Well, it's in the books, and after the dust had settled, I had witnessed a pretty darn good mma card. There were some fantastic knockouts, some impressive upsets, and a new record for the fastest knockout! All in all, everyone that I had the good fortune to attend with and myself, had a great time. So here are how are all the fights went.
Marcus "Maximus" Aurellio vs. Evan Dunham
Round 1
Dunham kept up very good pressure through out the whole fight, and brought the action to "Maximus". Dunham didn't let up, and peppered Aurellio with precise jabs, and very quick combos. Aurellio looked like he was uncomfortable, and was very tentative with his standup. Dunham caught Aurellio with a punch that knocked him down, and after some furious ground and pound, stood up, forcing the brazilian to get off his back and back to his feet. The round ends with Dunham taking a decent shot to the chin, but doesn't seem affected. Rd. 1, Dunham.
Round 2
Dunham starts off right where he left off, and is pushing a furious pace. Aurellio is working hard for a takedown to start off, but has his first attempt rebuked. A second takedown is scored, but Dunham quickly escapes and both fighters exchange blows. Aurellio tries yet another takedown, but after he is unsuccessful, he is rewarded with a solid body kick, followed by a nasty knee to the body. Rd. 2, Dunham
Round 3
Aurellio gets a takedown right off the bat, and moves from guard, to half guard, and seems to bait Dunham into standing up. On the way to his feet, Dunham, works a front headlock, and transitions into an anaconda choke, which looks to be very tight, but Dunham somehow escapes. Dunham is looking very tired, but still keeping the pressure on. Another takedown by Aurellio, then another escape by Dunham. Both fighters go toe to toe as the round ends. Rd. 3, Aurellio.
I scored it, 29-28, Dunham. Judges socre it 29-28, 28-29, 30-27, for a split decision win for Dunham.
Nick Catone vs. Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz
Round 1
Both guys look tentative on their feet. Catone works nice combo that tuns Munoz, and gets a leg kick for his troubles. Munoz looks to clinch, and is taken down. Catone moves to side control and hits some knees to the body, which leads to Munoz turning and backing out hitting a couple heavy shots, then preventing Catone from escaping, by slamming him back to the ground. Catone avoids any more trouble on the ground, and manages to get back to his feet. Both fighters look cautious as the round ends. Very close round. Rd. 1, Catone
Round 2
Catone is the better striker here, and tries to take advantage of it by working combos, and utilizing head movement. Munoz tries a leg kick, and Catone turns it into a takedown. Munoz avoids giving up his back, and gets back to his feet. Catone hits a combo that looks like stuns Munoz, but doesn't follow it up. After a scramble, Catone hits a knee, and time expire.
Rd.2, Munoz
Round three
Catone looks very tired, but Munoz is fairly fresh. Munoz's striking is looking much better, and Catone is getting battered. Catone attempts a takedown, and Munoz tries to counter with an arm in guillotine, but can't keep Catone from getting the fight to the ground. In side control, Catone works to a leg lock attempt, but gets picked up and slammed. Catone wriggles to the back of Munoz and sinks the hooks in. Munoz defends the rear naked choke well, and Catone is too high on his back to effectively control him, and ends up in the half guard of Munoz. Catone sweeps, and ends with some decent ground and pound. Rd. 3, Munoz
I score the fight, 29-28, Munoz. Judges score the fight 30-27, 29-28, 28-29 for a split decsision win by Munoz.
Todd Duffee vs. Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague
Round one
Duffee drops Hague immediately with a stiff left jab, and falls on him, pummeling him until the ref stops the fight at the seven second mark.
Duffee wins by knockout at 0:07 of the first round, and sets a new UFC record for fastest knockout.
Justin "The NSane 1" McCully vs. Mike Russow
Round one
Russow takes McCully down, and neither men do much, and McCully gets back to his feet. Russow again takes McCully down, and is reversed, McCully gets his hooks in, and tries for a leg lock, but no dice. A very, very lackluster round by both men. Rd. 1, McCully
In between rounds, it appears that McCully is having trouble seeing out of his left eye, and the fight appears to be nearly called by the referee, but the doctor clears McCully, and the fight will continue.
