UFC 111 live match-by-match coverage

UFC 111 live match-by-match coverage
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Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 111 from the Prudential Center in Newark,N.J. We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show so you can send 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

Greg Soto vs. Matthew Riddle

Crowd pretty hot already. Soto doing the RVD thumbs. Soto didn’t get a big pop even though he’s from Point Pleasant, NJ, and Riddle was booed a little.

Trading low kicks. "Soto" chant. Soto ripped a right to the face but Riddle didn’t seem fazed. Now they are tied up near the fence as Soto got the takedown but Riddle got right back up. Riddle throwing knees in a clinch. Soto with another momentary takedown and Riddle back up. Soto with upper cuts and Riddle with knees while in a clinch against the cage. Hard knees now by Riddle to the body. Knee to the head and some wild punches. Soto trying a takedown but Riddle blocked it, got Soto against the cage and throwing more knees and an overhand punch. Riddle got a double leg takedown with 20 seconds left. He threw a few body punches before the round ended. 10-9 Riddle.

Good body kick by Riddle. Soto trying a takedown but couldn’t get it. Riddle has him against the cage. Riddle with a takedown with 3:55 left in the round. Riddle throwing elbows from the top. Riddle with some punches from the top, but not doing much damage. Some booing althogh Riddle is doing enough that it shouldn’t get stood up. Soto tried a sweep, but it was blocked. Soto up and threw some nice punches but Riddle took him back down and now got his back. Riddle’s round 20-18.

Rachelle Leah looks different. She got a good reaction.

People cheered both as they came out for round three. Soto landed an uppercut. Riddle going for a takedown agianst the cage and didn’t get it. Traded punches and Riddle went low for a takedown and got up and is on top in the guard. With both on the ground, Soto kicked the hell out of Riddle with an up kick while Riddle was down which is an illegal blow. I don’t know if Riddle should continue because he was knocked silly. The doctor is in. Riddle is indicating he wants to go on. Riddle already swelling badly on the right side of his face. There’s no way that kick wasn’t deliberate. They took a point away from Soto. The doctor just stopped the match saying he didn’t think Riddle should continue. That was the right call even though the crowd won’t like it. Nothing has been announced but it should be Riddle winning via DQ.

Riddle has a golf ball growing on the right side of his face. Riddle won via DQ.

Jared Hamann vs. Rodney Wallace

Wallace connected with a right. Single leg takedown by Wallace when he saw Hamann raise his legs. Wallace doing body-and-head punches. Another takedown by Wallace. Back up and Wallace rushing him and connecting with a lot of big punches. Hamann threw a knee and got taken down. Crowd really hot for the first 2:00. Hamann back up. Knee by Hamann and Wallace got another takedown but is starting to tire from going all out so fast. Hamann cut above the left eye. Hamann with a whizzer takedown. Knees by Hamann. Wallace definitely tired. Great head kick by Harmann knocked Wallace down. He’s working for an armbar but Wallace escaped. Wallace on top now. Hamann up. Wallace rushed in and slammed Hamann hard. Hamann back with knees. They traded punches and Wallace went down and is getting pounded but Wallace wrestled his way to top position. Hamann back up and threw a knee and punches on the ground. Crowd went crazy for the round. Hamann 10-9.

Wallace with two punches and danced away. He ducked for a takedown but backed off. . Wallace powered his way to another takedown. Hamann back up. Hamnann with a hip toss takedown and on top throwing elbows. Hamann on his back trying to get an armbar. Wallace is out of trouble and on top. Hamann back up. Another slam by Wallace but he’s doing no damage. Another takedown by Wallace. Wallace had a triangle on Hamann but Hamann out and punched Wallace hard to the face. Hamann with body punches. Now Hamann up and kicking Wallace’s leg before jumping back on top. Hamannn with some hard elbows from the top. Hamann mostly pounding him for the rest of the round. Hamann 20-18.

Another takedown by Wallace but Hamann reversed right before they landed and ended up on top. Hamann is throwing elbows but not doing major damage. Wallace back and throwing hard punches but he now looks gassed . Wallace is throwing wildly and hurt Hamnn. Wallace then went low and slammed him hard. Hamann reversed and is back on top. Hamann throwing knees to the body. A stand-up was ordered although I don’t know why since Hamann was doing damage with the knees. Wallace with punches and knees but then fell down with Hamann back on top. Hamann with the body and head shots. They were scrambling on the ground and Wallace went for an armbar, but Hamann escaped and is back on top throwing hard knees to the body. Hamann trappped the arms and threw punches but Wallace back to his feet. Crowd cheered the fight a lot. A lot of people standing. I didn’t think it was a great fight, but there were points of great action. I had Hamann but this round was close, so I’ve got 30-27.

All three judges have it 29-28 for for Hamann. All three judges gave Wallace the first round. He had more advantage time but to me, Hamann should get the round with the knockdown that came close to finishing.

Tomasz Drwal vs. Rousimar Palhares

Palhares took him down and hurt him bad with a heel hook ending the match in 45 seconds. Drwal is in a lot of pain. What happened was Drwal slipped throwing a kick and Palhares did the heel hook immediately. Drwal tapped right away and Palhares kept twisting for another five seconds even after ref Kevin Mulhall was trying to pry him off. Palhares got really messed up by that.

Joe Rogan went right at Palhares asking about keeping cranking after the tap. He said he didn’t want to hurt him and was very sorry about what happened.

Matt Brown vs. Ricardo Almeida

Almeida got the big home town pop. Almeida’s first fight at 170. It’s funny that years back when he started, he was considered a big 185 pounder. Almeida closed the distance and has Brown against the cage. Almeida took Brown down. Brown back up. Almeida wants another takedown and not getting it. People are starting to boo. Ref Dan Miragliotta ordered a spearation. . Almeida pushed Brown back against the cage. Fans booing again. This is not the fight you wanted on TV. Almeida tried a takedown and couldn’t get it. . But Brown has done nothing on offense this round. Almeida pushed him against the fence, unloaded with a few punches and now is trying for a takedown. Almeida throwing punches, tried a hip toss, but blocked it. And that was it for the round. . Almeida threw a few more punches. Almeida 10-9.

GSP shown backstage sitting on the couch. Thunderous cheers but there were some boos as well.

Almeida got the takedown right away but Brown back up. Almeida with some short punches. Miragliotta separated them again. Brown threw a punch and Almeida countered and knocked him down, now has Brown’s back and working for a choke. Brown bleeding as well. Almeida getting more aggressive. Brown’s cut is right on top of the left eye. Almeida trapped him in a body triangle , got the choke and Brown tapped out. Brown did nothing on offense this fight.

Dan Hardy showed on the screen. He was booed a lot.

Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham

Just for the record, Markham, who came in at 177, is officially banned from competing as a welterweight after tonight. Officially this is a middleweight fight so Diaz moved up two weight classes and now is an undersized middleweight.

Markham mostly booed. Diaz got a good reaction, not spectacular. Markham looks every bit of 20-25 pounds heavier and threw Diaz away with ease when he wetnt for the takedown. High kick by Markaham. The size difference looks bad here. Markham missed a high kick. Diaz closed for a takedown but again, size difference is too much. Diaz started connecting with punches. Diaz connecting with a ton of punches. Marksham is overwhelmed and hurt. Diaz put him down with a knee and is working for a choke. Diaz has the body triangle on, punching him from behind and again working for a choke. Diaz softening him up with punches while holding the body triangle. He’s got him flattened and throwing more punches. He’s trying to finish with punches instead of the choke and after a ton of punches, it was stopped. This was a hell of an impressive performance by Diaz.

Nate Diaz in his promo kept saying that Nick Diaz is No. 1 in the world. I’m sure Dana is thrilled about it. Now he’s putting over Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez. This is hilarious.

Jim Miller vs. Mark Bocek

Bocek landed a punch and shot in for a takedown. Miller defending well. Miller looked on a guillotine but Bocek’s head popped out and he’s on top. They are trading knees standing. Now trading body kicks. Miller threw a punch and Bocek ducked under and got the takedown. Miller thinking about a Kimura from the botto and used it to sweep. Bocek escaped the hold. Miller on top but not doing any damage. Very close round. I’d go Bocek 10-9 but really it’s a 10-10 type of round.

Lesnar came out. Good lord what a reaction. He came out with Paul Heyman. They instead shot Frankie Edgar and Renzo Gracie at ringside.

Another takedown by Bocek. He’s smothering Miller. Bocek has improved greatly. I don’t think most gave him a shot, figuring he was a guy with a few undercard wins so Miller can get a win to open the show and he’s taking the fight. Bocek is bleeding from the top of his head. He’s Trying an amr triangle. Miller snuck in a leglock but Bocek isn’t in any trouble and remains on top. Bocek got his back with a body triangle. Bocek punching the side f Miller’s head. He’s trying to sink in the choke but Miller defending. Bocek continues to punch the head. There is a blood stain where they are. Bocek trying for the choke as time runs out in the round. Crowd really into Miller fighting to escape. Miller stood up. Tried to slam Bocek backwards but Bocek held on. The round ended. I’d almost go 10-8 for Bocek but I’m expecting 10-9s from the judges. They are checking the cut. Miller is all fired up.

Miller landed a punch. Low kick by Miller. Miller looking at opening the cut with punches. Low kick by Miller. Bocek shot in and Miller sprawled away. Another low kick by Miller. USA chant since Bocek is wearing a Canadian flag on his trunks. Another low kick by Miller. Bocek jumped in for a takedown. Miller turned him around and now Miller going for a takedown. Now Bocek turned him and he’s going for a taekdown. Bocek got him down. They are in a scramble on the mat. Both now up. Bocek going low for a takedown. Crowd starting to boo, they want Yves Lavigne to separate the two. Lavigne told them to do something. Bocek got the takedown. Bocek tried a guillotine and then Miller got his back at the end. Another close round. Miller close. I’ve got it 29-28 for Bocek, but it could easily go 29-28 for Miller. Either way, Bocek overall won the fight even though you can justify giving Miller one and three, the only round that wasn’t even was two, and Bocek won that solidly.

Scores were 29-28 for Miller

Jon Fitch vs. Ben Saunders

For a guy ranked No. 2 in the world Fitch got zero reaction coming out. We’ll see if that kicks in.

They are in a clinch. Watch the knees fly. They didn’t, since Fitch took him down and has him jammed against the fence. This is like the Swick fight. Saunders is jammed against the fence and can’t get up. Fans want a stand-up. Dan Miragliotta seems to be ignoring it sicne Fitch is working and grinding hinm out. Saunders nailed him with a legal up kick. All Fitch 10-9. Crowd mildly booed the round. This isn’t looking pretty.

Fitch has him up against the cage. He did a high slam. Now throwing body punches. Crowd is booing heavily as Fitch has him in a ball against the cage throwing body punches. Now he’s on top throwing punches to the head. You can’t stand it up with Fitch continually scoring even with a "Stand them up" chant, which didn’t really pick up. Dan stood them up while I was getting texts from movie theaters nationwide. Do not text in the theater. DAMN IS THIS BORING. Saunders looks like he’s bleeding from the mouth. Fitch with a knee. Remember Stevie Richards and Tomko? Fans didn’t boo that much at the end of the round, probably because most are sleeping. Fitch 20-18.

They showed Chuck at ringside and there was a big pop. Rachelle got a big smile, not knowing, thinking it was for her.

Fitch threw a low kick, punches and knees. He’s going for a takedown. Didn’t get it. No points for Fitch. Crowd booing. Saunders bleeding from the mouth. Dan Miragliotta separated them. Fitch unloaded with punches and knees and now has him against the cage going for a takedown. 23 text messages in the last round. A couple of uppercuts by Fitch. Nice body kick by Saunders. Nailed a second one and Fitch took him down with 1:56 left. Boring chants. Fitch is punching and elbowing Saunders in the face. Saunders looks cut over the right eye. Fitch is hammering himn with punches and elbows. Well, it’s finally over 30-27 Fitch easy.

All three 30-27 for Fitch.

No interview for you Jon Fitch.

We just received word that Brock is going to leave the arena before GSPs fight.

Anyway, for those of you who have kids, get a tape of this match and whenever they use dirty words or talk back, tell them they have to go to their room and watch Fitch fight.

Fabricio Comoes vs. Kurt Pellgrino

Comoes has Pellegrino’s back. He’s in the piggy back position looking for a choke. He’s got the choke in. Pellegrino’s in real trouble. Pellgrino dropped him right on the top of his head and is now on top. Comoes was trying a triangle. That spiking someone should have been called a foul. Pellegrino on top in side control. Now he’s got Comoes back. Comoes rolled over and has Pellegrino in full guard. Pellegrino was on top most of the round. Honestly a hard one to call again. I’d go Pellegrino close but can go either way and Comoes did have a great choke in. 10-9 Pellegrino.

Comoes tried a single leg but Pellegrino got the takedown. Pellegrino got a second takedown and threw some elbows from the top. Let’s go Kurt chant. He’s throwing some elbows. Comoes up and Pellegrino threw some knees froma clinch and took him down again. He’s got Comoes’ back and looking for a choke. Comoes tapped.

Francisco Mir III vs. Shane Carwin for the Interim heavyweight title

Carwin out to "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor." Brock’s now next to Dana. Mir took forever to get to the cage. Mir got a standing ovation. No boos at all. Brock was totally booed when they showed him. Mir is taller than Carwin and they list Carwin at 6-5. That makes Lesnar 6-8 at the least.

Place really buzzing. Totally different Carwin than I’ve seen. He bulled Mir into the cage and is throwing body and hea d punches. Mir’s takedown defense has improved. Carwin punching Mir in the face and kneeing his thigh. More body punches and knees. Crowd booing. Dan Miragliotta spearated them. Longest Carwin fight in history. Mir in with punches. Carwin turned him against the cage and kneeing the thigh and holding him there. Carwin continues to knee the thigh. Carwin just unloaded on him with 6 upppercut and Mir went down and he just destroyed him with punches on the ground. It was like the switch went off and this guy became an unstoppable monster. Carwin at 3:48

Carwin said this was the culmination of a lifetime of work. Carwin was speechless. Lesnar walked to the cage. Lesnar looks huge next to Carwin. Lesnar said he’s wearing a make believe belt and that his belt is the real championshp belt. Carwin agreed. That’s thinking fast on your feet. They shook hands and it’s on for July 3rd.

