavily. The first round ended. In Stevenson's corner, his cornerman told him 'Who knows how they're gonna call that bullshit on the ground. They could call it to his favor or not. So... can't take nothing for granted. Gotta get out there and get it done.' BJ Penn was in attendance watching the fight, shadowboxed insanely.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled. They threw missed strikes, Tibau landed a good left, Stevenson came forward and came for the takedown, Tibau defended into the clinch and grabbed the underhook and turned it. Tibau dragged Stevenson to the ground against the cage but stood and Stevenson blocked a combination, smiling. Tibau came in and got the takedown into full guard after ducking under a combination, Tibau passed nicely to side control. Tibau was using his feet on the cage to turn and Tibau mounted. Stevenson was bucking and turning out. Tibau stepped over to try to grab a triangle but Stevenson avoided and Tibau was forced to give up the mount, got the overunder and nearly had Stevenson's back and then he stood and let Joe up. They circled. Tibau blocked a headkick. Tibau came for the takedown and got into full guard and Stevenson grabbed a really tight guillotine and Tibau tapped very quickly and the crowd absolutely roared. Tibau was so upset with himself.
Josh Barnett vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic 3 - The fight was the final round of the Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix. Filipovic had defeated Wanderlei Silva earlier that night by headkick knockout and Barnett had defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by decision. It was Filipovic's birthday. He stated that if he had not won the tournament, it would have been his last night fighting. In the pre-fight faceoff, Barnett motioned toward his eye and told Filipovic that the man had something in there, Filipovic wiped it out and thanked Barnett.
The first round began. They circled, Barnett looked a bit more aggressive. They came in and clinched but they broke. Mirko was looking for a big straight left. Mirko landed a big body kick and stunned Barnett. They clinched but broke. Barnett landed a body kick. Mirko landed a nice left hook and Barnett landed a nice leg kick and then an excellent insdie leg kick. Mirko landed a wicked body kick, Barnett caught it and tried for a single-leg, Mirko avoided and landed a big combination including a body shot and Barnett landed a few knees to the face and Mirko landed a nice knee of his own and Barnett collapsed and Mirko went down into full guard. The referee paused the fight, Barnett was cut over his right eye badly, right over that eye. Great, great fight so far. The doctors were tending to that eye. They continued. They restarted in the center of the ring, in the same position as before. Barnett landed some shots from the bottom, trying to work on that cut and also getting good arm control. Mirko landed a nice body shot. They weren't doing too much. Mirko landed a few nice hammerfists and then a really nice one. They weren't doing much. Mirko's cut was bleeding badly again. Barnett was rotating the hips looking for an armbar but Mirko had none of that. Mirko stood and let Barnett up. Barnett landed a good inside leg kick and missed a head kick of his own. Mirko landed a pair of straight lefts and then a nasty uppercut. Barnett landed an excellent inside leg kick. Mirko landed a straight left and an uppercut and both rocked Barnett. Mirko landed a nice knee to the body. Barnett landed another nice inside leg kick. Barnett came in and got the clinch. Barnett landed some nice dirty boxing. Mirko landed a big hook to the body and dropped Barnett and began peppering Barnett with big hammerfists, Barnett turtled up and ate more and then got back to full guard, ate some more hammerfists. Mirko postured with more massive strikes downward. Barnett's nose was bloodied just a bit, I believe. Barnett looked for a kimura as the crowd chanted his name. Mirko pulled away. Barnett was controlling his hands. Mirko was breathing heavily on the top. Mirko landed five or six more hard hammerfists. Barnett tried to roll for an armbar and Mirko landed two big shots downward and Barnett grabbed his eye in pain and yelled that he was done, tapping. Mirko walked away with his hands raised, the new open-weight grand prix champion. Mirko, usually emotionless, was overwhelmed.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Sean Sherk - The first round began. Sherk missed a leg kick. There was a big size difference. Sherk landed a leg kick, St. Pierre got the takedown, Sherk got double underhooks from the bottom and butterfly guard and they stood. Sherk landed a leg kick. Sherk blocked a head kick. Sherk came for the takedown and St. Pierre sprawled and they broke. Sherk landed another nice leg kick. Sherk came for the takedown, St. Pierre sprawled and they broke. St. Pierre landed a body kick and a jab and Sherk landed a leg kick, St. Pierre came for the takedown and Sherk defended into the clinch. St. Pierre landed a knee and they broke after a moment. Sherk landed a leg kick and blocked a headkick. St. Pierre landed an inside leg kick to the groin and the crowd booed but they continued after a moment. Sherk landed a leg kick. They clinched and exchanged knees and Sherk was getting the better of the exchanges, landing some vicious knees. The crowd chanted 'USA'. They broke. Sherk landed an inside leg kick and blocked a headkick that confused Sherk for a moment. St. Pierre was really using his reach advantage. St. Pierre checked a leg kick but ate a left hook. St. Pierre came for the takedown and got it hard against the fence into half-guard and landed an elbow. St. Pierre landed a few nice shots. Sherk put him in the butterfly guard once more, trying to neutralize St. Pierre. St. Pierre landed a good elbow and another. St. Pierre landed a few nice shots and a really nice elbow and another. They exchanged with St. Pierre landing downward shots and Sherk landing hammerfists. St. Pierre landed five or six elbows and the first round ended.
The second round began. Sherk landed a leg kick and they exchanged a combination in close with St. Pierre mainly landing. Sherk came for the takedown and St. Pierre sprawled, tried a guillotine, lost it and they broke. Sherk blocked a headkick. Sherk landed a front kick and ate a nice right hand. St. Pierre landed that headkick that time. Sherk didn't look fazed. Sherk landed that right hook. Sherk landed a leg kick. St. Pierre landed a nice jab and another. St. Pierre narrowly missed a spinning back kick. St. Pierre caught Sherk with a left hook that caught him off balance and he slipped but stood. St. Pierre got the takedown into open guard once more. Sherk seemed surprised every time. He looked a bit tired. St. Pierre landed an elbow and another and another and another and some body shots and postured up. St. Pierre was teeing off. St. Pierre landed a big elbow right to the nose of Sherk, and Sherk cried out in pain as his nose was broken and he was bleeding bad. St. Pierre pounded away brutally. Herb Dean said 'I'm stopping it, I'm stopping it!" and stopped the fight. Sherk lay there in severe pain, his nose was obviously broken. St. Pierre made the belt-around-the-waist motion and said 'I want the belt! I want the belt!' Joe Rogan approached. St. Pierre got on his knees and asked for the UFC management to give him a title shot. He also said 'I knew I hurt him because when I threw my first elbow, he said ARGH' and the crowd laughed.
Jorge Santiago vs. Sean Salmon - The fight was the opening round of the Strikeforce middleweight grand prix and Jorge would go on to defeat Trevor Prangley to win the tourney. The referee was notorious judge Cecil Peoples.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Santiago was pumping that jab out there. Santiago landed a massive flying knee and dropped Salmon hard and Peoples flew in there and stepped on Salmon's face. Wow, Salmon was out cold.
Diego Sanchez vs. Shannon Ritch - The first round began and they circled. They clinched and Sanchez got a hard takedown right into side control against the cage and he almost instantly mounted. He began pounding away with right hands just over and over. Ritch rolled and gave up his back to avoid the powerful punches he had been eating. Sanchez was looking for that rear-naked choke. Sanchez's corner yelled for him to elbow. He sank in that rear-naked choke and Ritch was forced to tap the mat.
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Genki Sudo - The fight was Brown's UFC debut and his only fight in that organization. Sudo had a three-inch height advantage and three-inch for the reach.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Sudo immediately began with a crazy stance. Brown came forward and they clinched. Sudo landed a knee to the body. Brown was looking for a single leg. Brown landed a big right hand inside. They exchanged knees with Brown getting the better of it. Brown was really working the inside of that right thigh, hitting the same spot. Sudo got a nice foot sweep takedown but Brown was working the butterfly guard. Brown tried to roll for a kneebar and Sudo tried to take the back but they stood into the clinch and Brown got a takedown himself into full guard and Sudo grabbed a triangle but Brown pulled out, Sudo transitioned to an omoplata but Brown pulled out back to full guard. Brown passed to half-guard. Brown landed a trio of nice shots and then Sudo put him in butterfly guard and started looking for the sweep or hip escape, no he retained guard and ate another pair of nice shots, trying to wall-walk. Brown landed some good body shots repeatedly. The referee told them to work. Sudo locked in a triangle and an armbar at the same time, Brown was struggling to fight his way out, punching Sudo's face repeatedly, Sudo locked in that armbar more tightly along with the triangle and Brown was forced to tap. Sudo stood and helped Brown up.
Rashad Evans vs. Brad Imes - The fight was to decide the heavyweight winner of the second season of The Ultimate Fighter. Imes had an eight-inch height advantage and like a seven-inch reach advantage. Oh damn that is a big height difference. They faced off, staring down.
The first round began and they hesitantly touched gloves, initiated by Imes. Evans came in and landed a good right hand and ate a nice counter jab and then again. Imes landed a right hand and grabbed the Muay Thai clinch and landed a few good knees to the body before they broke and circled. Evans landed a nice right hand and another and Imes grabbed that plum once more and then they clinched regularly and Imes had a nice body lock and he landed a nice knee. Imes got the trip takedown and he was looking to pass. He was in half-guard and very nearly in mount, no Evans got the lockdown. Evans managed to stand into the clinch, Imes briefly looked for a guillotine but Evans landed a body shot to make him drop it and another knee to the body and Imes landed a knee of his own. They broke. Evans ran away for a moment and then they clinched. Imes broke with a nice right hand. Imes landed another nice left. Imes landed a jab. Evans landed a counter combination and Imes landed a body kick and another. Evans landed a combination, left hook left hook and another, a big right hand, he dropped Imes with a big left hand and pounded, nearly had side control, but Imes retained guard and he looked for an armbar or something, no Evans was turning out and he made it to side control and landed a good elbow. Imes was trying to stand but Evans sprawled out and turtled him up. Imes managed to stand into the clinch and ate a big knee to the face. Imes broke with a knee of his own to the face. Imes missed a head kick. Imes came forward and they clinched. The first round came to an end.
The second round began. Imes landed a good counter right hand. They clinched but broke. Evans landed a nice left hook. Evans landed it again a bit later, and again very nicely, he was using it well to counter. Evans landed that left hook again, they clinched and broke. Evans landed a nice jab. Imes landed a jab and another, missed a body kick, they clinched but broke, Imes landed a body kick. Evans landed a combination to counter a jab landed by Imes. Imes landed a good right hand and another right to the chin, a knee to the body from the clinch. They broke. Imes landed another big right hand. Imes landed a good straight left. They clinched but broke. Evans landed a nice counter jab. Imes came forward with a big combination and a big right hand and another, he was just chasing Rashad. Evans landed a counter combination and they clinched. Imes broke with a missed elbow. Evans was breathing out of his mouth. Imes landed a lazy right hand. Evans's hands were down and his face was wide open as Rogan noted. They clinched and Imes broke with a knee to the body. Imes landed another big right hand. They clinched once more and Imes broke with a missed right hand and they clinched and broke. Imes was gassed, running on pure heart. Evans landed a counter jab. Evans landed a counter right hand and another, beautiful, sending Imes's mouthpiece flying, no it was blood and snot apparently, and they clinched and broke. Evans landed another beautiful right hand, timing it perfectly. Imes landed a big right hand and another and another, Evans was showboating and shaking back and forth as the second round ended.
The third round began. Imes looked to be the fresher of the two. Evans landed a nice counter right hand in an exchange. Evans landed another nice right and Imes landed a body kick. Evans landed a counter combination and Imes just went stiff and went down on his back and Evans pounced hard into half-guard, landing good shots from the top. Evans was trying to mount and he was basically mounted, he was postured up and pounding, Imes was trying to spin out. He managed to put Evans in side control after a moment. Imes managed to stand into the clinch and ate a knee on the way up and they broke and Imes grabbed the clinch, Evans blocked a couple of knees and they broke. They exchanged in close but didn't really land anything, it was like in slow motion. Evans landed another big right, Imes tried for the clinch but broke. Evans landed a counter jab. Imes landed a right hand and he came forward with a combination and an elbow and they clinched. Imes got the body lock, instead went for a single-leg and he got the trip into half-guard. Imes landed a good elbow and another. Evans was exhausted. That half-guard was wide open but Imes was making no attempt to pass. Evans escaped and turtled upa nd they stood into the clinch and Imes broke with a knee to the face. They clinched again. Imes landed a good body shot. Imes broke with a right hand. Imes missed a headkick. Evans landed a jab. They were so gassed in close, exhausted, exchanging pitterpatter shots. Evans landed a jab. These guys had heart. They clinched. Evans broke with a missed combination, a right hand, they exchanged with Evans landing a right hand and Imes landing a left and the third round ended, and the crowd cheered. Rashad Evans was the winner by split decision and he was the Ultimate Fighter. Evans was ecstatic, Imes looked downcast. Evans won a brand-new Scion car, Rich Franklin handed him the keys with a grin.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic - The fight was for the Pride heavyweight championship with Emelianenko defending.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Fedor was just walking him down, he missed a big right and they clinched but broke. Mirko landed a body kick but Fedor turned with it. Mirko landed a good counter left and then a good counter right. Mirko missed a straight left and dodged a counter right thrown wildly by Fedor. Fedor landed a leg kick. They circled around with Mirko the one backing up constantly. Mirko landed a straight left and dodged another wild right, dodged another wild right nicely and smiled edgily. Fedor missed a right and landed a left hook, Fedor landed a leg kick. Very technical battle. Not quite a war, though. Fedor landed a counter body kick. Mirko landed a body kick and Fedor came right into it, damn. Fedor missed a wild right, landed a combination in close, missed another right, and another and they clinched, Fedor broke with a missed knee. Mirko missed a straight left, narrowly missed a headkick and Fedor came for the takedown and Mirko avoided and tossed him into the ropes and Fedor nearly went out of the ring and they continued and circled, Mirko was obviously trying not to smile. Mirko landed a leg kick and ate a counter body kick from Fedor. Mirko landed a very nice body kick. These were hurting Fedor. Fedor landed a nice one-two-three combination. Fedor landed a leg kick. Fedor missed another wild right after a moment of circling. Mirko seemed to be looking to counter, no he landed two stiff jabs to Fedor's nose and broke it and Fedor stumbled back and Mirko pounced with a big combination, ate a big counter right and stumbled, missed a headkick and stumbled, missed a combination, Fedor got the takedown and stood over him holding his legs and trying to pound down unsuccessfully and went down into full guard. The referee paused the fight to check a cut on Fedor's face though, from two stiff jabs to the nose that Fedor had eaten to start the combination. They restarted in the center of the ring. Fedor landed two nice short shots. Mirko was doing a nice job defensively. Fedor stood over Mirko and he was looking to pass to side control but Mirko defended back and pulled guard once again. Fedor stood again and then came back down into guard missing a shot. Mirko was controlling Fedor's arms nicely. The referee paused the fight again to check that big cut on Fedor's nose once again, it was bleeding pretty badly. It wasn't a cut, I believe, I think his nose is just bloody. They continued in the center of the ring. Mirko still had some nice arm control going. Fedor stood and landed a big shot, ate an upkick, wiped his nose, came in and ate another, came in and jumped into full guard. He stood and ate some big hammerfists, three or four, backed off, came back down into guard and then he rolled and passed to north-south. He went to side and tried for mount but Mirko put him back in full guard and controlled his arms. Fedor stood and came down with a missed combination back to full guard. They weren't doing much. The referee said 'action'. Fedor postured up and came back down after a moment back to guard. Ya-ya-ya-ya-yawn. Fedor postured up, landed a nice shot, back to guard. Fedor postured up, back to guard. It was just at a fucking stalemate on the ground, Fedor nearly passed to side control, didn't quite make it, back to full fucking guard. Fedor landed some nice body shots, just constantly. Mirko's decent off his back, I would suppose. Fedor's no joke with his own top game either. The first round ended. Not the most exciting fight but... Fedor's corner quietly worked in the corner on his broken nose.
The second round began. Fedor landed a body kick and a combination mainly blocked by Mirko. Mirko blocked a headkick and Fedor came for the takedown, Mirko stuffed it and backed away from Fedor. Mirko seemed strangely faded. Fedor landed a nice counter right. Mirko landed a pretty nice body kick, Fedor ducked under a head kick. They clinched and broke. They looked a bit tired. Mirko checked a weak leg kick and they clinched. Mirko had his mouth open. They broke and yeah Mirko looked tired. From those body shots most likely. Mirko blocked a combination and stumbled back. Fedor blocked a headkick. Weak attempt. He blocked a straight left. They clinched. Fedor landed a knee to the body. Fedor tried a toss takedown and Mirko avoided and Fedor broke with a nice left hook to Mirko's ear. They circled. They clinched. Yeah, Mirko looked a bit worried. Fedor shoved Mirko down into full guard but the referee moved it to the center of the ring. Mirko crawled over, Fedor walked over, they restarted there. The crowd chanted Mirko's name briefly, with varying pronunciations like Meerko and Murko, I say it Murko. Fedor stood slowly and tried to go down into half-guard, Mirko went half-heartedly for a triangle and then pulled full guard. Phew. Yep same ole same ole, Fedor in Mirko's guard not really doing anything. The referee said 'action' and then again a moment later. Dude, just fucking stand them up, come on. No wait it's already done. The second round ended. Yeah, Fedor's nose is definitely broken in his corner, it looks jagged as fuck. Argh, nasty.
The third round began. Fedor checked a leg kick right off the bat. Fedor landed a body shot and a double jab. Mirko shoved Fedor away as he came in. Fedor landed a body kick and they clinched. Fedor went for the takedown, Mirko nearly had his back, Fedor shoved him down right back into full guard. Excellent... Heavily sarcastic. The crowd chanted 'Meerko' again. The referee moved them back to the center of the ring. Mirko looked exhausted. Fedor landed a nice shot to Mirko's ear. Mirko tried for a triangle and Fedor hammerfisted viciously and pulled out into side control, tried for mount and Mirko retained guard. Fedor landed a nice right hand downwards. Fedor passed to half-guard and hammerfisted Mirko's ear before Mirko retained guard and controlled his arms some more. The referee stood them up a moment later. They clinched and Fedor landed a knee and got the takedown right back into guard. The crowd sounded slightly disappointed. Fedor landed some body shots and a hammerfist. Fedor tried a jumping pass but Mirko had none of that. Fedor landed some body shots. Mirko hammerfisted from the bottom and some more. The referee stood them up. They gave Mirko a yellow card. Fedor blocked a body kick. Mirko landed a body kick at the same time that Fedor landed an inside leg kick, taking Mirko off guard. Fedor landed a leg kick and they clinched. Fedor sort of pushed Mirko down, looked at him and went into full guard. Mirko hammerfisted rapidly to the back of Fedor's head for a moment. The third round ended fucking mercifully. Mirko looked exhausted. Fedor was the winner by unanimous decision and he retained his championship and the fighters briefly hugged. Mirko didn't look surprised.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - The fight was the semifinals for the Dream 2008 lightweight grand prix. Alvarez suffered an eye injury (cut and severe swelling under his right eye) in the bout and was pulled from the finals even though he won. He was replaced by Joachim Hansen who had been defeated two months earlier by Alvarez. Hansen won against Shinya Aoki and became champion.
The first round began. Alvarez came out with a smile, ready to go. Kawajiri landed an inside leg kick. Kawajiri landed a good body kick, another good inside leg kick and ate a good counter. Kawajiri landed a good inside leg kick. Alvarez came for the takedown, Kawajiri sprawled and looked for an early guillotine, landed a nice knee to the head and another a moment later. They stood into the clinch and Kawajiri landed a knee to the body. Alvarez landed a nice knee to the body mildly and another a moment later. Kawajiri landed another to the body and ate one himself and the referee broke them up. Kawajiri landed an inside leg kick and then another. Alvarez came in and missed a strike and landed a nice counter straight right. Alvarez landed a good right and a body shot and then a nice combination and came for the takedown against the ropes and Kawajiri was defending pretty well. Alvarez gave it up and they broke. He had a bit of swelling around his right eye now, I do believe. Kawajiri landed a nice inside leg kick. Alvarez landed a leg kick and another right after, same spot, nice. Alvarez landed another leg kick. Alvarez landed another leg kick, same spot every time. Kawajiri tried an inside leg kick but ate a counter. Alvarez landed a nice right hand and ate a counter left and ate a combination and dropped Kawajiri and pounced, turtled him up, pounded, they stood into the clinch after a bit and Alvarez was pounding away with body shots and knees. They broke. Alvarez landed a leg kick, ate an inside leg kick. Alvarez landed a leg kick. Kawajiri missed a high kick. Alvarez landed a leg kick. Kawajiri stumbled but stood into the clinch. The referee broke them. That was a nasty cut for Alvarez, it was under his right eye, pretty swollen. They continued. Kawajiri landed an inside leg kick. Kawajiri landed a big left and dropped Alvarez and went into full guard and pounded him. Alvarez recuperated, kept a close guard. Kawajiri passed to half-guard, landing some nice body shots and hammerfists. Kawajiri was looking for the crucifix. Nope, Alvarez grabbed full guard. Great fight. Kawajiri was looking to pass, he made it to side control and then jumped right to mount and the crowd cheered. Alvarez kept Kawajiri tight to him. Kawajiri landed some nice short shots even so. Alvarez rolled out and they stood into the clinch and broke. Alvarez landed a good combination and dropped Kawajiri, Kawajiri stood and ate another combination and backed off. They exchanged evenly, combinations in close, they clinched and exchanged a knee each. Great fight. Kawajiri landed a nice knee and another and another and another, nice knees. Alvarez landed an uppercut and another and another, Kawajiri's nose was bloody, Kawajiri was down, Alvarez thought it was over and walked away and then turned and pounced and dropped massive hammerfists repeatedly, Kawajiri gave up his back, Alvarez pounded in under for a moment and the referee stopped the fight. Damn, unreal.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Aaron Riley - The fight was for the vacant bodogFight welterweight title. Alvarez came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. Riley came out with some good jabs. Alvarez landed a nice inside leg kick. They clinched and Riley broke with a knee and ate a big right hand. They clinched once more and broke. Alvarez landed a massive counter right and dropped Riley, Riley stood and Alvarez was all over him with combinations. Riley was backed into the corner. Riley came for the takedown and Alvarez defended and shoved Riley down. Riley's nose was bloodied. Alvarez landed a massive combination, Riley was folding into the corner, the referee stopped the fight for the knockout victory for Alvarez. Riley's nose was bloody as all hell. The fighters hugged after.
Takanori Gomi vs. BJ Penn - The first round began and Penn came for the double leg attempt and he got it after a moment into half-guard. Gomi was doing a good job of controlling Penn however and they were just battling in a chess match now. Gomi was controlling Penn's arms. Gomi had like a half-guard butterfly going, it seemed. No, Penn had mount, then he took Gomi's back and began pounding in under. Very flexible. Penn got the hooks in. Gomi was struggling to shake Penn off now, but Penn was doing a good job of staying on top. Penn landed some more nice shots in under. The crowd chanted 'BJ'. Gomi was trying to stand. Penn had those hooks in though, and that's no joke man. There's a reason why people get excited when fighters get their hooks in. He locked in a body triangle now, figure-four. Oh Gomi did a nice job, he turned into Penn's guard. Gomi.. wasn't managing to do much in the way of ground and pound, however. Like at all. Penn nearly kicked him off but Gomi stayed on top and he was looking to pass. Penn worked a high guard. The referee was telling them to work. Penn stood and they broke. Penn came for the takedown and got it hard into.... mount really. Gomi rolled and once more gave up his back and Penn instantly had those hooks in, like the expert he is. Gomi was trying to stand again, trying to dump Penn off. Penn landed a pair of nice elbows to the body. The first round ended. In the corner, it looked like Gomi's nose was bloodied along with his mouth, probably from the pounding at the start of the round.
The second round began. Penn came in with a knee to the body and missed a high kick. Gomi landed a nice counter and another. Penn missed a massive overhand right. Gomi stuffed a takedown attempt. Gomi landed a right inside and then a jab and they clinched. Gomi broke with a nice knee to the body. Gomi landed another nice jab, landed another jab, showboated a bit. Penn landed a nice right hook and Gomi was hurt and he dropped on his ass and went down, they rolled and Gomi ended up on top in guard. Maybe he hadn't been hurt, maybe he had just wanted Penn to come in unawares so he could end up on top on the ground. Gomi landed some body shots. A lot more active a round than the first already. Gomi landed some nice hooks to the ear of Penn, four or five of them. Penn was looking to work a rubber guard briefly but stopped. Nice flexibility as usual by Penn. Gomi landed a trio of nice shots. Gomi was trying to posture up constantly. The referee paused the fight because Gomi had apparently asked him for a pause so that his mouthpiece could be cleaned off, apparently of blood. That's how you know it's a good fight, eh? Gomi was bleeding pretty heavily from his mouth and nose. They continued. Penn landed a nice jab. Gomi kept on showboating around. He was trying to lull Penn to be reckless. Penn landed some Takyama-Frye style punches in close, holding Gomi's head. Penn tried a takedown, Gomi stuffed it into the clinch and they broke. Penn came for the takedown, Gomi stuffed it, Penn broke with a knee that apparently hit the groin but Gomi continued without delay and they clinched and broke again just as quickly as usual. Penn landed a good jab to counter Gomi's own attempt. Gomi landed a jab and then a nice right hand. Penn came for the takedown and Gomi stuffed it into the clinch and tried a guillotine but Penn pulled out and they exchanged a nice knee each. They broke. Gomi landed a nice jab. Penn came for the takedown, Gomi stuffed it. They clinched. They battled for a takedown, Gomi got it into half-guard, but they stood quickly into the clinch and Penn broke with a right hand and then a body shot. Gomi was still showboating. They clinched. Penn was looking for a single-leg takedown. Gomi was defending it well, though. He got him down, more of Gomi pulling him down, the second round ended though. Gomi was still bleeding pretty bad, looked like he had just eaten a messy strawberry doughnut.
The third round began. Gomi looked to be the fresher fighter coming out. Penn started it off with a nice jab. They were circling, a bit more technical. They clinched and broke. Penn came for the takedown and got it after a moment into full guard, Gomi was trying for a guillotine, Penn pulled out into a sort of half-guard. Penn had his back again sort of. Penn hammerfisted lazily in under to Gomi's face. Penn was pretty relentless, just nearly continuously hammerfisting. He was really looking for that choke at the same time. Gomi was still bleeding heavily, little pools of blood under them. Penn kept on pounding in under. He had that body triangle in, too, he'd had it for a little bit I think. He locked in that choke, and Gomi tapped Penn's knee after a moment. It was over. Good fight. Is that Phil Baroni interviewing BJ? Hahaha it is! Holy god. He kissed Penn's forehead. Penn: "Hawaii has the best fighters in the world. Fuck. We grow up fighting. It's all we do."
David Loiseau vs. Jeremy Horn - The fight was for TKO.
The first round began. They circled around, sizing each other up, I would guess. They clinched after a bit and Horn landed a pair of knees and another. He got a nice throw takedown hard into side control, Loiseau tried to stand into the clinch and he made it. Horn grabbed a guillotine choke, pulled guard and Loiseau was standing and he tapped finally.
Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Hong Man Choi - The fight was in the semi-finals for the Dream Super Hulk grand prix.
The first round began. The size advantage was just utterly ridiculous. Minowa rolled, showboating and came up and circled far on the outside with Choi coming after him slowly. They continued to circle. Minowa ran away to avoid getting cornered and circled. He rolled again and tried to grab a kneebar but failed and stood and circled. A little showboating is fine, but seriously. Fight. Land at least one strike, one of you. Minowa ran again to avoid getting cornered. Minowa shot in sloppily and Choi sprawled easily and turned him over into full guard, he stood and Minowa almost ended up on top, they rolled and stood, staring each other down angrily. I think the showboating is over. Nope Minowa rolled for another armbar, Choi pulled away and stood and let Minowa up. Short little midget fucker. Choi was smiling. They were circling. Minowa was still showboating a bit. Choi seemed a bit frustrated and annoyed. Minowa came for the takedown, Choi sprawled and got on top, landed two big shots, stood, Minowa pulled guard and dragged him down. Choi landed a good shot and stood and backed off. Minowa laid on his back for a few moments and the referee stood him up. Minowa landed a good right hand somehow. Minowa came for the single-leg, Choi defended and they rolled, Minowa managed to get on op in side control though. Minowa landed a hammerfist, not much power behind it, a knee to the body and another and another and another, a few moments in between. Minowa landed some high body shots and another knee and another and another, some body shots. Another knee and another, and another. Another body shot and another and a knee to the body and another. Choi was offering up nothing. There's some hammerfists to the forehead from Choi. Another knee to the body and another and another, a hard one that last one man, another one. These were starting to take their toll. Another knee and another, a really hard one. The referee stood them up right after. They gave a yellow card to Choi. Minowa was circling, still fresh. He shot in, Choi sprawled and landed big shots from the top, hammerfists, he stood up and the referee stood Minowa up. Choi landed a headkick and hurt Minowa and Minowa shot in and Choi sprawled and landed hammerfists in under and they exchanged a hook each as they stood and seperated. They circled. Choi landed a good left hand. Minowa was backing up. He tried a takedown and Choi sprawled and pounded in under hard and again and landed a left hook as they stood. Minowa was hurt. They clinched and Choi got the takedown into a sort of half-guard and he landed two big hammerfists and kind of knelt there looking at Minowa. The referee yelled at Choi and broke them up. They continued. Choi landed another hard headkick and then a nice knee to the face. Minowa came for the takedown and Choi sprawled and pounded in under. The first round came to an end, however.
The second round began. Choi was smiling, Choi tried to touch gloves but Minowa did not want to touch gloves. He's a dick. They circled. Minowa came forward and landed a big right hand. I dunno how he does it. Minowa shot for the takedown, Choi sprawled and pounded in under. That's pretty much the story of the last few minutes of the fight. Minowa turned out and he got on top and postured up and he grabbed that knee and he was turning with his knee on Choi's chest. They were by the ropes though, nearly through. Choi tried to escape, Minowa had that knee now though and he torqued it and Choi grunted in pain and tapped the mat rapidly.
Mark Bocek vs. Joe Brammer - The fight was Brammer's UFC debut, and he was undefeated in his mixed martial arts career. Bocek had a five-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Brammer landed an inside leg kick early, Bocek checked a head kick, Brammer landed a leg kick. Bocek landed a jab and a right hook. Bocek checked a body kick. Bocek missed a Superman punch. Brammer landed a leg kick. Bocek came in with a big right hand and they clinched. Bocek landed a nice knee and they broke. Brammer landed a nice body kick. Bocek missed a big right hand. Bocek came for the takedown, Brammer defended for a moment, Bocek got him down, Brammer stood but Bocek had his back and landed a knee to the leg. Bocek slammed Brammer down and got a hook in and he got another hook. Bocek locked in that body triangle, figure-four. Bocek landed a few nice hammerfists. Bocek went back to just having hooks. Brammer was doing a good job of avoiding that choke. Brammer was trying to stand and he managed it but Bocek still had those hooks in and he was still looking for the choke. Bocek locked in the choke. Brammer tapped on Bocek's knee for his first defeat.
Melvin Manhoef vs. Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos - The fight was for the Cage Rage light heavyweight title, if I'm not mistaken.
The first round began. They came out slowly, staring each other down. They were just staring each other down. Santos landed an inside leg kick and another. Manhoef blocked a roundhouse kick towards the head. Santos landed another inside leg kick to the other leg. Manhoef landed a counter left hook and another and a big leg kick. Manhoef landed a big inside leg kick and another big leg kick, and a big left hook and another, he backed Santos against the fence and Manhoef landed another left hook in close and they clinched. They broke and Manhoef landed a big straight left. He was picking Santos apart now. Manhoef landed a leg kick, Santos missed a headkick. Manhoef came in with a left-right combination and a big leg kick, a big knee to the face and then a body shot and they clinched. Excellent fight so far. Better than the Houston-Kimbo garbage I'm witnessing at the moment, man. Okay wow in the pause the Kimbo-Houston just got better, holy god. Anways back to the fight. Good clinch by Manhoef, good control. They were pausing a bit. They broke and Manhoef landed a body shot and a counter combination, Santos landed a counter, missed aheadkcik, they exchanged in close with Santos landing more, Manhoef blocked a headkick and ate an inside leg kick, Manhoef landed a big combination and another. Santos landed an inside leg kick. Manhoef was starting to breathe heavily, as was Santos. Santos missed a spinning back kick. The pace had slowed and both were winded. Santos came for the single-leg takedown after ducking a big left hook from Manhoef. Fucking excellent slugfest so far. He got it into full guard almost immediately. He didn't have much time to capitalize. Manhoef was breathing out of his mouth. Santos landed some body shots. Manhoef was controlling Santos's arms nicely though. Santos dropped back for a leglock, turned it to a heelhook but the second round ended.
The second round began. They were sizing each other up. Santos landed an inside leg kick. Manhoef landed a body kick, caught by Santos but he let it go. Santos landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and Santos was looking for that takedown. They were taking a bit of a breather. Santos landed a nice knee to the body, looked a little low to me. Santos grabbed the MT plum, landed a knee, Manhoef broke with a pair of nice right hand. Manhoef missed a massive uppercut. Manhoef landed a big left-right combination, partly blocked some by Santos. Santos had his hands low on his hips, trying to suck Manhoef in. He was breathing heavily and swinging wild. Manhoef landed a big combination and a big right hand and another. Santos landed a counter jab. Santos landed a big combination of his own and grabbed the plum and landed a trio of knees, some dirty boxing, a big knee and some uppercuts and dirty boxing, another big knee and another. Another big knee to the chin and he broke. Santos landed a big left hook and another and they clinched and Santos landed a knee to the body and another and a hammerfist standing and the plum and another pair of knees to the chin and another. Manhoef stumbled back, he was rocked. Santos landed a combination, an uppercut and another combination, a kick to the chin without much on it. They were gassed both of them. Manhoef landed a combination and a big left hook and a right hook and a big combination. They stood there, gassed. Manhoef missed a massive head kick and Santos smiled. They were out on their feet running on fumes. Manhoef landed a massive combination and dropped Santos and it was all over. Santos didn't realize it was over, hammerfisting to Manhoef's chest. He staggered to his feet, he didn't realize.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Renzo Gracie - The first round began and they touched gloves. Gracie landed anice body kick. Sakuraba missed a leg kick. Gracie landed a combination and they clinched and Gracie landed a decent knee to the body and shoved him into the corner. Gracie tried a big elbow and Sakuraba got the takedown into guard. This was what Gracie wanted. Sakuraba stood and Gracie did as well. Gracie landed a good leg kick, and another, that one hurt, another one and these were hurting Sakuraba. Gracie landed another leg kick. Gracie came forward and ate a counter and dropped and Sakuraba stood over him. Sakuraba landed a leg kick and another and another and another. Another hard kick and another. Gracie finally stood. Sakuraba was already breathing with his mouth open, it looked. Gracie blocked a headkick. Gracie landed a big head kick and ate a nice counter right. Gracie came for the single-leg, Sakuraba defended and they broke. Sakuraba landed a body kick and another counter right. Sakuraba landed a nice leg kick and another. The crowd oohed with that one, it was hard. Sakuraba missed a knee to the face. They circled trying to size each other up with Sakuraba more aggressive. Sakuraba landed a combination and a leg kick, ate a nice inside leg kick from Gracie. Gracie wildly missed a combination. They clinched into the ropes and just sort of took a breather, didn't look for underhooks really or anything. Sakuraba was just chilling, as was Gracie, just sort of standing there hugging each other. Yep, hugging. Ah they're friends look at that. Yep wow break 'em. "I wouldn't be surprised if one of them stepped back and exploded with punches." I would. Ha. "It's the waiting game." Ha. Three minutes remained. That ref is a fucking retard. Yep. Just standing there. The referee finally broke them up. They touched gloves and continued. Gracie blocked that body kick partially. Gracie landed a good left hook and a really really nice inside leg kick, that hurt Saku. Gracie missed a hard head kick. Gracie landed a nice jab to the body. Sakuraba had his hands low, very strange. One minute remained. He landed a nice leg kick. Sakuraba was inviting Gracie to hit up. Sakuraba landed a nice body kick and a weak right hand over the top. Sakuraba landed an excellent leg kick. Gracie was breathing with his mouth wide open. Gracie came in with a missed combination. The first round ended and they clapped each other on the back.
The second round began. Gracie shot for a takedown, Sakuraba spun and shoved him down, landed a nice kick to the leg, faked the jumping guard pass, came down with a side kick to the knee and a punch and came back up and stood there. Sakuraba landed a kick. Sakuraba spun with a back kick to the leg. The commentators were delighted. Sakuraba landed another kick to the leg and another and after a moment another, a really hard one, to the thigh. He landed one to the thigh and they touched hands, another to the leg, he cartwheeled and almost passed but stood. Sakuraba faked the cartwheel again. He landed another kick to the leg and one to the uh buttocks. Gracie stood and landed a counter right out of a combination defensively as Sakuraba pursued him. Gracie lunged in for the takedown, Sakuraba defended and came on top. Gracie had those butterflies again. Sakuraba passed effortlessly into half-guard, Gracie put back in those butterflies. Sakuraba stood and went down almost immediately into full guard and Gracie controlled Sakuraba's head, he wasn't going to let Sakuraba stand up any longer. His legs must be injured. No wonder. A bit of a stalemate as in the first. Hmm, slowed now. The referee said action. Yep, Mexican standoff. Uh-huh. I would expect more offense than this from Gracie... any offense at all. Please. Sakuraba stood back up and he landed a kick to the leg. Sakuraba had hold of the ankle, spinning around, toying with Gracie psychologically. Gracie jumped up. Sakuraba landed a good leg kick and ate a counter right from Gracie. Gracie landed a leg kick, Gracie avoided a takedown, landed a good knee to the body and a right hand, Gracie blocked a headkick. Gracie came in, avoided a single-leg and Gracie broke with a knee to the body. They broke and circled. Sakuraba landed a weak left hand. Sakuraba shot in for the takedown, got the single-leg and he was spinning, Gracie almost went for a kneebar, Sakuraba was back in Gracie's guard, stacked Gracie. Gracie pushed Sakuraba off and Sakuraba stood. Gracie stood and took Sakuraba's standing back. Gracie was looking for a standing kimura. Gracie had Sakuraba's back on the ground now. One minute remained. He was not close to getting that kimura. Gracie had his standing back still. Sakuraba countered into side control and he had that kimura tight, grinning viciously. Finally the referee stopped the fight, yelling 'stop stop stop stop'. Oh man I think Gracie's arm is broken, holy shit it's broken badly. Technical submission. He broke his motherfucking arm badly, or dislocated it badly, his elbow maybe. They shook hands, Gracie was grinning as well in good spirits.
Randy Couture vs. Ricco Rodriguez - The fight was for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship -- vacated by Josh Barnett after defeating Couture, I believe -- and after the loss, Couture dropped down to light-heavyweight to fight Chuck Liddell for the first time for the interim LHW title.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Rodriguez landed a counter left, a good inside leg kick. Rodriguez missed a jumping knee and a spinning back kick. Couture tried for a clinch, he landed a good body kick after failing. Word was Rodriguez hates body shots. Rodriguez pumped out a jab. Rodriguez tried a front kick, Couture almost caught it. Couture landed a leg kick, dodged a big overhand right. Couture came after him hard and got the clinch. They switched around a bit, fighting for underhooks. Couture landed a good knee to the body. This was a grueling battle, the clinch. They broke. Rodriguez came for the takedown and he had it nearly, Couture was trying to walk up the wall with his back but Rodriguez was holding him down, nope Couture stood into the clinch and landed a knee to the body and a right hand inside. The crowd began chanting 'Randy' as usual. Rodriguez got the underhooks, landed a few shoulder strikes inside. Couture broke. Couture missed a knee to the face of his own, narrowly. Couture landed a nice jab. Rodriguez landed that jumping knee high to the body and they clinched. Couture got the nice trip takedown into side control and Rodriguez retained half-guard. Excellent takedown. They weren't doing much now though to be honest. Rodriguez rolled but Couture turtled him up and then they were sitting there now. Rodriguez got the beautiful reversal and put Couture against the fence sitting. They stood into the clinch and Couture got another throw takedown into side control and landed a few nice short shots at the bell as the first round ended.
The second round began. Rodriguez tried for a jumping knee to the body and Couture capitalized with an easy takedown into full guard and Rodriguez hugged him close defensively to nullify the known ground and pound of Couture. Couture landed a nice shoulder strike. It was sort of a stalemate here. Couture landed a good shot and another and ate one from Rodriguez. Couture landed an elbow and another. The referee told them to work, to pick up the pace. Couture landed another shoulder strike. Couture postured up and landed a big shot and passed to half-guard. Rodriguez wiped his nose, it appeared to be a bit bloody. Rodriguez backed up the cage into the clinch and Couture got the takedown again hard and Rodriguez cried out in pain, maybe a leg injury, maybe a groin injury as Couture came down, Couture came down with some big shots but Rodriguez defended, Couture was back in guard. Rodriguez seemed okay as he went back to his corner. It was most likely that all of Couture's weight had come down on Rodriguez's groin but no. Maybe the right knee getting bent awkwardly but not really damagingly on the way down.
The third round began. Couture smiled, as did Rodriguez. Couture landed a good jab. Couture tried a foot sweep but didn't get it. Rodriguez missed that flying knee barely, Couture got the single leg into full guard. Couture landed a nice shot. Rodriguez had some good defense though. Couture landed a few short forearms to the jaw, looking to pass and he made it to half-guard. Rodriguez appeared to be looking for a kimura and tried to use it to stand and he was turtled up with Couture on his side-back mounted. Rodriguez kept looking for that kimura. Couture landed a knee to the shoulder and another and some hammerfists in under and to the back of the head and they stood into the clinch and Couture kept hammerfisting to the back of that head and Rodriguez got the takedown and stood over him and ate more hammerfists, kicked him off, Rodriguez came back down to half-guard. Couture was looking for a neck crank from the bottom but he didn't get it, Rodriguez had been looking for something, too. They both stopped, Rodriguez landed some more short forearms. Rodriguez landed a few elbows. Rodriguez landed another pair of elbows. Rodriguez landed another elbow. Rodriguez rolled for an armbar or kneebar and Couture managed to get on top in full guard, Rodriguez briefly tried for a guillotine, Couture pulled his head out and the third round ended. Rodriguez's nose was pretty bloody, from those hammerfists perhaps. In the corner, Couture said 'shake my arms out!' Rodriguez had a tiny mouse under his right eye.
The fourth round began. They exchanged missed strikes. Rodriguez came for the takedown and got it across the cage into Couture's guard and postured up and went back down into guard. Rodriguez landed a few nice short shots. Rodriguez landed a few elbows and another. Rodriguez landed another nice elbow. Rodriguez landed a nice combination of shots. Couture grabbed the cage briefly. Rodriguez landed another elbow and another and another elbow and another, slowly getting harder. Oooh, a big elbow. Four big elbows. The crowd began chanting 'Ricco'. Rodriguez landed some more hard elbows, six or seven. One of Couture's arms were trapped. Rodriguez rolled out briefly to north-south, then Couture put him back in half-guard. Rodriguez landed a pair of elbows and then a pair of big shots, and a forearm slamming down. Rodriguez landed another trio of hard elbows, just dominating the round. Rodriguez pounded down with some hard elbows, some hard shots now, some elbows, an elbow to the body and another. Rodriguez passed to full mount and began brutally pounding away , and he tried for an armbar but Couture pulled out to Rodriguez's guard, right into a guillotine but Couture pulled out. Couture turtled Rodriguez up and pounded out. Rodriguez stood as Couture was crouched and went for a kick as Couture was downed but fortunately, Couture ducked it as the fourth round ended.
The fifth round began. Couture landed a good one-two-three combination and Rodriguez came for the takedown and got it into half-guard I believe. Couture retained guard. Rodriguez landed some body shots and then some more to the other side. Rodriguez landed a stiff forearm and then another pair of elbows. Couture was hugging him. Rodriguez landed another forearm and another and a pair of elbows and another hard elbow and another, to the forehead of Couture now. Couture landed a nice combination of shots and an elbow right to the eye of Couture and I believe Couture submitted, he tapped -- verbally? -- and Rodriguez walked away. Couture was holding the left side of his face and screaming in pain from a broken eyesocket. Tito Ortiz yelled repeatedly 'He tapped, yes buddy, yeah, Team Punishment world champion, get up god-damn it!' Couture looked extremely disappointed, on his knees. 'Wear the belt, wear it proud, baby.' Rodriguez was overcome with emotion as the decision was announced and the belt was placed around his waist.
Brendan Schaub vs. Roy Nelson - Schaub had a four-inch height advantage and a five-inch reach advantage, and he came in undefeated. The fight was to determine the heavyweight winner of the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter and was the official UFC debut of both men.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Schaub landed a nice jab. Nelson came for the takedown, Schaub defended and broke and landed a nice combination and another and they clinched and Nelson was looking for that takedown and he got it into half-guard. Nelson passed to side control, briefly looking for a kimura. He was looking for that crucifix position as usual. Schaub got to his feet. Schaub landed a nice right hand and a nice combination. Schaub landed another nice right hand. Nelson landed a nice right hand. Schaub landed a nice jab. Nelson landed a big right hand. They circled. Schaub landed a body shot or two, jabs really. Nelson landed a right hand and they clinched and broke. Schaub landed a nice jab. Nelson landed a big right hand and dropped Schaub out cold and landed a hammerfist for the knockout victory. He was the Ultimate Fighter, and he was the first to defeat Schaub. Nelson hopped atop the cage and rubbed his belly. In the crowd Forrest Griffin applauded.
David Loiseau vs. Gideon Ray - Gideon Ray had took the fight on less than a week's notice, about four days to be honest. The fight was his UFC debut.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Ray blocked a headkick. Loiseau landed a body kick, Ray blocked another headkick, landed some knees to the body and broke. Ray landed a leg kick. Ray blocked aheadkick. They clinched. Ray landed a knee to the leg and another and another. Loiseau landed a massive knee to the chin and dropped Ray and pounced with big shots from the top, Ray struggled to control him and finally managed to. Loiseau landed a big elbow and another and another, nice short elbows landing well. Loiseau postured up and came down into half-guard and pinned that arm with his knee and landed a good elbow, took Ray's back and got his hooks in. He looked for that choke and he had it. Ray was gritting his teeth, looked like he was thinking about tapping, had his hand up, rolled and let Loiseau have mount. Loiseau landed a pair of big elbows. Ray was hugging him. Ray was trying to buck him off but he was unsuccessful. He finally managed to stand into the clinch, shoved Loiseau down against the fence and got on top in half-guard. They stood into the clinch with Ray landing a knee to the nose on the way up and they broke. Loiseau missed a body kick. Ray seemed a bit tired, swinging for the fences. Ray landed a good combination to the body. Loiseau grabbed the plum, landed two big knees to the jaw and dropped Ray and landed two big elbows and another and another and another and another and another and the referee stopped the fight. The top of Ray's head had a big gash in it. That was nasty.
Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander - The fight was Kimbo's UFC debut. According to most critics, it wasn't supposed to even make it out of the first minute without one of the fighters laying unconscious on the canvas. The referee was Josh Rosenthal.
The first round began. Alexander circled one way and then the other back and forth. He was using his footwork and circling. Kimbo just followed him around, dodged an inside leg kick. Alexander kept right on circling. And circling. Rogan was getting restless. Alexander circling. Yep. Alexander missed another inside leg kick. Alexander landed that inside leg kick, and a moment later another and he missed another and kept on circling. Kimbo just kept following him around. Boos came extremely heavily. Alexander landed a nice inside leg kick and another. Kimbo following him. They clinched. Alexander missed a knee and they broke with missed combinations. The crowd chanted 'Kimbo'. Alexander landed an inside leg kick and another. Alexander showed good head movement and avoided a combination from Kimbo. 'Throw an elbow when he comes in,' Kimbo's corner yelled. Alexander landed another inside leg kick and another a moment later. Alexander landed yet another inside leg kick and a moment later another and another a moment later. Alexander landed another inside leg kick. Kimbo was just waiting to land a big counter. Boos came heavily. They circled. The first round ended.
The second round began. Alexander circled away, what a faggot. Just circling around like ring around the rosie. Circling around. Kimbo was getting frustrated visibly. Alexander landed an inside leg kick and an outside leg kick and an inside leg kick, Alexander dodged a big right. Boos came now. Alexander landed another inside leg kick. Rogan called Alexander boring. Alexander circling again, inside leg kick and another one. Circling. Kimbo landed a really nice jab. Alexander with an inside leg kick, and they clinched and Kimbo got the takedown right into mount. Alexander escaped to the feet and broke and ate a big right hand on the way out and landed a pair of inside leg kicks and dropped accidentally on a slip and Kimbo pounced into the clinch and landed a big body shot and began looking for the takedown. Kimbo slammed Alexander down hard in the Kimboplex and Alexander tried to stand but Kimbo turtled him up and briefly looked for a guillotine but Alexander pulled out and stood into the clinch. Alexander tried to pull Kimbo down but Kimbo countered into mount and landed a big shot and another. Alexander rolled and gave up his back and Kimbo got his hooks in. Kimbo landed a nice shot in under and he got his hooks in again and he was looking for the rear-naked choke. Alexander's nose was bloodied up a bit. Kimbo turned into the mount. Kimbo landed an elbow and another. Alexander gave up his back again. Alexander managed to stand. Alexander landed an inside leg kick and another. They clinched and Kimbo landed an uppercut inside and Alexander counterd a takedown into mount.
The third round began. Alexander had a mouse under his left eye as they circled. Alexander landed an inside leg kick. They exchanged missed combinations, Alexander landed a jab, they clinched but broke. Alexander landed a big jab. Alexander had some nice head movement but he was very tired, he landed a nice inside leg kick. Kimbo touched his nose with his glove and showed the blood on it to Alexander as if to say 'Come on'. Alexander landed an inside leg kick. Kimbo landed a counter straight left and ate a pretty nice straight right from Alexander but there wasn't full power behind that shot. Alexander landed a nice jab and Kimbo nodded. Alexander landed an inside leg kick and dodged a combination. Alexander landed a leg kick and dropped Kimbo and pounded in under and Kimbo stood and grabbed the single-leg and Alexander defended for a moment but Kimbo dumped him down into half-guard. Alexander's corner screamed hoarsely for the lockdown. The crowd chanted 'Kimbo'. Alexander landed some body shots. Kimbo landed a massive pair of body shots. The referee stood them up. Kimbo took some deep breaths. Alexander landed a leg kick and tried another and Kimbo checked it. Alexander landed an inside leg kick. Kimbo checked another inside leg kick and checked another leg kick. They were tired. Alexander landed a weak inside leg kick. The crowd sounded restless. Kimbo came in with a combination into the clinch and Alexander broke with a big elbow and a right hand. The third round ended and both men put their hands onto their knees and then hugged full-heartedly. Kimbo was the winner by unanimous decision. They hugged again but Alexander was very disappointed.
Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones - Jones came into the fight undefeated. He had an eight-and-a-half inch reach advantage and a three-inch height advantage.
The first round began. Hamill landed a leg kick and another. Jones missed a teep to the face narrowly. Hamill landed a leg kick. Hamill landed a leg kick. Hamill blocked a headkick. Jones landed an inside leg kick and dodged another inside leg kick. Jones landed a spinning back kick to the knee. Jones landed a nice right hand, and a very very nice body kick that hurt Hamill's ribs. Hamill missed a spinning back fist. Hamill landed an inside leg kick and ate another leg kick. Hamill came for the single leg kick, Jones spun and avoided and they broke. Hamill landed a jab. Jones narrowly missed that spinning back elbow. Hamill landed a leg kick. Jones landed a leg kick, Hamill checked a headkick, Jones landed a knee to the body and got that throw takedown to side cotnrol and dislocated Hamill's shoulder and pounded and began pounding away viciously with big punches and massive elbows, massive elbows, massive elbows over and over, big elbows, over and over and over and over, oh man. Another and another and another, Hamill's nose was bloodied, possibly broken badly. Punches coming down. Three more elbows. Another elbow to the forehead and more and more, just over. Two illegal elbows and another and another. The referee stopped the fight and it was over. Hamill just laid there as a point was taken. Blood was slowly running into his eyes. Hamill could not continue. Hamill had been defeated. Hamill's nose was smashed badly. Jones was very satisfied. Jones was now 10-0. They announced the disqualification and Jones looked comically shocked and the win was for Hamill and Jones had been 'defeated' for the first time ever. Oh man that sucks ass. Jones was utterly shocked and disbelieving but humble. He said that everything happens for a reason.
Chris Leben vs. Anderson Silva - The fight was Silva's UFC debut. The fight was Leben's first UFC defeat, he was on a six-fight win streak and a five-fight UFC streak. The height was the same and Silva had a two-and-a-half inch reach advantage. It was a main event.
The first round began. Silva landed a jab and another and threw Leben aside. Silva landed a counter combination and another and then a headkick and dropped Leben with another counter combination and pounced with shots, Leben stood and ate another combination and then a big knee and dropped and it was all over. Josh Koscheck cheered and danced.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - The fight was the quarterfinal for the Pride 2006 Openweight grand prix. Silva went on to get knocked out by Mirko later in the year. Silva was a replacement for Fedor Emelianenko.
The first round began and they circled, Silva was moving well and keeping out of range, moving side to side. Fujita landed an inside leg kick. Silva grazed Fujita's forehead with a headkick and stumbled off balance backwards and Fujita tried to take advantage. Fujita came in with a knee but ate a counter and stumbled across the cage while eating a one-two-three combination and ate a trio of hard knees from Silva and began trying for a single-leg but Silva was defending. Fujita got that takedown into side control but Silva's head was through the ropes. The referee moved it to the center in the same position. They were scrambling around, Fujita nearly made it to full guard but Silva locked in a triangle, no he didn't have it in, no he switched to an armbar, Fujita was trying to power it out but Silva had that armbar in and that was tight. Fujita finally pulled out and the crowd oohed. The crowd chanted Fujita's name. Fujita landed some body shots. Silva tried another armbar and Fujita passed to side control and was about to try some knees but Silva used his hips and regained full guard quickly. Nice ground fighting by Silva. Fujita did some crossfacing there, that would suck, the forearm across the throat or chin. The pace had slowed a bit, the referee was calling for action. Fujita landed some more body shots and a nice hammerfist and another and another, they didn't land cleanly but still. Fujita landed another pair of hammerfists. The referee stood them up. The referee gave them each a yellow card, and ten percent of their purses was deducted thus, used to light a proverbial fire under them to fight harder. Fujita landed a nice body shot as Silva landed a nice right. Fujita landed a nice leg kick. Silva landed a great counter right hand after ducking a big left. Silva missed a headkick. Fujita narrowly missed a hard spinning back fist in close. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Silva landed a body kick and an inside leg kick. Silva landed a leg kick and came forward with a combination and another and Fujita landed a nice counter, but Silva had gotten the better of that quick exchange. Silva landed a hard leg kick and Fujita retaliated with an inside leg kick. Silva landed a leg kick and Fujita replied with one. Silva landed a nice jab and a leg kick. Ninety seconds remained. Silva landed a leg kick. Silva landed another nice leg kick. Fujita's leg was starting to get a bit bruised. Silva landed a big right hand and a big right-left-right and dropped Fujita and hammerfisted and stood and let him up but Fujita was rocked and Fujita was in close and he ate another combination and Fujita was turtled up and he ate five or six socker kicks and he was just laying against the ropes eating shots in under and another soccer kick and the referee stopped the fight and Silva celebrated happily. 'Ironhead' Fujita had been knocked out for the first time in his life.
Ron Waterman vs. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic - The first round began. This was a main event apparently, wow. Waterman came for the takedown after a moment and he was really looking for that takedown and he got it after a moment into full guard. Waterman attempted that can opener and leaned on Mirko's throat. Mirko got a nice hip escape and they stood. Waterman already looked gassed. O.o Waterman narrowly dodged a headkick and ate a combination and dropped and ate some punches in under and a pair of soccer kicks and Mirko stumbled and fell and then stood and landed another hard soccer kick and the referee stopped the fight.
Tito Ortiz vs. Randy Couture - The fight was to unify the interim and official light-heavyweight championships, with Ortiz the official champion and Couture the interim. If successful, this would have been Ortiz's sixth title defense. Michael Clarke Duncan was in attendance. He had predicted Ortiz by steamrolling TKO I believe.
The first round began. Ortiz landed an inside leg kick and they clinched and Ortiz briefly had double underhooks but Couture shook him off but they were still clinched. Ortiz was really looking for that takedown, really looking for it, trying single-leg and double-leg, mainly single-leg. He had Couture crouched against the cage. Both men wanted to get the other on his back. The crowd mainly chanted 'Randy'. They weren't doing much besides Ortiz trying to take Couture down and Couture defending well. Couture landed a nice knee. Ortiz landed a big knee to the body. Now Couture was pushing Ortiz against the cage. Ortiz landed another knee to the body. Ortiz had never been taken down in his UFC career. Couture appeared to really be looking for the same foot sweep takedown he had used against Chuck Liddell in their first fight in which he had won that interim championship. The referee told them to work. Couture landed a knee and ate one and then ate another and another, landed one to the thigh now. Couture got that sweep right into taking Ortiz's back and he had one hook in and he briefly had that choke in. Ortiz was rolling wildly and he managed to stand into the clinch and he was trying hard, he had Couture on his ass, almost on his back. Couture stood into the clinch though. They exchanged a knee to the leg each and Couture landed another, Ortiz landed a body. The crowd chanted 'Tito'. They broke with exchanging missed strikes. Ortiz landed a jab to the chin in close and they clinched. Ortiz landed a nice knee to the body. Couture got another foot sweep into side control nicely and landed a knee to the body and another. Couture landed another knee to the body. Ortiz was looking for a sweep and he got Couture into half-guard. The referee told them to work. Ortiz was trying to roll his knees but the first round ended.
The second round began. Couture blocked a headkick and came for the clinch and missed a foot sweep and got the double underhooks and then got that trip into full guard and landed some good shots. Ortiz appeared tired. Couture landed a good quick pair of elbows. Couture landed another elbow and another and a punch. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture landed an elbow and another one. The crowd was oohing with every one, shades of Pride. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture landed a good shot and another and a big forearm. Couture passed to half-guard. Couture landed another couple of short but hard elbows. There were some scattered chants of 'Tito' from the crowd. They weren't doing much. Couture was looking to pass, he nearly mounted, Ortiz was tryin to sit up against the fence. Ortiz landed some body shots. Couture landed a good shot inside. He shoved Ortiz down and he was in full guard. Ortiz was wall-walking and rotating his hips and looking for an armbar. Couture was having none of that. Couture passed to half-guard and landed two big elbows. Ortiz nearly stood. Couture landed another nice pair of elbows and the second round ended and as they stood, Ortiz said something angrily. They headed back to their corner. Couture didn't seem to be overly bothered. Couture seemed to be the fresher of the two fighters for sure, he didn't appear even winded.
The third round began. Ortiz looked nervous and Couture looked focused. Ortiz landed a right hand. Couture landed a weak leg kick. They clinched. Couture was looking for that single-leg takedown and he got Ortiz down yet again, sitting by the fence. Ortiz was turtled up with Couture in side back mount, hammerfisting in under, oh wait he had him in the crucifix now, so fast and he could not defend himself. Couture was calm and collected, hammerfisting in under. His arm was trapped, and so was the other, held by Couture's other arm. Ortiz managed to escape but he was turtled up and Ortiz was hugging Couture's leg and eating punches in under and an elbow. Ortiz got Couture down and he was sprawling out to avoid Couture getting up, he landed a nice knee to the body, Couture got a nice turn-around and shoved Ortiz down into full guard. Couture was just relentlessly coming after Ortiz. Couture landed a trio of hammerfists. Couture landed some good punches, Ortiz defended a lot of them but some got through, Couture landed a good elbow. Couture landed another elbow. One minute left. Couture landed some more short shots, an elbow, a body shot, and he passed to half-guard and he was even looking to pass that. Ortiz looked exhausted. Couture passed to side control and then mount, Ortiz almost swept him and put Couture back in side control at least. Couture landed a shot and another and another punch and the third round ended. Ortiz did not look happy on his way back to the corner.
The fourth round began. Couture looked very much so fresher coming in. Couture landed a nice right hand and got the takedown, putting Ortiz on his ass against the fence with catlike speed as Goldberg noted. Ortiz was trying to stand, Couture dumped him back down and passed to half-guard. Ortiz looked very frustrated. Ortiz was getting a taste of his own medicine. The crowd chanted 'Randy' rousingly. Couture landed a good elbow. Couture landed a good punch and another elbow and another. Couture passed to side control, Ortiz gave up his side back mount. Couture landed a vicious knee to the body, drew it back. Couture now fully had Ortiz's back, he had a hook in. Couture rolled him over and mounted and he was pounding away and Ortiz was trying to cover up. Couture landed a good elbow and he was pounding away still and Ortiz was struggling to cover up. Couture was just pounding away, most were blocked but some were getting through. Couture landed a nice trio of punches. Ortiz finally managed to hug Couture. Couture seemed to be taking a breather. Ortiz was trying to wall walk and he got it but Couture turtled him up and landed some nice shots in under, some really nice shots. Couture was basically in side control now. Couture was just shoving Ortiz against the fence. Four big elbows to the right eye of Ortiz, some big punches in under, another nice elbow to the nose. Woah, was Ortiz cut? Couture landed a nice elbow. The pace had slowed a bit. Couture landed a really nice elbow. The fourth round ended and Ortiz shoved Couture off and walked back to his corner shaking his head in disgust and frustration at himself. Colin Oyama was telling Ortiz that he had to 'choke him out'.
The fifth round began. Couture ducked a right hand and they clinched. Ortiz broke and ate a right hand and they clinched. Ortiz landed a knee to the body. Couture replied. Ortiz looked extremely frustrated. Couture landed another knee to the body and then the thigh. The crowd chanted 'Randy' rousingly. Couture landed a knee to the thigh and Ortiz landed one to the body, and Couture to the thigh. Couture was looking for a single-leg, Ortiz held the fence, he was warned and let go and Couture got the takedown and he was on top in half-guard and he was pounding in under with nice hammerfists. Ortiz's corner was yelling hoarsely. Couture landed a trio of short elbows. Couture landed a nice body shot. Couture was looking to pass. Ortiz was trying to stand and he made it but Couture had his standing back and he suplexed Ortiz down and had his back there. No side back mount there. Ortiz put him in half-guard. Couture landed some body shots. Ortiz gave up his side back mount again after about a minute. Ortiz rolled for a kneebar and Couture stood and he was just patting Ortiz's ass. He punched his ass. Ortiz's corner yelled 'he's tapping'. Couture punched his ass and again. Thirteen seconds. Three ass punches, four hammerfists backward and Couture rolled on top in half-guard and the fifth round ended and Couture roared. Ortiz yelled in frustration and threw his mouthpiece on the ground. Dan Henderson was among the ones congratulating Couture on his new title. Ortiz was still screaming in frustration. He came over and hugged Couture though. Couture was saying something to him. Ortiz said something back, Couture replied. Couture was indeed the winner by unanimous decision. Ortiz was crying. His corner told him 'Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose'. 50-44, 50-44, 50-45. Couture was the undisputed champion and Ortiz looked extremely upset. They hugged again. Ortiz put the belt on Couture.
Tim Sylvia vs. Ray Mercer - The first round began. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Mercer landed a massive right hand and dropped Sylvia and tried to crawl on top but the referee stopped it. That is hilarious.
Diego Sanchez vs. Jorge Santiago - The fight was for the King of the Cage welterweight championship, and it was three rounds. It was also Sanchez's last fight before winning the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in the middleweight division. The referee was Cecil Peoples ironically.
The first round began and they circled for a bit and clinched and exchanged a knee each to the body. And again. Sanchez was really looking for that takedown. They broke with Santiago throwing Sanchez off. Sanchez missed an uppercut and came for the takedown and pulled Santiago's legs out from under him by the cage into full guard. Santiago had good arm control and Sanchez could not land much punishment. Sanchez landed a nice forearm strike after a moment. Sanchez stood over Santiago dodging upkicks and came down into guard. Santiago almost grabbed a triangle, Sanchez backed out and came back into guard with another big right, avoided an armbar and landed a nice forearm. Sanchez landed another nice forearm. Sanchez was constantly keeping busy and not giving Santiago a chance to do anything. Sanchez landed a few more short forearms and a pretty nice hammerfist. Sanchez postured up with two big shots. He landed a nice body shot and another big shot. Santiago grabbed a triangle and reversed on top nearly into mount and then nearly had his back, they stood and Santiago landed a knee to the face on the way up and they clinched. Sanchez looked for the single-leg and Santiago shoved him aside, they kept clinched though. Both fighters were showing good movement inside, good wrestling offensively and defensively. Sanchez landed a good knee to the body. They broke but clinched again. Sanchez landed a good knee and dodged one from Santiago and they broke. Sanchez landed a good overhand right and Santiago either dropped or slipped but Sanchez went down into full guard. The first round ended. Sanchez didn't seem tired or gassed at all, he just calmly sipped some water in his corner.
The second round began. Santiago landed an inside leg kick and another. Santiago landed another inside leg kick. Sanchez missed a combination and they clinched and Sanchez landed a nice knee to the body. Santiago got a nice judo throw into side control, Sanchez retained guard. Santiago landed a nice one-two downwards. Sanchez landed a nice elbow from the bottom and worked a rubber guard very briefly. Sanchez landed another elbow from the bottom. Sanchez was blocking most of the shots from Santiago. The referee told them to work. Sanchez gripped a triangle but Santiago pulled out. Santiago landed a big shot or two. The referee was looking at them very closely, they weren't doing much. Sanchez landed a few shots to the side of the head from the bottom and again nicely. Santiago landed a few body shots. Sanchez landed some from the bottom to the side of the head. The referee stood them up. Sanchez landed a good left hand. Santiago landed a headkick and Sanchez got the takedown regardless into half-guard. Forty seconds later, the referee was already warning them that he might stand them up again. Fuckin' Cecil. Sanchez trapped the left arm briefly and landed some big shots and then a moment later a big right hand right on the jaw and another one and another, all three right to the jaw. The arm was free. Santiago retained full guard from the bottom. Santiago blocked some more big shots. Sanchez landed another big shot and a moment later a big pair of forearm shots and the second round ended.
The third round began. Santiago landed an inside leg kick, Sanchez blocked a headkick. Sanchez narrowly missed a big right hand, they clinched and Sanchez got a nice slam takedown into full guard. Sanchez landed a nice forearm strike. Santiago's corner needs to shut the fuck up, fucking Brazilians, sound like donkeys fucking, or ducks fucking. Sanchez landed a short forearm shot and a body shot. Sanchez landed a nice hammerfist. The referee was watching them closely. Sanchez passed to half-guard but the referee immediately stood them up as Sanchez landed a short elbow strike. Sanchez argued but unfortunately it wasn't up to him. Sanchez missed a side kick barely. Santiago landed a mean right hand and another and Sanchez got the takedown again, Santiago didn't seem to have the gas in his tank to defend them. Sanchez postured up and landed big right hands, eight or nine of them. Another big one and another and another. Some big lefts, four or five. He passed to half-guard. Santiago was getting beat up. Sanchez passed to side control and just pounded away with seven or eight left hands, Santiago was blocking them mainly now. Santiago was offering up no offense however, trapped against the cage, his right arm was trapped. Sanchez mounted and continued whaling away. Sanchez landed a massive right hand right to the jaw. Santiago was trying to roll but he was still eating big punches repeatedly. He was offering up no offense or escapes at all. Sanchez went for an armbar from mount and damn that was tough. Santiago was on top in guard, Sanchez tried a tight triangle but the third round ended. The two men shook hands and Sanchez flexed his muscles arrogantly. Sanchez was the winner by unanimous decision and the King of the Cage welterweight champion. Unfortunately right after that, he went to the UFC.
Gray Maynard vs. Jim Miller - The first round began, Miller extended his glove but Maynard refused as usual. Miller coming forward, Maynard backing up. Maynard trying to pump that jab out. 'Move that head, Jimmy!' Miller's corner yelled. Miller landed a leg kick and they clinched. Miller landed a nice knee to the body. Maynard landed a nice knee to the body. They broke. Maynard was showing nice head movement, ducking underneath nicely and looking for some counter punching. Maynard landed a big straight right followed by a nice little body shot, set it up nicely, straight down the pipe. Miller landed an excellent body kick, slowed Maynard down for a moment. Miller came for a single-leg, ate some hard hammerfist uppercuts viciously from Maynard in under but he kept looking for it. More hammerfists in under, eating some big shots. Beautiful takedown defense shown by Maynard, they finally just clinched. Miller was bleeding badly from his nose. Maynard landed a few nice knees to the body. Miller kept on looking for that single-leg. More nice uppercuts in under. They went back to the regular clinch. They broke. Miller's nose was just pouring blood, possibly broken. His eye was swollen as well. Miller landed a nice body kick. Miller was breathing out of his mouth, wide open. They were circling and exchanging missed strikes. Maynard's corner kept yelling for him to put his hands up. Maynard landed a nice counter right hand. Miller came in for a Superman punch and ate a big counter right and the first round ended. Miller was breathing hard in the corner. His corner told him to 'stay on the outside'.
The second round began. Maynard was still hanging back but occasionally attacking, mainly circling with good foot movement and head movement and keeping Miller chasing him. They kept right on circling about. The crowd was getting restless. Miller landed a nice leg kick and Maynard landed a nice counter right hand. Miller landed a really nice inside leg kick but to the groin, but Maynard kept on going. Miller missed a headkick. Maynard landed a really nice one-two-three hard to the body. Miller landed another hard inside leg kick to the groin, Maynard said it was low and Miragliotta warned him. Maynard blocked a headkick. Miller's nose was really bleeding. Maynard landed an excellent thudding combination, including a body shot. Miller landed a leg kick, Maynard touched his cup saying that was low too. I call bullshit, personally. Miller's face was busted up. Miller shot for the takedown, Maynard sprawled, Miller tucked his head in this time, Miller tried to pull guard but Maynard stood. Miller's nose was even bloodier now. Maynard looked a bit more aggressive now, coming after Miller a bit more. Miller landed an inside leg kick and a leg kick. Maynard landed a nice combination, Miller's face was a mess, especially under his left eye. Maynard landed a big right hand. Miller missed a Superman punch. Maynard landed a right hand. His face looked horrible. The second round ended. Miller's cornermen summed up the desperation with 'You've got five fucking minutes.'
The third round began. They came out and circled some more. They kept right on circling. Maynard landed a nice combination. Boos came a bit. They circled. Maynard landed a nice straight right. Miller landed a good body kick. His corner screamed 'again'. Miller missed a Superman punch. Miller came for the takedown hard and Maynard defended and broke with a knee to the body. Maynard came for the takedown and slammed Miller down. Miller was rolling for a leg. He had that. Maynard escaped out the back door and they circled once more. Miller came for the takedown, trying that single-leg and hugging the leg, Maynard landed some hammerfists in under. Miller was straining to get that takedown, grunting loudly. He was trying to pull guard. Maynard broke away but hugged Miller again, turtling him up and bullying him. Maynard kept on sprawling out. Miller tried to pull guard. Maynard landed a big shot and another and another. Another big shot, and a body shot. Maynard stood finally and let Miller up. Maynard blocked a head kick. The third round ended. Maynard was the winner by unanimous decision and Maynard remained undefeated.
Maurice Smith vs. Renato Sobral - The fight was Sobral's UFC debut, at heavyweight.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Smith landed an inside leg kick. They were just kind of circling. Smith landed a leg kick, Sobral caught it and landed a big right hand and got the takedown to half-guard. This was Sobral's domain far more than it was Smith's. Hmm they weren't doing too much down there, though. The referee told them to keep working, or maybe START working. Sobral was looking to isolate an arm for a kimura. Damn, Sobral looks young. Sobral looked for that kimura again but he was never close to even setting it up. Smith's corner kept yelling instructions to him for him to defend. Not much was going on. Sobral locked in that kimura now, very briefly but Smith pulled away from it. Sobral locked in that kimura again, very briefly before Smith pulled out. Sobral landed a good elbow. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled out. Sobral landed a body shot, they clinched and Sobral got a trip takedown into full guard. Sobral was dominating the former heavyweight champion. Nothing much was happening, Sobral looking to pass. Smith defending well at least for a kickboxer. I guess they can't be stood up at this point in UFC history. Smith covered Sobral's mouth with his glove a lot. Sobral stood and let him up. The crowd cheered. Smith landed a leg kick, Sobral caught it, landed a right and got the takedown into full guard. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Sobral landed a nice left hand. Smith landed a good leg kick. Sobral landed an inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Sobral shot for the takedown, Smith sprawled briefly, Sobral got him down into full guard with that single-leg. Yep. Not much happening. Sobral postured up as the third round ended. Sobral had the win by decision. Smith looked very frustrated. They hugged though.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz - The first round began and they touched gloves. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. He looked angry. Cruz came for the takedown, Arlovski sprawled and Cruz pulled guard, half-guard actually and held Arlovski. Arlovski sprawled out again and they stood into the clinch. Cruz came for that single-leg. He was really trying for it. He wasn't going to get it though. Arlovski landed some shots in under, hammerfists. Cruz kept on looking for that single leg. He kept looking for it. Yep still. He pulled guard and rolled for a heelhook and Arlovski was trying for an anklelock of his own. He let it go and he was trying to stand out of it. Arlovski landed a kick to the shoulder and the referee was telling them to stop. It was to the shoulder though. The referee warned Arlovski. The fight continued, Arlovski landed a big right hand and Cruz was hurt, he was hugging the leg, Arlovski kept pounding in under, I think Cruz was out, yeah the referee stopped the fight.
