Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 98 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show, so please leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan opens the show
Kaplan looks ridiculous. He looks like a bleached blond luchador from the late 80s, or maybe the late 90s if you remember the original Los Guapos. Apparently with the red trunks and bleached blond hair he was trying to be early 80s Ric Flair, and I thought he was closer to Scorpio Jr. All standing. Kaplan threw a nice right. Both trading low kicks. Kaplan bleeding from the bridge of the nose. More trading and Kaplan getting the better of it. Roop much taller, just nailed Kaplan with a high kick. Kaplan connecting with a lot of low kicks. roop connected with a good right. Kaplan got the taakedown at the end of the round. and did some ground and pound but Roop threw an up kick and was back to his feet. Roop 10-9
Roop tried a flying knee, missed and Kaplan took him down. Kaplan struggling to do something on the ground but got hit with an up kick. Now's he's on top and holding Roop down. Roop throwing elbows from the bottom and Kaplan let him up. Body shot by Roop. Kaplan now has that bleached blond with with blood in his hair look going. Kaplan trying a takedown and struggling with it. He finally completed the takedown. Roop is still doing more damage from the bottom and kicked Kaplan off. Roop connecting with punches using his longer reach. Roop using his reach to control the stand-up. Kaplan tring a takedown again. He got him down after another struggle. Kaplan at least trying punches to the body and head on the ground but Roop still landing more. Roop 20-18
Serena Deep signed with WWE. Another OVW product.
Nice single leg takedown by Kaplan. Got full mount this time. Roop kicked him off and landed a punch and kick. Kaplan shot with no set up and got stuffed. They were both trading punches and kicks in the last 20 seconds. Roop had a nice uppercut just before the bell. I've got 30-27 but most at ringside have 29-28 for Roop. Good fight, but unlikely to air on the live show due to going three rounds.
29-28 Kaplan, 30-27 Roop 30-27 Roop. Crowd booed the decision a little.
10,000 tickets sold in Philadelphia for 8/8 after first day of sales to the general public, although most of those were bought at the presale.
Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Body kick by Wolff followed by a punch. Now they're locked up. Both trying to throw the other with no luck. Wolff got the taekdown but Yoshida reversed on the way down and has a guillotine. Wolff flipped on top but couldn't get out and tapped from the guillotine.
There are not a lot of people in the crowd right now. The cheap seats are somewhat full and I'm sure they'll be packed. The mid-level section is kind of empty.
Earler today, Bryan Alvarez, seconded by Bryan Danielson, drew with Dan Peach Veltan, seconded by Roderick Strong, over three rounds in a grappling match
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
KS is a guy more popular than you'd think. He got a big reaction at weigh-ins and the first real pop coming out. Real big pop, it may be being from Canada and Canadian fans because they popped at the mention of Winnipeg.
Each man has kicked the other low by accident in the early going. Gusmao is quicker on the stand-up.. Gusmao using the kicks to keep KS away. KS getting leg kicked and jabbed as he went for a takedown. Now trading and KS rocked him with a good punch. KS rocked him again when he got inside with a left and put him away with a right to the jaw. He's over like a star. The fight should make TV. Entertaining fight with a good finish. KS was campaigning for best KO bonus in his post-match promo.
Kyle Bradley vs. Philippe Nover
Nover out with a punch. Bradley threw him down hard, punched the hell out of him, didn't stop. Yves Lavigne stopped the fight.
Nover was right up like nothing had happened and the crowd is ready to lynch Yves Lavigne. Bradley was really lucky because he thinks he broke his hand.
What happened was after Nover was thrown down, there were wild punches thrown by Bradley that didn't hit and one punch did stun Nover and then Bradley kept throwing and missed wildly on all of them. Lavigne jumped in but Bradley didn't stop and Nover then kicked Bradley off and was right up.
Bradley asked why people were booing him, so they booed him tons more for asking.
This match will not air on television almost for sure. People will be too mad about the finish even though you can make an argument Nover went limp for a split-second.
Crowd is filling in pretty well. Plenty of empty blocks but Las Vegas crowd can't be judged until 7 p.m. Pacific
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
Hague got a big pop. The best home town to have is somewhere in Canada. Edmonton, Winnipeg, it's all the same.
This isn't going to last long most likely. Both guys throwing hard shots early. Hague is way bigger but Barry has better movement. Barry kicked him with a high kick and the guy didn't even go down, but he was bleeding from the nose pretty quick. Hague recovered and took Barry down and got his back. Hague with a guillotine and Barry tapped. Place went crazy. Entertaining 1:42 fight. This will make TV if there's time. Best match so far.
Hague got over big in the post-match, saying he thinks he got his nose busted from a left, but wants to go out and drink some beers.
Brock Larson vs. Mike Pyle
Pyle was doing a Van Damme movie in Bulgaria barely a week ago so has done no hard training after being thrown in at the last minute. Larson made the agreement that whatever weight Pyle could get to would be the weight they'd fight at. Pyle got down to 172.