GSP vs. Dan Hardy

GSP vs. Dan Hardy for the welterweight title

They are booing Hardy. St. Pierre got the biggest reaction. Loud GSP chants from the start. He does look bigger to me than before. GSP took him right down. Hardy using a rubber guard for a moment. Hardy looks trapped. He’s passed to side control. Hardy made his move to escape and GSP got his back. Hardy reversed, GSP got right up and took him right back down. The takedowns are just too easy. Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole singing. GSP got full mount with 1:24 left. He went to unload, Hardy turned his back and now GSP is high on the back looking for a choke. Hardy’s game plan is not working. Set up an armbar. It’s just about over. Hardy escaped. Good for him. Crowd went crazy. Hardy totally earned the crowd’s respect escaping that ambar. GSP 10-8

Crowd going nuts at the start of round two. Low kick by GSP. Hardy threw a right that missed. GSP exploded for the takedown. GSP passed to side control right away. GSP with knees and punches to the body. Now he got his back. He’s working for an armbar again. Hardy escaped and is on top. GSP right back up. Front kick by GSP. High kick by Hardy. Right and left by GSP. Superman punch in by GSP. GSP with a high takedown with 34 seconds left. GSP working the body. Hardy lasted two rounds. GSP 20-17.

Another takedown by St. Pierre to start round three. Hardy is punching from the bottom. GSP dropped an elbow. GSP dropped another elbow. Now working the body. Good punch from the top by GSP. Hard lefts from the top by GSP. Hardy went for an armbar from the bottom and GSP was out right away. GSP wanted to set up an armbar but Hardy defending well. GSP throwing elbows to the body. Hardy got up but was taken right back down. Hardy turned his back. 27 seconds left. Hardy’s out but GSP tripped him back down. GSP 30-26.

Hardy’s done a good job surviving and he hasn’t taken super damage either. GSP took him right down to start round four. Now he’s got full mount. Hardy turned his back again. Some fans are getting tired of the wrestling match. Hardy almost got a takedown. Okay, maybe he wasn’t close but GSP ended up on top again. GSP with body and head punches. Hardy sucks chant. GSP working a Kimura. Hardy thinking about tapping but didn’t and got out. GSP was thinking kneebar at the end of round four but time ran out. That’s a 10-8, 40-34.

GSP with a low kick and a takedown. Fans are booing GSP now for doing the takedown. GSP threw a knee to the side. Now he’s punching the body and head. He went for a straight armbar. Hardy escaped. GSP grinding it out. He went for another straight armbar. GSP with knees to the side again. Another slam by GSP with 21 seconds left. He went for a heel hook again at the horn. I’ve got it 50-43.

50-43, 50-44, 50-45 for GSP.

GSP:

"I just asked him, I thought he was made of rubber. It’s a win but I’m not very happy with myself. I did a lot of stupid technical mistakes. I’m going to talk to my Jiu Jitsu instructor to see what I did wrong."

"I wanted to avoid where my opponent was the strongest and fight him where he’s the weakest, on the ground, but he was better than I thought."

"I just want to apologize to my fans. I’m sorry. I want to come back better next time and finish next time."

Dan Hardy: "All I can say is I can see now why he’s the champion. He’s a very strong athlete. Great technical skill. But it won’t be the last time time. I’ll be back.

"You know, the one thing that I do above everyone, I may lack in technicality, I may lack in strength, but I don’t give up. I don’t know the meaning of tap."

Strikeforce live coverage from Sunrise, FL, Walker, Lashley, Diaz

 dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to our live coverage of the Strikeforce show in Sunrise, FL at the BankAtlantic Center.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can 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

John Kelly finished Sabah Homasi in the second round with a choke

Hayder Hasan vs. Ryan Keenan

Hassan, who looks like a tank, like another Thiago Alves physically, connected with some
punches and Keenan went down. Hassan threw some punches on the ground and now wants
Keenan back up. . Hassan throwing wildly looking for a finish but didn’t connect with anything
solid. Hassan 10-9

Hassan knocked him down with a left to the jaw and it’s over.

Marcos DaMatta vs. Pablo Alfonso

DaMatta is the first guy the crowd seems to really know. He’s an ATT 140-pounder. DaMatta
got a takedown but is immediately caught in a guillotine. DaMatta out but then Alfonso got him
in an armbar and it was over for something of an upset by submitting an experienced BJJ guy.

Craig Oxley vs. David Gomez

Both these guys came in 0-2. Scores were 30-27 for Gomez across the board, some booing of the
decision but not much..

John Clarke vs. Joe Ray

Ray with a knee to the chin and punches on the ground and the ref stopped it. Both men were
making their pro debuts.

Joe Riggs vs. Jay Hieron

Slow first round. Hireron was more active but crowd was quiet and not much into it. All
standing and not a lot of action. 10-9 Hieron

Hieron got a takedown and throwing a lot of punches to the ribs. He continues to work the body
while in Riggs’ guard. He’s now working the other side of the body and a few to the head but
mostly the body. Crowd getting restless and starting to boo. He’s continuing to pound the body
and will easily win the round. He had some good shots to the head with 30 seconds left Riggs
up with 13 seconds left in the round. Round is all Hieron. 20-18

Riggs hurt Hireron with a punch. Riggs took him right down. Looks like Hieron’s left eye is
bleeding. Now Riggs is cut from a blow on the ground. I couldn’t tell what it was but there’s
blood all over Riggs’s fade and body. Riggs is having trouble seeing. Bad swelling near Riggs’
left eye as well. Hieron knocked Riggs down with a left. Now on top throwing body punches.
Riggs trying to get a Kimura from the bottom. He’s knows if he doesn’t he’s losing. Riggs
bleeding from the nose as well by this point. Blood all over Riggs’ body. Ref stood them up.
It’s over, easy 30-27 for Hieron.

Crowd has been pretty dead most of the night. Lower level pretty full, nobody up top. Show was
set up for 8,000 and it’s pretty close to that.

They are announcing stars in attendance. Cain Velasquez - little reaction. GSP - big reaction.
Gegard Mousasi some reaction. Gilbert Melendez - very little reaction. Scott Smith - slightly
more than Gilbert, but both almost nothing. Josh Thomson - crickets. King Mo - a little more
than crickets. Brett Rogers - less than Thomson. Cung Le - not much but more than the last few.
Dan Henderson - big reaction. Really scary the lack of reaction at a Strikeforce show to the
Strikeforce stars.

Undercard was lackluster and crowd has been almost completely dead all night.

A few times on the undercard they played a tape telling people that they don’t need to pay $50 to
see fights when they can see them on Strikeforce. I wonder what that’s supposed to be about.

Hieron’s eye is a mess and Riggs did suffer a broken nose.

Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims

Sims not looking in shape, but at least hasn’t lost any of his height. I think 52 year old Brutus
Beefcake is the better cosmetically conditioned Brutus Beefcake today. Sims is posing like he’s
Hogan and nobody is reacting. Bobby Lashley predicts a fast finish. He’d better.

People reacted to Sims like he’s an opening match heel. Lashley got a reaction, but not as big as
you’d think. Sims doing more posing to no reaction. Sims wants a test of strength mocking
Lashley. Nobody got it. Lashley got the double leg takedodwn. And he’s punching Sims in the
face over and over again. Lashley trying to pass guard but didn’t accomplish that. Lashley
throwing more punches to the head. More punches to the head. Sims is in trouble. Sims turned
his back. Lashley kept pounding on him and the ref stopped it. It was a good stoppage but Sims
is up complaing to the ref about the stoppage of course.

Lashley thanked Sims for taking the fight on short notice.

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef

Manhoef is dancing to the ring. If this was any other crowd they’d be into him. But they have no
idea who he is. Manhoef is smaller than when he fights in Japan.

Manhoef with a kick to the body. Lawler threw a kick to the body. Slower start then expected.
Crowd actually almost ready to boo when Manhoef threw a wicked kick to the body. Low kick
by Manhoef. Manhoef threw a few punches and a body kick. Another low kickby Manhoef.
Manhoef with punches and kicks. He’s killing his legs and just taking hin apart. Lawler is in a
lot of trouble. Manhoef with more punches. Lawler’s right leg is shot. Another kick to the right
leg. And another. Lawler then knocked him cold with a right out of nowhere. Freaking Scott
Smith finish. Tremendous. It was a right to the jaw out of nowhere which stagged him and as he
was falling, a left knocked him cold.

Crowd now going crazy. That finish turned the show around. Everyone has been

“I kept my hands up, his hands seem to drop when he goes to finish guys. He was kicking the
crap out of my leg.” Quadros asked him about JakeShields and Lawler couldn’t have done a
worse follow-up saying he’ll take this win and wants to rest up.

God do they hate Rex Ryan. He’s got Matt Serra in Montreal heat. These fans don’t know any
fighters, but they know football coaches. He got twice the reaction of GSP or Dan Henderson.

Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy (pronounced Nuj)

Walker physically looks amazing. Walker got a nice ovation, now overwhelming. Walker looks
fit to be tied. Walker’s stand up is rigid. His low kicks are working. He’s dancing like he’s
Rufus Jones. Hey, Herschel was a huge Dusty Rhodes fan in the day. Walker took him down
from a front headlock position. . He got his back. . Now is punching fom the top in mount.
Nagy defendig well at this poin. Nagy tried an ankle lock but Walker escpaed. Walker has him
pinned on the ground but not doing damage right now. Some punches to the head, but not hard.
Nagy will survive the round. Easily Walker 10-9. They just showed GSP and the place went
nuts.

Low kick by Walker. Nice takedown by Walker. Walker has his back and has Nagy flattened.
Now he’s on top in full mount. He is showing that he’s a beginner when it comes to finisheing
skills. Nagy got to his feet. The crowd is screaming knee and he threw the knee. Walker got
him back down. Walker has his back again. Walker has him flatened out but seems to have no
idea how to finish hiim. He’s throwing some punches to the side of the head. Walker got mount
and beat him up with punches but no finishing power.

Nagy out with punches and Walker has him pinned against the cage and took him down again.
Crowd is now booing. Nagy tried an armbar but Walker escaped. Crowd booing now. He has a
full mount but doesn’t have the punching power to finish. He’s throwing a lot of punches and
Nagy isn’t getting out of the position, but the punches aren’t that hard. Now Walker is pounding
the body. It was stopped and Walker is the winner. Really shouldn’t have been stopped. Total
flat stoppage. The crowd is mostly giving Walker polite applause. Not a good fight but it was
amazing his conditioning at his age.

“The experience was exciting. Let me thank my opponent because it’s tough to fight an old
man,” Walker said..


“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Said it would be up the fighters at AKA and Javier Mendez is he should continue.

Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen for the women’s world lightweight title

Nobody knows Coenen at all. About 20% of the crowd popped for Cyborg. The rest don’t seem
to know her.

Coenen looks in great condition. Cyborg’s reaction much less than Lashley or Walker. The
physical difference isn’t as pronounced as it was six weeks ago. Coenen got her into the cage
and Cybog turned her. Coeneen turned Cyborg against the cage. Cyborg isn’t outmuscling her at
this point. Cyborg turned her back. Coenen threw a punch off the clinch. Cyborg hit a good
punch and they are in a clinch. Cyborg got the takedown. Cyborg scored with a few punches.
Cyborg with some more punches. Up kick by Coenen. Coenen back standing. Trading punches
and Cyborg unloading. Coenen back but Cyborg landing more. Coenen clinched and pulled
Cyborg into the cage. Coenen stomping on her foot. Coenen threw a punch off the break
butCyborg getting the better of the stand up. Nice spin kick by Cyborg at the end of the round.
10-9 Cyborg.

Cyborg threw her down and is now kicking the legs with Coenen on her back. Cyborg on top
punching. Cyborg went for a power bomb but Coenen blocked it. Cyborg went to the ground
with her. Coenen got back up. Cyborg with a combo. Good left by Cyborg. Another combo by
Cyborg. Coenen tried a takedown but couldn’t get it. Coenen seemed to pull guard. She was
thinking triangle but didn’t come close. More punches from the top by Cyborg and then she
jumped back to her feet. Cyborg’s round easily 20-18

Cyborg seems in better condition. Coenen went for a takedown, didn’t get it but does have
Cyborg against the cage. Cyborg now throwing punches against the cage and took Coenen back
down. Body punches by Cyborg. Cyborg hammering down punches. Coenen did an up kick to
the knee that Cyborg was staggered by. Coenen threw her best punch and Cyborg reacted but
she’s still attacking. Coenen went for the takedown, but Cyborg is on top unloading. It may end
here. Finally it was stopped by ref George Ortiz with Cyborg as the winner retaining the title. It
was pretty much a one-sided match, with Cyborg being too physically strong.. It was the least
exciting Cyborg fight, or for that matter, major promotion women’s fight in the past few years.


Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis for the Strikeforce welterweight title


Big staredown. Trading punches right away. Diaz already has Zaromskis hurt. More trading
and a knee by Zaromskis. Diaz thinking takedown. Diaz with lots of knees to the right thigh.
Must be like two dozen of them. Zaraomskis doing nothing to block them. He’s just standing
there taking the knees. Diaz got him down but Zaromskis back up. Now trading against. Diaz’s
reach plaitng a big part here but Zaromskis knocked him down with a punch and he’s got his
back. Diaz back up. Low kick by Zaromskis. Trading punches and now Diaz getting better of it.
Diaz chant. First time crowd has come to life during a match except for the KO by Lawler. Diaz
hurting Zaromskis with punches. Diaz going to the head and body. Diaz has him hurt bad, firing
away to the head and body as the round is coming to a close. Diaz put him down and it’s over.
Good performance by Diaz.

Brock Lesnar Update

Nella giornata di Martedì, Dana White e Brock Lesnar hanno annunciato su ESPN Sport Center che il fighter è guarito e potrà tornare a lottare nell'ottagono anche già da Maggio.