Nick Diaz vs. Koji Oishi - Ironically, right after Oishi defeated Nate Diaz in Pancrase, by unanimous decision.
The first round began. Oishi looked calm with his hands low. He threw a missed combination. They exchanged with only Diaz landing a counter combination. Oishi had his hands wide open. Diaz grabbed the plum and landed a knee and an uppercut and they broke. Diaz landed a side kick to the body and they clinched. Diaz landed a knee to the body and another and they broke. Diaz landed a good right hook. Diaz landed anotehr left hook and a right hook and another left and a combination that dropped Oishi unconscious. The fighters hugged afterward.
Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler - The first round began. Diaz came out with a missed hopping side kick. Diaz had a strange stance. Diaz had his hands low, taunting Lawler with his chin out. Lawler was backing up. Diaz landed a big right hook that stunned Lawler and put him on his knees but he hopped back up and landed a good left hook. Lawler landed a good jab and a combination that rocked Diaz but Diaz kept his cool and stood there. They clinched and Diaz broke with a nice knee. Diaz kept taunting Lawler. They clinched but broke. Diaz slapped him open-handedly and landed a combination and rocked Lawler and avoided the angry Lawler's combination. Mazzagatti warned Diaz for talking. Lawler was pissed. Diaz came for the takedown and they clinched and Diaz landed a couple of good knees, a nice shoulder shot inside, another nice knee to the body and another shoulder shot. Lawler landed a nice knee of his own after a bit. They broke. Diaz was toying with Lawler, taunting him. Lawler was getting frustrated. Lawler landed a combination and a jumping knee, Diaz ran away and backed off and then came back forward. Diaz still taunted him. Diaz landed a big right hook. Diaz's nose was bleeding now. Diaz landed a nice combination, a straight right, Lawler landed a counter combination, missed an uppercut, landed a nice jab. Lawler blocked a headkick and dodged a karate kick, ate a nice leg kick and the first round ended. Lawler landed a body shot combination right after the bell and Diaz complained.
The second round began. Diaz came right out. He landed an inside leg kick, Lawler touched his groin. Lawler landed a nice counter combination and another nice combination landing at least a straight right. Diaz landed an inside leg kick. Lawler landed a nice body shot. Diaz landed an inside leg kick. Lawler landed a big straight right. Diaz landed a massive counter right hook that dropped Lawler hard for the knockout. Lawler protested it and Diaz lunged at him and Lawler staggered backwards in fear. It was over. They hugged after a moment.
Brian Gassaway vs. Diego Sanchez - The first round began and they circled. Gassaway looked shredded as Rogan noted. They clinched and Sanchez tried for that takedown and Gassaway defended nicely. They broke. Sanchez came for the takedown again and this time he got it and they were rolling and scrambling. Sanchez grabbed a guillotine and he was trying to pull guard. Gassaway fought it. Sanchez ended up on top in a sort of side control and he had Gassaway's arm trapped and they rolled and Sanchez was briefly mounted and then he had side control again and that arm trapped once more. Nice scrambles. Sanchez landed a nice elbow. Sanchez was looking for the mount again but Gassaway was defending nicely. Sanchez landed an elbow and another and another, nothing too devastating though. Sanchez mounted and pounded, but then he had Gassaway's back and he had both hooks in, back to mount. Sanchez landed a few more shots, had his back again and back to mount. Sanchez landed some more good shots, an elbow, more nice shots, Gassaway was taking unanswered bombs and trying to spin out, an elbow. Gassaway spun out and turtled Sanchez up, they stood into the clinch, Sanchez was looking for the takedown again. Gassaway was defending nicely though, maybe looking for a standing guillotine, Sanchez got Gassaway down again and he had side control, he was looking for a kimura, used it to get to mount, Gassaway was wall-walking and Sanchez transitioned to an armbar but Gassaway pulled out on top and survived and the first round came to an end. Gassaway was breathing hard.
The second round began. They came out a bit more slowly. He looked a bit tired, Gassaway did I mean. Gassaway landed a big uppercut as Sanchez came in and rocked Sanchez, Sanchez grabbed an ankle and got the takedown and stood over him and circled out into side control and then mount easily. Sanchez landed an elbow and then another a moment later. Sanchez later said that one of the elbows crushed Gassaway's eye socket. Sanchez landed some shots down through Gassaway's guard, nice and methodically and Mazzagatti stopped the fight. Was there any doubt?
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher - Stevenson had a two-inch reach advantage which is pretty rare.
They talked to each other. The first round began. Fisher landed an inside leg kick. Stevenson landed an inside leg kick. Stevenson landed an inside leg kick. Fisher landed a nice counter right hand. Fisher landed an inside leg kick. Fisher landed a good counter right hand.. They were circling and exchanging feints and such. Stevenson landed a left hook. The scar tissue over Fisher's eyes was already opened up. Stevenson's thumb had grazed that scar tissue over Fisher's right eye when he landed that left hook. Stevenson came for the takedown and Fisher defended into the clinch. Fisher was bleeding into his eyes. Stevenson kept relentlessly looking for the stakedown but Stevenson kept stuffing it. Stevenson switched from looking for the single to the double. Not much was going on besides that. Fisher's right eye was pretty bloodied up, rght over it. The referee broke them. Fisher landed a nice inside leg kick. Fisher landed another inside leg kick. They clinched and Stevenson broke with an elbow to the cut. Fisher landed another inside leg kick. Stevenson came for the takedown, Fisher stuffed that takedown. Stevenson took Fisher's back and dragged him down. Stevenson pounded hard in under with hammerfists. Big shots there. The first round ended. Fisher's cornermen were asking Fisher if he could see.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Stevenson blocked a headkick. Stevenson looked like he was having fun, he had good footwork. Fisher landed a good inside leg kick. Stevenson was really looking for that left hook. Fisher's eye wasn't bleeding. Fisher landed a good inside leg kick. Stevenson looked for the takedown, Fisher defended for a moment but Stevenson got it into Fisher's full guard. Fisher landed a good pair of elbows from the bottom, trying to stay busy. Fisher appeared to also be looking for an armbar or something. Stevenson dropped back briefly for a leglock and then passed to half-guard. Stevenson briefly had mount, Fisher hip-escaped immediately back to half-guard and Stevenson dropped a pair of elbows short. Stevenson landed a good elbow and another. Blood was flowing from Fisher. Stevenson dropped another nice trio of elbows and another and another and another elbow and another and another, cutting Fisher up with those. Another elbow. Three nice shots in under and another and another. Stevenson passed to side control. Stevenson trapped the arm in crucifix and pounded repeatedly with elbows, just brutal. The referee stopped the fight and Stevenson knelt and crossed himself. Stevenson joked in his post-fight interview that his sisters had teamed up on him when he was little with the crucifix position and they had put makeup on him. Or perhaps he wasn't joking.
Frank Edgar vs. Spencer Fisher - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They sort of touched gloves. Edgar was hunting Fisher down. The crowd chanted 'Frankie'. Edgar pushed the pace and they clinched and broke. Edgar came for the takedown and got it into half-guard it looked like, he had a headlock, no a guillotine from the top. Fisher pulled out and pulled full guard. Edgar stood after a moment, went back down into half-guard. Fisher retained his full guard. Fisher moved up the fence with his back into the clinch quickly, however and they broke away. Fisher grabbed the plum and landed a knee to the body, Edgar swept the leg into full guard once more. He landed a good body shot. Fisher briefly looked for a triangle. Edgar landed a pair of short shots and then a nice shot. Fisher was controlling his posture nicely, though. Not much was really happening. They were working, but they weren't landing much or doing much in the way of actually fighting. Edgar passed to half-guard, there we go. Fisher retained guard though, moving those hips nicely. Edgar postured up with a nice combination. Edgar landed another nice combination. Edgar landed a nice hammerfist and a nice straight shot, Fisher nearly grabbed an armbar, they stood and Fisher ate a knee on the way up, Fisher missed a headkick and dropped and Edgar pounced back into full guard. Fisher was a little bit cut by his lip, couldn't tell where. Edgar postured up with another nice combination. Edgar passed to half-guard and landed four or five nice short elbows. Edgar landed a body shot. The first round ended.
The second round began. Fisher came right out quickly. Fisher came for a knee but Edgar got the takedown quickly to half-guard, Fisher retained guard again. Edgar landed two big shots and he looked to pass and he made it to half-guard. Fisher retained guard relatively quickly. Fisher shoved Edgar off, Edgar came back down into side control, however, taking advantage of a thrown upkick, Edgar turtled Fisher up but they stood and broke. Fisher swung and missed, defended a takedown and Edgar got another takedown into full guard. Edgar landed a nice shot. He was constantly looking for it. Edgar passed to side control. Edgar looked for mount, Fisher put him in half-guard and then full guard yet again, nice hip escapes. Edgar landed a pair of nice punches, Fisher shoved him off, Edgar went down to side control, Fisher regained half-guard, he was so squirmy. Edgar landed a few nice shots in under though. Edgar really landed some shots in. Fisher had a cut over his eye now. Edgar's corner yelled for him to mount. Edgar landed another nice shot and got pushed to guard. Edgar postured up and he turtled Fisher up, had him in the wrestling cradle and got Fisher back down into half-guard, Fisher retained guard. Fisher landed an elbow to the top of the head. Edgar stood and landed a nice trio of shots downward and came back into guard. Edgar landed another two shots. He was staying busy nicely. Edgar passed to half-guard and then side control. Fisher gave up his back and got one of his hooks in. Fisher rolled, Edgar nearly had mount, he was in half-guard, Fisher put him in the butterfly guard and retained guard as the second round ended.
The third round began. Fisher went for a turning kick and Edgar got a takedown to full guard. 'Back to our regularly scheduled program,' as Rogan noted. Edgar postured up, dodged a triangle and side control and then back to half-guard, Edgar landed a few nice shots and an elbow, Fisher gave up his back and Edgar got both hooks in quickly. Fisher was trying to turn in to the guard and he nearly did but they stood into the clinch and broke. Fisher faked a Superman punch. Edgar came for the takedown and got it into full guard. That's the story of the fight really. Edgar had Fisher sitting against the cage, landing a nice shot. Fisher managed to stand into the clinch. Edgar was looking for the takedown and Fisher was warned for holding the fence. Fisher broke with a nice knee to the face. Edgar came for the takedown, Fisher defended into the clinch, Edgar kept looking for that takedown and Fisher was warned a second time for grabbing the fence, Edgar got the takedown a moment later into full guard inevitably. Fisher briefly looked for a triangle, Edgar avoided into side control and then had Fisher's back, Fisher was trying to stand but Edgar had his standing back and dragged him down, landed some shots in under, went back to half-guard. Fisher retained full guard. Edgar landed a few hammerfists and body shots. Somebody had lost a mouthpiece. Edgar stood and landed a nice shot and passed to side control. Fisher gave up his back and ate some shots in under as the third round ended. Edgar had the win by unanimous decision. BJ Penn applauded in the crowd.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra - Hughes had a five-inch reach advantage and a three-inch height advantage.
The first round began. They sized each other up. Hughes looked to be wanting to shoot and Serra wanted to strike. They kept on circling. About a minute in nearly. Serra landed an accidental headbutt and a right hand and Hughes went down and Serra pounced into half-guard, they stood and Hughes was wobbly, Serra landed a combination ending in a big right hand, Hughes went down again, Hughes hugged Serra's leg and Serra pounded in under, balancing on one leg. Hughes was really looking for that takedown and they clinched. Hughes was recovering in the clinch, pressing Serra up against the cage for a bit. Hughes landed a knee to the body. Hughes landed a knee to the leg. Serra managed to break away. Serra smiled widely and confidently. Serra landed an inside leg kick. Serra pawed that jab out there. They clinched once more. Hughes got a nice takedown into side control after a moment. Serra rolled and gave up his back and Hughes got his hooks in. Serra was trying to stand. Hughes was looking for that choke. Serra was defending capably. They were exchanging hammerfists around. Serra turned in and managed to stand and they broke. They circled facing down. Serra missed a high kick. Serra missed a big right, they clinched and the first round ended. In between rounds, Hughes asked what happened.
The second round began. They circled for a bit. Serra threw a missed combination. Serra looked like the fighter who wanted to actually fight more. Serra landed a good left hand in close. Hughes came in and clinched after a bit and got the takedown into full guard. Hughes passed to half-guard. They were about two minutes in now. They weren't doing too much. Hughes landed a few nice body shots. More body shots from Hughes after a bit. Another few body shots from Hughes after a bit. More body shots but Serra was sort of rolling his eyes. He nearly regained guard but Hughes stayed in that half-guard, appearing to take a page of Couture's book. Hughes landed a trio of good shots in under. The referee told them to work. The referee stood them up a moment later. Serra missed a high kick, Hughes blocked a body kick, Serra defended a takedown and the second round ended.
The third round began. They were circling. Serra missed an uppercut. Serra landed an inside leg kick. He seemed the more aggressive fighter. Hughes landed a good right hand and they clinched and Hughes came hard for the takedown and got it hard into full guard and Serra immediately looked for an omoplata on Hughes's left arm. He had that arm trapped. Hughes was defending. Serra finally let it go back to full guard. He looked for it on the other side. Hughes pulled out and looked to pass but Serra cinched up a triangle, Hughes escaped and nearly got caught in an armbar but Hughes passed to half-guard. Hughes wasn't doing much. They should be stood up. He did after a moment. They circled around. Serra missed a high kick. They clinched. Serra got a nice takedown of his own into half-guard, surprising I think everyone and especially Hughes. Serra postured up with a big shot and another and turtled Hughes up. Serra looked for a kimura but the third round ended and they hugged and raised each other's hands. Hughes had the win by unanimous decision.
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort - The fight was at a catchweight and it was Belfort's return to the UFC.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled a bit out of range. Belfort missed a leg kick hard. Franklin yelled to his corner that he couldn't hear them. They kept right on circling. Franklin landed a leg kick. They kept on circling. Franklin landed a body kick, caught by Belfort, but he dodged the counter and pulled away. Franklin ducked under another counter. They circled, a bit closer now though. Belfort missed a front kick. Franklin seemed to be gaining confidence, getting closer. They kept on circling. Franklin was really looking to land. Belfort landed a jab, a right hand, a big left hand to the back of the head and dropped Franklin and pounded and the referee stopped the fight.
Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva - The first round began and they circled. Griffin missed the expected head kick. Griffin missed a leg kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick, Silva caught it and shoved Griffin down and Griffin stood and landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed another inside leg kick and an eye poke and Griffin apologized. Griffin missed another headkick. Silva landed a big left hand and dropped Griffin and Griffin stood and shook his head, disappointed in himself. Griffin came forward with a missed combination and ate a counter and missed another headkick. Silva landed a body kick and a good combination and an uppercut, he said let's go and Griffin shrugged. Silva showboated with his hands down, dodging punches and landed a good right hand and dropped Griffin and pounded downwards. He stood over Griffin. Griffin stood. Griffin came forward and ate a... slap. Griffin landed a jab and came forward and ate a counter jab that dropped him for the uhh knockout victory. Griffin went running out of the Octagon.
Matt Wiman vs. Thiago Tavares - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They were just circling around. Wiman was stalking Tavares. Wiman missed a combination, clinched, Wiman got the takedown but right into a guillotine. Wiman pulled out into full guard and Tavares grabbed an omoplata but Wiman was standing back to full guard, he ate an upkick and another. Tavares stood to the clinch, trying a single, took the standing back, Wiman rolled and grabbed a leglock, went for a heelhook. Tavares tried to spin out and he did and came back down into half-guard. Wiman landed a few elbows from the bottom. Tavares landed a few shots and dropped back for a heelhook of his own. Wiman pulled out and Tavares ended up on top in full guard, Tavares landed a few punches and a few hammerfists. Tavares landed a nice shot and stood. Tavares came back down, Wiman attempted an omoplata of his own, Tavares pulled out and stood again and came back down to half-guard and landed a few hammerfists and back to full guard. Wiman landed a hammerfist from the bottom and a pair of elbows. Tavares landed a few shots. Wiman was doing a good job of controlling from the bottom with his feet on the tips. Wiman pushed Tavares off and they stood into the clinch, but Tavares was looking for a single-leg. He kept looking for it. He had Wiman's back, Wiman rolled and got guard on the ground. Wiman landed a hammerfist from the bottom. Tavares landed a hammerfist and another. Wiman landed some good elbows from the bottom and a hammerfist and the first round ended. The forehead of Tavares was a tiny bit bruised by those elbows from the bottom.
The second round began. Wiman landed a combination, mainly blocked and they clinched and broke. Tavares landed a big right hand and Wiman answered with a combination and they clinched and Tavares landed a knee and they broke. Tavares landed a combination, Wiman landed a leg kick and a headkick and they clinched and broke. Wiman landed a good right hand and they clinched and they exchanged knees and broke. Wiman caught a headkick and shoved Tavares down and went down into half-guard, Tavares tried a leglock but Wiman spun out and nearly had the back, but that leg was still a bit trapped. That leg was out and Wiman was on top trying a reverse triangle but Tavares pulled out into guard. Wiman landed another hammerfist from the bottom. They stood, Tavares looked a bit tired, staggered back and bounced off the cage and Wiman landed a Superman punch and a good combination and a big right hook right to the chin and Tavares dropped unconscious. Wiman looked extremely emotional as his corner lifted him up and carried him around the ring. Wiman hugged his coach, Chuck Liddell. Miragliotta congratulated Wiman, laughing.
Frank Edgar vs. Matt Veach - Veach came into the fight undefeated. Edgar had a two-and-a-half inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Veach blocked a head kick. Veach came for the takedown, Edgar defended and they broke. Veach tried the takedown, single-leg, Edgar defended into the clinch. Edgar landed a nice knee and tried the foot sweep and they broke, Edgar tried a head kick, Veach tossed him down, Edgar stood and Veach slammed him down and was hugging the legs a little bit. Edgar was trying to switch, digging under with his right arm and grabbing the right thigh, looking to switch out. Veach transitioned to the back and they stood and had the standing back. Edgar turned into the clinch. Veach slammed him back down hard and they stood back into the clinch. Nicely done by Edgar there. Veach nearly picked him up again, lifted him a few inches but Edgar avoided. Edgar stuffed another takedown and stood into the clinch and landed a good knee. They broke. They clinched once more and broke. Edgar's nose was a bit bloody. Edgar landed a good body kick and staggered Veach back. Edgar landed a body shot and ate a right hook. Veach landed another nice left hook and came forward with a missed combination. Good head movement from Edgar. Edgar landed a leg kick and ate an inside leg kick. They clinched and broke. Nice jab from Veach. They clinched and broke. They clinched and broke. Nice jab from Edgar. They clinched and broke. Veach looked a bit tired maybe, he slipped but stood. Veach missed a Superman punch and avoided a takedown. Edgar landed a good body shot after slipping a punch. Veach caught a body kick from Edgar and the first round came to an end.
The second round began. Veach had his mouth open. Edgar landed a nice right hand. Edgar came for the takedown, Veach avoided and came for one of his own and Edgar was avoiding. He steadied himself on the fence but did not grab it. Veach had Edgar knelt down but he was turtled up himself. They stood back to the clinch. Veach kept looking for that takedown. They broke. Edgar landed a nice combination coming in. Edgar landed a crisp counter right hand and hurt Veach bad and pounced onto his back and landed some shots in under and he was trying to mount, Edgar landed clean shots in under and some more, he was basically mounted, he had Veach's back pounding in under and he had the hooks. He grabbed the choke and he had it tight and Veach tapped Edgar's knee and the fight was over and Veach had been defeated for the first time.
Marcus Jones vs. Matt Mitrione - The fight was the UFC debut of both men and the professional mixed martial arts debut of Mitrione.
The first round began. Jones landed a leg kick and they clinched quickly. Jones got the slam into side control. Mitrione regained half-guard after a bit. Mitrione nearly managed to stand... Jones was holding him down, they stood into the clinch. Mitrione looked unconcerned. Jones landed a knee to the body. They broke. Jones was looking to clinch. He couldn't get it. Mitrione landed a knee to the chin and they clinched. Jones looked for the single-leg. Mitrione landed a knee to the leg. Jones landed a knee to the thigh. Mitrione landed a knee high to the face and a pair to the body and another and they broke. Jones landed a big inside leg kick and they clinched. Jones grabbed a guillotine and pulled guard. Jones was gasping with his mouth open as he held the choke. He kept trying for it. Mitrione shrugged after a bit and said 'I'm fine'. He pulled out, Jones was looking for a triangle. Mitrione pulled out and stood, kicked the leg and again. Another kick to the leg. The referee stood Jones up. Mitrione landed a counter combination and they clinched, Jones got the takedown but Mitrione was again standing quickly and into the clinch. They broke. Mitrione landed a big counter combination and missed an uppercut, landed a body kick, Jones got the takedown to side control. He trapped the head between his legs and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Mitrione was smiling. Jones came in for the clinch and ate a big counter right and dropped and it was over.
Darrill 'Titties' Schoonover vs. James McSweeney - Schoonover came into the fight undefeated professionally. The referee was Josh Rosenthal.
The first round began and McSweeney landed a leg kick early. Schoonover was looking a bit gunshy already. McSweeney was the aggressor, throwing a lot of leather and kicks but mainly not connecting. McSweeney landed a hard left hook and hurt Schoonover and Schoonover fell and grabbed at McSweeney's legs to escape any further punishment. McSweeney grabbed a tight guillotine after a moment and he had Schoonover on his knees and then he pulled guard. That was tight but Schoonover popped out and McSweeney landed repeated elbows to the top of the head. McSweeney threw up for an armbar but didn't get close. Schoonover was looking to pass, he stood. Schoonover came down into half-guard and nearly had mount but McSweeney retained half-guard. Not much was happening. Schoonover passed to side control but McSweeney got a nice sweep into half-guard, landed a few elbows to the body, passed to side control and began looking for a kimura, he had that arm isolated. He pinned the arm briefly with his knee and then mounted. Schoonover rolled and gave up his back. Schoonover rolled and retained half-guard. McSweeney landed a good body shot. McSweeney stood over Schoonover and landed a kick to the leg and then a big big axe kick to the gut, Schoonover held the leg and then stood and they scrambled. McSweeney landed a body kick, ate a big knee to the face, McSweeney was rocked, he ate a big right hand, came for a Superman punch and ate a front kick, landed a teep of his own and the first round ended.
The second round began. Schoonover landed a left hand early and missed a high body kick and McSweeney backed off. The crowd chanted 'Darrill'. McSweeney shoved Schoonover down and stood over him. Rashad Evans in McSweeney's corner yelled 'Let him back up', and McSweeney waved it off and dived into Schoonover's full guard. McSweeney was scratching Schoonover's eyes and he was warned. Schoonover rolled for an armbar but retained guard. McSweeney landed a couple of hard hammerfists. McSweeney rolled and Schoonover was turtled up and ate a big shot. McSweeney was trying to move to the back but Schoonover had hold of a leg. McSweeney landed some hammerfists in under and a hard elbow and another to the back of the head and a hammerfist, a knee to the body, and he kept Schoonover turtled up. McSweeney landed another few elbows to the back of the head of Schoonover. Some hard hammerfists. Schoonover got the roll reversal on top into half-guard it looked like. McSweeney got the roll again a moment later into side control with some hard short elbows from there. Schoonover rolled and nearly grabbed an armbar and McSweeney stood and Schoonover tried to stand but McSweeney landed a flying knee before he was even up and turtled Schoonover up once more. Schoonover rolled and gave up the mount. Schoonover gave up his back and McSweeney landed some hammerfists. McSweeney held his elbow up waiting for the bell and when it rang, he landed it hard to the back of Schoonover's head and put his glove up to his mouth mockingly as if to say 'oops'.
The third round began, and they touched gloves. McSweeney landed a leg kick and they clinched and McSweeney broke with a knee and a missed right hand. Schoonover landed a body kick, McSweeney caught it and slammed Schoonover down into side control. He had one arm trapped. The crowd chanted 'Darrill'. McSweeney briefly looked for an arm triangle and then Schoonover turtled himself up to escape. Schoonover rolled back to half-guard, McSweeney landed a good elbow. The referee stood them up immediately. Schoonover landed a big right hand. McSweeney landed that teep again. McSweeney landed a good right hand and a teep. McSweeney landed a good jab. They clinched and Schoonover looked tired and McSweeney landed a good knee and broke and a body kick and a flying knee that poked Schoonover in his own eye, a big knee to the body, a right hand and another and Schoonover dropped and it was all over.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Eric Schafer - Wanderlei Silva, who had just signed with the UFC, was in attendance.
The first round began. Schafer landed an inside leg kick. Schafer landed another. Schafer came for the takedown, Bonnar defended into the clinch and Schafer landed a pair of body shots and a knee and Bonnar replied with a knee and another. They exchanged another pair of knees. And again and Bonnar another knee. Bonnar another knee. Schafer. Bonnar was looking to break and Schafer did instead missing an elbow. Schafer landed a really nice leg kick and another a moment later and they clinched once more and Bonnar got a takedown, Schafer pulled guard. Bonnar stood and landed a nice hammerfist and went down into half-guard and landed a few shots to the back of the head and he was warned. Bonnar landed another good shot. Schafer managed to stand into the clinch and landed a nice knee. Bonnar landed a good body shot. Schafer nearly had a takedown but Bonnar grabbed the fence, he was warned and again and Schafer slammed Bonnar down into half-guard I believe. Bonnar tried to stand and Schafer took his back and got a hook in, Bonnar was controlling his hands however. Schafer had the back though. Schafer got that other hook in after a bit. They weren't doing much though. Schafer tried to pound in under but Bonnar was blocking most of them. Bonnar was showing a lot of patience. Schafer lost a hook, trapped an arm with the other leg and tried for the choke, lost that hook again and lost the choke, landed some shots in around. He got the hook back in. Bonnar turned into Schafer's half-guard. Schafer rolled towards a kimura on Bonnar's left arm. The first round came to an end however. In the corner, Big John warned Bonnar that if he grabbed the fence or hit the back of the head again, he was going to take a point from him.
The second round began. Schafer came for the takedown and Bonnar defended to the clinch and landed a knee. They broke. Schafer came for the takedown again but instead pulled half-guard. He retained guard. Bonnar began landing big punches repeatedly, hammerfists. Pause. Schafer was trying to control the hands. Bonnar landed another big shot. Bonnar landed a hammerfist and a big shot and another and another and another. A pause as Schafer tried to defend. Bonnar began landing more shots and then a hammerfist, and passed to half-guard. Bonnar landed a couple of short elbows. Bonnar landed more good shots and more. Bonnar briefly pinned the arm with his knee and landed more big shots and a big hammerfist, Schafer regained guard. Bonnar began landing big shots and a hammerfist and a really big shot and more big shots in under and more, hammerfists, Bonnar was all over him, more big shots in under, Bonnar stood pounding Schafer, hammerfists over and over, Bonnar had Schafer's back pounding and the referee stopped the fight.
Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia - The first round began and they touched gloves and Belcher stalked Gouveia in his pink trunks. He kept stalking him. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick. Belcher missed a big overhand right. They exchanged a quick jab each. Belcher was really stalking him and pushing the pace. Belcher landed a good right hand and Gouveia pushed forward with a good combination of his own, mainly blocked. Gouveia landed another combination and ate a counter, most of his shots were blocked. Gouveia landed a nice short counter after slipping a punch. Belcher landed a good combination. Gouveia landed a combination. Belcher landed a counter. Belcher landed a combination, Gouveia fired back with one and ate a counter. The pace slowed. Belcher landed a big right hand. Belcher missed a massive uppercut. Gouveia landed a jab. Belcher landed a left hand and Gouveia fired back with a combination. Belcher landed a body shot and a big uppercut in close and Gouveia dropped, Belcher pounded away for the TKO win. Gouveia sat against the cage breathing hard, disappointed.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Carmelo Marrero - The fight was Marrero's UFC debut.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Gouveia had a strange stance with his hands down with Marrero circling on the outside. Marrero missed a shoot early. Gouveia kept on hanging those hands lwo. They circled around doing nothing. Gouveia dodged another takedown, landed a right hand and then an inside leg kick and a moment later another. Marrero shot for another, Gouveia avoided again. Gouveia landed a nice leg kick. Marrero didn't seem to want to get hit. Gouveia meanwhile was really hanging his left hand and inviting Marrero to come in, basically. Marrero landed a leg kick. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick and another. Marrero landed a nice jab and Goldberg said 'caught a right, caught a left-- pardon me, jab.' Marrero came in and ate a counter combination ending in a nice left hook and landed a good counter of his own, decent exchange. Gouveia landed a big leg kick that stumbled Marrero for a moment, and another and that put him down, same spot. Gouveia pounced and turtled Marrero up for a moment and then let him up. Another big leg kick and Marrero buckled. Gouveia came after him, landed a big knee and pounded away and came around into full guard. Gouveia grabbed a tight guillotine from the top, Marrero fought it but Gouveia mounted and Marrero was forced to tap.
Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They immediately exchanged in close, but they blocked all of the shots. Wiman landed a good leg kick after a moment. They clinched and they broke, Wiman half-landed a kick to the side of the head, landed a left hook and a right hand, Wiman got the takedown and Stout tried to stand but Wiman held him down. Stout was trying to walk his back up the cage. Wiman dumped him right back down and looked to mount but Stout managed to stand into the clinch. Stout landed a nice knee to the body. Stout broke with a combo, blocked by Wiman. Wiman landed a leg kick and Stout returned an inside leg kick and tried another, checked by Wiman. Wiman blocked a combination and another and landed a nice leg kick. Wiman landed a good Superman punch and a leg kick. Wiman checked a leg kick. Wiman landed a good right hand. Wiman landed a good straight right, tried for a takedown, Stout defended to the clinch, Wiman dropped down for a guillotine and Stout pulled out into guard. Stout stood after a moment and landed a combination as Wiman stood. Wiman landed a leg kick and a Superman punch. Wiman shot for the takedown, Stout sprawled and broke with a knee to the body. Wiman was bloodied up a little bit. Stout landed a body kick more with the foot and ooh there's one with the shin. Wiman landed a nice right hook and shot for a single but Stout defended to the clinch momentarily, Wiman dumped him down and... tried to take the back, Stout rolled into full guard nicely. Stout passed to half-guard. Wiman threw up a triangle attempt, Stout stood. Wiman missed a Superman punch and ate a counter left hook as the first round came to an end. There was just a tiny bit of a cut on the side of Wiman's nose, it looked like.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Wiman landed a trio of good right hands and a leg kick, Stout replied with a kick to the inside. Stout landed a nice combination finishing with a leg kick and right. Wiman missed a flying knee and dodged a single-leg attempt and a Superman punch. Wiman landed a good right hand. Stout landed an inside leg kick and right hand and a body kick, Stout with another leg kick and an inside leg kick. Wiman ate a left hook and got hurt, Stout hesitated and Wiman transitioned to take his back. He was high on the back, and Stout was close to shaking him off the front within seconds. Stout managed to turn into his guard and the Canadian crowd roared. His corner yelled for him to 'punish him'. Stout landed a few hammerfists. Stout managed to stand, avoiding a leglock on the way. They circled. Wiman landed a body shot and a leg kick. Wiman said 'punch me' and beckoned to his chin. Stout landed a nice combination. Wiman seemed to be slowing down. Stout landed a body kick, more to the gut. Wiman narrowly blocked a headkick. Wiman landed a leg kick. Stout landed a liver punch (it looked like a liver kick but the kick an instant later didn't really land) and Wiman dropped in intense pain and Stout pounced, hammering away postured up. Wiman rolled for an armbar but Stout pulled out and stood and told him to get up. Stout landed a good vicious left hook to the body. Wiman landed a leg kick. Wiman blocked a high kick. Stout landed another liver kick. The crowd chanted 'Sammy'. They exchanged a body kick each simultaneously. Wiman might have landed an eye poke. Wiman came for the takedown sloppily, Stout avoided easily and let Wiman up and landed a right hand. Stout landed a big leg kick. Wiman still looked wobbly. The second round ended. Stout's corner told him to go for the body.
The third round began and they touched gloves and immediately exchanged, with Wiman landing a combination. Stout landed a hard body kick. Wiman had really slowed down. Wiman shot for a takedown, Stout avoided, Wiman kept coming hard for it, Stout was sprawling, Wiman was relentless though but so was Stout. Wiman was really looking for that single-leg and he got it and took Stout's back and got both hooks in. He looked for that rear-naked choke. Wiman had that body triangle locked in as well. Wiman switched it to the other side. Stout kept turning towards the side that the triangle was on, putting pressure on the ankle, and he managed to turn into guard and the crowd roared. Stout landed a few nice hammerfists and body shots. Stout landed four more hammerfists and a nice elbow and more hammerfists, mixing it up. Stout managed to stand. Wiman missed a leg kick. Wiman looked really slow. Stout landed a combination and a leg kick, Wiman caught it and got the takedown into full guard. Not much was going on, Stout was working the butterflies. Wiman landed an elbow. Stout was trying to stand but Wiman was holding him down. Wiman landed a good elbow. Stout was trying to stand, and he was cut bad over his eye. Stout stood but Wiman dumped him down. They stood and Wiman landed a combination and another and Stout landed a body kick and tried for a combination but Wiman avoided with some flashy head movement and the third round ended and Wiman fell facedown as Stout walked away with his hands up and flexing his muscles. His corner helped him up however. When they showed Wiman on the screen, the crowd booed and when they showed Stout they cheered. Sam Stout was the winner by unanimous decision. Eh, it's debatable, he might have won the first two rounds.
Rich Franklin vs. Nate Quarry - The fight was for the middleweight championship with Franklin defending.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Franklin landed an inside leg kick that didn't seem to faze Quarry. Quarry missed a headkick and slipped and Franklin capitalized and pounced and landed a knee on the way up. They circled. Franklin landed a right hand and missed a headkick and landed a left hand. They exchanged a simultaneous kick and Quarry took one low and they touched gloves and continued almost immediately. Franklin landed a combination starting with a clean left and they clinched and broke. Quarry seemed to be looking to counter. Franklin landed a counter combination right to the eye and Quarry was hurt. Franklin landed another combination and dropped Quarry hard and Franklin pounced on top and they stood. Quarry landed a blocked combination and a body kick. Quarry's nose looked broken and twisted and it was bleeding badly. He had taken a lot of shots. Franklin landed a big straight left and Quarry dropped out cold on his side, just simply unconscious. Franklin walked away calmly. Rogan sounded calm as well, as if he had been expecting it, eh?
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Akihiro Gono - The fight was Gono's Pride debut and only Rua's second fight in the organization.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Rua missed a high kick and landed a hard leg kick. Gono looked calm. Rua was stalking him. They clinched but broke. Rua missed a flying knee by a mile and missed a high kick. They clinched and Rua landed a good knee to the body and another and another and another and another and another and another. Gono finally pulled away. Rua landed a hard leg kick and missed a high kick and landed a right hand and came forward with a missed flying knee, landed a good leg kick. Gono was constantly backing up. Rua landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick, a kick to the shoulder. Another kick to the shoulder. Another hard leg kick. Gono had his hands down low, just backing up constantly and offering no offense whatsoever. They clinched but broke quickly. Gono shoved Rua down when they clinched again and stood over him but let him up. Rua landed a good combination and a knee to the body and they clinched and he landed six knees to the body and another. Another hard knee. They broke. Rua landed a leg kick and a good combination and they clinched and a hard knee and another. Rua nearly got the trip takedown and slipped and they broke. They clinched and Rua landed another three knees and broke with a good combination and a blocked high kick. Gono checked a leg kick. They clinched. Hard knee to the body and another and another and another and another, Gono replied, another from Rua and another and another and another and went for another and Gono nearly got the trip takedown. They exchanged a knee each. The pace had slowed. They exchanged another knee each. Rua broke with a good right hand. Rua landed a hard body kick and a combination and they clinched and broke. Gono was getting bullied around. Rua landed a big combination and they clinched and Gono got the trip takedown into half-guard. He wasn't doing anything though. Surely he couldn't be tired. Then again he had done a lot of backing off. Not doing much. Rua managed to stand and Gono missed a high kick. Rua landed a good right hand and they clinched and Rua got the takedown, Gono rolled for a leglock and they stood out of it and Gono kept backing away. Rua landed a big combination and a kick to the forehead and they clinched and a hard knee and another and another. Rua landed a good combination and they clinched, a hard knee to the face. They broke. Good right hand, straight left, knee to the body, Gono collapsed and ate a single soccer kick and it was all over.
Rich Franklin vs. Travis Lutter - The bout was Franklin's first after the second devastating loss to champion Anderson Silva and his last at middleweight as of now.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Lutter seemed a bit stiff standing. They clinched pretty quickly, Franklin landed a knee and broke. Franklin landed a good counter and they clinched again, Lutter seemed a bit hurt, he kept looking for that takedown and Franklin was defending well. Why is Lutter even wearing gloves? He's not going to hit you, you know? He just kept on looking for that takedown, he nearly had Franklin's back, yep he had it now and he got Franklin down. Lutter was looking to get those hooks in. Franklin was defending well. Lutter turned on top into side control. He passed to half-guard. Lutter was looking to mount, Franklin was avoiding with a nice underhook. Lutter stayed heavy to remain on top. Franklin retained guard. Lutter passed immediately to half-guard. Franklin was showing good defensive BJJ but no offense. Lutter just kept on looking to pass and he made it to mount pretty swiftly. Lutter landed a few nice shots. Franklin tried to spin out and Lutter grabbed a tight armbar and Franklin thought about tapping out but countered nicely to escape. That was beautiful. Franklin spun out and stood and landed a kick downward to the downed Lutter, unintentionally hitting the groin. He apologized and Lutter stood. Lutter shot for the takedown, Franklin sprawled nicely and had Lutter turtled up but his own leg was trapped underneath with Lutter hugging it. Franklin managed to stand but Lutter still held that leg, looking for the takedown. Franklin pounded in under but Lutter stood and kept looking for that single-leg against the cage. Franklin landed a few nice knees to the body and the first round ended. Lutter looked a bit tired.
The second round began. They clinched, Franklin landed a good knee, Lutter shot in, Franklin avoided and stood over Lutter and let him up. Lutter was really tired obviously. Lutter shot in, Franklin sprawled and let him up with a knee to the body. Lutter was exhausted. Franklin landed a headkick, right to the neck really, and turtled Lutter up, pounded, Lutter grabbed at a leg and was looking for an ankle-lock. Franklin was struggling to pull his leg out. Franklin pulled out and let Lutter up. Lutter was exhausted. They clinched and Franklin landed another big knee and another and another. They broke. Franklin landed a right hand and another and another. Another right and another and they clinched. Franklin landed some uppercuts and a knee to the body. Some more uppercuts and Lutter turtled up and hanged on to the leg. Franklin landed a few shots and pulled his leg out, Lutter grabbed hold of it again, Franklin pulled out and let him up. Franklin landed a left hand and a right hook. Franklin landed a big combination and a knee to the face. Franklin landed another combination and Lutter turtled up, Franklin pounded under with a trio of hard shots and the fight was over. That's nearly the worst case of gassing that I have yet seen.
Ken Shamrock vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - The first round began and Shamrock came out hard with a missed combination and then stood back, sizing Sakuraba up. Sakuraba had a low stance as if waiting for the takedown. Shamrock had a boxing stance but seemed to be expecting a takedown nonetheless. Shamrock landed a good right hook but not fully. Sakuraba faked a takedown and Shamrock shoved him away. This is a strange fight.. They weren't doing much. Sakuraba landed a big combination and dropped Shamrock and the referee stopped the fight. Shamrock stood up immediately, bitterly disputing the stoppage. Sakuraba and his camp didn't seem to care.
Jason MacDonald vs. Demian Maia - The fight was touted to be a clash of BJJ stars and it did not disappoint.
The first round began. They circled. Maia landed an inside leg kick. They clinched after Maia missed two high kicks. MacDonald got the takedown easily into full guard. They weren't doing much. Maia grabbed an overhook. Maia was looking for a triangle and he grabbed it. Rogan said it was over. MacDonald was hanging on. Yves Lavigne was watching closely. Maia landed some elbows from the bottom. MacDonald was gutting it out and he turned out and he had Maia's back. He got both hooks in and nearly had the choke but Maia rolled and gave up the mount, Maia retained half-guard. Maia retained full guard. MacDonald stood and came back down into half-guard. MacDonald stood again and landed four shots, head head body, MacDonald came down on top into half-guard and tried for a guillotine from the top. Maia got the sweep into half-guard but MacDonald still had that tight guillotine and Maia was bleeding, all over MacDonald's armpit. Maia pulled out, passed to side control and had MacDonald's back and got both hooks in. Maia briefly had his hand in MacDonald's EYE and he was warned. Maia locked in the body triangle and looked for that choke. Maia nearly locked it in. MacDonald survived though and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Maia landed a good left hook and they clinched and MacDonald was looking for that single-leg pretty hard. Maia defended pretty well. Maia landed a good knee and another and another and another and another and another, none of them cleanly but still. Maia got a nice trip into half-guard. Maia passed quickly to mount. MacDonald kept trying the hip escape but Maia defended and landed some good ground and pound, teeing off. Maia landed a big elbow and another and another and another and another and another and another. MacDonald was opened up around his nose, possibly the bridge of the nose. MacDonald managed to hug Maia to avoid the shots. Maia was looking for an arm triangle briefly. Maia landed four or five swift short elbows in quick succession. MacDonald kept on trying to hip escape. Maia postured up with some nice punches to the side of the head, arm punches as MacDonald kept on defending himself. MacDonald managed to regain half-guard after a moment. Maia landed another elbow to the forehead and passed back to mount, MacDonald ducked out but Maia was trying for an armbar or reverse triangle, it was an armbar, yeah MacDonald pulled out into full guard. MacDonald passed to half-guard and the second round ended. MacDonald's corner told him 'do not take him to the fucking ground, drop this guy standing up, you've gotta knock him out.'
The third round began and they touched gloves. They clinched and Maia looked for the single-leg and MacDonald briefly defended, Maia got the trip to half-guard, MacDonald tried a guillotine, Maia pulled out into side control, they stood and MacDonald shoved Maia right back down into full guard and passed to half-guard and kept on looking to pass but Maia effortlessly retained full guard. MacDonald passed to half-guard and Maia tried to stand but MacDonald had his back and they rolled, MacDonald was on top in half-guard, Maia instantly swept to side control and then mount smoothly. Maia looked a bit exhausted, though. Maia landed a good elbow and MacDonald gave up his back and Maia got both hooks in. Maia was constantly pounding in under with right hands, little short shots and then he looked for the choke and he locked it in, this was tight, MacDonald tapped. It was over. They hugged. MacDonald looked disappointed.
Jon Fitch vs. Wilson Gouveia - Gouveia came into the fight undefeated and it was only his third pro fight and Fitch's fourth. The fight was for HOOKnSHOOT. The fight was at 205 lbs.
The first round began. They came out hard and Gouveia landed a counter combination, Fitch defended a takedown and landed a good inside leg kick. Fitch came forward wildly and they clinched and Gouveia shoved him into the corner. Gouveia was really looking for the takedown. Fitch landed a few body shots. Gouveia landed a knee to the leg. Gouveia got the takedown but they were halfway through the ropes and the referee moved them, Gouveia passed to half-guard. Gouveia landed some good shots after a moment. Gouveia passed to side control after a moment. Gouveia postured up with a good combination of shots and Fitch managed to stand into the clinc, they broke. Gouveia landed a good combination, grabbed the plum and landed a massive knee and dropped Fitch unconscious facedown and landed a shot in under and the referee stopped the fight.
Renzo Gracie vs. Maurice Smith - Gracie came into the fight undefeated.
The first round began. Gracie landed a leg kick and came for the takedown and Smith sprawled but Gracie got him down and passed to side control and began looking for an armlock. He couldn't quite lock it up. He trapped Smith's arm in the crucifix and grabbed an armlock and got it. The two fighters hugged.
Roy Nelson vs. Brad Imes - The fight was for the IFL heavyweight championship with Nelson defending, his last defense.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, exchanging missed strikes. Imes landed a good knee to the body. Nelson landed a big right hand and rocked Imes and then a big left hook and a nice jab and another big right and another right hook. Imes was trying to hang on. He seemed to have recovered. Imes landed a nice right hand. Another big jab from Nelson and another. Another big right hand from Nelson and another and another and another and another from Nelson, just teeing off on the challenger, another big combination that hurt Imes bad and they clinched and Nelson shoved Imes through the ropes and then the referee let him up. Another big right. Nelson landed another right and another and another. Nelson missed a big uppercut. Nelson landed another big right. Nelson landed a few jabs. Nelson landed a massive right and Imes just went down and Nelson pounded once and referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Mark Hunt vs. Melvin Manhoef - The first round began and they circled. Hunt pushed forward and ate a big counter right hook and dropped and it was all over.
James Irvin vs. Scott Smith - The fight was for the 'Gladiator Challenge heavyweight championship of the world.' The referee was a very young-looking Herb Dean. Irvin came into the fight undefeated in his fourth pro fight.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Irvin landed a big leg kick. He came for the takedown and slammed Smith down into... half-guard. Smith was looking to stand and he did into the clinch. Irvin landed a good body shot and ate a knee. Smith landed another knee to the face this time and another to the body. Smith landed a few uppercuts, three or four, working the dirty boxing, and another. They broke with Irvin narrowly missing a combination. Smith landed a good counter jab. Irvin landed a big leg kick and came for the takedown and Smith defended into the clinch. Smith's corner yelled 'Deep breaths, Scott!' Is he already gassed? Smith landed another nice knee and another and a nice uppercut. They broke. Irvin landed a big counter and rocked Smith up against the cage and landed another combination and dropped him and it was all over. It looked like there was a cut beside Irvin's eye as he celebrated. Yep the doctor's wiping at it. Smith put the belt around Irvin's waist as Irvin flexed his muscles.
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez 1 - The fight was for the Strikeforce lightweight championship with Melendez defending. The referee is Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Melendez pumped out a jab, testing the range. They circled some. Some more. Melendez finally came after Thomson and went for the takedown against the cage but Thomson was defending with seemingly little effort and he broke with a good knee to the body and a body kick and came for a single-leg of his own and he got it after a moment into half-guard. They really weren't doing anything. Thomson landed a knee to the body. Thomson landed a few shots in under, two nice right hands. Melendez retained open guard. Thomson passed to mount but Melendez retained half-guard. Thomson landed another knee to the body. Melendez landed some body shots from the bottom. Thomson landed a pair of shoulder shrugs. Melendez got the sweep and ended up on top in guard and the crowd cheered, Melendez was trying to get to half-guard. Thomson landed a good elbow to the body and kept on smiling, advertising the logo on his mouthguard. Thomson stood into the clinch and broke with another nice knee. Thomson landed a nice body kick. They circled. Melendez landed a good counter after dodging a leg kick and Thomson touched his eye, possibly signifying an eyepoke. Thomson missed another body kick. The first round ended. Thomson's corner told him that he was hurting Melendez to the body and to continue doing it. Melendez's corner told him to look for a high kick, meanwhile.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Thomson landed a nice body kick. Thomson landed a nice body kick and another, right to the liver, and another one, Melendez tried to catch it but couldn't, ate a nice front kick that grazed his chin and he came for the takedown and Melendez sprawled and they clinched and Thomson landed a knee to the body and another. These were hurting Melendez. Thomson kept on smiling, advertising that mouthpiece and posing for the camera. Melendez broke with an elbow. Thomson landed a good front kick and missed a Superman punch. Thomson landed another body kick, keeping the pressure on with a continuous left body kick. Thomson landed a nice jab and another one again. Thomson landed an inside leg kick. They exchanged with each landing a combination, Melendez came for the takedown and Thomson sprawled and stood after Melendez kept his hands on the ground to not allow Thomson to knee him. They circled. Thomson landed a front kick. Thomson landed a jumping knee to the body and missed a spinning back kick. They kept on circling. And some more, the pace had slowed a bit, the fighting pace at least. Thomson landed a nice kick to the leg. They kept on circling. Another nice inside leg kick. Thomson came for the takedown and got it easily into full guard at the bell as the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Thomson landed a nice inside leg kick. Melendez landed a nice right hook and Thomson landed an inside leg kick and then another nice front kick, a nice combination and a nice body kick and another nice combination, tried a takedown and Melendez sprawled and Thomson landed a nice counter combination and Melendez landed a combination of his own and shot in and Thomson sprawled and nearly had side control but they stood and circled. Fast paced fight. Thomson landed another body kick. Melendez seemed frustrated. Thomson feinted a body kick and slipped and managed to stand before Melendez reached him and smiled. Thomson landed an inside leg kick. Melendez landed a nice right hook to the body. Thomson landed a big body kick, his kicks were lightning-fast and then another front kick and he missed a Superman punch. Thomson landed a nice leg kick. Thomson landed another inside leg kick, Melendez blocked a body kick and he landed a nice combination,. Thomson landed a straight right and a body kick and a nice front kick and missed a flying knee. Melendez kept coming after him hard as he had the entire round. Melendez landed a nice right hand. Thomson came for the single-leg and Melendez was defending, but Thomson kept coming for it and he got Melendez on his bottom by the cage. That was basically a takedown for Thomson and he took Melendez's back. Melendez shook him off quickly and they stood. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. They circled for a bit and clinched and Melendez broke with a combination of pawing rights. Thomson landed another body kick and a front kick. Thomson landed a front kick and another and another. Another front kick and another. For the first time, Melendez was the fighter backing up. Thomson landed another front kcik and then a hard leg kick and another front kick. Another leg kick from Thomson. Another body kick and another and another from Thomson. Another inside leg kick and a body kick and another body kick from Thomson. Thomson kept on sticking and moving, another leg kick, a good jab and another. Two front kicks from Thomson and they clinched and broke and Thomson landed a body kick and another and a combination that landed flush on Melendez and another body kick and Thomson was smiling. They clinched and broke and Thomson grabbed the clinch and landed a knee and broke. Another front kick and another from Thomson. Thomson came for the double-leg and got it into side control easily. Melendez rolled and gave up his back and Thomson got both hooks in and nearly grabbed the choke, Melendez rolled out and Thomson stood and then had Melendez's back again but with no hooks. He got the hooks once more and both hooks in and he had that choke in. It was in there. Melendez pulled out. The fourth round ended. The two fighters exchanged high-fives and went back to their corners.
The fifth round began. Another front kick from Thomson, using it to keep the distance to keep landing kicks. Another inside leg kick from Thomson and a body kick. Thomson came for the single-leg and Melendez was defending pretty well. Thomson got it after a moment and put Melendez on his bottom and then he took his back again but Melendez stood into the clinch and broke. Another body kick from Thomson. Thomson landed an inside leg kick. Melendez was getting frustrated. Another inside leg kick from Thomson and a leg kick a moment later. Melendez landed a right hand. Melendez was moving forward constantly once more but he couldn't mount any offense. Thomson landed a front kick and they clinched and Thomson took Melendez's standing back. Melendez turned back to the clinch. They broke after a moment. Thomson's nose was bloody a bit. Melendez was getting desperate. They exchanged in close. Thomson landed a good counter. Thomson landed a knee to the body and another to the face and he got a double-elg and nearly took Melendez's back but Melendez stood and ate a front kick to the face. Melendez landed a combination, ate a counter and a body kick. Melendez came for the takedown, Melendez defended it but Thomson took his standing back. Thomson landed a big knee to the leg. They turned to the clinch, Thomson landed a knee and broke. Melendez landed a big right and the fifth round ended and they hugged. Josh Thomson was the new lightweight champion.
Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon - The first round began. They circled aggressively. Lauzon pushed forward with a missed combination. Florian landed a big inside leg kick, Lauzon came for the takedown, Florian defended for a moment, Lauzon got the takedown into full guard and Florian landed big elbows repeatedly from the bottom to the top of the head, no Herb Dean paused the fight and said it was the back of the head. Lauzon was bleeding badly. Florian landed a massive body kick and dropped Lauzon but he was right back up. Florian got a takedown to full guard and landed big shots from the top and he had Lauzon's back. Lauzon rolled to side control. Lauzon was bloody. Florian landed a pair of tight short elbows. He had a solid side control. Lauzon rolled nicely and stood to the clinch and got double underhooks and looked to trip Florian and he got it into full guard. Lauzon landed a good elbow of his own. Florian rolled for an armbar or an omoplata, Lauzon passed to side control and he landed three or four good hammerfists, Florian retained half-guard after a moment. Great fight. Florian landed a hammerfist from the bottom. Lauzon was stepping over, looking for a kneebar. He did drop back and he was looking for a heelhook and he had that. No, Florian pulled out and stood and they broke away from each other. Great fight. Florian came for the takedown, Lauzon was defending. Florian got Lauzon's standing back. Lauzon looked for wrist control, Florian looked to drag him down, Lauzon ended up on top. Lauzon dropped back for another heelhook. He had that tight. Florian pulled out and stood over Lauzon and went down into side control with big punches but the first round came to an end.
The second round began. Florian landed a big inside leg kick, Lauzon blocked a headkick. Lauzon landed a leg kick. Florian landed a body kick. Florian landed a body shot, a blocked hook, another body shot. Florian went for the takedown and got it into half-guard. Florian passed to mount quickly and began pounding away. Lauzon was covering up and struggling to buck Florian off. Florain was dropping elbows down. Lauzon tried to spin for another heelhook, but Florian was still on top in side control pounding in under. Big hammerfists from Florian, and back to mount. Florian pounded away but Lauzon was doing a good job defensively and trying to hip escape. Lauzon nearly had half-guard but Florian kept pounding and got to quarterguard and kept pounding with big punches. Lauzon nearly had half-guard and yeah he had it. Florian was back to mount and he had Lauzon's left arm briefly trapped but then not. Florian kept on pounding, Lauzon kept defending nicely but Florian was relentless and he kept sneaking that right hand through to hit the ear of Lauzon and the left straight to the nose and he kept on coming, right to the ear, left to the nose. He just kept pounding, teeing off. Lauzon was covering up but Herb Dean was close to stopping it. It was no use. Boom, a big right and some hammerfists, and the referee stopped it.
Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza vs. Gegard Mousasi - The fight was the finals of the Dream middleweight grand prix to crown the middleweight champion. Afterwards, Mousasi vacated the title.
The first round began and they circled in close. Mousasi had a distinctive height and reach advantage over his opponent. They circled some more, Mousasi was standing low to prepare for the takedown inevitable from Souza. Souza shot for the takedown, hugged the ankle and pulled back and tried again and Mousasi briefly held the ropes, Souza picked him up and slammed him hard to the canvas into half-guard perhaps and Mousasi was looking to reverse almost immediately. Souza's impressing me, I figured he was one-dimensional. I mean he had a good takedown. They weren't doing too much down there but you don't really have to in Dream. Souza landed a nice shot from the top and another and Souza looked to dive back in with a shot and Mousasi landed a counter upkick and Souza went down unconscious facedown. Mousasi was the champion. Briefly.
Alistair Overeem vs. Paul Buentello - The fight was to crown the first ever Strikeforce heavyweight champion.
The first round began. Overeem landed a jumping knee to the body, they clinched and Overeem got a quick takedown into side control. Not much was going on. Overeem landed a knee to the body and a nice right hand. Overeem landed a hammerfist and another knee to the body. Not much once more going on. Just Overeem controlling Buentello on the ground. Overeem landed another few hammerfists and he had Buentello's back and then he had him turtled up and grabbed up a guillotine, Buentello pulled out and gave up his back and Overeem pounded in under with hammerfists, whaling away with rights hands. Buentello pulled up into the clinch and Overeem landed three knees to the body and another pair to the head, another big knee to the body. He had Buentello's standing back, he had total control, forcing Buentello against the cage. Buentello's nose was bloody, from those few knees to the head. Overeem landed good shots upward at will, he had Buentello's arm trapped. He had his standing back, dragged him down. Just complete domination. Overeem turtled Buentello up and looked to cinch up that guillotine again. Buentello pulled out. Overeem landed another knee to the body. Overeem grabbed another guillotine, throwing his leg over and pulling hard, Buentello survived and stood into the clinch again. Overeem landed another knee and another and another, lifting Buentello up into the air and another knee. Another knee and the first round ended. In Buentello's corner, his cornermen attended to the cut and in Overeem's, Overeem paced around.
The second round began.They exchanged missed strikes. Overeem landed an inside leg kick. Overeem landed a nice counter right cross. Buentello missed an uppercut and landed a good counter uppercut shorter though. Overeem shot for the double-leg and got it into full guard, turning the corner nicely and beautifully. Buentello's corner yelled 'Come on, Paul'. Overeem went body-body-head nicely and crisply, good ground and pound. Overeem was getting a bit frustrated as Buentello landed a few peppering hammerfists from the bottom to the side of Overeem's head for a bit and the crowd was getting a bit restless. Overeem covered Buentello's mouth with one hand and landed some more good body shots, really working the body. The referee stood them up. Overeem shot for the takedown and Buentello tried to sprawl and Overeem took his back and then turtled Buentello up. Overeem took the back again, hammerfisting in under with that right hand. Buentello stood into the clinch and ate two big knees to the body, massive knees and Buentello turtled up again and he tapped out due to the knees and it was all over, Overeem was the new heavyweight champion. Buentello's nose was bleeding again as he stood up looking disappointed.
Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory - The first round began and they touched gloves. McCrory landed a big combination and another, just swinging away and then he backed off. Hazelett landed a nice body kick and a big front kick that staggered McCrory and he came with a jumping knee as McCrory came up and he missed and they circled. McCrory landed a nice switch kick to the body. Hazelett landed a really nice leg kick. Hazelett blocked a head kick. McCrory landed a kick low and they touched gloves. Hazelett landed a big right hand and another and McCrory backed off and recovered. McCrory landed a really nice leg kick, vicious. McCrory landed a body kick. As Hazelett came forward for a punch, McCrory landed a leg kick and dropped Hazelett. McCrory landed another groin kick and they touched gloves. McCrory landed a leg kick and came with the takedown to full guard, Hazelett tried a guillotine and then an armbar and then rubber guard and he transitioned to an omoplata and then a moment later a straight armbar, McCrory rolled out, Hazelett tried a triangle and then grabbed for another omoplata. McCrory was defending pretty well. Hazelett landed a punch to the body. McCrory was trying to roll out. Hazelett turned the arm to a reverse armbar and that was torqued and McCrory tapped immediately. Amazing submission. The two fighters hugged on their knees.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Justin Buchholz - The referee was Kevin Nix.
The first round began and they hesitated before touching gloves. Buchholz landed a body kick, Stephens caught it and landed a big overhand right and another and Buchholz had been caught, he landed another front kick, Stephens caught it again but let it go landed an inside leg kick, ate a leg kick and landed another. Buchholz landed a nice Superman punch and a body kick. Stephens looked hurt, he was backing up and wincing. Buchholz landed a body kick and a front kick and missed a head kick and pumped out a jab. Stephens landed a leg kick, very nice, set it up with the jab. Buchholz landed another teep and another. Stephens landed a big knee to the body, jumping into it and another to the face and another and dropped Buchholz and they stood. They circled. Stephens landed an inside leg kick. Stephens blocked a head kick. Buchholz seemed to recover, pumping out the jab again. Stephens landed another good leg kick. Buchholz landed a good combination ending with a nice uppercut and ate a nice counter left hook. Stephens landed a pair of uppercuts and another huge knee to the face and Buchholz was cut, another three knees and Buchholz dropped and Stephens pounded and went into full guard and the referee paused the fight. The doctors came in. It was too big of a cut. The fight was over. Stephens earned KO of the Night. The fighters hugged.
Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Josh Barnett 2 - The fight was Barnett's last in Pride and Nogueira's as well.
The first round began and they circled. Nogueira showed good head movement to avoid the jab being pumped out by Barnett. Barnett landed a good right hand and they clinched. Nogueira landed a good knee to the body and another and Barnett replied and again. Another knee by Barnett and Nogueira replied. Barnett landed some good body shots. The referee broke them up. They clinched and broke and Barnett landed a good right hand and they clinched and broke again. Nogueira landed a good body shot and they clinched and Nogueira landed three or four good knees to the body and they broke once more. Barnett landed another good right hand and they clinched and broke. They clinched again and Barnett broke with a left hook to the ear. Barnett landed a nice straight right. His punches didn't really seem to be affecting Nogueira of the iron chin. They clinched. Barnett landed a nice body shot. Nogueira landed a knee to the body and they broke. Nogueira landed a good combination. Barnett landed a combination of his own and Nogueira landed a knee to the body and they clinched and Barnett landed a good knee and another and they broke. Barnett's corner ordered him 'hands up.' Nogueira landed an inside leg kick and a leg kick and they clinched and Nogueira landed a knee to the body and another and Barnett was looking for the takedown and he lifted Nogueira up above his head and slammed him down very impressively into half-guard and landed some good knees to the head, Nogueira blocked with his hand, I don't think that's effective overly much. Another knee to the forehead by Barnett after a moment. Barnett turned around to guard and ate some hammerfists from the bottom and stood. He stepped over back to half-guard and Nogueira swept into half-guard. Nogueira postured up with some good shots after a bit. Another nice shot in under. Four big hammerfists. Nogueira pounded in under with five more hammerfists to the forehead. Nogueira postured up with another five shots to the face, just keeping the pressure on. Another nice shot the nose. Three shots between the eyes. Nogueira landed a body shot and a big shot to the nose. Barnett finally retained full guard and rolled after a moment and turtled up and then stood into the clinch. He broke with a missed uppercut and missed right hand and the first round ended.
The second round began. Nogueira landed a good counter combination and a knee to the face and came for the takedown and Barnett defended into the clinch, Nogueira landed a knee to the body and another. Barnett landed a body shot, Nogueira landed a knee and another. The referee paused the fight to check Barnett's bloody nose. Barnett said 'my nose'. The fight continued separated and they circled. They clinched after some missed punches. Nogueira broke with a knee to the body. Barnett landed a hard body kick. Nogueira landed a nice counter left hand. Barnett landed a big right hand and ate a counter combination. Barnett landed a nice left hook. Barnett landed another nice body kick and they clinched and exchanged knees to the body and broke and clinched again. Nogueira took Barnett's standing back and tripped him, Barnett got the reversal and he had mount, Nogueira put him back in half-guard and then full guard. Barnett landed a nice shot and stood and came down to try to make it to side control, Nogueira stood into the clinch and Barnett broke with a knee to the body and the referee paused the fight to check Barnett's bloody nose again. They continued and circled. Nogueira landed a good counter combination. Barnett seemed a bit tentative. They clinched and Nogueira landed a knee to the body and they broke. Nogueira landed a knee to the face and a jab. Barnett landed a pair of body shots. Nogueira stepped into a knee to the body and another to the face, really working that quick plum. Barnett shot for a weak takedown, Nogueira defended and they broke. They clinched again and exchanged knees before they broke. Barnett looked exhausted. Nogueira landed a nice jab and the second round ended.
The third round began and they circled about. Barnett landed a good right hook. He seemed a bit rejuvenated. Nogueira was still backing him up and he landed a good counter combination on Barnett, showing good boxing. Barnett landed a good right hand. Nogueira landed another quick knee to the body, working that plum, and then a leg kick. Barnett blocked a combination. Barnett landed a good combination of his own. Barnett landed a leg kick. Nogueira landed a good combination that hurt Barnett and grabbed the plum and landed three knees to the face and came in and got the takedown into full guard and Barnett locked up a tight guillotine and arched his back, working hard for it. That was tight. Nogueira pulled out. Impressive. Great fight. Nogueira went body-body-head with hammerfists, trying to be unpredictable. This continued for a little bit. Barnett threw up a triangle attempt and Nogueira nearly took his back but Barnett managed to stand into the clinch in the corner. Nogueira landed a knee to the body. Barnett tried for a trip takedown but Nogueira landed on top and had his back and then turtled him up but before he could try to knee the head, Barnett rolled and pulled guard, swinging those hips for an armbar or a triangle multiple times quickly. Nogueira kept on rolling out. The third round ended and the fight was over apparently. Nogueira was the winner by unanimous decision and rightly so. The fighters hugged.
Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Murilo 'Ninja' Rua - The first round began. Xavier landed a good leg kick and then a nice jumping body kick and then a leg kick that knocked Rua off balance but Rua leaped right back up. Xavier landed another nice body kick. Rua landed a nice body kick of his own and then an inside leg kick. Xavier was light on his feet and landed another leg kick and ate a body kick from Rua. Both were circling quickly and light on their feet. Rua landed a body kick. Rua landed a leg kick, staying calm. Xavier swept Rua's leg with another hard leg kick and dropped him but Rua stood right back up and ate a leg kick and another. Rua landed a nice counter right and hurt Xavier. Rua was getting tired of the dancing. Rua landed a nice inside leg kick. Xavier landed another body kick. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Xavier landed another body kick. Fast kicks from Xavier. Xavier landed a body kick. The lead left leg and shoulder of Rua was bruised. Xavier landed a nice combination and a knee to the body. Rua landed a nice leg kick as Xavier landed a body kick. Rua landed a leg kick. Xavier landed a nice right hand and a body kick and the first round ended.
The second round began. Rua landed a nice inside leg kick and a leg kick. Xavier landed a body kick. Rua landed a really nice inside leg kick. Rua landed a leg kick. Xavier landed a body kick. Rua landed a leg kick. Xavier landed an inside leg kick. Rua landed another inside leg kick. Rua's lead leg was very bruised still. Xavier landed a nice body kick. Rua landed a nice counter right and grabbed the single-leg and they clinched but broke quickly. Xavier stepped into a knee to the body. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Rua came in for the single-leg and got it into half-guard and passed to side control. He went to north-south, pounding with body shots, back to side control. Rua was looking to pin the arm down with his knee. Xavier tried for a kimura from the bottom briefly. He was looking for that arm triangle. Rua let it go after a moment and mounted. Xavier was trying to buck him off. Xavier gave up his back and Rua got one hook in and grabbed the choke and Xavier tapped.
Pedro Rizzo vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka - Rizzo came in undefeated. With his fourth victory in the UFC he became the number-one contender to fight Randleman. If Kohsaka had won, he would have gotten the shot. Many thought it would be Kohsaka the grappler trying the takedown and Rizzo countering with strikes.
The first round began. Rizzo checked a leg kick. Kohsaka landed a good leg kick. They continued circling around, respecting each other's power. They circled some more. Kohsaka landed an inside leg kick. He was keeping his distance nicely. Circling. Kohsaka landed a really nice inside leg kick. Kohsaka landed another leg kick. Kohsaka landed a nice front kick. Circling. Kohsaka landed a nice leg kick and ate a nice counter right, the first punch landed. Kohsaka landed a leg kick and Rizzo replied in kind with one of his own, the first kick landed by Rizzo. Circling. They seemed to be waiting for the opening to land one shot. Kohsaka landed a leg kick. Rizzo landed an amazing inside leg kick, and that made a welt. Damn. Kohsaka landed an inside leg kick at the bell and the first round ended.
The second round began. Circling. Kohsaka missed a leg kick. Rizzo checked an inside leg kick. Circling some more. And some more. Really nice inside leg kick viciously from Rizzo. Kohsaka's leg was bruised just from those pair of kicks. Rizzo landed another inside leg kick. Circling. Some more circling. Kohsaka landed a leg kick, tried for the takedown, Rizzo sprawled and they circled. Rizzo landed a really nice leg kick. Kohsaka landed a leg kick and Rizzo checked another. Rizzo landed a massive inside leg kick and those were starting to really hurt him. Rizzo landed a right hand and there was a bit of a mouse under Kohsaka's right eye. Kohsaka tried the takedown, Rizzo sprawled and shoved him away and Kohsaka tried a body kick and slipped and Rizzo let him up and Kohsaka stood and touched gloves and the second round ended.
The third round began. Kohsaka had a welt on his right inner thigh as they circled. Circling. Circling with Kohsaka backing up and Rizzo pressing the action. Rizzo landed a big left hook and dropped Kohsaka and Kohsaka stood and tried for the takedown and turtled up and Rizzo landed a right hand in under and the referee stopped it.
Demian Maia vs. Ed Herman - Herman had a three-fight win streak.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Herman blocked a headkick and Maia shot for the double-leg and tried to pull guard, Herman avoided into the clinch and kept on defending that single-leg takedown attempt. Herman did a good job of pounding in under with hammerfists. Maia managed to slam him down into half-guard. Maia landed five or six shots from the top to the side of Herman's head and Herman stood into the clinch and Maia landed a knee to the body and kept on coming for that double-leg takedown again. Maia wasn't giving Herman any room to work. Maia turned and took Herman's standing back and Herman avoided to the clinch. Maia kept looking for the takedown and he pulled open guard. Herman landed an elbow and another. Herman tried to stand out, Maia nearly had an omoplata then a kneebar and an armbar or a triangle and Herman pulled out to half-guard. Maia nearly stood with a sweep and Herman came back down to half-guard and landed a few short elbows from the top. Maia pushed it back to guard. Herman tried to stand and Maia grabbed a heelhook and let it go and ended up on top in half-guard, and looked to mount. Someone was cut. There are two little pools of blood. Maia passed to mount. Maia landed a good elbow and another one. Maia tried to pound but Herman was covering up well. Herman rolled and stood. He came down into guard and Maia managed to stand quickly into the clinch. They exchanged a knee each. Maia pulled guard again and Herman postured up with four big shots, mainly blocked by Maia. The first round ended. In the corner, it didn't appear that anyone was cut. Hmm, strange.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Maia landed a kick to the shoulder, shot in, Herman avoided, and Maia pulled guard but Herman stood to the clinch and Herman got a nice takedown to guard. Herman landed a good shot, another, another. Herman couldn't load up, he had to land some short shots and not give any openings. Herman stood and landed a big shot. Herman came back down. Maia got a nice sweep nearly and Herman avoided back on top into guard. Maia seemed to be fading a bit. Herman landed a good shot and another. Maia threw up a triangle, Herman dodged back on top onto guard. Maia threw up antoher triangle. This one was locked in. Kenny Florian said 'I think this is the end'. Maia spun over on top in mount with that triangle still locked in, pounding away and Herman was refusing to tap and then he went limp and it was all over.
Keith Jardine vs. Wilson Gouveia - The fight was Gouveia's UFC debut. Jardine apparently had a bad knee going into the fight, but you wouldn't know unless you heard about it, eh?
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled about. Jardine missed a big leg kick. Gouveia landed a nice leg kick a moment later. Jardine was pumping a quick jab out there but not landing it. Jardine missed another leg kick. Jardine landed a leg kick. Gouveia landed another inside leg kick and a couple of jabs. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick. Jardine landed a body kick and ate an inside leg kick. Jardine was already bloodied up under his left eye, just from those jabs apparently. Gouveia threw a combination, quick hands by Gouveia, backing Jardine into the cage but I don't think many of the punches landed and Jardine escaped. Gouveia landed a big leg kick, somewhat checked, and Jardine winced, even though he checked it. Gouveia landed another leg kick to the knee, and Jardine threw up his hands in exasperation. Gouveia landed a counter left hook and then another and an inside leg kick right to the knee joint. Gouveia landed another big leg kick. Jardine was already limping. Gouveia landed another big leg kick. Gouveia landed a big left hook and another and a big leg kick. Jardine landed a leg kick and ate a counter. Gouveia landed another leg kick and dodged the counter with good head movement and danced around, shrugging as Jardine looked pissed. Gouveia landed another leg kick, same spot, and landed an uppercut. There was a sizeable welt above Jardine's left knee. Gouveia came for the takedown and he was close to getting the single-leg, Jardine stood back to the clinch and they broke. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled around. Jardine landed a good jab. Gouveia landed a good leg kick and then an inside leg kick. Jardine landed a good leg kick. Gouveia landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination. Jardine's limp seemed to be gone, he seemed to be pressing the action. Jardine narrowly missed a headkick. Gouveia landed a nice counter. Jardine shook out that leg. Jardine landed a good left-right combination. Jardine landed a leg kick, very nice of his own, and another one, Gouveia caught it and landed a counter and got the takedown into half-guard. Jardine stood and they broke away. Gouveia seemed to be fading a bit. He landed a counter jab. He was keeping Jardine at distance with the jab. Jardine landed another nice leg kick. Gouveia seemed a bit arm-weary, his mouth was wide open and he was breathing very hard. Gouveia landed a leg kick and ate a counter right hand. Jardine landed a headkick and Gouveia shook it off and Jardine landed a body kick, blocked by the arm. Jardine seemed to be gaining momentum. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed another good leg kick and a moment later another. Gouveia was starting to limp a little. Jardine landed a leg kick but that one hit the groin. Gouveia had to take a moment, with his hands on his knees. In the replay, yep it was right on the package. They touched gloves and continued. Jardine was cut under the eye, I guess that would be his left eye. Jardine missed a headkick. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine raised his hands, in exasperation as Gouveia kept backing off. Jardine landed a leg kick and the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Gouveia looked absolutely exhausted. Gouveia landed a good counter inside leg kick. Jardine landed a right hand and Gouveia blocked a headkick. Gouveia landed a massive leg kick as Jardine went for a headkick and Gouveia landed another leg kick and a body kick. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine shook out that leg. Gouveia landed a leg kick and that one was hard, and Jardine replied in kind. Gouveia landed to the inside and again to the outside and then a big headkick and a right hand. Jardine landed a big right hand and a combination in close. Gouveia danced away. Gouveia checked a leg kick and Jardine landed the next one. Jardine came for the single-leg and he got it into full guard and landed a pair of hammerfists. Jardine was bleeding everywhere. Gouveia threw up a triangle but Jardine avoided. Jardine landed six hammerfists, big hammerfists, and Gouveia shoved him off and stood. Jardine landed a big leg kick and a big inside leg kick and ate a counter right and dropped but stood. Jardine landed a body kick. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick. Jardine landed a jab and a leg kick. Jardine landed a body kick. Jardine landed a good counter right hand. Jardine landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a combination and a big right hand and another and Jardine's mouthpiece was out and another big right hand and the referee paused it and got the mouthpiece and washed it out. They continued. Jardine landed a leg kick and then a nice left hook. Jardine landed a combination and another. Gouveia landed a good counter right hook. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick. Jardine landed a left hook and another and they clinched and broke. The third round ended. Chuck Liddell applauded. Jardine had the win by unanimous decision.