Fans started booing in 42 seconds. Larsons charged and got Pyle down. Pyle tried an armlock, and then an ankle lock and then a kneebar. Larson got out of all of them. Hard punches by Larson on the ground. Up kick by Pyle. More punches by Larson. Body punches by Larson. Larson got an arm triangle choke quickly. That's a good win for Larson, not that he beat him, but that he got it by submission that quick.
Larson noted he trained with Hughes and Sherk for this fight which was a big help.
In the opening, the crowd didn't boo Hughes or Serra. Hughes was cheered more. None of the big four on this show got anywhere near a superstar reaction when their faces were on the screen although the most cheers were for Hughes. Crowd is pretty pumped for the idea of just it beig a UFC big show in Las Vegas, but clearly none of the matches are that special to the live crowd.
Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
Nobody booed Sherk. They are boxing right now. Edgar just scored with a nice flurry. Sherk moving forward but Edgar has better movement. Edgar is doing beter and Edgar went for the takedown which won't be easy. Trading knees from the clinch and Edgar got the last punch in. Sherk throwing more but Edgar's connection percentage is higher. Edgar threw a punch and Sherk looked like he slipped down. Edgar grabbed a guillotine. Sherk just powered out. Sherk throwing a lot but they aren't landing and Edgar then counters and connects but doesn't havge the poer to hurt Sherk. Sherk snuck in a punch. Great exchange late. I'd give the round to Edgar 10-9. Great round.
More of the same. sherk swingibng with power but not hitting and Edgar countering with good shots that aren't hurting Sherk. Edgar ducked a punch and thought takedown but Sherk through him off with easse. Sherk starting to land. Edgar put Sherk down with a knee but Sherk right back up. Edgar with low kick. This is like Sherk-Griffin except Sherks' foe is doing a lot better boxing. Edgar just connected with a couple of shots. Sherk hasn't tried a takedown which he really should have at least attempted to try and win the round. Big exchange and Sherk did better in that one. Accidental low kick by Edgar. Edgar tried a takedown, couldn't ge it up threw a knee and landed a good jab. Great round again. Very hard to call. At press row they have Edgar up 20-18. It's possible 19-19 but 20-18 more likely.
Sherk got off first in round three. Frankie chant pretty loud right now. Sherk finally went for a takedown and got it with ease. If he did this in round two he may have taken the fight. Edgar back up. Sherk cut near the left eye. Both went for a takedown at the same time and both backed off. Edgar landed a good punch. Tried a takedown but this time Sherk hit a knee to back him off. Sherk tried a takedown, Edgar slipped away and nailed Sehrk with a punch. Traded some more. Edgar with a good series of punches. Sherk went for a takedown and Edgar grabbed a guillotine and held it until the bell. That pretty much won round three for him so I've got 30-27, but Sherk is the bigger star. Everyone in the crowd seemed to think Edgar won. Best fight so far on the show.
All three have it 30-27 has to be Edgar and it is.
There are probably 13,000 here but more empty seats than I've seen at a UFC in Las Vegas in a few years. Understandable given everyone knows 7/11 is the big show.
Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
Sonnen weighed 221 on 5/2. This fight is at 185. Fans booed Yves Lavigne heavy because of the Nover stoppage. Sonnnen looks a lot bigger. He looks 205-210 and cut at that weight. Sonnen walked right into a guillotine. This thinbg is tight and Sonnen is turning a bright red. I can't believe Sonnen got out of that one . Sonnnen with a few punches from the top. Miller thinking kneebar. Sonnen blocked and hammering him with elbows from the top. Sonnnen landed short elbows and some big punches from the top. Sonnen 10-9
Sonnen slammed him down hard right into a guillotine but this wasn't as tight and Sonnen escaped. Sonnen connected with weak punches, but got one good one in. He's doing just enough to keep it from being stood up but not doing any damge. He's mostly putting his hand over Miller's mouth using that to tire him. Armbar coming. Sonnen punching and got out. Sonnen with a good forearm shot and a second one on the ground. Crowd booing the lack of a stand-up. Sonnen 20-18
Miller needs a finish here. Miller connected with some punches. Another takedown by Sonnen. Short elbow and some weak punches by Sonnen. Once again doing just enough to keep from being shood up. Crowd booing but you can't stand them up when Sonnen is still throwing punches and elbows. Dull fight, though. Crowd booing again because Miller just can't get anything going and Sonnen is just holding him down and scoring points with no attempt to finish. Miller thought armbar but Sonnen saw it and blocked it easily. Last 30 seconds. Crowd booed the fight pretty heavy when it was over. Has to be 30-27 Sonnen.
All three judges have it 30-27 Sonnen. Crowd cheered some and booed a little. Nobody thought bad call but this was the worst fight of the night.
Xaver Foupa-Pokam (Professor X) vs. Drew McFedries.
McFredries tagged himright away,knocking him down twice and Yves Lavigne stopped it. McFedries wouldn't stop because Professor wouldn't stop holding his leg. Just the fact he was holding on so hard may be say something about the stoppage but nobody argued it. Only 37 seconds. Place came unglued. Drew was a little too excited.
