samedi 30 juin 2012
Cesar Gracie Feels Like Nick Diaz Isn?t Fully-Retired
Trainer Cesar Gracie believes we will see Nick Diaz back inside the Octagon in the future. Diaz announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year after a loss to Carlos Condit, and has remained retired since, much to the surprise of many. Gracie, during a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, explained why he [...] 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/lYxeq6n_8do/
Aaron Simpson will honor Pat Tillman at UFC on Fuel 4
Aaron Simpson went to Arizona State with NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Simpson became friends with Pat's brother Kevin, and Pat and Kevin would come to wrestling meets to support Simpson and the other Sun Devil wrestlers.
"I can remember exac...
"I can remember exac...
BACIOR: Why Anderson Silva's verbal tirade could be a good sign for Chael Sonnen at UFC 148
By: Mike Bacior, MMATorch Contributor
Why do fighters "talk trash?" At first glance, it seems that pissing off the man who is about to walk into the cage opposite you and attempt to knock you out is not a good idea. It could motivate them to train harder, fight harder, and come out more violently. Fighters are not stupid, though; there are several positives to trash talking an opponent.
First of all, it can help sell a fight, which can put money into your pockets and earn you the favor of Dana White in the UFC. From a sporting perspective, trash talking can throw your opponent off his game, changing their focus from doing anything to win to doing anything to hurt or embarrass the trash talker.
It is obvious that Chael Sonnen has the skills to compete with Anderson Silva; this is undeniable as Sonnen pushed Silva further in their first fight than anyone else has in Silva's UFC career. Silva was able to pull out a victory by using his Jiu-Jitsu skills and focusing on the task at hand, snatching a triangle-armbar in the fifth round, which he saw as his last chance to win.
Coming into the rematch, Silva has come out and said regarding Sonnen, "I'm going to make sure every one of his teeth are broken, his arms are broken, his legs are broken." Silva did not say, "I am going to do absolutely everything I can to win this fight," or "There is no way I will lose." Instead, his focus seems to be on hurting and embarrassing Chael Sonnen.
This is a sport, and the distinct weakness of Chael Sonnen has always been submission defense. Anderson Silva does not sound like a man content to simply end this fight with a chokehold. He sounds like a man who wants to physically hurt Chael Sonnen, to completely annihilate him, and this strategy could prove costly.
Reckless striking attacks leave fighters open to takedowns, and if Anderson Silva is coming out looking to throw big strikes throughout the fight he could find himself on his back for the majority of the bout�once again.�This is not the ideal route to victory for Silva as Sonnen has likely drilled submission defense continuously since the loss. Why make things any easier on�one of the best wrestlers in MMA? Anderson Silva needs to do what he does best, stay patient, try to control the rhythm of the fight, and wait for his opportunity to go for the finish.�Sonnen is a legit middleweight contender, so Silva should not want to provide him with any advantages.
If one fighter is coming in looking to do anything to win, and one is purely looking to hurt their opponent, the fighter looking to win will usually come out with a victory. If Anderson Silva is to win this fight, he needs to come in with a game plan, stay focused, and do anything he can to obtain a victory. If Chael's trash talking has truly gotten into his head and he cannot do these things, there is a big chance that UFC fans could have a new champion at 185.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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First of all, it can help sell a fight, which can put money into your pockets and earn you the favor of Dana White in the UFC. From a sporting perspective, trash talking can throw your opponent off his game, changing their focus from doing anything to win to doing anything to hurt or embarrass the trash talker.
It is obvious that Chael Sonnen has the skills to compete with Anderson Silva; this is undeniable as Sonnen pushed Silva further in their first fight than anyone else has in Silva's UFC career. Silva was able to pull out a victory by using his Jiu-Jitsu skills and focusing on the task at hand, snatching a triangle-armbar in the fifth round, which he saw as his last chance to win.
Coming into the rematch, Silva has come out and said regarding Sonnen, "I'm going to make sure every one of his teeth are broken, his arms are broken, his legs are broken." Silva did not say, "I am going to do absolutely everything I can to win this fight," or "There is no way I will lose." Instead, his focus seems to be on hurting and embarrassing Chael Sonnen.
This is a sport, and the distinct weakness of Chael Sonnen has always been submission defense. Anderson Silva does not sound like a man content to simply end this fight with a chokehold. He sounds like a man who wants to physically hurt Chael Sonnen, to completely annihilate him, and this strategy could prove costly.