Chris Lytle vs. Joe Riggs - The fight was Riggs's debut at welterweight after dropping from middleweight.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, Riggs missed a headkick and they clinched. Lytle had a bit of a size disadvantage, it was obvious. Lytle got a nice throw takedown into guard and he passed to side control quickly. Riggs was looking to put Lytle in half-guard. Lytle stepped himself back into half-guard, bit of a strange move. Lytle forced Riggs into the cage and tapped Riggs to the body and then to the head to let him know he was in a fight, I would suppose. Riggs retained guard after a moment. Riggs went for an omoplata and he secured it, Lytle was looking to pull out, Riggs was trying to get it tighter to Lytle's body, Riggs pulled out on top into guard, dodging punches thrown by Lytle from the bottom. Riggs postured up and came down with a massive shot to the face into side control and he was looking to trap that arm. Lytle gave up his back and Riggs got a hook in, Lytle rolled out back to half-guard. Riggs was looking to pass. Riggs stood and came back down with a big left hand right to the chin into side control and another big left, Lytle retained guard and ate another big left. Riggs stood and came back down with a looping left hand into half-guard and another big left and a big elbow. Lytle's right eye was swelling up. Riggs stood and came down with a big elbow and an axe kick to the body and the first round ended. Lytle wobbled on the way back to his corner.
The second round began. Lytle's eye was swelling up as I watch. They touched gloves. Riggs came in with a big left hand and got the takedown into full guard. Lytle tried for the sweep or reversal and he got it into half-guard. Not much was going on. Riggs retained guard. Lytle passed back to half-guard and Riggs landed a big elbow from the bottom. Blood was starting to pour from a deep, nasty cut on the forehead of Lytle. The chest of Riggs was covered in Lytle's blood as they were paused. The fight was stopped by the doctors.
Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman - The first round began. Wiman came out smiling. Wiman landed an inside leg kick and Nelson replied. Nelson went for a counter and Wiman came after him but indicated an eyepoke but he continued quickly. Nelson landed an inside leg kick. Wiman landed an inside leg kick of his own. Wiman landed a leg kick and Nelson replied to the inside leg kick. Wiman landed a leg kick, Nelson caught it but let it go. Wiman landed a right hand. Nelson landed a leg kick. Wiman landed an inside leg kick and then a moment later a leg kick. Nelson landed a combination and a body kick and that hurt Wiman and they clinched and Nelson landed a good shot inside over the top. They broke away. Nelson circled nicely. Wiman landed a leg kick, Nelson nearly caught it. Wiman missed a flying knee. Wiman landed an inside leg kick. They clinched but broke. Nelson landed an inside leg kick and Wiman replied with a front kick. Wiman landed a good left hook and they clinched and Wiman landed a knee to the body and another to the leg and another to the leg. They broke. Nelson landed a nice counter. Wiman landed a body shot and a nice knee to the body and missed a flying knee. Nelson landed a body kick and they clinched. Wiman landed a nice short elbow inside and another. Nelson landed a knee and Wiman replied. Wiman broke with a big slapping right hand to the eye and rocked Nelson and then an uppercut and Nelson crumpled after a moment wisely and pulled guard when Wiman followed. Nelson was doing a good job of tying up the arms. Wiman landed three big elbows and they stood. Nelson landed a body kick. Nelson was cut open on his forehead from those elbows and his legs were still a bit shaky. Nelson landed a nice right hand. Wiman tried for a leg kick and slipped and the first round ended. Yep, it was a small cut right at his hairline. Forehead cuts tend to bleed a lot, as explained by Rogan.
The second round began. Wiman landed an inside leg kick. Wiman blocked a headkick and missed a Superman punch. Nelson landed an inside leg kick. Wiman landed a nice headkick to the chin and Nelson went for the takedown and got it into full guard. Wiman landed an elbow from the bottom. Nelson landed some body shots and he passed to half-guard but Wiman smartly moved his hips and regained full guard. Nelson passed back to half-guard, Wiman put him back in full guard. The referee warned them he was about to stand them up and he did. Wiman landed a big flying knee and a right hand but Nelson backed up and blocked a switch kick to the head. Nelson landed a nice combination, the same as at the end of the first round. They clinched and Wiman broke with a flying knee and came for the single-leg and Nelson was defending decently. Wiman was making him work though. Wiman got him down into full guard, Nelson threw up a decent triangle attempt, Wiman powered out and landed a nice elbow from the top and another. That cut was bleeding again. Another big elbow from Wiman. A nice shot from the top for Wiman. Good ground and pound by Wiman. Another nice elbow and another from the top by Wiman. Nelson's corner was yelling for him to stand, but easier said than done. Wiman stood and he came back down into half-guard. Nelson was looking for a leglock and then a heelhook and that looked pretty close, Wiman was trying to stand out and he did it into half-guard and landed a good elbow and another. Wiman landed a shot from the top right at the bell as the second round came to an end.
The third round began. Nelson landed a kick to the shoulder. Wiman landed a massive kick to the groin and it was instantly evident and Wiman came after Nelson and the referee yelled 'stop stop stop'. Yeah that was right to the groin, slapped right in there. Nelson collapsed on all fours. God-damn that is a horrible angle. He's hurt. Nelson was not acting. Nelson said he didn't want to waste time but the referee told him he should take time to continue. They continued pretty quickly. Nelson landed a blocked combination and a body kick. Nelson missed an overhand left and ate a nice body kick. Nelson checked a leg kick and didn't check an inside leg kick. Wiman came in with a big bomb of a missed combination, grabbed the single-leg and dragged Nelson into full guard. Nelson landed an elbow and another off his back. Wiman landed nine or so body shots. Wiman postured up and Nelson used the oppurtunity to stand and they broke away. Wiman blocked a headkick. They exchanged missed combinations, nice head movement by both. Wiman missed a headkick. Nelson landed a nice body shot. More missed combinations, Wiman tried for a guillotine and Nelson dropped back and let Wiman have full guard. Wiman landed a body shot. Nelson looked for a kimura, Wiman easily pulled away from the attempt. Wiman passed to half-guard. Wiman was looking to pass, pushing down with his left instep to pop that right leg out. The crowd began booing, getting a little restless, dunno why. Nelson spun for another heelhook. Wiman spun out and took Nelson's back and got both hooks in. He lost a hook after a moment, got it back in. Wiman locked in the body triangle. That was tight. Nelson was struggling to roll out. Wiman began landing big shots in under and looking for the choke. Wiman kept pounding in under and the third round ended. They stood and hugged. Wiman was the winner by unanimous decision and rightly so.
Kevin Burns vs. TJ Grant - The referee was Greg Franklin, the brother of Rich Franklin. Burns had an inch and a half of reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Grant landed an inside leg kick and a body kick and a nice leg kick, keeping the aggressive Burns at bay and then getting a takedown but Burns scrambled right back to his feet and Grant landed four knees to the legs and Burns responded with a pair of his own and they broke. Burns landed an inside leg kick. Grant landed a leg kick. Burns landed an inside leg kick and a big right hand and dropped Grant and began pounding away, Grant defended himself. Burns landed an elbow and another. He was basically in half-guard. Burns was looking to pass as Grant looked to sweep. Burns stood and Grant came for the single-leg and Burns broke away with a big uppercut missing barely on the exit. Grant landed a good jab and a leg kick. Grant landed a combination. Grant got the takedown into a sort of mount, half-guard combination. Burns regained guard and landed an elbow from the bottom. Grant passed to half-guard. Burns got an overhook trying to regain guard but he stopped. Burns regained guard. Grant postured up with a massive shot and a kick to the leg and he came back down to guard and passed to side control. Grant was holding Burns down nicely. Grant passed to mount, kneeing across the belly. Burns regained half-guard. Burns landed some good shots from the bottom. Grant passed to mount high and nearly had a reverse triangle but Grant escaped out the back and they stood. Grant landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick and they clinched and Grant broke with a knee to the groin and he apologized immediately ('I'm sorry, dude') as Burns collapsed. Oh no the knee had missed and the foot had kept going to the groin. Bam, right in there, right in the gonads. Ouch. His corner yelled 'Take your time, Kevin!' Burns was indeed taking some time. Jorge Gurgel yelled to TJ Grant not to let it bother him, don't let it get in your head. Burns really took some time, it really must have hit him hard there. The crowd cheered as Burns sucked it up and continued and they touched gloves. Grant landed a knee and another and another and another to the body and as they broke Grant landed a massive right hand and dropped Burns and pounded as the round began to come to a close and the referee stopped the fight, and Grant ran around the ring, very excited. Maybe a second or two left in the round. Burns protested. After the loss, he was cut from the UFC unfortunately and TJ Grant earned knockout of the night.
Pedro Rizzo vs. Tank Abbott - The fight was Rizzo's UFC debut.
The first round began. Abbottt came forward with his hands down and landed a sloppy combination and he came forward again and ate a counter and dropped facedown. Rizzo landed a shot in under and Abbott turtled up and stood and they clinched. Abbot landed an uppercut and a hook inside and they broke. Rizzo was cut under his left eye, he had came into the fight with stitches there from a sparring accident apparently. Abbott came forward and they clinched. Abbott was taking a breather there. They broke and Rizzo landed a leg kick and ate a nice counter. Abbott was breathing really heavily. Rizzo landed a leg kick. Abbott was embarassingly gassed. Rizzo landed another big leg kick. Abbott came for the takedown and Rizzo shoved him away and Abbott ate a combination as he stood. Abbott had his hands on his waist briefly. Rizzo wasn't exactly swift but Abbott made him look like a cheetah. The crowd chanted 'Rizzo'. Rizzo landed another combination and a leg kick. Abbott put his hands on his knees. Rizzo landed a leg kick. Abbott shot forward desperately and got a takedown but Rizzo was looking to stand, Abbott kept coming forward and made it into full guard. They weren't doing much but the Brazilian crowd still rhythmically chanted 'Rizzo'. Not much going on. Abbott postured up with a big shot and another, he didn't have much behind it though. Rizzo landed a shot from the bottom and another shot as well. Not much going on. Rizzo landed a shot from the bottom. Hmm that's a tiny cut underneath Rizzo's left eye. Not much happening. Yawn yo. Stand them up, Big John. Rizzo landed an elbow to the back of the head from the bottom. Wow the screen went crazy for a few seconds. Damn old footage. Still not much happening. Yep. This is embarassing. The referee stood them up finally, way overdue. The crowd chanted 'Rizzo'. Big John was talking to Rizzo. They continued. Rizzo landed a leg kick and another a moment later. Rizzo landed another leg kick and another. Abbott put his hands on his hips. Rizzo landed another leg kick. Hands back to the hips. Another leg kick. Hands on the hips once more. Rizzo landed another leg kick. Rizzo landed a counter combination and dropped Abbott, pounded in under and they stood. Hands on the hips. Rizzo landed another leg kick and a big counter combination and Abbott dropped knocked out. More like gave up because of gross exhaustion.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Zelg Galesic - The first round began and they circled. Sakuraba was feinting a bit and Galesic kept flinching. Sakuraba shot in and hugged Galesic's ankle and got the takedown. Galesic punched off his back. Sakuraba rolled and grabbed the leg. Sakuraba was on top sitting on Galesis'c hcest twisting that leg up and Galesic pounded behind. Galesic turned on top, pounding away with hammerfists and big shots repeatedly. Sakuraba kept hugging that leg. Galesic kept on pounding in under relentlessly. This fight would have been stopped already in America. Sakuraba just hugging that leg twisting the ankle as Galesic pounded under. He was twisting that leg in a kneebar and Galesic tapped. Sakuraba celebrated emotionally, his nose bleeding. Galesic still laid on the ground, in obvious pain.
Josh Koscheck vs. Jonathan Goulet - The first round began and they touched gloves. Goulet landed a leg kick and a body kick. Koscheck landed an inside leg kick. Koscheck kept pumping that jab out there. Koscheck landed a beautiful right hand and rocked Goulet hard, Goulet shot in desperately and Koscheck looked for a guillotine and Goulet rolled to side control and got half-guard, Koscheck kept looking for that guillotine. He kept looking for it. He had it deep. 	His face was purple and he couldn't breathe. Goulet finally pulled his head out of the choke. Koscheck landed a good elbow. He was still in half-guard. Goulet was looking for a kimura. Koscheck landed a forearm and another and another and another, pounding Goulet's face. A big elbow from Koscheck and another. Goulet grabbed the fence and he was warned. Georges St. Pierre called out 'Watch that side choke, Jon, watch that side choke'. Koscheck was looking to pass. Koscheck passed to mount. Goulet rolled and gave up his back. Goulet was just getting dominated on the ground. Koscheck pounded in under with three big shots. Another big right hand and another and another and another and another and another, massive shots all and the referee stopped the fight. Koscheck did the X-pac thing and then the belt motion around his waist.
Paul Daley vs. Jake Shields - The fight was for the EliteXC welterweight championship with Shields defending. Daley had a two-and-a-half-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. Shields landed a body kick. Daley blocked a headkick. Shields came for the takedown, tried to hug the single-leg, Daley sprawled nicely and they broke. Daley blocked another headkick. Daley landed a nice inside leg kick. Shields was pumping out a jab. Pfft. Daley landed a really nice jab to the body. Shields came in boldly for the clinch and Daley broke away. The commentators even said that Shields' standup was horrible. Shields shot for the single-leg and got Daley on his back, into half-guard and passed to side control, Daley put him right back in half-guard. Shields passed to side control after a moment and then smoothly into mount. Shields was distributing his weight very well, that's a nice mount. Shields pounded away with short shots to the body and to the face. Daley was trying to cover up but Shields was doing a good job. Shields just kept on sitting on Daley's chest punching him. Daley pushed him back to side control, Shields got right back to mount. Shields landed some more shots. Daley tried to cover up. He couldn't answer. Shields was humping Daley but in a more exciting manner than his humping of Mayhem. Shields briefly looked for an armbar but the cage was in the way. Shields looked for it again and Daley escaped on top into guard and landed an elbow slightly. Daley landed a big elbow and another and another and another. Another big elbow. The first round ended.
The second round began. Shields blocked a headkick. The commentators kept criticizing the standup of Shields. Daley came forward with a good combination. Shields tried for the takedown, Daley sprawled and escaped. Daley landed a left hook, Shields pulled guard and Daley stood and Shields hugged onto a heelhook and Daley tripped but stood out of it and they circled. Daley landed another left hook. Shields tried for another takedown, Daley sprawled and stood. Shields got up a bit slowly. Shields shot for another takedown, Daley was defending on one knee and got his back to the cage and tried to stand. Daley stood to the clinch. Shields got the takedown right into mount however. Shields landed an elbow and another and he was setting up that armbar slowly on that right arm. Shields pounded away with some more shots. A big elbow and another. Shields landed a trio of elbows to the eye of Daley, provoking a smile. Shields was setting up that armbar again. Daley was avoiding nicely and causing Shields to go back to the strikes. Shields went back to side control. And back to mount once more. Back to side control and then back to mount and Shields grabbed that arm and he had that armbar tight, Daley struggled to pull away and he tapped Shields' leg.
Tito Ortiz vs. Evan Tanner - The fight was for the light-heavyweight title with Ortiz defending.
The first round began. They circled. Ortiz landed a good leg kick. Tanner came forward with a front kick and they clinched. Ortiz landed a knee and a good shot inside and then he slammed Tanner on his head and landed a shot afterwards and the referee stopped the fight and Ortiz did his faggoty celebration.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Ivan Menjivar - Menjivar came in undefeated whereas this was St. Pierre's professional MMA debut. Apparently Menjivar came in overweight and some of his purse had gone to St. Pierre.
The first round began and they touched gloves. St. Pierre landed a good leg kick right off the back. Menjivar landed a left and right combination and ate a coutner from St. Pierre and they clinched and broke. St. Pierre missed a spinning back kick. St. Pierre landed a combination and they clinched and Menjivar lifted St. Pierre up but he let him back down and shoved him into the corner. Menjivar landed a few foot stomps. Menjivar's ear was taped up for some reason. Menjivar kept looking for that takedown but St. Pierre sprawled. Menjivar broke with a missed combination and came back for the double-leg, St. Pierre grabbed the ropes, Menjivar got him down and had his back, spun back into guard and landed a few good shots. St. Pierre put in the butterly guard. The referee stood them up very very quickly. St. Pierre missed a front kick. Menjivar landed a good combination and a nice uppercut and they clinched and St. Pierre landed some good shots inside and a few knees to the body and he got the double-leg into full guard. Menjivar had some good wrist control but St. Pierre landed a few good left hands and some more a moment later. Menjivar landed a few shots from the bottom. St. Pierre stood and Menjivar ducked underneath a massive headkick and came for the takedown and they broke. St. Pierre landed a leg kick. Menjivar landed a big right hand and came for the takedown and St. Pierre defended into the clinch and they broke and touched gloves. St. Pierre landed a leg kick and Menjivar landed an overhand right and got the double-leg into full guard. Menjivar was landing some bombs from the top. Good ground and pound. Menjivar landed a few hammerfists. They stood. Menjivar ate a counter combination and dropped and St. Pierre followed into guard and pounded away and the referee stopped the fight. Wait, I think there was a verbal tap. No, wait... Yeah the referee had stopped it. Wow. Wow. Menjivar's corner was pissed.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Wanderlei Silva - The first round began and they circled. Yvel landed a nice leg kick. Silva landed a counter inside leg kick when Yvel came in and it hit the groin and Yvel collapsed immediately on his knees and then after a moment onto his back. He was screaming in pain and holding his sac. Yeah that was definitely a hard kick. Possibly the P4P worst groin kick. Yvel was back on his knees struggling to recover. Oh damn yeah in the replay it landed right straight on the gonads there.
Chael Sonnen vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral - The fight was Sonnen's UFC debut.
The first round began. Sobral did the Wanderlei Silva wristroll coming out and then he touched gloves. Sobral caught a leg kick and landed a big right hand and got the takedown but Sonnen managed tos tand into the clinch. Sonnen was looking for the takedown. Sobral got the takedown once more into guard. Sonnen stood and Sobral grabbed a standing arm triangle. Impressive. He was looking to lock it up. Sonnen pulled out after a moment. Sobral was looking for a single-leg. Sonnen was defending as well. Sobral landed a knee. Not much was happening there. A stalemate. Sonnen had spent most of the round against the cage. Sonnen landed a knee to the body. Sobral looking for the takedown and he got it and landed some good shots in under and Sonnen stood into the clinch and they broke. Sobral landed a big headkick and a combination. Sobral got the takedown, Sonnen got the reversal to full guard. Sobral was rolling for an armbar. He tried to turn it into an omoplata and Sonnen went back to guard. Sonnen landed some good body shots. Sonnen stood and ate a pair of wicked upkicks from Sobral and went back down into guard. Sonnen landed some good body shots. Sobral tried to roll for another armbar, throwing his hips up and rotating but Sonnen kept seeing it coming. Sonnen landed some good shots and stood and came back down with some good punches into half-guard, he landed a big right and another flurry of shots. Sobral rolled and grabbed a heelhook and that was tight. Sonnen was grimacing and grunting and then screaming in pain and holding the cage and he was trying to pull out. Sonnen hammerfisted back to the face and top of the head of Sobral and the first round ended. Gotta wait 'fifty-four minutes' to watch the rest of the fight because Megavideo management consists of douchefuckinbags.
The second round began. Sonnen didn't seem to be limping. Sobral landed a leg kick as Sonnen went for a front kick and Sonnen went down and Sobral pounced into full guard. Sonnen shoved Sobral off with his legs and then stepped on top into full guard. Sobral was rotating those hips and he rolled for an armbar or something, securing a shoulder. Sobral locked in a triangle and that was tight and Sonnen tapped quickly.
Tito Ortiz vs. Elvis Sinosic - The fight was for the light-heavyweight championship with Ortiz defending.
The first round began. Sinosic missed a leg kick and Ortiz came forward and got the plum and landed a trio of knees before they broke. Sinosic landed an inside leg kick and a right hand. They exchanged kicks at the same time. Ortiz checked a leg kick. Sinosic blocked a head kick. Ortiz got the clinch and the double leg into full guard. Ortiz landed a quadruplet of hard shots. Ortiz passed to half-guard. Sinosic retained guard. The crowd chanted 'Tito'. Yep yep yep. This is a Tito Ortiz fight, you can fuckin' tell, dude. Ortiz landed a trio of hard shots to the back of the head and some more hard ones, five or six and then he worked the other side with five or six and then five or six hard right to the face. Another hard shot and another and another and another and another and another and another and another and another and another. Ortiz stood and came back down and he was just pounding away and beating the fuck out of the 'challenger.' Ortiz began smashing down with elbow after elbow and then coming with punches. The pace slowed. Another big elbow and another and another and another. Sinosic was cut. Another elbow. The referee stopped the fight. It was all over. Ortiz did his little celebration.
Pete Spratt vs. Robbie Lawler - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Spratt was obviously looking to land leg kicks, his stance I mean. They both landed leg kicks at the same time and Lawler got an explosive takedown to full guard, passed quickly to a dominant half-guard but it was loose. He could pass if he wanted to. Lawler tried to go for mount, Spratt managed to stand to the clinch, Lawler lifted him up and slammed him down into half-guard. Lawler mounted and got his hooks in there. He flattened Spratt out. Spratt was doing a good job of hugging Lawler. Spratt gave up his back and stood into the clinch and broke with a combination and a headkick and they clinched again and Lawler landed a knee to the body. Lawler was trying to recover. Spratt landed another good knee to the body. Lawler got double underhooks. Spratt landed another knee, but to the groin. Spratt looked comparitively calm. The referee broke them up and deducted a point. Spratt looked a bit annoyed by that. It was totally unintentional. Lawler didn't seem to be affected, he was just trying to rest, pacing with his arms hanging. The referee kept asking him if he was ready and he said 'yeah'. They touched gloves. Spratt landed an inside leg kick and that one hurt and Lawler barely dodged a headkick. Spratt was picking Lawler apart. Spratt landed an inside leg kick and a very nice blocked combination. They clinched. Lawler's leg was shaky and he might have injured his leg with those kicks. It was unsure if he was hurt or just tired. Spratt landed some good fast knees. Spratt got a nice throw takedown to side control and mounted instantly. Lawler was hugging Spratt desperately. The first round ended. Lawler was panting hard.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Spratt missed an inside leg kick. He was throwing those with mean intentions. Spratt landed a good body kick. They circled a bit. Spratt landed a good body kick and a short right hand and they clinched and Lawler landed a good knee and another. Lawler landed another big knee and another to the leg and another. Spratt landed a good right hand inside and Lawler replied with another pair of knees. Spratt was cut on his right eye badly, it was a nasty cut and the referee paused the fight to check it. Lawler was getting a good break out of it. They continued and Spratt was game, he was ready. Spratt landed a body kick. Lawler landed a right hook to the body. Lawler backed off and waved off the fight. He was limping, he did not want to continue. Rogan's only comment was 'wow'.
Travis Lutter vs. Marvin Eastman - Lutter was a replacement for Patrick Cote, who filled in for Guy Mezger in the main event against Tito Ortiz.
The first round began. Eastman refused to touch gloves. They circled. The crowd began booing as they circled, about thirty seconds in now. Eastman kind of just stalking Lutter. About a minute in. The referee angrily ordered them to get some action going. Eastman, frustrated, missed a combination. Eastman came in with a good jab. Circling and booing. Booing hardcore. Frank Mir acknowledged 'They don't want to see two guys dancing around.' Lutter missed a combination. Eastman was looking a bit frustrated. Lutter was walking around with his hands now. Heavy boos, almost drowning out the commentators. Eastman was getting desperate. Wow Lutter is fucking boring. Circling. He's like Kalib Starnes. Eastman pumped out a jab. Eastman's corner yelled 'Marvin, get off first!' HEAVY boos. Heavy heavy boos. Eastman landed an inside leg kick. Another inside leg kick. Another inside leg kick. Lutter shot for the double leg and the crowd cheered, Eastman sprawled and landed a counter combination. More circling. 'One-two, Marvin, one-two!' They circled. Eastman with another inside leg kick. Leg kick by Eastman. 'Again!' his corner yelled. Booing. 'Let's go, Marvin, let it go! Let it go, Beast!' came the yells. The first round ended and there came the heaviest booing I've yet heard. Eastman raised his hands in frustration.
The second round began. Eastman landed a hard leg kick and they clinched and broke. 'Medieval, Marvin!' his corner yelled. Eastman missed a jab and Lutter backed off and bounced off the cage. Eastman threw a leg kick and Lutter landed a massive right hand to the forehead and dropped Eastman unconscious and stood over him looking down at him and then walked off. Eastman was out cold, staring at the ceiling of the arena. Lutter was ecstatic and shocked.
Tony Fryklund vs. Ivan Salaverry - The first round began and they touched gloves. Salaverry landed an inside leg kick, Fryklund blocked a headkick, they clinched after Fryklund avoided the takedown, Fryklund landed a good knee and avoided the judo throw, they broke, Fryklund landed an inside leg kick, Fryklund caught the high kick and they clinched and Salaverry broke with a big combination and dropped Fryklund and pounced and took the back and he locked in those hooks. Salaverry was pounding in under. Fryklund had some blood on his forehead. Salaverry locked in that body triangle tight. Fryklund looked like he was in pain and he said something, he verbally tapped. Fryklund was laying facedown crying as Salaverry celebrated.
Keith Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin - The first round began. They circled. Griffin landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a leg kick and ate a coutner right hand. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Forrest'. Griffin missed a leg kick. Griffin landed a good left hook. Griffin landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter right. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed an inside leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a kick more to the hip really, dangerous. Jardine landed a good uppercut. Jardine landed a leg kick and then another a moment later. Griffin landed a right hand and ate a counter combination. Jardine landed a leg kick, Griffin caught it and they pulled away. Jardine checked a leg kick. Griffin landed a good right hand. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed another good right hand. Griffin checked an inside leg kick and landed a straight left. Jardine landed a nice body kick. Jardine landed a good counter right hand. Griffin landed a good combination and another. Jardine landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a leg kick. Jardine landed a counter combination. Jardine landed a combination ending in a left hook that hurt Griffin and he came in and pounced with a combination that dropped Forrest and he went into guard and began landing bombs over the top until the referee stopped the fight. Wow. Shocker. Griffin walked around the cage crying.
Anthony Njokuani vs. Chris Horodecki - The fight was Horodecki's WEC debut. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began. Anthony landed a good jab startling Horodecki. Horodecki missed a headkick and landed a leg kick. Horodecki missed another headkick. Horodecki landed a body kick. Anthony was stalking him with his hands down pumping a jab out. Horodecki missed a leg kick. Horodecki missed a leg kick. Anthony landed a counter left. They clinched and Anthony landed a vicious knee to the midsection. They exchanged a knee each to the body and again. Horodecki kept trying uselessly for the takedown. They exchanged knees to the body and broke. Anthony landed a good body kick. Horodecki landed a leg kick. Horodecki had blood coming from his lip. Anthony landed another counter left. Another counter straight left as a body kick from Horodecki landed. Another counter left. Anthony landed a body kick. Anthony had good movement. They clinched. Anthony got a beautiful judo throw and passed to mount, Horodecki managed to stand and began trotting away and ate a headkick to the back of the head that dropped him and Anthony stood over him pounding away brutally and repeatedly until Mazzagatti finally stopped it.
Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown 2 - The fight was for the WEC featherweight championship with Brown defending. Mike Brown came out to Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynrd. The height was the same and Brown had a one-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Faber missed a body kick and then a front kick. Faber missed a headkick. Faber was showing good footwork, gauging the distance. They clinched and Brown got the underhooks and he was looking for the takedown. Brown landed a knee and an elbow inside and they broke. The crowd chanted 'Faber'. Faber landed a good right hand. Faber landed a headkick blocked partially by the arm though. Brown was getting frustrated, pushed forward and missed. Brown was chasing Faber as Faber circled away from the pressure. Brown was cut over his left eye. Brown came for the takedown and he got it into half-guard, Faber tried for a guillotine. Brown escaped and he got Faber's back. Brown was looking to get the hooks in. Faber stood and Brown had his standing back, landing a pair of knees around to the head and another around right to the chin. Faber spun out to the clinch with an elbow, Brown took his back again standing and back to the regular clinch. Faber landed a trio of quick knees to the body. Brown broke with a big overhand right. Brown's left eye was puffy. Faber was feinting well, feinting the body kick. Faber landed a big overhand right to the top of the head -- the hardest part of the body, which might have broken his hand -- and Brown staggered for a moment. Faber tried to go for a body kick and ate a leg kick that dropped him and they scrambled and Brown turtled Faber up. Brown was looking to set up a guillotine or Peruvian necktie. He went to side control and then back to keeping Faber turtled up and got a headlock. Brown kept looking for that guillotine. They stood and the first round ended.
The second round began. Faber kept on feinting that front kick and keeping his distance, coming in occasionally and probing. Brown missed a headkick. The crowd was chanting 'Faber' once more. Brown was looking to land big shots. Brown landed a few good body shots. Faber kept feinting that kick. Brown blocked a headkick. Brown kept on stalking Faber with Faber trying to circle away from the power and pressure. Faber landed a headkick. Brown landed a combination, Faber tried to escape but Brown wrestled him down to side control and landed a nice elbow to the ribs. Faber was trying to secure an underhook. Brown passed to half-guard to keep him down and then took his back and then turtled Faber up. Brown kept on looking for that guillotine. Brown had Faber's back again. Faber stood and Brown had his standing back. Brown landed a knee to the back of the leg and another and another and then pounded in under with uppercuts. Brown got the takedown to half-guard and Faber was looking for a guillotine. Brown escaped to side control, going to the opposite side that his head was on. Faber rolled and had Brown in the crucifix, they stood into the clinch. Fast-paced chess match. Faber landed a good shot inside and broke with a body kick. Faber kept feinting that front kick. Brown landed a good right hand. Brown landed a good jab and another. Faber had his hands low. Faber landed a nice elbow in close. Brown landed a good right hand and they clinched. Brown was a bit frustrated. He got a nice takedown and Faber stood and gave up his standing back and they broke. The second round came to an end. Faber broke his right hand and dislocated his left hand in that round and could only use elbows.
The third round began. Faber kept on circling away from that pressure and feinting kicks. Faber landed a nice body shot, left hook. Brown checked a leg kick. Faber missed a flying knee. Faber landed a nice elbow, very nice but Brown got him down and he cradlerolled on top, looking for a guillotine. Faber was pulling out and he was on top. Brown rolled him again back on top into half-guard and Faber gave up his back. Brown was just out-muscling Faber. Faber rolled out briefly and back to the back. Brown landed two shots in under. Faber stood into the clinch and landed a big elbow and another and they broke. Faber kept favoring that right elbow. Faber landed another big elbow and they clinched. Brown landed a knee to the leg and Faber replied with a pair of his own. Brown kept looking for a takedown and Faber sprawled and landed on top almost in mount, Brown rolled out and grabbed for a leglock and then a heelhook. Faber stood out with a spinning back elbow that grazed Brown's forehead. Faber kept shaking out his right hand which was broken. Faber landed a nice body kick and ate a big counter right hand flush and kept backing away calmly. Brown landed another big counter right. It seemed like both of Faber's hands were broken haha. They clinched. Brown tried for the trip and nearly had it but Faber defended nicely. Brown was looking for the single-leg. The third round ended, however.
The fourth round began. They circled. Faber landed a body kick and a left hook to the body. Faber landed another body kick and they clinched. Brown broke with a knee to the body. Brown landed a nice right hook. Brown's left eye was starting to swell. They clinched and Brown landed an uppercut inside and they broke. Faber was feinting with those kicks. Faber landed a body kick. Brown landed a good combination and ate a counter jab. Faber missed a headkick. Brown landed a good combination and an uppercut in close. Faber landed that elbow. Brown landed a good uppercut. The pace seemed to be slowing. Brown landed a pair of jabs and Faber ducked a big right and they clinched. Brown landed a good knee. Brown was looking for a single-leg briefly and then he got an underhook but broke with an elbow of his own. Brown landed a body shot and another. Faber landed a body kick. Brown blocked that left hook to the body. Faber landed a nice elbow. Brown landed a body shot that hurt Faber, a nice right to the body. Brown landed a nice one-two combination. Faber landed another good elbow. Faber said 'ow' after trying to throw a punch. They exchanged missed shots. Brown landed a nice uppercut inside and a knee to the body. Faber landed a nice left jab and another. They clinched and Faber landed a nice knee. Brown landed a nice knee and a body shot and another. Brown landed a knee to the leg and another. Faber landed a knee to the body as the fourth round ended.
The fifth round began and they touched gloves. Faber feinted the body kick and pumped a jab out. They clinched and Faber landed a knee to the body and they broke. Brown landed a nice jab and Faber replied. Faber landed a jab and a body kick. They clinched and Brown got a takedown against the fence into a sitting position. Brown took Faber's back quickly. Faber stood and let Brown have his standing back and they broke. Brown landed a nice left hook. Faber landed a really nice right hook. Faber came for the double-leg, Brown defended with great ease into the clinch. Faber was looking for a standing guillotine, Brown picked him up high and slammed him into side control. Faber put him in half-guard and gave up his back again. Faber stood and they broke. Faber landed a jab. Faber landed a counter left hook and another. Brown came for the double-leg to avoid a big elbow and he got Faber down and they stood and he had Faber's standing back and he landed a knee to the head and another and another, and Faber was warned four times for grabbing the fence. Brown landed an uppercut and another inside and Faber got Brown down and he was looking for a choke, I think an anaconda choke perhaps. No, a modified guillotine. Brown escaped and they rolled and Brown was turtled up. They stood to the clinch. Brown broke with a blocked combination. Faber landed a body kick. Brown landed five or six uppercuts in close. They clinched after a moment of Faber showing good head movement. Brown hit a nice double leg and got the back, Faber stood and spun around with a hard elbow to the chin and Brown came for the takedown and Faber defended and turtled him up. Brown shoved Faber down and stood over him but the fifth round ended. Brown was the winner by unanimous decision.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Mark Hunt - Wanderlei's original opponent had been set to be Kazushi Sakuraba yet again but Sakuraba had withdrawed due to injury. Silva took the newly announced fight on two days' notice, and Hunt had an eighty-pound weight advantage.
The first round began. Silva circled around and away. Silva seemed to be sizing Hunt up as Hunt stalked him. Hunt kept on stalking him. Silva missed a one-two combination. Silva came for the takedown, Hunt defended briefly and Silva got the takedown into half-guard. Silva was looking to get to mount but Hunt was defending capably. Silva stood and missed a soccer kick and turtled Hunt up and as they stood, Silva landed three big knees to the face and they broke. Hunt stalked Silva some more around the ring with Silva circling on the outside. Hunt landed a left hand barely grazing and dropped Silva, Silva popped back up and smiled. Silva landed a leg kick. Hunt came in with a big uppercut and Silva got the trip takedown and Silva stood and landed a foot stomp and a soccer kick and they stood and broke. They circled some more. Hunt missed a wild right hand. Silva came in and clinched and Hunt broke away with a good right hand. The crowd chanted 'Silva'. Silva landed a good combination. Silva came for the single-leg and got it pretty quickly into side control but the fight was moved to the center of the ring. Silva landed a hammerfist or two. Silva was doing a good job of holding Hunt down. Silva looked for a kimura and the commentators thought it was over. Hunt escaped beautifully on top into full guard. Silva was controlling an arm. There was some blood on Silva's chest, someone was cut. Silva landed a few hammerfists from the bottom. Silva looked for a triangle, Hunt escaped back to the normal guard and landed some massive ground and pound and Silva landed an upkick, Hunt backed off and came for an atomic butt drop to pass Silva's guard and Silva rolled and managed to get on top into guard. The butt drop amused Randy Couture and Bas Rutten and Mauro Renallo. Silva landed an elbow to the body and another, really hard elbows. The pace slowed a bit, with Hunt tying up the wrists to avoid damage. Silva landed another pair of elbows to the body and another elbow. Silva stood and Hunt tried to stand as well. He managed to after a moment and they circled. Silva landed a good combination. Hunt dropped Silva with a big left hook, perhaps that was a slip, and dived on top into guard. Hunt was breathing heavily. There was definitely some blood on Silva's chest. There was a small cut over the right eye of Hunt. Hunt landed an elbow of his own to the body and another, and the first round ended. Randy Couture believed that the round went to Wanderlei Silva, Bas admitted that it was close but Hunt was gassing. Hunt seemed to recover some gas for the tank in his corner though, he seemed remarkably relaxed.
The second round began. They circled about. Silva landed a nice right and Hunt landed a counter combination -- big right hand, uppercut, big right hook, the right hook is the one that made Silva actually fly -- and that sent Silva staggering across the canvas and Hunt pounced on top pounding, Silva tried for a leglock very briefly and Hunt stood and came back down a moment later into guard. Silva was still hurt. They moved it to the center of the ring in the same position. Hunt stood after a while and let Silva up. They hadn't done much down there. Silva seemed recovered, his eyes were still just a bit glazed. Hunt had Silva cornered. Hunt tried a big shot and Silva ducked and they clinched and Silva got the takedown right into full mount. Silva wasn't doing much with it. Silva was recuperating, I would guess, from those big shots. He's gonna get a yellow card if he's not careful. Hunt kept trying to roll out. The referee stood them up, YEAH! No they moved it to the center. You can't stand 'em up if they're in mount I guess. Hunt rolled and Silva almost had his back, Hunt managed to get into guard. Hunt landed a good shot. They weren't doing much, and the second round ended.
The third round began. Silva was circling away again, keeping his distance. They clinched and Hunt broke with a knee to the body. Hunt was stalking Silva. Silva came for the takedown and rolled and he had Hunt's back and he got a hook in and then rolled for an armbar and Hunt pulled out and stood. Silva stood and landed a nice right hand and they scrambled around on the FEET. Silva shot for the takedown and got it into full guard. Silva wasn't DOING much. The referee stood them up and gave Silva a yellow card. Silva was circling away. Silva came for the takedown and got it into half-guard very nicely. Silva wasn't doing anything. Silva passed to the mount. Silva landed some short shots in under as Hunt struggled to escape. Hunt was breathing hard. Hunt nearly rolled out. Silva was doing a good job of holding him down. Hunt rolled and Silva had his back and the third round ended. Mark Hunt got the controversial win by unanimous decision.
Thiago Alves vs. Tony DeSouza - Alves had a six-and-a-half-inch reach advantage BUT a four-inch height disadvantage. After the fight, Alves tested positive for banned diuretics and was suspended for eight months by the NSAC and fined $5,500.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled a bit, sizing each other up. DeSouza shot in for the double-leg, Alves sprawled and they broke. They circled some more. DeSouza telegraphed that takedown for the double-leg, Alves avoided. They circled. The crowd booed. DeSouza came for the takedown again, trying for the single-leg, Alves avoided for the third time. Circling. DeSouza missed a combination and ate a big counter right hand and went down and Alves followed him on down into full guard. Alves stood pretty quickly and let DeSouza get up. DeSouza's nose was bloodied up very slightly and he was breathing out of his mouth. Alves landed a leg kick. They circled around more and more. Scattered boos. Alves missed a headkick. Alves landed a Superman punch to the body. DeSouza came for the double-leg, Alves sprawled into the clinch nicely. Alves got a nice takedown and ended up on top in guard. Alves postured up with big shots and then hammerfists and big shots in under and he had Tony's back pounding in under with big shots and hammerfists. DeSouza rolled and gave up half-guard and Alves mounted and pounded away with repeated right hands. DeSouza rolled and gave up his back. Alves landed three left hands in under and the first round ended. DeSouza had taken a beating and he had been saved by the bell. DeSouza also had a tiny mouse under his right eye.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled a bit more. DeSouza shot for the double-leg, Alves sprawled and laid DeSouza down, and then threw him aside. DeSouza hugged the ankle and Alves pulled away. Alves landed a big counter right uppercut. DeSouza looked angry and he shot in for another takedown and ate a big knee and dropped limply on his back and Alves landed three or four big hammerfists before the referee could stop it.
Hayato Sakurai vs. Takanori Gomi - It was the final for the Pride 2005 lightweight grand prix and to determine the Pride lightweight champion.
The first round began. They circled light on their feet. Sakurai pumped out a headkick, gauging the distance. Sakurai landed a leg kick to keep Gomi at bay after Gomi threw an aggressive combination. Gomi landed a nice combination and ate a counter. Sakurai landed a nice counter left hook. Gomi landed a nice left hand. They clinched in the corner and Sakurai got the takedown, forcing Gomi's head into the canvas hard but Gomi took Sakurai's back and got both hooks in and was pounding in under, going five or six or seven shots with each hand and switching back and forth. He looked at the referee. He had mount, the back again, the mount, they stood and broke. Gomi landed a combination and dropped Sakurai unconscious facedown.
Alistair Overeem vs. Chuck Liddell - The fight was in the quarterfinals for the Pride middleweight grand prix. The fighters shook hands before the fight. Chuck looks ripped man.
The first round began. They closed the distance quickly with Chuck swinging and missing and Overeem landing a knee to the body. They mutually backed off for just a moment. Overeem landed a good right hook and then a BIG left hand that staggered Liddell and they clinched. Overeem landed a knee to the body. They broke. Liddell was cut above the right eye, probably from either the right hook or the big right hand that caught him. Overeem landed another knee. Liddell blocked a body kick and landed a nice counter right hand. Liddell came in and ate a knee high to the body, possibly to the face but he got the takedown into full guard. He was forcing Overeem into the ropes. He landed a knee to the face, with Overeem turtled up. Another knee to the face and another and another, Overeem was trying to block them. Another knee and another. Those knees were hitting the hand now. Liddell was really bleeding from that cut above the right eye, streaming down. Two knees. They stood into the clinch. Liddell landed another knee to the face and another. They broke. Overeem landed a knee to the body and another. Overeem landed a good left hook and a body shot and they clinched and Overeem landed a knee to the body. They broke. Overeem landed a big right hook. Overeem landed another knee to the body. They clinched and Liddell broke with three big right hands. Another big overhand right and another and Overeem was folded against the ropes with Liddell whaling away for a few seconds until Overeem collapsed, and it was all over. The fighters hugged.
Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFedries - The first round began and McFedries was stalking Kampmann. McFedries landed a nice left hand and a right. Kampmann landed a body kick and missed another. McFedries landed another left and a right. Kampmann was not backing down though, you gotta credit that to him. He narrowly missed a headkick. McFedries landed a one-two left-right combo that put Kampmann down and McFedries followed him down and landed a few shots and let Kampmann up. McFedries landed that right hook. Kampmann landed a right hand. McFedries landed another big straight left that forced Kampmann's head back. McFedries landed another right. He was calmly picking Kampmann apart. Kampmann landed a counter combination. McFedries had his mouth open. McFedries landed a good right hand. Kampmann landed a body kick. Kampmann's face was swelling up, he had a mouse under his left eye and one was forming under his right. McFedries was just walking Kampmann down. McFedries landed a right hook. McFedries landed a combination in close. They clinched and Kampmann got an excellent takedown into side control. Kampmann was isolating that arm, looking for something. Kampmann was looking to mount briefly but stopped. Kampmann landed a good elbow. Kampmann kept looking for that mount, he landed another good elbow and another. Another nice elbow to the forehead. A big big knee to the body and another. Really nice that pair of knees. He went to the other side of McFedries. Kampmann landed a short elbow and another and another. Kampmann mounted but went right over to the other side with a deep arm triangle and within a matter of seconds McFedries went limp and it was all over. Beautiful.
Thales Leites vs. Drew McFedries - The first round began and they touched gloves. McFedries landed a really nice right hook and hurt Leites, Leites shot for the single-leg and McFedries briefly defended in the clinch, Leites slammed McFedries down and stood over him avoiding the upkick and he passed and took McFedries's back and got both hooks in. McFedries was in a massive amount of trouble. Leites trapped one arm with his leg. McFedries tucked his chin nicely. Leites got the arm under and the choke was in, McFedries tapped Leites's arm.
Phil Baroni vs. Ryo Chonan - The fight was for Pride.
The first round began. Baroni landed a big right hand. Chonan circled away. Baroni seemed to be gaining confidence. Chonan landed a body kick and another and then another but he ate a counter right hand. Chonan landed an inside leg kick. Baroni landed a good right hand. Chonan landed an inside leg kick and another, showing good head movement to avoid the counters. Good footwork as well. A nice inside leg kick and then an outside one. He got tagged by a right hand by Baroni though. Baroni's corner yelled 'to the body!' They circled. Chonan wasn't throwing hands. Baroni landed a big left hook to the jaw and dropped Chonan and tried to pounce but the referee stopped it. It was a true unconscious knockout.
Matt Lindland vs. David Terrell - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled for a moment. Terrell landed a big right and another that dropped Lindland. Terrell followed him down and after a moment postured up with three big shots to the chin that made Lindland go limp.
Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone - Due to an unintentional knee on the ground by Cerrone, the fight was stopped at 1:58 of round 5 and went to the scorecards because Varner was unable to continue with the time given to recover, and he had double vision and a broken foot. The fight was for the WEC lightweight title with Varner defending. The outcome was a rare technical decision (split). The referee was Josh Rosenthal.
The first round began and they circled. Cerrone seemed the one more ready to strike. Varner came in for a combination and Cerrone landed a casual counter knee to the body. More circling. Cerrone with good head movement avoiding a combination by Varner. Cerrone landed a counter body kick. Varner landed an inside leg kick. Cerrone blocked a body kick with the arm. Varner landed a good right hand and ate a counter one-two from Cerrone. Cerrone missed aleg kick. Varner landed a really good left and then a right that landed flush and then he came and got the takedown. Cerrone was already constantly looking for things, he's looking for a rubber guard. Varner slammed him down. I... believe he has turned that into a... rubber guard choke, a collar choke perhaps as Mir noted? Back to regular full guard. Varner postured up with some really nice shots and some more, oh damn some powerful punches, just raining down fury. Cerrone was wall-walking. Varner passed to half-guard. Varner landed antoher big shot and another and another. Cerrone pulled guad. Varner landed an elbow and another one. Varner stood and came back down with a big combination of four punches and then a big elbow to finish it off. Cerrone was cut on his forehead, like a big lump and blood coming out. Cerrone was looking for that rubber guard again briefly, Varner postured up and came down with more massive ground and pound. Another nice combination from inside the guard of Cerrone now. I am really impressed by Varner's ground and pound, makes me a bit more hyped to see him face Benderson. Varner landed two nice short shots. Cerrone's forehead looked nasty. Varner postured up with more thunderous shots. Cerrone managed to stand into the clinch with a nice knee to the body, really nice. They broke away. Cerrone landed another nice knee to the body. Cerrone marched forward at Varner and the first round ended and they clapped gloves respectfully.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Cerrone missed a body kick and kept walking Varner down. Nice body kick by Cerrone and another. Varner got the takedown into half-guard against the fence. Varner passed to side control quickly. Cerrone swiftly attained guard. Varner landed a good shot and another and Cerrone rolled to his feet in the clinch and they broke. Cerrone kept walking forward Terminatoresque. Varner narrowly missed an overhand right. Cerrone landed a leg kick. Cerrone landed a body kick. Varner landed a body kick. Varner blocked a body kick with his arm. Cerrone showboated a bit like Anderson Silva, swaying. Cerrone landed a body kick and Varner grabbed the single-leg and got it into guard. Cerrone was looking for that rubber guard again. He stopped. Cerrone landed a hammerfist and another from the bottom. Varner postured up with four big blows. Another nice haymaker from the top. Cerrone attempted a triangle. Varner muscled Cerrone around and they scrambled up to the clinch and broke. They landed leg kicks at the same time. Varner landed a leg kick. Cerrone kept walking him down. Varner was backing up. Cerrone landed a leg kick slightly. Cerrone landed a leg kick. Varner blocked a body kick and a moment later he blocked a combination. Cerrone landed an inside leg kick and blocked a counter combination. Cerrone dodged another counter combination with good head movement and the same from Varner. Varner narrowly missed that big right hand. Varner missed it again a moment later and came for the takedown and got it quickly into guard. Cerrone tried for a triangle and locked it up. Varner pounded with hammerfists and the second round ended.
The third round began and they HUGGED and then touched gloves. Varner drew the line on the mat or something and then they touched gloves again. Varner landed an inside leg kick. They were both smiling. Varner blocked a combination and then another a moment later. Cerrone landed a nice uppercut to the nose. Varner blocked that high body kick. It's possible that that was when Varner actually broke his hand, he said in the post-fight interview that it was in the second or third. Cerrone still walking Varner down. Cerrone dodging a pair of combinations with his head movement. Cerrone landed a leg kick, Varner blocked the body kick, he blocked another and Cerrone slipped and stood and they touched gloves, and Cerrone landed a straight right to the body. Varner landed a big combination and another. Now Cerrone was backing off. Varner got Cerrone down. Cerrone had a cut by his left eye, under it I believe. Varner was pushing Cerrone into the cage, in half-guard. He locked up a guillotine choke. Cerrone pulled out on top into guard. They stood into the clinch and broke. Cerrone was blinking rapidly with his left eye, possibly he couldn't see out of it, which is bad. Ruins his depth perception. Varner blocked another body kick. Cerrone was backing off more. Cerrone landed a body kick, but not with as much pep. Varner landed a nice left hand, setting it up with a right hook. Cerrone landed a body kick. Varner narrowly missed a good one-two. Cerrone had a lot of swelling around both eyes. Cerrone with more good head movement and again a moment later. Cerrone landed a nice counter right, Varner blocked a quick body kick. Varner narrowly missed an overhand right and then a nice straight right landed and he ate a body kick. Varner came for the body kick and got it into guard. Cerrone was looking for the rubber guard briefly but stopped pretty fast. Varner postured up but the third round ended. Cerrone stayed sitting down.
The fourth round began and they touched gloves. Cerrone missed a body kick. Varner landed a headkick slightly but Cerrone didn't seem affected. They circled, exchanging missed shots. Cerrone was walking him down agian and then a body kick. Cerrone walking him down again, and Varner backing off again and backpedaling. Cerrone missed a telegraphed flying knee. Cerrone landed a body kick. Varner landed a body kick. Cerrone landed that body kick. He used it to counter that right hand as Varner charged in. Cerrone landed a leg kick. Varner came for the takedown and got it into guard. Varner landed an elbow to the forehead. Cerrone threw up an armbar attempt, Varner pulled out and came down with a big right hand. Cerrone landed a series of heel kicks to the kidneys. Varner landed another big elbow. Cerrone was trying the rubber guard. Boos began coming. What the hell? He was really trying that collar choke again, perhaps.. he's just trying to control Varner? He stopped, either way, whatever it was. Cerrone shoved Varner off and they stood and circled. Varner still backing away constantly. Varner came in and got the double-leg. His corner yelled 'pass, Jamie'. Varner didn't manage to land much even as he postured up. Cerrone landed another pair of heelkicks. Varner passed to half-guard to halt that. Cerrone retained guard and landed another pair of heelkicks and the fourth round ended.
The fifth round began and they hugged again and Cerrone whooped, still full of energy, and grinned. You gotta love the guy. He has a nothing-to-lose attitude. Cerrone walking him down. Varner got the takedown to guard. Cerrone tried an armbar and then landed an upkick and another, Varner came back down and Cerrone landed a hammerfist and another. They managed to stand and Cerrone landed an upkick on the way up. Cerrone walking Varner down again. Cerrone avoided a takedown shoving Varner away. Cerrone came for the takedown and got it into half-guard. Cerrone landed a hammerfist. They were about to stand but Cerrone landed a knee before they stood. The referee paused the fight and Varner collapsed facedown. He was not faking, that was a hardcore knee right to the left eye grazing it but still, it hit that eye. Varner was saying he can't see. The fans booing. What a bunch of meatheads. Varner said 'fuck'. Varner could not continue. Cerrone looked extremely disappointed in himself. He sat down in his corner. Varner was in serious pain. Heavy boos were still coming. Varner managed to get up on the stool. They called it an unintentional foul and went to a technical decision. Varner said 'fuck, I'm sorry, man I can't fucking see' to Cerrone. He said 'I'm so sorry...' He was very emotional. Varner managed to stand. He kept apologizing. 49-46 for Varner, 48-47 for Cerrone, 49-46 for Varner by technical split decision. The fans booed and Varner apologized but Cerrone patted his back in consolation. Varner tried to apologize, the fans kept being retards, and Varner said 'Go ahead, boo me, fucking boo me.' As he talked about Cerrone, his cornerman tried to tell him 'Don't swear'. Hahaha.
Jeremy Horn vs. Randy Couture - The fight was for Rings. Throughout the fight, you could hear the colleagues of Couture -- Pat Miletich and Dan Henderson -- in the background shouting advice to their comrade, Randy.
The first round began. Horn landed a nice side kick. Horn landed a body kick and they clinched and Couture landed some good dirty boxing uppercuts, and some more and a nice knee to the body. Horn was trying to walk up the corner. Couture landed a big uppercut and they broke. Couture landed a good combination inside and they clinched and some more dirty boxing and Horn rolled for a flying armbar and they were stood up and they clinched. Horn rolled for a kneebar. Couture landed a hammerfist. They stood and Horn had the single-leg and got Couture down and he passed to half-guard and then side control a moment later and he tried to roll for an armbar but Couture turtled up. Couture ended up on top with a good hammerfist and another and another and he dropped back for his own kneebar and Horn ended up in his guard. Horn landed a body shot and the first round came to an end.
The second round began. Couture landed a good combination and they clinched and some dirty boxing and he broke with another right hand and grabbed the clinch and some more dirty boxing. A nice uppercut. Horn threw up a flying armbar attempt and fell. Couture landed a combination and more dirty boxing uppercuts. Horn landed a knee. Horn landed a good shot. Couture landed an uppercut and another. Horn landed another knee. Horn dropped for another kneebar. Couture punched Horn's ass and again and pulled out. Horn landed a good combination and another and a body kick and came for the single-leg and Couture sprawled and landed a body shot but Horn kept coming and Couture kept sprawling. They stood and were broken up. Horn was saying 'my hand's broke.' Couture landed a good right hand and an elbow and another right hand and a combination. Horn landed a leg kick and slipped and the referee stood him up. Horn was exhausted. Horn landed a body kick. Couture landed a good combination and they clinched. Couture broke with a combination and they clinched and some more dirty boxing, uppercuts and then a hook. The referee broke them up. Both fighters looked exhausted. Horn shot in, Couture easily sprawled and turtled him up. Horn kept coming, Couture nearly took his back but they were tired. Horn was looking weakly for a kimura. Horn landed a body shot. The second round ended. Couture was the winner by unanimous decision.
Randy Couture vs. Valentijn Overeem - The fight was for Rings. Overeem landed a leg kick and Couture came for the takedown and secured it by the ropes and he was looking to pass, still looking to pass, still looking to pass. He was basically in half-guard, looking to get to side control. Overeem stood halfway and locked up a guillotine and pulled guard. Couture fought it for a few seconds but he was forced to tap Overeem's back swiftly. The two fighters hugged.
Mark Coleman vs. Fedor Emelianenko 1 - The fight was the opening round for the Pride 2004 heavyweight grand prix, which eventually won in a pair of fights against Big Nog. The fight was the main event. Coleman's two daughters, Mackenzie and Morgan, were watching, I think on TV but possibly at ringside. The announcers passed on a message that he loved them and win or lose he was coming home soon and he dedicated the fight to them. Chuck Liddell, Kevin Randleman and Wes Sims were all in Coleman's corner for the fight.
The first round began. They sized each other up. Coleman pumped out a jab. Fedor came for a combination and Coleman avoided and got the takedown to the corner in half-guard and they wrestled around, Fedor was struggling to stand. Coleman mounted. Fedor rolled and gave up his back. Coleman got the hooks in and he was looking for that choke. Fedor defended well. Coleman lost a hook and they exchanged hammerfists. Fedor struggled out and grabbed for a guillotine locking it up. Coleman stood halfway. That was a tight guillotine. Coleman popped out but ate a knee and he came for the single-leg and tried to lift Fedor up, Fedor held the ropes and was warned and let go and Coleman slammed him into guard. Fedor landed a good shot. Fedor rolled for an armbar and he had it and Coleman tapped quickly. Fedor celebrated with his brother as Coleman grieved on all fours in the place where he had been tapped. Fedor came over to console him but Coleman was still dejected but he hugged Fedor and raised his hand and Fedor gave the thumbs up.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman 2 - Coleman had his daughters removed from the arena before the fight began.
The first round began. They circled respectfully, Coleman had a nice stance. Coleman came for the single-leg and Fedor sprawled and landed a nice hammerfist in under. Coleman stood and ate a combination and another and hugged the ankle and ate another pair of shots in under and kept coming as Fedor sprawled. Fedor landed a few body shots. Coleman stood, still trying for the single-leg. Fedor kept defending and grabbed another guillotine. Coleman pulled out and kept coming for the single-leg takedown. Coleman nearly got Fedor down, Fedor pulled himself up by grabbing the ropes. Coleman kept on trying the single-leg. Hmm.. He kept on trying it. Fedor was too good. He broke and landed an uppercut. Coleman came for it, got stuffed and ate a combination, Fedor landed an uppercut and another, Coleman hugged the ankle again. Fedor pounded in under with hammerfists repeatedly and a big body shot. Still hammerfisting. Coleman stood and kept trying for it, Fedor threw him off, Coleman kept coming for it. He kept on coming, eating hammerfists. Fedor looking for the guillotine again. They went to the clinch. Coleman had a cut on the bridge of his nose, it looked like. No, it was under his right eye and it was a mouse, there was another over his left eye. The referee broke them up and paused the fight to check that cut. They continued. Coleman ducked a big right and came for the clinch into the corner. Fedor landed a pair of good shots inside and another and another and another and another, nice and calm, another. Another and another. Coleman landed a knee to the leg and they were broken up. They circled and the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Coleman missed a hook and came for the single-leg shoot and Fedor once more stuffed him and landed a body shot and another and another and another and another. Coleman kept coming for it and he got Fedor down finally into guard, Fedor was struggling to stand. Coleman landed a pair of body shots and another. Fedor rolled for another armbar and he had it fucking tight , really tight and Coleman tapped out again. Coleman laid on his back crying. Stitch Duran worked on Coleman's cuts. Coleman was very emotional and embraced his brother. Phil Baroni hugged Coleman and embraced him. Meanwhile, Fedor accepted his trophy. The two fighters hugged. Coleman had a big goose egg under his eye. They bowed to each other. Coleman told his daughters that he loved them and that he was okay and 'I will be back, I will be fucking back'. The girls approached crying and he hugged them, telling them he was okay and that he was fine. They kept crying though. He said he was so glad it was over and that they should go have some fun. He took them over to Fedor and told them to say hi and Fedor said 'sorry, sorry.' Coleman hugged Fedor and playfully punched him and again and then they hugged again. A bit awkward. Coleman left the ring with his kids as Fedor was interviewed. Fedor said: "I respect Mark very much and I was watching his fights a long time before I was fighting. I really enjoyed it and I really respect him a lot. I haven't fought in a long time so I wanted to make this fight a little longer. I wanted to feel Mark and see what he's about and I wanted to use my knowledge and abilities that I have."
Andrews Nakahara vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - The fight was Nakahara's MMA debut.
The first round began. Sakuraba landed a body kick. Nakahara landed a leg kick and missed a right hand. Sakuraba shot for the single-leg and Nakahara was defending. Sakuraba kept hanging onto that leg, chasing Nakahara, Nakahara was defending very well and they clinched after a bit. Nakahara landed a knee to the body and another a moment later. The referee called for action and then broke them up. They stared each other down. Sakuraba landed another body kick. Nakahara landed an inside leg kick to the groin as Sakuraba landed a body kick and Sakuraba had to take a moment by the ropes and in the replay yep it hit right in the package. Sakuraba was definitely taking a bit, he didn't seem to really be hurt. He kept on taking a break. Sakuraba seemed fine, laughing, he seemed to be milking the break and taking five minutes. They continued finally, not the full five. They touched gloves. Sakuraba shot in and missed and stood. They circled. Nakahara landed an inside leg kick and barely missed an uppercut, Nakahara landed a really good body kick and dodged a takedown. Nakahara narrowly missed a high kick. They stared each other down. Sakuraba missed a headkick of his own. Sakuraba landed a good inside leg kick. They circled for a bit, Nakahara landed an inside leg kick and then a moment later another one. Sakuraba shot in, Nakahara defended to the clinch. Nakahara landed a knee to the body and another. The referee called for action. Nakahara landed a knee to the blocking arm and another one and another. The referee broke them up. Nakahara landed another inside leg kick. Nakahara landed a nice counter right and Sakuraba slipped and Nakahara tried to pounce and Sakuraba had him down and Nakahara stood into the clinch impressively, in the corner. Nakahara was showing good takedown defense. Sakuraba finally got him down but Nakahara was working the butterflies. Nakahara shoved him off and stood and backed off. Sakuraba shot in, Nakahara briefly sprawled and pulled guard after a moment. Sakuraba dropped back for a leglock and Nakahara spun out and Sakuraba was on top in side control. Sakuraba landed a good body shot and a knee and another. Sakuraba landed another body shot. Nakahara gave up his back. Sakuraba locked in a neck crank and Nakahara was forced to tap out.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - The main event fight was originally ruled a TKO in favor of Akiyama but afterwards overturned to a no-contest when it became known that Akiyama had applied an illegal substance to his body. During the match, Sakuraba called to the referee saying 'Akiyama is slippery!' Akiyama initially denied the controversy in a post-fight interview but later admitted that he had used Olay lotion prior to the fight to 'treat a worn gi' that he wore to the ring but took off in favor of fight shorts. Pre-fight footage showed Akiyama casually applying five bottles of lotion to his body in the locker room. As a result, Akiyama was disqualified and his prize money thus suspended.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Sakuraba slightly landed an awkward inside leg kick, and then again a moment later. Akiyama landed a good leg kick. Sakuraba landing that inside leg kick again. Sakuraba landed that inside leg kick nicely now, Akiyama shook out the leg. Akiyama landed a good combination, Sakuraba went to his knees briefly but stood right back up, he was game. Akiyama blocked a headkick. Sakuraba shot in and missed. Akiyama landed a good leg kick. Akiyama blocked another headkick. Sakuraba landed that inside leg kick but HARD to the groin and yeah that landed flush haha, Akiyama had to take a moment by the corner. Only a matter of time, damn that landed hard. Akiyama was holding the ropes and trying to get his bearings back. They continued now and touched gloves. Sakuraba feinted a body kick and landed another awkward jumping one. Akiyama landed a hard leg kick and another to keep Sakuraba at bay. Akiyama blocked a high kick and ate an inside leg kick. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick. Sakuraba landed another inside leg kick, landing those nicely. Akiyama missed a Superman punch. Sakuraba landed another inside kick. Sakuraba missed a jumping body kick and ate a coutner and tried for a single-leg and missed and stood and ate a combination and Akiyama was pursuing him and the crowd was roaring. Akiyama narrowly missed a flying knee. Sakuraba landed a body kick. Akiyama landed a left hand. Sakuraba missed a leg kick and nearly slipped and backed up into the corner making the time-out motion to the referee and yelling that Akiyama was slippery. Akiyama came in hard though and landed aspinning back fist and a combination and Sakuraba was hugging his leg and yelling 'Slippery!' Akiyama was all over him on the ground landing repeated hammerfists and shots with Sakuraba's head between the ropes, just pounding down with right hands over and over and over and over as Sakuraba didn't try to defend, just waving his hand and yelling 'He's slippery, he's cheating!'. Akiyama was standing over him pounding away over and over. Sakuraba yelled 'Hey' to the silent referee. Still pounding away repeatedly. The unrelenting referee told him 'You'll lose it if you don't act now!' Over and over, hammerfists now, Sakuraba looked for an armbar. Akiyama pulled out and landed repeated hammerfists and big shots in under, hammerfists repeatedly to the side of Sakuraba's head, over and over, what the fuck, over and over, repeatedly, finally the referee stopped it. Sakuraba yelled 'His body is slippery" while still on his back. The referee asked 'Which part?' as Sakuraba was on his knees pointing at Akiyama. His ear was bleeding badly. "Whole body!" Sakuraba yelled. An official came over to check Akiyama. Sakuraba was livid after the fight. "I strongly object. Why the referee kept ignoring my objection?"
Robbie Lawler vs. Frank Trigg - The fight was for the ICON Sport middleweight championship with Trigg defending. Lawler was stripped of the title almost exactly a year later for failing to defend it. At the facedown at the weigh-ins, Trigg kissed Lawler. In the facedown at the actual fight right before it started, Lawler shoved him. The referee was infamous Yuji Shimada.
The first round began. Lawler came forward hard and got takedown down and put in his butterflies immediately. Lawler landed four shots from the bottom and another pair and kept on coming with those blows. Some were hitting the back of the head. Then a big one and the referee warned him. Lawler kept in those butterflies nicely. The referee stood them up. Lawler pumped out a jab and Trigg got the takedown again and Lawler put in those butterflies again immediately. They stood to the clinch. Trigg landed a knee and another. Lawler landed a good knee and Trigg replied. Trigg kept coming for that takedown and got the trip and Lawler put back in those butterflies. Lawler landed a good left from the bottom and another. Trigg stood. Trigg landed a good shot and another and another and another standing over Lawler, keeping the pressure on, and he came back down and Lawler kept that butterfly guard in. Trigg landed a good left and stood. He came back down into those butterflies. Trigg stood and Lawler managed to get up to the clinch and Trigg had a headlock and landed a trio of knees to the face and then back to the clinch. Trigg landed a knee. Trigg landed a knee. Lawler landed a really good body shot. Trigg landed a leg kick, nice. Lawler landed a good one-two. Trigg landed a good left of his own to return. Trigg came for the clinch, landed a knee and looked for the single-leg but Lawler defended. The first round ended.
The second round began. Lawler checked a leg kick. Lawler landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a jab and another. Trigg shot for the takedown and settled for pulling Lawler into his guard. Lawler wasn't ding anything. Lawler landed a good shot and another, and a body shot and another, and then another smilar pair of shots, another body shot. They stalled for a bit and the referee stood them up. Trigg landed a leg kick and failed a takedown, landed another leg kick, Lawler landed a combination and they clinched, Trigg landed a knee to the body and they broke. Lawler landed a body kick and Trigg came for the single-leg and Lawler defended and they broke. Lawler landed a nice left hand and they clinched in the corner. Trigg landed a knee and another. Lawler landed a big left right to the jaw as Trigg broke away and Trigg dropped on his back stunned, Lawler followed into half-guard and he landed a good shot. Trigg was trying to hug him. Trigg got back to guard. Trigg shoved Lawler off and stood and landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a big left and Trigg was gazed. Lawler landed a big uppercut and another and Trigg dropped, Lawler tried to pounce, he landed a big shot, Trigg tried to stand and ate a big knee as Trigg was kneeling on the ground and he dropped back and Lawler followed him into guard. Trigg's nose was bleeding badly. Both fighters were exhausted. Trigg briefly looked for a sick imitation of a rubber guard but he was too tired. The referee stood them up and brought the doctor in to check the nose of Frank Trigg. This was good, both fighters were getting a break, Lawler smiled. They continued. Lawler landed an uppercut. Trigg landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a big uppercut and another and a big left and then a leg kick. Trigg landed a good combination and a knee and another. The second round ended.
The third round began. Lawler landed a good jab and another. Trigg landed a leg kick. They clinched and Trigg landed a knee and they broke and Trigg's nose was bleeding. Lawler landed a good left hook. Lawler landed a straight right. Trigg landed a combination and a knee and another. Trigg was pushing forward with a good combination and another and they clinched and broke. Trigg tried to hug the leg and settled for pulling guard. Lawler passed to half-guard. Lawler passed to side control. Lawler landed a big shot. Trigg was trying to recover his guard and Lawler was defending. Lawler shrugged and stood and let Trigg up. Trigg landed a good combination and they clinched and broke. Trigg was throwing a lot but not really landing to be honest. Lawler was mainly blocking. Trigg landed a left. Lawler landed an uppercut and blood splashed into the referee's face. They clinched. Trigg landed a good knee and came for the takedown and didn't get it, a knee and another, they broke, Lawler landed a left hand and then a right jab, he defended a single-leg attempt and they clinched. I think Lawler was bloodied up as well now. The referee broke the clinch up. Lawler's chest was covered in blood, no it was Trigg's, whose nose was bleeding like a stuck pig, the referee let the nose be checked again and wiped the blood off of Lawler's chest, Lawler smiled at Trigg. They continued. Lawler landed a jab and more blood splashed. Trigg landed a good leg kick. Lawler landed a good right hand. Lawler landed a jab and another to the nose. Lawler landed a left hand. Trigg landed a left to the temple. Lawler landed a jab. Lawler landed another solid left. They clinched and Trigg landed a knee and another and they broke. Trigg landed a knee and a combination. They clinched again. Lawler landed a body shot. They broke. Lawler landed a really nice uppercut to the chin and another. Trigg was hanging in there, standing right in front of Lawler bravely. The third round came to an end.
The fourth round began. Trigg was pushing forward but wasn't really landing anything. Lawler caught an attempted body kick but let it go. Trigg was throwing a lot of punches but nothing really devastating. They clinched and landed a trio of knees. Trigg tried for the takedown and Lawler defended. They clinched again, Trigg landed a knee and they broke. Trigg landed a good uppercut and another knee to the body. Trigg still pushing forward with shots and a knee to the body and another. They broke. Lawler landed another big left. Trigg landed a kick to the hip. They clinched. Lawler landed a body shot. Lawler broke with a big combination of six shots right to the chin, the fourth one put him out and Trigg was out on his feet and he collapsed into a sitting position sleeping in the corner and Lawler walked away the two-time champion grinning.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Kazushi Sakuraba 3 - The fight was the opening round for the Pride 2003 middleweight grand prix, which Wanderlei eventually won in devastating fashion with his knockout of Rampage Jackson in their first fight.
The first round began. Sakuraba landed a left and a big uppercut. Very nice. Sakuraba had a low stance interestingly. Silva landed a nice combination. Sakuraba came in and ate a hard counter left hand. Sakuraba feinted a takedown and dodged a counter combination. Silva landed a combination and Sakuraba landed a knee and dodged another combination. Sakuraba landed a body kick, Silva caught it and chopped the leg and they stood and broke. Sakuraba landed a leg kick. Sakuraba shot for the single-leg, Silva defended and had a headlock and landed a knee to the head, another to the body and another to the head and they broke. Sakuraba was bleeding. They circled for a bit. Sakuraba pushed forward but landed nothing. Silva came in and missed a combination and they clinched, they broke and Silva landed a left hook and smiled. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick. Sakuraba landed a body shot and a right hand to the chin. Sakuraba landed a good combination and ate a nice counter and backed off, a bit dazed. Sakuraba feinted the overhand left. They circled. Silva checked an inside leg kick and landed a one-two-three counter combination and the right hand put Sakuraba down out cold on his back.
Michael Bisping vs. Josh Haynes - The fight was to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter season three.
The first round began. They circled. Haynes pushed forward aggressively and landed nothing, Bisping tossed him down into side control, Haynes rolled and turtled up, they stood to the clinch, Bisping landed a knee and they broke. Haynes checked an inside leg kick. Haynes pushed forward aggressively and they clinched. Haynes landed a knee to the body. Bisping replied. Bisping looked for the single-leg takedown briefly. Bisping landed a hard knee to the body. Haynes landed a nice elbow inside. Bisping landed a good shot inside. Bisping landed a nice knee and broke. Bisping landed a nice right hand and they clinched. Bisping landed a hard knee and Haynes replied. Bisping landed a big knee right to the chin and dropped Haynes. Haynes shot in for the takedown and ate another knee illegally while he was down and the referee paused the fight. The referee warned Bisping. They continued. Bisping landed a body kick, Haynes caught it and they clinched. Bisping had the plum and landed a good knee, back to the regular clinch, Bisping got the trip takedown to side control. Haynes rolled for an armbar, Bisping escaped and turtled Haynes up and then back to side control. Bisping had Haynes's back, pounding in under, Bisping got both hooks in. Haynes spun out in good time and back to the clinch, Bisping landed another good knee. They broke. Haynes's nose was bloody. They exchanged missed shots and they clinched. Bisping landed a good elbow inside. Bisping landed a knee. Hayens replied and then Bisping got one in. Haynes broke with a big right. They circled, clinched, Bisping got the trip to half-guard and he quickly mounted. Haynes rolled and gave up his back, Bisping got the hooks in. Haynes spun out into the guard and the first round ended.
The second round began. Bisping landed a flying knee to the body and then an eyepoke, Haynes backed off and Bisping came in to take advantage and they clinched. Haynes's right eye was closing up. They broke. Haynes landed a nice right hand and Bisping winced and walked away. Bisping landed a front kick. Haynes landed a big right hand and a left and Bisping got the takedown and quickly took Haynes's back. Bisping looked to be looking for a reverse triangle, Haynes spun out, Bisping grabbed the armbar and locked it up, Haynes was trying to avoid it. Oh god damn, it was like a kimura from the back, Haynes escaped and Bisping was momentarily mounted and Haynes gave up his back and Bispnig got both hooks in. Bisping was looking for the choke. Haynes tried to turn out, Bisping looked for that armbar again, Haynes turned into the guard however. Bisping was constantly looking for something off his back. Haynes stood and came back down. Haynes stood again and came back down and they rolled and Bisping was on top pounding in udner and then a big right and Haynes was hurt, Bisping was pounding, a big elbow, Haynes was turtled up and ate big shots, a big right and Haynes stood and he took more big shots, they clinched. Hayne was bleeding bad. Haynes turtled up and then Bisping got to side control and he grabbed a tight kimura briefly, Hayens pulled away. A big knee to the body from Bisping. Haynes rolled out and stood and ate a big right hand and a knee to the face, another big knee and a big combination, another knee to the face and a big combination, Haynes collapsed and Bisping landed a few hammerfists and the referee stopped the fight and Bisping whooped and collapsed on his back. Bisping was the Ultimate Fighter.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Denis Kang - The fight was the opening round of the Dream 2008 middleweight grand prix, which Mousasi eventually won before vacating the initial championship belt given to him thus.