Round two
A knee by McCully leads to a takedown by Russow, but there is almost nothing going on on the ground. They stand up, and Russow clinches McCully up against the fence, working some mild knees and elbows. Russow tries for a kimura, but is unsuccessful and then the round ends. Rd. 2, Russow
Round three
McCully is slightly more active, but appears that he is having trouble seeing out of that eye. Russow looks tired, but manages to get a takedown. The ref stand them up, and Russow gets tagged with a few strikes. Another takedown by Russow, and hardly anymore action. The crowd is audibly upset Rd. 3 Russow
I score the fight 29-28, Russow. Judges score the fight 29-28, 30-26, 30-27, for a unanimous decision victory by Russow.
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga vs. Chris "The Crowbar" Tuchscherer
Round one
"Napao" lands a vicious, accidental low blow, that drops Tuchscherer like an anchor. "The Crowbar" is in extreme pain, and utilizes the entire five minutes of injury time he is allotted. It looks like the ref is close to awarding the fight to Tuchscherer via disqualification, but he decides to soldier on, much to the surprise and applause of the crowd. The fight is restarted, and after touching gloves in apology for the inadvertant groin shot, Gonzaga plants a left kick to the face of Tuchscherer, depositing him back to the canvas. Gonzaga quickly pounces on the big, blond, beast, and proceeds to land blows to his face and head until the referee calls a stop to the brutal pounding at 2:27 0f the first round.
Gonzaga wins via TKO at 2:27 of the first round.
Ed "Short Fuse" Herman vs. Aaron "A-Train" Simpson
Round one
Simpson starts with a takedown, big slam and good ground and pound on Herman, who then gets the fight back to the feet. Simpson keeps up with the pressure, and drops Herman with a right. After another escape by Herman, Simpson takes him down, and looks to cause some sort of injury to Herman's knee as time expires. Rd. 1, Simpson.
Round two
"Short Fuse" is visibly limping, but gutting it out for the home town fans. He throws a high kick with his healthy leg, and the gimpy one buckles, and he crumples to the mat. The referee calls a stop to the match as Herman is yelling in pain, and before Simpson can pounce on the fallen fighter. Replays show Hermans knee pop in an unpleasant manner during the attempted kick.
Aaron Simpson wins via TKO at 0:17 of the second round.
Brandon "The Truth" Vera vs. Krzystof "The Polish Experiment" Soszynski
Round one
Due to my typing being less than stellar, I will refer to Soszynski as, Sos. Both fighters are cautiously feeling each other out. Vera is landing some good combos, and avoiding damage. Sos clinches Vera against the fence, and then does nothing. After a referee separation, Vera lands some good punches and kicks. Sos tries for a takedown, but has the attempt stuffed and gets treated to a brief flurry of punches as the round ends. Rd. 1, Vera
Round two
Vera starts off with a good left hand, and dodges the strikes that Sos throws at him. Vera starts to get a little cocky, and drops his hands to his waist, bobbing his head. The last few minutes of the fight are slow with both fighters looking for openings, but not doing much. Much more lackluster round for the two combatants. Rd 2, Vera
Round three
Vera brings the fight immediately with a spin kick. Sos is still attempting to clinch against the fence, and working some dirty boxing, but Vera seems unaffected, and slips in a kimura to work the escape. Sos is taken down, and Vera works some ground and pound, Sos escapes to stand up. Vera tags "The Polish Experiment with some knees, and hits an inadvertant low blow. Vera seems to be controlling the tempo, but is not doing so in a convincing manner. Rd. 3, Vera
I score the fight, 30-27, Vera. The judges score the fight 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, for Vera who wins by unanimous decision.
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs. Demian Maia
Round one
Maia throws out a couple of leg kicks, that are nothing more then feelers. Maia then goes to throw a left leg kick, and Marquardt counters with a brutal right cross that lifts Maia off his feet, depositing him on the mat, a senseless heap. Marquardt moves in to finish with a right hand, but abstains from throwing it when he recognizes that Maia is out of it.
Marquardt wins via knockout at 0:21 of the first round.
Chris "The Crippler" Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Round one
The first minute of the fight has both fighters working for position, and throwing out distance gauging strikes. Rosholts strikes look wide, and Leben gets the takedown. After some brief ground and pound, Rosholt gets back to his feet. More light striking by both, and another takedown by Leben, who hits some more ground strikes, and attempts a guillotine choke, which Rosholt escapes, and then gets back to his feet as the round ends. Rd. 1, Leben
Round two
More striking that is less then crisp from Rosholt, but still strong, and a couple of wild haymakers from Leben. Rosholt slips, and Leben pounces on him, ending up in his guard. Leben works some ground and pound, but Rosholt holds him from the bottom, and the referee stands both fighters up. Leben lands a good straight left, then follows up with some clinch work on the fence. Rosholt gets a takedown, but can't do much to Leben, and lets him up. Leben ends the round with a good flurry of punches. Rd. 2, Leben
Round three
Rosholt gets a takedown immediately, and moves to side control. He wastes no time in setting up an arm triangle choke, but Leben shakes off the submission attempt. Rosholt moves to mount, and tries the arm triangle again, this time Leben cannot defend himself, and Rosholt locks the choke in tight. The referee calls a stop to the fight when Leben is rendered unconscious.