Nuovo owner in UFC

Lorenzo Fertitta ha comunicato alla Associated Press che il 10% della UFC è stata venduta alla Flash Entertainment, compagnia con base negli Emirati Arabi.

Dragon Gate "THE FINAL GATE 2009", (PPV) Links!!

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3. Open the Brave Gate Title: Naoki Tanizaki (c) vs. Kzy
4. Special Match: Naruki Doi vs. Takuya Sugawara
5. Open the Triangle Gate Title: Akebono, Masaaki Mochizuki & Don Fujii (c) vs. Yasushi Kanda, Genki Horiguchi & NOSAWA Rongai
6. Open the Twin Gate Unified Tag Title: Shingo Takagi & YAMATO (c) vs. CIMA & Gamma
7. 6 Way Mask vs. Hair Survival Cage Match: Masato Yoshino vs. Dragon Kid vs. BxB Hulk vs. Susumu Yokosuka vs. MAZADA vs. K-ness

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WEC live from Sacramento

, does Urijah get a title shot; Who is lightweight champion
Welcome to our live coverage of the WEC from Sacramento’s Arco Arena. We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to

Will Campuzano beat Coty "Ox" Wheeler in the opener. I arrived during round three. Wheeler’s face was a mess, covered in blood, and people were saying it was a hell of a fight. Crowd gave both guys a standing ovation. Scores were 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27

Much smaller crowds than in the past in Sacramento. Entire upper deck curtained off. An early arriving crowd in the sense that the bottom is 90% packed. Looks like 6,000 to 7,000.

George Roop vs. Eddie Wineland

Wineland is a former WEC bantamweight champion before the Versus era. Wineland staggered him with a punch i the first but didn’t follow up. Roop, who is 6-1, fought at 135 pounds. He doesn’t look emaciated either. Roop missing some slow high kicks. Roop has a big reach edge but not utilizing it. Wineland ducking punches and connecting. Roop tried a flying bicycle kick but Wineland easily moved out of the way. Crowd booing late in the round. A lot of swinging and missing. Crowd booed the round. 10-9 Wineland.

Wineland connected and ducks Roop’s punches and then comes back. Nobody going for a takedown. Roop constantly missing. Crowd booing but Wineland doing a real good job here fighting a tactical fight. Roop just too slow. Now Roop going for low kicks. Good left counter by Wineland. Crowd booing because it’s mostly Roop swinging and missing bad. Now Wineland connected with a few. Crowd booed this round even heavier. 20-18 Wineland.

Roop has swelling around the nose area. Wineland knocked him down with a counter shot and a few punches on the ground but Roop back up. Wineland moving in for the finish but Roop able to evade blows now. Roop needs to try something because this boxing isn’t working but he’s done few low kicks and tried no takedowns. Wineland connected with several punches late in the round and slipped when he got aggressive and time ran out. I can’t see any score but 30-27 Wineland because even though he dominated, he really didn’t do any serious sustaining damage.

30-27 Wineland

Bryan Caraway vs. Mark Hominick

Caraway a former Elite XC fighter making his WEC debut. Hominick came out to "Final Countdown." The fans don’t chant, "It’s the Final Countdown" at him, though. Caraway with a takedown right away. Caraway with some punches from the top. Hominick punching from the bottom and some good movement, but Caraway got the best punches in with leverage. Caraway winning the round, but it’s close. Another good punch from the top before Hominick tied him up. Hominick tried to reverse, but Caraway blocked it, but in doing so, in the transition, Hominick got the triangle choke and armbar. Nice finish.

Clint Godfrey vs. Wagnney Fabiano

Fabiano out to the theme from "Rocky." Lucky for him, Dana (who apparently hates that song) is in Virginia tonight. Godfrey tried a takedown and Fabiano easily spraweld and not has top position and side control. . Fabiano trying to improve position but doing no damage. Nothing happening and crowd starting to boo. Fabiano on top the entire round doing very little damage. He was at one point trying to isolate an arm. Got full mount with seconds left and did some punching. 10-9 Fabiano

Godfrey went for a knee, but Fabiano used a bodylock takedown into side control. He’s trapped the arms and throwing lefts to the head. They aren’t hard punches but Godfrey can’t block them. Nice sweep by Godfrey. But Fabiano swept back to the top and back to a full mount. Fabiano not doing any damage. Ref Herb Dean ordered a stand up with 45 seconds left. Fabiano tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Now got it with 10 seconds left and riding him. Fabiano got his back right a the horn. 20-18 Fabiano. Crowd not booing but at this point they don’t care.

Godfrey got the takedown to start the round. He’s throwing short lefts. Crowd boooing. Godfrey can’t win the fight doing this. He went for a guillotine but doesn’t have it. Fabiano escaped and on top with 3:12 left. Fabiano now has side control. Dean ordered a stand-up with 1:05 left. Fabiano went for a takedown but Godfrey blocked and got his back. Fabiano out of trouble and took Godrey downand got his back. Goffrey rolled to his back. Time running out. Total nothing fight. I guess 30-27 Fabiano although nobody did much for takedowns in the round.

Crowd completely dead as this last fight just killed it. All three judges have it 30-27 for Fabiano.

Akitoshi Tamura vs. Charlie Valencia

Tamura booed. I figured as much. Tamura throwing kicks but Velancia coming back with much crisper kicks. Valencia, billed at 5-3, looks tiny out there next to 5-9 Tamura. Valencia with a good knee. Another good low kick by Valencia. Valencia with an overhand right missed. Tamura with a kick to the groin and fans booed that lot. High kick by Valencia. Valencia with punches , got a takedown. Now Tamura trapped Valencia’s head in what can be called a double rubber guard. Now he’s got a triangle attempt but it doesn’t look dangerous. Tamura tried an armbar. Valencia powered out and throwing a lot of punches. The most excitement in a while. Hard elbows from the top by Valencia. That flurry clinched him the round 10-9 Valencia.

Tamura got behind Valencia and has a pieggy back position and body triangle, throwing punches and working for a choke. Tamura keeping the position. Tamura with some punches to the side of the head, but these aren’t hard punches. He remains holding the body triangle while piggy backing Valencia. Tamura trying a choke with 25 seconds left. Doesn’t fully have it and time ran out. Crowd cheered Valencia surviving the round. 19-19 even as has to be Tamura’s round.

Valencia in with punches. Tamura missed a kick badly and missied a spinning back fist by a half mile. Valencia in with punches. Body kick by Valencia. A series of punches and Valencia put Tamura down with a right to the side of the head. He’s throwing punches on the ground. Tamura back up and Valencia connecting with more punches. Body kick by Valencia. Lefts by Valencia. Good body shot by Valencia. Nice left by Valencia. Uppercut staggered Tamura. Hard knee by Tamura. High kick by Tamura, not sure if it landed tho. Good knee by Tamura. Valencia firing late. Good third round, close but I’d go 29-28 for Valencia.

29-28 Valencia, 29-28 Tamura, 29-28 Valencia

Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius

DT bulled him into the cage. He picked Semerzier up for a high slam. Semerzier back to his feet. Body kick by DT and working for a takedown. Semerzier trying for a guillotine but DT slammed him down off it. DT moved him into the cage and throwing body punches. A standup was ordered and I’m not sure why. DT has him by the cage and wrestling with him as time ran out in the round. DT 10-9

High kick by Semerzier and now he tried for a takedown but DT powered him over and took him down. Semerzier back on his feet. Another takedown by DT. Now he’s behind him standing. High slam. Semerzier threw an up kick an tried a triangle but DT escaped before it was trouble. DT with some punches from the top. Two hard punches by DT from the top. Another hard punch on the ground by DT. DT 20-18.

Semerzier with a hard body kick. He threw a second body kick, but DT caught the kick and used it to get the takedown. Semerzier back up. DT tried another double leg but Semerzier stopped him. Right by DT and then they traded knees to the body. DT shot in and Semerzier blocked, then grabbed a Kimura and DT trying a heel hook. Semerzier out of trouble. Semerzer dropping punches to the body and one to the head. Semerzier dropping more punches to the body while standing to DT on the ground. More punches. Now Semerzier is on top but in guard and getting no offense going. DT’s forehead is cut from the punches. Semerzier going for a guillotine with 20 seconds left. DT powered out. Time ran out. Semerzier’s round making it 29-28 for DT.

All three have it 29-28 for DT

This just isn’t up to the standards of most WEC shows. The Valencia match was good and the opener was good but the other matches have ranged from dull to so-so, but sicn ehtey were prelims they won’t be airing on the TV show.

Mike Brown vs. Anthony Morrison

Brown got the first reaction of the show. This isn’t a hot crowd and the reaction was more we know this guy but that’s about it. He wasn’t booed a lot, but there were boos, and there were cheers.

Some boos for Morrison. Brown looks totally ripped and very confident. Morrison with body kicks. Brown missed wild. He’s now going for a bodylock takedown and got Morrison to the ground. He’s crucifixed the arms and threw lefts to the wide open head. Morrison got out momentarily but put on his back again. Brown has his back, going for a choke. Morrison tapped. Solid performance by Brown. He pretty much outclassed Morrison.

I just needed a win. I wanted a wins so badly. It’s very important you don’t drop two in a row. I want a shot at the title. Jose Aldo, the winner of Faber-Assuncao will probably get Aldo and I’ll get a shot in the future.

Chuck Liddell is hair and he no longer has the Mohawk haircut after 20 years.



Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus

Shalorus is the guy who speaks and you’d swear it was the Iron Sheik. Trading punches. Shalow has wild standup but heavy punches. Jansen couldn’t get a takedown. Hard low kick by Shalorus. Shalorus got the takedown and threw punches but Jansen back up. Shalorus connected with some hard punches. Jansen cut under the left eye. USA chant. Got pretty loud. Jansen with a good punch . Trade and Shalorus knocked him down. Jansen right back up. Good round. 10-9 Shalorus.

Both swinging. Shalorus’ punches are landing with louder thud. Both swinging wildly and missing. Shalorus connecting with a few punches solidly. Shalorus got the takedown midway through the round. Jansen back up. Jansen’s left eye looking nastier. Jansen went for a takedown to no avail. Now Jansen cut on the forehead. Jansen knocked Shalorus down with a punch that may have gone to the back of the head. Shalorus starting to tire. But he connected with a good right. Both swinging wildly. Jansen tried and failed to get another takedown as time ran out. Closer round, but I’d go with Shalorus making it 20-18.

Shalorus dropped him with a right but Jansen back up. Low kick by Shalorus which Jansen didn’t expect. Hard right by Shalorus. Sharlorus grazed him with a punch meant to kill. Low kick by Jansen. Shalorus with another takedown. He backed off and let Jansen up. Jansen tried a takedown and didn’t get it. Big knee by Jansen. Jansen’s head is covered in blood but he seems to have more life right now. Another takedown by Shalorus. Jansen needs submisssion and hasn’t threatened. Time running out as Jasnen go back to his feet. Time expired, should be 30-27 Shalorus. Crowd booings. That’s six decisions in eight fights tonight.

30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for Shalorus

"I’m Iranian, I’m world class wrestler, nobody can take me down." People are booing him like he’s with Volkoff about to sing the anthem.

Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao

Heavy booing to Assuncao. Faber got a super reaction. I mean, one of the bigger reactions I’ve heard i a long time. Loud Faber chants. Early round saw Assuncao bull Faber into the cage. They were trading knees. Assuncao has him back against the cage and missed a punch. Faber with a punch. Body and head punch by Assuncao. Faber in with a right and a knee. They traded with Faber landing an elbow. Faber with a punch and Assuncao with a knee. Very close round, but I’d go 10-9 for Faber.

Faber got the takedown to start the round. Elbow by Faber on the ground. Faber with a guillotine . He didn’t get it. Knee to the body by Faber. Assuncao back up and hit a knee. Kicks and punches by Assuncao. Faber with a right. Assuncao missed with a right. Faber with a body kick but nothing on it. Assuncao with a right. Faber knocked him down with an elbow. Assuncao tried an armbar but Faber broke free. Faber on top. Faber with a hard elbow from the top. Lou Faber chant. I mean loud. Faber broke free for another punch. Another punch. Assuncao throwing elbows from the bottom. Assuncao back up to end the round. 20-18 Faber.

As Pat Patterson would say, they are going banana. Loud Faber chant. Assuncao with two punches but missed a body kick. Another punch by Assuncao but Faber timed it to get the takedown. Assuncao up but hit with a punch as he was getting up. Assuncao tried a takedown. Faber blocked and threw an elbow. Assuncao looked at the clock. Assucano has Faber against the cage. Threw a body punch and let him off the cage. Push kick by Faber who lost balance and went down. Faber then knocked him down with a right and on top in the guard with 2:30 left. Faber with a punch on the ground but mainly holding him down. Faber got his back and going for a choke. Assuncao tapped out to the choke.

This is freaking deafening. They’ve got their wish of Aldo vs. Faber as the big match of the year.

Not a match of the year, but this was the most heated match live in a long time.

Faber: "It feels great, guys I love you, Sacramento, thanks for coming out. Thanks to Raphael. People don’t know him but he’s No. 5 in the world, give it up for Raphael. I’m ready to get that belt. We’ve got a great champion, Aldo is phenom, he’s talented and creative and I want to get my belt." Brought in Aldo. "You won’t take my belt." Faber: "I’ve got to bring m A game, he’s a tough guy, but in my mind that’s my belt."

Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson for the lightweight title

Varner wasn’t booed that much. People are staying for the main event but crowd not into this like a main event. Henderson wasn’t cheered that much. Varner got the takedown right away. Elbowing the let hamstring by Varner. He’s got a front headlock. Knee to the body and another knee by Varner. Varner has a standing guillotine and threw a knee to buckle Henderson’s knee and he went down. Varner outclassing him. Herb Dean called a standup. Varner had a clear advantage position at the time and was throwing knees. He wasn’t going to finish him from there but there wasn’t a lack of action. Henderson poked him in the eye but Dean didn’t call it. Henderson rushed for a takedown but Varner reversed and put him down. Body punches and knees to the body by Varner. Henderson up with 37 seconds left. Elbow by Henderson at the horn. Varner’s round easy 10-9

High kick to the chest by Varner. Varner tripped him with a kick and Henderson down. Henderson up and threw a kick to the body. Crowd booing the lack of action., Varner pressed forward with a punch. Varner back with a body kick. Crowd booing some more. Another body kick by Henderson. Henderson in with this high kick and Varner threw him down off it. Henerson moved in with a low kick. Henderson shot and Varner escaped. Body punch moving in by Varner. Trading knees to the body in a clinch against the cage. Varner threw him down and Henderson back up. Knee by Henderson. Closer round, I have it 20-18 for Varner but there are peole who gave the round by Henderson.