The first round began. Mousasi landed an inside leg kick. Kang landed a good counter. Kang landed a good combination. Kang came for the takedown and got it but Mousasi worked the butterflies. Even so, Kang passed quickly to half-guard. Kang postured up briefly with a pair of good shots. Mousasi landed a hammerfist from the bottom to the back of Kang's head and another and another and another and another, brief pauses in between. Kang nearly passed to mount, but Mousasi kept him there in half-guard solidly. Mousasi hammerfisted again to the back of Kang's head, and again. Kang looked for a kimura. He passed to side control, still looking for it. Mousasi looked to land knees to the face from the bottom and managed one, missing most of them. Kang kept looking for that kimura hard. Mousasi missed another knee and connected with another to the ear and another. Kang was really looking for that kimura. Mousasi retained guard and Kang postured up and ate a pair of upkicks to the chin. Kang lanmded a pair of hammerfists and Mousasi grabbed a tight, tight triangle choke and after a moment Kang was forced to tap. Mousasi celebrated, but he didn't look excited, as usual. They hugged.
Marcus Davis vs. Melvin Guillard - The fight was the UFC debut of both men. Guillard continued into the UFC but Davis had to get five other wins in small promotions before returning later to the UFC to defeat Forrest Petz and so on. Marcus later said that he was still injured from the Joe Stevenson fight on the show -- his AC joint, shoulder and clavicle as well.
The first round began. Davis blocked a headkick. Guillard missed an inside leg kick. Guillard landed a hard inside leg kick. Guillard missed a headkick. Guillard landed a big combination and got the takedown into guard. Davis threw up an armbar attempt, Guillard escaped and came back down into side control but Davis retained guard. Guillard postured up with a big shot and another and stood. Guillard came down with a big shot and another and grabbed a guillotine and pulled Davis down into guard. It was decently deep, but not devastating. Guillard kept trying for it, though. He wasn't going to tap Davis with it, though. Guillard might wear himself out. Davis pulled out and the crowd cheered rousingly. Davis landed some good body shots. A few more body shots. Davis landed a good shot and another. Davis landed some body shots and some more. Guillard rolled and managed to stand and they broke. Guillard landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. Guillard got the trip takedown into side control. Guillard landed a good elbow. Davis landed an elbow from the bottom. Guillard passed to moutn and the first round ended. 'Turn this fucking shit into a fight,' Jorge Gurgel told Marcus Davis in the corner.
The second round began. Guillard missed a headkick. Guillard landed a good counter right. Guillard landed a nice inside leg kick. The commentators nuthugged Guillard, Guillard ducked a combination and got the takedown into half-guard and Davis retained his own guard. Guillard landed a good elbow and another. Another big elbow. Another big elbow and another. Davis had a tiny cut above his right eye. Another big elbow and he postured up and passed to side control and another big pair of elbows from Guillard. Davis managed to stand, Guillard threw him and mounted and Davis retained half-guard again. Another big elbow from Guillard. Davis retained his own guard. Another big elbow. Davis blocked another elbow. Davis's nose was bloody on the bridge of the nose. Another nice elbow. Another one and another, the cut was really bleeding now. The referee paused the fight. That was a lot of blood coming out. Oh man, blood everywhere. The doctor was checking it and yeah it's over. There was another big cut over his left eye, that's the cut right there that stopped the fight. Those other two cuts are nothing.
Denis Kang vs. Alan Belcher - The fight was Kang's UFC debut, and he was suffering an ankle injury. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. Kang came out quickly with a missed combination. Belcher had his hands way down. Kang danced around on the outside. Kang landed a good right hand and a good left as well and Belcher hang in there with good composure. Kang landed another good left and a right jab. Kang came for the double-leg and got it into full guard. Belcher controlled Kang's arms nicely with his own. Kang passed very nicely to half-guard. He passed and turtled Belcher up with a headlock, Belcher looked to swept and Kang nearly had his back and settled for side control, Belcher retained guard and ate some shots, three or four. Kang landed a good shot but got shoved off and they stood and broke. Kang landed a good right body shot and a left hook and then a right hand, beautiful combination. Kang landed a good one-two-three combination. Belcher landed a leg kick and Kang got the double-leg into half-guard and Belcher retained full guard almost immediately. Belcher kept looking for submissions from there, maybe a triangle or armbar. Kang was doing a good job of shutting him down and he turtled Belcher up, he nearly rolled for an anaconda choke, Kang kept Belcher down in side control and Belcher pushed him to half-guard, Kang was looking for his signature kimura and he was really close to getting it and he passed to side control but Belcher pulled his arm away. Kang landed an elbow and then a knee to the body, and another knee. Kang looked for mount and they stood as the first round ended. "You're owning him on the ground there," Kang's corner praised him. Belcher's corner told him not to kick, as usual. They didn't want him on the ground, where Kang had the grappling advantage obviously enough.
The second round began. Kang circled on the outside again. Belcher still had those hands low. He was backing Kang up. Kang landed a good counter combination and they clinched. Belcher got double underhooks against the cage. Kang tried for a trip sweep and missed it, but used it to get to the dominant clinch position. They broke. Belcher landed a body kick. Kang landed a good jab and a straight right hand and a left. Belcher landed a good right of his own and ate a counter jab. Kang shot for the double-leg and got it into full guard. Kang landed a lot of slapping body shots, letting Belcher know he was there, nearly constantly. Kang postured up with a trio of blocked shots. Belcher put in the butterflies. Kang looked to pass and he nearly had mount, Belcher kept him in half-guard and looked to sweep. Kang was defending though. The referee warned them he might stand them up. Kang was looking to pass and he was close to it. Wow that is an ugly Johnny Cash tattoo. Kang kept trying to pass and he postured up with a pair of good shots and stood and landed a body shot and came back down, avoided a triangle and settled for staying in guard. The referee stood them up a moment later. Belcher landed a good body kick. Kang seemed to be fading a little. Belcher landed a nice inside leg kick. Belcher missed a front kick. Belcher landed another good inside leg kick. Belcher seemed very casual with his hands low. Kang was taking some deep breaths. Some boos were coming as they circled around. Kang shot in, Belcher sprawled and grabbed the guillotine and that was tight and Kang tapped. The crowd roared. Kang looked utterly disappointed. Belcher was calm, not celebrating overly much. They stood and Belcher tried to console Kang.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Cole Miller - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled aggressively, exchanging missed pumping jabs. Miller seemed the more technical. Miller was backing up more often though, Stephens was far more aggressive. Stephens landed a really nice counter right hook that surprised Miller but Miller didn't fade away. Miller shot in for the takedown, Stephens sprawled really nicely up into the clinch. Miller landed a knee and another. Stephens sighed, throwing up a hand in the clinch. Miller pulled Stephens down into his guard and they sat there. Miller landed a trio of shots from the bottom. Another pair of hammerfists. Stephens landed a hard shot and rolled for a kneebar and Miller was looking for a leglock of his own, a heelhook actually. He was twisting that heel and no, he ended up on top in full guard and ate an elbow from Stephens who was on the bottom now. Stephens landed another pair of elbows. Stephens nearly threw up a triangle but thought better of it. Miller tried to posture up and ate a shot from the bottom. Miller seemed a bit afraid to get hit. He passed to half-guard and avoided a guillotine attempt. He passed to side control. Stephens landed another pair of elbows from the bottom. Miller turtled Stephens up briefly, Stephens retained half-guard, Miller appeared to be looking for a D'arce choke from the top. He had it in but Stephens was defending about as well as you can. Turning away from the choke. He rolled Miller, Miller kept it locked in, grunting with the effort. Stephens pulled out into side control and landed a nice knee and another. Another knee to the body. Stephens landed a good elbow and a nice shot and another, Miller retained half-guard. Miller was looking to stand, he swept Stephens into side control. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Stephens landed a nice jab. Stephens landed a body kick and a big left hook that dropped Miller and he pounced into full guard. Miller doesn't seem to have the best chin on the planet. For some reason, I really dislike him. Stephens landed a good elbow. Miller stood into the clinch. Stephens landed a knee to the leg. Stephens had his standing back. He was looking for the takedown, Miller was looking for a standing kimura, Stephens dumped him on his head and Miller turned it to an armbar and then kept looking for that kimura with Stephesn on top in half-guard and Miller threw it up into an armbar. Stephens was defending with Miller crumpled in a strange position with Stephens facing his ass. Miller kept looking for it, Stephens was defending it without much visible effort. His face was in Miller's crotch now. Kinda awkward. Miller turned it into a reverse trinalge attempt, nice. Stephens didn't look to be in much trouble though even though that was locked in tight. Miller appeared to be waiting for Stephens to go to bed. Miller was burning out his legs with this attempt though, he had Stephens nearly turtled up with the choke in. That choke was in nicely but Stephens is an animal. Stephens finally pulled out, Miller tried to lock it in again and Stephens slammed him and landed a nice combination of shots and an elbow and another elbow. Miller was cut right between his eyes. Really big cut. Stephens was landing big hammerfists repeatedly. Miller rolled and put his legs around Stephens's chest, was he trying to choke Stephens's chest? Stephens kept landing hammerfists in under. A big elbow. A big hammerfist. A big elbow. Miller turtled up and ate big winging shots in under until the referee stopped the fight.
Chris Lytle vs. Pete Spratt - This fight wasn't in the UFC, this was in RSF Shooto or some shit like that.
The first round began. Lytle landed a good left hook and backed Spratt up. Spratt landed a body kick and missed an inside leg kick and Lytle got the double leg into half-guard. Lytle passed quickly to side control and Spratt nearly gave up his back and Lytle tried to take mount but settled for the back with one hook in and he grabbed the choke with one hook in and Spratt tapped Lytle's knee quickly. The two fighters stood and hugged.
Charles 'Krazy Horse' Bennett vs. KJ Noons - At the faceoff Noons tried to touch gloves and Bennett refused. The crowd oohed. The first round began. They circled and stared each other down. Noons landed a hard body kick and Bennett smiled. They stared each other down some more. Boos began. Noons landed a straight kick to the groin and missed a wild right. They didn't pause. They circled some more. Bennett was talking a bit of trash. Bennett had his left hand low. Noons missed a headkick and landed a counter right. They circled. Bennett landed a good leg kick. Bennett kept on talking that trash. Noons landed a hard leg kick. Noons landed another hard leg kick, focusing on that lead leg. Bennett landed a leg kick low to the heel of Noons. Noons landed another hard leg kick. They were just standing in front of each other. Boos came. Noons landed an inside leg kick. Bennett landed a good right hook and missed an uppercut. Bennett dropped his hand. Noons landed a good counter straight left. Noons landed another hard leg kick. Bennett missed a leg kick and ate another counter left hand from Noons. Noons landed a counter straight right, and another a moment later. Bennett landed a good combination in close, but Noons escaped from up against the cage. Bennett went down to his knees to duck a punch and landed a right hook coming upward and knocked Noons out cold. Bennett backflipped twice off the cage and left.
Jason 'Mayhem' Miller vs. Robbie Lawler - The fight was for the ICON Sport middleweight championship with Lawler defending.
The first round began. Miller missed an inside leg kick and then a leg kick and then another inside leg kick, showboated around and landed a leg kick. He was moving around nicely and not letting Lawler get a fix on him. Miller landed an inside leg kick and tried a body kick and slipped but he was right back up on his feet. Miller missed an inside leg kick. Miller landed an inside leg kick. His corner yelled 'Don't wait' to him. Miller landed an inside leg kick. 'Put him in a body bag, Jason' the crowd yelled. Miller landed another inside leg kick. Miller landed another inside leg kick. Lawler wasn't doing much of shit. Miller landed an inside leg kick and another and missed a body kick. He was getting overconfident a bit. Another hard inside leg kick. 'Don't tire out, Jason' his corner yelled. They circled about. Miller landed another hard inside leg kick. Miller landed another leg kick. The crowd chanted 'Jason'. Miller landed a good right hand and Lawler blocked a body kick with his elbow. Lawler was too tentative. Miller landed a hard body kick. 'Hurt him, Jason, hurt him!' the crowd yelled. Miller landed an inside leg kick. Miller landed another body kick after about twenty seconds of inactivity in heavy boos. A quick pair of inside leg kicks from Miller. 'Come on, Jason, you fucking coward!' a woman in the crowd yelled. A hard inside leg kick from Miller and the first round ended.
The second round began. Lawler landed a hard blocked body kick and a combination and Miller shrugged at him and returned a combination and another body kick and missed another. Lawler was much more aggressive. Miller with a hard body kick. Lawler was backing him up. They clinched and Miller landed a hard knee. 'Put him on the ground!' that bitch yelled. 'Come on, take him down, take him down.' Miller landed a few hard knees to the legs. Lawler landed a hard elbow inside and they broke away. Miller landed a hard body kick. Miller looked for the takedown, Lawler defended into the clinch and Miller landed a good knee. Lawler got the takedown and he was standing over Miller pounding brutally and he landed a soccer kick and turtled Miller up and pounded in under, back to side control pounding, he landed a knee to the head and another and he was in a solid side control. Miller gave up his back again. Lawler pulled away and stood over him and landed a soccer kcik and turtled him up and landed a hard knee, Miller pulled half-guard. Lawler landed a trio of big hammerfists and another pair and another. Lawler was in side control now. Boos were coming. Lawler passed to mount, Miller rolled but Lawler kept his back. Lawler landed a hard knee to Miller's blocking arm. Miller rolled for a kneebar and he was grabbing at it and he turned it to pull guard. Lawler passed to half-guard. Miller tried to sweep and went for another kneebar and grabbed at it, Lawler pulled away and Miller landed a few knees and a combination in close and another knee as they clinched again. Miller grabbed for a guillotine and turtled Lawler up but the second round ended.
The third round began. Miller landed a hard inside leg kikc and another and they clinched and he landed a knee and broke with a big right hook and they clinched again and Miller looked for the single leg and he got it into half-guard and landed a hard knee to the body. Miller looked to pass to mount but couldn't make it. He landed a shot in under and passed to side control. He passed to mount and postured up and landed a few nice right hands. He pounded away with both hands, looping shots and the crowd was roaring. The referee moved them to the center of the ring, they were too close to the ropes. Miller landed a big elbow and another. The referee paused them again and the crowd booed heavily. What was wrong with that? They continued and Miller pounded away with hammerfists. More hard shots, Miller was picking his shots now. Miller grabbed a tight arm triangle and passed over to side control and that was tight dude and Lawler tapped and it was over. The crowd went nuts. Miller was the new middleweight champion. Miller walked away.
Marcus Davis vs. Pete Spratt - Spratt enjoyed a four-inch reach advantage. The referee was Kerry Hatley.
The first round began. Davis came in with a quick left and dodged a spinning back kick and they clinched. Davis got a nice throw takedown into open guard. Very nice. Spratt got a single butterfly in and was looking for the second. Davis passed to half-guard. Spratt tried to explode and Davis mounted, he escaped to guard and used the butterfly to elevate Davis high, Davis kept him down and passed to half-guard, Davis turtled him up, and Spratt exploded and regained half-guard. Spratt is very explosive. Spratt retained guard. Davis postured up. Strangely, he wasn't grabbing the left leg for the kneebar. He went back down into guard. Spratt passed to side control and Spratt gave the back chance and Davis took it with both hooks and Davis was looking for the choke. Davis was looking to try a body triangle but he had it on the wrong side and in the wrong technique. Davis was really looking for the choke. Davis had that triangle in now, the anaconda. Spratt was trying to roll out and he kept trying and Davis was just not letting him and the crowd kept booing. There would be no standup in this dominant position. Boos kept coming regularly, but not too loud. Spratt finally managed to turn into guard and the crowd roared. Pete had survived about a minute of back control. Spratt postured up with a big hammerfist and stood and backed off and let Davis up and the first round ended.
The second round began. Spratt landed a nice inside leg kick after a moment. Spratt landed another hard inside leg kick and ate a nice counter straight right and Spratt missed a headkick. Spratt pushed forward but landed nothing. Davis pushed forward and barely dodged an uppercut and they clinched and as they broke, Davis missed a knee and slipped and stood and Spratt tried to capitalize and landed a combination and missed a head kick and then missed a body kick. Spratt landed an inside leg kick. Davis was cut on the right side of his head. It's over his ear. He's also cut on his left eye. Spratt tried for a body kick and ate another right hand and dropped, more of a slip and Davis followed him into guard. Spratt was breathing out of an open mouth. Davis passed easily into half-guard and looked to pin that arm with his knee but couldn't manage to. Davis was looking to pass but Spratt stood into the clinch and Davis was looking for a standing guillotine and he checked the clock, Davis got a nice trip into full guard again and postured up. He grabbed that ankle again, and he dropped back and grabbed the kneebar. No, apparently that was an Achilles lock and Spratt tapped after a moment. Davis flexed his muscles for the crowd. Spratt limped around as the doctors attended to the cut on Davis's head and the announcement was made.
Scott Smith vs. Robbie Lawler 1 - The fight was for the EliteXC middleweight title with Lawler defending. The fight was a no contest due to a thumb in the eye from Lawler. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they missed the touch, missed it again and finally touched, and circled about nicely. Smith pushed forward and missed a combination and a headkick. Smith missed an inside leg kick. Lawler was showing good footwork. Smith blocked a headkick. Lawler blocked a headkick. They kept right on circling around. The crowd was starting to get restless. Lawler blocked another headkick from Smith. Smith pushed forward and missed a Superman punch and Lawler landed a counter and Smith was wobbly, Lawler came forward steadily trying to close the gap. Lawler landed a right hook and another, both partially blocked by Smith. Lawler landed an inside leg kick and a straight left through and Smith seemed to be recovered. Smith landed an inside leg kick and slightly landed a body kick. Lawler kept on stalking Smith. Smith missed a headkick. Lawler stalking Smith again near the cage, the crowd was restless. The commentators said 'This is mixed martial arts, not boxing. They are used to action from the very beginning to the very end." Lawler landed a good combination. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Smith missed another. Smith landed that headkick halfway through the guard, mainly hit the arm, and a good combination, Smith missed another combination and ate a counter combination. Lawler blocked another headkick. Lawler seemed a bit angered. Lawler landed a good uppercut through and a left hand. Lawler had some good head movement to avoid Smith's response. Lawler kept on pumping that jab out there. Smith had zero to no head movement. Lawler pumped that right jab out constantly and followed it up with a big straight left through the guard. Lawler landed a nice body kick mainly blocked by Smith's elbow. Smith landed a really good body kick and then a body shot and Smith was hurt and backing up. Lawler landed another really hard body kick and Smtih was really crumbling. Lawler landed three quick consecutive right hooks. Smith landed another partially blocked body kick and Lawler returned with one to the liver and Smith was hurt bad trying to cover up and a left hand and a flying knee, left hook right hook, and again and again and the first round ended. Smith staggered to his corner and held on to the fence to stay up, he was hurt bad. His corner told him 'Scotty, you're doing great, you just have to keep your hands up."
The second round began and they touched gloves. Lawler landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a good straight left. Lawler landed a good jab and another and a leg kick. Smith kept standing in front of him though, he seemed to have recovered. Lawler landed another hard kick to the liver. Has Lawler been training with Bas Rutten? Smith was cut on the bridge of his nose and around his left eye. Smith landed an inside leg kick and Lawler blocked a headkick. Lawler shook out his right arm. It must have been tired from those jabs or blocking the kicks. Boos coming more. Lawler blocked another headkick and another. Lawler still jabbing and Smith barely missed a counter and landed an inside leg kick and missed another. Boos still coming. Lawler was the one backing up. Smith landed a body shot and they clinched and a big pair of knees to the body and another pair to the head and a hard right inside and another and a hard uppercut and they broke. Smith landed a nice uppercut and a right hand and another and another big uppercut, Lawler was bobbing and weaving and slipping. They clinched and Lawler landed a trio of uppercuts and a hard pair of hooks. Another pair of body shots from Lawler and Smith replied with a hook. Another hard body shot from Lawler and a right hand inside. Neither of these guys were thinking about the takedown, that's for damn sure. Lawler landed a good left hook inside. Smith missed a big uppercut inside. Lawler landed a nice body shot and another and another. Lawler landed a good left hook inside. Good dirty boxing from Lawler inside. Boos still coming for some fucking reason. This is like Frye-Takyama but slower. They broke and Smith landed a nice elbow to the forehead and a good jab and another and a big right hand. Lawler landed a big uppercut and an elbow and they clinched. Lawler's forehead was bloodied up, no the top of his head, they had an accidental headbutt in the clinch I believe. Smith broke with a missed elbow and ate a big combination and an uppercut and they broke again. Lawler blocked another headkick. Lawler landed a good right hand. Lawler landed a left hook inside. Smith landed an elbow inside. They broke and Smith pushed forward missing a combo and missed a headkick and the second round ended and Smith held the fence again to stay standing. What a warrior. Smith's corner told him "Look at me, man, stay in there." And another said "Keep using that kick, that inside kick is working so stick with that, and keep working those inside elbows. Set up the headkick. Don't keep just throwing it. Set it up with your punches, buddy. You can knock him out with that."
The third round began and they touched gloves. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Smith landed another inside leg kick. Lawler still pumping that jab out. Lawler landed a good right hook to the side of Smith's head. Smith landed a really good Superman punch to the nose. Lawler still pumping that jab out. Lawler landed that jab solidly and stiffly three times. Lawler pushed forward with a missed combination and a right hand and missed a headkick roundhouse. Lawler landed a good elbow. Smith landed a good right hand. Lawler's head cut was bleeding badly again. Smith landed a weak inside leg kick. Lawler landed a good jab and uppercut and then a nice jab. Lawler doing a nice job of pumping that jab out. Lawler shot for the double-leg and Smith stuffed it and sprawled and Lawler took his back and Smith spun to the clinch and they broke. Lawler went for the jab and put a thumb in Smith's eye and Lawler backed off before the referee even paused it. Smith went to his knees trying to recover. Nope it was one of the fingers. Smith was walking about trying to recover. The doctor was shining a light in Smith's eyes trying to determine if he could continue. Smith told them he could not see twice but he also told them 'I'm ready to go, let's do it'. That was a bad cut on the bridge of Smith's nose. Smith hopped around begging them not to as the doctor stopped it. Smith apologized to Lawler as the crowd booed loudly. They hugged. Both fighters looked utterly disappointed in the ending. The crowd chanted 'Bullshit' repeatedly. The fight was declared a no-contest. Gary Shaw paid them both their win bonuses. Lawler told them he was disappointed, and said 'let's run it back, and do it again.' Smith said 'thank you Robbie for the chance, we'll do it again'. Smith said he thought he broke his right foot but he didn't care, he said he just kept on fighting.
Scott Smith vs. Robbie Lawler 2 - The rematch, with Lawler once more defending the EliteXC middleweight belt. The referee this time was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Smith blocked a headkick. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Lawler was backpedaling a lot at the start and looking to find his range to counterpunch and he landed a nice counter straight left. Lawler missed an interesting jumping headkick. Smith landed a really nice inside leg kick, partially checked by Lawler. Smith landed a nice leg kick. Circling now. Smith blocked a body kick. Crowd starting to boo again. Lawler blocked another headkick. Lawler was closing the distance now. He landed a good counter combination. They clinched. Lawler landed a good knee and ate one from Smith. Smith landed a really nice uppercut inside. 'Circle off that cage and put his back against it, Scotty!' They broke. Lawler landed a good body kick. Lawler blocked a headkick. Smith landed an inside leg kick. Lawler still pumping that jab out. Smith landed a front kick. Lawler checked an inside leg kick, pumped out that jab and landed a straight left, Smith blocked a headkick and ate a body kick that hurt him again. Lawler landed a leg kick. Lawler narrowly missed a headkick and Smith blocked another and landed a right hand and missed a headkick and pushed forward with a missed combination and clinched and they broke and Smith landed a straight right and then a body shot and the momentum slowed. Lawler pumped that jab again and ate another front kick. Smith landed a grazing right hand and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. The crowd chanted 'Robbie'. Smith landed a partially blocked body kick. They circled, trying to feel each other out once more. Lawler landed another body kick and then a partially blocked Superman punch and they clinched, Smith landed a big pair of elbows and another one and they broke. Lawler was bleeding again, almost in the same spot. Lawler landed a big left hand and another and another, Lawler was bleeding bad on the top of his head and they clinched and Lawler landed a big knee. Lawler landed a body shot and another and another and eh he just kept going with them. He had a nasty cut. A trio of looping left hooks and back to the body, missed an uppercut and a big hook and a nice knee. Blood was spilling out of Lawler's head. Another big knee from Lawler. Lawler landed a big elbow inside. Another big knee and another and another and Smith went down and turtled up and Lawler was pounding in udner, Smith stood and ate a big knee and another and Lawler landed a soccer kick and pounded in under with another shot and the referee stopped the fight. Lawler popped his collar and danced around while bloody. Wait, did anyone else notice that illegal soccer kick though? Lawler kept on dancing to the music playing.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - The first round began. Minowa circled light on his feet bouncing back and forth. Silva seemed almost amused. Silva wasn't even bouncing around, he was just staring at Minowa. Minowa came for the single-leg and Silva sprawled and landed a knee and another and Minowa pulled guard. Silva landed a good elbow. Silva landed a big shot and another. Silva landed a body shot. Silva landed a big shot and another and then postured up and landed a one-two-three combination downwards that put Minowa's lights out completely.
Zelg Galesic vs. Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza - The fight was in the semifinals for the Dream 2008 middleweight grand prix. Souza went on to lose to Gegard Mousasi later that night.
The first round began. They circled light on their feet. They seemed to be priming up. Souza pumped out a jab. They clinched and Souza slammed Galesic into open guard. Galesic landed some shots from the bottom nicely. Souza postured up with a few shots. Souza passed to half-guard and then to side control. Souza was looking for a kimura and possibly setting up an armbar and punching away, maybe even setting up an arm triangle, he passed to mount instead though and flattened Galesic out very nicely. Galesic swept on top and tried for a triangle and then very swiftly to an armbar and Galesic tapped quickly. Damn, that was nice.
Cheick Kongo vs. Assuerio Silva - The fight was Silva's last fight with the UFC.
The first round began. Silva landed a good inside leg kick immediately and a nice leg kick. Kongo landed an inside leg kick. Kongo was the one backing off, maybe he didn't like those kicks. Silva checked a leg kick. Silva landed a nice inside leg kick. Silva shot for the takedown and slammed Kongo into side control. They were sitting there. Kongo managed to stand to the clinch and Silva put him right back into half-guard and Kongo was looking for a guillotine but he quickly let it go. They weren't doing too much down there. Silva landed a nice pair of body shots, just letting Kongo know he was there. The crowd was beginning to get restless. Kongo was really hugging Silva, holding on for dear life as Mike Goldberg noted. Kongo got the reversal and stood to the clinch and landed a good knee. They broke. Kongo landed a really nice jab, utilizing his reach advantage and another leg kick. Silva landed a leg kick and ate a counter right hand. They clinched, Silva tried the takedown, Kongo sprawled and avoided and they broke and clinched again and Kongo landed a big combination and a knee to the body and a right hand, closing the distance. Silva shot in and Kongo sprawled and Silva turtled up hugging the leg. Kongo managed to stand to the clinch and Silva slammed him hard into side control. Goldberg noted that Silva was 2-3 in takedowns thus far. Silva had that arm trapped. Kongo looked lost down there on the mat. The crowd was really beginning to become restless. Silva was just laying on Kongo. The referee told him 'come on, let's go, let's go, let's fight, I'm gonna stand you up'. Mario Yamasaki was taking a good look. Silva mounted and Kongo spun out and tried to stand and Silva managed to pull guard. The first round ended.
The second round began. Kongo landed an inside leg kick. Silva checked a leg kick. Kongo landed an inside leg kick. Kongo landed another inside leg kick and Silva replied. Kongo landed a hard body kick, very nice. Kongo landed a blocked combination and an uppercut, Silva was hurt, Kongo was teeing off with big combinations, Silva replied with a body kick, he was trying to counter but Kongo had that big reach advantage, Kongo landed another combination and backed off and landed another combination and a jab, Silva shot in, Kongo sprawled and he was hugging the leg of the standing Silva. Silva rolled and took the back and Kongo regained his half-guard. Silva landed a body shot. Boos were beginning to come restlessly. Silva landed a trio of body shots. Another trio and another body shot. Then working the other side. Wow, Silva is a boring motherfucker. Another trio of body shots to the other side. He was starting to turn up the body shot power but eh. Kongo was looking for an arm triangle from the bottom. Silva kept landing those body shots, working the solar plexus. The referee finally stood them up, nice. The referee asked for some scissors and he cut some loose tape off of Silva's gloves. Stitch Duran complied, cutting off the tape. They continued on the feet. Silva shot, telegraphed it, Kongo sprawled and held the shorts and was warned. Kongo kept sprawling and managed to make it to the clinch, Silva picked him up and slammed him down into half-guard and landed another trio of body shots. That's the story of the second round of Silva-Kongo. Rogan commented 'It's not the most exciting fight.' The second round ended.
The third round began. Kongo missed a running knee and Silva blocked a headkick and then a body kick and another. Kongo landed a big knee and a big right hand and another. Silva backed him off and ate an inside leg kick. Silva blocked a body kick. And another. He kept taking those kicks on the arm. He landed a body kick and shot in and slammed Kongo into side control. Silva landed some hard shots, most partially blocked by Kongo. 'He gets to this position and what does he do? Nothing,' Rogan commented drily. Silva landed an elbow to the body and another and the referee stood them up. Silva checked an inside leg kick. Silva blocked a body kick and landed an inside leg kick. Kongo landed a nice knee to the body and they clinched and Kongo landed another pair of knees and a pair of big elbows. Another big knee and another and a big right hand and another. Silva shot in and Kongo avoided to the clinch. The referee told them 'come on, guys, let's move it, let's move it.' Silva pulled Kongo down into half-guard. Kongo postured up with a trio of big shots. Kongo stood and came back down into full guard. Silva landed a body shot from the bottom. Not much was going down. Kongo landed a nice shot from the top and a pair of hammerfists and a big elbow. Kongo pinned the arm briefly. Silva was bloody, a huge cut from that elbow. Dunno where it is. Kongo landed a pair of hammerfists and the third round ended. Silva stood, bloody. The two fighters hugged and clasped hands. Kongo got the nod by majority decision.
Duane Ludwig vs. Paul Daley - The fight was the Strikeforce debut of Daley.
The first round began. Ludwig blocked a headkick. Daley landed a leg kick. They circled, keeping their distance nicely. Boos were coming already. Woooow. Daley shot for the takedown, Ludwig defended to the clinch nicely. Ludwig landed a knee to the body and they broke. Daley landed a hard inside leg kick. Daley shot in again, Ludwig defended to the clinch. Ludwig was defending nicely. Ludwig was pressing Daley into the clinch. Ludwig broke. Daley missed a headkick. Daley blocked a headkick. Daley missed a big right haymaker and backed off hard to avoid a counter combination from Ludwig. Ludwig blocked a headkick and defended another takedown to the clinch and landed a good knee. Ludwig landed another knee. Ludwig was warned for holding the shorts. Daley got the trip takedown to half-guard and they rolled and stood to the clinch and Ludwig broke with a knee to the body. Ludwig was the one backing up. Ludwig blocked a headkick and they clinched. They broke after a moment. Daley landed a leg kick. Ludwig landed a good counter one-two. Daley landed a good kick to the shoulder. Daley landed a nice jab. Daley blocked a headkick. Ludwig landed a knee in close and the first round came to an end.
The second round began. They clinched and Daley landed a hard knee and another and Ludwig replied and they broke. Daley landed a hard leg kick and a headkick that partially landed. Ludwig landed a knee and backed off. Daley landed a left hook. Daley was hunting him down. Daley landed a big right to the chin and dropped Ludwig and pounded with two shots and the referee stopped it.
Mike Nickels vs. Stephan Bonnar - The referee was Jon Schorle.
The first round began. Bonnar took the center of the ring quickly and ate a left hand. Bonnar landed a good leg kick, caught by Nickels and Nickels capitalized with the takedown to full guard and he passed quickly to half-guard. He passed even more quickly to mount and spun out however and they scrmabled and Bonnar rolled and tried to take the back, Nickels defended and stood to the clinch, Bonnar was still looking to take the back . Nickels held the leg and tried to turn. Bonnar took his back however and had one hooks I believe and he was looking for the choke. Nickels turned into half-guard. Bonnar grabbed a kimura from the bottom, twisting it backwards from the back, like a cop move. He got Nickels back with both hooks in, with the arm trapped and he locked in the rear-naked choke and Nickels was forced to tap out after a bit.
Jens Pulver vs. Urijah Faber 1 - The fight was for the WEC featherweight championship with Faber defending. The referee was Josh Rosenthal. It was the first time either fighter went the distance in their featherweight careers or WEC careers.
The first round began. Faber was the more aggressive one. Faber would dart in briefly. Faber landed a really nice straight right and they clinched. Faber broke with an elbow. Pulver blocked a head kick. They clinched again. Faber was controlling Pulver's arms nicely, landed a nice pair of knees and Pulver replied. Pulver broke away and ate a nice uppercut and a nice left hand. Faber landed a nice right hand. Faber came in and landed a good knee and popped out. They clinched again, Pulver landed a knee and they broke. Faber tried a high kick and slipped and Pulver pounced and Faber put in the butterflies down there. Faber still controlled Pulver's arms nicely. Pulver stood and dodged an upkick and Faber stood as well. Pulver backed off, indicating an eyepoke and then they continued quickly. They clinched and broke. Faber landed a really nice right hand to the body. Pulver landed a nice left hook to the body in return. Faber landed a nice counter combination and a knee. Pulver missed a headkick. Faber landed that right hand again, and again, and then with the hook. They clinched and Faber landed a good knee and Pulver returned and broke. Faber landed that lead right hand straight again, and then a combination landing a good left hook and ate a counter straight left from Pulver. Faber landed a body kick and they clinched and Pulver had his standing back. Faber spun out with a spinning back elbow adn they broke. The crowd chanted 'Faber' as they circled. Pulver was changing his stance to avoid that straight right. The first round ended.
The second round began. Faber landed a really good straight right and then went for an inside leg kick but it went straight into Pulver's groin and Pulver collapsed and the fight was paused. Pulver took merely a moment or two and continued. Pulver was the one looking hesitant now. Faber landed that straight right partially and got the takedown and he was looking to muscle Pulver against the fence and made it to full guard. Pulver wasn't controlling his arms well. Faber landed a good elbow. Now Pulver was controlling those arms. Faber was constantly moving, he wasn't taking a rest down there. Pulver managed to stand into the clinch but Faber immediately looked for a single-leg. They broke apart however. Pulver had to know he was almost irreversibly down on points. He was pushing forward a bit more. Pulver missed a nice uppercut. Faber showed good head movement. The crowd chanted 'Faber' loudly. Faber landed a right then left hook that hurt Pulver, he went to his knees and Pulver managed to stand into the clinch. Damn those were hard shots. Faber broke with a big combination and another and Pulver managed to grab the clinch again. He was hurt badly, though. Those were flush shots right there. Pulver landed a bad uppercut as they broke. Pulver landed a good combination. Pulver landed an uppercut. Faber was hurt, too, I think. Pulver landed a right hand. Faber got the takedown into half-guard. They were in a strange position though. Faber turtled up and Pulver kept him there. This wasn't a place to rest though. Pulver was setting up the guillotine, Faber stood however and took the standing back and turned into the clinch. Faber landed a big uppercut and they broke. Faber landed a right hand and another a moment later. Pulver landed a body shot. Both seemed recovered. Faber landed a body kick. They clinched and Faber broke with an elbow and a right hand and another. Faber landed that right hand short inside. Pulver looked exhausted, as the second round ended.
The third round began. Pulver slightly landed that headkick. The pace had slowed. Faber landed a good body kick. Faber came for the takedown and Pulver sprawled, Faber took his standing back and suplexed him and Pulver stood and broke away. Faber landed a good one-two. Faber landed another good straight right. Pulver landed that lead left uppercut. Faber landed that right hand and another one. He was just picking apart Pulver with that. Faber continued showing good head movement, avoiding two uppercuts. Pulver landed a good headkick, Faber was hurt briefly but he landed a good body kick and another and another a moment later, just hurting those ribs. Faber shot in and tried for the double-leg, Pulver ended up on top in half-guard. Faber got the underhook. Pulver landed a good right elbow and another. Faber was trying to get on top and he got the sweep to half-guard. He made it to full guard with a vicious elbow and another a moment later and another a moment after that. Faber wasn't taking any breaks. Pulver was trying to stand. Faber was landing some really short hammerfists. Faber landed an elbow and the referee stood them up. The fans were booing for some reason. Pulver walked away for a moment and then turned and they continued. Faber landed a good front kick. Faber landed a good body kick a moment later. Pulver missed a high kick and pushed forward with a missed combination. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. They exchanged missed strikes. Faber pushed forwrd and missed. Pulver landed a counter left and kept on with a combination. Faber pushed forward with nothing landing. Faber blocked a headkick. Pulver missed an uppercut by a mile. Faber landed a right hook. Faber landed another right hook to the body. Faber landed an inside leg kick. Faber landed a jab. Faber missed a right hand and landed a body kick. Pulver landed an uppercut. Faber landed a good right hook. The pace had slowed. Faber landed a counter right to the body. Faber missed a combination. Pulver's eye looked really bad, it has since the second round. Faber landed a body kick. They clinched and Faber got the trip takedown to full guard. Faber landed a really hard elbow. Faber landed another hard elbow. Faber landed a hammerfist to the nose and another grazing elbow. Pulver was resting on the bottom, looking at his corner. Faber landed another hard elbow to the chin. Another hard elbow to the nose, and Pulver grunted. Another hard elbow. Faber landed repeated short hammerfists to the side of Pulver's head, five or six. Faber landed another pair of elbows and the fourth round came to an end.
The fifth round began and they touched gloves with both hands and hugged. They circled cautiously around. Faber landed a body kick. Faber came for the takedown, Pulver defended and they broke away. They circled some more. Faber landed that right hand, landed a body kick, Pulver nearly caught it but let go. Faber landed that body kick again. Faber landed that body kick again. They circled for a bit and clinched and Faber broke with a knee. Pulver landed a jab. Pulver landed a good left hand. Pulver missed a big uppercut and they clinched and Faber broke with a body kick. Faber pumped out that jab four or five times but missed all. Faber landed a left hook. Faber came for the takedown, Pulver defended to the clinch and Faber broke with a body kick. Pulver landed a pair of hooks to the body. They clinched and Faber broke with a knee to the chin. Faber landed a jab. Faber landed a hard body kick. Faber landed that left hook. They clinched and broke. They clinched and Pulver tried for the throw but couldn't get it, Faber had him down and had the back, he ended up on top in half-guard to sit out the last twenty seconds and gave the 'hang loose' surfer signal that he usually gave at the end of his fights. Faber landed an elbow. Pulver put in the butterflies and the fifth round ended and Faber grinned and they stood and Faber said something and they hugged full-heartedly and Pulver raised Faber's hand. Faber had the win by unanimous decision. Pulver said he was 'god-damned honored to have fought in front of all of you.' Pulver also announced that he had his fiance ringside and a little boy on the way. They hugged again.
Frank Mir vs. Ian Freeman - The fight was Mir's first defeat and only his fifth professional mixed martial arts fight. It was in the first UFC event in Freeman's native England. Mir had a signifigant weight advantage. It was Freeman's biggest win but bittersweet, for Freeman dedicated the win to his father who, unbeknowst to him, had died the previous day of cancer.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Freeman landed a big right immediately. Mir landed a leg kick and Freeman blocked two high kicks and came for the takedown and Mir wisely pulled guard and almost immediately threw up a triangle. Freeman landed a good shot and another. Freeman pushed Mir against the fence. Freeman landed a big shot and passed to half-guard. Mir attempted akneebar with his legs. Theys tood to the clinch and Freeman landed two knees and ate one and landed three uppercuts. Freeman landed a right and another and another uppercut as they clinched and another knee. Mir kept looking for the takedown, trying to trip Freeman. Mir was hugging that ankle desperately. Mir dumped Freeman down. Mir got full mount. Freeman was trying to stand and Mir rolled off and grabbed for a kneebar and he was looking for it. Freeman landed a big right hand and another and another and another and another and another, teeing off. Mir kept looking for the kneebar. Freeman kicked Mir in the face illegally but the ref did nothing. Freeman landed another four rights and another pair and another big one right to the nose. Mir kept looking for the kneebar. Freeman finally pulled out into guard. Mir was rocked. A big elbow from Freeman. mir threw up a triangle. Freeman pulled out and stood. Freeman stood over Mir. He kicked the leg. The crowd booed heavily. Mir stood and shot for the takedown and pulled Freeman down into guard. Freeman landed a big shot and another. Freeman passed to half-guard. Freeman landed another trio of shots. Freeman turtled Mir up and pounded another with a pair of shots, Mir made it to half-guard. Freeman landed a big elbow and another and another and another and another, a big hammerfist and another big shot, Mir threw up an armbar attempt. Mir ate another big shot to the face and it spit out the mouthpiece and he tried to grab another kneebar and Freeman stood and let Mir up. Mir could barely stand. He was bleeding badly from his right eye. Mir fell to his knees. The referee paused the fight, asking him if he could continue. Mir told him no and the fight was over. Mir sat down and then laid on his back.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Justin Eilers - The fight was for the UFC interim heavyweight title with Arlovski defending. Matt Hughes and Roy Jones, Jr. were in attendance.
The first round began. They circled aggressively, light on their feet. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick and another. Arlovski landed a hard leg kick and a hard inside leg kick. Arlovski landed another hard inside leg kick. They clinched. They broke after a moment. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick and a hard right hand and another inside leg kick and another a moment later. Arlovski landed a short counter right hand as Eilers came in. They clinched explosively. Arlovski broke with a blocked combo. Arlovski pushed the action. Eilers was bleeding somewhere. The referee told them to work. They circled. Arlovski landed a body shot and an uppercut and a left hand. The commentators talked about hoping Frank Mir got healthy soon, because Arlovski-Mir would be a beautiful matchup. It truly would have been. Arlovski landed a nice jab. Eilers landed an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a leg kick. Arlovski landed a left jab to the chin. Eilers was really bleeding. I think his nose was. Eilers tried a big right and caught a counter left hand. Eilers's face was a mess. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Eilers ate a counter right hand and just crumpled onto his knee and the right knee buckled, his knee gave out, and Arlovski pounded with two shots and the referee stopped the fight and Arlovski screamed in joy. Eilers blew his ACL, adding injury to defeat. It was also later revealed that Eilers in addition suffered a badly broken nose and jaw, two broken hands and a complete ACL tear to his knee.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum 2 - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began. They circled. Werdum landed a blocked combination and they clinched and Gonzaga got the takedown into half-guard. Gonzaga passed after a moment to side control but Werdum almost immediately retained a tight half-guard. Werdum landed an elbow to the body. They weren't doing much. Gonzaga landed a pair of short shots from the top. Werdum tried to retain guard and Gonzaga stood. Gonzaga landed a hard leg kick. Gonzaga landed another hard leg kick. Werdum landed a front kick, caught by Gonzaga and Gonzaga narrowly missed a headkick. Gonzaga landed a big leg kick and dropped Werdum but let him up. There was some redness on Werdum's legs. Werdum pressed forward and they clinched and broke. Werdum missed a headkick of his own. Gonzaga landed another hard leg kick and another a moment later and he buckled Werdum and Werdum stood walking gingerly, and another hard leg kick and Gonzaga tried a headkick, Werdum caught it and had the takedown, briefly had Gonzaga's back and ended up on top in half-guard. Werdum was looking to pass, pushing on the leg with his instep. Werdum landed a pair of good shots and an elbow. Werdum landed another pair of elbows. Gonzaga rolled for a kneebar but Werdum was defending, keeping his hands clasped and all of his weight on his left leg. They continued that way for the last fifteen seconds or so until the first round ended.
The second round began and they circled. Werdum missed a teep and landed a good uppercut. Werdum shot in and Gonzaga sprawled and stuffed it and stood and let Werdum up. Werdum landed a good right hand to counter a leg kick and another good right and Gonzaga landed a knee and missed a headkick and Werdum missed one as well. Gonzaga landed a hard leg kick to the same spot. Werdum checked another leg kick. Werdum missed a one-two combination. Werdum landed a leg kick and Gonzaga caught it and landed a body kick and they broke. Werdum checked a leg kick. Gonzaga grazed Werdum with a headkick. Werdum landed a leg kick, Gonzaga caught it and tossed Werdum down and stood over him. Boos began to come as they stood there and the referee finally let Werdum up. Gonzaga shoved Werdum right back down and let him up. Gonzaga landed a really hard leg kick. Werdum landed an inside leg kick. Gonzaga landed a good jab. Werdum landed a hard knee to the chin and a combination and another knee and a combination and they clinched. Werdum landed another hard knee and another and they broke. Gonzaga landed a body kick. Werdum landed a knee to the body. They clinched. Werdum landed four nice uppercuts. Gonzaga landed a really nice knee to the body. Werdum landed anotehr pair of big knees to the chin and an uppercut and another pair of knees. Werdum had Gonzaga kneeling and he landed a knee to the face. Gonzaga put his hand down. Werdum was trying to take the back and he ended up on top in half-guard pounding repeatedly. He was up against the cage eating punches over and over, they just kept coiming, Gonzaga was just covering up and the referee stopped the fight.
Jake Shields vs. Robbie Lawler - The fight was Lawler's Strikeforce debut, and it was also the debut of Shields. It was fought at a catchweight of 182 lbs.
The first round began, and Shields came out and landed a pair of leg kicks. Shields landed another leg kick and shot for the single-leg and briefly got him down and Lawler stood to the clinch and landed two hard body shots. Lawler landed a pair of uppercuts. Lawler landed a knee, Shields replied and Lawler replied. Shields landed another knee and another. Another hard knee and another. Lawler landed a body shot and a hard knee to the head and they broke. Shields landed a body kick. Shields landed another body kick. Shields landed a jab and another and a body kick. Shields landed a leg kick. Shields landed a body kick. Shields landed a jab and a leg kick. Shields landed a body kick. Lawler just kept coming. They clinched and Shields grabbed a tight guillotine and pulled guard. Lawler picked him up and slammed him but he was forced to tap the arm quickly. The two fighters hugged.
Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz - The fight was Diaz's Strikeforce debut and they fought at a catchweight of 179 lbs. Shamrock came into the bout with a rib injury sustained in training.
The first round began. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick. Diaz replied and again. Diaz had his hands low, testing the range by putting his hands out. Shamrock missed a high kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Diaz was talking. Shamrock landed a good right hand and smiled. Shamrock landed a right hand. Diaz got the takedown by catching a body kick and got the guard and postured up over him still talking. Shamrock tried to stand, Diaz kept him down. Diaz passed to half-guard. Diaz landed some body shots. Diaz passed quickly to side control. I hate how the Strikeforce commentators try to be special. 'Inside cup kick' and 'cross side position'. Just shut the fuck up. Diaz was isolating an arm, possibly looking for a kimura. That arm that was shattered by Cung Le. Diaz looked for it and Shamrock reversed and landed good shots in under until Diaz managed to stand. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick that nearly swept Diaz's leg. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick. Diaz landed a good right hand. Shamrock landed a good left. Diaz was talking. Diaz missed a headkick. Shamrock landed a body kick. Diaz landed an inside leg kick. Shamrock landed a combo to the body. Diaz kept telling Shamrock to bring it. Shamrock landed a right to the chin. Diaz landed a leg kick. Shamrock landed a body kick. Diaz landed a leg kick. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick and tripped and landed on his back, Diaz leapt on top quickly into side control. Diaz passed to mount. Shamrock was trying to walk up the cage. Good cage presence. Diaz was pounding away, most of them being blocked by Frank Shamrock. Shamrock managed to stand and shoved Diaz away as the first round ended. Shamrock's nose was a bit bloody in the corner.
The second round began. Diaz landed a leg kick. Diaz landed a good right hook short inside. Diaz was still talking shit loudly. Diaz landed another short right hook. Shamrock landed a straight right to the body. The crowd chanted 'Diaz'. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Shamrock landed another body shot. Diaz landed a really good right hook short and then a body shot that hurt Shamrock and Shamrock got on his bicycle and backed off. Diaz landed that short right hook again and another a moment later to the chin. Shamrock landed a big looping right hand. Shamrock's nose was really bleeding. Diaz was landing a consistent jab and then a combination. Diaz landed a good uppercut and that jab again. Another jab a moment later, and a left hand, and a body kick. Shamrock landed a left hand, he was breathing very hard. Diaz landed a straight left and a right hook, he had Shamrock backed to the fence, a headkick and an inside leg kick. Diaz kept putting his chin out there, tuanting Shamrock, a pair of right hooks landed. Diaz landed another right hook and a jab and a combination, uppercut, a big elbow and another and a right hook, Shamrock was bleeding bad, a big left hook and another one to those hurt ribs and Shamrock was down and Diaz was pounding away to the face and body repeatedly, continually landing that right hand downwards and some lefts and the referee stopped it and Diaz helped Shamrock up and raised his hand.
Robbie Lawler vs. Murilo Rua - The fight was for the EliteXC middleweight title with Rua defending the belt, his first defense.
The first round began. They circled around aggressively, trying to hunt each other down. They kept on circling. They clinched and Lawler got a hard slam takedown to side control and landed an elbow. Lawler had underrated wrestling. Rua looked to stand and Lawler landed two big shots and stood instead and let him up. Lawler landed a counter right hook. Rua kept coming aggressively. He had his chin out there though and he landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a counter right hook. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Rua missed an inside leg kick. Lawler blocked a high kick with his arm. Rua landed a good leg kick. Rua landed another nice leg kick. Rua was pushing the pace. Rua landed a good right hand. Rua was feinting with that kick well, too. Lawler was coming forward now. Lawler landed a nice right hand and then another nice combination. Rua landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a left hand. Rua landed a body kick and they clinched and broke. Rua landed a good combination and a body kick. Lawler managed to circle away. Rua landed a leg kick. Lawler landed a good combination. Lawler landed a nice uppercut and Rua replied with a right hand. Mauro said 'Lawler's doing a good job of controlling the Octagon' and then a moment later said 'I hope I don't get sued for that.' Rua landed an inside leg kick (they called it a fucking inside cup kick again) and then a leg kick. Rua landed a left hand. Rua landed a hard inside leg kick and then another. Rua landed a left hand. Rua landed a hard leg kick. Rua landed another hard leg kick. Rua landed a hard leg kick. Rua blocked a high kick. The first round ended. They had girls dancing on the ramp between rounds. Wow, desperate much?
The second round began. They circled. Rua landed a leg kick. Rua landed another hard inside leg kick, really working that lead leg. Rua landed a hard leg kick. Rua landed a hard inside leg kick. Lawler landed a good uppercut. Rua was really coming after him, landed the inside kick and they clinched and Rua was trying the single-leg but Lawler escaped and landed a left hand. They clinched and Lawler broke. Lawler landed a good right hook and ate an elbow from Rua. Rua shot, Lawler sprawled and stood and landed an uppercut and another. Lawler landed another hard right hook. Rua missed an uppercut. They clinched and broke. Rua landed a good jab and another and another and a nice body shot and a left hand. Rua came for the takedown, Lawler stuffed it to the clinch and Rua landed an uppercut and another and they broke. Lawler landed a left and a right and pressed Rua to the fence and Rua was rocked or tired. Rua landed an uppercut and a left hook. Rua landed an elbow. Lawler smiled. Rua tried for another takedown, Lawler shoved him away. Rua missed a combination, he was exhausted. Rua landed a left. Rua landed a knee in close and a body kick and tripped and fell and Lawler let him up. Rua missed an elbow and ate a counter. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Lawler landed a counter combo, one-two. Rua tried for another takedown and Lawler dodged. Rua landed a hard inside leg kick. Lawler blocked a headkick and ate a left hand and landed a leg kick. Rua landed another inside 'cup kick'. Rua landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Lawler missed a teep and the second round ended. The girls dancing again, not particularly well. Still dancing. Wow they suck at dancing dude. I'd still tap it, though.
The third round began. Rua landed a good inside leg kick. Lawler landed a hard body kick and right hand combination and then a Superman punch. Rua landed a hard inside leg kick. Rua landed another hard inside leg kick. Rua landed another hard inside kick. Rua landed another inside kick and another. Lawler kept on coming like a Terminator eating those kicks. Rua landed another inside kick, those aren't soft. Rua blocked a headkick and another a moment later. Lawler landed a hard counter combination. Rua with another inside kick. Rua landed a body shot and ate an uppercut and a combination and a massive uppercut and dropped and Lawler pounded with massive looping right bombs repeatedly until Lawler went limp and the referee stopped it and Lawler was the new middleweight champion. Rua was down as the doctors came to check him.
Forrest Griffin vs. Edson Paredao - Forrest came out for the fight wearing a Santa Clause hat haha.
The first round began. They circled, exchanging missed strikes. Griffin caught a body kick and got the takedown into full guard. Griffin stood after a moment and let Paredao up. Paredao landed a good combination. Paredao landed a kick which Griffin blocked with his left arm and it broke it. Paredao came for the takedown, Griffin defended and broke. Paredao landed an inside leg kick and then a combination. Griffin landed a leg kick. Griffin landed a big combination and dropped Paredao hard unconscious and landed a few shots in under until the referee stopped it. Griffin tried to help Paredao up but he was out. Griffin hopped around.
Rob McCullough vs. Jamie Varner - The fight was for the WEC lightweight title with McCullough defending. In the third round, McCullough dropped Varner with a looping right hook, and proceeded to land effective ground and pound. The initial right hook knocked Varner's mouthpiece out, and after both fighters got back up to their feet, Varner signaled to the referee for a time-out for him to retrieve his mouthpiece. Steve Mazzagatti, the referee, granted Varner about 30 seconds to get his mouthpiece, which gave him time to recover.
The first round began. Varner landed a right hand and a left hook to start things off. Varner landed a good right hand and shot in and got McCullough down against the fence in a bit of half-guard. McCullough managed to stand to the clinch after a moment. Varner tried for the single, McCullough sprawled nicely. Varner landed a nice knee and another nice knee. Varner lifted McCullough up, McCullough kept sprawling but Varner took the back and got a hook in. McCullough turned and stood to the clinch. Varner kept on for that single-leg though. He was very aggressive. He dumped McCullough down against the fence, a nice double. McCullough again stood to the clinch. Varner landed another knee. Varner dropped for the single, McCullough sprawled and got the underhook. Varner dumped him right back down and McCullough stood again, keeping it textbook. Varner kept looking for it and McCullough kept on sprawling and they stood and Varner broke with a nice uppercut. McCullough landed a big knee and dodged a takedown, they kind of had clashed knees there and Varner tripped and stood. Varner landed a good right hook and shot in and McCullough sprawled and landed a knee and dodged another takedown and Varner tripped again and stood again. McCullough landed a good right and sprawled and broke with another nice knee. McCullough landed a combination and ate a counter combination to the forehead and another counter right. McCullough landed areally nice jab and a hard body kick and sprawled to the clinch. Varner kept on trying that single-leg, he was expending a lot of energy. He stopped looking for it. Varner broke with a great elbow. They circled around for the last fifteen seconds until the first round ended.
The second round began. Varner landed a good left hand and ate a straight right. Varner landed a jab to the body. They circled. Varner landed a right hand. The pace was a bit slower. Varner landed a nice counter left hook. McCullough landed a jab and/or straight left. Varner landed a hard left hook to the side of the head. Varner missed a massive right hand. Varner landed another hard left hook. Boos began coming as they circled. Varner pumped out a pair of jabs and landed a hard right hand. Varner landed a jab. Varner landed a really good right hand to the nose. Varner landed a nice jab. Varner was outboxing McCullough. McCullough landed a body kick. Varner came for a takedown but broke with a knee to the body. McCullough had his hands low briefly. Varner landed another good right hand. Boos came. Varner landed another hard right hook to the nose. Varner missed a massive uppercut. McCullough landed a jab. McCullough landed a hard leg kick. The second round ended and the fans booed.
The third round began. Varner landed a really good right hand. McCullough landed agood right hand and knocked Varner's mouthpiece out and a good left hand and a right hook and Varner shot in and McCullough sprawled and stood and let Varner up. Varner called time out to grab the mouthpiece and the crowd booed and Frank Mir was outraged. They continued. Varner landed a body shot. Varner landed another jab to the body. Varner landed a big overhand right of his own. Varner landed a good hook to the body. Varner landed a big knee to the body. McCullough landed a good leg kick. McCullough landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination and Varner landed another combination and McCullough just collapsed, McCullough stood and ate another combination and dropped and he stood again and ate another combination and dropped on his ass again and Mazzagatti had seen enough and he stopped the fight and Varner was the new champion.
Ricardo Arona vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - The first round began. Sokoudjou landed a hard leg kick after a moment of circling and then again and missed a headkick and dodged an inside leg kick. Some more circling. Arona landed a hard leg kick. Sokoudjou landed one after some more circling. Sokoudjou landed another, Arona came for the takedown and Sokoudjou was defending, he kept on defending landing shots in under, three or four hammerfists, an elbow to the body. Another hammerfist. Another trio of hammerfists. Another trio and then a lot more and a big uppercut in under and dropped Arona and the fight was over and Sokoudjou fell to his knees and beat his chest in celebration.
Mike Brown vs. Leonard Garcia - The fight was for the WEC featherweight title with Brown defending.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Garcia had a really weird stance. Brown landed a massive right and dropped Garcia and began pounding away. Garcia was strugglign to push him off and recover. Brown was all over him and he had his back pounding in under entergetically. Brown had Garcia's back with both hooks in. Brown grabbed that choke and he had it in and Garcia was struggling to escape. Brown rolled back to half-guard, pounding hard. A hard punch and elbow. Garcia regained guard. Brown landed a big pair of elbows. Brown passed to half-guard and grabbed an arm triangle and passed to mount and he had it tight and Garcia pounded with body shots and changed it to tapping out. Garcia apologized to the fans of Texas and guaranteed that he would be back and he would do better.
Jason MacDonald vs. Joe Doerksen - The fight won MacDonald KO of the Night.
The first round began and they circled. Doerksen came for the single-leg, but MacDonald pulled guard and locked up a tight guillotine, Doerksen came down into half-guard looking to pull out. Doerksen landed a pair of body shots. MacDonald came on top and Doerksen came back on top and MacDonald pulled guard and grabbed that tight guillotine. Doerksen was starting to panic. Doerksen was struggling to pull out. MacDonald was just wasting a lot of energy here. Doerksen pulled out and flipped into side control and the crowd roared. Doerksen isolated an arm and he was looking for a kimura and he stepped over the head and he was really looking for it, man. He almost yanked it, he had it tight, MacDonald was on top but it was still tight, MacDonald was struggling to roll and step out, and Doerksen still had the head in between his legs, MacDonald looked ready to tap for a moment, that arm was torqued. Doerksen stepped away from the head and he had that kimura deep. MacDonald had some flexible shoulders as Florian noted. Doerksen finally let it go and settled in. Doerksen was still applying pressure to that shoulder, a one-handed kimura and he switched to a two-hand but lost it, he had that head trapped between both legs. Doerksen landed a pair of backward hammerfists. Doerksen was dominant on the ground. MacDonald was trying to turn out. Doerksen nearly took the back but MacDonald ended up on top in full guard. MacDonald landed a shoulder strike. Nice back and forth submission battle. MacDonald landed a pair of body shots. The first round ended.
The second round began. Doerksen missed a big right hand. MacDonald tried a big right and Doerksen swept the leg with a swift inside leg kick and tripped him and they stood to the clinch. MacDonald landed a knee to the leg. MacDonald got the trip to half-guard and landed some elbows repeatedly to the face of Doerksen and then two big hammerfists and the fight was over. Doerksen was bleeding badly from his forehead.
Frank Edgar vs. Gray Maynard - Both fighters came in undefeated. Edgar had a two-fight reach advantage. Very even matchup, Maynard was just bigger that's the only difference. The referee was Adam Martinez.
The first round began. They circled aggressively. Maynard missed a big uppercut. They clinched and Edgar broke back and barely dodged a knee towards the chin. Edgar landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and Edgar came for the takedown, Maynard stuffed it and they broke. They circled some more. Maynard landed a good combo and then a nice jab. Maynard landed another good jab. They circled some more. Edgar landed a right hand. They circled a bit more, that's the story of the fight. Edgar landed an inside leg kick. Maynard kept missing a right hand. Maynard blocked a combination. Maynard blocked a headkick. There was a cut over the right eye of Maynard. Edgar landed a good uppercut, Maynard came for the takedown and got it and he was hugging the legs down there. Edgar was looking for the switch to sit out. Edgar stood, Maynard had his standing back, Maynard landed a big knee to the body. Edgar had wrist control. Edgar turned to the clinch, Maynard dumped him back down to full guard. Maynard stood and came back down with a good shot. Maynard landed a body shot. Maynard stood and Edgar rolled and turtled up. Maynard stood halfway and looked for a guillotine, they stood and broke. Edgar was cut under his own right eye. Maynard landed a good jab and another. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Maynard missed an uppercut and a right and nearly slipped. Edgar came in and they clinched and broke. Maynard landed a jab. Edgar landed a blocked combo and another and shot in and Maynard stuffed it and turtled Edgar up. Edgar stood to the clinch. Maynard put Edgar on his back in half-guard dominantly. Maynard landed a hard knee to the leg and then the body as Edgar stood to the clinch, Edgar broke with a body shot and an elbow and a right hand. They circled some more and exchanged missed shots with both fighters showing good head movement. And more. Maynard landed a good jab. They clinched and Maynard landed a good knee and Edgar got the beautiful throw to side control and Maynard stood quickly to the clinch and they broke. Maynard blocked a headkick. Maynard faked a Superman punch. Maynard landed a good left hand. Maynard blocked a headkick. Maynard came for the takedown got it, turned the corner and tried to pass and he was in half-guard and Edgar rolled for a kimura but Maynard was defending. Maynard was basically in side control but they were rolled over kind of. Edgar put him back in half-guard and kept looking for the kimura. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Maynard landed a body shot and a good right hand and ate a counter right from Edgar. Maynard shot in and had it and they rolled and they stood and they were scrambling, Maynard had his back, they stood to the clinch. Edgar landed a knee to the leg and broke with an elbow. Edgar landed a good combination in close. Edgar came for the single-leg and Maynard defended well. Maynard cmae for his own single-leg in the clinch and dumped Edgar on his butt. Edgar stood to the clinch, Maynard picked him up and slammed him right back down and he was sitting on those legs. Edgar stood and Maynard had his standing back. Maynard slammed him down on his face and nearly had the back. He had the back and one hook in. Edgar stood and turned to the clinch. Edgar landed a good knee and broke with an elbow and a combination. Edgar landed a good one-two. Edgar was exhausted badly. Might be the altitude. Maynard came for the takedown, he picked Edgar up and slammed him. Maynard passed to the mount. He lost it, back to half-guard. Maynard landed a short elbow. Edgar was looking to lock in a kimura. Maynard stood landing a shot. He passed to side control and landed a knee, went to north-south. Edgar pushed it to half-guard. The third round ended. Maynard had the win by unanimous decision. The two fighters hugged.
Ricco Rodriguez vs. Ron Waterman 2 - The first round began. Rodriguez landed a good right hand. Rodriguez landed an inside leg kick and missed a Superman punch. Waterman landed an inside leg kick. They circled. They clinched. Waterman shoved Rodriguez against the fence. Rodriguez had that underhook and defended the takedown very nicely. Rodriguez landed a body shot. The pace had slowed to a snail's crawl. Rodriguez nearly broke, Waterman tried a single-leg and then had the back. Waterman kept looking for that single-leg. Rodriguez was warned for holding the fence. Back to the regular clinch. Rodriguez landed a good pair of knees and another knee and they broke. Rodriguez landed an inside leg kick. Rodriguez landed an overhand right and another. Both landed flush. Waterman was rocked. Rodriguez landed a hard knee. Waterman came for the takedown and they clinched. Waterman was just trying to clear the cobwebs. Waterman turtled up. They stood back to the clinch. They broke. Rodriguez landed another overhand right right to the chin and then a left hand. Rodriguez landed a leg kick. Rodriguez landed a right hook and Waterman was hurt. A big left from Rodriguez and a hard knee. Waterman was wobbling. They clinched. Both were exhausted and they broke. Rodriguez landed a flying knee and a knee to the body and a big combination. They clinched. Waterman landed a body shot and they broke. Both were exhausted. The first round ended. Waterman had a big mouse/welt under his left eye. The doctors stopped it.
Urijah Faber vs. Charles Bennett - The first round began. Bennett had his hands low. Faber landed a leg kick. Bennett missed a spinning back fist. Faber landed a push kick. Faber came for the takedown and got it easily against the flatfooted Bennett. Bennett nearly escaped on top, Faber had the back, theys crambled and Bennett was on top with Faber turtled up. They rolled again and Bennett had the head trapped between both legs. Faber came on top with Bennett sitting against the fence. Faber passed to half-guard. Faber passed to mount. He rained down three hard elbows and another hard elbow. Another to the forehead. Bennett rolled and gave up his back and then managed to stand and he took Faber's, Faber dumped him on the head and Bennett stood and rolled and nearly had the back and he did have it, Faber rolled and had side control. Faber mounted. Bennett said something and Faber smiled and landed a trio of elbows and another to the forehead and another. Faber landed a hard elbow to the jaw. Bennett stood on top into half-guard and then Faber turtled. Faber scrambled back on top into side control. Bennett gave up his back and Faber got both hooks in and got Bennett flattened out. Faber locked in the choke and Bennett tapped.
Rich Franklin vs. Jason MacDonald - The fight was Franklin's first after losing the title to Anderson Silva. MacDonald had a two-fight reach advantage and a two-fight height advantage, as well.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. MacDonald landed a leg kick and ate a counter left hand andc ame hard for the single-leg, Franklin was doing a good job of pushing his head off and avoiding the takedown and defending to the clinch but MacDonald kept trying for the single-leg and finally broke away. Franklin landed a big left hand and a one-two-three combination in close before backing off. MacDonald came for the takedown again, Franklin defended once more to the clinch and MacDonald landed a knee to the leg. Franklin turned the clinch around. MacDonald landed a body shot and a knee to the body and Franklin landed a knee to the body. MacDonald landed a knee to the leg. Franklin landed a pair of knees to the leg. Franklin landed another knee to the leg. MacDonald kneed the leg and Franklin replied to the body. MacDonald had an arm trapped. Franklin landed a knee to the body and another a moment later. MacDonald had that underhook, that arm trapped. They broke. Franklin landed a right hook and another. Franklin landed a left hand to the forehead and that one hurt MacDonald. MacDonald landed a good leg kick and ate another left hand. MacDonald landed a body kick and they clinched and Franklin got double underhooks, MacDonald was looking for one, Franklin dumped him down and stood over him pounding repeatedly with both fists, just repeatedly, MacDonald rolled for a kneebar and Franklin stood and let him up. MacDonald was bloodied up, I believe, but not rocked. MacDonald came for the single-leg, Franklin was defending, showing good takedown defense, but MacDonald turned the corner and got the takedown into Franklin's open guard. MacDonald was looking to pass. Franklin was defending and he got the sweep and flipped MacDonald over and stood over him pounding with a trio of elbows and stood avoiding an upkick as the first round now came to an end. Anderson Silva clapped in the crowd watching.
The second round began and they touched gloves. MacDonald landed a leg kick and ate a counter left. He shot for the takedown, Franklin was defending and landing shots in under, and was warned for hitting the back of the head, MacDonald kept coming for the single-leg. Franklin showed excellent balance until MacDonald let go and they broke apart. MacDonald pushed forward and ate a counter right hand. MacDonald came for the single-leg again. He stopped and went to the clinch. He was looking for the body lock now. He dragged Franklin down and nearly had the back and he had one hook in, Franklin was looking to roll out, trying to control that right leg of MacDonald. Franklin pulled out on top into side control and the Ohio crowd roared. Franklin landed a good right hammerfist. Back to north-south position now. Side control again. 'Side control for Franklin', like from the Undisputed game. MacDonald was trying to reclaim guard but Franklin was defending. Franklin got the knee on the belly. He also had an arm isolated. Franklin landed an elbow. MacDonald landed a knee to the body from the bottom. Franklin mounted. Franklin began pounding away with both hands. MacDonald wasn't bucking but he was trying to roll. He got Franklin back to half-guard. Franklin was warned again for hitting the back of the head, no that was MacDonald. MacDonald said 'I'm hitting the side of the head.' Franklin got back to mount. Franklin was pounding in under, with lefts and rights and MacDonald gave up his back. Franklin kept on pounding in under. Hard shots. Franklin was warned again. Kept on pounding. Real bad spot for MacDonald. Thirty seconds left. Still pounding with Franklin on his back. He lost a hook. Franklin mounted again pounding away with seven seconds left, just pounding MacDonald. The second round ended and the crowd roared in appreciation for the fight. MacDonald got up wobbly, holding onto the fence, exhausted and rocked. He said 'I'm done, I'm done.' His corner called the fight. It was all over. Franklin fell to his knees, praying, exhausted from pounding. Franklin smiled at the camera aiming at him. Jorge Gurgel hugged him.
Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt - Thirty-eight-year-old Reinhardt came in undefeated, and it was his UFC debut haha. The referee was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Reinhardt pushed forward wildly and missed. And again. they clincehd and Lauzon landed a pair of big knees and they broke and clinched again. Lauzon got double underhooks and they went to their knees facing each other in the clinch and back up and Lauzon got the takedown to half-guard. BJ Penn yelled out from the corner 'Breathe, Joe, breathe!' Lauzon passed to side control quickly and then north-south. And back to side control now and the knee on the face, and back to north-south and then he transitioned and took the back and got both hooks in and took the choke and Reinhardt tapped after a moment and it was all over. Lauzon hopped right up onto the cage. BJ Penn carried him around on his shoulders. Beautiful jiu-jitsu from Lauzon. The fighters hugged after the announcement.
Joe Lauzon vs. Jeremy Stephens - Neither fighter had a signifigant height or reach advantage. The referee was Troy Waugh. Stephens replaced Hermes Franca.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They threw haymakers right away and Lauzon dropped down and rolled for an armbar. Stephens avoided into full guard and was warned for holding the shorts. Lauzon controlled the arms nicely and then got the double underhooks and body lock and stood to the clinch. Stephens wanted to separate. Lauzon wasn't letting him, pressing him against the cage. Stephens landed a nice knee to the face inside. Lauzon landed a good body shto and another. Lauzon dropped down for a leglock and nearly had it, they stood back to the clinch and Lauzon tripped Stephens down hard into side control, nice takedown. Stephens retained guard relatively quickly. Stephens landed an elbow to the shoulder. Lauzon landed a trio of hard elbows. Stephens shoved Lauzon off momentarily but Lauzon leaped right back on, looking to take the back and Stephens pushed him to half-guard. Lauzon passed quickly to mount and landed an elbow and rolled for an armbar. Stephens was looking to pull out. Stephens pulled out back to guard and landed an elbow and another. Stephens shoved Lauzon against the fence. He postured up with a pair of shots and another big pair and just vicious shots. Lauzon was defending well though, blocking most of them. Lauzon stood to the clinc but Stephens slammed him back into guard. Lauzon locked up a guillotine. Stephens moved to half-guard and popped his head out, Lauzon regained guard. Stephens landed a pair of big shots and the first round came to a conclusion. "Make him pay," they told Stephens in his corner. "He's slick," Lauzon said in his corner. "Keep your hands up and when you pump that jab, pump it hard," they responded.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Stephens missed a leg kick and then a big right hand. Stephens landed a leg kick. Lauzon landed a front kick and ate a counter combination and they clinched. Lauzon got the fireman's carry takedown to half-guard, very nice and he held Stephens down nicely. Good grappling by Lauzon. Lauzon landed a good elbow. Lauzon passed nicely to side control, centering his weight nicely. Lauzon landed a good elbow. Stephens was getting mauled. Lauzon was isolating that arm nicely. Lauzon was holding Stephens down really nicely, keeping the pressure on, he seemed to be setting up something with the legs, possibly looking to mount. Lauzon passed to mount yep. Lauzon landed a nice pair of elbows. Stephens rolled and gave up his back and got both hooks in. He lost a hook and then got it back in. Stephens managed to get back on top in guard and landed a pair of elbows. Stephens landed another pair of big elbows a moment later. Lauzon shoved Stephens off. Lauzon had a cut on his forehead. Stephens landed a big body shot and another to the face and dived back on top. Lauzon was bleeding bad now, squirting out of his forehead. Lauzon got a reversal on top into side control and then north-south. Lauzon tried to mount and was put back in half-guard, back to side control and then mount and he rolled for an armbar and Stephens tried to escape but Lauzon cranked it hard and Stephens was forced to tap after a moment. Outstanding performance, as commentator Joe Rogan noted. That was a big cut, just leaking down Lauzon's forehead as he raised his arms in victory. Damn Lauzon is badass.