Rosholt wins via arm triangle choke, at 0:30 of the third round.
"The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine vs Thiago Silva
Round one
Jardine looks very confident as he throws some good punch and kick combos. He cracks Silva with a wicked leg kick, but Silva sweeps his leg, and gets top position. Jardine stands up without taking any damage, and presses the action, but gets caught with a left hook that drops him to the canvas. Silva mauls "The Dean of Mean" with ground and pound until the referee calls a stop to the action.
Silva wins via technical knockout at 1:35 of the first round.
Randy "The Natural" Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira
Round one
Some strikes are immediately exchanged, along with some dirty boxing. Nogueira tries to pull guard, but Couture is having none of that. Couture then tries to clinch Nogueira, but gets pushed off, and is subsequently knocked down with a right hand. Nogueira jumps on Couture and sinks in a very tight D'Arce choke, and looks very close to submitting "The Natural", but releases the hold, and Couture gets back to his feet. Nogueira lands some nasty body combos, and Couture answers with some punches of his own. This fight is starting to look like Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar at the season finale of the first Ultimate Fighter. Nogueira appears to have a cut over his left eye, and Couture works more strikes from the clinch as the round ends.
Rd 1, Nogueira
Round two
Both fighters trade punches to start, and Nogueira tries to pull a guillotine choke from Coutures clinch, but slips and ends up on his back with Couture in his guard. Couture lands some elbows, and some more elbows, really leaning on Nogueira, who reverses Couture with a sweep, and gets in "The Natural"s half guard. Nogueira gets a good arm triangle, but gives it up in favor of the mount and gets some good ground and pound on Couture, who escapes to stand up. They trade more punches that aren't overly accurate, but have a lot of power beind them. Couture hits two hard rights, and gets tagged with a leg kick, and both fighters flurry to finish the round.
Rd. 2, Nogueira
Round three
After a good opening combo, Nogueira knocks Couture down with a right, and it once again looks like the ref is very close to calling a finish to the fight, but Couture weathers the storm, and ends up in side control. Nogueira works some ground and pound, and tries another arm triangle, but Couture is having none of it. Nogueira gets Coutures back, but is too high, and Couture tries to buck him off. Nogueira finally succumbs to a reversal and is swept with Couture winding up in Nogueiras guard. Couture looks exhausted. Some decent ground and pound, but Nogueira avoids too much damage, and works to close the gap by holding Couture down. Time is winding down, and the fighters are stood up. The round ends with both men standing toe to toe and duking it out. Rd. 3, Nogueira
I score the fight, 30-27, Nogueira. The judges score the fight, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 for Nogueira who wins via unanimous decision.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
UFC 102 preview
So I am attending UFC 102 this weekend, and am extremely excited. I usually do some sort of preview, but this time, I am previewing, and then will take notes, then will REVIEW!!! IT'S JUST CRAZY ENOUGH TO WORK! Let's get to work.
UNDERCARD
Marcus "Maximus" Aurellio vs. Evan Dunham 155
The evening begins between a seasoned veteran, and a young up and comer. Aurellio has been there and done that. He has a strong submission game, and in 25 career fights, has never been stopped. Dunham, is younger, less experienced, but possibly more motivated. He only has eight fights, but has won them all, and gone to decision only once. Aurellios experience and submission savvy will provide too much though, as he works a second round round armbar.
Aurellio, submission (armbar) Rd. 2
Nick Catone vs. Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz 185
Two highly decorated wrestlers highlight the second match. Catone was a two time division winner and national qualifier at Rider University. Munoz was a two time Big 12 champion, two time All-American, and won the national championship as a senior in 2001. So where are the advantages? Catone has a well rounded game, with strong submissions, and holds a purple belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu. Munoz has heavy hands, and a smothering ground game. Expect Catone to try and get this fight to the ground, and work some submissions from the top position. Munoz is going to want to get Catone on his back, push him against the cage, and mush his face into paste. It will more than likely end in the judges hands, with Catone getting his hand raised.