Reckless striking attacks leave fighters open to takedowns, and if Anderson Silva is coming out looking to throw big strikes throughout the fight he could find himself on his back for the majority of the bout�once again.�This is not the ideal route to victory for Silva as Sonnen has likely drilled submission defense continuously since the loss. Why make things any easier on�one of the best wrestlers in MMA? Anderson Silva needs to do what he does best, stay patient, try to control the rhythm of the fight, and wait for his opportunity to go for the finish.�Sonnen is a legit middleweight contender, so Silva should not want to provide him with any advantages.
If one fighter is coming in looking to do anything to win, and one is purely looking to hurt their opponent, the fighter looking to win will usually come out with a victory. If Anderson Silva is to win this fight, he needs to come in with a game plan, stay focused, and do anything he can to obtain a victory. If Chael's trash talking has truly gotten into his head and he cannot do these things, there is a big chance that UFC fans could have a new champion at 185.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Staff_Editorials_19/article_13695.shtml
Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman official for August 18 Strikeforce headliner in San Diego; tickets on sale this week
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Ronda Rousey's first defense of her Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship will indeed take place on August 18, as Strikeforce officials announced this week that the fight will headline a card at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif. on that date.
"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
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"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_13701.shtml
Chael Sonnen expects win at UFC 148, wants third "easy fight" with Anderson Silva afterward
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Chael Sonnen enters next Saturday's UFC 148 event supremely confident he's going to defeat Anderson Silva in their UFC Middleweight Championship rematch. He has had the most success of any fighter in the UFC against Silva, nearly picking up a decision win at UFC 117 before getting submitted in the fifth and final round.
Expecting a win in this rematch, Sonnen already knows who he'd like to fight next after defeating Silva in Las Vegas.
"Some guys say they like a hard fight," Sonnen said in an interview with MMAjunkie.com. "I like easy fights, so I'm hoping they'll rematch me against Anderson."
Outside of what would be a rubber match between the two fighters, Sonnen's got some very specific requirements for whomever he'd defend his title against if he captures the belt on July 7.
"Here's the deal: I'm not going to fight anybody that didn't fight Anderson," Sonnen said. "The locker room is full of cowards that would never come forward and never wanted to fight him and ducked him and dodged him because they were scared of him."
"If you had the courage to fight him, then you've got the right to fight me. But if you're one of those cowards that sat back and hid, you're not getting a shot. Now if you called him out, I'll count that as fighting him, but you're going to find anyone besides me that called the guy out."
Penick's Analysis: If Chael Sonnen pulls off the win next Saturday night, a rubber match is almost assuredly going to be the next fight the UFC books. It would be insane not to, as it's sure to be a very big fight on pay-per-view, and if Silva suffers his first loss in the UFC it's going to be a huge, huge deal. Still, Sonnen's got to pick up the win first, something he failed to do two years ago despite coming immensely close. Next weekend's bout is going to be huge, but if he does pull it off the UFC may have an even bigger third bout on their hands.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Expecting a win in this rematch, Sonnen already knows who he'd like to fight next after defeating Silva in Las Vegas.
"Some guys say they like a hard fight," Sonnen said in an interview with MMAjunkie.com. "I like easy fights, so I'm hoping they'll rematch me against Anderson."
Outside of what would be a rubber match between the two fighters, Sonnen's got some very specific requirements for whomever he'd defend his title against if he captures the belt on July 7.
"Here's the deal: I'm not going to fight anybody that didn't fight Anderson," Sonnen said. "The locker room is full of cowards that would never come forward and never wanted to fight him and ducked him and dodged him because they were scared of him."
"If you had the courage to fight him, then you've got the right to fight me. But if you're one of those cowards that sat back and hid, you're not getting a shot. Now if you called him out, I'll count that as fighting him, but you're going to find anyone besides me that called the guy out."
Penick's Analysis: If Chael Sonnen pulls off the win next Saturday night, a rubber match is almost assuredly going to be the next fight the UFC books. It would be insane not to, as it's sure to be a very big fight on pay-per-view, and if Silva suffers his first loss in the UFC it's going to be a huge, huge deal. Still, Sonnen's got to pick up the win first, something he failed to do two years ago despite coming immensely close. Next weekend's bout is going to be huge, but if he does pull it off the UFC may have an even bigger third bout on their hands.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13710.shtml
UFC calls Anderson Silva greatest of all time (VIDEO)
The latest highlight video from the UFC dubs middleweight champion Anderson Silva the greatest of all time. Do you agree?