They just showed Cerrone in the crowd.

Varner in with a punch and has Henderson pinned against the cage. Hard body kick by Henderson. Knee to the body by Henderson landed hard. Another body kick by Henderson. Henderson did a Rocky Johnson shuffle. Body kick by Henderson. Knee by Henderson. Varner went for a takedown but Henderson got the guillotine and Varner tapped. Wow.

So looks like Henderson vs. Cerrone rematch with Faber vs. Aldo in April or May.

Henderson with the All things throghchris. "Jamie Varner’s a tough, scary looking dude.

I’ll fight whoever Sean Shelby wants to put against me. I love the Cowboy Donald Cerrone. I’ve got mad love for him. He put me on the map.

Varner: "I came to fight. Ben was a better man. He caught me with that guillotine. I wanted to box. He wanted to kick. Shit happens. I was winning the match, I was getting the takedowns. I had the control. I came to fight, Ben came to grapple, two different things." Fans booed him.

UFC 108 live play-by-play from Las Vegas

UFC 108 live play-by-play from Las Vegas

n.d.r. Presenti Hulk Hogan e Shane McMahon.....

Dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 108 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show, so you can 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

John Gunderson vs. Rafaello Oliveira

Oliveira out with low kicks, Gunderson threw a wek high kick. Oliveira with a low kick. Both swinging and missing. Oliveira shot and Gunderson grabbed a guillotine. Oliveira picked him up, Gunderson tried for the move again, then switched to trying a Kimura but Oliveira escaped and is on top in side control. Now he's got a full mount with 2:55 left. Now he's got Gunderson's back. Oliveira going for a head and arm choke but does't look tight. Back to full mount. Gunderson turned and gave up his back. Now he turned back in to a full mount. Oliveira punching and Gunderson gave up his back again. Gunderson got up and was taken right back down into side control. Oliveira pinned him against the fence but Gunderson got back up. Oliveira tried to pull guard, and ended up eating a few punches at the horn. Oliveira decidedly 10-9

Another takedown by Oliveira. Gunderson up and taken down again. Gunderson gave up his back and Oliveira going for a choke but Gunderson blocking well and turned. Oliveira punching from the mount and Gunderson gave up his back. Oliveira was working for an armbar for a minute and never got it and Gunderson escaped just before the round ended. Oliveira 20-18

Oliveria with another takedown. Gunderson trying a guillotine but Oliveira powered out . Gunderson got the takedown but Oliveira reversed him on the ground. Oliveira thought armbar but gave it up for better control. Another takedown by Oliveira. Gunderson is trying to get a Kimura from the bottom. Oliveira not in any trouble and is now on top in half guard. Oliveira trying to straighten the arm for an armbar with time running out, but he's not going to get it. Time expired. 30-27 Oliveira. Dull fight.

All three judges have it 30-27. Pretty easy fight to score.

There is a curtain like going to a WWE TV taping where they closed down the upper level in about 25% of the arena. First time I've ever seen curtains used in an arena for a major UFC event.

Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Pyle

Ellenberger rushed in and took Pyle down. Pyle is trying subs from the bottom and not coming close. Ellenberger not doing much on offense. Finally Ellenberger backed off and wanted Pule to stand. So the first thing when Pyle gets, up, Ellenberger went for another takedown. Pyle went for a Kimura but does't have it. In the last ten seconds, Ellenberger exploded with really hammer fists which was the first real offense of the fight. Until the last ten seconds, I'd have given the round to Pyle but it's definitely Ellenberger because of the last ten seconds 10-9

Ellenberger decked him with a right to start the round and finished Pyle with about ten punches on the ground. He then did a backflip to celebrate.

Mark Munoz vs. Ryan Jensen

Jensen softening him up with low kicks. Jensen threw a kick and Munoz with the takedown. Jensen tried a guillotine but Munoz out. Jensen back up and firing a lot of punches. Jensen trying a takedown and getting nowhere. Munoz powered Jensen down. Jensen going for a triangle. Munoz with brutal ground and pound. Jensen tapped and Mario Yamasaki missed it. Munoz was killing him with some ridiculously hard punches on the ground and Jensen tapped again, this time the ref saw it. Jensen is shaken up. Munoz has some of the most vicious ground and pound.

This fight will almost surely air later tonight. Oliveira vs. Gunderson shouldn’t and Pyle vs. Ellenberger was okay.

Cole Miller vs. Dan Lauzon

Miller connecting with punches and knees and a nice high kick. Lauzon wnt for takedown and didn’t get it. Then he decked Miller. He’s swing big punches and Miller back with knees and upper cuts. Now in a clinch. Lauzon back swinging, now Miller back. Lauzon got behind Miller and took him down with 2:42 left. He’s got his back. Miller now going for a Kimura from a reverse triangle and Lauzon tapped out.

When Joe Rogan asked Miller about the punch that put him down, he said he had no idea what he was talking about. Then Rogan showed the clip and Miller seemed surprised.

Jacob Volkmann vs. Martin Kampamnn

Volkmann came out throwing punches and got countered. Volkmann with a nice knee. Volkmann connected with a bunch of shots and thenKampmann countered and decked him but Volkmann was right back up. Volkmann missing more punches. Now Kampmann trying punches and not connecting. Kampmann bleeding from the left eye, which is swollen. Vokkmannn connected with a bunch of punches and then Kampmann decked him with a right to the jaw. Kampmann on top. Kampmann with several hard punches on the ground. And he grabbed a kravat, and turned it into a guillotine for the submission.

In the opening montage, not that much of a reaction to anyone. No reaction to anyone except Rashad Evans who got cheered but more like a a mid-level star. Still wondering why so little focus in the hype on Junior Dos Santos. If you think about it, his wins are far more impressive than Cain Velasquez’s or Shane Carwin’s.

Place is pretty full.

Gilbert Yvel vs. Junior Dos Santos

People don’t know Yvel at all, a big difference from the crowd at Affliction where they knew him. Yvel out to Thunderstruck and no reaction. Dos Santos out to the original theme from Rocky (Rocky Balboa, not the flying squirrel or the Soulman). Dos Santos has the nastiest left ear since James Thompson. All of a sudden Randy Couture’s ears look normal. Herb Dean ref, not Mazzagatti, which shows Dana White has no power over officials in Nevada.

For he record, Dana was totally against Dos Santos coming out to Rocky. Yvel tried a spinning kick but didn’t land. Both swinging. Good right by Dos Santos. More trading. This is what the people wanted. Dos Santos doing better. Dos Santos is bleeding fromthe nose. Yvel high kick and Dos Santos blocked and taunted him. Dos Santos dropped him and is pounding him on the ground and Herb Dean stopped it. Left hook did it and about 11 shots on the ground. Crowd was way more into this than anything so far.

Jim Miller vs. Duane Ludwig

Ludwig with a jab. Miller came in with punches and a kick, followed by a low kick. Ludwig back with a flurry. Miller put Ludwig down with a right to the jaw while Ludwig has his legs crossed moving. Now Miller has him mounted. Miller going for an armbar. Ludwig is in real trouble and tapped.

They showed Takanori Gomi on the big screen. Nobody reacted.

Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout

Stout got a nice reaction. Or maybe it was London, Ontario, Canada that got the pop. Lauzon took him down with a bodylock immediately. Lauzon opened a cut with an elbow and went for a rolling Kimura. Stout is up, but he’s bleeding bad above the left eye. Trading punches. Lauzon went for a takedown, Stout threw some elbows but eventually went down. Lauzon moved him into the fence. Stout on top and threw an elbow on Lauzon. Stout backed off and wants Lauzon to stand. Good left by Stout and popped Lauzon as he went for a takedown. More trading with Stout looking the better. Good punches and high kick wobbled Lauzon. Good uppercut by Stout. Good right by Lauzon. Good body punch by Stout. Stout caught a kick and punched Lauzon. More punches by Stout. Stout threw a spinning backfist that missed. Great round. 10-9 Stout. Crowd going nuts.

Lauzon went for a takedown and Stout threw him. Stout congtinues to connect on punches. Stout with low kick. Wicked kick by Stout but Lauzon took him down off it. Lauzon backed Stout to the fence again. Body punch and low kick by Stout. Stout threw a kick and Lauzon got behind him. Lauzon isn’t cut. Lauzon connected with a right to the jaw. Stout with a flurry of punches. Another flurry by Stout. Stout has a great punching output here. Another flurry ending with a kick. Lauzon went for a takedown, Stout sprawled and his on top. Lauzon is bleeding from the left ear. Stout continues to connect with punches on Lauzon. Good body kick by Stout. Lauzon tried another takedown, but Stout ended up on top. Still, Lauzon is taking less punishment on his back than standing but he’s doing nothing off his back. Great round for Stout 20-18.

Both out trading. Lauzon went for a takedown but Stout sprawled. Stout continues to connect on punches. Lauzon with a hard body kick, went for a takedown but Stout easily evaded. Usual punches and kicks combination by Stout over and over. Body kick by Stout. Lauzon tried another shot and Stout easily evaded him. A strong flurry by Stout followed by a front kick. Lauzon got a takedown but Stout right back up. Stout continues to connect with flurries, particularly working the body. Stout’s conditioning here is really impressive. He’s throwing nonstop punches. But Lauzon got a takedown and now on top in the guard. Lauzon got full mount and tried a guillotine but Stout back up. Crowd exploded for Stout getting up. Lauzon tried a scissors takedown. That only works in the movies and Cung Le matches in the 90s. Stout really rocked Lauzon with an uppercut with about 25 seconds left. Flying knee by Stout. Missed a spinning backfist. Stout rocked Lauzon with a punch at the horn. Standing ovation. Fight of the night. 30-27 Stout.

Scores were 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27 for Stout. Crowd reacted really big for Stout getting the decision. When Stout talked about the fans watching on TV in Canada, he got a huge pop. Do people in Canada have the ability to cheer and have it heard in Las Vegas?

Paul Daley vs. Dustin Hazelett

Hazelett came out to something off the Jillian Hall Christmas album. Well, it sounded that way. Crowd booed Daley. Crowd really liked Hazelett for the most part, some booed him. Hazelett tried a rolling koppo kick. That’s out of the Fuanki pro wresling playbook and didn’t come close. Loud USA chant. I mean loud. Daley with two high kicks, both blocked, now a low kick. Another low kick by Daley. Fans now booing though I have no idea why. Another low kick by Daley. Front push kick by Hazelett. Another low kick by Daley. Daley stopped him hard with a left hook and two more punches and it was over. Those punches on the ground were wicked. Daley was out there being a total poor sport, acting like he shot him and man did he get booed after. Daley made himself a star with this one even though the people hate him.

Daley was very polite in his interview, apologized for his antics, said after a knockout he did some stupid things and said Hazelett is a great submission fighter.

Rashad Evans vs.Thiago Silva

Did you know that Rashad Evans coming out of high school won a college scholarship from the Buffalo area pro wrestling community in the name of Ilio DiPaolo, the most popular wrestler wrestler in that area’s territorial heyday?

Silva is a lot bigger than Evans. Yves Lavigne referee. Evans was booed heavily. Cheered heavily as well. 50/50 while Silva pretty much only cheered. Evans jumped right in for a takedown and isn’t getting it. In the clinch Silva’s size edge is really noticeable. Evans ducked down and got Silva down. Silva back up but Evans with a slam to get him down again. Evans in side position. Now he’s in full mount. Evans went for a choke but Silva escaped and back up. Loud Silva chant. They are working in a clinch. Evans with two punches. Now both in. Evans swinging. Knee by Silva but Evans took him down off it into side position agaihn. Silva back up. Now a USA chant but it didn’t take. Evans in with punches. Two punches and Evans rushed in to smother Silva in the corner. Evans tagged him several times and got another takedown. Silva back up. Loud Silva chant. Evans 10-9. Crowd pretty intense for this.

Evans in with punches and bulled Silva into the corner again. Silva with a knee to the body while in the clinch. And another one. Silva threw a kick and Evans took him down again. As he got up , Evans punched him and then slammed him down hard. USA chant from a corner of the arena but not picking up. Silva up again. Body kick by Silva with probably his best of offense so far. Evans exploded and took Silva down again with 43 seconds left in the round. Silva back up again. Knee by Silva at the horn. Evans 20-18.

Silva blocked Evans’ takedown but Evans has him bulled into the corner. Evans is avoiding trading in the middle of the ring. Evans took him down again but Silva is back up. Knee to the body by Silva. Evans looks like he’s trying to kill the clock because he knows he’s ahead on points. He’s fighting for the decision. Silva is motioning for the crowd to cheer. Evans nailed Silva with a hard punch and Silva mocked him like it didn’t hurt with his hands down. Silva taunting Evans. Silva rocked Evans with hard punches and put him down. Two minutes left and Evans is in trouble. Silva nailing him with punches and knees. Silva really making fun of Evans and going in for the kill. 1:20 left. Evans looks tired. Silva is walking away from Evans. What an idiot. He gave Evans a chance to recover. Evans in for a takedown and couldn’t get it, but bulled Silva into the corner. 30 seconds left. Silva really blew it not following up I have it 10-9 and not 10-8 and Evans winning the decision.

All three judges have it 29-28 for Evans. Crowd booing but I can’t see any other result. Silva had him hurt at one point but Evans got enough offense during the round and Silva played to the crowd at the wrong time when he should have been more aggressive. Silva lost it on his own.

I don't know how the main event played on TV but in the arena there was tremendous crowd intensity, partly because the crowd really wanted Silva to win, probably to a degree that surprised UFC officials who thought Evans had turned the corner with the crowd based on the reaction here all week.