Catone, Unanimous Decision.
Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague vs. Todd Duffee HWT
Silly nickname aside, Hague is a big, tough dude. He withstood a beating from Pat Barry before submitting him with a guillotine choke. Duffee is young, hungry, and huge! With four wins in four fights via KO or TKO, he poses many problems for Hague. Hague is a blue belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu, but before submitting Barry, was getting badly beat up by the much smaller fighter. Duffee doesn't possess the striking prowess of Barry, but his reach and strength could make up and then some for his relative inexperience. Hague will probably try to get the fight to the ground, Duffee wants to make his size work for him, and if the fight goes to the ground, stay on top, and force Hague to exert himself. Duffee will impose his will on the feet, and the only way "The Thrashing Machine" gets to the ground is after he is knocked out in the first round.
Duffee, KO, Rd. 1
Justin "The Nsane 1" McCully vs. Mike Russow HWT
Second fight with a silly nickname, and second fight with disparaging skills. McCully has good leg kicks, and has been fighting professionally for twelve years. Russow has a slight size advantage, and great ground skills. McCully definitely wants to stay standing, as in his only UFC fight that went to the ground, he was completely outclassed and submitted by Gabriel Gonzaga. Russow is going to try and avoid the buzz cutter leg kicks, drag McCully to the ground, and find a way to conduct the Three Tap Symphony. Russow will win, as unfortunately, "The Nsane 1" doesn't have the skills to keep this fight standing.
Russow, submission (kimura) Rd. 2
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga vs. Chris "The Crowbar" Tuchscherer HWT
Gonzaga looks to bounce back from the loss he recieved at the hands of number one heavyweight contender, Shane Carwin. Tuchscherer is a great big honking, John Heidenreich looking, beast of a human being. "The Crowbar" has size, strength, and not much else on his size. Gonzaga has strong striking, world class bjj, and is looking to get back on track in the heavyweight division. Tuchscherer's best bet is to wear gonzaga out with a sprawl and brawl tactic that will definitely not work. "Napao" takes this fight via sub, as soon as Tuchscherer's gas tank runs out, in the second round.
Gonzaga, submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 2
Ed "Short Fuse" Herman vs. Aaron"A-Train" Simpson 185
Herman is starting to find his place as a gatekeeper for the middleweight division. Simpson is looking to kick down those gates and announce his presence as a viable 185 pounder. Herman has fought some fo best the UFC has to offer, and has amassed some solid victories. Simpson on the other hand, hasn't lost in five professional fights, and has won all via KO or TKO. "Short Fuse" will provide a much sterner test, and will try to expose Simpsons lack of experience on the ground, and either ground and pound, or submit Simpson. Simpson will try to get a rhythm going on the feet, but Herman will withstand the onslaught, get it to the ground, and choke him out in the second round.
Herman, submmission (rear naked choke), Rd. 2
MAIN CARD
Brandon "The Truth" Vera vs. Krzystof "The Polish Experiment" Soszynski 205
Soszynski is a late replacement for Matt Hamill, and in my opinion, a much tougher opponent for Vera. After a couple of uninspiring fights following his drop to the lightheavyweight division, Vera finally showed what he is capable of by utterly destroying Michael Patt with leg kicks on his way to a TKO. "The Truth" looks to finally have accomodated to the weight cut, and is looking to get a good roll going and work towards a title shot. Soszynski is fighting his second straight fight as an injury replacement, and is on a three fight win streak. This is a very close fight, with Vera having more precise strikes and a very underrated bjj game. Whereas Soszynski is much more well rounded, with extremely heavy hands. Expect this to be a back and forth battle with both fighters putting it all on the line only to have the ref raising Veras hand as the judges hand him the decision win.
Vera, Unanimous Decision
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs. Demian Maia 185
An easy candidate for fight of the night, pits the seven time King of Pancrase Marquardt, against the undefeated bjj wrecking machine Maia whos m.o. is obvious, get oppopnent to the ground, make them tap out, have hand raised, wash, rinse, repeat. Marquardt is no grappling slouch himself, with a bjj black belt, and a plethora of submission and wrestling accolades on his resume. "The Great" will more than likely use his bjj and wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing, and avoid submissions, while trying tu turn it into more of a striking match to expose the weakness that has been Maia's striking. Marquardt must try to get this fight into the later rounds and attempt to tax Maias cardio, while the brazilian submission master could easily put this one away early with a sub, but I don't see Marquardt falling into his game plan, and getting a referee stoppage early in the third round.