The UFC has been around for 19 years. In that time, few fighters have been as dominant as Silva. He has the promotion's record for most consecutive title defenses, consecutive wins and has an overall record of 31-4.
Perhaps MMA fans in 75 years will look back and wonder why Silva was called the greatest, or he will be thought of as MMA's equivalent to Honus Wagner or Red Grange.
vendredi 29 juin 2012
Rich Franklin talks win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147
Former middleweight champion Rich “Ace” Franklin earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Wanderlei Silva in the five round main event of UFC 147 in Brazil. After a long layoff of over a year, Franklin is looking to make one more title run at middleweight. Franklin also discusses the experience and honor of fighting Silva [...]
Rich Franklin talks win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147 is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/ufc-news/rich-franklin-talks-win-over-wanderlei-silva-at-ufc-147-58658/
Urijah Faber Weighs In On Long Hair as an Advantage in MMA
Urijah Faber joins Inside MMA and discusses whether or not long hair can be used as an advantage inside the cage. Inside MMA airs live on HDNet every Monday night at 8pm ET. Inside MMA Archive 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/6uuY4yfJtUo/
Patrick Cote Talks Upcoming Cung Le Fight At UFC 148
Patrick ”The Predator” Cote talks about his return to the UFC against Cung Le at UFC 148 in Las Vegas on July 7th 2012. Video of Cote training with Muay Thai Instructor Kru Ash at Complexe Sportif Orion in the weeks prior to the fight.
Source: http://www.mmatko.com/patrick-cote-talks-upcoming-cung-le-fight-at-ufc-148/
TheSHOOT! - Josh Thomson - Josh Thomson
TheSHOOT! - Josh Thomson Video by Josh ThomsonSource: http://mmalice.com/josh-thomson/theshoot-josh-thomson-video_274f5141f.html
Tito Ortiz's UFC Hall of Fame induction comes on July 7 at UFC Fan Expo
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Tito Ortiz will officially be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame next Saturday, July 7, ahead of his third bout with Forrest Griffin that night at UFC 148. The UFC announced on Thursday that the induction will take place midday Saturday as part of the UFC Fan Expo, with Ortiz entering Saturday night's fight an official member of the Hall of Fame.
"It is a huge honor to be recognized as one of the greatest fighters of all time by the UFC," Ortiz said in a press release for the induction. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is final proof that all the hard work and dedication, all the pain and sacrifices, were all worth it. To be able to walk to the Octagon one last time as an official UFC Hall of Fame level fighter is going to be humbling and awesome. I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to end my career on such a high like this."
"I want to thank my family for all their love and support and my fans for sticking with me through the bad times when being a Tito Ortiz fan wasn't the coolest thing to be. Finally, I want to thank Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White for giving me so many opportunities over the years and for securing the future of the sport I love and have dedicated my life to."
Ortiz's history with the UFC has certainly had its ups and downs. The former longtime Champion has had contract disputes, public feuds, and more with Zuffa brass, specifically his former manager, UFC President Dana White. It's a situation that led to a lot of bad blood, but it has since been put to the past, with both sides coming to an amicable working relationship down the stretch.
With Ortiz entering the final fight of his career in the UFC 148 bout with Griffin, White reflected on Ortiz's place in UFC history.
"Everyone knows the story of me and Tito and all the things that went on between us," White said. "A lot of it wasn't fun at the time, but all that controversy and craziness is now part of the story of the UFC, and there's no question that in his prime he was a huge star and one of the greats of his era.
"You can't write the story of this era of mixed martial arts without Tito Ortiz, and that's why he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He's been in the UFC for 15 years ? and sticking around that long is an achievement in itself ? and now he's down to just 15 minutes at UFC 148. Believe me, I know how proud and stubborn this guy is and I expect him to use everything he has left as a fighter to go out as a winner at UFC 148."
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"It is a huge honor to be recognized as one of the greatest fighters of all time by the UFC," Ortiz said in a press release for the induction. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is final proof that all the hard work and dedication, all the pain and sacrifices, were all worth it. To be able to walk to the Octagon one last time as an official UFC Hall of Fame level fighter is going to be humbling and awesome. I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to end my career on such a high like this."
"I want to thank my family for all their love and support and my fans for sticking with me through the bad times when being a Tito Ortiz fan wasn't the coolest thing to be. Finally, I want to thank Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White for giving me so many opportunities over the years and for securing the future of the sport I love and have dedicated my life to."