Strikeforce live coverage from San Jose

Strikeforce live coverage from San Jose

Dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to our live coverage of tonight's Strikeforce show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Strikeforce show as well as tonight's WEC show, so you can 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

Only three prelim fights tonight. The David Tarzan Douglas vs. Bobby Stack fight is off. Douglas came in a few pounds overweight, managed to to make weight early last evening, but then when rehydrating, his system went into shock and he was hospitalized.

Because of it being only a seven match show, we're starting late.

A.J. Fonseca vs. Alex Crispin

Crispin is the crowd favorite. Pretty good crowd in here already. Crispin on top on the ground holding a front headlock. He’s throw a few punches but nothing of note. Crispin with punches and elbows to the back. More punches to the side of the head. More punches and elbows to the back by Crispin. More punches by Crispin. Fonseca back up. Crispin with a single leg but Fonseca up and throwing knees. Fonseca with punches. Crispin is tired. He’s backing off at the end but Fonseca couldn’t get anything of note in. Crispin 10-9

Fonseca came in but Crispin backed himinto the cage. Fonseca turned him around. Fonseca with a punch off the break. Crispin snuck in an elbow and Fonseca with short punches from the clinch. Fonseca tried a takedown, and got caught in a guillotine. He used it to get top position but let go of the hold. He’s throwing punches from the top. Fonseca tried to get up but Crispin spun and got his back. He’s working for a choke. Fonseca up. Crispin got a coupe of decent jabs in. Now a low kick. Crispin in and out and landing but nothing powerful. Clearly Crispin’s round 20-18.

Crispin connectedwith a punch and lifted up his hands and dared Fonseca to punch. Fonseca going for a takedown and getting nowhere. Crispin punching the body while blocking the takedown. Now punching the side of the head while blocking the takedown. Crispin throwing knees from the clinch. Now Crispin trying for a takedown. Two hard knees to the face. Fonseca went down and Crispin threw another knee, which was illegal with Fonseca down. Fonseca was staggering around. He could have pulled out a DQ or no contest over it, but he’s coming back and fighting. Crispin using his reach to land shots and stay out of trouble. Fonseca shot and got a takedown finally Crispin tried a shoulderlock and finally got it. He was working on a heel hook as time ran out. 30-27 Crispin.

Final scores were 30-27 across the board for Crispin

Justin Wilcox vs. Daisuke Nakamura

Nakamura wearing his pro wrestling tights. Nakamura is a protege of Kiyoshi Tamura. Wilcox connected with a right straight which was the best punch so far. Wilcox missed a high kick. Wilcos caught a few good punches. Nakamura with a punch and knee. Wilcox back with a punch. Wilcox connected with more punches. Good overhand right by Wilcox. Wilcox with a knee. Nakamura landed a jab but now Wilcox back. Nakamura tried a flying armbar but Wilcox just stepped aside and let him fall. Good right by Wilcox. 10-9 Wilcox

Nakamura in with a knee. Nakamura moving better this round. Not much happening this round. No telling blows this round but Wilcox is throwing more. Nakamura with low kicks. Wilcox got a takedown late and that may win the round for him. Nakamura tried a Kimura but Wilcox out of trouble with no problems at the bell. Wilcox 20-18.

Nakamura missed a rolling kick. As he got up Wilcox cracked him with a good punch. Wilcox with a few more good punches. Knee by Wilcox ‘Both guys tiring now. Nakamura starting to land a lot of jabs but Wilcos took him down. Nakamura going for an amrbar. Wilcox ‘s eyes both swelling bad. Knee up the middle by Wilcox. Nakamura connected with several punches. Wilcox back and Nakamura back. Trading but nobody landed a good one. Wilcox missing punches as Nakamura continually dodged him. Wilcox landed a good punch. Wilcox landing some punches. Wilcox bleeding a lot from the left eye. Wilcox with another flurry. Wilcox and Nakamura trading at the end. Third round was close but I’ve got 30-27 for Wilcox.

30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 for Wilcox. Right decision, I’d consider this an upset.

Scott Lighty vs. Antwain Britt

Britt came out fast. He’s got Lighty bulled into the fence. Britt threw a knee to the groin and it was briefly stopped. High kick by Lighty. Britt in with punches. He knocked Lighty down and he’s throwing a ton of punches at the side of the head. Britt has side control. He’s now back throwing hard punches but Lighty back up. Lighty back to his feet. Britt dropped him again with a punch. Lighty back up with a kick. Hard throwing and Britt dropped him a third time. Lighty back up. Britt throwing big punches. Looks like Britt is getting tired now. Lighty is cut at the hairline. Another knockdown by Britt but he’s just holding Lighty down at the end of the round. 10-8 for Britt.

The doctor ordered the stoppage of this round between rounds so Britt wins via TKO at 5:00 of round one.

King Mo vs. Mike Whitehead

When you do a King Mo ring entrance you’d better win the match. Mo’s ring entrance wasn’t on television. Well, I guess if you don’t want to make stars....Mo is a 5-1 favorite but he’s giving up a ton of weight here. It’s really a heavyweight against a middleweight, which is Mo’s best weight class. And a more experienced heavyweight although the middleweight is by far the better athlete. Mo got a few punches in. Whitehead threw a knee. Whitehead threw a knee as Mo tried to duck to shoot. Fans are booing the lack of action. Mo threw a left and Whitehead back with a low kick. Another low kick by Whitehead. Another low kick by Whitehead. Mo decked him with a right and now pounding him on the ground. The third shot on the ground made Whitehead go limp abnd it was stopped. That was a big test for Mo because beating Whitehead shows you’re a real deal.

Mo said when asked what weight class he’s going to fight at, he said he’s a moneyweight.

They are doing a poll asking fans what rematch they most want to see among Fedor vs. Brett Rogers, Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg, Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields, Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach or K.J. Noons vs. Nick Diaz

Matt Lindland vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza

John McCarthy got the best pop of the three. Souza missed a high kick. Lindland tried for a takedown and didn’t get it. Lindland got the takedown. Souza moving for an armbar and used it to reverse and get top position. Now he’s pounding Lindland. Lindland with a shoulderlock. Now Souza on top. Fans loved the ground work. Lindland throwing more from the bottom. Souza with a fist drop almost like an Abdullah elbow drop with the fist. Souza going for an arm triangle and Lindland tapped.

Fun match Souza made himself in the U.S. with that win.

Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez to unify the lightweight title

Thomson got much larger reaction but a ton of boos and he’s the San Jose guy. Thomson both more cheers and boos. Melendez in with a low kick. High kick and punches by Thomson. Thomson seemed to gain confidence from that exchange. Melendez failed a takedown. Low kick, Thomson caught the leg and got a takedown. He’s holding a front headlock and threw a knee. Trading punches . Great exchange. Now in a clinch. Thomson with a low kick and good punch. Melendez shot in for a single leg but couldn’t get it, but naile Thomson with a punch. Good low kick Thomson. Melendez with a nice flurry. Thomson with low kicks. Thomson with some nice punches. Thomson 10-9

Melendez decked Thomson with a right. Thomson slipped backing up. Trading punches and Thomson got nailed with a low blow. Melendez got a warning. It was a knee right in the center. Another wild exchange. A lot better fight than the first one. Melendez looks to have the conditioning edge this time and he didn’t have it last time. Body kick by Thomson. Another big exchange. Nobody getting the better of these wild swinging flurries. Melendez in with a hard knee as he grabbed Thomson’s leg from a kick. Thomson going for a takedown but didn’t get it and Melendez with a knee and elbow. Good low kick by Melendez. Thomson got better of an exchange. Wild swinging. Incredible exchange. Melendez decked him hard and working for a finish on the ground. Melendez with the ground and pound. 10-8 Melendez round so 19-18 for Melendez. Fantastic round.

Thomson needs this round but Melendez in with a low kick. Melendez with a punch and lwo kick. Slower round but it would almost have to be. Low kicks by Melendez. Both trading again. Knee by Melendez. Another good low kick by Melendez. Nice trip by Melendez but Thomson back up. Thomson with a few punches. Now a low kick by Thomson. Push kick by Thomson. Thomson shot in for a takedown. Didn’t get it. Close round but I’d say Melendez. 29-27.

Thonmson out using kicks and now got a doule leg takedown. He threw a knee. Melendez back up. Another big exchange. Thomson chant. Melendez with punches. Hard knee by Melendez. Punch and low kick combination by Melendez. More punches by Melendez. Low kick by Thomson but Melendez back with punches. Big trade of punches, Melendez got more in. Body kick, Melendez swept the leg and took Thomson down. Thomson right back up. Push kick by Thomson. Big exchange. Trading punches but Melendez getting the better punches in. Good knee by Melendez. Body kick by Thomson. Thomson got a thumb in the eye. Thomson trying to get time to recover. That was thumb right in the eye. Melendez’s round 39-36.

Final round opened with a knee by Thomson. Fantastic exchange. Thomson got the better of it and Melendez cut in the left eye. Another big exchange. This is a fight of the year candidate. Thomson dying at this point, exhausted. Melendez decked him to end the exchange. Now on top. Thomson up with 2:00 left. Just standing and trading. Gilbert chant. Thomson with two nice punches. Thomson with a takedown with 1:00 left and got his back. Melendez back up with :54 left. Thomson got some good punches in. Another big exchange. Fight of the year. Better than Henderson-Cerrone or Couture-Nogueira and right with Sanchez-Guida. Very close last round. Melendez gets it due to the knockdown. 49-45

Both hugged when it was over. Unanimous decision Cecil 49-47, 49-46, 49-46 all for Melendez.

Melendez said Josh is the toughest man he’s ever had, toughest match he’s ever had and toughest match he’ll ever had.

Thomson said Gilbert won because he was the better man. I want to make that clear so people don’t make bigger excuses.

Lashley interview and plugged TNA. Henderson interviewed. People reacted to Henderson like he’s a big star. Henderson kind of blew off when they asked about Fedor saying there are a lot of fights before he gets there.

Cung Le vs. Scott Smith headlines the show

No way they can follow the previous match. Le still got the biggest pop of the show. Cung Le chant. Smith out fast. Side kick by Le. Body kick by Le. Head kick missed by Le. Side kick by Le. Cung looks older and slower to me but great spin kick by Le. Smith is the perfect opponent for him to have a great fight. Le put him down with a spin kick. Le throwing punches on the ground. Le working to finish. Le on top. Le throwing hard punches on the ground. Smith is in a lot of trouble. Hammer punches by Le. McCarthy let it go longer than most would have. But Smith survived and got to his feet. Smith very lucky John let it go. Smith rushing in. Another spin kick put Smith down. Smith back up. Cung is tired. Another high kick by Le. Another spin kick by Le. Smith connected with a punch. Another spin kick to the body hurt Smith and sent him reeling backwards. Le with a left and a kick. Low kick by Le. Smith coming back. 10-8 Le.

Side kick by le. Le dancing away. Le went for a takedown so you know he’s tired. Body kick and head kick by Le but mouth wide open. Another low kick by Le. High kick blocked. Good left by Le. Spin kick tothe body put Smith down. Le not throwing on the ground. McCarthy ordered a standup. Smith in few wild punches. Le back with punches. Le with body kick. Le tried a hip toss. Smith blocked it. In a clinch. Le stomping on the toes. Le with a hip toss but Smith back up and hit a good punch in transition. Le seems to me to be stalling in a clinch with the round ending. Smith throwing big but not hitting. Still Le’s round with the knockdown 20-17.

Le staggered him with a head kick and staggered him again with a body kick. Side kick by Le. Another side kick by Le. Body kick by Le, but he’s tiring. Le with punches, spinning back fist. Le with a high slam. Smith back with a punch. Smith tried a guillotine. Smith back head hunting. Le kicking to the body. Good left by Le. Smith throwing big punches but not really landing. Smith decked Le with a left and now has him in trouble. Left cross and a hard right. Afew punches on the ground and it’s over. Unbelievable fight.

He caught me with a punch, I did my best I fought my hert out, he fought his heart out. I just got caught with a punch. You win some you lose some. I did my best.hard

WEC 45 Live Play by Play

WEC Live Play by Play
Welcome to our live coverage of WEC 45 Cerrone vs Ratcliff at the Palms in Las Vegas. By Mike Sawyer



Jameel Massouh vs Erik Koch



Round 1

Erik has him clinched along the cage. They are fighting for position. Koch slips throwing a kick and now Jameel is on top. Quickly back up. More fighting for position and Koch gets the takedown. Not much going on. Round ends. 10-10



Round 2



This one starts as the previous with a long clinch. Koch throws a kick and they clinch again. Wow. Do something, even if its wrong. Jameel is trying for the takedown. Doesn't get it. Koch with a nice slam and is in side control dropping elbows. Round ends. 10-9 Koch.



Round 3



They better turn it up. Jameel pulls guard. Koch firing punches. Back up. Koch dropping short elbows and works back to side control. Now he has his back and is working for a rear naked choke. Jameel defending well. Fight ends. 10-9 Koch



I have it for Koch. Lets see how the judges score it. Koch 30-27 on all three score cards.



Brad Pickett vs Kyle Dietz

Kyle just misses a high kick. Brad now on top. A few body shots, but Kyle is throwing some nice elbows from the bottom. Brad standing over him catches an up kick to the teeth. Back in his guard. Both are working at a faster pace. They stay on the ground the rest of the round, but both working hard. Round ends



Round 2



Nice hard body shot by Brad connects and they exchange. Brad gets takedown and is working the body and dropping the short elbows. Nice scramble. Brad back on top dropping body shots. They scramble again only this time Brad traps him in the good old peruvian necktie! Kyle tapped out. WINNER: Brad Pickett





Courtney Buck vs Brandon Visher



Tremendous action to start things off. Both trading and landing at will. Brandon gets the takedown after a huge slam. Gets side control. Back up and boy are these guys firing shots. Brandon lands a hard right and follows with a knee. Buck now lands a shot as they hit the ground with Visher on top and now in full mount. Buck scrambles and now Visher has his back and is pounding away. Its over. Crowd on its feet. What a great round. WINNER: Brandon Visher by KO at 4:45 of the first...