Marquardt, TKO, Rd. 3
Chris "The Crippler" Leben vs. Jake Rosholt 185
In Leben's first fight back after getting suspended for testing positive for steroids, he has a lot going in his favor. He gets to fight in his own backyard, and gets a very green fighter in Rosholt, who is mostly known for his excellent wrestling and not much else. Leben has a chin like granite, can take tons of abuse, and is no shabby wrestler in his own right. Rosholt is tough, with heart, but that wont be enough to overcome "The Crippler. This will more than likely going to be a VERY onesided affair, with Leben wearing Rosholt out, and dropping him to the canvas with the sledgehammer he calls a left hand early in the second round.
Leben, KO, Rd. 2
"The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva 205
Two very tough, game fighters coming off losses, looking to get back on track? Yes please. Silva was absolutley demolished by current lightheavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida, and at the same time handed his first loss. Jardine just went three very impressive rounds with former champ Quinton Jackson, and was very close to winning the fight. This fight is probably going to go one of two ways; Silva likes to push the pace, and bully his opponents in a less than technical execution, while very effective; Jardine needs to work his unorthodox, yet very effective striking, crack Silva with leg kicks, and more than likely weather an early onslaught. Jardine has been caught early in fights by such bruisers as Houston Alexander, and Wanderlei Silva (no relation), and if he hasn't learned from those beatings, he's on an early train to the wrong end of a highlight reel stomping. If the Rampage fight is any indicator, he has, and Silva is in for a long fight, with his lead leg looking like hamburger, and "The Dean of Mean" getting the judges nod.
Jardine, Unanimous Decision
Randy "The Natural Couture" vs Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira HWT
Hall of Fame. That's where these two fighters are headed. The only question is, how soon? Couture is on the wrong side of 45 for a professional fighter, even though Father Time is one more professional scrapper that hasn't learned how to put him away, and Nogueira is only 33, but he's had a number of knock down, drag out brawls that have certainly taken their toll on him. That being said, this will be a hell of a rumble. Couture is the king of not only drawing up an effective gameplan, but sticking to it. He is going to want to maintain his distance, utilize head movement, and his infamous dirty boxing in the clinch. Nogueira just had his first career loss by stoppage, even though he was rumored to have been overcoming a staph infection, and knee injury. "Minotauro" has heart in full supply. Just look back to his wins over Heath Herring and Tim Sylvia, where he overcame early scares to rebound and win. He has got to find a way to get Couture on his back, and neutralize the clinch game "The Natural" uses so effectively. Nogueira also has a very strong submission game, that Couture is going to have to be able to avoid, but has shown every indication that he can. This comes down to which Nogueira shows up. If the guy who snuck by Herring, pulled one out of his bag of tricks against Sylvia, and was stopped by Mir shows up, he's in trouble. If the "Minotauro" that was the number one heavyweight on the planet not named Fedor Emelianenko, makes an arrival, well, Couture is in trouble.
This fight has the added bonus of the winner getting a shot at the winner of Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin. I think the motivation is there for both fighters to regain championship gold, but have no clue who wants it more. Couture, and one more shot at the title, or Nogueira, and the chance to prove to every fan in the U.S. what every fan outside of the U.S. already knows, he cannot be counted out, and is the best, non russian sambo master, fighter out there. Couture will try and work his clinch and dirty boxing, but will make a small mistake that probably wont even seem like one, Nogueira will capitalize, and cause Couture to tap out to a submission for the first time in seven years.
Nogueira, submission (guillotine choke), Rd. 2
UNDERCARD
Marcus "Maximus" Aurellio vs. Evan Dunham 155
The evening begins between a seasoned veteran, and a young up and comer. Aurellio has been there and done that. He has a strong submission game, and in 25 career fights, has never been stopped. Dunham, is younger, less experienced, but possibly more motivated. He only has eight fights, but has won them all, and gone to decision only once. Aurellios experience and submission savvy will provide too much though, as he works a second round round armbar.
Aurellio, submission (armbar) Rd. 2
Nick Catone vs. Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz 185
Two highly decorated wrestlers highlight the second match. Catone was a two time division winner and national qualifier at Rider University. Munoz was a two time Big 12 champion, two time All-American, and won the national championship as a senior in 2001. So where are the advantages? Catone has a well rounded game, with strong submissions, and holds a purple belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu. Munoz has heavy hands, and a smothering ground game. Expect Catone to try and get this fight to the ground, and work some submissions from the top position. Munoz is going to want to get Catone on his back, push him against the cage, and mush his face into paste. It will more than likely end in the judges hands, with Catone getting his hand raised.