Ortiz's history with the UFC has certainly had its ups and downs. The former longtime Champion has had contract disputes, public feuds, and more with Zuffa brass, specifically his former manager, UFC President Dana White. It's a situation that led to a lot of bad blood, but it has since been put to the past, with both sides coming to an amicable working relationship down the stretch.
With Ortiz entering the final fight of his career in the UFC 148 bout with Griffin, White reflected on Ortiz's place in UFC history.
"Everyone knows the story of me and Tito and all the things that went on between us," White said. "A lot of it wasn't fun at the time, but all that controversy and craziness is now part of the story of the UFC, and there's no question that in his prime he was a huge star and one of the greats of his era.
"You can't write the story of this era of mixed martial arts without Tito Ortiz, and that's why he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He's been in the UFC for 15 years ? and sticking around that long is an achievement in itself ? and now he's down to just 15 minutes at UFC 148. Believe me, I know how proud and stubborn this guy is and I expect him to use everything he has left as a fighter to go out as a winner at UFC 148."
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13711.shtml
With 'TUF: Brazil' win complete, Cezar Ferreira aims for top of sport
With his victory over Sergio Moraes at this past Saturday's UFC 147 event in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Vitor Belfort protege Cezar "Mutante" Ferreira earned his way into the UFC as the first-ever middleweight winner of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil." Now he's setting his sights much higher.
"I'm going to grow step by step and be amongst the biggest names of this event," Ferreira said through an interpreter. "That is my dream. That's what I'm going to do, and I'm going to do it well."
jeudi 28 juin 2012
Hatsu Hioki watches title hopes disappear as he drops fight to Ricardo Lamas
When asked by the UFC to fight Jose Aldo for the title, featherweight Hatsu Hioki said he wasn't quite ready for it yet. Now, a chance at the belt is much further away after he dropped a decision to Ricardo Lamas at UFC on FX 4.
Hioki started strong, twisting Lamas into an omoplata in the first round. But Lamas survived to get the best of Hioki on the ground and in stand-up. Every judge in Atlantic City saw it 29-28 for Lamas.
With this loss, Hioki showed the danger of passing on title shots. If he took a fight with Aldo before he was ready, he wouldn't have been confident in the cage. However, in taking a tune-up fight, he showed he wasn't ready for Aldo in the first place. Now, he'll have to work his way back to the top levels of the UFC's featherweight division to even get a whiff of the championship.
Fedor vs Rizzo tomorrow and nobody gives a F**K!
Just shows how far his stock has fallen.
Fuck M1
M-1 Global Fight Card
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Pedro Rizzo
Daniel Weichel vs. Musa Khamanaev
Jeff Monson vs. Denis Komkin ...
Fuck M1
M-1 Global Fight Card
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Pedro Rizzo
Daniel Weichel vs. Musa Khamanaev
Jeff Monson vs. Denis Komkin ...
Fedor Emelianenko built legacy in historic time period filled with highlight reels, politics
Politics always will be part of the fight game. In mixed martial arts, that perhaps never was as true as in the sport's formative times when Fedor Emeliankeno, reigned. After Zuffa purchased PRIDE, Emelianenko was the only titleholder to not leave Japan behind for the octagon. He eventually played the free market in favor of Strikeforce as the biggest free-agent signing in history.
After an 84-second knockout of Pedro Rizzo this past week for M-1, Emelianenko hung up his gloves having never stepped in the UFC's octagon.
UFC on FX 4: Clay Guida says he "felt good" about performance against Gray Maynard
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Clay Guida doesn't seem to know what all the fuss is about regarding his performance against Gray Maynard on Friday night at UFC on FX 4. Despite the Atlantic City crowd turning on him during the fight for literally running away from Gray Maynard at times, as well as UFC President Dana White ripping into the performance after the fight, Guida was sure he was close to winning.
In fact, he said he could think of only one thing that he could have used: even more movement.
"I think a little more movement and if I would've landed a few more strikes, I would've gotten the nod," Guida said at the post-fight press conference. "We stuck to the game plan. We were unpredictable."
Indeed, Guida said avoiding Maynard was key to being in there for five rounds, and he felt his ability to do that was on point, making him happy with how he performed in the cage.