Chad George vs John Hosman



George with the early takedown. Postures up and slams him back down. Landing some nice shots to Hosman's grill. Dean stands them up. Back down with Chad on top. Another standup by Herb. Back down with George on top and the round ends. 10-9 George



Round 2

Hosman lands a body kick, but George back on top. Hosman attempts sweep, but can't pull it off. Herb stands them up as Clay Guida is yelling at Hosman (Clay in his corner). Another takedown by George. Back up. Back down. George on top. Clay very animated in the corner. This is Chad's round. 10-9 George



Round 3



Well, here we go again as Chad with another takedown. Guida wants Hosman to do a lot of things. John is not listening. Don't know how he can't hear him. Dean stands them up. Both pawing at each other. George lands a left. Hosman better go for broke. He doesn't and loses that round too and the fight. I have it 30-27 for George. The Judges have it the same. WINNER: Chad George



Muhsin Corbbrey vs Zack Micklewright



Kim Winslow is the ref. Clinch, knees and some dirty boxing to get things started. Zack gets the takedown. Armbar attempt by Muhsin. Doesn't get it and is now getting hit, but gets top position. Back up and both landing. Round ends. 10-9 Zack



Round 2

Zack attempts a jumping nothing and gets it. Clinch. Zack lands a few shots. Muhsin smiling at him. Zack slips and Muhsin ends up on top. Now side control. We have a "new ref" scream from the front row that gets a laugh. Kim stands them up. Smart. Round ends. 10-9 Zack



Round 3



Zack with a nice combo. Clinch. Nice knee to the body and follows it up with 5-6 punches to the face. Zack in control and getting the better of it. Good knees to the body. Good exchange. 10-9 Zack. Judges have it 30-27 for the WINNER: Zack Micklewright



Bart Palaszewski vs Anthony Pettis



Anthony showing no respect as his hands are down by his knees. They clinch. Bart looking for takedown, Anthony looking a kimora. Scramble. Bart lands a kick that appears to start at Anthony's ass and comes out his mouth. Wow. Bart pressing the action and now he holds his hands low and talks shit. Round ends. 10-9 Bart.



Round 2



Anthony lands hard leg kick. Bart shoots in and takes him down. Corner yelling for short elbows. Back up. They clinch. Nice combo by Anthony. Bart goes for takedown, but Anthony rolls for a heelhook. Round ends.



Round 3



Bart drops him with a shot and is now on top. They are back up. They trade. Bart stalking and gets caught and dropped. They clinch. Anthony throws a roundhouse kick that misses by a mile. Fight is over. This is gonna be close and could go either way. 29-28 for either guy would satisfy me. Judges have it 30-27 for Pettis, 30-27 for Bart (What?) and 29-28 for your winner Bart Palaszewski



Takeya Mizugaki vs Scott Jorgensen



Takeya is dropped with the first punch and goes down, but gets back up and they clinch. Both landing knees and looking for a legtrip. Scott gets a brief takedown. Back up. Scott flores him again and follows him down. Takeya is surviving and showing heart. They clinch. Round ends. Good round. You could score it 10-8, but i will go 10-9 Jorgensen.



Round 2



Takedown by Jorgensen. Scramble and back up. Clinch and some dirty boxing by both guys. Takeya finding his range, but is taken down again. Back up. They clinch and break off swinging. Scott with another takedown. Round ends. 10-9 Jorgensen



Round 3



They exchange and then clinch. They break away. Both swinging. Both guys with a ton of heart. Just when you think Takeya finds his range he gets taken down. Back up and now Takeya on top. He is a warrior. Side control. Round ends. 10-9 Takeya. Fun fight. I've got Scott winning 29-28 and wouldn't be surprised if it ended 29-27. Judges have it 29-28 for Scott Jorgensen



Joe Benavidez vs Rani Yahya



Wild exchange. Feeling each other out. Huge shot by Joe puts Rani down and out. Fight is over and the crowd is hot at ref Kim Winslow and not in a good way. WINNER: Joe Benavidez by TKO. Some guy from the balcony just screamed "cook me some breakfast bitch" and even the camera guy turned around to look at him. We have a new hated female in Las Vegas named Kim.



Anthony Njokuani vs Chris Horodecki



Anthony has the reach on him and is much longer. Chris going for a takedown. Doesn't get it. Anthony punts his head off with an incredible kick. Crowd popped like Hogan just arrived. Drops down and finishes him off. Wow. VERY impressive performance by Anthony, who trains at One Kick's Gym here in Vegas..



Donald Cerrone vs Ed Ratcliff



Crowd is ready for this one. Cerrone charges across the ring and grapple along the fence. Ratcliff with a stiff shot that lands. Goes to the body. Ratcliff looks sharp thus far. Cerrone coming back. He is walking in with his head straight up though. Low blow by Cerrone. Ed has brought his family to the show as the first two rows are going wild. Cerrone now yelling at them after he landed a low blow. Herb takes point away. Cerrone gets the takedown. Round over. This crowd is going crazy.



Round 2



Sweet leg kick dropped Cerrone briefly. Cerrone goes high with a kick. Nice body shot by Cerrone. Cerrone stalking. Oh dear God he got him in the balls again. Cerrone yelling back at ringside again. I can feel the love. Ed is hurting. ANOTHER point taken away from Cerrone. This is a wild round. SAVED BY THE BELL! Crowd is going nuts (pardon the pun)



Round 3



All sorts of action. Cerrone got mount, but grabbed the cage and Herb stands them up. Back down and has hhis back. Back up after wild scramble. Cerrone has his back. REAR NAKED CHOKE. Ed Tapped out. Crowd is loving this. Good fight!



Ed showed a ton of heart. Very good show....

UFC 107 match-by-match coverage live from Memphis - Injury updates, 6 in a few days

UFC 107 match-by-match coverage live from Memphis - Injury updates, 6 in a few days

By Dave Meltzer

dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 107 from the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis. We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to

For those trying to keep track of UFC injuries in the last few days, here is a partial list: Carlos Condit (cut hand from sheet metal slicing it as he was cleaning his garage), Dong Hyun Kim (knee), Tim Credeur (ribs), Rory Markham (torn Achilles tendon), Tyson Griffin and there’s one other semi-major show who is hurt that we haven’t found out yet (there are six in all).

It’s 6:30 p.m. and the place is 90% full. This from a crowd reaction standpoint is going to a hot show, because the people popped big for T.J. Grant and nobody is from Canada waving flags, so they just like the idea of seeing UFC live. From what I’m told, a larger percentage of the crowd here is local than at most UFC shows, which means first-timers.

Before any rumors start, Arianny is on vacation so she will not be on the show tonight.

T.J. Grant vs. Kevin Burns

How crowd. Burns bigger and more aggressive. . Burns knocked Grant down with a punch and is pounding on him. Trading punches now. Grant took Burns down. Grant continues to outwrestle him. But Grant isn’t doing much damage from the top. Burns up. Grant kicked him low almost like he was trying out for Los Perros Del Mal, got booed and though he was apologetic, still got booed over it. Grant with two knees, a knockdown from a punch to the jaw and a few punches on the ground and it was stopped. Burns is not happy with the stoppage, given there were only three seconds left in the round. But it wasn’t a bad stoppage. Good fight.

Edgar Garcia vs. Damarques Johnson

Garcia is from Sonora, Mexico and he’s coming out to some song that I used to hear all the time in the 90s when I’d travel to Mexico for Lucha Libre. It was second match babyface music. Johnson is the guy. Johnson on the other hand with his music sounds like he’s a video game television commercial. Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Vamanos, Vamanos. Johnson has totally changed his look. You would not recognize him.

The crowd popped for Herb Dean. Johnson cracked Garcia in the jaw. Garcia back with a hard punch. Low kick by Johnson. Good trade. Garcia went to the body. Garcia’s left eye already swollen. Garcia took him down. Garcia went for a Peruvian necktie that Johnson finally got out of . They are both standing and swinging wildly. Johnson gave him a high-five and did a crab pose. Garcia then knocked him on his ass. What a great moment moment in sports, right up there with Nakamura throwing down the gi against Wanderlei Silva. Garcia hurt him with punches on the ground. Johnson caught Garcia with an up kick and immediately clamped on a triangle for the finish. This was a fantastic short fight. t

Lucio Linhares vs. Rousimar Palhares

Palhares is put together like a tank. Palhares took him right down. Linhares up. Palhares grabbed a front headlock from the bottom and used it to get top position. After Linhares, got up, Palhares with a hard punch, then a takedown and now they are fighting over leglocks. Palhares cranking on the heel hook but Linhares escaped. Crowd gave both a hand for that. Linhares now with a takedown late. First round to Palhares 10-9.



Palhares went in with a weak kick and Linhares used it to get Palhares down. Palhares reversed and Linhares got a shoulderlock. Palhares out of trouble. Linhares getting punches in. Weird finish that nobody saw but Palhares used a heel hook and got the tap. But Palhares was so shaken up he couldn’t get up.

Johny Hendricks vs. Ricardo Funch

People booed Funch. People seemed to know Hendricks, I guess that win over Amir Sadollah did it. Hendricks in fast but Funch stopped his takedown. Funch going for a takedown now. Funch got him down. Another NCAA champ gets taken down. Hendricks back up. Funch throwing knees. Trading knees standing. Hendricks with a few uppercuts and a hard slam. Crowd exploded with the slam. Funch up. Hendricks with a knee. Hendricks unloading with uppercuts and body punches and a hard knee. More punches. Hendricks going for the Peruvian necktie on the ground. Funch out of trouble. Hendricks trying for a guillotine but looks like time will run out and Funch is out anyway. Good round. 10-9 Hendricks.

Hendricks rushed with punches and is going for a takedownNow more punches and knees and a high slam by Hendricks. Crowds explodes for the slams. Hendricks let Funch up. Funch back with punches. Funch decked a punch and went for a takedown, but Hendricks sprawled. Hendricks threw five knees from a clinch. He wanted a high slam but settled for a takedown. He’s letting Funch up again. Body kick by Funch. Funch going for a takedown now. Hendricks throwing punches to the head on the ground while blocking the takedown. Another knee by Hendricks. Single leg by Hendricks. Hendricks has his back and is going for a choke. Hendricks won the round, almost a 10-8 but they won’t give it to him so I’d say score is 20-18 for Hendricks.

Hendricks took him down and punching. Hendricks has his back again. Funch out. Funch with a hard body kick but Hendricks back with a hard punch and took Fnch down again. Hendricks throwing punches. Hendricks had a half nelson, more punches. More punches by Hendricks. Funch up and Hendricks with a few punches. Hendricks very aggressive but doesn’t seem to have the power to finish at this weight. Hendricks took him down and cradled him. Got side control. Crowd is booing Hendricks is trying a top wristlock, but gave it up to throw some punches. A couple of more punches, knees and more punches by Hendricks. Hendricks gave him a back body drop and now has him cradled on the ground and going crazy with punches as time ran out. Crowd popped huge for Hendricks. Should be 10-8 that round as well, but I’m guessing final scores will be 30-27.

Scores 30-27, 30-27 and 30-25 for Hendricks. I would agree with 30-25.

Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman

Wiman doesn’t have "Handsome" written on his shorts. Nelson with some punches. Wiman back with hard low kick. Another low kick, Nelson tried a takedown off it. Didn’t get it. Nelson hurt him with a flurry of punches. Nelson’s movement and punching is crisper. Good body shot and knee by Wiman and a flying knee that didn’t really hit. Wiman swinging wildly and missed. Wiman with an elbow against the cage . Wiman hurt him with a right and dropped him with an uppercut and now going to work on the ground. Wiman connecting with elbows. Nelson back up, bleeding pretty badly from one of the elbows. Nelson rocked Wiman with a punch late. Good round. 10-9 Wiman

Body shot by Wiman. Head kick by Wiman. Nelson came right back with a takedown. Wimann in with a knee and punches, now a high kick. Nelson back with punches. Trading knees. Wiman going for a takedown and finally got it. Nelson grabbed a heel hook but Wiman escaped and throwing elbows from the top as the round ended. 20-18 Wiman.

Wiman accidentally kicked Nelson hard low. This was one of the most savage low blows in a while. Nelson is hurting bad. Nelson got in with a punch. Wiman got the takedown. Nelson up. Nelson in with a hard knee. High kick by Nelson. Trading, Nelson got the best punch. Good body punch by Nelson. Wiman threw a knee. Wiman used a front headlock to get it to the ground. Crowd booing and not sure why because they are moving on the ground. Wiman has Nelson’s back with less than a minute left. Wiman used the figure four body scissors to keep back position on Nelson. Wiman threw some punches. Wiman threw a lot of hard punches and continued to do so until the horn sounded. 30-27 Wiman.

All three judges have it 30-27 for Wiman. Pretty obvious scores.

Wilson Gouveia vs. Alan Belcher in the final preliminary fight

Belcher is from Memphis. Gouveia booed. Gouveia was the one whose camp called Belcher’s camp and said he couldn’t make weight so both agreed to stop cutting. Belcher has a Johnny Cash tattoo on his left shoulder. Belcher got a good punch in but Gouveia back with several hard punches. More trading. Great slugfest. Gouveia got more good punches in but Belcher didn’t go down. Gouveia is rocking him but Belcher not going down. Now Belcher back and put Gouveia down with a right uppercut and finished him with punches on the ground. Fun fight. Crowd going nuts.

Lots of good undercard fights, with Garcia-Johnson as the first one that should air,followed by Belcher-Gouveia and Grant-Burns

Did anyone ever think that if this was 20 years ago and UFC could come in and draw a house like this, that Lawler would have been all over Ch. 5 this morning talking about how everyone knows this stuff is really fake.

Paul Buentello vs. Stefan "Young Schilt" Struve

More Mexican music with Buentello singing as he came out. Struve tried to jump and pull guard. Buentello would have none of it. Struve then cracked him in the jaw with an uppercut. Struve has a huge height and reach edge and all he wants to do is get to to the ground. He’s got Buentello’s back and now throwing punches to the side of the head. He’s giving Buentello a beating. People are yelling at Dan Miragliotta not to stop it. Struve has a choke but Buentello is blocking. He’s out . Struve trying a choke again. Buentello out again. He’s trying a third time. Buentello out. Now a fourth try. Buentello out again. Crowd booing this. I have no idea why. They don’t like Sturve for one thing. Now a fifth try for the choke. And Buentello out again and turned so he’s on top. Buentello with a Mongolian chop at the horn. 10-9, probably should be 10-8 honestly.