Gideon Ray vs. Mike Swick - The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Swick landed an inside leg kick and Ray landed a leg kick. Ray tried to push forward and ate a counter combination and dropped stiff and Swick pounded away and the referee stopped it. It was all over.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Edwin Dewees - The first round began and they circled. Nogueira checked an inside leg kick and another, and then a moment later another. Dewees was circling on the outside, with Nogueira sort of stalking him. Nogueira landed a leg kick. Dewees sort of landed a spinning back kick. Dewees landed an inside leg kick and a leg kick, keeping himself on the outside, another inside leg kick. Dewees landed another leg kick. Dewees landed a leg kick and then an inside leg kick. Dewees backed into the corner and put his arms on the ropes, throwing some front kciks and they clinched and got the double underhooks. Nogueira landed a body shot. They broke, with Nogueira circling away. Dewees landed a leg kick and Nogueira blocked a head kick. Nogueira got the takedown against the ropes into guard. Dewees was blocking five or six shots. Nogueira landed a hammerfist. Dewees blocked another pair of shots. Nogueira stood and let Dewees up. Dewees landed an inside leg kick and Nogueira blocked a headkick with his arm. Nogueira was just hunting him down. Nogueira landed a knee and grabbed the plum and landed another. Dewees put his arms on the ropes, ate a jumping knee and Nogueira grabbed the plum and landed some knees, Dewees landed an uppercut, Nogueira landed a trio of combinations and then he landed a big left and dropped Dewees and Nogueira rained down some punches until Big John stopped it.
Tamdan McCrory vs. Pete Spratt - McCrory said that if Pete Spratt was looking past him, he was going to feel what all the others had felt: what it was like to be beat up by a nerd. Spratt was sixteen years older, he had a two-and-a-half inch reach disadvantage, and a seven-inch height disadvantage. The fight was Tamdan's UFC debut. As Goldberg noted, however, when you consider the height differences, the reach 'advantage' for McCrory wasn't that great. The referee was Jorge Alonso.
The first round began and they touched gloves. McCrory landed a body kick, Spratt caught it and they clinched, McCrory got the trip takedown into full guard. They rolled explosively and McCrory took the back and dragged him back down and got both hooks in. McCrory landed a good shot in under and locked in the choke. Down Spratt went and that choke was in. Spratt was fighting it, it wasn't sunk in, Spratt spun out to guard and stood and rained down strikes, McCrory spun but still took shots, McCrory had his back pounding in under and then stood over him, McCrory looked calm. Spratt came back down to pound and got caught in a triangle, Spratt slammed McCrory and pulled out to side control and landed a pair of good elbows and another. Spratt pushed off with the palm and landed those elbows, that was nice. Spratt mounted. McCrory gave up his back but rolled out and Spratt stood and came back down and had McCrory's back again. McCrory was looking to roll for a kneebar, Spratt stayed on top in side control. Spratt stood and McCrory stayed laying down on his back as Spratt circled. Spratt came back down into guard after a moment. Spratt landed a good hammerfist and went to side control and landed another pair of hard elbows. Spratt was looking for that keylock again. He was trying to suck that elbow towards McCrory's body and then torque it out. He let it go but still had the arm isolated. Spratt stood again and came back down to side control. He landed some good hammerfists and stood and came back down into half-guard and landed some good shots. Spratt stood again and McCrory stayed laying down. The crowd booed. Spratt let McCrory up. Spratt landed a wickedly hard leg kick and a headkick and McCrory got the takedown into guard. Spratt shoved McCrory off hard but McCrory was right back on top and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Spratt landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter right from McCrory and landed a right hand and they clinched. McCrory landed a knee to the body. McCrory dragged Spratt down but Spratt fell right into mount. McCrory rolled and gave up his back but retained Spratt in side control. "Pete, step over to mount!" Spratt landed an elbow to the body. Not much was happening. Spratt stood and let McCrory stand once more. McCrory landed a good left hook and they clinched. McCrory dragged Spratt back down on top of him and grabbed a tight, tight triangle and Spratt was forced to tap fairly quickly. Spratt was pissed.
Pete Spratt vs. Jeremy Jackson - The first round began and they touched gloves. Jackson pressed forward with a missed combination. Spratt landed a leg kick. Spratt landed a big right hand over the top just as they clinched. Jackson landed a knee to the body. Jackson was looking for the single-leg, not surprisingly. Spratt defended well back to the clinch in good time. Spratt landed a knee to the leg. Spratt landed a knee to the body. Jackson pulled guard and dragged Spratt down. Spratt landed a good shot from the top. Jackson got the nice hip reversal on top briefly into mount and Spratt escaped and stood and came down into guard with a big right hand and another and they stood to the clinch and Spratt landed a left hook and Jackson pulled guard again and dragged Spratt down. Jackson already had a welt on his left leg, badly, from that one leg kick. Spratt landed a big shot and another and a body shot. Jackson threw a sloppy armbar attempt up and Spratt stood over him tauntingly. Jackson was cut under his left eye already. Spratt came forward and missed a left hook and Jackson ducked under it and got the takedown to full guard. Jackson passed to half-guard. Spratt managed to stand to the clinch but Jackson dumped him right back down into guard. Jackson dropped back sloppily for a kneebar and Spratt turtled him up and landed big shots in under and pulled hi sleg out and stood and Jackson stood as well looking for the single-leg and got it into half-guard and passed to side control. Jackson sloppily tried for mount, Spratt used that to put him back in half-guard. Not much was going on. Jackson was looking to go back to side control but the first round ended. "Jeremy, get up now, let's go!" his corner yelled. Jackson had remained on his knees, tired or hurt from that leg kick.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Jackson missed a body kick and then missed an inside leg kick. Spratt landed a hard leg kick. Jackson shot for the single-leg and he was trying hard for it. Spratt landed a body shot and another. Jackson kept looking for the single-leg. Suddenly, he tapped out. What the flying fuck? Spratt walked away with his hands up. What the fuck, though? Jackson tapped out due to a neck injury, apparently. Um that's a bit strange. He looks fine.
Jorge Rivera vs. Edwin Dewees - Rivera had a three-fight reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Rivera landed a hard leg kick. Rivera missed a head kick and landed a hard leg kick. They circled. Rivera landed a hard right hand and they clinched. Rivera landed a knee to the hip. They broke. Rivera landed an uppercut and Dewees backed off. Rivera landed a nice leg kick and another, damn those must hurt. They clinched and Rivera landed a knee to the body and broke and landed some good right hands, mainly blocked, oh one got through completely. Dewees circled off. Dewees landed an inside leg kick. Dewees landed a blocked combination, almost completely blocked. Rivera landed a big counter right and another and dropped Dewees and had Dewees turtled up, pounding in under repeatedly with hammerfists and finally the referee stopped it. Dewees was very upset. He looked fine, he said he was covering up.
Din Thomas vs. Rich Clementi - They fought at lightweight. Thomas had a four-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, feeling each other out. They exchanged missed strikes with Clementi circling on the outside. Just feeling each other out. Clementi landed a leg kick. Clementi faked and threw a left hook. Clementi grazed Thomas's nose with a headkick. Clementi landed an inside leg kick. Thomas blocked a headkick with his arm. Clementi continuing to circle on the outside. Clementi was really looking for that left hook. Thomas landed a good right hand and ate a body kick. They clinched. Clementi didn't want any more standup. Thomas landed a knee to the body. Clementi landed a good knee and another and another. Thomas landed a pair of good hooks inside. Thomas landed a body shot. Thomas landed a knee to the body and a body shot. Thomas landed another body shot. The referee broke the clinch and they touched gloves. Thomas landed a combination and the left hand dropped Clementi and he pounced into Clementi's guard. Clementi didn't look too hurt, he just got caught. Thomas let Clementi up and they touched gloves. Clementi landed an uppercut and ate a counter combination. Clementi landed a body kick. Clementi was bloodied up. Clementi missed the flying knee, they clinched, Thomas landed a pair of body shots, Clementi broke with a knee to the body. Thomas landed a nice left hook. Clementi landed a really nice inside leg kick and another a moment later. Thomas landed another nice body shot and they clinched. Clementi got the trip to half-guard and the first round ended.
The second round began. Clementi circled on the outside and landed a good inside leg kick. Clementi landed a good jab and a moment later he missed a spinning back fist. Clementi landed an inside leg kick. Thomas landed a good right hand. Clementi landed an inside leg kick and slipped and Thomas pounced right into guard and he passed to half-guard very quickly, nice. Clementi reclaimed guard. Thomas landed a good elbow. They stood to the clinch. Clementi landed a trio of pawing shots to the body. Thomas landed a pair of good uppercuts to the body, a good left hook inside and a right hand. Clementi landed a good right hand inside and broke eating a combination and backed off. Clementi appeared frustrated and he was dropping his hands. Thomas landed a pair of jabs and dodged a leg kick. Thomas landed another jab. Thomas landed a good body shot and a good left hook and a jab. Thomas landed a good combination and hurt Clementi with the uppercut and they clinched and Thomas got double underhooks. Thomas dragged Clementi down into mount and took Clementi's back and grabbed the rear-naked choke and Clementi tapped quickly.
Travis Lutter vs. Patrick Cote - The fight was to determine the middleweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 4 and who got the title shot at Anderson Silva.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Lutter shot in for the takedown and Cote defended to the clinch. He kept looking for that takedown. He dumped Cote down into half-guard after a moment. Cote was looking for a kimura on the left side. Lutter was looking to pass that loose half-guard but Cote was defending well. Lutter landed a nice pair of shots and another pair to the body. Lutter passed to side control, Cote gave up his back and he got the hooks in and that right arm trapped with the hooks. He had that left arm locked up as well. Cote was bucking. Lutter took that armbar and he had it tight and Cote was forced to tap.
Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle - The fight was to determine the welterweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 4 and the fighter to get the title shot at Georges St. Pierre.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They clinched and Serra came for the takedown. Serra missed three consecutive foot stomps and landed a trio of good shots inside. Serra landed one of those foot stomps. Lytle was showing good takedown defense. Serra landed another foot stomp. Serra nearly had that takedown but Lytle managed to stay up. The crowd chanted 'Lytle' and 'Serra' mixed in. Serra landed a foot stomp. Serra landed a pair of knees to the legs. Serra nearly had him down but Lytle stayed up. Serra landed a knee to the body and a foot stomp. Lytle landed a knee to the body. Lytle landed a knee to the face. Serra nearly had him down but no. Lytle landed a body shot and another. Lytle got the takedown into full guard surprisingly. Lytle landed a body shot and another. Serra trapped that right arm. He was looking for an omoplata and no he was looking for an armbar, Lytle pulled out eating a good upkick and stood over Serra and kicked the leg twice and let him up. They circled. They clinched. Serra landed a knee to the body. Lytle landed a good body shot and Serra dropped down and tried to drag Lytle down, Lytle stood after a moment and kicked the leg, Serra stood and faked a Superman punch and shot for the leg and they clinched and Lytle was trying for that standing guillotine and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Serra landed a leg kick, Lytle caught it and they clinched. Serra landed a knee to the body and four good foot stomps and another foot stomp. Lytle landed a body shot and ate another foot stomp. Serra landed a pair of knees to the leg. Serra briefly tried for the single-leg. Lytle landed a knee to the body. Serra landed another pair of foot stomps. Lytle landed a knee to the body. Lytle landed another knee to the body. Lytle landed a good shot inside. Serra landed another foot stomp. Lytle landed a body shot. Serra nearly had Lytle down, Lytle kept himself up, holding that wizzer on the right side. Lytle landed a body shot. Serra landed a foot stomp. Lytle landed a knee to the body. Serra landed a foot stomp and a pair of shots inside and a knee to the body. Serra got double underhooks. Lytle landed a pair of upward slaps. Lytle landed a knee to the body. Serra with another foot stomp. The referee broke them up finally. Serra had a welt under his right eye. Serra landed a right hand over the top. They clinched again. Serra landed a knee to the body and Lytle landed a trio of body shots, Serra's midsection was red, Lytle broke and threw a left hook which Serra ducked and Serra smiled. Lytle missed a Superman punch and they circled. They clinched again. Lytle landed a knee to the body and another and another. Lytle landed a body shot. Serra dragged Lytle down, Lytle stood immediately as the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Lytle missed a combination and dodged a counter. Serra landed a good spinning back fist and missed a Superman punch and got the trip to half-guard. Serra hammerfisted to the back of the head repeatedly and wasn't warned. Lytle retained guard. Serra picked Lytle up and slammed him down. Serra said something to the referee, he said 'I'm working, I'm working.' Serra was trying to lift Lytle up, Lytle was hanging off of him with his guard in. The referee almost stood them back up. Serra postured up and looked to pass. Lytle was defending well. Very nice by Lytle. The referee stood them up. Serra looked disappointed. They circled. Lytle missed an uppercut. They clinched. Lytle landed a trio of body shots and another and a good shot and a trio of body shots and another body shot, Lytle nearly got the takedown but Serra defended. Lytle landed a big body shot and another. Serra landed a knee and nearly tripped Lytle, Lytle managed to stay up. Serra landed a good pair of shots inside. Lytle landed a good shot inside. Lytle landed a good knee to the body. Serra was really looking for the single-leg, one last hurrah, one last push. Lytle was looking to lock up a guillotine. Lytle landed a knee to the body and another. Serra nearly had him down, Lytle broke and swung and missed at the down-on-his-knees Serra and they stood to the clinch and broke away and circled. Serra missed a headkick. The third round ended and they hugged. Serra had it 30-27, Lytle had it 30-27, and Serra had it 30-27 for a split decision. Lytle collapsed on his knees with his face in his hands and Serra went to console him.
Michael Bisping vs. Eric Schafer - This was Bisping's first fight on PPV after his victory in TUF. Schafer had a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began. They circled in close. Bisping landed a good right hand and they clinched and broke. Bisping landed a good jab and an inside leg kick and Schafer got the takedown, Bisping scrambled back to his feet but Schafer kept coming, looking for the single-leg against the fence with Bisping defending. Schafer quit looking for it, to the clinch and landed a knee and they broke. Schafer appeared to have rudimentary standup. They clinched and broke. Bisping tried a front kick, Schafer caught it and got the takedown to side control and he was looking to trap the arm in the crucifix. Bisping reclaimed half-guard. Schafer landed a pair of body shots. Schafer was looking for an arm triangle perhaps. He had that good. Bisping reclaimed guard however. Good job by Bisping honestly. Bisping pushed Schafer off with his legs, Schafer came back as Bisping stood and leaped up on the back, got both hooks, lost one hook and Bisping dumped him on his head, he still had one hook in and he went to mount and he landed a good elbow. Bisping reclaimed half-guard nicely, he was looking to hip-escape to full guard. Bisping was using a headlock to stand up to the clinch now. He got up into the clinch. Schafer had that body lock and landed a good knee. Schafer broke with another good knee. Bisping landed a headkick and Schafer came for the takedown, Bisping defended to the clinch and he landed a good knee. Schafer landed a body shot. Bisping landed a knee to the body and broke. Schafer was breathing hard. Bisping got the body kick and Schafer got the takedown and took the back. Bisping was on one knee and Schafer had the back. Bisping turned into guard and stood over him and landed a good hammerfist and stood over him and landed another pair of big shots, Schafer attempted an armbar but Bisping pulled out and lnded more big shots and stood over him landing big shots and Schafer rolled and covered up and the referee stopped it. Schafer's lower lip was bleeding inside his mouth, it was cut inside as the doctors attended to it.
Frank Edgar vs. Mark Bocek - Edgar came in undefeated. The referee was Jon Schorle.
The first round began. They circled. Bocek landed a good jab. Edgar landed a good right hand. Bocek shot in, Edgar defended. Bocek landed a knee to the body in the clinch and got the body lock. They broke. Edgar landed another good right hand and another that rocked Bocek. They circled. Edgar landed another good right hand and missed an uppercut. Bocek shot, Edgar sprawled to the clinch. They broke. Bocek dropped Edgar with a left and stood immediately to the clinch and Edgar landed a knee and Bocek landed one and another and Edgar broke with a right hand that hurt Bocek. Bocek blocked a headkick. Edgar landed a straight left and a good right hand and a good combination and hurt Bocek with a left hand and turtled him up and then stood over him and landed a good right hand down and he came down with a big right hand into half-guard and landed some body shots. Great fight so far. Edgar passed to side control with a good left hand. Edgar landed a good pair of elbows. Bocek reclaimed half-guard. Bocek still looked a bit dazed. Edgar landed another good elbow and another, good pushoff elbows. Bocek reclaimed half-guard and tried to go for a loose omoplata, Edgar stood and then turtled Bocek up. Edgar landed a good body shot and a good knee to the body and another and a good combination as they stood. They circled. Edgar landed another good right hand. Bocek missed a telegraphed uppercut. Edgar made him look slow with his crisp boxing. Edgar landed another good right hand and just missed an uppercut. Bocek was cut slightly over his left eye. Bocek shot and Edgar sprawled and turtled him up. Bocek lifted Edgar up and tried to turn him, but Edgar showed good balance and turtled him up, landed some good body shots and an elbow to the side of the head and tried to turn to the back, went to half-guard, Bocek rolled for a leglock, Edgar pulled out to north-south and then side control and got him in the crucifix position. Edgar began landing repeated shots and then he had Bocek's back landing shots in under and the referee stopped it with less than ten seconds left in the round. Five seconds left officially. Edgar said he was dazed and that his bell had been rung when he got dropped but nothing more.
Frank Shamrock vs. Igor Zinoviev - The fight was for the UFC light heavyweight (then middleweight) championship with Shamrock defending. Zinoviev came in undefeated, and it was his last career fight. The slam that knocked him out also broke his collarbone and finished his fighting career.
The first round began. Shamrock missed an inside leg kick and landed a leg kick. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Shamrock came for a takedown and slammed Zinoviev on his head with an audible crack and Zinoviev was out. The fight was over. Zinoviev was still down, motionless. Shamrock celebrated and came back to check on Zinoviev. Zinoviev wasn't moving. "Have you got any pain in your neck at all, Igor?" The doctors were attending to him.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason MacDonald - The referee was Josh Rosenthal. Wilson Gouveia had to give up part of his purse for not making weight. Twenty percent of it.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick. Gouveia shot for the takedown. He was looking for the single-leg. Gouveia dumped him down after a moment and Gouveia shoved him off with the feet and stood back to the clinch nicely. Gouveia missed a foot stomp. Gouveia had weighed in at 189 and MacDonald had made 184. MacDonald landed a pair of knees to the thigh and another knee and they broke. Gouveia landed a good leg kick. MacDonald landed a body kick and another. Gouveia landed a good counter and another and dropped MacDonald and sat on him, hammerfisting away from side control, a trio of elbows to the forehead and more elbows repeatedly, MacDonald was cut, elbows still raining down from half-guard and the referee stopped the fight and it was all over.
Eliot Marshal vs. Jules Bruchez - The fight was the UFC debut of both men.
The first round began and Marshal landed a big right hand and another combination, showing no respect for Bruchez's power. Marshal landed another combination and they clinched. Bruchez landed a knee and Marshal got the takedown into side control. Marshal was isolating that arm for a kimura. He slid across to mount nicely. Bruchez gave up his back and Marshal locked in the rear-naked choke and Bruchez was refusing to tap. He was trying to get out. Bruchez's eye was bloodied up. Marshal kept looking for it. Bruchez finally tapped the arm.
Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan - The fight was the UFC debut of both men.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Kaplan missed an inside leg kick. Browning landed an inside leg kick to the groin and Browning apologized immediately. Damn yeah that caught him dead-on in the gonads. Kaplan said 'no problem' and they continued after a moment and touched gloves. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick and then a nice leg kick. Browning landed an inside leg kick. Browning landed an inside leg kick and a body kick. Browning landed a flush one-two and an inside leg kick and another a moment later. Browning landed an inside leg kick and a combination. Kaplan landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination and a body kick. Browning landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan was already cut. Browning landed a flying knee and a body kick and fell and Kaplan pounced and dropped back for an anklelock. Browning shook his head no and got back on top and Kaplan put in the butterflies. Browning rolled out to side control. Kaplan was bleeding. Browning had his back with both hooks in. Browning locked in that choke briefly but lost it and they stood to the clinch. Kaplan landed a knee. They broke. Browning landed a one-two-three. Browning landed a nice jab. Kaplan blocked a headkick and ate a leg kick and a front kick. Kaplan landed a right hand and they clinched. Kaplan got the body lock and was looking for the trip. Browning defended well briefly but Kaplan got him down and stood over him. Kaplan dropped back again for the anklelock, he lost it and Browning was on top. They stood quickly to the clinch. Browning got him back down into side control, no that was half-guard. Browning landed an elbow backward sand another and missed another. Browning rolled and took his back with both hooks and locked in the choke tightly. Kaplan fought it off. Kaplan turned into guard and stood over him. Browning stood to the clinch and landed a body shot. Kaplan landed a good pair of knees. Browning landed a nice elbow inside. The first round came to an end.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick and a wild looping right hand. Browning shot for the double-leg and got it into guard. Browning passed to half-guard. Browning was trying to pass already. He finally did after a bit into side control, controlling Kaplan nicely and he stepped over for an armbar. Kaplan was trying to escape but Browning had it tight and Kaplan tapped. Browning bowed to the crowd.
Jorge Rivera vs. Kendall Grove - Grove had a five-inch height advantage and a six-inch reach advantage, sooooo yeah. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled exchanging missed strikes. Rivera landed an inside leg kick and got the takedown to half-guard. Grove was immediately looking to sweep but Rivera was defending well. Rivera landed a pair of good shots and another pair and some more, just repeated big right hands. Grove turtled up and ate shots in under, big hammerfists, big punches. Grove stood against the fence eating repeated shots and he went down on his back crumpling down the fence with his knees crumbled under him and the fight was over. Jorge Rivera had knocked out Kendall Grove.
Guy Mezger vs. Wanderlei Silva - The first round began. Silva blocked a headkick and they traded a jab each. Silva landed a leg kick, no Mezger checked it. Silva slipped a right hand. Mezger landed a body kick and a left hand over the top. They clinched and Mezger broke with a knee. Mezger landed an inside leg kick to the groin but Silva continued and they touched gloves. Silva blocked a combination. Silva was cut already, probably from that left hand, around his right eye. They clinched and broke. Mezger checked an inside leg kick. Silva landed a body kick and barely missed a right hand. Mezger landed a pair of body kicks. Mezger checked an inside leg kick. Silva landed a left-right, they clinched and Mezger broke with a left of his own. Silva landed an inside leg kick, partially checked. Silva landed a combination nicely. Silva landed a leg kick. They clinched and Mezger broke with a left hand and missed a side kick towards the face. They clinched. Mezger broke with a headkick that grazed Silva's face. Silva landed a big right and rocked Mezger and landed another and dropped him and he pounced and Mezger managed to stand to the clinch and broke with a knee to the head. They clinched. Silva got the underhooks and broke with a knee and landed a combinatino. They clinched and Mezger broke with a combination. Mezger landed a knee to the body. Silva landed a combination and a body shot and a headbutt, a body shot, and landed a right hand over the top and another and another and finally Mezger dropped in the corner out cold and Silva walked away raising his hands victoriously with blood pouring down his face.
Anderson Silva vs. Alex Stiebling - The fight was Silva's Pride debut. Silva did the Wanderlei wrist roll in his corner but fast.
The first round began. They circled. They circled. Stiebling blocked a body kick. Stiebling missed an inside leg kick. Silva landed a good straight left. Silva landed a good one-two-three combo. Silva landed a head kick and Stiebling got the takedown and he was looking to pass but he was cut badly and he was really trying to pass and they were rolling. Stiebling remained in the guard though. The referee paused it. Blood was ALL OVER Stiebling's face. In the replay the shin had hit Stiebling right in the face. The doctors stopped it and Silva did the little Muay Thai dance.
Anderson Silva vs. Carlos Newton - Wanderlei was in Anderson's corner for the fight.
The first round began. They circled. Newton landed a nice left hook. Newton landed a jab and ate a counter. Anderson came for the takedown, Newton sprawled and got on top into guard. Silva landed a pair of heel strikes. Newton was looking to pass to half-guard and he just went right on through to side control. Newton tried to go on over to mount but he just went over to the other side of side control and then mount and landed a right hand. Newton landed another good shot. He was working to set up a possible armbar and landing some shots through Silva's guard, and he landed a good right hand. Newton looked for an armbar and then Silva regained guard as Newton briefly looked for a kimura but he let it go. Newton landed a body shot. The referee moved them to the center. Silva had a body triangle in the guard dude holy hell. Newton landed a body shot. Not much going on. Silva landed a shot from the bottom. Newton landed a body shot. Newton landed a body shot. Silva was really cranking that body triangle. Silva landed a shot from the bottom. Not much going on, Silva hugging Newton now. Not much happening. Newton landed another pair of body shots. The referee stood them up finally. Silva got a yellow card, apparently for stalling. Silva was surprised. They circled. Newton landed a straight left hand. Newton looked relaxed. Silva landed a flying knee and hurt Newton bad and dropped him and pounded with punches for a few seconds until the referee stopped it, it was all over. Wanderlei Silva consoled Newton in the ring. Anderson was celebrating, screaming wildly in the ring.
Ricardo Arona vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - Pride 2005 middleweight grand prix quarterfinal.
The first round began and they circled. Arona blocked a headkick. They circled. Sakuraba missed a combination, Arona used footwork to avoid it. Arona avoided another combination and Sakuraba landed a knee to the groin but they continued. Sakuraba shot in, Arona sprawled and landed a pair of knees to the head and another pair and they stood and broke. They circled some more. And some more. And some more. Feeling-out process. Sakuraba landed a body kick. Sakuraba blocked a body kick and landed one of his own, Arona capitalized with the takedown, getting north-south, he tried to gator roll but they stood and broke. They circled. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick hard to the groin and Arona stood there grunting for a moment before continuing. Arona landed a headkick as Sakuraba shot in and Sakuraba got him down and stood and tried two different flying guard passes and they stood. Arona was staring angrily and intensely at Sakuraba. Sakuraba had some discoloring on his right leg. Sakuraba blocked a body kick with his right hand. Sakuraba landed a hard inside leg kick. Arona was stalking Sakuraba. Arona landed a right hand and clinched and landed a hard knee to the body and that hurt Sakuraba bad and Arona landed some hard uppercuts and they broke and Sakuraba landed a combination and they clinched, Arona dumped Sakuraba down hard on his face and they stood and broke. Sakuraba smiled, his nose was bleeding just a tiny bit. Sakuraba missed a wild right and ate a counter combination and dropped, Arona missed a soccer kick and turtled Sakuraba up by the ropes. Sakuraba turtled Arona up and they stood and Sakuraba tried for the standing kimura, Arona threw him down and turtled him up and landed five hard knees to the face and paused for a moment and another knee, Arona was perhaps trying to set up an anaconda choke, he was standing really sprawled out with Sakuraba on his knees. Another hard knee to the forehead. Another hard knee. Another hard knee to the blocking hand. Another. Arona went to his knees, still had that headlock in, he stood again and landed a knee to that hand and another one got right through and another to the glove and another to the arm and damn to the forehead and another and Sakuraba finally stood to the clinch and he got the single-leg. Arona landed a shot from the bottom. Arona landed another hard shot. Sakuraba wasn't doing anything, from half-guard kinda. Arona was looking for a kimura. Sakuraba's cauliflower ear had been burst, it was bleeding badly. Arona still trying for that kimura. Sakuraba escaped to side control, tried for an armbar and Arona stood up and they broke. The ear was bleeding bad. The referee paused the fight to check it. They continued. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick. Sakuraba landed a right hand. Sakuraba shot in, Arona avoided to the clinch. Sakuraba landed a knee. Arona landed a hard knee. Another hard knee. The first round came to an end.
The second round began. They circled. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick and another a moment later. He missed another and dodged a ehadkick and went to his knees and ducked another one and stood to the clinch. They broke a moment later. Sakuraba landed a good left hook. Arona landed a leg kick and dodged a takedown and landed a soccer kick as Sakuraba tried to stand and Sakuraba went backwards and Arona pounced into guard. Arona was cut now around his left eye and that blood was spilling horizontally across his face into both eyes, a straight unbroken line of blood as his face tilted. Arona passed basically to half-guard. The referee asked for a timeout so that the doctors could check the cut. Sakuraba's face was a mess. Stitch Duran was on hand for this Pride event. Oh yeah in the replay that soccer kick had hit Sakuraba right in the left eye. The swelling was underneath Sakuraba's left eye and they were asking him if he could see and such. Meanwhile Arona waited in the corner, breathing calmly. They continued and the crowd applauded. They restarted in the same position, Arona in half-guard. Arona landed some short hammerfists, probably working on that cut. Sakuraba gave up his back and then turtled up and ate repeated uncountable knees to the face and forehead and the top of the head and they just kept coming, man. Arona paused. Another knee, a really good one and another. Another knee. A hard shot in under and another knee. Another knee, that one hit the arm. Sakuraba tried to stand, Arona held him down and landed another hard knee to the top of the head and another right to the forehead, fuck this is brutal. Another hard knee to the shoulder and another. Arona got the back and Sakuraba managed to stand but ate a body kick and collapsed and turtled up again. Another hard knee to the forehead. Arona stood with a pair of soccer kicks and then turtled him up again and landed another knee and another. Ten seconds left. Another hard knee to the top of the head. Another to the nose and the second round ended. Sakuraba stayed sitting down, his face was covered in blood and his face was swollen. He stayed sitting down in his corner. It was over. The corner had stopped the fight.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - The fight was in the quarterfinals of the Pride 2005 middleweight Grand Prix. Nakamura wore a half-gi jacket.
The first round began. Silva landed an uppercut and Nakamura replied with a counter right hand. Nakamura landed a hard leg kick. Nakamura missed a wild combination. Nakamura landed a right hand. Silva missed a combination. He landed an inside leg kick. Silva missed a combination. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Nakamura came in with a jumping knee to the body and they clinched. Silva landed a pair of hard knees and got the takedown, Nakamura was right back up into the clinch and they broke. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Nakamura missed a right and ate a counter right hand from Silva. Silva landed another counter right as Nakamura came in. Silva landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter left hook from Nakamura. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Nakamura landed a leg kick. Silva replied with a one-two counter combination. Silva missed a counter right hook. Nakamura came in for the clinch and they broke. Silva tagged him with a right hand and dropped Nakamura and pounced into guard and postured up and missed the stomp and landed another oen and Nakamura rolled for a kneebar and came on top and stood over Silva. Nakamura came down into half-guard nicely. The referee moved them to the center. Silva retained guard and then passed back to half-guard and then they stood up and broke away and the gi was loose. Silva landed a right hand. Silva landed a counter combination. Silva landed an uppercut. Silva landed another counter right. Nakamura took off the gi jacket and threw it out. Nakamura ate a right hand and dropped and Silva was all over him pounding in under from half-guard repeatedly and stood and missed a stomp and Nakamura was standing trying for the single-leg, Silva came down into mount pounding with hammerfists repeatedly to the side of Nakamura's head, over and over and over and over and the referee stopped the fight.
Rich Clementi vs. Anthony Johnson - The fight was at a catchweight, because Johnson had missed weight. He had had a hard weight cut and that might have affected his cardio coming into the fight. Johnson had a five-inch reach advantage, and a five-inch height advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled around. Johnson missed a jab. Clementi missed an inside leg kick. Johnson landed a left hand. Clementi landed an inside leg kick and missed a leg kick by a mile. Johnson landed a big right hand right on the jaw and dropped Clementi and pounced into guard, slammed Clementi down and landed another right hand and came back down and Johnson was looking to push past. Clementi managed to stand to the clinch and landed a good knee. Clementi landed a knee to the body and another, Johnson briefly looked for the single-leg and they broke away. Clementi landed a big overhand left. Johnson was breathing heavily. Clementi dodged a combination easily. Johnson tried to touch gloves and Clementi landed a big inside leg kick. Clementi landed a leg kick and dodged a combination and he landed a good knee to the body and dodged another combination. Good head movement. Clementi landed a good right hand and avoided a combination and ducked a headkick and came in and he dumped Johnson down and had his back. Clementi landed a few good shots in under and kept on landing them. Clementi got that hook in but he slipped out a little bit, no he had it in. Johnson looked for a kimura, rolling on his back in half-guard and looking for that kimura but he was breathing very heavily. Johnson was really looking for it and he nearly had it and he turned Clementi on his back and landed a few big shots but Clementi put in those butterflies. Clementi pulled full guard. Clementi landed a few short elbows from the bottom. Clementi landed another. Johnson landed a good shot. Johnson landed another pair of good shots. They stood to the clinch with Johnson landing a body kick on the way up right as the first round came to conclusion. Johnson's corner was telling him that he won the first round and that it was a 'great fucking round.' Josh Rafftery was in Clementi's corner.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Clementi landed another overhand left. Johnson's mouth was wide open. Clementi pushed forward and backed off and Johnson indicated a poke in the eye and Clementi sort of rolled his eyes. The referee called time. It looked as if Johnson had lost a contact lens, as Rogan noted. Herb Dean told him "You have to fight, put it out." They continued. Clementi landed a body kick and a jab and slipped and Johnson stood over him and kicked the legs twice and then one more time. Clementi landed a kick from the bottom and another. Johnson let him up. Johnson was breathing very heavily. Johnson landed a jumping knee to the body and ate a big left hand and they clinched. They broke. Johnson landed a jab and they clinched and Clementi pulled guard and dragged Johnson down into his guard. Johnson passed to half-guard, Clementi got the underhook and looked to stand but on the way he dumped Johnson into half-guard on top this time and Johnson was looking for the kimura again. Clementi was landing body shots. Johnson nodded along with the punches and grinned but he was still breathing heavy. Clementi took the back and got one hook in. Clementi sank in that choke. Johnson was in big trouble. Johnson tapped the mat after a moment. Clementi walked away grinning wearily.
Chris Lytle vs. Matt Hughes - The referee was Mark Matheny. Ken Griffey, Jr. was in attendance watching the fights, along with Rashad Evans.
The first round began. Lytle pressed forward and missed a combo, Hughes showed good head movement. Hughes shot for the takedown, Lytle looked for a guillotine from half-guard. Hughes was looking to pop out, he was in no trouble there. He was in half-guard. Lytle was still looking for it. He was going to gas himself out. Hughes landed some body shots. The crowd was getting restless. Lytle looked relaxed, though. Lytle finally let it go and the crowd cheered. He looked for it again a moment later, Hughes wouldn't let him get it. "Sit on the leg!" Hughes' corner yelled. Hughes landed an elbow to the body. Lytle put in the butterfly guard. Hughes tried to spin out but Lytle defended and again tried to lock up that guillotine. Hughes popped out. Hughes passed to half-guard. Hughes was isolating that arm and then no he wasn't. He was looking to pass. Hughes passed to side control after a moment. "Go for the arm triangle!" Hughes' corner yelled. Hughes put Lytle in the crucifix. Lytle pulled his arm out. Hughes was looking for it again, possibly gonna set up an armbar as well. Hughes landed a few good shots and a nice elbow and another and another and another. Hughes landed a big pair of shots. Lytle rolled for a reverse triangle, not an arm trapped in there, just got the head trapped. Hughes was trying to pull out and he turned it into an armbar from side control and he had it locked up but Lytle slipped out right as the first round ended. Beautiful jiu jitsu offense from Hughes and jiu-jitsu defense from Lytle and refereeing from Matheny. Lytle's corner was telling him that it was his round, let his hands go in the second, if he takes you down, so what.
The second round began. They clinched almost immediately against the fence and Hughes got him down kind of clumsily and he was looking to pass, basically in half-guard. Yeah he was in half-guard, but on the wrong side. Lytle was again looking for a loose guillotine. He didn't have his fists clenched either. He was using the other hand to try to push the legs of Hughes out. Hughes instead passed his leg to side control. Hughes landed a good elbow and another one and a really hard short one to the forehead and another one of those. Hughes landed another elbow and another and another and another. I think Lytle's cut. A pair of nice punches. Another trio of punches and another pair and another punch and a good elbow and a hammerfist and a good punch. Another elbow to the top of the head. Hughes mounted and the crowd cheered. Yeah, Lytle was cut pretty bad but as Rogan noted, it was hard to tell. Yeah next to his right eye, on the side of the eye and it was bleeding pretty bad, not the eyelid but right beside it. Lytle regained half-guard and he used the cage to roll and flipped Hughes over using a guillotine to sweep and he was on top in half-guard. Lytle was posturing up and looking to pass. Hughes landed an elbow from the bottom. Hughes was looking for a kimura on the left side. Lytle landed a pair of body shots. Lytle tried to roll for an armbar and Hughes escaped quickly to side control. Ten seconds left now, twenty at first. Lytle survived and the second round ended. Hughes said 'good round buddy.' That was a decent cut over Lytle's right eye bleeding pretty bad. Lytle's corner told him to 'come out bombing'. That was indeed a good round.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Hughes blocked a body kick with his arm. Lytle pushed forward and Hughes got the takedown right to side control. Hughes was trying to trap the arm again and he landed a pair of short shots. Hughes had that arm isolated, that left arm I believe. Hughes landed a knee to the body. The referee warned them to stay busy. Not much going on this time. The crowd began getting restless, very restless. Still not much going on. Hughes was looking for an americana. He let it go after a moment. Hughes landed four or five shots in under to the face of Lytle. Lytle landed a few knees to the body from the bottom. Hughes still had that arm isolated. Hughes landed an elbow to the left eye. Hughes was going knee on belly, he probably wanted to mount. Hughes landed a good shot. Yeah he was looking to mount. Forty-five seconds left. The crowd was restless. Back to regular side control. Hughes went to north-south and back to side control. Back to knee on belly. Ten seconds left. Hughes went for that armbar again and he had it, Lytle spun out to guard but Hughes was hugging him and the third round ended. Lytle helped Hughes up and they hugged. That was a good cut above Lytle's right eye. Hughes was the winner by unanimous decision and rightly so.
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Alistair Overeem 1 - The fight was in the semifinals for the Pride 2005 middleweight grand prix, which Rua went on to win later that night against Ricardo Arona, who had defeated Wanderlei Silva earlier that night.
The first round began. They clinched quickly. Overeem landed a knee to the body and got the takedown into side control by the ropes, Rua stood to the clinch eating a knee on the way up and broke and blocked a body kick and they circled for a moment and clinched again. Overeem landed a pair of knees, Rua tried for the throw takedown, Overeem ended up on top in mount, Rua pushed it to half-guard and then put in the butterflies. Overeem postured up and came bcak down and avoided a kneebar quickly and came back downa nd they stood to the clinch and exchanged knees, Overeem 2 and Rua 1 and then they exchanged a knee each and Overeem landed a pair. Overeem landed another and Rua dragged himself down into side control and turtled up. Overeem landed a pair of knees to the head and another knee. Another knee to the top of the head. Rua stood to the clinch and broke away. Overeem landed a body kick and they clinched and Rua turtled up once more. Rua rolled out and nearly took the back, they stood to the clinch and Rua was trying for the trip but couldn't get it, shoved Overeem into the corner and landed a knee to the lg and a body shot and Overeem landed a knee and they broke and clinched again. Rua kept on looking for that takedonw, Overeem sprawled and looked for the guillotine from guard. Rua pulled out after a moment to half-guard. Rua was looking to pass but Overeem was defending. Ria nearly got it, Overeem was looking to retain guard and he did. Rua landed a good shot and another and a hammerfist. Rua stood and landed a soccer kick, Overeem was trying to stand and he did and he ate a knee to the face and they clinched. Overeem landed a knee and got the takedown but Rua flipped and took his back and then rolled him into half-guard. Rua passed to side control and isolated that arm. Rua was looking to mount but Overeem turtled up and ate a soccer kick and avoided a flying stomp and turtled up, hugging the leg. Rua landed some heel kicks to the top of the head, Overeem spun out and got to guard and ate a few hard hammerfists. Rua passed to half-guard and then after a moment he mounted and went back to side control and he trapped that arm in the crucifix and isolated the other arm. Overeem escaped and got his arm out and got it trapped again. Rua mounted and landed some good shots through Overeem's guard with the crowd cheering each time. Big shots looping, Overeem was covering up, big shots, gaining momentum, straight through now, straight down. Rua trapped an arm with his knee and landed repeated hammerfists until the referee stopped it.
Jason Miller vs. Kala Hose - Hose came out wearing a Jason Vorhees mask and took it off and threw it into the crowd. He looked pumped. Miller had his usual very flashy entrance, minus the girls, just him dancing in a strange silver mask. The referee was Big John. It was for the 'Kingdom MMA world middleweight title.'
The first round began. They circled. Miller landed a good right hand. Miller landed an inside leg kick. They circled some more. Miller landed a body kick. Miller came for the takedown, Hose was defending but Miller dumped him down and stood over him and landed a pair of big hammerfists and passed to side control. Miller landed a good punch. Miller passed to mount. Hose was trying to cover up, he ate a big pair of shots. Miller landed a big hammerfist and another and another and eh he just kept landing them. Big hammerfists, punishing Hose. Big looping shots through his guard now, Hose gave up his back and Miller didn't even have the hooks, Miller grabbed the choke and Hose tapped seriously immediately. They hugged.
Shinya Aoki vs. Mizuto Hirota - The fight was between the Dream lightweight champion (Aoki) and the Sengoku lightweight champion (Hirota), but it was a non-unification bout, at Dynamite's 2009 year-end show for the orgs Sengoku versus Dream.
The first round began. They circled. Aoki shot in, Hirota defended the single-leg briefly into the corner. He was still defending actually. Aoki had him down on his ass in the corner. Just kinda sitting there. Aoki passed to mount with his head through the ropes and landed seven or eight shots in under. Another pair of hard shots and another shot. Another shot and a moment later another and another. Hirota gave up his back and Aoki was twisting his arm behind his back in a strange manner. Hirota was refusing to tap. Hirota spun out but Aoki was across his chest, trapping his other arm with his legs and twisting that arm and the referee stopped it when he saw Hirota's arm break. Aoki stood over Hirota and flipped him off and walked away celebrating.
Alistair Overeem vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - The first round began and they hesitated and then touched gloves and Fujita circled around nimbly. He came in and ate a counter and backed off. More circling. Overeem was massive. Overeem landed an inside leg kick. More circling but he was cornered. Overeem grabbed the plum and landed a knee to the chin and they broke. More circling. Overeem came in with a knee to the chin and they broke and Overeem cornered him again and landed a bdoy kick and came in with a massive knee right to the eye and dropped Fujita through the ropes almost out of the ring and the fight was over.
Josh Burkman vs. Dustin Hazelett - Hazelett had a five-inch reach advantage. The referee for the fight was Josh Rosenthal. The fight won both Fight of the Night, and Submission of the Night.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Hazelett missed a headkick. Burkman landed a good leg kick and a punch over the top. They circled. Burkman blocked that headkick, switched stances, threw a blocked body kick and another. Hazelett grazed him with that headkick and ate a straight right. Hazelett blocked a combination. Burkman blocked that headkick. Burkman blocked a body kick and another. Burkman pushed forward and they clinched and he slammed Hazelett into guard. Hazelett worked the rubber guard. Burkman was trying to power out of an omoplata attempt but no Hazelett had it again. Burkman was struggling to roll out but Hazelett was on top with Burkman turtled up and he had that omoplata. Burkman got out and nearly got caught in an anaconda choke and then an arm triangle from side control. Hazelett had another anaconda choke with Burkman turtled up and Hazelett gator rolled and the more he rolled, the deeper and tighter it got. Burkman looked like he was thinking of tapping. He was trying to pry himself free of his opponent's arms. Burkman popped out to half-guard and landed a trio of hard elbows and a moment later another elbow and another trio of elbows. Burkman landed another elbow. Another hard elbow to the nose. Burkman landed another pair of hard elbows after a bit of a pause. Another pair of hard, hard elbows. Hazelett regained guard and worked for another rubber guard. Burkman landed a trio of hard, powerful body shots. Another hard elbow from Burkman and he stood and let Hazelett up but the first round ended and they touched gloves. Rich Franklin was in the corner of Hazelett and Diego Sanchez was in Burkman's.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Hazelett blocked a spinning back kick towards the head and they clinched, Hazelett pulled guard, Burkman slammed him down and then slammed him again but shorter. Hazelett almost immediately worked rubber guard again. Burkman was working a high guard now and then back to rubber guard. Burkman instead stood and let Hazelett up. They circled, Burkman kept switching stances. Burkman landed an inside leg kick. Hazelett missed a headkick. Burkman landed a good body shot. Hazelett blocked a hard body kick. Hazelett landed a body kick. Hazelett avoided a combination and a hard elbow. Burkman landed a body kick, they clinched and Hazelett pulled guard, Burkman was carrying him around as Hazelett began to look for a standing guillotine. He was looking for it. Burkman pulled out to the clinch. Burkman landed a pair of knees to the belly and another pair to the legs of Hazelett and broke with a hard but blocked combination. Burkman blocked a headkick. They circled. Burkman blocked a body kick. Burkman landed a good body shot. Burkman landed an inside leg kick and Hazelett checked a leg kick. Burkman landed a body kick and a blocked combination. Hazelett was walking at Burkman like the Terminator. Burkman landed a left hook and a good body shot and a front kick and dodged a combination. Hazelett landed that headkick right to that swollen left eye, Burkman's eye was swelling, they clinched. Burkman got the takedown but Hazeltt rolled for an armbar and he had it tight and Burkman tapped with fifteen seconds left.
Mike Pyle vs. Jake Ellenberger - The first round began and Ellenberger pushed forward immediately but landed nothing and they circled and he pressed forward again and landed a left hand and clinched and quickly got the takedown to half-guard. Pyle was trying to go for a triangle but settled for retaining guard. He managed to trap the right arm with his leg nicely. He let it go and he briefly looked for a rubber guard but stopped. Pyle trapped the left arm with his leg and stopped. Ellenberger was becoming frustrated in the guard and he freed his arm. Pyle was trying to trap those arms to set up a triangle. Ellenberger was pulling away and trying to posture up. Pyle landed some hammerfists from the bottom but nothing huge. Ellenberger came back to guard. Pyle controlled the arms and posture of Ellenberger. He trapped that right arm again. Ellenberger powered out and landed a nice elbow. The referee told them to work and Rogan said 'Come on, man, they're working.' Ellenberger threw a few short elbows and another nice one. Pyle rotated for an armbar, Ellenberger stood over him and let Pyle up after a moment but Pyle was reluctant. They clinched, Pyle landed a knee and Pyle got that takedown into half-guard once more. The referee told them to work nearly immediately. Pyle switched and looked for a kimura, and he had that but Ellenberger powered out to guard but Pyle was still grabbing for it and he finally stopped and Ellenberger was in half-guard. Ellenberger postured up with a big body shot and Pyle turtled up and ate hard shots in under to the face and body as the first round ended. Pyle stayed kneeling, grabbing for his ribs. He said 'I broke my rib." He stood and went to his corner, still holding his ribs. 
The second round began and they touched gloves. Pyle landed an inside leg kick. Pyle came for the takedown and clinched and they broke quickly and he ate a right hook and dropped and Ellenberger was all over him with big shots and the referee stopped it and it was all over. Ellenberger hopped around victoriously. The fighters hugged before the decision.
Mark Munoz vs. Ryan Jensen - Jensen came out to Stinkfist by Tool. Hell yes.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Munoz missed a one-two. Jensen missed a body kick and landed an inside leg kick. Munoz missed another one-two. They clinched and Munoz got the takedown to side control and no half-guard, Jensenw as looking for a tight guillotine. Munoz passed to side control and Jensen let it go and turtled up and Munoz was holding him there. Jensen stood and broke and landed a good combination and an uppercut and came for the takedown and then they clinched and Munoz defended. Jensen landed a body shot. Munoz got the takedown to guard. Jensen looked for a triangle and Munoz avoided. Munoz landed some big hammerfists and postured up and a big shot and another big shot, down to half-guard with bid punches and Jensen was laying facedown, trying to tap and eating big shots repeatedly, he tapped again and the referee stopped it.
Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva - The fight was between the two fighters who had previously been undefeated and now had only one loss -- to Lyoto Machida. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began. They circled. Evans pushed forward and they clinched. Not much going on, battling for under and overhooks. Evans looked for the double-leg and he dumped Thiago on his ass, Thiago got right back up to the clinch, Evans put him down into side control though. Evans mounted after a moment. Thiago got to half-guard and spun up to the clinch and landed a knee to the body. Not much going on. Thiago landed a knee to the body. Evans landed a good shot inside and another and they broke. Evans showing good head movement to avoid. They clinched, Thiago landed a knee and Evans got the takedown into side control. Thiago rolled and turtled up and stood to the clinch. They broke and Thiago was taking deep breaths. Evans showing head movement as they circled. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Another inside leg kick. Evans still showing good head movement and throwing Silva off. More circling in close. Silva blocked a combination and ate a right hand and they clinched. Silva landed a knee to the body. Evans broke with a good elbow and landed a combination hard to the body and got the takedown and put Silva on his ass, Silva stood to the clinch breathing hard. The crowd chanted 'Thiago'. Silva broke with a missed combination. Evans blocked a headkick and the first round ended.
The second round began. Some circling. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Evans pushed forward with a missed combination and they clinched. Evans landed a nice uppercut inside. Silva landed a pair of good quick shots inside and a good short knee inside. Silva broke with a missed uppercut. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Silva landed a leg kick and Evans got the takedown into half-guard. Silva rolled for an armbar, Evans stood to the clinch and landed a right hand and another and got the takedown and put Silva on his ass against the fence. Silva looked very frustrated. Not much was going on here. Silva rolled and stood and broke away. They circled, Silva dropped his hands and beckoned for Evans to bring it on. Some circling. Silva avoided a takedown and they circled. Evans came for the takedown, Silva defended to the clinch. Silva landed a pair of knees to the leg and another knee. Silva defended another trip and broke with a good right hand. Some circling. Silva landed another good right hand. Evans landed a jab. Silva landed a body kick. Evans came for the takedown and put Silva on his ass by the cage. Silva was breathing hard. He talked to his corner. Silva stood to the clinch. Not much going on for the last twenty seconds, and the second round ended.
The third round began. Silva landed an inside leg kick. They clinched, Silva defended a takedown, stuffed it back to the clinch and landed a body shot. Boos coming. Silva broke with a missed combo. Evans came for the takedown and dumped Silva down and tried to take the back and Silva stood to the clinch. Silva broke with a knee, walking away and taking a breath. Evans circling away with his hands low. Circling. Silva stalking him and landed an inside leg kick. Circling some more. Silva clapped his hands and motioned for the crowd to cheer to give him energy. Silva landed a hard body kick and ate a counter right. Silva had his hands down bouncing around and sticking his chin out, hands all the way down and bouncing. Bouncing around with his hands low. He dodged a right hand and ducked around with his hands down. Silva landed a big right hand and rocked Evans and he went down and turtled up. Evans stood to the clinch and Silva broke with an uppercut and landed a right hand and uppercut and they clinched and Silva landed a nice knee and he broke with another good uppercut and a right hook in close. They clinched and Silva broke with a good knee and an uppercut. Silva still showboating and he slapped the ears and missed an uppercut and they circled otu. Silva had his hands on his waist grinning. Chin out. Walking away. Just walking. Silva landed a left hook. Evans came for the takedown, Silva defended to the clinch. Silva breathing deep as the crowd booed. Thirty seconds left. Not much going on. Evans looked for a double-leg, Silva defending, not much else. They broke at the bell as the third round came to an end. Rashad Evans got the win by unanimous decision and they hugged.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Junior Dos Santos - The fight was Yvel's UFC debut.
The first round began. They circled and close and Yvel missed a leg kick. Yvel ducked a punch from Dos Santos. Yvel missed a jumping spinning back kick. Dos Santos landed a nice body shot as they engaged in close. Dos Santos landed a good right hand and rocked Yvel and followed with a combination and Yvel landed a counter and they backed off and circled. Another straight right from Dos Santos. Dos Santos landed a leg kick and a right hand as Yvel came in. Yvel landed a good body kick. Dos Santos blocked a headkick, smiled and motioned to bring it on. Dos Santos ducked a shot from Yvel and landed an excellent upward right hook that dropped Yvel and he pounded in under until the referee stopped it. Yvel protested the stoppage.
Duane Ludwig vs. Jim Miller - The fight was Ludwig's return (again) to the UFC.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Ludwig missed a straight right. Miller landed a good leg kick and ate a decent counter left. Miller landed a good combination and Ludwig blocked a headkick. Miller landed a nice inside leg kick. Ludwig landed a blocked combination and a body kick. They circled. Ludwig landed a really good right hand. Miller landed a counter right hand and dropped Ludwig and pounced into side control and passed nearly instantly to mount. Ludwig bucked him off but Miller grabbed an armbar and he had tight. Ludwig was struggling to pull out but it was tight. Ludwig tapped after a moment.
Dustin Hazelett vs. Paul Daley - The first round began. Hazelett missed a running axe kick flip or something and they circled. The crowd chanted 'USA' loudly. Daley blocked a body kick. Daley landed a good leg kick. Hazelett checked a leg kick. Hazelett blocked a headkick. Daley landed another good leg kick. Hazelett looked a bit tentative. Hazelett checked another leg kick. Hazelett dodged a combination and ate a leg kick. His corner kept yelling 'hands up' in a hoarse voice. Daley blocked a headkick. Daley landed an inside leg kick. Hazelett blocked a headkick and Daley landed a leg kick. Daley missed a right hand, draped over Hazelett's arm like the end of Ali-Foreman, and landed a massive left hook and dropped Hazelett and pounded away and it was all over. Daley asked 'How do you like that?' to Rogan who was sitting outside and Rogan said 'I like it very much, sir.'
Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin - The fight was at 205 and it was to decide who would be the American coach for the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter. The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Henderson landed a leg kick slightly. Henderson landed another leg kick. Franklin landed a nice body kick. Henderson landed a good inside leg kick. Franklin landed antoher body kick and ate a counter right hand and began backing up. Franklin blocked a headkick adn Henderson slipped and managed to drag Franklin down as well and ended up on top in a very open half-guard. Henderson landed a good elbow after a moment and another and after a moment, another pair of short elbows. Franklin was trying to stand and he ate a shot in under. Henderson was holding Franklin down and he landed a knee to the body and winded up for another but didn't land it. Franklin was really struggling to get to his feet. Another knee to the hip. Franklin was up and he escaped and broke away and the crowd cheered. Franklin landed that body kick again. Henderson landed a really nice inside leg kick and a right hand. Franklin landed another body kick to the ribs. And then again, mainly caught the arm that time. Henderson landed a short uppercut in close. Franklin landed another body kick and a leg kick, to the other side. Franklin landed another kick to the body, mainly caught the elbow. Franklin missed a sloppy Superman punch. Franklin landed a leg kick. Franklin landed that body kick again and a good one-two right after. Henderson landed a nice right hand. They touched gloves for some reason, maybe an eyepoke, no it was a groin kick. No a headbutt. Franklin was bleeding. Franklin landed a body kick. Henderson landed an inside leg kick. They clinched, Franklin had the body kick but they broke. Franklin landed a body kick. Henderson was breathing heavily. Henderson missed a headkick. Franklin missed another Superman punch and the first round ended. Oh yeah that headbutt caused a big cut on the right side of Franklin's head high on the right side on his hairline, and there was another big cut near the center by the hairline. Franklin looked at the screen and grinned and said 'That's a bad one'.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled, with Franklin pumping out a jab and using good head movement to avoid a counter and trying counters himself. Henderson landed an inside leg kick. Henderson landed a body kick and a leg kick, looking to hunt Franklin down and he ate a counter left hook. Franklin looked like the fresher of the two, he landed a body kick. Henderson missed a turning side kick. Henderson was really trying to hunt Franklin down. They clinched and Franklin landed a knee and a left hand inside. They broke and clinched again and broke again quickly, Franklin did a good job of avoiding the takedown. Henderson landed a good leg kick. Franklin landed a body kick. They clinched and Henderson landed an uppercut inside and Franklin broke. Henderson missed an uppercut and a hook. Franklin landed a body kick and a nice jab and they clinched. Franklin landed a good knee to the body, avoiding the takedown well and looking for the underhook, Henderson dumped him down into guard. Franklin was looking to set up a triangle with wrist control. Henderson passed to half-guard but Franklin was trying to wallwalk and roll for an armbar but Henderson defended back to guard. Henderson passed back to half-guard. Franklin was doing a good job of avoiding damage and passing from the notorious ground and pound artist and wrestler that Henderson is. Franklin's cut was really bleeding now though, pumping out. Franklin got his right knee in between them. Forty seconds left. He retained guard. Twenty-five left. Henderson landed a good elbow. Fifteen. Henderson landed an elbow and a hammerfist and postured up and came back down. The second round ended. Miragliotta told them 'Good job, good job, both of you guys, good job!' They gave each other a high-five and went back to their corners. Franklin's cornerman, Matt Hume, was telling him that it was time to bust him up and knock him out, and not just go for takedowns. Henderson's corner told him clinch take him down and bust the shit out of him again. Michael Bisping was watching the fight with a lot of interest, as he was going to be the British coach.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Franklin checked an inside leg kick and a moment later missed an inside leg kick and landed a body kick. Franklin landed a straight left. Franklin landed a body kick and a good jab, avoided a takedown and shoved Henderson down, landed a good leg kick and they clinched and Henderson got the single-leg into guard once more. Franklin was pressing his back against the cage and trying to wallwalk. Henderson was holding him down though. Henderson postured up but Franklin was trying to stand, Henderson was hugging that leg and turtling up and Franklin landed a shot and another in under. They stood to the clinch and Franklin landed a knee to the body and another. Henderson was exhausted. Franklin landed a knee to the body. Another knee. Another to the leg and then another to the body. Franklin broke with a blocked combination. Henderson landed a leg kick. Franklin missed a straight left and a couple of jabs. Franklin landed a body kick. Franklin landed a left hand. Franklin landed another body kick and they clinched. Not much going on but they were moving. Franklin with another knee to the body. Franklin with a foot stomp. They broke. Henderson landed a leg kick and ate a straight left and a counter combination and a body kick. Henderson tried a headkick and slipped and stood and smiled. Franklin missed a straight left and took a bad bad eyepoke and turned away yelling and collapsed to his knees. Oh damn dude the finger went right in there, the right eye I believe. The referee told him he got two minutes from when he fell. Franklin said he was ready. They hugged and continued. Thirty-seven seconds left. Franklin checked an inside leg kick. They circled. Henderson narrowly missed a big right hand. Franklin hunting Henderson down. Big left hook and a jab. Henderson landed a body shot and the third round ended and Franklin raised his hands and they hugged. Henderson was the winner by split decision and Franklin looked shocked, he just walked off. The crowd booed.
Melvin Manhoef vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - The first round began. They came out slowly staring each other down and circling slowly. Both had their hands up high. Circling. Circling. Manhoef tried to push forward but missed. Manhoef landed a massive ehadkick and put Sakuraba on his knees and pounded, on his back and pounding repeatedly. Manhoef stood over him, dragged him away from the ropes by his foot and pounded, hammerfists and then big punches and then big hammerfists and Sakuraba went limp and the referee stopped it.
Jay Hieron vs. Jason High - The fight was for Affliction.
The first round began and they touched gloves. High landed a hard body kick. They clinched and High broke with a hard knee. Hieron landed a good leg kick. High landed a good leg kick. High narrowly missed a leg kick. Hieron came in with a big right hook Superman punch style right to the chin and rocked High hard and while High was just sitting on his ass unconscious Hieron landed more big shots for a few seconds until it was over.
Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem - Overeem had taken the fight in about three days' notice.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Hunt missed a shot and another. Hunt landed an inside leg kick. Hunt narrowly missed a big right hand. Hunt landed a big right hook and slammed Overeem into guard and passed quickly to side control and held Overeem there. Overeem retained half-guard and grabbed an armbar and he was really looking for it and he turned it over on top and Hunt was forced to tap.
Karo Parisyan vs. Dave Strasser - The first round began. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick and dodged a counter and pushed forward and landed nothing and they clinched. They struggled for takedowns or positions. Parisyan landed a knee and was warned to watch the groin knees, but I don't think he hit there. Parisyan got a headlock and got Strasser down on his knees and had him turtled up there. Strasser managed to stand to the clinch after a moment. Parisyan broke with a good knee and a missed combination and they clinched again. Parisyan got the clumsy throw, not really like a connected throw, more of a hip toss and Strasser stumbled down and Parisyan was over him in half-guard or side control, it's hard to tell. Yeah half-guard. Parisyan landed a good short elbow. Strasser landed a few heel kicks to the back of the knee of Parisyan. Strasser retained guard. Parisyan postured up and came back down with a nice right hand to guard and he was looking to pass and he made it to half-guard. Strasser retained guard but Parisyan postured up with a pair of right hands. Parisyan landed another good right hand and an elbow. Strasser got the sweep but Parisyan rolled for a leglock. Strasser pulled out up to the clinch. Parisyan got the MT plum and landed a knee to the face and a one-two and they clinched and broke. They clinched and Parisyan broke with a knee and landed a left jab and missed a big right. Parisyan blocked a headkick and they clinched. Parisyan got a takedown with that kimura, laying on his back on Strasser and they rolled. Parisyan rolled for another kneebar. Strasser stood out of it again to the clinch. Parisyan got another kimura takedown and he was in side control and he cranked it hard and Strasser tapped out. That was a wicked kimura.
Tamdan McCrory vs. Ryan Madigan - The first round began. McCrory checked a leg kick and landed a high body kick and they clinched and McCrory looked for a single-leg trip combo and got it into full-guard and he passed to half-guard and Madigan retained guard and threw up a triangle attempt. McCrory escaped easily to guard and he was still looking to pass but Madigan was doing a good job defensively. McCrory passed very smoothly to side control. McCrory landed a grazing elbow to the forehead. Another short elbow. McCrory was isolating an arm. Madigan retained guard and ate a huge right hand. McCrory landed another big punch. His corner yelled repeatedly and belligerently 'Posture up!" McCrory was looking to pass and he made it to half-guard and smoothly right into side control. McCrory looked to mount and he had it. McCrory pounded away and then he looked to step over for a triangle but nope back to side control. He looked for that armbar again. He landed a big elbow. He had that arm isolated. He nearly went back to guard but Madigan grabbed a leglock. McCrory pulled out right back to side control. McCrory mounted after a moment and he was pounding away with punches and oh man big elbows and Madigan was cut bad over his left eye and the referee stopped it.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann - The first round began and they touched gloves. 3Z landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and Stann landed a body shot. They broke. Stann landed a good right hand. Stann landed a good body kick. 3Z landed a body kick. Stann landed a nice inside leg kick. Stann landed another inside leg kick after a moment. Stann landed a right hook and they clinched. Stann landed a knee to the leg and another. Stann landed an uppercut inside and 3Z had that plum. Stann broke with a good overhand right. 3Z came for the double-leg and got it into half-guard. Stann tried to stand, 3Z dumped him back down and mounted. Stann bucked him and grabbed a leglock but let it go and 3Z went into side control but Stann was trying to wall-walk. Stann was trying to get up. He made it up into the clinch. 3Z dumped him right back down into side control and Stann retained half-guard. 3Z was looking for akimura and he had that tight but he let it go. He went to side control and got that kimura tight again and Stann yelled 'TAP TAP TAP' and it was all over. 3Z bowed to Stann and then hugged him and Stann raised his hand.
Nate Marquardt vs. Anderson Silva - The fight was for the middleweight title with Silva defending. Marquardt came in to Eye of the Tiger.
The first round began. Silva came out with the southpaw stance. They circled about. Both fighters showing good head movement. Marquardt landed a good leg kick. They circled some more. Marquardt landed a leg kick. Marquardt pumping the jab out. Marquardt missed a combination and ate a counter right hand and hurt Marquardt. Silva tried a jumping knee, Marquardt looked for the single-leg and got it into guard and Silva briefly tried a guillotine and Marquardt pulled out quickly and passed to half-guard. Silva landed some hard body shots from the bottom. Marquardt landed a good elbow. Silva looked for an arm triangle from the bottom briefly. Silva tried for the seatbelt sweep but couldn't get it and after a moment he simply retained full guard. Marquardt landed some body shots. Silva worked a high guard and shoved Marquardt off and Marquardt came back down into guard. Marquardt missed an elbow and it hit the mat. Marquardt postured up with some good shots. Silva landed some axe kicks from the bottom to the body and Marquardt came down and avoided a triangle into guard. Silva landed some hammerfists from the bottom. The referee stood them up after a moment. Marquardt missed a big right hand. Marquardt pumping out that jab a lot. Silva landed a big straight left and hurt Marquardt hard and Marquardt turtled up hugging the leg and ate some big hammerfists in under and some good body shots. Thirty seconds left. Marquardt hugging that leg. Marquardt stood, trying that single-leg. Silva got the good switch on top pounding away postured up, fifteen seconds left, big right hand that hurt Marquardt badly, and big shots coming down from half-guard, big shots with maybe ten or fewer seconds left and the referee stopped it and Silva hopped on top and celebrated. Rich Franklin watching shook his head as Silva got to his knees and prayed and then stood and crossed himself.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Diego Saraiva - Saraiva had a two-inch reach advantage but a three-inch height disadvantage. The fight won FOTN.
The first round began. They circled aggressively. Saraiva tried for an inside leg kick and ate a big counter right hand. They circled springily. Gurgel landed another right hand. They clinched and Gurgel landed a good combination inside and Saraiva broke with a knee inside. Gurgel blocked a headkick and missed a leg kick. Saraiva landed a leg kick and ate a counter combination and they clinched and he ate another combination inside before they broke. Gurgel landed a good left hook in close. Saraiva pumped out a jab unsuccessfully. The crowd booed. They clinched and broke. Saraiva blocked a hard combination. "He's looking for the highlight finish undoubtedly." Saraiva landed a few good jabs. Saraiva landed a hard leg kick. Gurgel landed a good right hand. They clinched. Gurgel broke with a good left hook. Gurgel landed another good right hand and they clinched. Saraiva dragged Gurgel down and pulled guard. "Try to get back up!" his corner yelled. Gurgel landed some good shots, Saraiva had him in the butterflies. Back to regular guard once more. Gurgel landed a nice shot. Gurgel seemed content not to pass. Saraiva tried to spin for an armbar, Gurgel replied with some good hammerfists and punches and oooh a big right hand. Saraiva tried to throw up a triangle but didn't get it. Forty seconds left. Gurgel landed a pair of big shots and dodged some upkicks. Gurgel landed another pair of shots. Another nice shot. Saraiva tried to throw up another triangle, Gurgel stood and let him up with ten seconds remaining. Gurgel landed a right hand and another good combination. Saraiva landed a good left hook. The first round ended and Yves Lavigne grabbed Saraiva in a bear hug to stop him.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Gurgel landed another big right hand. Gurgel landed a leg kick. Gurgel landed another good leg kick. Gurgel landed a body shot. Saraiva landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Saraiva landed another left hook. Saraiva landed a good jab. Gurgel landed a leg kick and a combination. They clinched and Gurgel landed a combination. Saraiva broke, shot in, Gurgel sprawled and they broke. Gurgel landed another good right hand. Gurgel landed a leg kick. Saraiva landed a body kick, Gurgel caught it and landed a good combination and another. They circled. Gurgel landed aleg kick and a combination. Gurgel landed another good combination and they clinched and broke. Gurgel landed a good body shot. Gurgel landed a combination and grazed him with a headkick and landed antoehr combination, Saraiva rocked him with a left hook and another and landed a combination including a right hand that really hurt Gurgel and ate other counter combination and they clinched, Saraiva pulled standing guard and Gurgel slammed him. A minute and ten seconds remaining. Saraiva threw up another triangle attempt and rolled for a leglock and used it to sweep and they rolled and stood. There was a big mouse over the left eye and under the right eye of Gurgel. Saraiva landed a good combination and they clinched and landed a few knees and they broke. "And now with the knees!" Gurgel checked a leg kick but ate a left hook and another. Gurgel landed a good left hook and they clinched and Gurgel landed repeated short right hands and uppercuts and they broke. The second round ended. Gurgel's face was a mess. Rich Franklin told him 'I do not give a shit, do not stand there and trade.'
The third round began and they touched gloves. Saraiva landed a jab. "This is a very close fight after two rounds." Gurgel missed a combination and pushed forward and missed another. Gurgel landed a right hand. Saraiva landed another left hook. Gurgel landed a leg kick. Saraiva landed an inside leg kick to the groin and they touched gloves and continued. The crowd began booing. They were throwing but not landing anything. Gurgel landed a leg kick. Gurgel landed a good double jab. Saraiva landed a body kick. Saraiva came for the double-leg, Gurgel stuffed it and ended up on top with some good hammerfists, Saraiva tried to elevate him with the butterflies. Saraiva landed an elbow from the bottom. Saraiva pulled full guard. Two minutes left. Sairava tried another triangle. Gurgel landed a good shot. Sairava tried another triangle but he wasn't controlling Gurgel's posture. Gurgel's right eye was really swelling up. Gurgel wasn't even trying to pass. Gurgel landed some weak body shots. Forty-five seconds left. Twenty-five. Gurgel postured up and stood and stood over Sairava and backed off and let him up. Fifteen. Sairava landed a good left hand. Sairavana landed a left and a right and the third round ended and they both raised their hands and raised each other's hands. They were both longtime friends. Oh man Gurgel's face. He had a mouse under each eye, nasty. They clapped hands again waiting for the decision. 30-27 unanimously for Jorge Gurgel.
Patrick Cote vs. Scott Smith - The first round began and they touched gloves. Cote landed a nice leg kick. Cote landed another nice leg kick a moment or two later. Smith missed an inside leg kick of his own. Cote landed a good body shot. Smith blocked a combination. Cote landed another good leg kick. Smith missed a combination and Cote blocked a high body kick with the arm. Cote landed a big right hand and another and they clinched. Smith landed a good right hand inside and they broke and Smith smiled and winked. Smith checked an inside leg kick. Smith landed an inside leg kick. The crowd chanted 'USA'. Cote blocked a body kick with his arm. Smith landed a leg kick and a counter and they clinched and Smith landed a good elbow inside and Cote landed a knee. They fought for position. Smith went for a high knee, Cote caught it and slammed him to side control and then pounded from guard and Smith stood to the clinch nicely with a single and back to the regular clinch. They broke. Cote landed a leg kick. Cote landed a good body kick as he pushed forward and they clinched and broke. Smith pushed forward with a Forrest-esque missed one-two. Smith landed a leg kick and ate a body shot. The first round ended.
The second round began. Smith landed an inside leg kick after a moment. Cote landed a leg kick. Cote landed an inside leg kick. Smith blocked a Superman punch from Cote. Smith missed a combination and another and they clinched, Cote showed good head movement there. Cote landed a pair of knees to the body. Cote landed a good body shot. Not much going on, boos starting to come. Foot stomp from Cote. The referee told them to break just as they actually broke. Cote landed a good counter right hand to the temple and rocked Smith hard and Smith stumbled back into the cage. Cote smiled and made crazy faces but didn't pounce. Smith did a strange karate stance with his leg out and arms out. Smith was still dazed-looking. Cote landed a leg kick more to the knee, though. Cote pushed forward with a missed combination and they clinched. Smith broke briefly with a missed one-two and they clinched, Cote broke with a nice leg kick in close, really hard, and they circled out. They circled, Smith didn't seem to want to engage anymore after that one right hand. Circling in close with Cote more aggressive. Smith blocked a one-two. Smith landed an inside leg kick and ate a body shot. Cote landed a big leg kick. They clinched. Smith landed a good elbow inside. They broke and the crowd was really booing at this point. Less than ten seconds left. The second round ended and the crowd was restless.
The third round began. They touched gloves and Smith patted Cote on the back. Cote landed an inside leg kick. Smith landed a good right hand and another and a good combination and a body kick and a good right hook and they clinched now. Smith appeared fully recovered. Smith was looking for the single-leg. Cote avoided and Smith quit looking for it after a moment. The crowd was booing as they were clinched. The referee broke them up quickly. They circled with Cote bouncing around. Cote landed a leg kick. Cote pumping a jab out. Smith missed a one-two. Smith walked into a counter right hand again and nearly fell but Cote didn't pounce again. Cote landed a good jab. Cote landed an inside leg kick. Cote landed a hard body shot and a big combination inside, partially blocked by Smith. Cote circled away and blocked a combination and they clinched, Smith looked for the single-leg and nearly had it, Cote made it back to the regular clinch. The crowd booed and the referee broke them up quickly. Cote missed a big right hand cleanly. Smith landed a good right hand and a body kick and a good right hand and another and that rocked Cote and they clinched again. Cote landed a knee to the body and a shot inside. Cote landed another knee. Smith broke with a good left hand and they clinched again. Forty seconds left. Crowd booing. Good elbow inside by Cote. Cote looking for the double-leg now. Cote broke with a good combination of shots and clinched again to avoid the counter. Theye xchanged a shot each inside and Smith landed an elbow over the top. They broke. Ten seconds left. The third round ended and the crowd booed. Cote had the win by unanimous decision.
Jason DeLucia vs. Royce Gracie - The fight was the finals for the UFC 2 tournament. They came out with two missed kicks and clinched and Gracie pulled guard. Delucia was looking to pass. Gracie got the sweep into mount. Delucia rolled on top and got on top and Gracie had a tight armbar, Delucia tapped but Gracie rolled it on top and had the armbar and held it until he felt satisfied and let it go. Delucia might have had a snapped arm.
Royce Gracie vs. Keith Hackney - The fight was in the semifinals for the UFC 4 tournament.
The fight began and they circled awkwardly waving their hands around. Hackney dodged a takedown and missed a few counter punches. Gracie missed a headkick. Hackney waving his hands around. Gracie shot in, Hackney sprawled and broke and landed a good counter and ate one. Hackney landed a leg kick. Gracie cornering him. They clinched. Gracie landed a knee to the groin. Gracie kept looking for the trip for a while. Hackney landed a right hand inside and another but they tied up. Gracie landed a knee to the groin and a trio to the head and another and another. Three minutes into the fight. Gracie landed some good knees to the face repeatedly. He pulled guard and dragged Hackney down and locked up a triangle. Hackney was struggling to pull out. He escaped and landed a good shot and another, both rights. He was postured up. He came back down. Gracie locked up another triangle. Very nice. He landed body shots in under and some lefts and rights to the head. That was tight. Hackney trying to posture up out of it and he landed some big shots downward and pulled out, posturing up. Gracie worked a high guard. Gracie landing some shots from the bottom and then some big elbows. He locked up an armbar and Hackney tapped with a cry of pain. They stood and shook hands and hugged.