Pretty bad when the only celebrities shown so far are B.J. Penn and Holly Madison. Mike Tyson is in the second row, so he'll be shown at some point.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Crowd popped real big when the Hughes-Serra graphic was on the screen. Serra is so smart. He's coming out to the original Rocky theme so nobody is about to boo that. I guess the Star Spangled Banner wasn't available. Hughes isn't being booed either. Serra got more cheers but that was more the music. Hughes also isn't playing to the crowd at all where Serra did. Hughes is so stone faced somber. Hughes clearly has been lifting harder than in years because his back is huge and he's ripped. When Hughes got in the cage he got a lot more cheers now than Serra.
When Serra was introduced, he was booed a lot. Hughes clearly the crowd favorite, although some light booes. I'd say 75-25 to 80-20.
Serra chant started but booed out quickly. Hughes chant. Serra decked him with an accidental head-butt. Not sure if there was a punch in there as well. Hughes was hurt. Hughes got a takedown but Serra throwing hard punches. Hughes looks worried because he's hurt. Hughes is cut near the right eye. Hughes bulled him into the fence and throwing knees. Serra did a good job blocking that takedown and Hughes looks tired. Body kick by Hughes and he got a clinch. Hughes took Serra down with 93 seconds left. He's got Serra's back. and working for a choke. If he does submit Serra that'll be big. Serra scrambled out. Crowd going crazy at this point. Loud Hughes chant. Serra 10-9
Hughes got a jab in. Serra chant again booed out heavy. Serra clipped Hughes with a punch. Good knee up the middle by Hughes. Hughes with another takedown. Hughes with hard punches to the ribs. Hughes working the ribs. Serra is showing nothing so far. Serra tried a sweep and got a few punches to the face for his trouble. He's throwing hard body punches over and over. Serra is doing nothing but taking them and looking at his corner. Hughes got booed as he put his hands over Serra's mouth. Mazzagatti ordered a stand up. Serra playing to the crowd big. Hughes round 19-19.
Serra has bruising around the left eye. Hughes with a knee. Hughes locked him up and threw Serra down again. Hughes is back to pounding on Serra's ribs. Fans want a stand-up as Serra is holding guard and not much happening. Serra tried an armbar but Hughes got out of it easily. Fans want a standup again and honestly, it's time. Mazzagatti called it maybe ten seconds late. 97 seconds left. Hughes got the punch as Serrra came in. Serra stuck out his chin but Hughes didn't go for the bait. Hughes locked him up. Serra blocked a takedown and on top. Now Serra throwing punches to the head and body. It's over. They hugged. They each held the others' hand up. Serra could get this. Real hard round to draw, but honestly Hughes had more offensive time even thogh Serra ended up on top when it was over. Hughes 29-28
Most at press row leaning toward Hughes. All three have it 29-28 Hughes. Serra looked real disappointed. Serra looked unhappy with it.
Bad blood was a motivating factor. Hughes said he got hit pretty good and couldn't remember if he got knocked down at the end of the first round until his corner told him between rounds. He fought as a lefty to stay away from his left hand. Joe Rogan asked him about Thiago Alves and Georges St. Pierre. His contract is up but he said he's a free agent. He'd like to fight one more time.
Matt Serra was booed heavy when it was over. "I wanted to finish him off but he's been hit a lot, he's a tough dude, he's got a good chin. As a fighter regardless of what I thought of him, he's a Hall of Famer, I really wanted this win, I trained really hard for this one. Lightweight's rough. I haven't had pasta in 3 months. I'm dying. I'm here for exciting fights. I think this was a fun fight.
After Sherk lost, he disappeared wearing his gloves and trunks, left the building and apparently went running down the street and was allegedly seen near the Hard Rock. He didn't say anything to anyone. He is back in the building now.
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Crowd not nearly as hyped for this as for Hughes-Serra. Machida got a reaction, all cheers. Evans was booed some but mostly cheered and probably 90-95% as loud as Machida.
Evans is backing away like Machida used to. He's trying to draw Machida in and Machida isn't going for it. At 90 seconds they started booing with nothing happening. Machida threw a kick at 1:55 in which was the first move. Evans came in throwing punches none of which came within a foot of Machida. Machida landed a second body kick. Now he landed a punch. Knee by Machida after Evans mised a punch. Mchida knocked him down with a body kick and a left to the chin and did some punching before he let Evans up for 40 seconds left. Lyoto throwing kicks that are blocked but they'll take their toll on the forearm if that keeps up. 10-9 Machida
Evans hasn't done anything so far. Whatever the secret game plan is, it's still a secret. Hard body kick by Machida. He went for a takedown and then backed off when he didn't get it. Good trade of punches. Machida conneced with a few and Evans came back with a few which was his first real offensive move. Machida throwing the kicks Evans was blocking with his forearm. Evans did a low kick. Missed another one. Evans came in and Machida decked him. He's punching him a lot on the ground, Machida threw himn down. Evans is in a lot of trouble against the cage. A right connected hard on the jaw, followed by some glancing blows and a left to the jaw finished him, putting Evans to sleep.
"Karate is back. If you have a dream, go hard, it's possible." Then he plugged his after party.
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