Catone, Unanimous Decision.
Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague vs. Todd Duffee HWT
Silly nickname aside, Hague is a big, tough dude. He withstood a beating from Pat Barry before submitting him with a guillotine choke. Duffee is young, hungry, and huge! With four wins in four fights via KO or TKO, he poses many problems for Hague. Hague is a blue belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu, but before submitting Barry, was getting badly beat up by the much smaller fighter. Duffee doesn't possess the striking prowess of Barry, but his reach and strength could make up and then some for his relative inexperience. Hague will probably try to get the fight to the ground, Duffee wants to make his size work for him, and if the fight goes to the ground, stay on top, and force Hague to exert himself. Duffee will impose his will on the feet, and the only way "The Thrashing Machine" gets to the ground is after he is knocked out in the first round.
Duffee, KO, Rd. 1
Justin "The Nsane 1" McCully vs. Mike Russow HWT
Second fight with a silly nickname, and second fight with disparaging skills. McCully has good leg kicks, and has been fighting professionally for twelve years. Russow has a slight size advantage, and great ground skills. McCully definitely wants to stay standing, as in his only UFC fight that went to the ground, he was completely outclassed and submitted by Gabriel Gonzaga. Russow is going to try and avoid the buzz cutter leg kicks, drag McCully to the ground, and find a way to conduct the Three Tap Symphony. Russow will win, as unfortunately, "The Nsane 1" doesn't have the skills to keep this fight standing.
Russow, submission (kimura) Rd. 2
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga vs. Chris "The Crowbar" Tuchscherer HWT
Gonzaga looks to bounce back from the loss he recieved at the hands of number one heavyweight contender, Shane Carwin. Tuchscherer is a great big honking, John Heidenreich looking, beast of a human being. "The Crowbar" has size, strength, and not much else on his size. Gonzaga has strong striking, world class bjj, and is looking to get back on track in the heavyweight division. Tuchscherer's best bet is to wear gonzaga out with a sprawl and brawl tactic that will definitely not work. "Napao" takes this fight via sub, as soon as Tuchscherer's gas tank runs out, in the second round.
Gonzaga, submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 2
Ed "Short Fuse" Herman vs. Aaron"A-Train" Simpson 185
Herman is starting to find his place as a gatekeeper for the middleweight division. Simpson is looking to kick down those gates and announce his presence as a viable 185 pounder. Herman has fought some fo best the UFC has to offer, and has amassed some solid victories. Simpson on the other hand, hasn't lost in five professional fights, and has won all via KO or TKO. "Short Fuse" will provide a much sterner test, and will try to expose Simpsons lack of experience on the ground, and either ground and pound, or submit Simpson. Simpson will try to get a rhythm going on the feet, but Herman will withstand the onslaught, get it to the ground, and choke him out in the second round.
Herman, submmission (rear naked choke), Rd. 2
MAIN CARD
Brandon "The Truth" Vera vs. Krzystof "The Polish Experiment" Soszynski 205
Soszynski is a late replacement for Matt Hamill, and in my opinion, a much tougher opponent for Vera. After a couple of uninspiring fights following his drop to the lightheavyweight division, Vera finally showed what he is capable of by utterly destroying Michael Patt with leg kicks on his way to a TKO. "The Truth" looks to finally have accomodated to the weight cut, and is looking to get a good roll going and work towards a title shot. Soszynski is fighting his second straight fight as an injury replacement, and is on a three fight win streak. This is a very close fight, with Vera having more precise strikes and a very underrated bjj game. Whereas Soszynski is much more well rounded, with extremely heavy hands. Expect this to be a back and forth battle with both fighters putting it all on the line only to have the ref raising Veras hand as the judges hand him the decision win.
Vera, Unanimous Decision
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs. Demian Maia 185
An easy candidate for fight of the night, pits the seven time King of Pancrase Marquardt, against the undefeated bjj wrecking machine Maia whos m.o. is obvious, get oppopnent to the ground, make them tap out, have hand raised, wash, rinse, repeat. Marquardt is no grappling slouch himself, with a bjj black belt, and a plethora of submission and wrestling accolades on his resume. "The Great" will more than likely use his bjj and wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing, and avoid submissions, while trying tu turn it into more of a striking match to expose the weakness that has been Maia's striking. Marquardt must try to get this fight into the later rounds and attempt to tax Maias cardio, while the brazilian submission master could easily put this one away early with a sub, but I don't see Marquardt falling into his game plan, and getting a referee stoppage early in the third round.