"He's a big, heavy puncher," Guida said of Maynard. "The guy hits hard. The guy punches holes in walls for practice, I'm sure, and I didn't want my head to be one of those. I thought we stuck to the game plan, we kept him guessing, we ran him out. He was swinging for the fences, and we weren't there... I felt good about my performance."
Guida may be the only one who did, and the loss added on top of the poorly received performance is sure to drive him down the ladder.
Penick's Analysis: This is a complete lack of self-awareness on Guida's part. To feel good about what he brought into the cage on Friday night is insane, because not only did he lose, he drew the ire of every fan in attendance and most watching at home. Avoiding punishment is fine as a strategy, no one wants to find themselves knocked out in a fight. However, what Guida forgot is that there's another part of the fight game, i.e., the fighting part. His complete lack of engagement in the first two rounds, along with the literal running away from Maynard down the stretch were asinine, and in no way a gameplan conducive to success. As I wrote earlier, this is the type of thing he typically does in his fights, but he also engages more offensively more often than not, or goads his opponent into something stupid. He almost did that with Maynard, as Maynard let Guida hit him flush with his hands down, but it was still just an awful, awful performance out of Guida.
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In fact, he said he could think of only one thing that he could have used: even more movement.
"I think a little more movement and if I would've landed a few more strikes, I would've gotten the nod," Guida said at the post-fight press conference. "We stuck to the game plan. We were unpredictable."
Indeed, Guida said avoiding Maynard was key to being in there for five rounds, and he felt his ability to do that was on point, making him happy with how he performed in the cage.
"He's a big, heavy puncher," Guida said of Maynard. "The guy hits hard. The guy punches holes in walls for practice, I'm sure, and I didn't want my head to be one of those. I thought we stuck to the game plan, we kept him guessing, we ran him out. He was swinging for the fences, and we weren't there... I felt good about my performance."
Guida may be the only one who did, and the loss added on top of the poorly received performance is sure to drive him down the ladder.
Penick's Analysis: This is a complete lack of self-awareness on Guida's part. To feel good about what he brought into the cage on Friday night is insane, because not only did he lose, he drew the ire of every fan in attendance and most watching at home. Avoiding punishment is fine as a strategy, no one wants to find themselves knocked out in a fight. However, what Guida forgot is that there's another part of the fight game, i.e., the fighting part. His complete lack of engagement in the first two rounds, along with the literal running away from Maynard down the stretch were asinine, and in no way a gameplan conducive to success. As I wrote earlier, this is the type of thing he typically does in his fights, but he also engages more offensively more often than not, or goads his opponent into something stupid. He almost did that with Maynard, as Maynard let Guida hit him flush with his hands down, but it was still just an awful, awful performance out of Guida.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13675.shtml
UFC 148 Conference Call Highlights: Anderson Silva has harsh words for Chael Sonnen
The trash-talking between UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and silver-tongued scrapper Chael Sonnen has died down some during the final build towards their headlining bout at UFC 148. However, each man will have a chance to get some parting shots in later today when the two talented 185ers join Tito Ortiz, Forrest Griffin, and UFC [...]
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/06/25/ufc-148-real-time-conference-call-highlights/
Wanderlei Silva UFC 147 Video #6 Performance Training with Todd Norman
http://youtu.be/1NKNES-vnYI
WAR WAND!!!
WAR WAND!!!
BJ Penn and Rory MacDonald volunteer for additional drug testing for UFC 152
BJ Penn, who is expected to fight Rory MacDonald at UFC 152 in Toronto, is leading by example in the campaign to introduce more stringent performance-enhancing drug testing into MMA. He and MacDonald tweeted an agreement to have their September bout sp...
UFC 147 LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round report for "Franklin vs. Silva II" event in Brazil
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC 147: FRANKLIN VS. SILVA II
JUNE 23, 2012
LIVE FROM BELO HORIZINTE, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL
=====Facebook Preliminary Card Quick Results=====
-- Milton Vieira vs. Felipe Arantes ends in split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
-- Marcos Vinicius def. Wagner Campos via TKO at 1:04 of the third round
=====FX Preliminary Card=====
Alright fans in North America, it's time to get to a bunch of fighters you've likely not heard of on FX for free before tonight's pay-per-view card! Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the FX broadcast, and it's clear from the crowd shots that, though this card isn't big for fans in the U.S. and Canada, the fans in Brazil are ready to make it an event. The crowd is packed, and were very vocal during the two Facebook fights. Rogan and Goldberg discuss Rich Franklin stepping into tonight's main event before going to the first bout of the televised broadcast.