Terry Martin vs. Jorge Rivera - The first round began and they touched gloves. Rivera landed a hard leg kick anda body kick, Martin caught it and got the takedown to half-guard and landed three or four punches and Rivera was out cold and limp and it was all over. The punches broke Rivera's jaw and in all his fights after, he had a plate in his jaw from that injury.
Heath Herring vs. Yoshihiro Nakao - During the pre-fight staredown, his opponent, Yoshihiro Nakao, leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to the jaw of Nakao, knocking him out cold. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief melee ensued. Herring's trainers, Ricardo Pires and Sergio Penha [5] fought off Nakao's trainers until security stopped the fight. The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls. Herring explained shortly after the knockout: "He kissed me on the lips like a homosexual. I'm not gay!"
Aaron Simpson vs. Tom Lawlor - The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Lawlor landed a good uppercut and they clinched and Lawlor was looking for the single-leg and he ate some hammerfists in under, Lawlor pulled away and Simpson tripped but they stood and clinched again. Simpson broke with a good body shot. Lawlor was stalking Simpson. He landed a good combination and staggered Simpson and landed a big left and an uppercut and an uppercut and another and a big right hook and another and Simpson moved away and they clinched and Lawlor broke with another uppercut and switched stances. Lawlor was looking very improved. Lawlor landed an excellent counter right hook and wobbled Simpson and a big uppercut and another and they clinched and Simpson landed a good knee to the body. Lawlor broke with an uppercut and a right hook and another pair of right hooks and a left hook and they clinched again. Lawlor landed a knee and broke with a right hand. Simpson landed a right hand and a knee and they clinched. Another huge uppercut. Lawlor stuffed a takedown and landed a right hook and a straight left and they clinched, big uppercut to the body. They broke. They circled for a bit. Simpson was keeping his distance. He was looking for that big right hand of his own but staying away. Simpson landed a body kick. They clinched but broke. Simpson landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter straight left. They circled. Lawlor landed a counter jab and an uppercut. They circled. Simpson keeping away, eight seconds left. The first round ended. Simpson's takedown was telling him 'let's get that takedown, he's walking you down. Circle to your left. Left!'
The second round began. They circled exchanging probing strikes. They clinched but broke. Simpson landed a nice body kick. Simpson seemed recovered. Lawlor avoided a takedown. Lawlor landed a jab. Lawlor seemed to be the one looking to counter now. They circled in close. Lawlor kept landing that counter jab. Simpson landed an inside leg kick. They clinched and Lawlor landed a right hook inside. Lawlor seemed to be fading. Simpson was looking for the single-leg. Lawlor was stuffing it and he grabbed a guillotine but Simpson got the takedown to half-guard and he was immediately looking to pass. Lawlor gave up his back to try to stand. Lawlor stood and Simpson had his standing back. He was trying to turn. Lawlor turned to the clinch. Simpson landed a knee to the leg. They broke. Lawlor landed a big right hook and came for the takedown and got Simpson on his ass, Simpson stood to the clinch. They weren't doing much, taking a little break. Lawlor landed an elbow inside. Simpson landed some vicious body shots inside. Lawlor had double underhooks. They broke. They stood in close. Lawlor was looking to land that counter right. They exchanged in close but landed nothing clean and they clinched with Simpson pressing Lawlor into the cage. Lawlor looked for the standing guillotine and he had it, and he landed a knee to the head and let it go back to the clinch. Thirty seconds. Simpson landed a knee. Lawlor broke and ate a left hook and a right hand and another and they clinched, Simpson looked for the takedown and got it, Lawlor grabbed a guillotine from half-guard on the way down for the last ten seconds but the second round ended. "We need this round, okay, Aaron? Hurt this son of a bitch. Circle to your left, overhand.'
The third round began. Simpson missed an overhand left and they circled, Lawlor landed a counter right hook. They circled in close, Simpson landed a big body kick. Lawlor missed a short counter right that he had been throwing the entire fight. Simpson came for the takedown and Lawlor landed a knee to the forehead and broke. Simpson landed a body kick. They clinched and Simpson landed a knee to the face and kept coming for that takedown. Simpson got it after a moment or two hard into side control, Lawlor stood back to the clinch quickly and looked for his own double-leg. He got Simpson down but Simpson spun out and stood to the clinch, Lawlor looked for the single and they broke and then clinched. Simpson looking for the single-leg, Lawlor dropped and rolled for a kimura, Simpson pulled out and got caught in a guillotine from half-guard. Lawlor let it go. Simpson mounted. Lawlor rolled and gave up his back. Simpson got one hook in. He lost it. Lawlor was tired. Lawlor turtled up and held on to the single. Lawlor was struggling to stand and eating shots in under. Simpson spun and took Lawlor's back again, pounding in under. Simpson just riding the back of Lawlor and he got both hooks in. Lawlor was trying to sneak out the back door but it wasn't happening, Lawlor escaped finally and nearly stood and then turtled up and hugged the leg and stood to the clinch. Lawlor was exhausted. Simpson put him back down and turtled him up sprawling out. Simpson spun beautifully and took Lawlor's back. Lawlor spun and hugged the leg and went facedown and stood to the clinch. Twenty-five seconds. Both were exhausted, Lawlor much more so. Fourteen seconds. They exchanged in close, Simpson landed a body shot and a right hook and a left hook. Lawlor said 'come on' and when Simpson came in, Lawlor backed off with his hands up palms outward as the third round ended. Simpson had the split decision.
Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White - The first round began. Liddell missed a big overhand right. White landed an overhand right and missed a headkick and an overhand right and ate a counter and they exchanged and Liddell slipped and then got the double-leg takedown, White worked a butterfly guard and trapped an arm but Liddell stood and let him up. Liddell landed a nice left hook, in and out. White landed a leg kick. White landed a right and then a left. Liddell landed an inside leg kick. Liddell landed a big right hand and a left hook that staggered White and Liddell got him down into half-guard and he was pounding repeatedly, White managed to stand and ate a right hand and and another and another and Liddell backed off and missed a right hand and ate one and dropped White with a big left hand and turtled him up pounding hard in under. Liddell stood and let him up. Liddell landed a body shot and backed off. White landed a nice body kick and a left hand. The pace had slowed a bit. White landed an inside leg kick. White missed a big right and slipped and ate a combination and dropped and turtled up eating big shots in under by the fence, right against the fence. Liddell paused for a moment and pounded in under. Still pounding in under. White covering up. Nice elbows now, more punches. White stood to the clinch and Liddell broke with an uppercut. White missed a spinning back kick. White came in and landed a left hand and ate a counter and stumbled. They circled. White ate a counter right hand and spun and dropped facedown unmoving and it was over. Liddell did his celebration as White rolled over, exhausted. White's orbital bone was broken in the fight.
Lyoto Machida vs. Vernon White - The referee was Nelson Hamilton. It was Lyoto Machida's first fight in the United States. The fight was for the WFA.
The first round began. They circled with Machida in his characteristic stance. White seeming to size him up. Machida landed an inside leg kick, White grazed him with a counter left hand and got the takedown into full guard. Machida brought his right leg up and over, White slammed out and stood over Machida. White just standing over him and they exchanged little kicks. Machida managed to stand finally after a tiny bit. Machida landed a leg kick. Machida landed a good left hand and White spun away. White missed a right hook. Machida landed a left hand, catching White coming inside. Machida landed an inside leg kick. White landed an inside leg kick. Machida landed an inside leg kick. Machida landed a left hand. Machida missed a left hand and ducked out. White pushed forward and missed. Machida landed a good body kick and dodged the counter. One minute remained. Boos starting to come. They died down. Forty seconds left. White landed an inside leg kick. Machida has short hair, wow. Boos coming again, ten seconds left. Machida landed a good left hand and dodged out. The first round ended.
The second round began. White missed an inside leg kick. White pushed forward and missed. Machida landed a big left hand and another and a body kick. That one had hurt him. White missed a left hook. White pushed forward and missed again. He was starting to look frustrated. Machida landed a leg kick. The commentators were appreciate of Machida's abilities, they just wanted to see him be busier. Three minutes and twenty-five left. Machida doesn't attack, he simply counters. The crowd was getting a bit ugly. Circling. The pace had definitely slowed. Machida had switched to orthodox stance and landed a leg kick, tried the foot sweep. He dodged another attack by White. White was really starting to look frustrated. Two minutes remained. Crowd really restless. Circling. Machida landed an inside leg kick. Machida landed a straight left. White barely dodged a headkick, it might even have grazed his ear. Machida dodged a punch, nice head movement. One minute ten. Boos. White landed a leg kick, didn't seem to faze Machida. Machida landed a good leg kick. White pushed forward and missed. Machida landed a nice sweep and got him down into guard. Twenty-five seconds left. Fifteen left. Machida landed a good shot. Machida landed some short short hammerfists. White hugging him and the second round ended. The crowd booed.
The third round began. White landed an inside leg kick right off the bat. They circled. White pushed forward unsuccessfully. A little blood trickling under White's right eye. White blocked a headkick. White landed a body kick. Machida landed a leg kick, that one hurt. Machida dodged another combo. Three minutes thirty. Machida landed a nice right jab. Machida went for the sweep again and landed it as a leg kick and that one hurt too, then a body kick. White chased Machida and Machida dodged and got the takedown to side control. Two minutes fifty. Machida was isolating that arm and possibly looking to mount. Two minutes left. Not much going on. That arm still isolated. Machida mounted now. White nearly gave up his back but turtled up with Machida on top. Machida took the back and got both hooks in and he was looking for that choke. White was defending well. One minute ten left. White turned into Machida's guard with a minute left. Forty-five. Machida with hammerfists from the bottom. White stood over him. Twenty-five. Machida stood. Fifteen. They clinched. Machida nearly threw him, White avoided and back to the clinch, five seconds left and the third round ended. They shook hands and hugged as the crowd booed. White put his hands on his knees. Machida had the win by unanimous decision.
Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni - The fight was for the vacant Strikeforce middleweight title. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.
The first round began and Baroni came walking right out. Shamrock landed a leg kick and dodged a right hand. They clinched and Shamrock landed a knee and ate some hard body shots and some more and looked for the takedown. They broke. They clinched and Baroni got the takedown to side control, Shamrock rolled for an armbar but Baroni stood. Shamrock landed a body kick after eating a right hand. Shamrock landed a right hand. Shamrock smiled and showboated, taunted saying he was going to put him to sleep. Shamrock dropped Baroni with a one two and looked for a guillotine from the top and the commentator said it's over and Mauro denied. Shamrock stayed on top in half-guard and landed a few hammerfists to the back of the head and the referee paused the fight and stood them up and took a point from Shamrock. Baroni seemed dazed. Those were hard. They continued and Baroni got the takedown to guard and Shamrock was looking for a triangle. He just pulled guard. Shamrock landed some shots from the bottom. Baroni seemed to have faded. Baroni landed a few body shots. Baroni stood and let Shamrock up. Shamrock landed a right hand and a body kick, Baroni looked for the single-leg, Shamrock sprawled out and landed hard body shots repeatedly over and voer and spun and had side back mount with Baroni turtled up pounding with body shots and he was on top in half-guard pounding away. Baroni escaped and rolled out and Shamrock nearly had an armbar but they stood. Shamrock landed a jab. Shamrock landed a knee to the body. Shamrock landed a right hand. Shamrock landed a left hand, taunted Baroni, a knee to the body as they clinched and another knee and another and another and they broke. Baroni now showing head movement. Leg kick from Shamrock, they clinched, a knee to the body. Baroni landed a few uppercuts and they broke. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick and a combination, right left right, Baroni got the takedown to full guard, fifteen seconds left. Just laying there and the first round ended.
The second round began. Baroni landed a nice right hand. Shamrock landed a knee to the body. Baroni landed a left hook. Shamrock landed a jab. Baroni landed another right hand. Baroni missed an uppercut. Shamrock missed a big right hand. Shamrock landed a nice knee to the body. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Baroni landed another right hand. Shamrock landed a leg kick. Shamrock landed another knee. Baroni landed a body shot and a knee and Shamrock backed off and landed a leg kick. Baroni had a mouse under his left eye. Shamrock landed an inside leg kick. Baroni landed another nice left hook. Shamrock landed a jab. Shamrock showing head movement and he landed a leg kick. Baroni landed another right hand. Baroni landed a right hook. Shamrock landed a left hand and another. Baroni was gassed. Shamrock landed a left hand and another and Baroni was hurt and he shot in and Shamrock sprawled. Shamrock was looking for a possible kimura and hammerfisting. Shamrock turned and had Baroni's back and he had both hooks in. He grabbed the choke, a minute left. Yeah that was tight. Baroni was fighting it. Baroni trying to punch Shamrock. Shamrock was grinning. Baroni was unconscious and the referee stopped it and Shamrock shoved Baroni over on his face. Shamrock was the middleweight champion. Baroni was being pulled around limply by the ringside doctors lol. Shamrock had a cut on his nose as the official decision was announced.
Vinicius Magalhaes vs. Eliot Marshall - The fight was Magalhaes' last in the UFC. He was released a few weeks later. Marshall had been beaten previously by Magalhaes in a jiu jitsu match. Magalhaes was a late replacement for Mike Ciesnolevicz.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Marshall pumped a jab and dodged a counter from Vinny and Vinny landed a body kick. They circled. Marshall landed a leg kick. Vinny missed a headkick. Marshall missed a big right hand. Vinny landed a right hand. Marshall dodged another headkick. Vinny missed a body kick by a mile. Marshall missed a leg kick by a mile. Marshall and Vinny and Vinny all missing by a mile. They smiled. They both seemed a bit tentative. Vinny seemed to want to engage more, too. Marshall blocked another headkick. The crowd was getting a bit restless and responding to their inactivity. Marshall blocked another headkick and came in and ate a counter jab and stumbled just a bit but backed off and Vinny let him back off. Circling around and the crowd really booing. Marshall landed a blocked combination and a body kick, nice. Marshall landed a nice leg kick, setting it up with the hands. Vinny missed another headkick by a mile, holding onto the top of the fence to avoid falling. Circling, crowd still a bit restless in the background. Vinny landed a body kick. Circling, both fighters still tentative. Vinny blocked a headkick. Forty seconds. Vinny looking to counter now. Vinny blocked a combination. Vinny pushed forward and missed and he pushed forward again and Marshall blocked a head kick and another and the first round ended.
The second round began and Marshall pumped out the jab but landed nothing and then landed an inside leg kick and another a moment later and a body kick. Vinny pushed forward and they clinched. Marshall broke and ate a body kick for his troubles. Vinny landed a body kick after a moment of circling and a moment later another to the ribs, a bit harder than the first. Vinny missed a headkick and ate a counter right. Vinny landed a body kick, partially blocked by Marshall with the left arm. Crowd booing heavily now. Marshall dodged another headkick. Marshall with good head movement but both fighters are sloppy on the standup. Two twenty left. Marshall landed an inside leg kick. Crowd booing again as Vinny stalked Marshall. Circling. Vinny pushed forward. Vinny landed a body kick. Minute thirty. Marshall landed an inside leg kick and a blocked headkick. Marshall landed a right hand and a really nice uppercut. Marshall landed a leg kick. Forty seconds. Marshall caught a body kick but Vinny got the takedown to side control and landed a trio of big elbows and another elbow and he mounted and the crowd roared. Vinny landed a big elbow and a big punch and Marshall retained half-guard, someone was bleeding, Marshall was. Vinny landed a big punch and they stood. No Vinny was bleeding, the nose. Marshall with a blocked combination and a body kick and the second round ended.
The third round began. Marshall landed an inside leg kick, checked possibly by Vinny. Marshall landed a good right hand. Marshall with much superior head movement. Marshall landed an inside leg kick. Marshall blocked another head kick, very telegraphed and slow from Vinny. Boos beginning to come slowly again. Now hard and fast. Marshall seeming to get more confident. He landed an inside leg kick. Vinny was taking some deep breaths. Vinny blocked a combination. Marshall landed a right hand right to that bloody nose. Vinny pushed forward but Marshall evaded him easily. Marshall landed a body kick. Two twenty five. Vinny landed a body kick, Marshall caught it but let it go. Vinny had his mouth wide open. Crowd quietly restless. Vinny missed a telegraphed uppercut. Vinny landed a body kick and pushed forward but Marshall evaded. Vinny very slow. A minute thirty. Marshall with an inside leg kick. Vinny blocked another combo. A minute ten. Vinny landed a body kick and ate a big right hand. Marshall landed an inside leg kick. Forty five. Marshall tried a body kick as Vinny moved back and ate it to the groin and they touched gloves. Vinny pushed forward and they clinched, Vinny was really looking for the takedown with a body lock and got it into side control. Fifteen left. Vinny mounted and landed an elbow and another, to half-guard and then guard, Vinny landed some big shots and another big shot and the third round ended. Rogan thought that Vinny had stolen the fight. 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 for Marshall unanimously. They hugged.
Martin Kampmann vs. Thales Leites - Leites had a three-and-a-half-inch reach advantage and a one-inch height advantage. Leites came in undefeated. It was only Kampmann's second fight in the UFC and it was the actual debut for Leites. Historic fight on the TUF 5 finale in 07. Apparently, Leites had been reccomended to the UFC by his idol, BJ Penn.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Leites landed a left hook and shot in and got the clinch against the cage strongly. Kampmann broke away with a good shove that caught Leites off guard. Leites blocked a headkick. Leites shot in, Kampmann sprawled nicely, Leites kept coming, Kampmann kept sprawling and up to the clinch. Leites being relentless, looking for the trip. Leites nearly had the throw, Kampmann managed to avoid, Leites kept coming for a takedown. Leites landed a knee to the thigh and another a moment later. Kampmann landed a good left hook. Leites blocked another headkick. Kampmann landed a jab. Leites landed a good left hand and another. Leites staggered Kampmann with a right hand right to the jaw and dropped him and went down into guard. Leites postured up and landed a shot and another, Kampmann shoved him off with his feet and stood to the clinch. Kampmann had some blood over one of his eyebrows. They broke. That punch had cut Kampmann. Kampmann landed a leg kick high almost to the hip. Kampmann checked the cut. Leites landed another left hook and ate a counter right and shot in, Kampmann sprawled nicely again and they stood to the clinch and Leites landed a knee to the body and another a moment later. Leites got the throw to side control and mounted and looked to take the back and Kampmann retained half-guard. One minute remaining. Kampmann got half-guard. Leites was looking to pass. Forty-five. Leites passed nearly to side control, almost there. Kampmann got back to half-guard, rolled out to the clinch. Twenty seconds. Kampmann landed a knee to the body. The referee broke them up. Five seconds. The first round ended.
The second round began. Leites started immediately with a missed one-two. Kampmann landed a leg kick. Leites landed an inside leg kick and then a leg kick. Kampmann missed a headkick. Kampmann was looking for that one big left hand. Kampmann landed a hard leg kick. Kampmann landed a good left hand. Kampmann landed another leg kick and a jab. Leites shot in, Kampmann avoided and they broke. They clinched and broke. Kampmann landed another left hand. Kampmann landed a good left hook. Kampmann landed a leg kick. Leites missed a Superman punch. Kampmann landed a right hand. Kampmann missed another right hand. Kampmann landed another nice leg kick and Leites blocked a headkick. Kampmann missed another headkick. Leites landed a right hand. Kampmann landed a good left hook. Kampmann landed antoher good left hook and hurt Leites and landed a jab and a moment later another really good leg kick. Leites was limping. Kampmann landed a good right hand and an uppercut and a right hook, Leites was hurt and he shot in, Kampmann sprawled and Leites rolled and laid on his back and the referee stood him up. Leites's nose was bleeding badly and his mouth was wide open. Kampmann landed a good combination and they clinched and broke and Kampmann landed another combination and ate a counter jab. Leites blocked a headkick. Fifty seconds. Kampmann landed a leg kick. "Again with that leg kick!" Kampmann landed another good one-two. Thirty-five. Leites was gassed badly. Good jab by Kampmann. Kampmann landed another good left hook and a hard right hand and Leites shot in, Kampmann avoided and Leites laid there and the referee stood him up. The second round ended. In his corner, the nose of Leites was red all below it.
The third round began. Leites shot in, Kampmann sprawled and stood, Leites laid there and stood. They clinched and broke and Leites landed a good right hand. Kampmann landed a leg kick. Leites landed a good left hook and they clinched. Four minutes. Leites laid there and Kampmann kicked the leg and walked off and the referee stood him up again. Leites landed a good right hand. Kampmann landed a good counter and then another that dropped Leites and he pounced into guard and then Kampmann shrugged and stood and let him up. Kampmann landed a body kick. Leites landed a body kick. Kampmann landed a right hand. Kampmann landed a jab. Leites shot in, Kampmann sprawled. Leites pulled half-guard. Kampmann stood. Leites stood, he was exhausted. Blood was pouring out of his nose. Leites blocked a headkick. Kampmann landed a double jab. They clinched and they broke. Kampmann landed a one-two and another. Kampmann landed a knee to the face. Kampmann landed a hard left hook. Kampmann landed a leg kick. Kampmann landed a headkick but it had no power. Leites shot in and laid there and the referee stood him up. One twenty five. Kampmann landed a leg kick. Kampmann landed a left hand. They clinched. They clinched and broke. A minute. Kampmann landed a right hand. They clinched. Leites laid there and the referee stood him up. Kampmann landed another soft headkick. Kampmann landed a knee to the body and a straight left and another. They clinched and big knee to the face from Kampmann and another and another pair to the body and they broke, Leites shot in and laid there. Seven seconds left. Leites stood. The third round ended. They hugged. Blood was all over the face of Thales Leites. Kampmann was the winner by unanimous decision.
Jorge Rivera vs. Martin Kampmann - The first round began. Rivera landed an inside leg kick. Kampmann blocked a headkick. Rivera landed an inside leg kick. Kampmann's leg -- no, his knee -- was apparently injured from before. They clinched and Kampmann got the trip to full guard. Kampmann landed some body shots. Kampmann landed a good elbow and another. Kampmann landed some more body shots, Kampmann picked Rivera up a little and put him down hard. Rivera nearly locked up a triangle and then an armbar, but Kampmann rolled out and had the back. Kampmann was looking for the hooks, he got one in. He had both in after a moment. Two forty five. Kampmann rolled to mount and then to side control and he had an arm triangle locked in. Back to half-guard. Rivera pulled out. Kampmann rolled and grabbed a guillotine and pulled full guard and rolled over into mount and had it tight and Rivera tapped out. Beautiful jiu jitsu.
Jorge Rivera vs. Anderson Silva - The fight was for the Cage Rage middleweight title with Silva defending.
The first round began. They circled. Rivera pushed forward and missed a straight right. Rivera came forward and got caught in the plum by the cage. He was defending and not letting any knees come, keeping tight to Silva. He pulled out of the plum to the regular clinch and landed a knee to the body. Not much going on, back to the plum, good knee to the body and another, they broke, Rivera landed a right hand, Silva landed a left and they clinched again, Silva landed a few knees to the legs. Silva briefly looked for the single-leg and landed a few good shots inside. Silva landed another knee to the body and another with that plum and he broke with a right hand and they circled. Rivera landed a good right hand and Silva dodged another and landed a left hand. Rivera landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. The commentators were calling Jorge 'Riviera.' Rivera landed a body shot. Silva landed a good knee to the body. Silva had one overhook in. Rivera landed a good knee to the leg and Silva broke with a knee high to the body and they circled. Silva dancing away and they clinched. Silva with the plum and a knee to the body. Back to the regular clinch and Silva with a good body shot. Silva with a knee to the body and then another to the leg and a jumping knee high to the body. Silva landed some good uppercuts and big body shots and a knee to the face and a good elbow and a good uppercut and they broke away. Silva got the takedown to half-guard. The first round ended.
The second round began. Rivera missed an inside leg kick. Rivera pushed forward and they clinched. Not much going on here. Silva landed a knee to the body and broke with a good right hand. Rivera landed a good right hand and some uppercuts and a big right hook and another and another as Silva had the plum and Silva laughed and let it go and they circled. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Silva pushed forward and landed a headkick and an isndie leg kick inside and a right hook and a big elbow, Rivera backed off but he was cornered. He managed to circle out. They clinched, Sivla shoved him away and landed a good inside leg kick. Rivera landed a good leg kick and ate one. Standing in front of each other. Rivera landed an inside leg kick. Silva landed a jumping knee and a series of knees to the face and Rivera went down on his side and ate a pair of shots and the referee stopped it.
Drew Fickett vs. Josh Koscheck - The first round began and they touched gloves, Fickett pushed forward and missed, Koscheck blocked a headkick and avoided nicely. Fickett pressed forward, they clinched, Koscheck looked for the single-leg. Koscheck lifted him up and slammed him into half-guard. Not much was going on other than the attempts to pass by Koscheck. He got close a few times, but Fickett was defending nicely. The pace slowed even more and then started up again. Koscheck passed to side control finally but Fickett was wriggling and he almost escaped a few times. Twenty two seconds. Fickett retained half-guard. Koscheck postured up with three or four nice shots and Fickett covered up and did a good job defensively afterward. Koscheck mounted. Fickett ertained guard nicely and he nearly grabbed a triangle, Koscheck pulled out and postured up and landed a good shot. Fickett rolled but couldn't get anything, secured half-guard. One minute ten. Koscheck landing a few body shots and looking to posture up or pass or anything. Forty seconds. Still in half-guard. Twenty. Koscheck with some body shots. Less than ten. Fickett was cut above one of his eyes as the first round ended.
The second round began, Koscheck immediately shot in and slammed Fickett on his back in guard. He took him over to the cage and landed a few short shots. Koscheck mounted smoothly. Fickett tried to roll, Koscheck nearly grabbed the armbar and they stood to the clinch. Koscheck picked Fickett up and slammed him down inevitably into side control once more. Fickett retained guard after a bit. Two thirty five. Koscheck kept posturing up. Fickett landed a shot from the bottom. Koscheck postured up and ate an upkick right to the jaw. He came back down into half-guard though. Koscheck landed three or four hammerfists. Koscheck landed a good elbow and Fickett rolled for a heelhook and he nearly had that. Koscheck looked like he was in serious pain for a moment and then he began calmly looking to escape. One minute ten left. That wasn't going anywhere. He let it go and then grabbed it again and Koscheck rolled. They stood halfway to the clinch but Koscheck speared him right back down into half-guard. Thirty seconds. Fickett retained guard. Fifteen seconds. Koscheck landed a nice shot and another a moment later. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Fickett landed an inside leg kick and then a leg kick. Koscheck shot in and got the takedown and Fickett was looking for a guillotine briefly from half-guard but he let it go. Koscheck passed to side control and Fickett put him back in half-guard. Koscheck landed three or four more good shots. Fickett retained guard. Koscheck landed some continuous body shots. Fickett threw up a triangle attempt, Koscheck pulled out and Fickett kept working a high guard. Koscheck landed more constant body shots. The referee stood them up a moment later. Fickett landed a nice jumping knee and that hurt Koscheck bad and Koscheck got the takedown into half-guard and he was looking to pass. Two minutes. Koscheck looking to pass, Fickett defending. One thirty five. Fickett rolled for another armbar and couldn't get it and used it to retain guard. One minute. The referee stood them up with again with fifty seconds left. Fickett landed a big headkick as Koscheck came in and he dropped Koscheck and took his back with both hooks and locked in a tight rear-naked choke but Koscheck was already out and he couldn't tap and the referee pulled Fickett off after a little bit. Koscheck rolled limply.
Diego Sanchez vs. John Alessio - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Sanchez shot in, Alessio stuffed it and backed off. Alessio pumped out a missed jab. Circling. They sized each other up. Four minutes left. Sanchez didn't seem to want to engage. Sanchez missed a pawing one-two. Alessio pumped out another missed jab. Alessio landed a nice left hand and stuffed another ankle pick single-leg. Sanchez pushed forward with a missed one-two. Circling. Three minutes left. Sanchez shot in and grabbed the leg, Alessio sprawled but Sanchez kept coming and Alessio kept defending against the clinch. Alessio was looking for a standing kimura. Sanchez kept looking for the takedown while defending the kimura. Alessio had that kimura and they broke away, Alessio had used that kimura as an escape. Good takedown defense by Alessio. Two twenty five. Circling. Alessio landed a right hook. Alessio landed that jab, Sanchez shot in and looked for another single-leg, Alessio shoved Sanchez away after a moment with a good right hand. Circling. A minute forty. Alessio landed a good leg kick. Sanchez shot in for another single-leg, Alessio was defending once more. He kept looking for it. Alessio was doing a really good job of defending the takedown. One minute ten. Sanchez broke with a knee to the body. Sanchez pushed forward sloppily and landed nothing. Alessio pumping out that jab. Thirty five seconds. Crowd getting restless. Alessio stuffed yet another takedown. Twenty seconds. Sanchez missed a knee coming forward, jumping. Alessio landed a good left hand. The first round ended and the crowd was restless.
The second round began. Sanchez missed a jab. Alessio landed a jab to the right eye and Sanchez shot in for the single-leg but Alessio was defending. He nearly had him down, Alessio sprawled and stuffed it and backed off and landed a left. Alessio smiled widely. Sanchez shot for the single-leg, Alessio pulled guard and tried for a guillotine and Sanchez pulled out and postured up and Alessio shoved him off and stood and backed off. They connected simultaneously with jabs, Alessio more solidly. Sanchez landed a left jab. Three fifteen. Alessio sprawled and stuffed another takedown. Sanchez was cut over his right eye. Sanchez pushed forward and missed an uppercut. Two thirty. Circling. Alessio landed another jab and dodged another takedown. Two ten. Circling. Sanchez landed a good right hand. Sanchez missed a right hook. One forty. Alessio landed a leg kick and dodged as Sanchez pushed forward. Sanchez seeming to smooth up. Alessio landed a jab. One minute. Sanchez missed another uppercut. Circling in closer, crowd restless, Alessio dodged another ankle pick. Thirty five. Sanchez landed a good jab of his own. Sanchez pushed forward but landed nothing, and then again, Alessio avoided another takedown to the clinch at the bell as the second round ended. That was a decent gash over the eye of Sanchez. Greg Jackson was in Sanchez's corner at that point.
The third round began. Sanchez shot in, Alessio avoided. Circling. Sanchez pushed forward and landed nothing. Sanchez missed another one-two towards the body and then the head. Sanchez blocked a headkick. Sanchez pushed forward and shot in and missed entirely, eating a big jab on the way in. Three forty. Alessio landed a flying knee to the body, Sanchez got him down and avoided a guillotine and had the standing back, nearly slipped off but stayed on and got a hook in. Three minutes. Alessio had some good wrist control but he was carrying Sanchez's weight. Sanchez got the body triangle locked in, riding Alessio's back as Alessio carried him to the cage and controlled his arms. He carried Sanchez to his corner, getting advice from Jeremy Horn there. He was talking to his corner. Sanchez was looking for the choke. Two minutes. Alessio was looking for an armbar from standing haha, twisting the arm. Sanchez pounding in around but Alessio was blocking with Sanchez's own arm. Alessio was still looking for that armbar. One minute and twenty seconds. Sanchez was warned as he grabbed the fence. He was not going to let go of Alessio though at the least haha. Fifty seconds. Alessio put Sanchez's back against the fence. Sanchez was looking for the rear-naked. Thirty seconds. Alessio was looking for that armbar on the right arm again. Sanchez pounding in under pretty hard and grunting and the third round ended. They both got off and threw their hands up and whooped and hugged. Sanchez got the unanimous nod though. Good fight.
Quinton Jackson vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - The fight was Jackson's Pride debut and only his second pro mixed martial arts loss. It was Sakuraba's comeback fight from his first brutal beating by Wanderlei Silva and at this point in his career, he had already demolished Royce Gracie and other Gracies so he was a feared man. Jackson in no way underestimated or disrespected Sakuraba. He said he was one of Sakuraba's biggest fans. This video's lagging bad, every other second, and it's a five-minute fight so this should be boring.
The first round began. Jackson swung with a big right haymaker and Sakuraba ducked and grabbed a single-leg and Jackson was defending briefly hopping on one leg. Sakuraba got him down in good time into guard. Jackson doing a good job of getting guaard and controlling Sakuraba's arms. Sakuraba passed to half-guard after a moment. Jackson looking to stand using the corner turnbuckle, Sakuraba briefly looked for the guillotine on the way up but they clinched, Sakuraba pulled standing guard and started looking for a triangle, Jackson slammed him down hard and picked him up to slam again but barely did it and went down into guard. Sakuraba looking to set up another triangle and he had it and Jackson lifted Sakuraba up and slammed him again. The triangle was still in. He lifted Sakuraba up and slammed him hard again, the triangle was still in. Sakuraba let go of it and then locked it up again, Jackson picked him up and Sakuraba was dangling off through the ropes and he let go and dropped to the mat and Jackson pounced on top and Sakuraba had the butterflies in, elevating Jackson. Back to regular guard. Sakuraba was blinking painfully on the bottom, those slams must have hurt haha. They weren't Arona-level slams, just decent. Sakuraba controlling Jackson's arms, hope he isn't trying to set up ANOTHER triangle. Sakuraba got his feet on the hips as Jackson postured up. Sakuraba rotated his hips for an armbar and he had it and Jackson lifted him up once more horizontally and put him on the ropes and the referee was saying no and the ringside people were pushing Sakuraba's shoulder, Jackson pulled him away from the ropes still horizontally and dumped him on his ass and landed two big shots. Sakuraba stood and Jackson did as well, dodging a knee on the way up. Sakuraba landed a nice body kick and dodged the sloppy counter rights and got the takedown into half-guard. Jackson had looked tired on the feet and he had just given up that takedown. Sakuraba passed to side control EASILY. Jackson landed a knee to the head from the bottom and another pair, Sakuraba landed a nice one to the body. Sakuraba was looking to set up a reverse kimura. He had that locked in and the crowd roared but Jackson pulled out and rolled and turtled up. Jackson stood and had the single-leg. Jackson put Sakuraba down and had his standing back, he picked Sakuraba up and tried the suplex, Sakuraba ended up on top laying across Jackson on his back in a sort of half-guard side control combo. Sakuraba sat up and he was looking to set up a kneebar with his legs crossed, isolating that leg of Jackson. Sakuraba stood and turtled Jackson up. Sakuraba took his back with both hooks and had the rear-naked choke in and Jackson tapped and the crowd roared. Jackson stayed laying down as Sakuraba celebrated.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Evangelista Santos - The fight was in a small Canadian org called HCF, commentated by Mauro Renallo and Randy Couture.
The first round began and Mousasi landed an immediate inside leg kick. Santos blocked a headkick. Mousasi landed another inside leg kick and a nice teep. Santos missed a leg kick and landed an inside leg kick and ate one. Mousasi landed another. They clinched. Mousasi got the nice hip toss to side control. Mousasi landed a few nice short shots. Mousasi landed a good elbow to the forehead. Mousasi landed a nice elbow. Mousasi landed another good elbow and another. Mousasi landed a good punch and another one and another and another. Mousasi landed another punch to the nose. Mousasi landed an elbow to the bottom. Mousasi had that arm isolated. Mousasi had it trapped in the crucifix and was pounding away with punches and then a nice elbow and more punches, repeatedly to the forehead, punches over and over, a minute twenty five left, more punches repeatedly over and over, Santos just kept eating them, hard punches now and the referee stopped ti. Santos stood and waved his hands, protesting it. He was angered. Mousasi was trying to console him and they hugged but Santos was still pissed. Santos was imitating the punches hitting him in the forehead and rolling his eyes, Santos still punching his forehead and looking at the referee and looking crazy. Mousasi looked annoyed and crossed himself and looked up.
Jorge Rivera vs. Chris Leben - The first round began. Rivera landed a body kick. They clinched. Leben got te trip takedown quickly into half-guard. Rivera quickly tried to get up, made it after a moment to the clinch. They broke. They clinched and Leben landed some knees. Rivera landed a good shot inside. Leben landed a knee to the body. They broke. Rivera landed a combination and another, Leben landed a knee, Leben landed a good right hand and dropped Rivera slowly and he was turtled up, Leben pounded in under and the referee stopped the fight. That stoppage looked fishy. Fishy fight all around.
Josh Burkman vs. Drew Fickett - The first round began and they touched gloves. Burkman landed a leg kick and they clinched. Burkman broke with a good elbow. They clinched once more and Burkman really shoved Fickett into the fence, pushing him hard in there. Burkman looks like he's really strong. They broke and Burkman blocked a sloppy headkick. Fickett landed a good inside leg kick one-two and dodged the counter. Fickett got the takedown, Burkman locked up a tight guillotine from half-guard and after a moment Fickett tapped. Burkman told Dana White ringside that he was ready for a title shot.
Matt Riddle vs. Nick Osipczak - The crowd was firmly behind Osipczak the entire fight. The referee was Marc Goddard.
The first round began. They circled for a moment. Nick landed a good inside leg kick. And then another a moment later. He was really looking to kick. Riddle landed one of his own, and a good right hook. Nick pushed forward a bit and landed nothing. Riddle shot in, Nick backed off. Nick landed an inside leg kick. Riddle landed an inside leg kick. More circling. Nick with another good inside leg kick and missed a telegraphed leg kick. Riddle landed a front kick and an inside leg kick and a combination and he grabbed a double and kept looking for it and a pair of big knees to the legs and another to the other leg and another to that leg and to the first one again and to the other. Three minutes left. He hit that second leg again and another. The crowd was chanting. Ridle kept looking for the double-leg and switched to a single and got it into guard. Riddle landed a pair of body shots. Nick landed an elbow from the bottom and some more and good punches, too. Riddle landed a very big elbow of his own. Nick tried to throw up an armbar, Riddle was aware however and he avoided easily. Nick threw up another armbar attempt, Riddle avoided and accidentally landed a headbutt. Nick blocked a big elbow. Nick doing a good job of controlling the arms. They were stood up and Riddle said he had been aiming at the body, the referee shrugged and they continued, Riddle shot in and got the double-leg again into guard. Nick landed some short elbows from the bottom, twenty-five seconds left. Nick threw up an armbar attempt but couldn't get it ended up in mount, spun and Riddle gained half-guard. A few seconds left. The first round ended. Nope, the headbutt was in the chest, but it's still illegal, any headbutt is illegal. Dean Amasinger was in Nick's corner.
The second round began. Nick landed a kick more to the neck and Riddle grabbed the clinch and they broke. Riddle landed a right hand and a body kick and then an inside leg kick. Nick returned with a nice one. Riddle shot in but was stuffed. Nick landed a flying knee and Riddle tried hard for the double-leg. Four ten. Riddle trying the single-leg now. Nick was defending nicely. Riddle dumped him down into guard again. Three fifty. Nick landing some good shots from the bottom and was warned. Three twenty five. Riddle was trying to take any space away to avoid those strikes. Three minutes left now. The referee stood them up and the crowd cheered. Nick landed a hard inside leg kick. Nick landed a body kick and a right hand and another one that hurt Riddle and Riddle shot in, Nick sprawled and spun and got the back, Riddle turned and got half-guard. Nick passed to side control, two twenty. Two ten. Nick looked to mount and Riddle regained guard but ate two big shots. One forty five. Nick landed a good elbow. Nick landed a big punch and a good elbow to the body and a body shot. One thirty. Nick landed a shot to the chin. Another big right hand. One ten. One minute remained. Riddle landed some 12x6 elbows from the bottom. Nick dropped four or five hard elbows. Riddle's guard was loosening. Forty seconds. Nick landed a big shot and stood and came back down into half-guard with another good shot. Twenty seconds. Riddle regianed guard. Nick landed a good shot and another and passed to half-guard and pounded with an elbow at the bell as the second round ended. There was a mouse under Riddle's right eye.
The third round began. Nick landed an inside leg kick. He looked very confident. Nick pushed forward but ate some knees in the plum from Riddle, who broke with a good elbow. Nick landed an inside leg kick. That was a big mouse under Riddle's eye. Nick landed a body kick and Riddle checked an inside leg kick. Riddle ducked an uppercut and came for the double-leg and got it into guard.Three fifty. Riddle landed some body shots. Riddle looked to pass but Nick defended nicely. Three minutes. The referee stood them up. The referee had to tell Riddle to get up. Nick landed a big left hand and they clinched and ate a trio of knees. Nick landed another good left hand and a right that hurt Riddle, Riddle shot in and Nick sprawled. Two thirty. Riddle turned and had Nick's back and then turned back over and had half-guard and the crowd applauded surprisingly. Riddle was exhausted. He was gassed. Two minutes. Nick retained guard and got the sweep on top and turned into Riddle and he was in mount landing big shots and a big elbow and another and big shots. One thirty five. Big shots coming down, an onslaught. One thirty. Nick landed a pair of short elbows and another harder one. One fifteen. Big elbows repeatedly by Nick and big punches. The referee stopped the fight and Nick collapsed backward. Riddle tapped Nick and said 'hey man, good job.'
James Irvin vs. Stephan Bonnar - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled, Irvin landed a big left hook. They clinched, Bonnar pressing Irvin into the clinch. Irvin was defending well. Bonnar got him down into half-guard and avoided a guillotine easily. Bonnar was trying to land some shots, wasn't landing many. Bonnar passed briefly, Irvin retained half-guard immediately. Three twenty five. Bonnar was isolating that arm. He turned to step over to north-south and he went for an armbar, Irvin avoided and stood to the clinch. Two fifty. Bonnar tripped the leg and got Irvin right back down into half-guard. He was all over Irvin and he passed to side control quickly. Two ten. Bonnar isolating that arm again. One fifty. One thirty five now. Bonnar grabbed that kimura and he stepped over and yanked it behind Irvin's back, and it was tight. One fifteen. Irvin was grunting in pain. One minute. That kimura was tight. He was extendng it now tight. Fifty seconds. Oh man that's tight. Oh he's torquing it, it's gonna snap. Irvin tapped. Urijah Faber consoled a disappointed-looking Irvin.
Duane Ludwig vs. Jonathan Goulet - The fight is unofficially the fastest UFC knockout, four seconds. Goulet was a few inches taller but it was Ludwig that had the signifigant reach advantage. Bad news.
The first round began. They circled and Goulet came in and ate a big counter right hand as Goulet dropped his left hand and dropped limply facedown and the fight was over. Ludwig celebrated and came back to console Goulet on their knees, Goulet smiled and congratulated Ludwig. Officially, it was eleven seconds.
Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz - The fight was Munoz's middleweight debut. The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. They clinched, Munoz landed a knee. Catone landed a knee. Munoz landed a nice knee to the body. Catone landed an elbow and broke with a right hand and another and another and a quick jab. They circled. Munoz landed a body kick and shot in for the single-leg and got it and they scrambled with a switch and separated and circled. Munoz landed a nice jab. Munoz was dropping his hands occasionally when he threw a kick. Munoz shot in, Catone defended to the clinch with double underhooks. Munoz landed a knee to the body and Catone replied and they broke. Catone landed a right hand. Munoz landed a body kick to the groin and landed a counter but he grunted and held his groin and walked away. The audience booed. Oh damn that hit right in there. That one had really hurt him. Catone quickly said he wanted to continue and they touched gloves and circled. Catone shot in and got the takedown to side control, Munoz was trying a guillotine. Munoz wasn't letting go of it. Catone landed a few knees to the body. Catone landed another pair of knees to the body and another knee and another. Munoz had already let the guillotine go. Two fifteen. Another knee by Catone. Catone landed another knee after a moment. Catone landed a pair of elbows. Munoz was trying to roll out, Catone was rolling for a donkey guard and a kneebar. Munoz spun out with some big hammerfists and even bigger punches and they stood and Munoz had his standing back, he nearly lifted Catone up, Catone landed a hard elbow backward, Munoz dumped Catone down and Catone turtled up briefly, stood to the clinch and they broke. One minute. Munoz landed a leg kick. Great fight so far, great fight. Catone landed a good counter right hand. Munoz landed a big right hand. Thirty five. Catone missed an uppercut and Munoz shot in, Catone stuffed it and they stood to the clinch and Munoz landed a knee to the body. Fifteen left. Munoz landed another knee and another a moment later and another and Catone landed one of his own and got the throw and Munoz turtled up and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Catone was very aggressive now, he seemed to have settled in. Munoz landed an inside leg kick and Catone capitalized with the takedown into side control, nice double leg by Catone. Munoz was trying to get out, but Catone was keeping him down and that arm isolated. Munoz gave up his back. Munoz stood and they broke. Munoz seemed a bit more tired. They clinched and Munoz landed a knee to the body. Munoz landed some good shots inside. Three forty. Munoz had double underhooks, he dragged Catone down, Catone got back up but Munoz still had those underhooks, Catone pulled away after eating an uppercut. Three minutes left. Munoz landed a body kick and ate a right hand counter. Two thirty. Catone landed a really good right hand and that one stung. Two ten. They clinched. Munoz landed a hard knee to the thigh. Munoz landed some shots inside. Munoz dragged Catone down again and nearly had his back, Catone turned and stood and ate a knee on the way up and landed an uppercut, Catone landed a right hand and they clinched. One twenty. Munoz broke with a good elbow. Munoz landed a really good right hand. One minute. Munoz shook out the legs, rubbing the feet. Catone landed a good right hand and an uppercut. Forty-five. Munoz landed a jab and a good right hand and a big right hook and a left hand and Catone shot in. Munoz defended and tried for a front choke and it was tight. Twenty seconds. That was tight. Ten seconds. Catone pulled out and he was turtled up. The second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled, Munoz looked more aggressive now, Munoz shot for the single, Catone tried to stuff it, Catone rolled backward and stood to his feet. Munoz landed a hard leg kick. Catone landed a nice jab to the nose. Catone landed a good left hook. Munoz shot in, Catone sprawled nciely and turned and nearly took the back, they stood and Munoz broke. They clinched and Munoz landed a big uppercut and a right hand and another uppercut and they broke, Munoz shot in and was stuffed and he landed a body kick. Three minutes. Catone shot in, Munoz stuffed it with a guillotine and Catone got on top and passed to half-guard and pulled out with a few good hammerfists and some elbows to the body. Catone rolled out for a footlock and he had it tight. Munoz pulled out and slammed Catone and turtled him up and they turned to the clinch and broke. Munoz landed a big right hand. Catone shot in and got the double-leg and got his back with both hooks but he was a bit high. Munoz stood. One thirty. Munoz dumped him off into half-guard. Munoz landed a pair of elbows. Munoz landed four or five more hard elbows. Munoz passed to side control. Forty seconds. Catone gave up his back. Two big right hands from Munoz and four more big shots, another pair of big shots, fifteen seconds, another trio of big shots, Munoz was holding him down, ten seconds left. Catone rolled but Munoz still had his back and the third round ended. Great fight. Munoz was the winner by split decision.
Melvin Guillard vs. Josh Neer - The first round began and they touched gloves. Guillard landed an inside leg kick and Neer blocked a headkick. Guillard landed a left hand. Guillard landed another inside leg kick, keeping his distance nicely. Guillard landed an inside leg kick. They circled, Neer was starting to corner him, he landed a right hand and then a leg kick and Guillard got the takedown to guard. Neer locked up a body triangle from the bottom. Three thirty five seconds. Guillard pulled out of that and landed some good elbows, avoided an armbar and postured up with some big shots and Neer tried to roll for an armbar, Neer stood and he was cut bad over his right eye from those elbows and the referee paused it so that the doctor could check. Neer was saying he was fine but that was a big cut. They continued however. They touched gloves. They clinched. Two fifty. Guillard landed an elbow inside. Neer picked Guillard up and slammed him into side control. Two twenty. Neer landed an elbow and stood and Guillard stood and Neer pulled guard standing and tried a guillotine, Guillard slammed him down and out of it and landed agood punch. One forty five seconds. Neer's cut was bleeding badly. Guillard landed another punch. Guillard let Neer stand. Guillard landed a hard body kick. One ten. Guillard shot in and got the easy takedown to guard. Neer grabbed a triangle and that was tight as hell and Guillard tapped the body. Neer screamed in excitement.
Tim Sylvia vs. Assuerio Silva - The first round began. They circled for a moment and then clinched. Silva pulled standing guard. Sylvia just pushing him against there. Sylvia's pants were coming down, his trunks. Awkward. Just kinda putting him against the fence. The referee broke them up and Sylvia pulled up his pants. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Silva landed a good counter. They clinched and Sylvia landed some good uppercuts. Sylvia landed a good knee. Three minutes. Not much going on. Two twenty. Silva tried the trip but Sylvia defended it. One fifty five. The referee broke them up. One thirty. Silva smiled. Sylvia landed a big right hand and another. Sylvia landed a flying knee mainly blocked and Sylvia blocked a headkick and Silva blocked one of his own and Sylvia landed some uppercuts and knees to the body, high to the body and some more and they broke. Fifty seconds. Silva landed a leg kick and another a moment later. Thirty. Sylvia landed a body kick. Twenty. Ten. Sylvia landed a flying knee to the body and another knee to the body as the first round ended.
The second round began. Silva landed an inside leg kick and a jab. Silva landed a good body shot after a moment. Silva couldn't seem to get past that jab usually. Sylvia landed a hard body kick. Silva tried a high kick and slipped and fell on his back but the referee stood him up. Sylvia checked a leg kick. Sylvia landed a teep. Silva landed a big right hand and another and they clinched. Sylvia's left eye was cut. Three fifteen. Silva pulled standing guard again. Sylvia's pants were dropping again. The referee broke them up, Sylvia pulled them up. Silva landed an inside leg kick to the groin and apologized and they continued, Silva missed a spinning back kick towards the head. Sylvia landed a big knee. He was really bleeding. Silva landed a body shot and another. Sylvia landed a leg kick. Two minutes. Silva missed a spinning back fist. Sylvia landed a body shot. One thirty. Silva landed a left hook. Silva landed an inside leg kick. Sylvia landed a jab. Fifty five. Sylvia landed another jab and another, right and left. Forty. Sylvia landed a short spinning back kick of his own to the body. Twenty-five. Sylvia landed an inside leg kick. Ten seconds. Silva landed a body kick, Sylvia caught it and shoved him down and the second round ended. Stitch Duran immediately went to work on that cut.
The third round began. Silva faked the spinning back fist and went for a spinning back kick high and missed. Sylvia landed a jab. Silva was trying to inch forward but he couldn't get past the reach. Sylvia blocked a body kick. Sylvia landed a jab. Sylvia landed a leg kick. They circled. Three ten. Silva landed a body shot and another and they clinched and Silva had his back and he was trying to yank him down. They turned to the clinch. Two forty-five. Both men were extremely sweaty. Silva pulled standing guard again. Two twenty. Sylvia landed some body shots. The referee broke them up. Sylvia landed some jabs, and Silva landed a spinning back fist, shot in, nearly had the single-leg, they clinched, Silva missed a big right and ate a counter double jab. One fifteen. Sylvia landed a right hand. Thirty-five. Sylvia landed a leg kick. The crowd was getting restless. Fifteen. Silva missed a big right and ate a jab. Sylvia landed a leg kick as the third round ended, and they hugged. Sylvia raised Silva's hand. Sylvia was the winner by UD.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Eddie Sanchez - Hardonk was seven years older, two inches taller, and had a four-inch reach advantage. Sanchez was a late replacement for Neil Wain. He was noticeably out of shape.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Hardonk landed a big jab and ate a counter combination and dropped sloppily from a right hand, the only shot that landed cleanly, and Sanchz pounced into guard, posturing up but it was a tight guard by the corner. Good guard from Hardonk and good punches from Sanchez. The referee stood them up quickly. Sanchez landed two big uppercuts and they clinched and Hardonk landed a good knee and spun him and put him against the cage. Sanchez landed antoher uppercut and ate a knee and another one and a big one to the face and a one-two and another knee to the face and a knee to the body. Hardonk had the plum but loosely.s Sanchez landed another big uppercut and another as they broke and they clinched again. They broke again. Sanchez missed another uppercut. Sanchez landed another big right hand. Hardonk landed a nice leg kick. Sanchez came in and got the takedown to side control. Two twenty five. Sanchez pinned the arm with his knee but Hardonk retained half-guard. Hardonk got to full guard. "Heavyweight fight scheduled for five five-minute rounds, or three five-minute rounds, pardon me." Goldbergism! Not much going on because of Hardonk's good guard. The referee stood them up quickly again and Sanchez got up slowly, gassed. Sanchez landed another right hand and pair of uppercuts, checked the leg kick and they clinched, Sanchez landed another uppercut and ate a knee to the body and put Hardonk against the cage. Sanchez got the nice takedown to half-guard. Hardonk's chin and eye was bloodied up. Hardonk retained guard. Hardonk's skull and eye was bleeding, somewhere in his air, it was bleeding. Sanchez landed a few hammerfists. Fifteen seconds. Sanchez landed a few short elbows. Sanchez landed another short elbow as the first round ended. Those were some nice cuts for Hardonk.
The second round began and Sanchez landed another pair of uppercuts and they clinched and he ate a knee to the bdoy and another and broke and ate a right hand that dropped him hard and Sanchez tried to pounce and he regained full guard after a moment. That was a big right hand. He went down hard stumbling backwards. Hardonk has a good defensive guard. Sanchez stood over him. Sanchez landed a massive looping right hand and came down into half-guard. Hardonk retained guard quickly. A cut on Hardonk's nose now, I believe. The referee stood them up quickly. No that was Hardonk's left eye cut badly. They circled. Sanchez landed a good jab and a right hand and an uppercut and ate a right hand but it didn't hurt him bad. Hardonk landed a leg kick. Hardonk landed another leg kick. They clinched. They broke. Two fifteen. Sanchez landed an uppercut and ate a leg kick. Hardonk landed another vicious leg kick and another right as Sanchez shot in and he sprawled up to the clinch and they broke. They clinched and Hardonk landed a knee and they broke. A hard inside leg kick. Sanchez was gassed, hands down hard. One twenty. Hardonk landed a big combination and another and just teeing off in close, good right hand and backed off. Sanchez was gassed. Sanchez landed a jab and ate one and a big right hand. A big uppercut. Sanchez landed an uppercut. Hardonk landed three big lefts and a right and a big left and another one right to the chin and Sanchez dropped backward and it was all over. "AND ANOTHER RIGHT! How is HE STANDING?!" Impressive power-punching from Hardonk.
Benji Radach vs. Murilo Rua - The stats were basically the same. The referee was Jorge Alonso.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Radach missed a one-two. Radach landed a big combination ending in a left hook and another and they came in and both slipped and fell and stood and he ate a big left hand and a right hook and Rua was backing up. This was sloppy. Rua landed a good punch and ate a big right hook and another combination and he was struggling to back up and Radach stumbled and stood and swung wildly and missed and he landed a right hook and another and missed another big one and they both stumbled and fell and Radach nearly had the back and they scrambled. This is fucking sloppy and embarassing. They were standing and Radach ate a few left hands on the way up and they stood to the clinch and Rua landed a good knee to the body. Three minutes. Rua was looking for the takedown and Radach was sprawling out and they stood to the clinch, they broke and Radach missed an uppercut. Rua landed a knee to the body and a big right hand and Radach shot in and Rua was defending. He got him down and he passed to side control and he had the back. Rua was trying to roll out and looking for a kimura as he gained half-guard, he lost it. Rua pulled guard. Two minutes. Rua landed an elbow from the bottom. Rua rolled for a kneebar but it was sloppy. Rua had that. Radach rolled out and had the back and then he got on top into half-guard once more . One ten. Rua rolled for another kneebar or heelhook, Radach was trying to roll out. They stood sloppily to the clinch with thirty seconds left. Rua had him back down.. sloppily... and had his back, side back mount. Fifteen seconds. Rua landed a hammerfist. The first round ended.
The second round began. Rua landed a leg kick. Rua landed a nice knee to the face. Radach was backing off. Another big knee to the body. Radach backing off. Rua landed a leg kick. Radach blocked a headkick. Rua missed another knee. Rua landed a leg kick and dodged the counter. Rua ate a massive counter straight right. He backed off for a moment and his eye and nose were bleeding. Rua landed a leg kick. Rua landed a leg kick. Radach was backing off totally, he ate a leg kick. Rua came in and they clinched. Three fifteen. Rua was trying a single-leg. Radach countered with the whizzer and they broke. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Rua came for another knee and ate a massive counter right and dropped and ate three or four big shots on the ground that stiffened him up and the referee stopped it. It was all over.
Tank Abbott vs. Don Frye - The first round began and they circled. Abbott landed a left hand and rocked Frye and they circled, another left hand and another hit Frye. Frye landed wo counters and they clinched and broke. Abbott landed another big combination and ate one and they clinched. Abbott landed another right hand and another and they clinched. Abbott landed an uppercut and a right hook and slipped going back and Frye took his back. Frye got the hooks in and grabbed the rear-naked choke. Abbott got out. Frye was bloodied up. Frye grabbed the choke again and Abbott tapped. Frye was the tournament champion. Blood was all over Frye's face. He apparently got his hand completely broken in the fight.
Joachim Hansen vs. Masakazu Imanari - The fight was Hansen's Pride debut.
The first round began, Imanari came running out and rolled and stood. They circled. Imanari tried to roll in for a kneebar and laid on his back and ate two leg kicks before standing. Imanari tried that roll again and stood. Imanari tried to scoot again and missed and stood. Imanari pulled guard aggressively, dragging Hansen down. Hansen landed a couple of body shots. Imanari was controlling Hansen nicely for the most part. Hansen postured up and landed a stomp and Imanari grabbed for a kneebar and he had it but Hansen was rolling out and trying to tug his leg out, standing but Imanari still had hold of it and he was back down. Hansen was trying to turn out and he did and stood eating an upkick and he walked away and let Imanari up. Imanari shot in and ate a big knee from Hansen and dropped out cold unconscious and Hansen walked away without looking back for a moment, the referee yelled something and Hansen turned around to run back towards Imanari and the referee leapt between them.
Josh Thomson vs. Clay Guida - The fight was for the vacant Strikeforce Lightweight World Championship. Chuck Norris was in attendance watching the fights.
The first round began and they touched gloves and circled. Guida shot in eating a leg kick and shot for the double-leg and nearly had it, Thomson pulled guard with a tight guillotine, Guida pulled out after a moment to guard. Guida landed a good shot and postured up and came back down with another shot and ate one from the bottom. Thomson rolled for an armbar and Guida stood out of it and he ate a hard upkick. Guida came down into guard. He landed a few good shots from the top. Thomson tried for a triangle, Guida stood out of it and came back down with two big shots. Guida landed a hammerfist and stood and ate an upkick and he came back down into guard. Thomson tried for another triangle, Guida stood out of it and came down into guard into a tight triangle and Guida picked him up and slammed him and he was caught in another one tight as hell and Guida shook himself out of it and Thomson put in the butterflies. Guida landed a good elbow, Thomson rolled for another armbar, Guida stood out of it and ate another upkick. Thomson looked for another triangle briefly and Guida avoided easily this time. Thomson was rotating those hips. Guida stood and came back down with some body shots and a big elbow. Thomson was cut, I think, by the right eye from a big elbow. Thomson rolled for a kneebar, Guida rolled out into mount, Thomson hip-escaped quickly to guard. Above the right eye, Thomson was caught, and his nose was bloody as well. Guida landed a few hammerfists. Guida postured up with a good combination. Guida came in with more big shots to half-guard, Thomson rolled for another kneebar and landed a nice upkick right to the temple of Guida and they rolled and Thomson was on top, Guida pulled a guillotine from half-guard. Thomson pulled out, twenty-five seconds left. Thomson mounted. Guida retained half-guard, ten seconds. Thomson mounted once again. The first round ended eight seconds later, though. There was a cut under and another above the right eye. That right eye was already shutting and his nose was dribbling blood.
The second round began. They circled. Thomson came in with a jumping knee and took a hard double-leg and put in the butterflies. Guida had a headlock and landing body shots up against the fence. Thomson stood to the clinch but Guida put him right back down into guard. Thomson rolled for another armbar, he had it tight, Guida stood out and was holding Thomson against the fence in the butterflies. Thomson said 'Herb, he's not doing anything, stand me up.' Guida landed a nice elbow. Guida landed a nice shot and another up against the fence. Three fifteen. Blood just dribbling from Thomson's eye. Thomson was looking to set up an omoplata, and the crowd roared. Guida landed some body shots to the ribs. Oh he had it deep. No Guida pulled to guard. Guida landed a nice body shot and some softer ones. Two minutes. Guida landed a nice hammerfist. Guida passed to half-guard. Guida landed some shots to the side of Thomson's head. Back to guard with a few big rights from Guida. Thomson's eye was looking nasty. Guida landed a few big rights, an elbow and a big hammerfist, Guida stood and came back down into guard. Damn, nasty. One minute. Thomson blocked some more shots. Guida ate an upkick as his knees were down and Herb Dean paused the fight and called the kick a foul. Both fighters were discussing it with the ref. The ref gave them a warning and restarted them in guard. Guida landed some body shots immediately and a big elbow and another and another, Thomson indicated his right eye in pain but the fight continued, a big elbow from Guida. The second round ended a few seconds later. Thomson looked frustrated and bloody in his corner.
The third round ended. They circled. They circled. Guida shot in for a single-leg, Thomson pulled guard with another really super tight guillotine and the crowd was roaring. Guida was struggling to pull out. Guida was fighting it hard, Herb Dean was watching them closely, the crowd was roaring, Guida pulled out to guard. Thomson had wasted a lot of energy. Thomson complained that Guida bent Thomson's fingers backward to escape the guillotine. The referee stood them up. Thomson took a moment to stand, he indicated his eye, saying Guida had put his finger in his eye to escape the submission as well. Guida was warned, and they continued. They circled. Gudia shot in for the takedown, Thomson was avoiding to the clinch. Thomson was trying to hit the switch. Thomson was defending well. Guida kept coming, he lifted Thomson up and slammed him into guard. Two fifteen. Thomson's face looked like a mess. Guida landed another elbow. Guida passed to half-guard, Thomson quickly retained guard. Guida was finally starting to slow down a little bit. The referee stood them up. Thomson took a moment to get up. Thomson landed a big knee as Guida shot in and hurt him and avoided an ankle pick and they stood, THomson missed a spinning back fist and Guida shot in, Thomson sprawled on the single-leg and Guida kept trying for it, he kept coming and he got Thomson down and ate another upkick. Back to guard for Guida. Thirty five. Guida landed a body shot. Thomson threw up an armbar and ate an elbow for his troubles. Ten seconds. Guida landed some body shots. The referee stood them up and Thomson took a moment to stand. No, it was a time-out with mere seconds left. Thomson said Guida had gone for the eye again and Guida's second warning was given. Guida got the double-leg and passed to half-guard and the third round ended. Thomson stayed on his knees as the doctors came to wipe the blood away. Damn eye gouging.
The fourth round was... about to begin. Thomson's face looked a tiny bit better, Guida's face looked fine. There was a problem with the gate to the cage for a moment but they quickly got it locked and it continued. Guida landed a really good jab right off the bat and dodged the return uppercut. Thomson landed a good combination of his own. That was the best standup exchange -- and the longest -- in the entire fight. Thomson landed a good body kick. Guida set it up with the feinted right hook and shot in and Thomson was defending but Guida dumped him down into guard inevitably. Thomson's submission attempts were few and far between now. Thomson blocked some big shots. Guida postured up and came back down but Thomson wasn't letting him pass the guard now. He was trying to neutralize Guida to get the standup. Three twenty five. Guida stood and came back down after a moment with a big shot and he got caught in a loose triangle, Guida pulled out easily right back to guard. Guida landed a good elbow. Guida postured up and Thomson blocked some more big shots. Guida landed a nice punch. Guida landed some more big punches. Thomson was getting mauled, but not as badly as some. Some more short shots by Guida. Guida landed an elbow and a few more decent punches. Thomson rolled for an armbar, trying to lock it in and Guida pulled out back to guard and ate a pair of hammerfists from the bottom. One twenty. Guida landed some body shots. Thomson landed another pair of hammerfists from the bottom after a moment or two, maybe more haha I lied. Guida passed to half-guard but Thomson retained guard. Twenty seconds. Guida stood and ate another upkick and Guida came back down into guard and the fourth round ended. In his corner, they rubbed down Guida's arms. Guida had apparently gotten a point taken. Thomson's face was a mess, blood running down.
The fifth round began. Guida came for the single-leg and he was trying for it hard, Thomson was defending well, Guida was looking for a double-leg, locked the hands and dumped Thomson down into guard. Thomson stood and avoided the ankle-pick, Guida grabbed it again hard. Guida got him down into guard and got caught in another loose triangle and avoided easily to guard. Guida landed an elbow. Guida passed to half-guard. He was mauling Thomson against the fence. Guida landed four or five hard elbows. Herb was watching closely. Guida had that headlock from the top of half-guard. Thomson retained guard. Thomson was exhausted. Thomson landed a hammerfist from the bottom. Two fifty five left. Guida stood and dodged another upkick and came back down into guard. Thomson was trying to stand, he landed an elbow to the back and another. He was sitting up against the fence. Guida had the back and he was high on the back though with two minutes left, Thomson stepped out and turtled Guida up. Thomson pulled out the ankle pick and let Guida up, Guida grabbed another double-leg and Thomson avoided to the clinch. Guida dumped Thomson back onto his bottom against the fence. Guida passed to half-guard. Guida landed an elbow to the forehead. One minute remaining now. The referee stood them up after a moment. Thomson landed a jumping knee and landed another knee and Guida kept coming for the double-leg and dumped Thomson down with thirty seconds left and he had his back, Thomson tried to roll for a kneebar. Fifteen seconds. Guida stood and ate another upkick and came down into guard. Five seconds remaining. The fifth round ended. Thomson's face was a mess as they awaited the decision. Chuck Norris was in the ring holding the belt. Clay Guida was the Strikeforce lightweight champion by unanimous decision. 49-46, 49-45, 49-45 for Guida. Thomson applauded respectfully.
Jose Aldo vs. Mike Brown - The fight was for the WEC featherweight title with Brown defending. The referee was Steve Mazzagatti. Aldo looked at the ground as they were given instructions.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Aldo looked bigger somehow as they circled for a bit, Brown pumping out a jab. Aldo landed an uppercut and ate an overhand right. Aldo landed a big, big leg kick. Aldo landed a knee to the body and backed off. They clinched. Aldo broke off. Aldo landed another big leg kick and a knee to the body and ducked the looping counter overhand right. Aldo missed another big uppercut. Aldo landed another big leg kick. Brown missed a front kick and blocked a headkick. Aldo missed a one-two. Brown landed a leg kick at the same time as he ate one. Brown was cut on the right eye, on the brow. Aldo landed a body kick. Aldo landed a headkick slightly and Brown wobbled and he came for a single-leg and Aldo was defending. Two thirty five. Aldo was still just pretty much defending, now basically in the clinch. Two ten. Aldo landed a knee to the body. Brown got the body lock but Aldo was defending. Brown landed some knees to the inside thigh, working it, the right leg. One forty. Brown kept working that inside thigh. Still working that thigh. They broke. One ten. Brown narrowly dodged the knee towards the face and ate it as a body kick. Forty seconds. Brown landed an inside leg kick. Brown bounced around. Brown dodged another headkick. Twenty seconds. Brown missed a flying knee, but no it hit the body, and Aldo landed a leg kick. Ten seconds left. The first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Brown was coming after Aldo. Aldo landed a spinnng back kick to the body and then a leg kick a moment later and a good one-two and a jumping knee to the body, Brown dropped for a single-leg and Aldo defended to the clinch once more. Four twenty-five. Aldo broke. Aldo ducked a big right and shoved Brown down and had his back landing shots in under and then he mounted and he had the back. Aldo was pounding in under repeatedly. Over and over pounding repeatedly. Over and over and over and over and the referee stopped the fight. Aldo was the champion. Aldo walked away and laid on his back, exhausted. Brown walked around angrily. Aldo was celebrating, he was very emotional.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic - The fight was at light-heavyweight, and it was Reljic's UFC debut and he came in undefeated. "I'm-a gonna kick his legs, I'm-a gonna punch-a his face.." Gouveia promised. "He's a good fighter, but he has a big mouth, and I think it's about time that somebody shut him up," Reljic countered. The bout delivered and it also won Fight of the Night.
The first round began. Reljic came out southpaw and they touched gloves. Gouveia missed a leg kick. Gouveia landed a good inside leg kick. Reljic missed a headkick. Gouveia landed an inside leg kick and ate a counter straight right. Gouveia blocked a headkick. Gouveia landed a leg kick. Reljic landed a body kick. Reljic grazed Gouveia with a headkick, Gouveia blocked another one, Gouveia's right shoulder was red. Gouveia swung wildly and missed. Reljic showed good head movement and avoided another combination, and again. Nice. Reljic landed a nice counter left hand as well. They circled, the pace had slowed. Reljic landed a hard inside leg kick, really working that left kick, always using from the left, left straights and left kicks. Gouveia blocked another headkick and landed a leg kick. Reljic landed a straight left and ate a counter right. Two minutes. Gouveia had his hands low. Gouveia landed a body kick and ate one of his own. Gouveia missed a combination. Reljic landed that straight left and Gouveia blocked another headkick and another a moment later. One fifteen. Gouveia's arm was red in four or five different places. Gouveia landed that counter right hand again. Gouveia landed a good uppercut and right hand and pushed forward and landed a body shot and an uppercut and a left hook, Reljic leaped up and pulled guard to the ground at forty seconds. Reljic worked a high guard on Gouveia's bruised shoulders. Twenty seconds. Reljic was warned for grabbing the fence. He was looking for an omoplata. He let it go as the first round ended. "You will knock him out if you punch before you kick, I promise," Reljic's corner told him. "It's such a beautiful kick, but set it up."
The second round began and they touched gloves. Gouveia's right arm was red. Gouveia was bouncing around a bit more. He seemed to be a bit more respectful of Reljic's technical ability now. Reljic just stared him down, avoided a one-two. Gouveia blocked another headkick after a moment. Gouveia pushed forward and ate a body kick. Gouveia knocked Reljic down with a right hand and came forward and they stood and Reljic dropped again from another right hand and pulled guard. Gouveia pounded away with big shots and then elbows and some more big shots repeatedly, Reljic was blocking most of them but he was tied up against the fence and taking deep breaths. Gouveia passed to half-guard fully. Two forty five. Gouveia landed two more big shots and Reljic retained guard. Gouveia stood and let Reljic up and landed a right hand, Reljic's face was bruised up. Two ten. Gouveia landed a body kick and ate a counter left and dropped and Reljic was pounding repeatedly from half-guard, hammerfists repeatedly, big shots, from both hands, the ref was warning him, big hammerfists and an elbow and another and some more big punches and it was all over, very impressive debut for Reljic.
Josh Barnett vs. Semmy Schilt 1 - This was Schilt's final fight in the UFC, his second.
The first round began. Schilt dwarfed Barnett and that's not easy to accomplish. Barnett came in and got the takedown easily into half-guard and passed quickly to side control. Barnett was holding Schilt down and distributing his weight very nicely. Barnett landed an elbow to the chin, a nice short elbow there. The referee was telling them to work. Barnett landed a few shots to the back of the head and was warned. Three twenty. Barnett went knee on belly and he was looking to mount. Schilt spun to north-south and Barnett was setting up an armbar but Schilt avoided to side control, Barnett looked to set it up again, keeping the knee on the belly. Barnett landed an elbow after missing some punches. Barnett mounted. Two thirty. Schilt avoided some punches. Schilt was struggling to roll out. Two minutes. Schilt landed a punch from the bottom. Baarnett was setting up that armbar again. Barnett was cut, by one of his eyes. Schilt was cut as well. Barnett landed an elbow. He grabbed that armbar and he had it.. No, he didn't, Schilt is in guard. Barnett rolled for another armbar and he had it with a minute, he was looking to straighten the arm and he had it, that was pretty tight, forty-five seconds left, it was straightened, blood was all over Barnett's leg under Schilt's face and oh damn it was extended and Schilt tapped. Barnett put the knife across his throat repeatedly and then Schilt hugged him noncommitally, more of a chest bump.
Denis Kang vs. Murilo Rua - The fight was the opening round of the Pride 2006 welterweight (middleweight) grand prix.
The first round began. Kang landed a front kick. Kang landed a right hand and rocked Rua and came after him, a good left and dropped him and was pounding and Rua was limp and the referee stopped it and it was all over.
Clay Guida vs. Gilbert Melendez - The fight was for the Strikeforce lightweight title with Guida as the defending champion. The referee was Cecil Peoples.
The first round began. They circled. Guida shot in, Melendez sprawled and broke with a knee to the body, Guida shot for a single-leg, Melendez sprawled and landed some punches in under. Melendez was avoiding easily. They stood to the clinch, Melendez looked for the single-leg and dumped Guida down into guard. Guida stood to the clinch after a moment, Melendez slammed him facedown immediately and turtled him up. Melendez was just manhandling Guida around. Guida stood working the single-leg but Melendez avoided to the clinch. Guida slammed Melendez on his face and had the back, Melendez dumped him off and landed some shots in under and Guida rolled out and laid facedown and ate some lefts in under and then some body shots as Guida held the single-leg. Two fifty. They stood to the clinch and Melendez landed a knee to the body, Guida tried for the single-leg and ate two big lefts inside. Guida hugging that standing single-leg. They broke. Melendez landed a right hand. Melendez landed a big uppercut. Melendez landed a right hand and another. Guida shot in and got the single-leg and Melendez stood quickly to the clinch and got the double-leg into guard. One forty five. Melendez postured up with a few big punches. Melendez landed a big shot, stood and came down with another big punch into half-guard. Guida got up to the clinch, fifty-five seconds left, Melendez was looking for the single. Melendez got Guida down and Guida pulled guard with a guillotine, Melendez pulled out. Melendez landed some body shots. Another few body shots. Fifteen seconds. Guida landed a few shots from the bottom. Melendez turtled him up. They stood and broke. The first round ended.