Marquardt, TKO, Rd. 3
Chris "The Crippler" Leben vs. Jake Rosholt 185
In Leben's first fight back after getting suspended for testing positive for steroids, he has a lot going in his favor. He gets to fight in his own backyard, and gets a very green fighter in Rosholt, who is mostly known for his excellent wrestling and not much else. Leben has a chin like granite, can take tons of abuse, and is no shabby wrestler in his own right. Rosholt is tough, with heart, but that wont be enough to overcome "The Crippler. This will more than likely going to be a VERY onesided affair, with Leben wearing Rosholt out, and dropping him to the canvas with the sledgehammer he calls a left hand early in the second round.
Leben, KO, Rd. 2
"The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva 205
Two very tough, game fighters coming off losses, looking to get back on track? Yes please. Silva was absolutley demolished by current lightheavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida, and at the same time handed his first loss. Jardine just went three very impressive rounds with former champ Quinton Jackson, and was very close to winning the fight. This fight is probably going to go one of two ways; Silva likes to push the pace, and bully his opponents in a less than technical execution, while very effective; Jardine needs to work his unorthodox, yet very effective striking, crack Silva with leg kicks, and more than likely weather an early onslaught. Jardine has been caught early in fights by such bruisers as Houston Alexander, and Wanderlei Silva (no relation), and if he hasn't learned from those beatings, he's on an early train to the wrong end of a highlight reel stomping. If the Rampage fight is any indicator, he has, and Silva is in for a long fight, with his lead leg looking like hamburger, and "The Dean of Mean" getting the judges nod.
Jardine, Unanimous Decision
Randy "The Natural Couture" vs Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira HWT
Hall of Fame. That's where these two fighters are headed. The only question is, how soon? Couture is on the wrong side of 45 for a professional fighter, even though Father Time is one more professional scrapper that hasn't learned how to put him away, and Nogueira is only 33, but he's had a number of knock down, drag out brawls that have certainly taken their toll on him. That being said, this will be a hell of a rumble. Couture is the king of not only drawing up an effective gameplan, but sticking to it. He is going to want to maintain his distance, utilize head movement, and his infamous dirty boxing in the clinch. Nogueira just had his first career loss by stoppage, even though he was rumored to have been overcoming a staph infection, and knee injury. "Minotauro" has heart in full supply. Just look back to his wins over Heath Herring and Tim Sylvia, where he overcame early scares to rebound and win. He has got to find a way to get Couture on his back, and neutralize the clinch game "The Natural" uses so effectively. Nogueira also has a very strong submission game, that Couture is going to have to be able to avoid, but has shown every indication that he can. This comes down to which Nogueira shows up. If the guy who snuck by Herring, pulled one out of his bag of tricks against Sylvia, and was stopped by Mir shows up, he's in trouble. If the "Minotauro" that was the number one heavyweight on the planet not named Fedor Emelianenko, makes an arrival, well, Couture is in trouble.
This fight has the added bonus of the winner getting a shot at the winner of Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin. I think the motivation is there for both fighters to regain championship gold, but have no clue who wants it more. Couture, and one more shot at the title, or Nogueira, and the chance to prove to every fan in the U.S. what every fan outside of the U.S. already knows, he cannot be counted out, and is the best, non russian sambo master, fighter out there. Couture will try and work his clinch and dirty boxing, but will make a small mistake that probably wont even seem like one, Nogueira will capitalize, and cause Couture to tap out to a submission for the first time in seven years.
Nogueira, submission (guillotine choke), Rd. 2
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
okay, I am doing the damn thing.
I mean it this time, regular blogger and everything. Of course, I have to find a way to make sure the masses can read it, but then, if I don't make it worth reading, then finding readers wont be much of an issue. All that being said, here goes nothing.
I love mixed martial arts. Most people hear the term, and give yuou a quizzical stare, while others say, "Oh, you mean UFC?" Yes, the UFC is the big bad wolf in the world of mma, but there are plenty of other organizations boasting top notch talent in multiple weight classes. WEC, Strikeforce, DREAM, and Sengoku to name a few. UFC is top dog to be certain. With a roster of fighters that can claim the top ranked spots in all the weight classes they have fighters in (155, 170, 185, 205, and heavyweight) according to the mmaweekly.com most recent world rankings, they have a majority of the worlds top fighters across the board. Anyways, I digress.