Buentello decked Struve as he came in for a takedown. Buentello backed off and told him to get up. Struve with a kick to the shoulder. Buentello him backed to the cage and now Struve tried to pull guard and grabbing for an ankle. Buentello out. Buentello tagged him with a punch. Now both back up. Good body shot by Buentello and hard shot to the head. Uppercut by Buentello. Sturve jumped in and Buentello decked him again. Buentello walked away letting Struve up. Now Struve bulled Buentello into the cage. Struve trying to get it to the ground. Trading and Struve clobbered him. Buentello back with a hard shot. Big trade. Knee by Buentello. Struve throwing punches and Buentello back and he rocked Struve. They gave each other high-fives. I guess they didn’t learn from theGarcia-Johnson fight. Now both men are exhausted with 20 seconds left in the round. Buentello’s round. I’ve got 19-18 for Struve but I’d guess judges have it 19-19. Standing ovation, I mean big standing ovation. Liddell at ringside going wild.

Struve with a right. Low kick by Struve. Hard right by Buentello and Struve back with two hard low kicks. High kick by Struve blocked. Another kick to Buentello’s left thigh. And another. And another. Struve rocked him with a punch. Hopefully for Buentello they’ve got a judge who doesn’t believe leg kicks count or he’s losing this round. Butenllo back with punches and Struve with an elbow. Struve threw the kick but Buentello blocked. Struve with another low kick and another, and another. Buentello’s slowing down from the low kicks. Sick low kick by Struve. Another and another by Struve. High kick attempt by Struve blocked. Buentello breathing hard but threw a punch. Sturve went down and invited Buentello down. Struve laying on his back. You shouldn’t do that in the last minute of a close fight. Buentello in with punches. Trading punches. Really Struve should win the round. I’ve got Struve 29-27 but kind of expect 29-28.

Scores are 29-28, 29-28 and 28-28 for Struve. Lots of boos for the decision but it was the right call. God the people are booing Struve so badly.

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida next. When the names were put on the screen the crowd popped big.

Guida got a big reaction, superstar level. Guida bouncing up and down and shooting like he’s 1979 Bob Backlund. Florian nowhere near as popular. Florian mostly booed.

Loud Guida chants before it even started. High kick by Florian and Guida took him down. Florian defending well. Florian with a good guard and back to his feet. Florian was cut on the side of his right eye. Guida chant again. Guida swinging wildly and missing. Florian tried a knee. Guida hit a punch on the counter. Guida chasing Florian. Both got good punches in. Florian took Guida down, Guida back up but Florian hit a knee. Guida tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Florian thowing punches. Now Florian on top with 56 seconds left. Guida back up. Guida now bleeding. Hard slam by Florian and punching Guida. Guida up but he’s covered in his own blood. Mario Yamasaki taking Guida to the doctor. The doctor said this match can continue. Crowd went crazy. Close round, maybe Florian 1-9

Guida shot in. Florian defending the shot well. Both up. Florian with jabs and a body shot. Florian with jabs. . Florian starting to connect on the punches. Florian dropped Guida with a right on a counter and hammered him with punches on the ground. Florian has the choke. Guida tapped out.

Florian fought such a good fight that everyone cheered him when it was over.

Florian told the fans they needed to cheer for Guida.

Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

Nobody knows Mike Pierce. Pierce threw a kick and Fitch caught the leg and got behind him. Fitch has his back working for a choke. Fitch in the piggy back position while Pierce is in the don’t get me from behind position. Fitch punching the face. Pierce now on his knee. Fitch continues to hit Pierce in the face. Pierce out of trouble and slammed Fitch down and now on top. Fitch up. Crowd pretty dead for this match. Fitch got several punches in standing. Pierce ot a good punch in but Fitch getting more punches in. Fitch bleeding badly from the left eye. Fitch went for a takedown and Pierce blocked it. Close round, I’d go 10-9 Fitch but that cut could sway it the other way.

Why they put this on after Guida-Florian is beyond me as these two couldn’t follow and that should have been easy to figure on going in. Crowd just wants them done and to see Frank Mir get killed at this point. Fitch got a takedown and is behind Pierce. Pierce back up. Piece got some good punches in. Fitch back with punches. These two are having a solid fight but fans are booing just because they lack so much charisma. Well, Fitch lacks charisma and they have no clue who Pierce is. Fitch got hit with another punch but got a takedown and got Pierce’s back. Short knees by Fitch. Fitch trying to break him down. Good knee by Fitch. Body punch by Fitch . Knee by Pierce and a foot stop. Crowd booing more. Wild exchange and Fitch went for two takedown. Pierce bleeding from the nose. Good round but crowd not into it. 20-18 Fitch.

Two good knees by Fitch. Trading . Pierce tried a takedown but Fitch blocked. Fitch with knees. Pierce connected with several body shots. Head kick by Fitch. Uppercut and takedown by Fitch. Fitch has his back. Hard knee by Fitch. Pierce throwing a lot of punches and started to hurt Fitch late. Good debut by Pierce. Most of the crowd cheered when it was over, some booed. I’d give the round to Pierce so 29-28 for Fitch.

All three judges have it 29-28 for Fitch

Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

People didn’t really care that much about Kongo when he came out. They do care about Mir. People both cheering and booing him. He’s even got the walk to the ring down. Kongo actually booed a lot. More cheers than boos. Mir got a mixed reaction, probably 70% boos. Crowd psyched for this match. Mir knocked Kongo down with a left. He’s got a guillotine on tight. It’s over. Time was 1:12.

He won the crowd over with the win. It’s too bad with this sports stuff because Mir totally leap frogged Carwin and Velasquez as far as a match people want to see.

B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

More Spanish music. There are two people right behind Dana wearing Rey Mysterio masks. Diego running around like a wildman, nearly knocked the camera man over. Herb Dean is the referee.

Sanchez booed. Penn’s reaction about the same as Guida’s, maybe slightly louder for Guida. Crowd pretty psyched for this one. Sanchez moved in and threw but didn’t connect. BJ chant loud. Sanchez threw again and missed. Penn knocked him down with an uppercut and is killing him with punches on the ground. Sanchez back to his feet but he’s hurt. Wild kick by Sanchez. Sanchez moved in, was hurt by an uppercut and stumbled. Sanchez wants to take it down but isn’t going to be able to most likely. High kick by Sanchez missed. Sanches is the one nervous. Penn walking him down. Sanchez with another takedown attempt but back up. Sanchez swinging wildly and missing. Penn hit with a counter. Another exchange exactly the same. Sanchez in with a knee but Penn countered with a punch. Penn rocked Sanchez again with a hard shot. Sanchez threw a wild kick. Penn’s round easily, I’d go 10-8.

Sanchez in going for a takedown. Problem is, what if he gets it, and he probably won’t and will just waste energy trying. And there’s nothing else he can do. Sanchez threw a good uppercut after giving up the takedown. Penn in with punches, Sanchez tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Sanchez in but Penn countered with punches. Penn blocked a high kick. Penn threw and Sanchez ducked for a takedown but didn’t get it. Sanchez threw more punches that missed and Penn hurt him with a counter punch. Sanchez tried another takedown but couldn’t come close. Sanchez bleeding from the right ear from the first round. Sanchez getting no effective offense in. Penn with a good punch coming in. Sanchez’s ear bleeding more. Sanchez ducked a punch and went for another takedown. He got him down for a split second but Penn back up. Diego still going. Penn’s round, so 20-17 at this point.

Penn with a punch and Sanchez again going for a takedown. Now it’s like the Florian fight. Penn throwing some elbows and punches as he blocks the takedown. One would think even Sanchez will wear himself out with hit strategy, but he doesn’t have much choice because he can’t stand with Penn. Penn with several uppercuts caused Sanchez to back off. Trading and Penn getting the best punch. Good high kick by Sanchez. Sanchez going for another takedown. Penn with some punches while blocking the takedown. Penn with a knee. Hard forearm by Penn. Trading punches and Penn got a few good shots in. Sanchez’s face all marked up. Penn with short uppercuts as Sanchez kept trying for the takedown. Penn connecting with several hard punches. Sanchez’s face is a mess at this point. Penn’s round 30-26.

Penn couldn’t wait to come out for this round. He’s not tired at all. An exchange and Penn connected. Sanchez hit a punch in another exchange. High kick by Sanchez missed. Sanchez tried a takedown and didn’t get it. Good right by Penn but Sanchez still up. Sanchez with a kick but Penn blocked. Sanchez tried a takedown and didn’t get it. Hard elbow by Penn. Sanchez in for another takedown. Of course Penn blocking well. Fans booing. Penn with an elbow and Sanchez gave it up. Sanchez swung wildly and Penn countered and landed. Sanchez went for another takedown and is being booed. Pen with a knee and Sanchez gave up trying. Penn in with a knee. Penn looks like he wats to finish but the round ended. Penn’s round now 40-35.

Both guys can’t wait to come out and crowd is psyched for the final round even though Sanchez needs a miracle and Moses isn’t in the building. Body shot by Penn. High kick by Sanchez largely blocked. Body kick by Sanchez landed. Sanchez went for a takedown and being booed. At this point that’s not going to win him the fight. Sanchez got Penn off his feet but Penn stood right back up. Sanchez got him on the ground but Penn is in the advantage position. Penn let him up. Sanchez missed a kick. High kick by Penn and several uppercuts and now Sanchez has him bulled into the cage. Penn pounding him with punches. Sanchez bleeding like crazy. They are going to check the cut and it’s being waved off. At this point even if the cut wasn’t deep, and it was, it was time to end it. Cut looks six inches long on Sanchez’s forehead. Penn going crazy.

This was one of the best shows in a while.

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 107 from the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis. We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to

For those trying to keep track of UFC injuries in the last few days, here is a partial list: Carlos Condit (cut hand from sheet metal slicing it as he was cleaning his garage), Dong Hyun Kim (knee), Tim Credeur (ribs), Rory Markham (torn Achilles tendon), Tyson Griffin and there’s one other semi-major show who is hurt that we haven’t found out yet (there are six in all).

It’s 6:30 p.m. and the place is 90% full. This from a crowd reaction standpoint is going to a hot show, because the people popped big for T.J. Grant and nobody is from Canada waving flags, so they just like the idea of seeing UFC live. From what I’m told, a larger percentage of the crowd here is local than at most UFC shows, which means first-timers.

Before any rumors start, Arianny is on vacation so she will not be on the show tonight.

T.J. Grant vs. Kevin Burns

How crowd. Burns bigger and more aggressive. . Burns knocked Grant down with a punch and is pounding on him. Trading punches now. Grant took Burns down. Grant continues to outwrestle him. But Grant isn’t doing much damage from the top. Burns up. Grant kicked him low almost like he was trying out for Los Perros Del Mal, got booed and though he was apologetic, still got booed over it. Grant with two knees, a knockdown from a punch to the jaw and a few punches on the ground and it was stopped. Burns is not happy with the stoppage, given there were only three seconds left in the round. But it wasn’t a bad stoppage. Good fight.

Edgar Garcia vs. Damarques Johnson

Garcia is from Sonora, Mexico and he’s coming out to some song that I used to hear all the time in the 90s when I’d travel to Mexico for Lucha Libre. It was second match babyface music. Johnson is the guy. Johnson on the other hand with his music sounds like he’s a video game television commercial. Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Vamanos, Vamanos. Johnson has totally changed his look. You would not recognize him.

The crowd popped for Herb Dean. Johnson cracked Garcia in the jaw. Garcia back with a hard punch. Low kick by Johnson. Good trade. Garcia went to the body. Garcia’s left eye already swollen. Garcia took him down. Garcia went for a Peruvian necktie that Johnson finally got out of . They are both standing and swinging wildly. Johnson gave him a high-five and did a crab pose. Garcia then knocked him on his ass. What a great moment moment in sports, right up there with Nakamura throwing down the gi against Wanderlei Silva. Garcia hurt him with punches on the ground. Johnson caught Garcia with an up kick and immediately clamped on a triangle for the finish. This was a fantastic short fight. t

Lucio Linhares vs. Rousimar Palhares

Palhares is put together like a tank. Palhares took him right down. Linhares up. Palhares grabbed a front headlock from the bottom and used it to get top position. After Linhares, got up, Palhares with a hard punch, then a takedown and now they are fighting over leglocks. Palhares cranking on the heel hook but Linhares escaped. Crowd gave both a hand for that. Linhares now with a takedown late. First round to Palhares 10-9.



Palhares went in with a weak kick and Linhares used it to get Palhares down. Palhares reversed and Linhares got a shoulderlock. Palhares out of trouble. Linhares getting punches in. Weird finish that nobody saw but Palhares used a heel hook and got the tap. But Palhares was so shaken up he couldn’t get up.

Johny Hendricks vs. Ricardo Funch

People booed Funch. People seemed to know Hendricks, I guess that win over Amir Sadollah did it. Hendricks in fast but Funch stopped his takedown. Funch going for a takedown now. Funch got him down. Another NCAA champ gets taken down. Hendricks back up. Funch throwing knees. Trading knees standing. Hendricks with a few uppercuts and a hard slam. Crowd exploded with the slam. Funch up. Hendricks with a knee. Hendricks unloading with uppercuts and body punches and a hard knee. More punches. Hendricks going for the Peruvian necktie on the ground. Funch out of trouble. Hendricks trying for a guillotine but looks like time will run out and Funch is out anyway. Good round. 10-9 Hendricks.

Hendricks rushed with punches and is going for a takedownNow more punches and knees and a high slam by Hendricks. Crowds explodes for the slams. Hendricks let Funch up. Funch back with punches. Funch decked a punch and went for a takedown, but Hendricks sprawled. Hendricks threw five knees from a clinch. He wanted a high slam but settled for a takedown. He’s letting Funch up again. Body kick by Funch. Funch going for a takedown now. Hendricks throwing punches to the head on the ground while blocking the takedown. Another knee by Hendricks. Single leg by Hendricks. Hendricks has his back and is going for a choke. Hendricks won the round, almost a 10-8 but they won’t give it to him so I’d say score is 20-18 for Hendricks.