The second round began. Guida circled. Guida landed a good knee to the body. Guida shot in, Melendez avoided, Guida came hard for it and had the backk with both hooks and he had that choke locked in tight. Peoples was watching closely. Melendez stood and he was trying to dump Guida off, he dumped him hard on his face and got into guard and the crowd roared. Guida stood to the clinch, Melendez put him back on his butt into guard. Guida landed a few lefts from the bottom. Melendez landed a few punches, a few rights basically. A few more right hands. Three twenty five remaining. Melendez landed another good shot. Guida rolled and had north-south, Melendez had him face-down north-south flattened out and just dominating him, pounding with body shots. Guida stood and they broke. Melendez landed a good combination. Melendez landed a right hand, stuffed a takedown, Guida grabbed another single-leg but he looked dazed. Melendez just kept stuffing it and spun out and turtled him up, they stood and broke. Melendez missed a big uppercut and landed a good one-two and sprawled and turtled Guida up. Guida drove forward, Melendez spun out and they broke. Guida was looking tentative. One thirty five. Melendez landed a big counter left hook right to the chin. Guida missed a spinning back fist and ate another big counter left hook. Guida shook his head as if to say it didn't hurt him but that was a big shot. Fifty-five. Melendez landed a good jab. Melendez was stalking him. Melendez landed a big one-two, stuffed a takedown and stood and he landed another right hand and he sprawled and they stood to the clinch yet again. Twenty-five. Ten. They broke. They circled. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled. Melendez missed another uppercut. Melendez landed a good jab and a right hand right after. They circled. Melendez missed tow big combinations and landed another, avoided a takedown and another and they stood and broke. Guida missed a spinning back fist and ate another one-two to the chin, right-left. Melendez missed a big left hook. Melendez missed a shot, they stood and broke. Guida landed aknee to the body and ate a combination and another and Melendez got the takedown to guard. Melendez landed a few nice shots. Three twenty five remaining. Guida was talking to somebody. Melendez stood, came back down into triangle and pulled out pretty easily back to guard. "Keep working," Peoples told them obnoxiously. The referee stood them up of course. Guida stayed sitting down for a moment and then stood. Melendez landed that left hook. Melendez landed a big left hook and right hook right after. Guida landed a counter hook of his own. Melendez landed another big one-two and Guida ducked another and they clinched and broke, Guida shot desperately and Melendez turtled him up. One fifty. They stood to the clinch, Guida still looking for the single, the fighters bumped into the referee and he backed off. Guida had his back landing repeated knees to the legs. They broke. Melendez landed a big jab. Guida faked. Melendez landed a big uppercut. Guida shot in and Melendez sprawled and turtled him up. Guida stood for the single-leg and turned and had the standing back and had Melendez on his knees. Guida got the standing back and Melendez turned and broke and landed a one-two. Twenty five. They circled. Guida looked tired. Melendez landed a big uppercut. Five seconds now remaining. Guida pushed forward and ate a counter right and he fell on his back briefly, probably a slip and came back and got the double-leg into guard and landed a big shot right after the bell intentionally.
The fourth round began. They circled, and exchanged and neither landed nothing and then again and neither landed nothing and Melendez landed a right, Melendez shot and Guida avoided and they broke. They circled. They exchanged and landed nothing. Melendez landed a jab. Guida missed another spinning back fist. They exchanged and landed nothing. They clinched and broke and Guida ate a combination in close. Melendez landed a jab to the nose. Guida missed a flying knee. Melendez landed a big uppercut and a right hand. Melendez landed a right hand and then another and ate a leg kick. Melendez landed a body kick and missed a big right hand. Guida shot, Melendez avoided and they broke. They exchanged and landed nothing. Guida landed a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Two twenty. Melendez landed a jab and then a right hand and Guida shot in and they scrambled and stood and broke. Melendez landed a double jab. Melendez landed a jab. Melendez landed a double jab. Melendez landed a big right hand, stuffed another takedown and they broke. Melendez landed another right hand. Guida landed a leg kick. Guida missed an ankle pick entirely and stayed kneeling for a second before standing. Melendez landed another right hand. Guida shot in and grabbed the single-leg, Melendez avoided and grabbed the fence. Guida took the standing back. Fifteen seconds. Melendez turned and they broke. They circled. The fourth round ended.
The fifth round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Melendez landed a counter left hook. Guida landed a knee and came in and got the single-leg and had the back on the ground, got the hooks in, Melendez nearly exploded out and he did and they broke. Melendez landed a jab. Melendez landed a right hand. Melendez landed a left hand. Guida shot and Melendez sprawled, Guida kept coming. Guida kept coming. Melendez just laying there. They stood to the clinch and Melendez ate a knee on the way up and they broke. Three twenty. Melendez landed a good one-two. Melendez missed an uppercut and left hand. Melendez landed a jab. Guida shot in for another single-leg, Melendez sprawled and Guida turned and had the standing back with a pair of big knees to the body. They were in a strange position, they stood and Melendez slammed Guida down into guard. One forty. Guida spun out and they stood. Guida shot in, Melendez avoided and Guida spun and laid flattened out facedown again, they stood to the clinch with a minute elft and broke and Melendez landed three big one-twos and dropped Guida and they stood to the clinch. Peoples tapped Guida twice for no reason. Guida was looking for a standing kimura. Twenty-five. Melendez got Guida on his bottom and stood over him with three big punches and Guida put Melendez on his bottom against the cage and landed a few good punches and the fifth round ended and they each raised their hands, Guida raised Melendez's hand. Melendez had the win by split decision.
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Murilo Rua - The fight was the opening round of the Pride 2004 heavyweight grand prix. Murilo suffered bad swelling of the brain from the bout and a body shot broke his ribcage.
The first round began. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Rua staggered forward and ate a cobination. Rua landed a pair of leg kicks. Kharitonov showing good head movement. Rua landed a good left hook. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Both looked sloppy. Kharitonov landed a good body shot. Rua landed a hard left hook and they clinched and Rua was looking for the takedown. Kharitonov got the impressive judo throw to side control and nearly had mount, Rua was rolling for a kneebar. Kharitonov pulled out on top into half-guard. Kharitonov stood. Rua landed a good left hand. Rua was coming forward aggressively, another good left hand. Kharitonov landed a good body shot. Rua landed an inside leg kick. Kharitonov landed a good jab. I think Kharitonov's nose was bloody, maybe has been since he stood up. I wasn't sure, still not. Rua ladned a leg kick and an inside leg kick. Kharitonov landed another body shot. Kharitonov landed another hard body shot. Kharitonov landed a good coutner right hook and a body shot. Kharitonov landed a good right hand. Rua looked painfully slow. Another hard body shot and a left hook. A hard right hook from Kharitonov. A hard body shot and a pair of right hands and another body shot and an uppercut to the body. A good right hook and Rua staggered against the ropes, wobbling there and ate two big right hands and collapsed unconscious and unmoving. Kharitonov leaped on the turnbuckle in celebration. His face was bloody.
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Pedro Rizzo - The fight was for Pride. They had quite a staredown, forehead against forehead just staring at each other.
The first round began. They circled, throwing probing strikes. Rizzo landed a hard leg kick. Kharitonov slightly landed a right hand. Kharitonov landed another right hand harder. Kharitonov caught a leg kick and dropped Rizzo with a right hand and came down to guard and Rizzo rolled for an armbar and Kharitonov rolled out and turtled Rizzo up and landed a knee to the head and another. Rizzo had a small cut underneath or next to his left eye. They stood and broke. Rizzo landed a jab and ate a left hand and then an overhand right. A hard right hand and a left and an inside leg kick from Kharitonov and a good combination. A big one-two that hurt him and a knee to the body and a hard elft hand and a body shot. Rizzo was wobbling and his nose looked like maybe bloody. A big right hook and a left hand and Rizzo cehcked an inside leg kick. Kharitonov landed a counter combination and a knee to the face and a soccer kick as Rizzo went down and the referee stopped it.
Pedro Rizzo vs. Mark Coleman - Rizzo came in undefeated.
The first round began. They circled. Rizzo was stalking Coleman. Coleman shot in, Rizzo avoided briefly and Coleman got it into guard pretty well. "Be patient, Mark, be patient!" Ken Shamrock yelled. Mark shoved Rizzo's head down into the mat with a short forearm shot. Coleman landed another elbow. Coleman landed another elbow. Another one. "Knee to the ass, Mark!" Coleman landed that knee. Rizzo was trying to wall-walk. Coleman landed another elbow. Another short elbow. "Strong elbow, Mark, strong elbow!" Coleman landed a hammerfist then. A good short punch. "Short elbow!" Another short elbow to the forehead. Not much going on, Rizzo controlling Coleman's arms well. Coleman landed some slow body shots. Rizzo landed some shots from the bottom and Coleman landed some more rabbit punches to the body. Coleman landed a punch. The referee stood them up. It's about time. The clock still going, they continued finally after about thirty seconds of standing there. They circled. Coleman narrowly missed a left hook, nice snap on it. Coleman narrowly missed it again and then a looping right. Six minutes and five seconds in. They circled. Rizzo landed a hard leg kick. They circled. Coleman missed a punch and ate a counter right hand and an inside leg kick. Coleman landed a left hand, but not much. Coleman's mouth was open and his hands were beginning to drop. Coleman shot in, Rizzo avoided and they stood and Coleman grabbed a guillotine and Rizzo ripped out of it. Seven minutes and twenty seconds in. Rizzo landed another hard leg kick. Rizzo stalked him, landed a leg kick, Coleman got the single into guard and postured up witha good elbow and another. Eight minutes and five seconds in. Apparently, twelve minutes is regulation time. Coleman landed an elbow. Coleman landed a body shot. Nine minutes in. Coleman landed a hard elbow. Rizzo landed a punch from the bottom. Coleman had his arm on the mat, totally open for an armbar. Ten minutes in. Coleman landed a body shot. There was a welt on the left leg of Coleman. The referee stood them up and they continued. "Don't take those leg kicks, take him down!" Eleven minutes in now. Coleman shot, Rizzo stuffed it. Coleman missed a sloppy left hook. Rizzo landed a leg kick. Twelve minutes in. The regulation time was over. That was a nasty, nasty nasty welt on Coleman's left leg. Something similar to what Muhammad Ali suffered against Antonio Inoki, as the commentators noted. They took some water in their corner as they waited to see if it would go into a three-minute overtime. They continued. They circled. Coleman landed a leg kick. Wooow! Coleman missed a left hook. A hard leg kick from Rizzo. Rizzo landed a jab. Colemans nhot in, Rizzo stuffed it and they broke. Coleman was exhausted. "Don't be lazy, Mark!" Rizzo landed a one-two-three combination. Coleman landed a leg kick, checked by Rizzo. Rizzo stuffed another takedown. Two minutes in. Rizzo stuffed another and ate a body kick. Coleman landed another leg kick, sloppy. The commentators were speculating that Rizzo was far behind on the scorecards. O.o Coleman landed a body shot and ate a leg kick. Coleman landed a leg kick. Fifteen seconds remaining. They circled and it was all over. They fist-bumped and hugged. The fans booed. Coleman went over to talk to Rizzo's corner and then back to his own. They hugged again and Rizzo raised Coleman's hand. One judge said Rizzo won, another said Coleman and the crowd cheered, and the third judge said Rizzo and Rizzo had earned a title shot. Coleman looked disappointed but he hugged Rizzo again for the third time.
Mark Coleman vs. Dan Severn - The fight was for the first-ever UFC heavyweight championship, and Coleman came in to the fight undefeated.
The first round began. They circled, bare-fisted but with Coleman's fists wrapped. Severn shot in, Coleman sprawled and they stood and Coleman had a guillotine. Severn pulled out and ate a right hand and ate another. Coleman landed a jab. Severn shot in, Coleman ended up on top in mount, Severn roled and gave up his back. A minute in. Coleman landed a shot to the back of the head. "Watch the roll!" Another hammerfist to the back of the head. A punch in under. Severn rolled and gave up mount and hugged him. Coleman landed a body shot. Coleman passed nicely to side control with a tight neck crank, oh man that's tight. Severn was flailing a bit. Coleman was grunting with effort. Severn was fighting it. But it was tight. Oh man, just cranking it. Severn was hammerfisting from the bottom repeatedly, little rabbit shots and eye-gouging. Severn tapped. Coleman leaped on top of the cage, screaming in celebration.
Dan Christison vs. Ben Rothwell - Jeremy Horn was in Ben Rothwell's corner.
The first round began. Christison landed a jab. Christison landed a leg kick. Christison shot in, Rothwell defended to the clinch and they broke. Christison landed a good jab. Rothwell landed a good right hand. Rothwell missed a nice uppercut. Christison came for the takedown, Rothwell defended very nice with the underhooks to the clinch. Christison landed a knee to the body. They broke. Christison landed a front kick. Rothwell landed a really nice leg kick and then an inside leg kick, eating a counter jab. Christison landed a good counter jab and ate one. Good jabs and boxing from both. Rothwell landed a nice straight right and ate a body kick. Rothwell landed that right hand to the temple and ate two stiff jabs. "Keep your chin down!" Both men were a little bloodied. Christison landed a pair of front kicks and a good jab. Rothwell landed a nice right hand. Rothwell's nose was bloody. Christison pushed forward and landed nothing. Rothwell landed a pair of good right hands. Rothwell landed a nice leg kick. Rothwell landed a good jab. Christison landed a body shot. Rothwell missed an uppercut. Christison landed a really nice front kick. Rothwell landed a good jab and a right hand. Christison landed an inside leg kick and ate a right to the chin. Christison came in and got the double-leg, postured up and came back down into guard and landed a few good shots. A good elbow from Christison and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Rothwell ladned a pair of right hands and Christison staggered for a moment but then they backed off and circled. Good front kick from Dan. Rothwell landed a leg kick. They clinched and Christison broke with a knee to the body. They clinched and broke. Rothwell landed a jab. Rothwell missed an uppercut. They clinched and exchanged a knee each and Christison broke with a right hand. "More than one punch!" These commentators are pissing me off. "These guys are throwing a lot of leather!" "You can hear the leather landing!" "Not only can these guys throw the leather, they can take the leather, too!" Rothwell landed a good combination and an uppercut, a really nice one. Rothwell landed a leg kick. Christison landed a jab. Rothwell stuffed a takedown attempt. Rothwell landed a nice uppercut. They clinched and Rothwell landed some good dirty boxing and a knee and they broke. Christison landed a good combination and backed off. They clinched and Christison broke with a good knee. Rothwell landed another pair of uppercuts and ate a right hand. Christison landed a pair of jabs. They clinched. Rothwell landed a knee to the body and broke with one to the face. Both faces of both fighters were damaged and bloody, but not too bad. Rothwell landed a jab. Christison landed a left hand. Some blood from the nose, some red marks 'from the leather landing', but no cuts. Rothwell landed a combination and ate a counter left-right. They clinched and Rothwell landed a knee to the body. Christison broke with a pair of uppercuts dirty boxing. Christison landed a good combination and they clinched and broke. Christison landed a left hook. "Thirty seconds, Ben!" Christison landed a right hand and ate a counter combination and a jab. Christison landed a weak combination. They clinched, both were exhausted. Rothwell landed a knee to the body as the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They exchanged immediately with Christison landing an inside leg kick and a jab and a front kick and a headkick to the jaw. Christison landed a body kick. Christison landed a headkick and dropped Rothwell and pounded standing over him. CHristison passed to side control and grabbed a kimura and he was looking for it. He pulled it away from Rothwell's body. Rothwell tapped. It was all over. There was a mouse under Christison's left eye. From that opening exchange.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Ebenezer Fontes Braga - Werdum came in undefeated. The fight, in 2004, was Braga's last in mixed martial arts.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They were calling Werdum 'Wordum' already. They clinched and went along the ropes. Braga broke with a knee to the face and ate a hard inside leg kick. Werdum landed a body kick and they clinched. "Fah-bricio Wordum". Braga was a bit taller, he landed that knee to the body easily. They broke apart again. They circled. Braga landed a leg kick and they clinched. Holy crap, Braga has a soul patch. They broke apart again after a bit. They clinched once more. The crowd was getting a little anxious. They broke and Braga landed a body kick and nearly tripped and they clinched and Werdum was trying the takedown, Braga avoided and spun away out of the clinch. Braga narrowly missed a right hand and they clinched. Braga grabbed that plum and broke with a good knee to the chin. They broke and Braga landed a good body kick. Braga landed a good combination and they clinched. Werdum was a bit stunned. Braga didn't seem to be aware. Werdum got the takedown, dragging Braga down and got on top into half-guard. Werdum seemed a bit tired, not doing much. Braga rolled and gave up his back. Werdum landed some hammerfists. Werdum was high and Braga dumped him off and stood over him. He stood there. Hard kick to the leg and another a moment later, Werdum landed a few from the ground, another to the buttocks by Braga. He was standing over him. A hard kick to the leg. A hard stomp to the chest and the first round ended and Braga helped Werdum stand.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Werdum landed a right hand and they clinched. Braga landed another good knee. Another good knee. Braga got the plum, Werdum broke with a really nice combination, one-two one-two, including a really good left hook to the chin. Braga's lip was bloody, I believe. They clinched. They broke. Werdum landed a really good right hook and Braga dropped facedown and it was all over. Braga wasn't moving, he was limp and out cold, staring straight into the mat, eyes wide and unblinking. Wow. Braga managed to get up after a moment and the two fighters hugged.
Ebenezer Fontes Braga vs. Jeremy Horn - The fight was Braga's UFC debut and his only fight in the fight organization.
The first round began. Braga came in with an uppercut and they clinched. Horn got the body lock briefly. Damn Horn looks young. Braga landed some body shots. Braga landed a knee TO the knee. Forty-five in. A good knee to the body by Braga. Horn landed a knee to the hip. A minute and fifteen. Braga landed a knee to the body. Braga landed a knee to the inner thigh. A minute thirty five. Horn landed a good elbow inside. Two minutes. Braga landed a knee to the body. Two thirty. Braga landed an uppercut and a knee to the body as he broke briefly. They clinched again and jockeyed for position. Three minutes. Braga got the trip takedown to guard and landed a good punch and another and another, he postured up with a pair of big rights and stood, Horn stood as well and got caught in a wickedly tight standing guillotine, Braga was cranking it tight and Horn was forced to tap.
Nate Marquardt vs. Jeremy Horn - The first round began and they touched gloves. They clinched and Marquardt landed a good knee. Marquardt landed another pair of knees to the legs. Marquardt got the good takedown to half-guard and Horn quickly retained guard. Horn was going a good job defensively. Marquardt landed four or five big shots and another and another, big punches. Another big punch and another. Horn managed to fully pull guard again. A big elbow from Marquardt. Three thirty. Marquardt landed a good elbow to the forehead. Marquardt stood and let Horn stand. Marquardt landed a right hand and they clinched. Horn landed a knee to the body. Horn tried a judo throw and nearly had it, Marquardt wound up on top in half-guard. It was an open half-guard. Two twenty five. Marquardt put himself back in guard. Horn managed to stand to the clinch. Horn was looking for the takedown, Marquardt avoided the trip and landed a good uppercut and a knee to the face. One fifty. Marquardt landed a hard elbow and Marquardt crumpled, eating a knee on the way down and he turtled up and then pulled half-guard. Marquardt was looking for a D'arce choke and he had it. He landed an elbow as he kept looking for it, and another elbow. Horn pulled out and retained guard. Horn landed an elbow from the bottom. Horn landed another. Fifty seconds. Marquardt postured up and ate an upkick and another and came back down with two big shots. Forty seconds. Horn was rolling for an omoplata and trying to turn it to a gogoplata. Marquardt was fighting out. Fifteen seconds. Horn was really looking for it, trying to turn his bdoy. Marquardt spun out and Horn was on top in guard in the last ten seconds and the first round came to an end.
The second round began. Horn missed a leg kick. Marquardt landed an inside leg kick and tripped and fell and Horn pounced into half-guard. Horn landed a good elbow. Marquardt landed an elbow from the bottom. Someone was bleeding but not much. I think it's Marquardt over an eye. Yeah over his right eye. Three thirty five. They stood to the clinch. Marquardt grabbed a standing guillotine and it was tight, Marquardt torqued it tight, out of nowhere and Horn was forced to tap. Rogan noted the similarity of the sub to the one that Braga caught him with.
Marvin Eastman vs. Terry Martin - Eastman had a two-inch reach advantage, the fight was at 185. The referee was Yves Lavigne. The fight was Eastman's middleweight debut.
The first round began. They clinched quickly and Martin landed a good knee to the body. Martin got the takedown and Eastman stood quickly to the clinch. Martin landed a good knee to the thigh and another. Another good knee to the thigh and another. Eastman landed a knee to the body. They exchanged a knee each to the body. Martin landed a really nice knee to the body. Eastman was saying something each time Martin landed a knee, like 'That didn't hurt me!" Martin landed a nice barrage of knees to the body and a good elbow inside and a good uppercut and a left hand. The crowd was anxious. Martin landed a body shot. Martin landed another pair of good knees to the body. Three minutes. Martin landed antoher pair of left hands inside. Martin landed another pair of knees. The referee broke them up. Two forty. They clinched and Eastman broke with a knee to the body. Martin landed a jab. Eastman landed an elbow and they clinched and Martin landed a knee to the body. Martin landed a body shot. Two minutes. Martin landed a knee to the leg. One forty. Martin landed a body shot and Eastman landed a knee to the body. The referee broke them up. One twenty five. Eastman landed a good left hand and a right hand after. Eastman landed a right hand and they clinched. One minute. Eastman landed a knee to the groin and they were warned. Martin landed a knee to the body. "Let's see if someone can come with an elbow in this type position." Twenty-five. The crowd was anxious. Martin landed a pair of lef thands inside. Eastman landed a pair of elbows. Eastman landed a knee to the body. The first round ended.
The second round began. Eastman landed a body shot. They clinched. Eastman landed a good knee to the body and another a moment later. Eastman landed another pair of knees and another and they broke. Martin landed a good right hand and Eastman took an eyepoke and went to turn away but the referee didn't notice and Martin landed a big right hook and they clinched. Eastman landed a knee to the body. Three forty. Martin landed a knee to the body. Another a moment later. They exchanged a knee each and the referee broke them up. Eastman landed a good right hand. Eastman stepped in with the elbow and they clinched. Martin's mouth was wide open. Two forty five. Eastman landed two big knees to the body. Another big knee. Martin replied. They exchanged a knee each and Eastman got another one in and the referee broke them up. Eastman landed a right hand and ate a left and Eastman landed a nice knee to the face. They clinched. One forty five. Martin landed a knee to the body. Someone was bleeding. It might be Martin. Martin landed a knee to the body. One minute remaining. Martin tried the takedown, Eastman avoided, tried again and Eastman got the beautiful counter whizzer and he worked for a D'arce choke as Martin tried to stand, Martin bulled up to stand to the clinch, twenty-five seconds. Eastman briefly tried a standing guillotine. "This position right here is what many fighters have described as imposing your will on your opponent." The second round ended.
The third round began. Martin landed a good counter combination. Eastman landed a body kick. They clinched. Eastman countered a takedown again into side control. Just laying on him, it's been about thirty seconds. A few hammerfists from Eastman. Martin gave up his back and then stood and broke. Martin blocked aheadkick. Eastman landed a left hand. Martin blocked a left headkick and a right headkick and they clinched. Three twenty. Eastman landed a pair of good uppercuts and they broek, Martin took a deep breath and blocked a headkick in close and they clinched once more. Eastman landed five or six good uppercuts and a right hook inside. Two twenty five. Martin was really fading. Two big knees to the body and they broke. Martin blocked another headkick and then another a moment later and they clinched. Two minutes. Both men looked up at the clock. The referee warned them to keep working. The referee broke them up quickly. One forty five. Eastman landed a jab and dodged a left hook. They clinched and Eastman landed a knee to the body. Martin got a takedown to guard and passed to half-guard, Eastman gave up the back. One fifteen. Eastman stood to the clinch. "Break away, punches!" Eastman landed a pair of uppercuts and an elbow inside. Martin landed a weak knee to the body, and another a moment later. Eastman broke away with a left hook and they clinched and Martin landed a hook inside. Thirty seconds. They broke. Martin landed a big right hand. Martin landed antoehr big right hand. Eastman landed a pair of jabs. Martin landed another big right hand and they clinched and the third round ended. 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 for Marvin Eastman unanimously. I definitely agree with that decision.
Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn - The first round began. Blackburn pushed forward early and landed a body kick nicely. Chonan landed a body kick and ate a counter right hand. Blackburn pushed forward and landed a body kick. Blackburn landed a good inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a good uppercut and finished with a hook and landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a really big overhand right and hurt Chonan and they clinched and broke immediately. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick and another. Blackburn landed a big uppercut. Chonan landed a body kick. Blackburn was darting in and out. Chonan landed a body kick. Blackburn landed a body kick. Chonan landed a body kick. Blackburn landed a good right hook. Blackburn landed a straight right. Three minutes in. Chonan landed a good leg kick. They circled exchanging missed strikes for a bit. Two twenty five. Blackburn looked bigger. Chonan landed a leg kick. Blackburn missed a combination, and he was slowing down. Blackburn landed a good counter right hook. Blackburn landed a good left hand. Chonan missed a flying knee and slipped and fell and stood and they circled. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. One twenty-five or ninety seconds as Goldie calls it. Chonan landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a body kick and missed a combination. Chonan had a tiny cut on his cheek. Chonan landed a leg kick. Forty seconds. Blackburn missed a body shot. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a really good uppercut. They exchanged in close. Ten seconds. Blackburn landed a good left hand and missed that uppercut again. The first round ended. Mayhem Miller told Chonan between rounds to keep landing that body kick and that it had hurt and tired out Blackburn.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. Chonan landed a nice body kick. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a good right hook and an inside leg kick. Blackburn landed a left hand. Chonan landed a leg kick. Chonan wasn't showing any head movement. Chonan landed a really nice body kick. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn dropped Chonan with an overhand right and pounced into guard and Chonan had a nice guard. Chonan landed a trio of elbows from the bottoma nd Blackburn stood and let him stand as well. Three twenty five. Blackburn landed a jab. Blackburn landed a good left hand. Chonan landed a really nice body kick. Blackburn landed a good body shot. Two twenty. Blackburn landed a good right hand and a left hand. "Hit him again!" Blackburn ladned a good right hand and a left and came for the takedown, Chonan avoided and they broke quickly. Blackburn checked a leg kick. Blackburn was slowing down. Blackburn blocked a body kick partially with his right elbow. Blackburn landed a body kick and took a deep breath. Chonan landed a jab. One twenty. Blackburn landed a left hook. "Time him coming in!" Chonan landed a nice leg kick. Chonan landed a body kick. Chonan landed a leg kick. They clinched and broke. Forty five. Blackburn landed a leg kick. They clinched and Blackburn broke with an uppercut. Twenty five. Blackburn landed a right hand and ate a body kick. Chonan landed a really hard leg kick and a body kick. Ten seconds. Chonan pushed forward. Chonan shot in, Blackburn avoided and the second round came to an end.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Chonan landed a pair of body kicks. Chonan landed an inside leg kick and Blackburn blocked a body kick. Blackburn missed some jabs and landed a body shot. Chonan landed a good leg kick. Blackburn was the one backing up. Blackburn landed an inside leg kick. Blackburn blocked a headkick and ate an inside leg kick. Blackburn blocked another headkick. Blackburn blocked that kick again. Three ten. Blackburn was breathing hard and he blocked another body kick. Blackburn landed some good jabs. Blackburn landed a good leg kick and a left hook. Chonan missed a flying knee. Blackburn was backing off. Two thirty five. Blackburn landed a body shot. Blackburn blocked another body kick and ate a leg kick. Chonan landed a right hand. Two minutes. Chonan landed a body kick. Blackburn was backing up. One thirty five. Blackburn landed a body kick. Chonan landed a really really nice leg kick. Chonan landed a jab. Blackburn landed a body kick, Chonan caught it and came for the takedown, blackburn avoided and landed a body kick. One minute. Chonan landed a good left hook. Blackburn was bloodied up on the bridge of his nose. Chonan landed a big uppercut and a left hook, walking down Blackburn. Thirty five seconds remaining. Chonan landed a body kick. Blackburn was tripping backward and bleeding bad, possibly broken, blood pouring out. Fifteen seconds, mouth wide open. Chonan landed a right hand. Blackburn running. Chonan landed a jab and the third round ended and they raised their hands and hugged. They hugged again awaiting the decision. 29-28 unanimously for Blackburn. Wooooow. The crowd booed. That is bullshit. Blackburn said that he felt that he won the first two rounds and he lost the third round. That was a nasty cut on Blackburn's nose.
Frank Mir vs. Marcio Cruz - The fight was Frank Mir's first back from the motorcycle accident.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Mir missed a combination and Cruz came for the single-leg and Mir spun out and stumbled and they clinched. Mir got the takedown into side control. Cruz turtled up and ate a body shot. Mir sprawled nicely. Cruz stood to the clinch. Mir landed a pair of body shots. Cruz got the single-leg and passed quickly to half-guard and Mir rolled for a kimura. He had it tucked tight to the body, trying to get it out. Cruz landed a few punches and elbows to the body of Mir and some more. Three forty. Cruz landed some more body shots. Mir let it go. Three twenty five. Cruz landed an elbow. Mir was cut from that. Cruz landed a punch to the left eye, by that cut. Three minutes. That blood was in his eyes, his left eye predominantly. The referee paused the fight. That cut was over Mir's left eye. Oh man that was a bad, bad cut, a lot of blood. The referee cleaned it off and inspected it. The doctor asked him if he could see. Mir said he couldn't see out of his left eye. But Mir said 'I'll fight'. Herb Dean said 'go on back down there'. They restarted in the same position. Two thirty. Cruz landed some body shots and a few punches. Cruz landed a few short elbows to that cut. Some punches to that cut and some more to the back of the head. Two minutes. Cruz landed some body shots. Mir rolled for another kimura. Cruz landed some body shots and a nice punch. One forty. Cruz landed six or seven big elbows to that cut and a pair of big punches in under, and three elbows and two punches. One twenty five. That cut was worse, blood was everywhere. Big punches from Cruz. One fifteen. The referee was warning him. Four or five big punches. One minute. Four or five short elbows and four big punches and three or four more and the ref stopped it. Blood was all over Mir's face.
Jeff Monson vs. Marcio Cruz - Cruz was coming off a big win over Frank Mir. Monson was on a fourteen fight win streak. Michael Clarke Duncan was in attendance. Cruz came in undefeated, 2-0. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral was in Cruz's corner.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Cruz had a bit of a height advantage evident immediately. Cruz landed a leg kick. They circled, exchanging probing missed strikes. Cruz landed another leg kick. Monson just didn't seem to be able to get in with the reach. Cruz landed a counter jab and landed a leg kick and a jab. Monson just couldn't get in there. Cruz landed a leg kick. Monson was swinging well, just couldn't land it. Cruz landed a leg kick. Cruz landed a leg kick. Monson landed a left hand. Cruz landed a jab. Three minutes. Cruz landed a leg kick and they clinched. They broke. Cruz landed a leg kick and dodged the counter. Monson landed a good right hand and a left hand, and/or a jab yes it was a jab. Monson rocked Cruz with a jab and put him on a knee and they clinched. Monson got the takedown, Cruz stood quickly to the clinch. Two ten. Cruz landed a knee to the body and another to the face. Monson replied with a knee of his own. Monson's nose was a bit bloody. Cruz landed a knee to the body. Cruz pulled half-guard. One thirty five. One fifteen. Cruz retained guard. Monson landed a few rabbit body shots and some more a moment later. Fifty five seconds. Cruz just wrapping him up and waiting for the standup. The referee stood them up, forty-five. Cruz landed a leg kick. Monson's eyes were a bit swollen and his nose was bloody. Twenty seconds. Monson landed a body shot and they clinched. Ten seconds. Monson landed a few body shots and ate a knee to the body and the first round came to an end.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Cruz landed a jab and ate a pair. Cruz landed a leg kick. Cruz landed a leg kick and Monson caught it and got the takedown to full guard but quickly stood up as Cruz tried to roll for an armbar. Cruz stood. Cruz landed a leg kick. Monson narrowly missed a left hand. Cruz landed a jab. Monson landed a big right hand and a left jab. Cruz landed a leg kick. Cruz landed a left hand Monson landed a good body shot. Monson landed a jab. They clinched and Monson landed a knee to the head and Cruz turtled up and ate some body shots. A pair of knees to the shoulders and another knee. Monson turned to the side back mount and landed some body shots. Cruz briefly looked for a kimura and ate a pair of hammerfists, Cruz rolled for an armbar and Monson stood and let Cruz up. Two fifty five left. Cruz landed a front kick and ate a right hand and they clinched. Monson's leg was red and swollen. Two twenty five. Cruz landed a leg kick and they clinched. Monson landed a knee to the body. Monson landed a knee to the inner thigh. Two minutes. Monson kept working that inner thigh with the knees. The referee broke them up quickly, one forty five. Cruz landed a nice leg kick. Monson landed a good straight left. One twenty. Cruz landed a leg kick and ate a right hook and they clinched. Monson landed a knee to the body. One minute. Monson landed those knees to the inner thigh some more. The crowd was booing. Thirty five. The referee broke them up. Monson was bloody, his nose was cut. Monson checked that leg kick, no it had landed fully. Monson landed a teep to the face and Monson had his standing back and turtled him up and had his back in ten seconds left. Punches in under, a BIG punch by Cruz and another as the second round ended. That's a nasty cut on Monson's nose as he limped back over to his corner. "You don't have to make it exciting," Monson's corner told him. Shit.
The third round began and they missed the touch and circled. Cruz shot in and turtled up as Monson sprawled nicely and took the back. Cruz pushed forward and stood to the clinch. Cruz landed a body shot. Monson worked that inner thigh with some more knees, Cruz kneed the body. A knee to the midsection from Monson. Four minutes. Monson landed a body shot and the referee broke them up. Cruz landed a left hook and shot in and Monson sprawled and turtled him up and landed a knee to each shoulder. He turned and had the back. Monson's left leg was swollen. Cruz rolled for an armbar and got to guard instead. Three fifteen. Monson landed a big punch. Monson landed some body shots. Monson landed an elbow. Two thirty five. Monson landed some body shots. Two twenty. The referee stood them up. Cruz was fading a bit. Cruz landed a leg kick. Monson swung wildly and missed. Cruz was definitely tired. They clinched. One forty. They exchanged a knee each. Cruz tried to pull guard and Monson turtled him up. One twenty five. Cruz rolled and got to guard. One ten. Monson landed a pair of short elbows. Fifty-five. Another short forearm. The crowd was booing. Monson landed some body shots. Forty seconds. Some more body shots. Some more. Thirty. A short elbow from Monson. Some more short elbows. Fifteen seconds. Ten seconds. Some more body shots. Some more. Ten seconds. Another body shot. The third round ended. Monson had the split decision. The crowd cheered. Razor close victory.
Ryo Chonan vs. Karo Parisyan - The fight was Chonan's UFC debut. The referee was Kevin Mulhall. Parisyan had been originally scheduled to face Thiago Alves.
The first round began. Chonan missed an inside leg kick and another. Chonan landed an inside leg kick, Parisyan caught it and landed a good left hook and dropped Chonan more of a slip and into full guard and after a moment he passed over to half-guard. Parisyan landed a good punch after thirty seconds or so of laying on Chonan. Chonan regained his guard. Parisyan accidentally landed a short headbutt and was warned. Parisayn landed a good elbow. The referee stood them up with three minutes left. Chonan stepped forward with a body kick and ate another left hook. Chonan missed an uppercut and ate a right hook. They clinched. Parisyan speared Chonan down into guard after a moment. Two minutes ten. Parisyan landed two or three good elbows and some good punches. They stood and Parisyan broke with a right hand and they clinched. They broke with Chonan landing a good jab. Parisyan landed a body shot. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick. Chonan tried for a kick and slipped onto his back and Parisyan pounced into guard and landed a good punch and a pair of elbows. Forty five. Parisyan landed a good punch and stood. Chonan got up to the clinch explosively. Fifteen seconds. Not much happening. The first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, Parisyan came for the takedown and Chonan defended and they broke with an exchange, Parisyan landing a left hook and Chonan with a right. Chonan landed an inside leg kick. They clinched. They broke after a moment. Chonan landed a really really nice right hand that hurt Parisyan and Parisyan waved him on to come in and Chonan landed a hard hard body kick and they clinched with Chonan defending a single-leg attempt easily. Parisyan had the body lock. Chonan landed a knee to the belly. Parisyan broke witha good right hand. Parisyan narrowly missed a left hook that went sailing over Chonan's head a few inches. Three minutes. Parisyan landed a good jab. He had been looking for that for a few minutes. They clinched and Chonan landed a knee before Parisyan broke away. Chonan landed that inside leg kick again, Parisyan caught it and got the takedown into guard. Two twenty. Parisyan landed a good elbow. Two minutes. Parisyan landed agood elbow. Chonan was trying to stand and he did and he was looking for a single-leg, Parisyan grabbed the standing kimura. One thirty five. Chonan went to the regular clinch and landed a knee to the belly. A knee to the leg from Chonan. Parisyan got the trip into half-guard. Parisyan landed a good elbow. One minute. Forty seconds. Parisyan landed two big elbows and a blocked one and another blocked elbow. Parisyan landed an elbow. Ten seconds. Parisyan landed a good punch. The second round ended.
The third round began. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick hard to the groin and the fight was paused. Chonan said almost immediately he was fine and they touched gloves and continued. They clinched. Chonan landed a knee to the body. He was looking for a takedown but Parisyan was defending. The crowd was booing loudly and the referee broke them apart. Parisyan missed a teep. Three fifty five. Chonan landed a right hand and another and they clinched. Parisyan got double underhooks. Three thirty five. Parisyan got the trip to half-guard and landed a pair of elbows and three more a moment later, two big punches and another punch. Three fifteen. Parisyan landed a good body shot. Parisyan landed an elbow. Boos were beginning to come again, Chonan rolled and got the sweep into guard. Two forty. Parisyan rolled and escaped out the back door and they broke. Two thirty. Parisyan landed a body shot and they clinched and Chonan broke with a knee. Two minutes. They clinched and Chonan landed a knee to the body. Chonan landed another and they broke. Parisyan missed a spinning back fist, eating a counter left. One thirty. They clinched. Chonan landed a knee to the body and they broke. Parisyan landed a right hand and a jab. Parisyan grazed with another spinning back fist and they clinched and broke. They clinched again. Forty-five. Parisyan broke with a good elbow and then a jab. Thirty five seconds. They clinched again. Chonan landed a body shot. Twenty. Parisyan broke. Ten seconds. Chonan landed an inside leg kick and ate a right hand. The third round ended and they clapped hands. Parisyan got the unanimous decision victory.
Nick Diaz vs. Gleison Tibau - Four inch reach advantage for Diaz, and a two-inch height advantage.
The first round began. Diaz shot in for a single-leg, Tibau defended nicely, shutting him off as Randy noted, looking to take the back but they scrambled nicely, Diaz was a scrapper. Tibau had that back but no hooks, he was high and Diaz shook him off and Tibau was looking for a kimura, trapping the arm with his leg also. He was really trying to get that arm away from Diaz's body and he had it and that was cranked. Diaz pulled out after a moment and Tibau was on top in guard. Diaz controlled the arms nicely. They didn't do much for a bit, Tibau stood and ate some kicks to the legs and came back down with a big missed shot into guard. Two fifty five. Tibau landed a hammerfist. Tibau landed a body shot. Tibau landed a hammerfist. Tibau stood. Tibau came back down into guard with another big missed shot. Diaz worked a high guard. Two ten. Diaz rolled and had a tight armbar and oh man that was tight and torqued, Tibau pulled out to guard. One fifty five. Diaz rolled for another and missed. Tibau rolled and had the back again. Diaz rolled but couldn't escape, no hooks in. Tibau had a hook. Diaz turned into him on top in guard and stood, holding the legs. Diaz landed some good shots from half-guard, up against the fence. Diaz postured up and landed some more good shots repeatedly and the crowd cheered. Forty seconds. More nice shots. A nice elbow and more big shots and a pair of big elbows. Twenty five. Diaz landed more big shots and a few elbows and more shots and another elbow and more big shots, just punishing Tibau, repeated big shots from half-guard, over and over and over, the first round ended.
The second round began. Tibau shot for the single-leg, Diaz defended and defended a double-leg and defended another single-leg. Diaz looked for a standing kimura. Some shots in under from Diaz. Tibau still looking for that single-leg takedown. Diaz switched and they broke. Diaz landed a good right hand and got the takedown into guard and stood and landed a good shot. Diaz postured up in half-guard with more big shots and an elbow. More big shots over and over as the referee warned Tibau. Big shots, just standing over him now pounding looping shots. Three minutes. Big shots over and over. Rabbit punches. Half-guard again, big hooks to the ear. A shot straight down. Diaz landed a body shot and stood and landed another big shot and the referee stopped it, the crowd roared.
Marius Zaromskis vs. Ross Pointon - The fight was at welterweight.
The first round began. Zaromskis blocked a headkick. Pointon landed an inside leg kick. Pointon landed another and blocked a headkick. Zaromskis landed a good straight left and ate an inside leg kick. Zaromskis landed a big leg kick and stumbled Pointon. Pointon landed an inside leg kick and a knee to the face and there was a bruise above Zaromskis's left eye. Pointon landed an inside leg kick and a straight right. Zaromskis landed a big knee to the body. Zaromskis landed it again, hard, to the face. Zaromskis grazed Pointon with a headkick. Pointon landed a body kick. Pointon blocked that knee with his arm. Zaromskis missed a headkick. Pointon is doing much better than I expected. Pointon landed a leg kick. Zaromskis landed that flying knee and Pointon backed off for a moment, ate a big inside leg kick a moment later. Pointon blocked a spinning back kick towards the face, very impressive by both men. Zaromskis landed a leg kick. Pointon landed the inside leg kick and missed a headkick. Pointon blocked a headkick. One twenty five. Zaromskis blocked a body kick and another. Pointon landed a right hand and opened up the bruise above Zaromskis's left eye into a cut. Zaromskis landed that left hand. Forty-five. Pointon landed an inside leg kick, ate a coutner and another, dodged a flying knee and a right hook and missed an inside leg kick. Zaromskis landed a leg kick and ate a counter right hand. Fifteen seconds. Pointon landed a leg kick and a body kick and narrowly missed a headkick. Pointon landed a body kick and another. Pointon blocked a headkick and landed a counter right hand that rocked Zaromskis off balance as the first round ended.
The second round began. Pointon landed an inside leg kick and ate a body kick. Pointon was walking Zaromskis down as Zaromskis circled. Pointon missed a body kick. Pointon missed a body kick and landed an inside leg kick. Zaromskis landed a body kick and ate a counter overhand right and he was rocked and he was backing off, on his bicycle as Pointon stalked him. Pointon landed a right hand and ate a body kick. Zaromskis backed off. Three thirty five. Zaromskis blocked a headkick and landed a body kick and another, dodging the right counter. Pointon landed a body kick and ate a counter left. Pointon landed a body kick and another. The fight was paused because of a groin kick but they continued immediately. Three minutes. Zaromskis landed a big knee to the body high. Zaromskis blocked another headkick and ate a body kick. Pointon ate a coutner left and a headkick grazed him and a knee that barely missed. Pointon checked a leg kick. Pointon was cut under the right eye. They clinched and Pointon landed a knee and they broke. Zaromskis landed that left straight. Zaromskis landed another straight left. Zaromskis landed a straight left and a big right hook and now Pointon was cut over the left eye by that hook. Pointon got the takedown to guard. One thirty. The referee paused the fight, that cut over Pointon's left eye was bad, bad. He was bleeding badly, blood was all over Zaromskis's chest and face. The doctor stopped it and the crowd booed. The fighters hugged. Great fight, great fight. Zaromskis backflipped and then again and again and again and again. That was a real goat's vagina over Pointon's eye there. Holy hell. God-damn. I want a rematch, though.
Frank Trigg vs. Dennis Hallman 2 - The first round began, Trigg took the center of the ring quickly. Hallman landed an inside leg kick. They circled in close, feeling each other out, being a bit cautious. Trigg landed a good counter right hand, glancing it off the chin, Hallman came for the takedown, Trigg defended and sprawled and Hallman pulled guard and landed a few shots from the bottom. He was trying to isolate an arm, holding it down and landing some more punche with his other arm, now he was trying to secure it, pressing his knee against that right arm. Boos were beginning to come now. And justifiably so. Hallman controlling from his back, controlling those arms. Hallman rolled for an armbar, Trigg stood and ate an upkick and landed a few shots, dodged a leglock and came down into half-guard, Hallman was looking for a kimura and then rolling and grabbing that foot again. Trigg landed a few hammerfists and Hallman let go and Trigg landed a few body shots, Hallman rolled and grabbed that heelhook and torqued it to the standing Trigg. Trigg spun and landed some more hard shots, from guard now, more big shots, back into guard. One thirty. Trigg was shoving Hallman against the fence. Trigg landed a big elbow and another, Hallman rolled for another armbar and Trigg dodged it and landed big shots standing and more big shots and Hallman was out and the referee stopped it and Trigg gave the double middle fingers down at Hallman.
George Sotiropoulos vs. Billy Miles - The fight was the official UFC debut of both men.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Miles landed a right hand and came in for the single-leg and George was looking for a guillotine as he defended. George had that headlock, and he turned and took the back and landed good shots in under and had a hook in. Hammerfists from George and then he had both hooks in. George flattened him out and softened him up with more punches. He lost a hook. He got a body triangle. More hammerfists from George. He got that choke and it was tight. Miles tapped George's shoulder.
Renato Sobral vs. Travis Fulton - The first round began and they circled, Fulton looked loose. They clinched. Sobral got the trip effortlessly into guard almost immediately. Sobral landed a body shot. Not much going on. Fulton didn't look very comfortable on the bottom. Not much going on. Sobral stood. He was trying to pass and he made it to side control without much effort and the crowd applauded. Sobral went knee on belly and landed a body shot, back to regular side control. Sobral was holding Fulton down nicely. Fulton regained half-guard. Sobral distributin his weight well. Fulton got on top, pushing forward into guard. They were a bit close to the ropes. Fulton sat back a bit and stood. He came down and dropped back for a kneebar. He couldn't get it though. Sobral spun out to his own kneebar, sitting on top of Fulton in a strange position. Sobral turned on top into side control and the crowd applauded. Sobral was looking for a kimura but he couldn't get it. He turned to north-south, still looking for it, back to side control with the arm isolated. He was trying to step over for it. Fulton was turning with it. Sobral stepped over and had the armbar tight and Fulton was forced to tap immediately.
Matt Lindland vs. Quinton Jackson - The fight was for WFA, and the referee was Herb Dean.
The first round began and they clinched right away, Lindland ducking a punch to get it. Jackson landed a few body shots and a knee to the leg and another body shot. Jackson slammed Lindland into side control, but Lindland had the arm trapped between his legs. The right arm. Jackson got the arm out. Lindland grabbed a guillotine and regained half-guard but he wasn't going to get that. Lindland was using it to stand and he made it up to the clinch and let it go. Jackson landed a few more body shots. Jackson landed a knee to the thigh. Three minutes. Lindland landed an elbow inside, more of a forearm, and turned the clinch around and landed a knee to the thigh. Jackson turned it around and missed an uppercut inside. Lindland slammed Jackson down the same way Jackson slammed him and had his back, landing a pair of knees to the back of the legs. He had Jackson's standing back now. He dragged Jackson down and had his back there. Jackson was turning into him. One forty. Lindland turned and had the back with one hook. He lost the hook and got it back in and turned into a bit of a half-guard. One fifteen. Lindland got that hook in again. Jackson turned it back to half-guard. Forty-five. Lindland grabbed that choke while they were crouched, and it was in deep. He was a bit high on the back though as Jackson stood. Jackson dumped him off, fifteen seconds. Jackson was on top in half-guard. Jackson landed a few shots and the frist round ended.
The second round began. They clinched almost immediately. Lindland broke with a missed spinning back fist and then landed an inside leg kick and came in with a missed right hand and they clinched. Four ten. Jackson turned it around, the clinch. Jackson landed a knee to the thigh, it more hit the groin and he was warned. Jackson landed an uppercut inside and a knee to the body and a few body shots. Three twenty. Lindland landed a knee to the body. Jackson landed a knee to the body. Lindland landed a good knee to the leg, tried for a standing guillotine and Jackson slammed him on his head into side control. Jackson landed a nice punch. Two fifteen. Jackson landed a knee to the body. Lindland was trying to rol out and he was turtled up, Lindland got to the clinch and briefly tried a single-leg, back to the clinch with a knee to the leg. One thirty-five. Jackson landed an uppercut and a left hook and got the takedown into guard. Lindland was looking for a kimura on the right arm as Jackson passed to half-guard. One minute. Lindland used it to stand to the clinch. Lindland was looking for a single-leg. Forty seconds. Back to the clinch. Twenty seconds. Lindland landed a good uppercut. Lindland landed a good left hand inside. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled. Lindland missed a body kick and dodged an uppercut and they clinched. Lindland landed a few foot stomps and a knee to the leg. Lindland landed a good knee to the leg and another to the body. Three forty. Jackson turned the clinch around. Three ten. Jackson landed a knee to the leg. They broke. They circled. Jackson landed a jab and a right hand and dodged a takedown and blocked a headkick. Lindland shot in and missed a single-leg and then a headkick. Two twenty. Jackson missed a punch and came for the clinch and Lindland grabbed a guillotine and brought Jackson to a knee. Two minutes. Lindland landed a few knees to the shoulder. Lindland grabbed that guillotine tight from half-guard. One forty. "Lock it up, Matt, lock it up, finish it!" He had it tight. One twenty five. Jackson popped out and Lindland regained the guard. Jackson landed a few body shots. One minute. Jackson landed a few body shots. Jackson landed a few short punches. Forty seconds. There was some blood coming from Lindland's nose. Twenty five. Yep, Lindland was cut on the bridge of his nose. Less than ten seconds. Jackson landed some big punches and stood over Lindland. Lindland stood and Jackson grazed him with a flying knee and the third round ended and they congratulated each other. Jackson had the win by split decision, 29-28 Lindland, 29-28 Jackson, judge Josh Rosenthal scored it 29-28 for Jackson.
Frank Trigg vs. Carlos Condit - The fight was in the semifinals of the ROTR welterweight tourney. Damn, Trigg looked young as he was being introduced. Really young.
The first round began. They came right out, Trigg shot in and got the takedown to guard, Condit had a tight guard. Condit was immediately landing shots from the bottom to the side and back of Trigg's head. Just fast and accurate punches. An elbow from the bottom and punches as well. Condit landed a forearm from the bottom and he threw up a missed triangle, Trigg stood and held the legs. Trigg landed a few good punches to the body and back to guard, trying the can opener and let it go. Condit locked up a tight triangle and an armbar as well and that was tight, both of them and Trigg was fighting it but he tapped.
Ed Herman vs. Joe Doerksen 2 - The referee was Kevin Mulhall.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Herman landed a jab to the left eye of Doerksen. Doerksen landed a body kick. Herman missed a quick spinning back fist in close and ate a jab and they clinched, Herman stopped the takedown with the whizzer and they retained the clinch. Herman landed a slap inside. Herman whizzered again to defend. Herman got the trip and Doerksen had the butterflies in. He was keeping Herman elevated with them as Herman looked to pass and he made it to half-guard. Three forty. Doerksen was trying to stand and he managed to scramble to his feet back to the clinch. Three twenty. Doerksen landed a knee to the body. Herman kept using that whizzer effectively. The referee broke them up very quickly. Doerksen was cut above his left eye. Herman landed a jab and a right hook and a standing elbow and a knee to the face. They clinched. Doerksen was still looking for that single-leg and Herman was still defending and landing shots in under. Very nice sprawl from Herman. He muscled Doerksen down into half-guard and landed an elbow. Doerksen was cut pretty bad. An elbow from Herman. Under the left eye, under the eyebrow, the eyelid. Doerksen retained guard. Two fifteen. Herman landed another pair of nice elbows. Another to the body and a good punch. A good punch from Herman and a good elbow and Doerksen stood and Herman got the ankle-pick to side control and mounted and landed a few good shots, nearly had the back, landed a good elbow from side control and Doerksen regained guard. Herman landed a good elbow. One minute. Herman landed another good elbow and another a moment later. Thirty-five. Another good elbow. Fifteen. A short elbow from Herman. A good punch and a shoulder strike. Another good punch and an elbow from Herman and the first round ended. That was a decent cut under Doerksen's eye.
The second round began. Herman missed a few wild combinations. Doerksen landed an inside leg kick and tripped but was right back up. Doerksen landed a counter left hook and they clinched and Herman got the body lock takedown to half-guard. Herman landed a knee to the body and an elbow. Doerksen regained guard. Herman landed another good elbow. Herman passed to half-guard. Herman landed a knee to the body. Herman landed a good punch. The referee stood them up quickly. Herman landed a good jab and they clinched and broke quickly. Herman missed a big right hook and they clinched, Doerksen got the takedown to side control, Herman gave up his back and Doerksen had both hooks but he was a bit high. Two twenty. Doerksen was managing to stay on there. "Then again what he's gotta do that a lot of guys fail to do is transition to a body triangle, what we call an anaconda. Lock off the body to keep him from turning over and falling into Joe's guard." They scrambled and Herman had his back, Doerksen grabbed a leglock however. Great ground battle. Herman had the foot on the butt, trying to push off. He was turning and he was trying to take Doerksen's back but Doerksen was hugging that leg. Herman landed a knee to the body. One fifteen. "Once you get to this position, hooks aren't really enough anymore, especially when you're on your back, and the guy's on top. You run a signifigant risk of that guy being able to flip over and wind up on top of you within your guard. So you go from a dominant position to a position where it's fifty-fifty at best." Herman had the back fully now and landed a knee to the body. Forty-five. Another big knee to the body. Another one. Doerksen rolled and retained guard. Doerksen was breathing heavily. Twenty-five. Herman passed to half-guard and landed a big hammerfist, back to guard, Doerksen locked in a tight triangle with ten seconds left, Herman was fighting it and whipping around and the second round came to an end.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Doerksen landed an inside leg kick. They circled. Doerksen missed a big left hand. Doerksen missed a jab and ate a body shot. Herman landed a right hook and a big left hook that dropped Doerksen stiff and out cold. "We don't have to worry about scorecards now."
Matt Hughes vs. Hayato Sakurai - The fight was for the UFC welterweight title, with Hughes defending. The fight was Sakurai's debut and only fight in the promotion.
The first round began. They came out slow, staring each other down. Hughes landed a jab. Sakurai missed a spinning back kick towards the head. He missed a combination and Hughes got the takedown to guard. Sakurai tried to throw up a submission, Hughes was defending. Sakurai nearly got the sweep on top but Hughes managed to stay in half-guard. Sakurai had those butterflies in. Sakurai was controlling those arms nicely. The crowd chanted 'USA' rousingly. Sakurai got back to full guard. Three twenty. It was a good chess match on the ground. Hughes stood over Sakurai. Sakurai stood after a moment and Hughes came for the double-leg, Sakurai was defending. Hughes slammed Sakurai to half-guard. Two thirty five. Hughes landed a hammerfist. Hughes landed some body shots and a good punch. Sakurai retained full guard. One thirty five. Hughes landed a good elbow. Sakurai had those butterflies back in. The referee stood them up nicely. One fifteen. Sakurai landed a leg kick, Hughes came for that double-leg and got it after a moment into half-guard. Fifty. Hughes landed a few hard body shots. Some more nice body shots. These were decent shots to the body. Twenty five. Hughes landed a good punch. Sakurai retained guard. Ten seconds. Hughes landed an elbow. Hughes postured up with a few good shots as the first round ended.
The second round began. They came out slowly again. Hughes landed a good jab and a body kick and came and got the double-leg again into side control. Sakurai was looking to regain half-guard and he did after a little bit. Four minutes. Hughes landed a good elbow. Hughes was dominating Sakurai on the ground. Sakurai put those butterflies back in, in guard. Hughes passed back to half-guard. Hughes landed a body shot. Three ten. Another good body shot. Sakurai landed an elbow from the bottom. Two forty five. Hughes landed an elbow. Sakurai blocked another big elbow. Hughes landed that elbow right between the eyes. Hughes landed some punches in under. Two ten. Hughes landed another body shot. Hughes landed a pair of elbows. Hughes landed a body shot. The referee stood them up. One fifty. Hughes said he was busy enough but McCarthy said he wasn't. Sakurai landed a counter left jab and dropped Hughes and then a knee as Hughes tried to stand but Hughes got the clinch and the leg trip to half-guard. Hughes landed a body shot. Sakurai seemed a bit gassed. Fifty five. Hughes landed a hammerfist to the nose. Hughes landed another good hammerfist. Thirty seconds. The crowd was getting restless, very restless. Hughes landed a good punch. Ten seconds. Hughes landed a few body shots. Hughes stood as the second round ended. Sakurai was bleeding inside his nose in his corner, and Stitch Duran was working on it.
The third round began. They came out a bit more quickly. Hughes shot in, Sakurai sprawled to the clinch and Hughes landed a knee to the body and pushed Sakurai against the fence, lifted Sakurai and carried him and slammed him hard hard to the mat in half-guard. Good strength from Hughes. Hughes landed some body shots. Hughes landed an elbow and three hard punches in under, three hard rights, yes. Hughes landed a body shot. Hughes landed two big punches. Three ten. Sakurai got the butterflies back in. Hughes passed back to half-guard on the other side after a moment and landed some body shots. Two thirty. Hughes landed a good elbow. Sakurai retained guard and the referee stood them up. Hughes landed a right hand, shot in, Sakurai was defending against the cage and Hughes got the trip into full guard with two minutes remaining. Sakurai got the butterflies back in, well one in. Hughes passed fully to half-guard. One twenty now. Hughes landed an elbow and a pair of good punches in under. The crowd was restless with a minute remaining. Hughes landed a body shot. Sakurai retained guard mostly. Forty five. The referee stood them up with forty left. Hughes landed a body kick. Hughes shot in and got the double-leg right back into half-guard. Twenty. Hughes landed a good punch. The third round ended.
The fourth round began. Hughes landed a right Superman punch and Sakurai defended a double-leg. Hughes shot in and got the double-leg into half-guard. The commentators called it a switch-step right hand that you use in kickboxing a lot. Hughes landed some hard body shots. Some more body shots. Hughes landed a big hammerfist. A body shot. Three forty. Hughes landed two to the body and a nice one to the head. Three twenty five. Hughes landed a hammerfist. The crowd was restless again. Three minutes left now. Hughes passed to mount and landed a good punch and another. Sakurai was trying to hug him. Hughes landed an elbow and a good punch. Another good hook and then big hooks. Sakurai was trying to roll and he nearly regianed half-guard. Two twenty-five. Big punches from Hughes in under, big hooks. Sakurai was trying to give up his back. Hughes had the back, nope back to mount, big punches in under, two minutes left. Big punches and Hughes stopped it and the crowd roared.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Cheick Kongo - The first round began. They came out slow facing each other down. Kongo landed an inside leg kick and a moment later blocked a headkick. Hardonk checked a leg kick. He landed one of his own. Hardonk landed an inside leg kick and ate one and landed a counter right to the side of the head and they exchanged but landed nothing. Kongo landed a leg kick and Hardonk instantly replied with a swift kick to the inside of Kongo's leg. Kongo blocked another headkick and slightly landed a leg kick. Kongo looked tentative, backing up. Hardonk landed a big body kick and ate one. Hardonk landed a body kick and ate two right hands and they clinched. The crowd chanted 'let's go, Kongo!' Three minutes. The referee broke them apart. Hardonk landed a jab and a body kick, Kongo caught it and shoved him down, stood over him. Two thirty. Kongo landed a pair of kicks to the legs and another kick. Another kick. The referee stood Hardonk up, two ten left. Kongo landed an inside leg kick. Hardonk landed a leg kick and Kongo landed another a moment later. Kongo landed a right hand and a good uppercut and they clinched. Kongo landed some good knees to the thighs. One thirty five. Kongo was looking for the single-leg. Kongo landed some more knees to the thighs as he did. Kongo got Hardonk down into guard slowly. Kongo landed a good short elbow. Forty seconds. Kongo landed a few hammerfists. Twenty seconds. Kongo landed a few good punches. Kongo landed a few nice elbows and the first round ended.
The second round began. They came out slowly again. Hardonk blocked a switch kick to the body. Kongo landed a leg kick and Kongo shoved him down and landed a big shot and some hammerfists. Another big punch. An elbow. Hardonk was controlling Kongo now. Kongo landed an elbow. Kongo landed a few hammerfists. Kongo landed a pair of elbows to the body and a big hammerfist. He landed another elbow to the midsection. Hardonk was cut above the left eye from that hammerfist. Three fifteen. Kongo landed some hammerfists and a big punch. Kongo landed a pair of big hammerfists. Kongo landed another good elbow. Another good elbow and a big punch and some more in under, Hardonk was covering up, big punches as Kongo stood over him and the ref stopped it.
Takanori Gomi vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima - The fight was for the Shooto welterweight championship with Gomi defending.
The first round began and they circled. Mishima missed a big left hook and ate a jab, nearly tripping as Gomi moved out of the way. They circled again, settling back in. Mishima switched stances flashily. They circled some more. Gomi landed a flicking jab and taunted Mishima, tapping his chin with his gloved fist and waving his arms. Mishima was backing off. Gomi taunted, ate a right hand,d efended a takedown and landed a flailing combination. Gomi landed another one-two. Mishima landed an ineffectual inside leg kick and Gomi grinned. Gomi kept him at bay with a jab and another one-two and a body shot. Gomi blocked a high kick and shoved Mishima away. Gomi landed a big left hand and a right hook. Mishima landed an uppercut. Two twenty five. Mishima landed an inside leg kick. Gomi missed a spinning back fist and tripped, they clinched, Gomi landed a good shot inside as they scrambled along the ropes. One fifty. Mishima got the takedown to guard, the trip takedown. Mishima landed a few body shots and a shoulder strike. One twenty. More shots to the side of the head from Mishima. Fifty five. Shots to the back of the head. Another body shot. Mishima passed to half-guard. More shots to the back of the head. A good punch to the face. More to the side of the head. Body. Ten seconds. Shots to the side and the side and a body shot. Mishima stood and the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Gomi blocked a high kick. Mishima missed a big uppercut and ate a counter right hand that dropped Mishima hard facedown and the referee stopped the fight. Mishima protested it and Gomi came back in and landed a big uppercut and a knee to the face and big punches in under as Mishima was through the ropes and the referee stopped it again. Gomi jumped up on the ropes celebrating.
Rory Singer vs. Ross Pointon - The fight was the official UFC debut of both men. Singer had a four and a half inch reach advantage and somewhere around a six-inch height advantage.
The first round began. The crowd was chanting 'Ross'. Pointon came right out swinging as Singer backed away. Pointon kept coming. Singer landed a gounter and a body kick and ate a counter and dropped and nearly locked up a triangle, Pointon pulled out but Singer pulled guard and grabbed another triangle and it was locked up and that was tight. Pointon tapped. The crowd booed.
Kendall Grove vs. Ed Herman - The fight was to decide the middleweight winner of TUF 3.
The first round began. Herman came in immediately for the takedown and they clinched and exchanged knees. Grove landed an elbow inside. Herman was looking for the takedown and he got it into guard, dragging him down. Grove was trying to use the cage to spin for an armbar, using those long legs but Herman wasn't having it, he was using his weight well. Grove had that arm isolated. Herman landed a knee to the body, waiting and biding his time. Three thirty. Herman landed another knee to the body. Another knee. Three minutes. Another few knees, two or so. Grove still looking for it. He let it go finally back to regular guard. Herman missed a big shot after dodging a triangle attempt. Two twenty five. Grove was rolling for a kimura. Herman landed an elbow in reply and a punch. Herman landed two big punches and postured up with another and passed to half-guard. One forty five. Herman landed another shot. They stood to the clinch and broke. Grove landed a knee to the body and Herman shot and got that double-leg to guard again. Grove tried to throw up a triangle, Herman pulled out and landed a big shot and passed to half-guard nicely. Fifty seconds. Herman landed another shot. Herman landed a body shot and an elbow. Another nice short elbow. Grove was trying to wall-walk in half-guard but Herman was holding him down. Fifteen seconds. Herman landed a few more big punches and stood and came down with another few big shots and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Grove landed a good left hook. Herman landed a body kick and shot in and got the single-leg. Grove locked up a guillotine with full guard. He let it go. He was looking to sweep. Grove landed an elbow from the bottom. Grove locked up another triangle and it was tight. He didn't have it totally, no. Now, he did. He cinched it up under the knee finally. Herman slammed Grove but couldn't get out. Three twenty five. Herman landed a few big shots. Herman pulled out to side control, Grove retained guard. Three minutes. Grove locked up another on the other side. Two forty five seconds. He used the attempt to sweep on top in side control and landed a few elbows to the body. He passed to north-south. Grove landed a few knees to the shoulders. Grove went back to side control, switching back and forth. Grove turtled him up. One forty. They stood and Herman shot in and managed to pull guard. One twenty five. Herman seemed tired. Herman was breathing hard. Grove landed a good elbow and another. Herman threw up a triangle and locked in one and he was looking to cinch it up and he had it really tight. Fifty. Grove pulled out, Herman had his back. Thirty-five. Herman had the back. He had one hook. Twenty. He rolled for an armbar, Grove landed a few punches and went to guard, dodged a triangle and came down to guard. They stalled. The second round ended.
The third round began. The crowd chanted 'Kendall'. No they wiped off some excess vaseline and continued. Herman landed a right hand, ate a counter jab. Herman shot in and dodged a knee to the head. Grove landed an inside leg kick. Grove landed a jumping knee to the body. Herman landed a left hook. They clinched. Herman looked very weary. Herman got the takedown to guard. Grove nearly had a triangle, an armbar, Herman pulled out to half-guard. Three forty. Herman had side control now. Grove gave up his back and turtled up, ate a pair of big knees to the shoulders, Grove got the reversal but turtled up once again. They stood to the clinch and Grove landed a knee. Three minutes. Grove landed a knee to the leg. Grove landed a body shot. Herman was trying for the takedown and he put Grove on his ass against the fence. Grove was breathing hard. Herman passed and had the back now. Two ten. Herman had one hook in and was looking for the other. Herman landed some shots in under to soften him up. More shots in under to soften him up. He had the second hook in. One thirty. Herman flattened him out, more punches in under to soften him up. One ten. Herman was concentrating on an arm now, flattening Grove's arm. He rolled over and had that arm isolated and it was locked up. Grove was trying to pull out and he had Herman's back and had a hook. Forty. He had both hooks. He had the choke in. Thirty seconds. Herman pulled out. He had it in again. Fifteen seconds. Herman got him off, fighting his arms. It was in again but the third round came to an end. Grove had the win by unanimous decision.
Rory Singer vs. Yushin Okami - Singer had a four-inch reach advantage and the height was the exact same. He was a late replacement for David Terrell, who withdrew due to an elbow injury.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Singer landed a leg kick. They circled around. Singer landed a body kick. Singer blocked a headkick. They circled. Three forty. Singer landed a body kick. Three ten. Okami grazed Singer with a headkick, Singer rolled with it. Okami landed a straight right. Singer landed a leg kick. Two forty. The crowd was restless. Two twenty five. Singer seemed more aggressive. Singer landed a right hand and an uppercut. One fifty five. Okami blocked a body kick and landed a counter right hand. Singer landed a leg kick. One fifteen. Singer blocked a high kick. Forty five. Okami landed a body kick. Twenty five. Singer landed a body kick. The first round ended. The crowd booed.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Okami missed a combination mostly and shot in, Singer was defending in the clinch. Okami had double underhooks and got the trip to half-guard and he was looking to pass. Singer retained guard after a moment. Singer landed a few punches from the bottom. Okami landed a good punch. Singer shoved him off with his legs and stood. Three thirty. Okami landed a good body kick, very good. Okami landed a counter left hook. They clinched. Singer landed a knee to the inner thigh. Another knee. Two forty five. Okami landed a few knees to the body. The crowd was getting restless. Okami got the trip and Singer put in the butterflies and then retained guard. Two fifteen. Okami passed to half-guard. Okami turtled him up now and sprawled. One fifty. Okami was just shutting him down here. Singer rolled and grabbed half-guard. Okami passed to side control and mounted smoothly and Singer grabbed ahold of half-guard swiftly. One fifteen. Okami briefly looked for a kimura and landed an elbow. Fifty-five. Okami postured up with a good shot and ate a pair of good upkicks and ate a few to the leg as well and a few more. Another big one and another. Okami replied. Singer landed another and another and another. Twenty-five. Another one and another, working under the knee. Okami ate another and another from the bottom. The crowd was restless as the second round ended.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Singer blocked a high kick. Singer landed an inside leg kick and caught a right hand. Okami missed a combination. Singer landed a body kick and pushed forward and they clinched. Okami got the toss to half-guard. "Get up from here." Okami passed to side control. Three thirty five. Okami landed a pair of elbows. Okami landed a good punch. Three fifteen. Singer rolled and turtled up, holding the leg. Singer got up slightly, Okami had the headlock and landed three or four knees. Singer went back down and decided to turtle up and then pulled half-guard. Two forty. "Get off your back, Rory." The crowd was restless. Two fifteen. Okami passed to side control. Okami mounted. One forty five now. One twenty five. The referee told Okami to work. Okami postured up with a few shots and more shots down. One minute and five left. Big shots coming down repeatedly, Singer tapped and the referee stopped it.
Paulo Thiago vs. Jacob Volkmann - The fight was Volkmann's debut into the UFC and he came in undefeated.
The first round began. Volkmann missed an early combination. Thiago was pumping that jab a lot. Volkmann blocked a high kick. They clinched. Thiago landed a knee to the body. Volkmann landed a few uppercuts inside. Volkmann landed a knee to the leg. Thiago got the trip right into side control. Three thirty five. Volkmann retained half-guard. Volkmann had a small cut on the bridge of his nose already. Volkmann was trying to wall-walk and he made it up to the clinch. Thiago had double underhooks but Volkman had the whizzer. Three minutes. Thiago got the trip to side control and mounted immediately. Two thirty. Volkmann was rolling and trying to stand. He got on his ass, trying to wall-walk. Two ten. He retained half-guard at least. Thiago landed a short elbow and a punch. Volkmann retained guard. Volkmann pushed him off and stood. Thiago landed an inside leg kick and shot in, Thiago stuffed it and clinched and Volkmann landed a knee to the leg and another. One minute. Thiago landed a knee to the leg. Thiago landed a knee to the body. Thiago landed a few knees to the inner thigh. Thiago replied with one of his own. Twenty five. Volkmann broke with an elbow. Fifteen. Boos came. Why? Thiago landed an uppercut. Thiago landed a left hook and dropped Volkmann right as the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled. Volkmann landed a leg kick and Thiago kicked the leg and swept it and let him up. Thiago missed a Superman punch and they clinched. Volkmann got the trip to side control himself. Volkmann was trying knee to belly, Thiago turned in to him and retained half-guard. Thiago was looking to stand. Volkmann was trying to hold him down. He was turning to the back now. He was landing shots in under. Three thirty. Thiago was turning away. Thiago pulled out and they stood to the clinch. Three minutes. Volkmann landed a knee to the body and an uppercut and ate a knee to the body. Two forty. Not much going on. Thiago broke with a combination in close and clinched again. Volkmann landed a left hook inside. Volkmann had the back again and got him down, side back mount. One fifty five. He turned and took the full back. He landed a few big hooks and barely had the mount, Thiago turned out on top and stood and came down with a big shot into guard. One minute. Thiago landed a punch and another. Forty five. Thiago stood and came down with a massive shot into side control. Fifteen. The second round ended.
The third round began. They circled. Volkmann missed a combination and ate a left hook and dropped and ate a few big shots to the body from the standing Thiago. Thiago came down with a big shot into guard. Volkmann was trying to throw up a triangle. Thiago passed to side control and then north-south and back to side control on the other side, then north-south. He grabbed a north-south choke briefly. Volkmann rolled out and turtled him up. Three thirty five. Volkmann landed a lot of body shots. Three twenty. They stood to the clinch. Thiago broke with a left hand. Volkmann shot for the single-leg, Thiago avoided and Volkmann fell to his back and Thiago stood over him. Thiago came in with a missed shot and Volkmann rolled on top side control. He took Thiago's back. Two twenty. He went back to side control. He briefly had the crucifix but lost it, nope he had it again. A few hard elbows to the forehead of Thiago and another. One thirty remaining. Volkmann took Thiago's back. Thiago pulled out and stood. Thiago came in with a big shot into side control. Fifty. To north-south and then side control on the other side. Volkmann grabbed a D'arce choke from the bottom and it was tight and he turned and turtled Thiago up with it. He let it go, Thiago pulled out and had the back and then on top in half-guard. Fifteen. Five or six big elbows. Three big punches down. The third round ended. Thiago had the win by unanimous decision.
Ben Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone 1 - The fight was for the interim WEC lightweight title and was considered by many the 2009 Fight of the Year. The referee was Kerry Hatley. Jamie Varner was ringside watching closely.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Cerrone missed a headkick and slipped and stood and Henderson came in and shot in, Cerrone locked up a guillotine in the clinch and it was tight, he was torquing it. He brought Henderson down and was on top in side control cranking it tight. That was a tight tight choke. Henderson pulled out and got caught in a tight tight triangle. He got his head out but his arm was still caught in it. That was tight. Three thirty five. Henderson landed a few weak punches. A good hammerfist. Cerrone let go and turtled up. Henderson locked up a guillotine of his own, Cerrone pulled out and dodged a headkick. Three minutes. They circled. Henderson landed a leg kick. Two forty. Cerrone landed a leg kick, Henderson shot for the single, Cerrone was defending in the clinch. Two twenty. Cerrone was defending still. He got Cerrone down into guard. Cerrone was looking for a triangle but couldn't get it. Henderson landed a good punch and another from postured and another and another. Henderson landed another punch and another. Cerrone was trying for an omoplata but it wasn't tight. Cerrone shoved him off, Henderson stayed on. One twenty. Henderson stood over him with a good punch again. A good body shot and another and a good hook to the face down. Fifty-five. Another good pair of punches. Another good punch. Cerrone tried to spin out, Henderson had the back, three good punches in under and another pair. Cerrone spun to guard. Twenty-five. Two good punches from Ben. Cerrone landed an upkick. The first round ended.