I'm a nut for the sport. I will watch just about any fight card I can get my hands on, and will gladly throw down in a discussion on just about any fighter, or fighting style out there. I was at UFC 65 where reigning welterweight king, Georges St. Pierre, won his first title match, and in a week and a half, will be making my triumphant return to a UFC at UFC 102.
Now I am extremely geeked for a number of fights on this card, but here are a few of my most eagerly anticipated;
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Leben has been one of my favorites after his stint on the UFC's reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, or TUF. His complete disregard for personal safety, and his gravedigger of a left hand are two of the reasons I look forward to his fights. This will be his first fight since serving his suspension for steroids, and I am sure he is looking forward to handing out a beating to the very green Rosholt. What fun!
Thiago Silva vs "The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine
Awesome nickname aside, Jardine is in my top five fave fighters. His awkward, unorthodox style are difficult to gameplan against, and after his systematic whittling down of Chuck Liddell, I haven't been able to root against him. Silva is tough, but if it gets past the two to three minute mark, Thiago is in for a long night.
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs Demian Maia
Very interesting fight with big implications for the middleweight title picture. Marquardt has already lost to the 185 champ Anderson Silva, who hasn't in the UFC though, but has been on a brutal tear as of late. Maia has shown that his, (is their a term for "better than world class"?) well, lets say, transcendant brazilian jiu jitsu, has no answer in the UFC as of yet. This will be an amazing fight, and I am very much looking forward to too extraordinary fighters.
Randy "The Natural" Couture vs Antonio "Minotauro" Rodrigo Nogueira
Two legends of the sport, both coming off losses, and both looking to re-establish themselves in the heavyweight division. I expect a hell of a fight, and the winners are most definitely us, the fans.
I am so stoked for this fight, I may not sleep until then. Okay, I will sleep, but sparingly, and damn if that night isn't going to kick ass!
slainte
I love mixed martial arts. Most people hear the term, and give yuou a quizzical stare, while others say, "Oh, you mean UFC?" Yes, the UFC is the big bad wolf in the world of mma, but there are plenty of other organizations boasting top notch talent in multiple weight classes. WEC, Strikeforce, DREAM, and Sengoku to name a few. UFC is top dog to be certain. With a roster of fighters that can claim the top ranked spots in all the weight classes they have fighters in (155, 170, 185, 205, and heavyweight) according to the mmaweekly.com most recent world rankings, they have a majority of the worlds top fighters across the board. Anyways, I digress.
I'm a nut for the sport. I will watch just about any fight card I can get my hands on, and will gladly throw down in a discussion on just about any fighter, or fighting style out there. I was at UFC 65 where reigning welterweight king, Georges St. Pierre, won his first title match, and in a week and a half, will be making my triumphant return to a UFC at UFC 102.
Now I am extremely geeked for a number of fights on this card, but here are a few of my most eagerly anticipated;
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Leben has been one of my favorites after his stint on the UFC's reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, or TUF. His complete disregard for personal safety, and his gravedigger of a left hand are two of the reasons I look forward to his fights. This will be his first fight since serving his suspension for steroids, and I am sure he is looking forward to handing out a beating to the very green Rosholt. What fun!
Thiago Silva vs "The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine
Awesome nickname aside, Jardine is in my top five fave fighters. His awkward, unorthodox style are difficult to gameplan against, and after his systematic whittling down of Chuck Liddell, I haven't been able to root against him. Silva is tough, but if it gets past the two to three minute mark, Thiago is in for a long night.
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs Demian Maia
Very interesting fight with big implications for the middleweight title picture. Marquardt has already lost to the 185 champ Anderson Silva, who hasn't in the UFC though, but has been on a brutal tear as of late. Maia has shown that his, (is their a term for "better than world class"?) well, lets say, transcendant brazilian jiu jitsu, has no answer in the UFC as of yet. This will be an amazing fight, and I am very much looking forward to too extraordinary fighters.
Randy "The Natural" Couture vs Antonio "Minotauro" Rodrigo Nogueira
Two legends of the sport, both coming off losses, and both looking to re-establish themselves in the heavyweight division. I expect a hell of a fight, and the winners are most definitely us, the fans.
I am so stoked for this fight, I may not sleep until then. Okay, I will sleep, but sparingly, and damn if that night isn't going to kick ass!
slainte
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