Hendricks took him down and punching. Hendricks has his back again. Funch out. Funch with a hard body kick but Hendricks back with a hard punch and took Fnch down again. Hendricks throwing punches. Hendricks had a half nelson, more punches. More punches by Hendricks. Funch up and Hendricks with a few punches. Hendricks very aggressive but doesn’t seem to have the power to finish at this weight. Hendricks took him down and cradled him. Got side control. Crowd is booing Hendricks is trying a top wristlock, but gave it up to throw some punches. A couple of more punches, knees and more punches by Hendricks. Hendricks gave him a back body drop and now has him cradled on the ground and going crazy with punches as time ran out. Crowd popped huge for Hendricks. Should be 10-8 that round as well, but I’m guessing final scores will be 30-27.

Scores 30-27, 30-27 and 30-25 for Hendricks. I would agree with 30-25.

Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman

Wiman doesn’t have "Handsome" written on his shorts. Nelson with some punches. Wiman back with hard low kick. Another low kick, Nelson tried a takedown off it. Didn’t get it. Nelson hurt him with a flurry of punches. Nelson’s movement and punching is crisper. Good body shot and knee by Wiman and a flying knee that didn’t really hit. Wiman swinging wildly and missed. Wiman with an elbow against the cage . Wiman hurt him with a right and dropped him with an uppercut and now going to work on the ground. Wiman connecting with elbows. Nelson back up, bleeding pretty badly from one of the elbows. Nelson rocked Wiman with a punch late. Good round. 10-9 Wiman

Body shot by Wiman. Head kick by Wiman. Nelson came right back with a takedown. Wimann in with a knee and punches, now a high kick. Nelson back with punches. Trading knees. Wiman going for a takedown and finally got it. Nelson grabbed a heel hook but Wiman escaped and throwing elbows from the top as the round ended. 20-18 Wiman.

Wiman accidentally kicked Nelson hard low. This was one of the most savage low blows in a while. Nelson is hurting bad. Nelson got in with a punch. Wiman got the takedown. Nelson up. Nelson in with a hard knee. High kick by Nelson. Trading, Nelson got the best punch. Good body punch by Nelson. Wiman threw a knee. Wiman used a front headlock to get it to the ground. Crowd booing and not sure why because they are moving on the ground. Wiman has Nelson’s back with less than a minute left. Wiman used the figure four body scissors to keep back position on Nelson. Wiman threw some punches. Wiman threw a lot of hard punches and continued to do so until the horn sounded. 30-27 Wiman.

All three judges have it 30-27 for Wiman. Pretty obvious scores.

Wilson Gouveia vs. Alan Belcher in the final preliminary fight

Belcher is from Memphis. Gouveia booed. Gouveia was the one whose camp called Belcher’s camp and said he couldn’t make weight so both agreed to stop cutting. Belcher has a Johnny Cash tattoo on his left shoulder. Belcher got a good punch in but Gouveia back with several hard punches. More trading. Great slugfest. Gouveia got more good punches in but Belcher didn’t go down. Gouveia is rocking him but Belcher not going down. Now Belcher back and put Gouveia down with a right uppercut and finished him with punches on the ground. Fun fight. Crowd going nuts.

Lots of good undercard fights, with Garcia-Johnson as the first one that should air,followed by Belcher-Gouveia and Grant-Burns

Did anyone ever think that if this was 20 years ago and UFC could come in and draw a house like this, that Lawler would have been all over Ch. 5 this morning talking about how everyone knows this stuff is really fake.

Paul Buentello vs. Stefan "Young Schilt" Struve

More Mexican music with Buentello singing as he came out. Struve tried to jump and pull guard. Buentello would have none of it. Struve then cracked him in the jaw with an uppercut. Struve has a huge height and reach edge and all he wants to do is get to to the ground. He’s got Buentello’s back and now throwing punches to the side of the head. He’s giving Buentello a beating. People are yelling at Dan Miragliotta not to stop it. Struve has a choke but Buentello is blocking. He’s out . Struve trying a choke again. Buentello out again. He’s trying a third time. Buentello out. Now a fourth try. Buentello out again. Crowd booing this. I have no idea why. They don’t like Sturve for one thing. Now a fifth try for the choke. And Buentello out again and turned so he’s on top. Buentello with a Mongolian chop at the horn. 10-9, probably should be 10-8 honestly.

Buentello decked Struve as he came in for a takedown. Buentello backed off and told him to get up. Struve with a kick to the shoulder. Buentello him backed to the cage and now Struve tried to pull guard and grabbing for an ankle. Buentello out. Buentello tagged him with a punch. Now both back up. Good body shot by Buentello and hard shot to the head. Uppercut by Buentello. Sturve jumped in and Buentello decked him again. Buentello walked away letting Struve up. Now Struve bulled Buentello into the cage. Struve trying to get it to the ground. Trading and Struve clobbered him. Buentello back with a hard shot. Big trade. Knee by Buentello. Struve throwing punches and Buentello back and he rocked Struve. They gave each other high-fives. I guess they didn’t learn from theGarcia-Johnson fight. Now both men are exhausted with 20 seconds left in the round. Buentello’s round. I’ve got 19-18 for Struve but I’d guess judges have it 19-19. Standing ovation, I mean big standing ovation. Liddell at ringside going wild.

Struve with a right. Low kick by Struve. Hard right by Buentello and Struve back with two hard low kicks. High kick by Struve blocked. Another kick to Buentello’s left thigh. And another. And another. Struve rocked him with a punch. Hopefully for Buentello they’ve got a judge who doesn’t believe leg kicks count or he’s losing this round. Butenllo back with punches and Struve with an elbow. Struve threw the kick but Buentello blocked. Struve with another low kick and another, and another. Buentello’s slowing down from the low kicks. Sick low kick by Struve. Another and another by Struve. High kick attempt by Struve blocked. Buentello breathing hard but threw a punch. Sturve went down and invited Buentello down. Struve laying on his back. You shouldn’t do that in the last minute of a close fight. Buentello in with punches. Trading punches. Really Struve should win the round. I’ve got Struve 29-27 but kind of expect 29-28.

Scores are 29-28, 29-28 and 28-28 for Struve. Lots of boos for the decision but it was the right call. God the people are booing Struve so badly.

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida next. When the names were put on the screen the crowd popped big.

Guida got a big reaction, superstar level. Guida bouncing up and down and shooting like he’s 1979 Bob Backlund. Florian nowhere near as popular. Florian mostly booed.

Loud Guida chants beofre it even started. High kick by Florian and Guida took him down. Florian defending well. Florian with a good guard and back to his feet. Florian was cut on the side of his right eye. Guida chant again. Guida swinging wildly and missing. Florian tried a knee. Guida hit a punch on the counter. Guida chasing Florian. Both got good punches in. Florian took Guida down, Guida back up but Florian hit a knee. Guida tried a takedown but didn’tget it. Florian thowing punches. Now Florian on top with 56 seconds left. Guida back up. Guida now bleeding. Hard slam by Florian and punching Guida. Guida up but he’s covered in his own blood. Mario Yamasaki taking Guida to the doctor. The doctor said this match can continue. Crowd went crazy. Close round, maybe Florian 1-9

Guida shot in. Florian defending the shot well. Both up. Florian with jabs and a body shot. Florian with jabs. . Florian starting to connect on the punches. Florian dropped Guida with a right on a counter and hammered him with punches on the ground. Florian has the choke. Guida tapped out.

Florian fought such a good fight that everyone cheered him when it was over.

Florian told the fans they needed to cheer for Guida.

Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

Nobody knows Mike Pierce. Pierce threw a kick and Fitch caught the leg and got behind him. Fitch has his back working for a choke. Fitch in the piggy back position while Pierce is in the don’t get me from behind position. Fitch punching the face. Pierce now on his knee. Fitch continues to hit Pierce in the face. Pierce out of trouble and slammed Fitch down and now on top. Fitch up. Crowd pretty dead for this match. Fitch got several punches in standing. Pierce ot a good punch in but Fitch getting more punches in. Fitch bleeding badly from the left eye. Fitch went for a takedown and Pierce blocked it. Close round, I’d go 10-9 Fitch but that cut could sway it the other way.

Why they put this on after Guida-Florian is beyond me as these two couldn’t follow and that should have been easy to figure on going in. Crowd just wants them done and to see Frank Mir get killed at this point. Fitch got a takedown and is behind Pierce. Pierce back up. Piece got some good punches in. Fitch back with punches. These two are having a solid fight but fans are booing just because they lack so much charisma. Well, Fitch lacks charisma and they have no clue who Pierce is. Fitch got hit with another punch but got a takedown and got Pierce’s back. Short knees by Fitch. Fitch trying to break him down. Good knee by Fitch. Body punch by Fitch . Knee by Pierce and a foot stop. Crowd booing more. Wild exchange and Fitch went for two takedown. Pierce bleeding from the nose. Good round but crowd not into it. 20-18 Fitch.

Two good knees by Fitch. Trading . Pierce tried a takedown but Fitch blocked. Fitch with knees. Pierce connected with several body shots. Head kick by Fitch. Uppercut and takedown by Fitch. Fitch has his back. Hard knee by Fitch. Pierce throwing a lot of punches and started to hurt Fitch late. Good debut by Pierce. Most of the crowd cheered when it was over, some booed. I’d give the round to Pierce so 29-28 for Fitch.

All three judges have it 29-28 for Fitch

Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

People didn’t really care that much about Kongo when he came out. They do care about Mir. People both cheering and booing him. He’s even got the walk to the ring down. Kongo actually booed a lot. More cheers than boos. Mir got a mixed reaction, probably 70% boos. Crowd psyched for this match. Mir knocked Kongo down with a left. He’s got a guillotine on tight. It’s over. Time was 1:12.

He won the crowd over with the win. It’s too bad with this sports stuff because Mir totally leap frogged Carwin and Velasquez as far as a match people want to see.

B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

More Spanish music. There are two people right behind Dana wearing Rey Mysterio masks. Diego running around like a wildman, nearly knocked the camera man over. Herb Dean is the referee.

Sanchez booed. Penn’s reaction about the same as Guida’s, maybe slightly louder for Guida. Crowd pretty psyched for this one. Sanchez moved in and threw but didn’t connect. BJ chant loud. Sanchez threw again and missed. Penn knocked him down with an uppercut and is killing him with punches on the ground. Sanchez back to his feet but he’s hurt. Wild kick by Sanchez. Sanchez moved in, was hurt by an uppercut and stumbled. Sanchez wants to take it down but isn’t going to be able to most likely. High kick by Sanchez missed. Sanches is the one nervous. Penn walking him down. Sanchez with another takedown attempt but back up. Sanchez swinging wildly and missing. Penn hit with a counter. Another exchange exactly the same. Sanchez in with a knee but Penn countered with a punch. Penn rocked Sanchez again with a hard shot. Sanchez threw a wild kick. Penn’s round easily, I’d go 10-8.

Sanchez in going for a takedown. Problem is, what if he gets it, and he probably won’t and will just waste energy trying. And there’s nothing else he can do. Sanchez threw a good uppercut after giving up the takedown. Penn in with punches, Sanchez tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Sanchez in but Penn countered with punches. Penn blocked a high kick. Penn threw and Sanchez ducked for a takedown but didn’t get it. Sanchez threw more punches that missed and Penn hurt him with a counter punch. Sanchez tried another takedown but couldn’t come close. Sanchez bleeding from the right ear from the first round. Sanchez getting no effective offense in. Penn with a good punch coming in. Sanchez’s ear bleeding more. Sanchez ducked a punch and went for another takedown. He got him down for a split second but Penn back up. Diego still going. Penn’s round, so 20-17 at this point.

Penn with a punch and Sanchez again going for a takedown. Now it’s like the Florian fight. Penn throwing some elbows and punches as he blocks the takedown. One would think even Sanchez will wear himself out with hit strategy, but he doesn’t have much choice because he can’t stand with Penn. Penn with several uppercuts caused Sanchez to back off. Trading and Penn getting the best punch. Good high kick by Sanchez. Sanchez going for another takedown. Penn with some punches while blocking the takedown. Penn with a knee. Hard forearm by Penn. Trading punches and Penn got a few good shots in. Sanchez’s face all marked up. Penn with short uppercuts as Sanchez kept trying for the takedown. Penn connecting with several hard punches. Sanchez’s face is a mess at this point. Penn’s round 30-26.

Penn couldn’t wait to come out for this round. He’s not tired at all. An exchange and Penn connected. Sanchez hit a punch in another exchange. High kick by Sanchez missed. Sanchez tried a takedown and didn’t get it. Good right by Penn but Sanchez still up. Sanchez with a kick but Penn blocked. Sanchez tried a takedown and didn’t get it. Hard elbow by Penn. Sanchez in for another takedown. Of course Penn blocking well. Fans booing. Penn with an elbow and Sanchez gave it up. Sanchez swung wildly and Penn countered and landed. Sanchez went for another takedown and is being booed. Pen with a knee and Sanchez gave up trying. Penn in with a knee. Penn looks like he wats to finish but the round ended. Penn’s round now 40-35.

Both guys can’t wait to come out and crowd is psyched for the final round even though Sanchez needs a miracle and Moses isn’t in the building. Body shot by Penn. High kick by Sanchez largely blocked. Body kick by Sanchez landed. Sanchez went for a takedown and being booed. At this point that’s not going to win him the fight. Sanchez got Penn off his feet but Penn stood right back up. Sanchez got him on the ground but Penn is in the advantage position. Penn let him up. Sanchez missed a kick. High kick by Penn and several uppercuts and now Sanchez has him bulled into the cage. Penn pounding him with punches. Sanchez bleeding like crazy. They are going to check the cut and it’s being waved off. At this point even if the cut wasn’t deep, and it was, it was time to end it. Cut looks six inches long on Sanchez’s forehead. Penn going crazy.

This was one of the best shows in a while.

We'll be back tomorrow night with WWE's TLC show.