The second round began. Henderson missed a headkick, blocked actually by Cerrone. They circled. Henderson shot in and got Cerrone down, Cerrone shoved him off and Henderson came in and Cerrone got the back with one hook in but he was high. He had the body triangle in, Henderson turned in to Cerrone's guard. Three fifty. Cerrone worked a high guard as Henderson postured. Cerrone landed an upkick and two big hammerfists, Henderson had half-guard and he ate a few hammerfists from the bottom. Cerrone complained to the referee about something. Henderson postured and then came down, Cerrone was looking for a kimura in guard, in a strange position, almost an omoplata position, Cerrone turned and used it to take the high back and then went to an armbar, Henderson stepped over and turned in to guard. Ben landed a big elbow and a body shot. Two twenty five. Ben postured up. Ben landed a big punch and another and another. Ben landed five or six big shots. Ben came down with a big elbow and back up. A big punch, he ate an upkick. One thirty. Cerrone landed an upkick. A big punch from Ben. A big big shot. A big body shot. Two big hooks. A big body shot. Cerrone rolled for a kneebar and he had it. Ben turned out confidently back to postured. A big punch and another, head and body. Cerrone landed a pair of big upkicks. Ben got the back, Cerrone rolled back to guard. YThree big shots and another. The second round came to an end.
The third round began. Cerrone pushed forward with a missed head-head-body combo. Ben landed a leg kick. Henderson shot in and got the takedown and postured up immediately, Cerrone shoved him off but Ben took the back and landed shots in under, Cerrone rolled and Ben postured up. A big punch. Cerrone dragged him down, Ben avoided a triangle and turned, he passed to side control. Ben took the back. Three twenty. He had a hook. Some punches in under. Cerrone rolled to guard, Ben was standing over him. Cerrone landed an upkick. Two big punches from Ben. A punch. Two big punches and another, Cerrone shoved him off hard and stood. Two twenty five. Ben checked a leg kick and avoided a takedown. Cerrone landed an inside leg kick. They circled. Cerrone missed a combo. Henderson shot in, for the single, Cerrone was defending, Ben switched to the double. He got Cerrone down. Half-guard, two big punches, Cerrone stood to the clinch. He was defending. One minute. Fifty. Henderson dumped him down. Cerrone shoved him off and stood and blocked a headkick. Ben shot in, Henderson was defending on his knees. Ten seconds. Ben had him down kinda and the third round ended. Cerrone looked a bit frustrated.
The fourth round began. They touched gloves after a few. Cerrone landed a leg kick and shot in for the single, Ben defended and shot for his own. Cerrone locked up another standing guillotine, brought him down into side control and cranked it tight. That was tight. Four minutes. Cerrone landed a knee. Ben gave the referee the thumbs-up. That was tight as fuck. Three forty-five. North-south cranking it. Three thirty five. Cerrone let it go and landed a right hand as they broke. Ben landed a body kick. Cerrone missed a headkick. Ben shot in and Cerrone spun out. Three ten. Cerrone missed a one-two. Ben shot in, Cerrone was defending and he spun out. Two forty. Slower-paced round just a bit. Cerrone landed an inside leg kick. Two fifteen. Cerrone landed a good right to the body. Ben shot in, Cerrone was defending as the crowd chanted 'Bendo'. Cerrone dodged the single and landed a good shot in under, Ben got the double-leg nearly, Cerrone landed a big knee to the body and kept defending. One forty. Cerrone kept defending. Cerrone turned away and escaped and they circled. Henderson walked off for a moment to fix his hair. Henderson checked a leg kick. Henderson shot in, Cerrone stuffed it and turtled him up. Fifty. Cerrone stood and landed a big uppercut in under and stood over him and kicked the leg twice. He landed another kick and another. A shot to the body. He landed another uppercut as Henderson tried to stand and stood. Fifteen seconds. They circled. Cerrone was walking him down, landed a leg kick and dropped a gassed Henderson at the bell as the fourth round ended.
The fifth round began and they hugged. Ben shot in, Cerrone was defending. Cerrone landed a shot in under. Cerrone kept defending and spun out finally. They landed a simultaneous leg kick. Cerrone dropped Henderson with a left hand and stood over him, landed another uppercut in under, Henderson grabbed the leg and got him down, Cerrone was trying to stand and shoved Henderson off and stood up and stood over him. A kick to the leg. Three fifteen. Cerrone beckoned to let him up. Cerrone landed a straight right hand and then a moment later shoved Henderson down and stood over him. Two fifty. He came down and turtled Henderson up. Henderson was struggling to push forward and get Cerrone on his back, he had him on his ass against the fence. Cerrone grabbed a tight omoplata. Two ten. Cerrone switched it to an armbar nearly and then a triangle. That was tight. A triangle-armbar. He switched it to an armbar again, another omoplata again. One thirty five. He was twisting the shoulder. Henderson pulled out. Fifty five. Two big punches. Cerrone stood to the clinch and ate a big knee to the body. Thirty. Henderson got him down but ate a big upkick, came down to guard. Cerrone locked another triangle with ten seconds left, switched it to another omoplata. A tight omoplata. The fifth round ended. The crowd roared. The referee helped Donald Cerrone up. Ben Henderson had the win by unanimous decision. They hugged. Henderson had a bit of a mouse under his left eye. Henderson still sounded pumped up in the post-fight interview. The crowd was booing as they interviewed Jamie Varner, too, the champion at that point.
Leonard Garcia vs. Manny Gamburyan - Garcia had a five-inch height advantage and a two-inch reach advantage.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled aggressively for a bit. They circled. Garcia landed a leg kick. Gamburyan bouncing back and forth. Garcia landed a counter combination as Gamburyan shot in and Garcia spun away. Three forty. Gamburyan landed a leg kick and ate a counter right. Three fifteen. They circled. Two forty five. Gamburyan shot for the single-leg. Garcia defended right into the clinch. Gamburyan landed two knees to the groin and was warned and the referee broke them up. Garcia yelled 'That's twice in a row!' Garcia had to take a moment. Herb warned Gamburyan. Garcia continued after a bit. They clinched and Gamburyan landed a knee and a body shot and got Garcia down, Garcia got right back up to the clinch. One fifty. Garcia was sprawling nicely against the fence, sprawling his feet out nicely. Gamburyan landed a knee to the body. Fifty-five. Gamburyan landed a knee to the leg and Garcia replied. Gamburyan had a nice body lock. The referee broke them up and they touched gloves. Garcia landed a body kick, a nice switch. Gamburyan landed a big right hand and ate another body kick and shot in. Gamburyan was lifting Garcia up as the first round ended.
The second round began. The crowd chanted 'Manvel'. Garcia tried a headkick and slipped and stood. Manny landed a leg kick and tried a big shot and tripped and stood. Garcia missed a knee. Garcia landed a right hook. Gamburyan shot in, Garcia was defending on his knees and up against the fence now. Three twenty five. Garcia landed a few hammerfists to the body. Gamburyan got Garcia down and Garcia got up and ate a few shots in under, five or six. Three minutes. Garcia landed a knee to the leg. They broke. Two twenty five. Garcia missed a body kick. Good movement by Gamburyan. Gamburyan missed a big right and slipped and they scrambled and he had Garcia's standing back, they turned and Gamburyan got Garcia down into guard. One thirty five. Gamburyan landed a few short punches and passed to half-guard. One fifteen remaining. Gamburyan had a headlock from the top. He let it go. Gamburyan landed a shoulder shot and a few punches and an elbow. He was looking for a kimura, switched to a guillotine from the top, Garcia used it to get his legs out and on one knee and foot, Gamburyan landed a hard knees to the legs, a few more hard knees, and they stood to the clinch. Fifteen. Gamburyan was looking for the takedown again and got Garcia on his back and postured up with two big shots from half-guard and the second round ended.
The third round began and they hugged. Gamburyan blocked a big right hand. Gamburyan landed a good right hand. Garcia missed a right hand and a left hook. Gamburyan blocked a body kick. They circled. Garcia landed a body kick and ate a right. Gamburyan slipped but stood. Three fifty. Gamburyan missed a jab, he's been pumping that out more. Garcia missed a knee and a right hand. Gamburyan landed a nice one-two. Garcia nodded for more. Three twenty. Garcia had his hands low and put his chin out and ate a left hook there. Garcia missed a combination. Gamburyan said come on, with his own hands down, and shot in and got the takedown to guard. Two fifty five. Gamburyan lifted him a few inches and slammed him. Two thirty. Gamburyan passed to half-guard. Two-twenty five. Garcia was trying to stand, Gamburyan had that headlock. Two minutes. Gamburyan turtled him up and Garcia stood and went to his knees trying to avoid another takedown. Garcia spun out but was caught in the standing back. Garcia landed a big elbow backwards. Gamburyan landed some knees to the legs. Gamburyan put Garcia down for a moment, then Garcia stood but Gamburyan still had the standing back. One fifteen. Garcia was sprawling against the cage now in the clinch sort of. Gamburyan kept trying that single-leg. Forty-five. Gamburyan kept coming. He got him down in half-guard against the cage. Thirty. Gamburyan landed a few punches. Some more hard punches, five or six. Garcia was rolling out and he stood and sprawled and turtled Gamburyan up and the third round ended. They hugged. Gamburyan had the win by unanimous decision, 29-28.
Tank Abbott vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - The fight was Tank's Pride debut and his only Pride fight.
The first round began. They circled, Abbott had his hands down as usual. Yoshida grazed him with a headkick and Abbott got the takedown right into a tight guard. Yoshida was controlling the arms nicely as well. Yoshida was trying to set up something, Abbott was turning nicely. Possibly trying to set up a triangle, but it wasn't close. Wait, he nearly had an armbar, back to regular guard now. Very impressive defense from Tank. The referee told them 'action'. Not much was going on. Abbott postured up. Abbott was pushing him toward the ropes. Abbott landed a nice punch. Yoshida controlled the arms. They were almost under the ropes. The referee stood them up. No, they moved them to the center. In the replay, that headkick had grazed Tank right on the chin. They continued in the center. Abbott pushed Yoshida right back towards the ropes steadily, posturing up. He landed a good shot and Yoshida rolled for an armbar or something, Abbott was defending nicely. The ringside guys pulled Yoshida's legs out of the ropes. Possibly trying for a triangle there. The commentators laughed, Abbott passed out to side control. Abbott breathed hard on top. He put himself into half-guard. Abbott landed a body shot. Abbott landed a few body shots. The referee moved them to the center again, no he stood them up. Nope, it was the center. Abbott landed another body shot and another. Another. Another and another. Abbott postured up. Yoshida had the feet on the hips but not much was happening. Abbott came back down into guard. Yoshida controlled the arms. Abbott pushed him into the ropes. The referee stood them up and gave them a yellow card and gave Yoshida one as well, too. They circled. Yoshida landed a one-two and another and another and a knee to the head and Abbott shot in and Yoshida turtled him up and the commentators were laughing. Yoshida was looking for a guillotine and defending the single-leg. A knee to the head and another. Another. Another to the blocking hand and another pair. Yoshida turned and had the back. He locked in a strange choke and it was tight, and Abbott tapped. Abbott rolled over and Yoshida helped him up and hugged him.
Abe Wagner vs. Travis Browne - The fight was for the Victory Fighting Championship's heavyweight title, with Wagner defending. Browne came in undefeated.
The first round began. Browne came in with a big combination and knocked Wagner out and pounded and it was over in eight seconds, Browne was the new champion. Browne leaped on the cage yelling, went to the other side and leaped on and yelled. The drunk ring girl was all over Travis Browne, licking her finger and rubbing against him.
Brian Stann vs. Phil Davis - The fight was the UFC debut of Davis, and Davis came in undefeated.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Stann landed an inside leg kick. Stann landed another a moment later and dodged a sloppy high kick. Davis shot in and Stann defended to the clinch against the cage. Stann kept defending nicely. Three forty. Davis landed a knee to the body. Stann managed to break away finally. Three twenty-five. Davis landed that front kick. Stann landed a good right hand. They circled. Two forty five. Stann landed a really good inside leg kick. They circled. Two ten. Stann landed another inside leg kick and ate a nice body kick. Davis came in and got the takedown into side control by the cage. One forty five. Davis put himself into half-guard. Stann was looking to stand. One fifteen. Stann kept trying, but he gave up the back. Davis got both hooks in. He landed three big shots and back to mount, or right into mount. Forty-five. He gave up his back again. Three hard shots from Davis. Twenty-five. Stann gave up his back again. Fifteen. He flattened him out with a bunch of big shots, back to mount. Davis landed a big shot and another as the first round ended.
The second round began. Stann landed a good body kick, set it up great. Stann pushed forward with a combination but only landed one, a good right. Davis landed a good body kick. Davis landed an inside leg kick and a big body kick, really nice one. Davis landed an inside leg kick, mainly checked. He was really smooth now. He got the double-leg into half-guard. Three forty five. Davis mounted after just a few moments. Three twenty. Stann escaped mount, regaining half-guard. Very impressive. Three minutes. Davis was isolating that arm and he passed to side control and kept looking for it. Davis looked for an arm triangle and mounted. Two thirty. Stann gave up his back and flattened him out with big punches in under and back to mount. Four big punches from Davis, patient punches. Two minutes. Davis landed two big punches. Stann gave up his back again and flattened him out, six punches and a few hammerfists and more punches. Stann was cut somewhere just a bit. One thirty five. Back to mount. Davis landed a good elbow and postured up with three big punches. One fifteen. Stann tried to escape but gave up his back. Davis landed two big hammerfists in under and dragged Stann right back down with the cradle into side control and three big knees to the body and two more big ones and another, mostly hitting that arm but god-damn those'll hurt your arm and your body. Another two big knees to the body, daaamn. Twenty. Davis turtled him up. He went back to the back with a big knee to the body. The second round ended. Those were high knees. Amazing.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Stann ate a body kick and missed a counter right. Davis was a bunch tighter. Davis landed that front kick. Davis defended a takedown, came for his own and slammed Stann effortlessly into half-guard and landed a trio of body shots. Stann was looking for a kimura, he had that arm isolated. He gave up his back to look for it, Davis had the back. Davis stepped over with one hook and landed a big punch. Stann used it to regain half-guard. Three ten. Davis passed to side control, just great passing. Davis passed to mount. Davis was looking for a kimura. Stann was defending it. Two twenty five left. Davis landed a good punch. Stann hip-escaped but Davis got back to side control and right back to mount and then the back. One forty five. Davis passed back to mount. Davis landed two punches. Back to side control. One minute. Davis isolating that arm again, knee on belly and then he had the back and back to mount then. Forty. Back to the back. Back to half-guard, fifteen. Back to mount. He stepped voer for an armbar and that was tight. The third round ended. They hugged. Davis had the win by unanimous decision in his debut.
Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen - The fight was to determine the middleweight number one contender to face the winner of Anderson vs. Vitor. The referee was Josh Rosenthal. I lost somewhere around four dollars on this fight. The fight won Fight of the Night.
The first round began. Marquardt landed a front kick. They clinched but broke. Marquardt missed a headkick. Sonnen was aggressive. They clinched. Sonnen landed a knee to the leg. Another knee to the leg. Marquardt landed a knee to the body. They broke. Marquardt landed a jab. Sonnen shot in for the takedown and got it into guard but Marquardt grabbed a guillotine, he nearly had it but lost it after a bit and Sonnen landed a few punches and some body shots. Sonnen landed a hammerfist and an elbow and another. Another body shot. Sonnen postured up with an elbow and a few punches and a hammerfist. And another elbow and another and another. Two big hammerfists and a good punch, a body shot. Three minutes. A good punch. A body shot. Sonnen landed a body shot. Marquardt shoved him off and they broke. Marquardt landed a flying knee but Sonnen still got the takedown back into guard. Marquardt was bloodied somewhere. Some more good body shots. Two minutes. Sonnen landed another elbow. Sonnen landed a good elbow from the bottom. One forty. Sonnen landed another elbow and a body shot. Two good punches and an elbow. Another good elbow. Another and another. Four good punches. One fifteen. A good elbow. A pair of good body shots. Fifty. Sonnen landed an elbow. Sonnen landed some body shots. Another body shot. Twenty seconds. Ten seconds. Sonnen landed a few punches to the side of the head. Marquardt shoved him off and Sonnen stood over him as the first round ended.
The second round began. Nate landed a right hand. Sonnen shot in and got Marquardt down into guard. Sonnen landed a body shot. Sonnen landed an elbow and some body shots. Sonnen passed to half-guard but Marquardt was looking for a kimura from the bottom. Sonnen landed some elbows to the hip. Some more hard elbows to that hip. Sonnen pulled out. Three forty five. A few body shots. Marquardt retained guard. A good punch. Sonnen landed a few body shots. Two fifty. Sonnen landed a good punch. Marquardt landed an elbow from the bottom and Sonnen was bloody. Sonnen stood and came down with a big punch into side control. Sonnen landed another big shot and Marquardt rolled for a kneebar. Blood was all over Marquardt's back. Two minutes. Sonnen was out and he had the back, big punches in under. A lot of blood there. He had a hook in. An elbow backwards from Marquardt, and another a moment later and four or five more, another, another, punches from Sonnen at the same time, another elbow, and good punches, another elbow from Nate. A pause. One fifteen. Marquardt's back was red with blood. Elbows to the hip over and over. More punches in under. Forty. Marquardt spun to the clinch finally and stood and Sonnen got him down. Thirty. Marquardt got the butterflies in. Sonnen landed an elbow and passed to half-guard and three big elbows and another. Ten. Nine big punches and the second round ended, the crowd roared. There was a decent gash over Sonnen's eye on his forehead, a downward gash.
The third round began. Marquardt tried for the takedown, Chael defended and they broke. Chael shot in and got the takedown to half-guard, Marquardt regained guard. Marquardt seemed gassed. Not much happened for a tiny bit. Some body shots from Sonnen. Marquardt was just laying there. Sonnen landed some more body shots, nice ones but not world-smashers. Three thirty five. Marquardt shoved him off and Sonnen had the back now. Marquardt was gassed. A knee to the ass. An elbow backwards. A pair of knees to the ass. He had him down and had the back again. Three minutes. Marquardt rolled and Sonnen kept on top in half-guard with three big punches. Sonnen landed a good punch. Two thirty. Sonnen was weakly trying to punch and Marquardt was slapping him. Both guys were tired. Two minutes. Marquardt managed to stand and they broke. Sonnen shot in and ate another big knee and Marquardt grabbed a guillotine with guard and that was tight. One forty. That was tight as all hell. One thirty now. He's out. That's awesome. That was a tight guillotine. Sonnen postured up. One minute. Marquardt tried to stand, Sonnen had the back, he rolled and Nate was on top in side control. Fifty. Marquardt thought about kneeing the head but didn't. Nothing happening. Twenty. North-south. Marquardt stood and landed a good shot down and another and another one. The bridge of Sonnen's nose was bloody now, a cut there too. He's in guard and the first round ended. The crowd roared. Blood was all over Sonnen's face. Nate stood and walked away frustrated. Sonnen had the win by unanimous decision. Sonnen was so sore he could barely get this shirt on right before the decision.
Robbie Lawler vs. Tiki Ghosn - Lmao Tiki tried to enter the cage immediately and the ref had to call him back. Lawler came in undefeated.
The first round began. Ghosn missed a leg kick and then landed one. Lawler landed a right hook and a left hand as well. Ghosn landed a nice leg kick. They circled. Ghosn missed another leg kick. Lawler dodged forward sloppily. Ghosn landed a leg kick, nice. Lawler's leg was already swelling. Lawler landed another left hand and dodged a body kick. Ghosn landed a big inside leg kick. Lawler landed a counter right hook and ate a combo and a knee and landed a big counter right hand and dropped Ghosn hard and pounded and the referee tackled him off and Lawler celebrated, leaping up and down, cussing, pumped up. There's a big gash right in the eyebrow of Ghosn's right eye and under it too, two separate gashes right under the right eye as well.
Ian Freeman vs. Andrei Arlovski - The referee was Larry Landless.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Arlovski landed a leg kick and dodged a counter. Freeman landed a leg kick and ate an inside leg kick. Arlovski landed a right hand and a right hook and a leg kick and dropped Freeman to a knee and they circled. Arlovski landed a leg kick and a big right hand and dropped Freeman, Freeman stood and dodged a one-two. Arlovski landed an inside leg kick. Big leg kick, partially checked. Big right hand and another and an uppercut and a right hook and Freeman dropped to both knees and the referee stopped it.
Frank Trigg vs. Matt Serra - Trigg was four inches taller and he also had a three-inch reach advantage over Serra.
The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled with Serra throwing a lot of crisp probing one-twos. Trigg landed a few good counter combinations. Serra landed a good body shot and ate a counter combination. Serra landed an inside leg kick. Three fifty. Serra landed another nice body shot. Trigg seemed a bit tentative, and he blocked a headkick. Three twenty five. They circled. Trigg wasn't even thinking of the takedown. Serra landed an inside leg kick. Serra landed a body shot and a right hook and a big left hook and dropped Trigg unconscious and it was over and Serra did his little flip. Trigg was saying he was okay, but his legs were wobbly as he tried to stand. Serra told the camera 'daddy loves you' to his little daughter at home. Oh yeah in the replay the right hook connected flush on the chin and the left hook looped right back the side of the head. Three big punches on the ground, too.
Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz - The fight was a loser-leaves-town match of sorts. And indeed after the fight, Buchholz was released.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Danzig missed a jumping switch kick. Danzig missed a combination and dodged a counter and blocked a headkick. Danzig landed a leg kick. Buchholz landed a leg kick. Buchholz missed a leg kick and Danzig blocked a hard high kick. Buchholz landed a good right hand and a good front kick to the elbow, and another a moment later. Danzig shot in, Buchholz avoided that single-leg and they broke. Danzig blocked another high kick and then blocked a Superman punch. Danzig blocked another headkick. Danzig landed a good right hand, left hand, right hand. Danzig landed a right hand and ate a counter in close and landed another right hand. Buchholz landed a leg kick. Danzig landed a really good left hook. Two thirty. Danzig landed a good leg kick. Buchholz landed a right hand and another and another and ate a big counter. Danzig landed a good right hook and dropped Danzig and stood and Buchholz landed a right hand and an uppercut and a knee to the chin and they broke. Danzig was wobbly. Danzig blocked a headkick. One forty. Danzig landed a good left hook and then a leg kick. Danzig landed a good leg kick. Danzig blocked a big combination. Danzig landed a body kick. They clinched. Fifty-five. Danzig landed a good knee to the body and they broke. Danzig landed a right hand and they clinched. Twenty seconds. Buchholz landed a good elbow inside and Danzig landed a knee high and they broke. Buchholz blocked a headkick and the first round ended.
The second round began. They circled, with Danzig aggressive. Danzig shot in after a moment, he was trying a single-leg, Buchholz was stuffing it. He stuffed it fully to the clinch. They broke. They circled a bit. Danzig landed an inside leg kick and ate one. Buchholz had his hands low, he ate a right hand. Three twenty five. Danzig blocked a headkick. Danzig shot in, looking for a double-leg. He got it into side control after a moment. Three minutes. Danzig landed a few good punches. Danzig tried to go for mount, he almost had it, he landed a few good punches, Buchholz secured half-guard after a moment. Two twenty five. "Elbow on the bottom!" Buchholz was looking for a kimura. Two minutes. Danzig escaped finally, one thirty five. Danzig used it to pass to side control, big knee to the body. Danzig went knee on belly and mounted. One ten. Buchholz gave up his back. Danzig was a bit high on the back. Buchholz turned in to the guard but Danzig worked a high guard, tried an armbar, Buchholz avoided with a few big shots. Forty five seconds. Danzig was looking to set up a rubber guard. Danzig landed three or four big elbows from the bottom and another and another three right after. Fifteen. Punches with both fists simultaneously from the bottom. Danzig got the sweep into mount and pounded away with hammerfists and two big downward 12x6 elbows right as the second round ended. Buchholz complained, but there wasn't much of a big ruckus. The referee warned Danzig and Danzig apologized.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Buchholz missed another jumping switch kick. Danzig landed a leg kick and shot in for the double-leg and got Buchholz on his ass and was looking to pass, he avoided a guillotine and put Buchholz's back against the cage, they stood to the clinch, Buchholz landed a pair of big right hands and broke with a knee to the face. Buchholz landed a nice right hand but his hands were low. Buchholz landed a weak body kick. Buchholz missed a big left hook. Buchholz landed a big right hook and they clinched. Three twenty five. Buchholz landed a big knee and had the takedown after avoiding a throw and he was on top in guard. Danzig briefly looked for another kimura but he had that guard open and ready for stuff. Two forty-five. Danzig was active from the bottom, hammerfisting over and over. Two thirty. Danzig landed a body shot from the bottom. Danzig had his feet on the hips. The referee told them to work. Nothing was happening. The referee stood them up. Danzig landed a good jab. Danzig landed a good uppercut and a good one-two and wobbled Buchholz. Buchholz was tired as they exchanged missed strikes. Danzig landed a good body shot and a left hand and abig knee to the face and he had the takedown to side control and went knee on belly with some nice punches. He took the back with a hook in. Forty five left. Big punches in under to soften him up. He missed the hook and Buchholz used that to regain half-guard. Danzig went back to mount. A big elbow from Danzig. Big punches from Danzig. Twenty. Buchholz gave up the back again. Danzig was looking for the choke. Buchholz was defending capably. Big punches in around by Danzig as the third round ended. Danzig had the win by unanimous decision.
Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago - The first round began and they touched gloves. They circled aggressively staring each other down. They circled some more. Four ten. Thiago grazed Swick with a headkick with the front leg. The hands were starting to open up now but nothing had connected. Thiago was looking a bit more crisp. Three thirty. Thiago landed an inside leg kick and a good counter combination. Swick landed an inside leg kick and a good right hand a moment later. Three minutes and five. They circled, seemed to be smoothing out a bit. Swick landed a leg kick. Two forty. Thiago landed a big leg kick and Swick came right after him, seeming to want to land a hard shot now. Thiago landed a good body kick. The crowd was getting restless. One forty five. Swick landed a nice leg kick right to the knee. Thiago blocked a headkick. One twenty five. Thiago landed a good combination, partially or fully blocked by Swick actually. Very even fight on the feet. Thiago missed another headkick. The crowd was getting restless. Fifty seconds. They were smoothing up. Swick came for the takedown and got it and Thiago put in the butterflies immediately to elevate Swick. Fifteen. Thiago was controlling the arms. The first round ended and the crowd was a bit meh when concerning Swick.
The second round began and they touched gloves. They circled. They circled. Thiago landed another big leg kick. Thiago landed a really nice body kick. Thiago checked a leg kick. Swick landed another leg kick, nearly caught by Thiago. Swick was pumping that jab out. Swick landed a big right hand right to the nose. Thiago landed a counter and hurt Swick and dropped him and Thiago pounced into half-guard and grabbed a tight D'arce choke and Swick went limp and the referee pulled Thiago off. Swick was utterly limp, just laying there, and the crowd roared. Great fight.
Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman - The fight was at light-heavyweight and afterwards Coleman was released from the UFC.
The first round began. The geezers circled. Couture landed a good stiff jab. Another jab from Couture and another. Couture landed a big straight right. Couture landed another jab. Coleman had his hands low. Coleman replied finally with a sloppy inside leg kick. Coleman looks horrible. The crowd chanted 'Randy'. Couture landed a right hook and an uppercut. Coleman landed a right hook and a right hand. Couture backed off. Coleman landed a good jab. Couture landed a jab and a right hand right to the jaw. Coleman nearly dropped. A big uppercut from Couture as they clinched. Coleman landed a knee to the body. Two forty remaining. Couture landed a nice uppercut and a hook to the body. Couture landed a good elbow to the forehead. Couture landed a good uppercut. Couture landed another pair of good uppercuts. Coleman landed a body shot. One thirty five. Hugfest against the cage, as predicted. One minute. A big uppercut and another and Coleman was hurt. They were just clinched. A few knees to the body from Coleman. A big left hook and an uppercut from Couture. Twenty-five. Couture landed a good right hand. Ten. The first round came to an end.
The second round began. They circled, exchanging missed shots. Couture landed a good left hand finally and they clinched. Big right hook from Couture. Couture got the takedown slowly into mount and the crowd roared, for some reason. Big shots down from Couture. Coleman gave up his back, Couture had one hook in. Both hooks in, the choke was in. Four minutes. Three fifty five. He had that choke. Three fifty and the ref pulled Couture off as Coleman went limp. The crowd roared. Why?
Pete Sell vs. Nate Quarry 2 - The fight was the rematch after the controversial first fight ended in a scrutinized stoppage.
The first round began. Quarry landed a leg kick. Sell landed a big right hand. Sell landed another right hand. They clinched and Quarry landed a knee to the body and another. Sell was defending the takedown. Sell landed a few big punches to the side of the head inside. Sell dropped for a takedown of his own and got Quarry on his ass against the fence, but couldn't complete the takedown so far. Three forty. Quarry stood to the clinch. Quarry's face was swelling a bit, it has been since that first right hand. The referee broke them up. Quarry landed a big right hand and the front kick. Sell landed another right hand. Quarry landed a right hand. Sell landed a left hook. Quarry landed a body kick. Two thirty five. Sell landed a jab. Sell landed a good body shot. Quarry landed a big right hand and a good leg kick. They clinched once more. Two minutes. Quarry landed a tiny bit of dirty boxing. Quarry landed a good knee to the body. Quarry landed a knee to the body. One thirty five. Quarry landed a good knee to the body. Sell dropped for another single-leg, Quarry defended back to the regular clinch. Both men were bleeding heavily from their noses, bleeding on each other's feet. Sell broke with a right hand. Sell landed a good knee to the face. Fifty-five remaining now. Quarry landed an inside leg kick. Good jab from Sell. Sell landed a good left hook and it landed solid. Quarry landed an inside leg kick. Sell landed a good jab and another and a body shot and a good right hand. Quarry landed an inside leg kick. A big right hand. The first round ended.
The second round began. I missed up until 4:10. Quarry had been landing a few leg kicks. Sell landed a good uppercut to the body. Sell dropped Quarry with a big right hand and turtled him up pounding and Quarry managed to stand into the clinch but he was wobbly as they broke. Quarry landed another good leg kick. Sell landed another right hand. Sell landed a good jab. Quarry landed a right hand and slightly a leg kick and Sell shot in for the double-leg and got it into half-guard. Sell was trying for a guillotine from the top up against the cage. They stood to the cage with Sell landing a decent knee to the face on the way up. Quarry broke with an elbow. Two ten. Sell missed a Superman punch. Quarry smiled and said 'come on'. Quarry landed a right hand and ate one of his own. Sell landed a jab. Quarry landed a right hand. Sell landed a left hand and then a good body shot. Sell landed a leg kick. One ten. Sell landed a body shot. "His body's wide open!" Serra yelled. Quarry landed a leg kick. Sell missed a hook to the body. Sell landed a very nice jab. Sell landed a good left hook and ate an inside leg kick. Fifteen. Quarry landed a good left hand and a leg kick. The second round ended.
The third round began. Quarry landed a good jab and a leg kick in close. Quarry landed an inside leg kick and a jab and another and ate a right hand and then another right hook. Sell landed an inside leg kick and a big right hand and a bdoy shot. Quarry landed a big right hand and dropped Sell hard, stood over him for a second and came down with one big shot and the referee stopped it.
Fransisco Bueno vs. Igor Vovchanchyn - The fight was in Pride, both were on a win streak.
The first round began. They circled. They circled, Vovchanchyn was trying to corner him calmly. Bueno was keeping his distance wisely from the ex-boxer. Nine minutes. They kept right on circling. Vovchanchyn seemed to be getting impatient, cornering him. Vovchanchyn landed a big right hook to the jaw and another and another, left and right hooks both to the side of the head as Bueno crumpled limply facedown. The only two shots of the fight from Igor, devastating punches.
Mirko Filipovic vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - The first round began, Minowa circled away after eating a straight left and came in for the takedown, Mirko ended up on top in half-guard. The crowd chanted 'Minowa.' Mirko let him up and they circled. Minowa came in, they clinched and broke. Minowa tried for a jumping somersault kick and stood. They clinched. Mirko landed an uppercut inside and turtled him up with big shots in under and then on top in half-guard landing big shots and the referee stopped it. Dominant victory for Mirko. Easy.
Ryan Gracie vs Kazuhiro Hamanaka - The first round began. They circled staring each other down. Gracie came for and got the takedown into guard. Hamanaka landed some punches from the bottom. Hamanaka landed some body shots from the bottom. Eight twenty five. Gracie landed a good right hand posturing up. Another good punch and another, both rights. Eight minutes. A good hammerfist. Hamanaka with more shots from the bottom. Seven thirty five. Some body shots from Gracie. Gracie lifted Hamanaka up into the corner for the clinch. Hamanaka dragged him down but got mounted. Hamanaka gave up his back and Gracie got both hooks in. Not much going on. Six twenty. Five forty. Ryan was complaining about something, about Hamanaka grabbing the glove. Four fifty. One hook lost. It's back in. Kazushi Sakuraba and Royce Gracie were in the respective corners.	Four minutes. Three thirty. Two big punches from Gracie. The referee stood them up finally. A yellow card was given to Hamanaka. Gracie landed a big right hand and dropped Hamanaka and then two big soccer kicks and it was all over.
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Josh Neer - The referee was Dan Miragliotta.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Pellegrino circled away light on his feet. Neer landed a good counter. Pellegrino landed a good right hand, I believe. Pellegrino blocked a high kick. Pellegrino shot in, Neer stuffed it and looked for a guillotine, Pellegrino slammed him into half-guard and Neer regained guard and Pellegrino passed back to half-guard, Neer worked butterflies and back to guard and landed a few elbows from the bottom. Pellegrino passed back to half-guard. Neer retained guard after a bit of inactivity. Neer looked for a triangle, Pellegrino postured up out of it and came back down right into guard. Three minutes. Pellegrino landed a good hammerfist. Pellegrino postured up. Neer tried to lock up the armbar, Pellegrino slammed out of it and came down to half-guard, Neer tried for a kneebar, Pellegrino stood out of it and back into half-guard. Two twenty. Neer put in the butterflies. Pellegrino landed a good punch. Neer was looking for another triangle or armbar. Pellegrino postured up, ate an upkick, came back into guard with a good punch. Pellegrino passed to half-guard. Neer used the butterflies and regained guard. One twenty. Pellegrino landed a few body shots. Pellegrino was keeping a lot of pressure on him though. Pellegrino postured up. He came back down. Fifty. Pellegrino passed into half-guard. The referee told them to work and clapped. Thirty-five. Neer worked to regain guard but Pellegrino was defending. Ten left. The first round ended. Neer looked upset going back to his corner. Kurt's corner chastised him about submission defense. Neer's corner told him to keep it standing and they told him to headhunt.
The second round began. They circled. Neer looked a bit stiff but he was stalking Pellegrino. Neer landed a big leg kick. Neer barely missed an uppercut. Neer landed an inside leg kick as Pellegrino went for a leg kick. Neer landed a right hand and an inside leg kick and ate a combination. They clinched and Pellegrino broke with a knee. Pellegrino landed a good right hand and shot in, Neer turtled him up for the single and was defending. Pellegrino got him down and the crowd cheered. Three forty. Neer landed a good elbow from the bottom. Neer was constantly looking for subs from the bottom. Three ten. Neer locked up a triangle but Pellegrino pulled out. Neer had his feet on the hips nicely keeping Kurt off and keeping him from stacking him. Neer shook his head as Pellegrino came down to guard. Two thirty. Pellegrino landed a good punch. Neer landed a good pair of elbows. Two minutes. It sounds like the crowd is chanting 'Stand them up' but it's faint. Neer rolled for an armbar but Pellegrino avoided easily. Neer was looking for another triangle, Pellegrino turned out of it with a few hammerfists. He pulled out after a few moments and postured up. One fifteen. Back down to guard. Pellegrino passed to half-guard and Neer was looking for a kimura, Pellegrino nearly had the back and then mounted. Forty-five. Neer rolled and gave up his back and Kurt got both hooks in. Kurt landed a few heel strikes to the thigh and some more. Twenty. Neer was trying to wall-walk. The second round ended. Neer's nose was bleeding just a little bit as he walked back to his corner. Kurt's corner praised him. Kurt looked very confident. Neer's corner told him that Pellegrino didn't like getting hit. They didn't even work to clean his nose.
The third round began. Pellegrino landed a good body kick. Neer missed a push kick. Pellegrino landed another body kick. Pellegrino was keeping his distance well. Neer landed a good body kick and then another and Pellegrino timed it to get a good double-leg right back into guard, Neer had the feet on the hips and then pulled regular guard. Pellegrino landed a good elbow, Neer grabbed for an omoplata but Kurt avoided back to guard. Three twenty. Pellegrino passed to half-guard. Neer regained guard after a bit and landed a few elbows from the bottom. Two thirty five. Neer said something. And again, Kurt replied. Pellegrino landed a bitch-slap. (Neer said 'you hit like a bitch' and Kurt postured up a bit and landed the slap and said 'Now you just got hit like one'.) Two minutes. Neer landed some hammerfists from the bottom. Pellegrino landed a few hammerfists. Pellegrino landed a good punch. Neer tried for another triangle, Pellegrino escaped. One thirty. Pellegrino passed to half-guard. Pellegrino landed a few body shots. Fifty-five. The crowd chanted 'let's go, Batman'. Pellegrino mounted. Neer gave up his back, Neer turned into guard and came back down with a good elbow. Twenty-five. 'Finish him!' his corner yelled. Kurt stood to the clinch looking for the single-leg. Neer landed good downward elbows repeatedly, Kurt got him on his knees, Neer landed more vicious elbows repeatedly, and the third round ended, Pellegrino was bleeding from the right side of his forehead decently as they walked away. Neer sat down by the cage, disgusted by the fight. Pellegrino's corner worked on that cut. Pellegrino had the win by unanimous decision.
Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida - The first round began. Almeida came out pumped, bouncing around. He came for the clinch and they clinched. Almeida landed a good knee to the body and another knee. Grove replied with one. Grove missed an uppercut inside. Almeida landed a good right hand inside the clinch. Almeida landed a good knee. Almeida landed another good right hand inside. Three thirty five remaining. Grove had double underhooks to turn the clinch. They broke. Almeida missed an inside leg kick. Almeida landed a big right hand and Grove avoided the clinch. Almeida missed a sloppy one-two combo. Grove landed a good kick to the shoulder and Almeida caught the leg, tried for the single-leg, Grove had double underhooks and landed a good knee to the body, Almeida replied with one to the leg and Grove tried to lock up a standing guillotine. Two fifteen. Grove had that single-leg tight, Grove was defending and he defended fully. Almeida kept coming. Grove landed a good elbow inside, Almeida kept coming. Almeida got him down finally to guard. One forty. Grove landed an elbow from the bottom and shoved Almeida off. Almeida landed a kick to the leg, came down into guard with a punch. Almeida landed a good elbow. Another elbow. Grove with one from the bottom and another. One minute. Almeida passed to half-guard. Grove gave up his back. Almeida landed two big knees to the body, another to the wrist. Grove stood back to the clinch. Grove landed a big knee to the body. Almeida picked Grove up and slammed him hard into half-guard. Ten. The first round ended. Troy Mandaloniz in the corner told Grove to look to parry the jab. Georges St. Pierre. was in attendance watching the fight.
The second round began. Grove pumped out the jab. Almeida faked the takedown, missed a right hand, got the clinch and slammed Grove moderately to full guard, Grove was attempting a guillotine but he was forced to let it go. Grove wall-walked, grabbed a tight armbar, it was in tight, that was tight, the crowd roared. Damn. Almeida got out, Grove rolled for a kneebar, Almeida stood out, came back down into guard. Three fifty. Grove landed an elbow from the bottom. Grove landed some shots from the bottom and tried to wall-walk. Almeida came down with two big successive shots. Grove had a body triangle from the bottom. Three minutes. Grove landed an elbow to the shoulder. 'Push the face away, short elbow!' And Grove did. Almeida got out of that body triangle and passed to half-guard. Almeida stood out and landed a kick to the leg, came back down to guard. Two fifteen. Almeida passed to half-guard with some body shots and then a few big shots, Grove rolled for a kneebar, Almeida kept half-guard and landed a few short elbows and punches. A few short elbows, warned for hitting the back of the head with them. Grove looked perturbed on the bottom, holding on tight to the half-guard. One twenty. Big punches from Almeida and a few elbows, more big punches, Grove stood desperately to the clinch but he seemed exhausted. One minute. A knee to the leg, weakly, from Grove. Grove landed a knee to the face. Grove landed a nice uppercut inside and then a nice knee to the face. Almeida kept looking for the takedown. Twenty. Almeida was struggling very hard for the takedown. Grove was defending, an elbow to the back and another and a knee to the body. Almeida got the double-leg into butterfly guard and Grove landed an elbow from the bottom a few seconds before the second round ended.
The third round began. Grove pumped the jab out. Almeida landed an inside leg kick. Almeida landed a leg kick. Grove missed an uppercut. Grove landed a body kick, Almeida caught the leg, worked hard and got the double-leg into guard. Four fifteen. Grove stood back to the clinch. Grove landed another good knee to the body. Grove broke away with a right hand. Grove landed a good counter left hook. They clinched, Almeida dropped for a jumping armbar into guard and Grove landed a few big hammerfists and stood up. Almeida was a bit tired. Three ten. Almeida landed a leg kick. Almeida landed a good right hand. 'Set up the kick on the knee, he's tired!' Grove landed a knee to the leg and another and a foot stomp and another. Almeida broke eating a knee to the body. Two twenty. Almeida came for the single-leg briefly into side control and Grove retained guard. Two minutes. Grove was trying to wall-walk again, but Almeida was wary of that this time. Grove landed an elbow to the shoulder. Grove was pulling the leg over for an omoplata but couldn't get it. One minute. Grove had that body triangle again, briefly tried for a kimura. Grove landed an elbow from the bottom. Twenty-five. Almeida postured up, Grove shoved him off and stood. Grove landed a knee to the body and ate a counter. Almeida shot in, Grove was defending and landing elbows in. Grove kept defending. The third round ended. Almeida had the win by unanimous decision.
Josh Burkman vs. Forrest Petz - Everything was exactly identical except for the age, I believe Petz is a bit older, might be the other way around. Does it matter? The referee was Yves Lavigne.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Burkman came in for the clinch, Petz turned it around and landed a good knee. They jockeyed for position. Burkman got the trip right into guard. Four twenty five remaining. Petz tried to stand, Burkman kept him down with the cross-face and dropped back for a guillotine from unorthodox half-guard, Petz was fighting it. Four minutes. Petz was out and Burkman regained guard and grabbed it again. It looked tight as all hell. Petz pulled out finally. Three thirty. Petz landed some body shots. Petz landed a good elbow. Petz landed another elbow and some body shots. Josh looked like a fish out of water on his back except for that guillotine. Burkman was trying to stand, and he made it to the clinch eating a knee to the body. Two thirty five. Burkman dropped for a double-leg, Petz briefly defended but Burkman dumped him down into guard nicely. Two fifteen. Burkman passed to a sort of halfguard. Burkman landed a good punch, Petz reversed with a single-leg and got Burkman on his ass by the fence and landed some body shots. One thirty five. Burkman stood to the clinch, but looked gassed already. Petz broke but narrowly dodged a right hand from Iowa. Burkman landed a leg kick and ate a big counter hook and they clinched. Petz landed a knee to the body. One minute. Petz landed a knee to the face. Burkman looked to be trying to take a breather. Petz landed a knee and some body shots and they broke. Burkman came in after a moment for the double, Petz defended and they broke exchanging with Petz landing a good counter one-two. Burkman missed an unorthodox sloppy spinning back heel kick and got the takedown into guard aaaand... the first round ended. No, wow that weird kick actually grazed the ribs of Petz. Nice. Risky. But nice.
The second round began. Burkman landed a big left hand and another immediately and dropped after catching a right to the ear but was right back up to the clinch, ate a knee to the body. They broke. They both already looked decently tired. Petz landed a good body shot and a right hook and then another, they sloppily exchanged landing nothing. Petz looks to be the better striker. Petz landed a body shot and they clinched, exchanged a knee each and broke. Burkman missed a telegraphed left hook. Three fifty five. Petz landed a body shot and they exchanged sloppily from the outside. Petz pumped out a jab. Burkman came for the single-leg, Petz was defending capably. Burkman kept trying for it, a double-leg now. Petz kept defending. Petz broke away with I guess it could be called a uppercut. Three ten. Burkman looked to be having difficulty keeping his hands up. Petz landed a body blow, Burkman touched his groin, I guess it hit there actually. A body shot and a knee to the face from Petz. Burkman missed an inside leg kick. Two forty. Burkman looking hesitant. Petz landed a good body shot. Petz keeping Burkman on the end of his punches. Burkman shot in, Petz defended, a few knees to the body and another and they broke. Petz landed a good jab. One forty. Burkman missed an overhand right and ate a one-two to the body. Petz landed a good left hook and another and they clinched and Petz landed a few knees to the body and broke with a big one. One minute. They're both looking sloppy as hell. Burkman landed a decent inside leg kick. Petz landed a right hand and a moment later a good left hand. Burkman shot in, Petz sprawled and turtled him up,s tood after a moment and let him up, they exchanged sloppily. Fifteen. Burkman landed a good right hand, Petz might have slipped it. The second round ended. Dominant round for Petz.
The third round began. Burkman landed a good right hand to start it off. They exchanged fruitlessly. Petz was really looking for body shots. Burkman missed a massive overhand right. Burkman landed a good left hook. Petz landed a left hook and rocked Burkman and landed a right hand and they circled, Burkman came for the double-leg, Petz defended to the clinch and tried for his own, Burkman kept coming and Petz was defending. Petz kept up with a nice sprawl and turtled Burkman up. Three forty. Burkman stood to the clinch. They broke. Petz landed a good jab. Petz with another jab. Burkman landed an inside leg kick. Two fifty five. Petz missed a big body shot. Petz landed a left hook. Petz landed a jab, defended a takedown easily shoving Burkman aside. Burkman took a deep breath. Burkman landed a jab, ate a big jab from Petz though. Petz landed a good punch to the diaphragm. Burkman landed a leg kick. One fifty five. Petz landed a jab. Petz was keeping Burkman on the end of his punches still. Petz landed a body shot and ate a counter right and dropped, Burkman pounced with an elbow and a few punches and pulled guard cranking a tight guillotine. Fifty-five. Petz pulled out, ate an elbow from the bottom and landed some body shots. Not much going on. Two decent punches from Petz. Twenty. Burkman turtled up, Petz stood and let him up missing a sloppy punch. Burkman landed a big left barely and missed a big right and the third round ended. Both raised their hands but Petz was bleeding from a decent cut under his... right eye, I believe. Burkman had the win by split-decision. Yeah, I guess the knockdown does help.
Matt Grice vs. Jason Black - Again, everything was identical except the age.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Grice missed a leg kick. Black missed a combo, Grice grabbed the upper body and got a throw, nice. Black was on his ass against the fence. Grice was trying a sort of neck crank to sweep. Grice popped out and landed a body shot and another. A few more. Grice landed a few punches and another and a few body shots. Black was trying for an armbar, Grice pulled out and came back down into guard. Three twenty. Black kept looking for a kimura, he had been since they hit the ground. Grice landed a good short elbow. Grice landed a few body shots and passed nicely to side control to avoid a guillotine, Black kept trying for it. Black was trying to wall-walk and he gained guard back nicely. Grice landed a few punches. Two twenty. Grice passed to half-guard. Black regained guard once more. Grice landed a few punches. One fifty. Grice landed a few decent punches. Black kept looking for that kimura, on the opposite side. He had it locked. One twenty five. He had it locked up, the crowd roared but Grice passed to half-guard, Black still had it and flipped Grice with it and they stood to the clinch and Grice landed a few good knees, Black replied with one and fell and pulled guard. Fifty-five left now. Grice passed to half-guard. Black was trying the '100 percent' neck crank. Thirty-five. Grice pulled out. Black regained guard. Grice landed a few punches. Fifteen. Black was looking for that kimura once more and he had it deep from half-guard. The first round ended, though. Grice shook his right arm out right before the second round began.
The second round began. Grice landed a right hand and a left hook right to the chin and wobbled Black and a big flurry again and some shots on the ground, Black stood rocked to the clinch, Grice put him back down with another left hand and Black managed to pull guard. He was hurt bad. He was cut under his right eye. Black was looking for a guillotine. Grice passed to half-guard. Four minutes. I thought I heard them talking to each other. 'Alright' *grunt grunt*. Grice landed a big punch and another and another. Black retained guard. Three twenty five. Black kept looking for the kimura but his mouth was wide open. Grice landed a good elbow and a hammerfist. Grice passed to half-guard with four big punches and Black regained half-guard. Two fifty. Grice landed a few glancing punches. Grice passed to half-guard. Grice landed a good punch. Two twenty-five. Grice landed a body shot. Grice passed almost to side control, Black regained guard. Two minutes. Grice landed another punch. Grice passed to half-guard. Black regained guard right back. Black was looking for a triangle. One thirty. Grice was staying calm and posturing up, Black had the arm as well. It was tight. The crowd was roaring, he had it tight, he had sunk in from the top with Grice laying on his side. Black landing consistent elbows sideways, Grice was trying hammerfists from the bottom, that was tight. Fifty-five. It was tight as hell. An armbar was well. Grice was back on top and it was still tight, I thought I saw a tap. A kimura at the same time. Thirty seconds. Holy crap. Wow. That was tight, he was mounted with the triangle still in. Ten seconds. Hammerfisting at the same time. Hammerfisting repeatedly. The second round ended. The crowd was roaring. Great, underrated fight so far. Black was exhausted, walking slowly and weakly back to his corner.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Grice tried a high kick slightly. Grice missed a big combination and landed a body kick. Black shot in, Grice sprawled and they clinched. Black landed a knee to the body and ate a right hand inside. Grice hit the switch and got caught in a guillotine, Grice pulled out to side control still in it, Black wasn't letting go, just burning himself out, he let it out. Three fifty remaining. Black regained guard. Grice pulled back out to side control, and then put himself back into guard, Black locked up another guillotine, he let it go. Three ten. Not much going on. Two thirty five. A few good body shots from Grice. A few punches and a pair of short elbows. Two minutes. Grice went body-body head nicely, three big shots from the top by Grice. Black was trying to wall-walk. One thirty remaining. Grice landed shots down consistently. A good elbow from Grice. One fifteen. Grice passed to avoid the kimura and he had north-south, Black rolled and regained... half-guard. Fifty. Grice passed to side control. Black was just exhausted. Black grabbed a loose half-guard. Twenty-five. Grice postured up with four shots and a big one and he missed two more and the third round ended. Grice helped Black up and hugged him against the cage. They hugged again after, Black looked awkward. There was some mixup with the scorecards, and the decision was initially given to Black and then a few minutes later to Grice.
Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop - Roop had a three-inch reach advantage and a seven-inch height advantage (?). That can't be right. Let's listen to Goldberg and see, shall we? All he noted was the reach advantage. 5'6 to 6'1. Yeah, that's seven, right? Wow. Damn.
The first round began and they touched gloves. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Roop landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick and narrowly dodged a headkick. Kaplan missed an uppercut, dodged a high kick and landed a leg kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick, keeping his distance but also stalking Roop. Someone's nose was cut. I think Kaplan's. Roop seemed to have landed a few shots, he was throwing a lot of hands. Kaplan blocked a high kick. Kaplan landed a hard inside leg kick. They clinched and Roop broke with a missed knee towards the face. Kaplan landed another hard inside leg kick. He was landing it with his foot. Kaplan landed a good body shot. Roop missed a wild uppercut. Roop missed a headkick and ate a leg kick. Roop landed a leg kick and ate one. Two twenty. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Roop landed a front kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed a good right hand. Good head movement by Roop though. Kaplan landed a leg kick. I can believe that height advantage now. Kaplan landed a good leg kick. Kaplan showed good head movement. Kaplan wasn't running. He was staying right in there. Kaplan blocked a head kick. Yeah the cut is on Kaplan's nose, he came in with a healing cut. He's been bleeding decently. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Roop landed an inside leg kick and an uppercut. Thirty-five. Kaplan shot in, Roop was defending, Kaplan passed quickly to side control. Kaplan stood and ate an upkick and backed off and let Roop stand up. Kaplan landed a leg kick. Five. Roop landed a weak inside leg kick. Kaplan landed a hard one-two and the first round ended.
The second round began. Kaplan grazed him with an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed a leg kick. Roop narrowly missed a crisp flying knee, Kaplan capitalized with the takedown to guard, stood, came back down to guard, dodged a weak armbar attempt, he was looking to pass, Roop was doing a good job defensively though. Roop landed an elbow from the bottoma nd was warned for hitting the back of the head. Roop shoved him off with his feet. Roop landed a good body shot. Three thirty. Kaplan blocked a switch kick and tried a takedown, Roop stuffed it. Kaplan landed a good inside leg kick and blocked a high kick. They clinched. Kaplan kept looking for the single-leg and got it into guard. Kaplan had his face on Roop's stomach. Kaplan tried to drop back for a leglock, Roop shoved him off and they stood. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed a good body shot. Roop landed an inside leg kick. One forty five. Kaplan landed a hard body shot and they clinched. Kaplan was trying a single-leg, Roop was defending, Kaplan kept coming and got it into full guard, but had his face flat on George Roop's stomach, arms on the ground. One minute. Not much going on. Thirty. Roop staying active with punches from the bottom. No sub offense though. Fifteen. Roop staying active from the bottom. The second round ended.
The third round began. Kaplan landed a good leg kick. They circled. Roop grazed with that front kick to the arm. Kaplan blocked a headkick. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Kaplan landed a body shot and they clinched, Kaplan dropped for the single-leg and got it into half-guard and then side control. Roop turtled up after a moment. Kaplan tried to take the back, kept side control. Kaplan mounted. Three thirty five remaining. Roop got the butterflies, shoved him off and they stood, Kaplan blocked a headkick. Roop landed a leg kick. Kaplan shot in, Roop stuffed it, good sprawl. 'We can do anything!' Roop's corner screamed. Two forty. Kaplan landed an inside leg kick. Roop narrowly missed another knee towards the head. Roop checked an inside leg kick. They clinched. 'I need punishment all the time!' Roop's corner yelled. Kaplan was trying the single-leg, Roop was defending, Kaplan kept on coming. One forty remaining. Kaplan switched to a body lock, nearly had it, switched to a single-leg, Roop defended, Kaplan let it go and shoved Roop down and walked off. Kaplan blocked a headkick and another and landed a leg kick. One minute. Kaplan landed a leg kick and blocked a headkick. They clinched. Kaplan looking for the double-leg. Thirty-five. Roop defended for a bit. Twenty-five. Kaplan broke with a body shot and missed a right. Kaplan blocked a headkick. Ten. Kaplan blocked a headkick. Kaplan had his hands low dodging punches and he dodged another combo and the third round ended and they hugged. Roop had the win by split decision. Kaplan looked shocked. The crowd booed raucuously. Rogan said 'wow'.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao - After the fight, Gusmao was cut.
The first round began. KS came out hunting. Gusmao landed an inside leg kick and they clinched. Gusmao had the plum with a few knees to the body and they broke. Gusmao landed an inside leg kick to the groin and they touched gloves and then touched gloves again. KS landed a combo and another, two one-twos basically. Gusmao dropped KS with an inside leg kick and swarmed with a few punches and a nice knee and two blocked headkicks, and they touched gloves again. KS landed an inside leg kick to Gusmao's groin and Gusmao took a moment and they touched gloves AGAIN and continued. Three thirty. Gusmao circling away, blocked a combo, landed a good one-two and a right hand. Three ten. KS landed a good body shot. Gusmao landed an inside leg kick and a push kick. He missed a headkick. Two fifty. KS landed an inside leg kick. Gusmao landed an inside leg kick. Two thirty. Two fifteen. KS landed a right hand and a left and Gusmao was hurt but he was still there. He landed an inside leg kick and a knee to the body. One forty-five. A big combination from KS and Gusmao crumpled with one leg under him badly and then facedown and it was over.
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Vernon White - The fight was White's Pride debut, and Sakuraba's as well, coming off a UFC fight. It was only Sakuraba's third mixed martial arts fight.
The first round began. Sakuraba landed a good leg kick and White dropped his hands and stared at Sakuraba and bounced around. Sakuraba landed another leg kick White landed a good left hand and hurt Sakuraba, Sakuraba grabbed a leg and got the single leg into guard and passed to side control. Sakuraba switched sides. Sakuraba had the arm isolated and was looking for a kimura. Stephen Quadros wasn't noticing it and neither was Bas. It was close, and they were calmly talking about White's experience. Sakuraba had it locked up, White spun out and sprawled for the turtling up, Sakuraba hit the single again. White turtled him up again and briefly had an overhook. White had that overhook again. They were just jockeying for position here. Sakuraba got White on his back in half-guard sort of. Not much was going on, Sakuraba was perhaps looking to pass and yep he mounted, took them a second to notice. They were impressed that the 'Pancrase veteran' White had gotten mounted, White rolled and almost gave up his back and stood over Sakuraba with a good punch. He let Sakuraba up. Sakuraba went for another single-leg, got it, White rolled for side control. White was trying to set up an armbar and he turned for guard and Sakuraba made it to half-guard. Sakuraba was breathing raggedly like a dog hit by a car. White looked frustrated on the bottom. White regained guard again, Sakuraba passed to side control, White turtled up and Sakuraba rolled for an armbar and he was trying to lock it up, White was trying to pull his arm out. White pulled out, but Sakuraba was hanging off on that arm as White stood. White had both hands clenched. 'Knock his head off!' White ripped his arm out and the back but no hooks, Sakuraba pulled him off into side control and then north-south. Awkward position. Sakuraba stood over White and he was holding the legs. Sakuraba came down slowly to side control. Tra Telligman was coaching White. Sakuraba went knee on belly for a bit. Back to regular side control. Three guys came in and dragged them away from the ropes , dragging White by the legs. They continued. Sakuraba stood over White again.White kicked the knee from the bottom a few times. Sakuraba came down and White was pulling an awkward half-guard, Sakuraba snuck to side control and he was trying to set up an armbar or a kneebar. He went fo an armbar and that was tight, White rolled out to side control very nicely and then he had the back. He needs to get those hooks in. White rapped his gloves on Sakuraba's back rhythmically landed a punch and stood and let him up, spun and faked a soccer kick, Sakuraba got a single-leg to the guard. Sakuraba passed over to half-guard. One minute remained, as the announcer helpfully... announced. Not much was going on. Sakuraba was again looking for a kimura. Sakuraba mounted. He sat there for ten or fifteen seconds and the first round ended.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Sakuraba missed an inside leg kick. He seemed pretty tired. Sakuraba missed another leg kick. White landed a good jab and another. They felt each other out a bit as they circled. They obviously both respected each other and didn't want to make a mistake. Sakuraba missed another sloppy leg kick. This almost looks like a work. White landed a good jab. Sakuraba shot in and White sprawled and Sakuraba shoved White down into side control nevertheless. Not much was happening. Sakuraba mounted and the commentators didn't notice really, they were talking about the Pancrase and Pride styles of grappling. White was hugging Sakuraba desperately as they chatted. White landed a punch from the bottom and struggling to hip escape. Sakuraba landed a punch. White rolled out and Sakuraba grabbed an arm pretty tightly, but White didn't seem to be concerned. Sakuraba almost had it, there was a tiny cut by his right eye as well. White pulled out and had the back again. Yep, a tiny mouse under Sakuraba's right eye. White landed a punch to the ear. White was going for the choke but he didn't have the hooks, he had one, but Sakuraba got out into half-guard. White regained guard and tried to lock up a triangle but Sakuraba wasn't having it. White landed an uppercut from the bottom. Sakuraba was taking a breather. White pulled out and turtled Sakuraba up, sprawling out. White landed a big body shot. White turned and had the back and Sakuraba stood with the standing back trying a kimura from the front. White had the standing back, Sakuraba rolled with the kimura on top into side control straightening the arm out on the ground, he was trying to bend it. He had it bent, White escaped briefly. Sakuraba mounted. They spun out and White had the standing back, Sakuraba rolled for something, he was on top on his side on White's chest. A reverse pretzel, as Stephen noted. White had Sakuraba's back again and White had one hook I believe. He had that hook in and he was looking for the other. Sakuraba turned in to the guard. Sakuraba passed easily to side control and then had the back. White spun out and had the back again. White landed a few body shots. Three minutes left. White looked for the choke and sprawled out and turtled him up, they stood to the clinch, White had both underhooks and had him on his knees with those underhooks tight. He was dominating Sakuraba with that. White gave it up and turtled Sakuraba up. White landed a big big knee to the body and then had the standing back. Sakuraba was looking for a kimura from the front, White ripped his arm away and they circled. Sakuraba shot in and White sprawled and pulled guard, pulled half-guard, dunno why. Sakuraba mounted again. Stephen Quadros noted that, up to that point, that this was one of the most technical grappling matches that he had ever witnessed. Not much was going on. Sakuraba landed a good right hook downwards and he was high in the mount, White scooped out and had the hooks backward and turned and took the regular back but his leg was a bit high and Sakuraba was trying to dump him off but the second round ended. White barely rested in his corner, he was hyped.
The third round began and they touched gloves. They circled. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick, White missed a headkick and slipped but stood. They circled, Sakuraba looked tired. Sakuraba landed a high body kick, partially blocked by White. Sakuraba landed an inside leg kick and another. White missed a leg kick of his own. Sakuraba missed a hard hopping inside leg kick. White checked a leg kick. Sakuraba shot for the single-leg, got it easily. White landed a punch from the bottom. White landed another punch from the bottom. Sakuraba stood over him. Sakuraba passed to half-guard. The commentators continued raving about Pancrase. Sakuraba passed to side control. Sakuraba mounted. White was never relaxing, always trying to escape. Sakuraba landed a punch, and another a moment later, to the top of the head that one. Sakuraba was trying to isolate that arm in mount. He had that left arm isolated. He stopped. Sakuraba landed a good punch to the body. Sakuraba rolled for an armbar tight on that left arm and he had it tight, White was rolling like crazy and he pulled out and had the back. Beautiful escape. White had one hook in. Sakuraba was looking for a kimura from the bottom rofl but White wasn't having any of it. White coughed. White landed a hammerfist to the ear. Five minutes remained. White was looking for the choke passively again, but it just wasn't going to happen. Sakuraba was basically taking a breather and letting White work. Sakuraba slowly rolled White and was on top, White rolled for something, anything. Sakuraba was in a bit of north-south sort of. Sakuraba scrambled and had the back of White and was looking for a reverse kimura, White rolled, Sakuraba turned it to an armbar and he had it locked up but not extended. He was turning it to a kimura and then a tight extended armbar and White tapped. Amazing.
Yves Edwards vs. Joachim Hansen - The fight was in Pride. The fight was the opening round of the Pride lightweight grand prix and Edwards' Pride debut.
The first round began. Edwards was pumping out a jab, ate an inside leg kick and landed a leg kick. Edwards had a reach advantage. Edwards landed a leg kick and another. Hansen landed a big right hand and they clinched. They jockeyed, Edwards had the plum but Hansen got the trip to guard. Edwards controlled Hansen's posture well. Hansen passed to half-guard a bit, Edwards had it in a half-butterfly guard really, not even full half-guard. He had the full butterflies in now. One butterfly in again. Full half-guard. Good passing from Hansen, good ground battle so far. Edwards very nice off his back. Hansen using his instep to try to pass that half-guard. He was really trying to pass. He got his leg out, knee on belly, but he was in side control. Edwards landed some shots from the bottom. Knee on belly, Edwards was defending nicely. Still on knee belly. Edwards was trying tos tand, scrambled to his feet o the clinch with applause. Hansen pushed him to the corner. Hansen got the trip into half-guard by the ropes. Hansen landed a good punch and the referee moved them to the center. Edwards scrambled, landed an upkick, Hansen landed a stomp to the body and came back down into closed guard. Hansen landed a few body shots. Hansen landed a good hammerfist. Hansen was constantly looking to pass. Edwards worked the butterfly. They scrambled, Hansen passed to half-guard. Hansen was already looking to pass to side control. Edwards retained full guard. He had the butterflies in. Hansen passed to side control and he had mount and then back to side control, arm triangle, had it tight, transitioned to back with the rear-naked choke in, Edwards escaped but the hooks were in and then a body triangle in. Edwards turned in to the guard nicely with the body triangle still in from the bottom and then regular guard. Edwards landed a pair of shots and ate one from the bottom. Edwards landed three or four more good punches. 'Armbar on your right side!' Hansen looked for a triangle, Edwards wasn't having any of it, he landed a few shots and postured. Edwards backed up and let Hansen stand and they touched gloves. Edwards landed a leg kick and another, a one-two and the plum and a trio of knees to the head, Hansen grabbed the plum himself and landed a trio of his own to the body and Edwards got the single into guard again. Three minutes remained. Edwards backed off. Edwards stomped the foot from standing and then kicked the leg. The referee stood Hansen up. Edwards landed a nice combination and an uppercut and blocked a high kick, Hansen slipped and stood. Hansen landed a nice body kick, really nice. Edwards landed an inside leg kick and another, he does that a lot. Edwards landed a flying knee to the body and they clinched and then another knee right after even harder, Hansen looked for a single-leg, Edwards was defending. Hansen kept coming and he got the double-leg into guard. Edwards was looking for the rubber guard. He was pulling it over, Hansen escaped and they stood to the clinch, Edwards sprawled to avoid the double and got the body lock. One minute left. Edwards landed a few knees to the legs. The referee broke them up, why? Edwards missed a jab. Edwards landed a leg kick, really nice. Edwards landed a jab and Hansen and Edwards both acknowledged that a poke occurred with the thumb, Hansen took a moment, they continued, Edwards landed an uppercut and body kick, Hansen replied in kind, Edwards got the body lock takedown to half-guard and the first round ended. I'd give that round to Edwards. Edwards in his corner looked fresher. He seemed to be in better shape.
The second round began and they touched gloves. Hansen landed an inside leg kick right off the bat and they circled. Edwards landed a nice leg kick. Edwards landed a blocked combination. They clinched and Edwards landed an uppercut inside. They broke. Edwards landed a body kick. Edwards landed a nice jab. Edwards landed a nice leg kick. Hansen was getting picked apart. Edwards landed a body shot and a blocked combination, another blocked combination. Hansen was fading. Edwards landed a counter uppercut, showing good head movement. Edwards was moving well. Edwards narrowly missed a spinning back fist that glanced off Hansen's arms. They clinched. Hansen landed a knee to the body and Edwards then replied in kind. Three minutes left. Edwards had the body lock again. Edwards got the trip to guard. Edwards passed to half-guard. Hansen had the butterfly guard in. Hansen stood nicely to the clinch and had double underhooks and dragged Edwards down, Edwards rolled for an armbar, Hansen was out in guard and he ate some shots from the bottom. The referee moved them to the center. Hansen looked annoyed. Hansen landed a few hammerfists. Hansen passed to half-guard. Edwards regained guard, Hansen passed back to half-guard. Edwards looked for a kimura. Hansen stood slightly with a stomp and mounted. Ouch. One minute left. Hansen had the back with both hooks. Edwards stood with Hansen on his back. Hansen got the suplex with hooks in and still had the back. He kept it. Edwards stood, Hansen had the back again, he threw Edwards sideways onto his knees that time. Edwards was exhausted. The second round ended. Edwards had the win by decision. They embraced wearily on their knees, Edwards helped Hansen up.
Duane Ludwig vs. Sammy Morgan 2 - The first round began and they touched gloves. Morgan landed an inside leg kick. Ludwig landed a leg kick. They clinched. Morgan got the trip into half-guard. Morgan landed two shots in under. Ludwig used the underhook to stand to the clinch and broke with a nice right hand. Morgan missed a big right hand and they clinched and Ludwig landed a few knees to the body. Ludwig landed a knee to the body. Ludwig got the takedown to full guard. Three thirty five. Morgan shoved him off with his feet on the hips and they broke. Ludwig landed a beautiful body shot to the liver and a right hand and another and dropped Morgan and was in half-guard pounding to the face and body, Ludwig stood over him and landed three big punches and more and Morgan tapped and it was all over.
Karo Parisyan vs. Josh Burkman - The first round began. Burkman missed a right hand and ate a counter right and they exchanged sloppily and they clinched and broke with Parisyan missing a one-two. Burkman landed a leg kick, Parisyan caught it and landed a right hand, nearly had Burkman down, up to the clinch again. Lot of bad blood in this fight. They broke and Parisyan landed a counter right. Burkman missed a body shto and Parisyan blocked a headkick and landed a counter right hand again. Burkman landed a leg kick. 'Caught him with a kick.' Parisyan stuffed a single-leg attempt. Burkman switched stances to southpaw. Parisyan landed a right hand and missed an uppercut. Burkman switched back to the traditional stance and back to southpaw. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick. Changing stances continually. Parisyan landed a big counter right. Burkman blocked a high kick. They clinched and Parisyan broke with another right hand. Two fifty five. Burkman shoved Parisyan as they exchanged. Parisyan landed a leg kick and dodged a counter right. Burkman landed an inside leg kick, Burkman capitalized with a double-leg right into guard. Two twenty. Burkman stood and as Parisyan tried to stand, landed a pair of rights, Parisyan got up in close and landed a right, they clinched and Parisyan broke with a missed one-two, then a left-right, got a judo throw into side control and the crowd roared. Burkman turtled up. One forty five. Parisyan was keeping him down as Burkman tried to stand. If he could knee to the head, this would be devastating. Parisyan let him up and backed off. One fifteen. Parisyan landed a good counter left. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick. Parisyan landed a left hook and barely missed a high kick. Burkman feinted the Superman punch, changed his mind and moved southpaw. Burkman ducked the right hand, came for the single-leg, Karo was trying for a kimura in the clinch. Twenty-five. Parisyan had it locked up. Burkman was defending. Burkman was looking for a single-leg as he pulled out of it but the first round ended.
The second round began. Burkman came out smiling. They touched gloves. Parisyan switching stances. Karo landed another good right hand. Parisyan landed a leg kick and then an inside leg kick. Parisyan landed a good body shot. They clinched, and broke after a moment. Burkman missed a big uppercut and dodged a jab barely. Burkman landed a big leg kick, Parisyan responded with a right and they clinched and broke. Burkman missed a big right. They exchanged probing strikes. Three thirty five. Burkman's pace had slowed and he was breathing out of his mouth. He blocked a headkick. Parisyan landed a good one-two and ate a big counter right and he was hurt but he said 'bring it on'. Parisyan landed a right hand and another and ate an uppercut. Two fifty five. Parisyan landed a good right hook. Burkman landed a right hand. Burkman blocked a right hand, he sure was fading though. Burkman missed an uppercut and ate a right hand and dodged a right hook. Burkman's hands were low. They clinched. Two ten. Parisyan broke with a knee to the face and a right hook and another, and a body shot. Parisyan was the one walking Josh down. The pace had slowed. Parisyan landed a leg kick. Parisyan landed a body kick. They clinched and broke. Burkman hung the hands really low and breathed deep. Parisyan said come on. One minute. Parisyan landed a big right hand and dodged an uppercut. Burkman missed a big right hand and they clinched. Parisyan was looking for the underhook. Forty. Parisyan broke with a knee to the body and a left hand. Burkman hung those hands once more. Parisyan landed an inside leg kick and a big pair of right hands. Burkman was exhausted. Ten seconds. Parisyan landed a good leg kick and they exchanged a jab each as the second round ended. Karo was barely breathing heavily and Burkman was exhausted.
The third round began and they touched gloves. Burkman missed a right hand, they clinched and broke, Burkman landed that right. Parisyan landed a right hand and barely dodged a right hand that whizzed by his ear. Burkman dodged a one-two. Parisyan landed a clipping right hook. Burkman landed a counter left and they clinched. Three fifty. Parisyan had double underhooks. Burkman avoided that and the guillotine that followed and grabbed the double-leg and slammed Parisyan into guard, he passed to half-guard nearly instantly. Three twenty. Parisyan pulled guard again. Three minutes. Parisyan was looking for a sweep or an armbar, but Burkman wasn't having that. Burkman was saying something, he said 'He's holding onto my glove!' Herb Dean told Parisyan to stop, Parisyan scrambled up to the clinch. Two thirty five. Parisyan got the kimura sweep and he was cranking that kimura. Burkman had his hands clasped together. They scrambled back to the clinch. Two ten. Parisyan got the body lock. Parisyan broke away with a missed combination. Burkman seemed a bit rejuvenated as they circled. Burkman landed a right hand to the nose and circled and blocked a headkick. Parisyan landed a good straight left. One fifteen. Burkman was keeping the hands up more. Parisyan landed a big right hand and missed a really nice high kick. Burkman came for the double-leg, couldn't get it, they broke. Parisyan landed a straight left. Fifty. They clinched. They broke again after a moment. Parisyan landed another right. Burkman came for another double-leg, he was working hard, Parisyan was defending against the cage dominantly. Ten. They broke. Burkman pressed forward with a missed one-two and the third round ended and they hugged. Parisyan had the win by unanimous decision.