FIGHT ONE: THIAGO PERPETUO VS. LEONARDO MAFRA (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Perpetuo moved ahead early, landed a leg kick and a couple of strikes. Mafra landed a punch and a leg kick. Mafra landed a couple of leg kicks. Perpetuo got in a body kick. Mafra swung wildly with some strikes but missed. He landed a good body kick. Mafra landed a solid combination that backed Perpetuo off. Perpetuo missed a strike and Mafra pressed him back with leg kicks. They traded strikes in close and Perpetuo grabbed a clinch. Mafra broke free and pressed him off with strikes. They traded strikes again, with Perpetuo landing a hard right and Mafra countering with a left. Mafra got in a knee. Perpetuo backed Mafra to the cage, but he got cracked by a few strikes from Mafra. Mafra landed a leg kick. Mafra caught a kick and countered with a couple of strikes. Perpetuo landed two hard strikes and grabbed a clinch. He tried to go for a takedown, but Mafra stuffed it. Perpetuo continued to stay on the clinch, and he landed a few knees and an elbow before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mafra. Tough round to score, but I think Mafra landed more overall, countered well, and hit Perpetuo with combinations instead of one strike at a time.
ROUND TWO: Perpetuo landed a couple of good strikes countering an early flurry from Mafra. Perpetuo landed a left to the body and a right. Perpetuo landed a few strikes as Mafra tried to walk him down. He continued to keep Mafra off balance, and avoided the attempts from Mafra. Perpetuo went for a takedown, but nearly got caught in an armbar. Perpetuo rolled over and broke free, ending up in guard. Mafra almost got another armbar in. He continued to try to attack from the bottom, but then ate a couple of elbows. Perpetuo continued doing damage from the top as Mafra tried to keep active in his guard. Perpetuo moved to half guard and continued on the attack. Perpetuo continued landing elbows, forearms, and punches to the head and body from top position. The round ended with him on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Perpetuo. Nearly a 10-8. He was delivering a lot of punishment on top in the last half of that round.
ROUND THREE: Perpetuo threw a superman punch early. Perpetuo landed a hard kick to the body. Then he dropped Mafra with a big right. He pounced and started delivering strikes on the ground. Mafra was given time to try to fight back, but finally the regeree stepped in to stop the fight.
WINNER: Perpetuo via TKO at :41 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**) Fun opener, but as with all of these TUF: Brazil fights, they're likely to feature a mixture of the exciting and sloppy. Perpetuo's got some power, and some good instincts with his ground and pound as well.
FIGHT TWO: JOHN TEIXEIRA VS. HUGO VIANA (150 LB. CATCHWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Teixeira landed an early leg kick. Viana engaged and they traded strikes in the center of the cage. Viana got the better of a second exchange. He landed a hard right and popped out. Teixeira landed a hard right and a leg kick. They traded strikes again and Teixeira started bleeding. Viana landed a couple more strikes. Teixeira landed a couple of hard strikes, took a leg kick and added a couple more. Teixeira slipped on a knee attempt but popped back up. Teixeira got in a hard knee to the body in the clinch. Viana landed a short combo. Teixeira continued to go back on the attack. He landed a body kick, but ate a left in a flurry as they traded strikes again. Viana landed two hard body punches. Teixeira missed a looping strike and Viana took his back. Teixeira got swung back around. They traded strikes again. They clinched, and traded position on the cage. They ended the round in the clinch.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Viana. Teixeira got in his fair share of offense, and was at times pressing the action, but Viana was more active and landed more overall.
ROUND TWO: Viana missed an early punch and Teixeira took advantage, landing a few hard strikes before grabbing a clinch. He tried to get a takedown, but Viana got him turned around. They broke away from one another and Teixeira continued stalking. He landed a hard left, shot in, and scored the first takedown of the fight. Viana worked to his feet in short order. They clinched for a bit before being separated. Teixeira landed a hard leg kick. Teixeira landed a good counter right and a knee. Viana landed a hard combination. Viana landed two hard strikes. Teixeira hurt Viana with a knee, but didn't take advantage and Viana recovered. They traded strikes. Teixeira continued to press. He tried for a takedown but Viana stayed up. They traded punches again. Teixeira grabbed a brief clinch, then landed a knee and a punch to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. Viana has slowed considerably from the first round.
ROUND THREE: Teixeira landed a couple of early leg kicks. He landed a short right and blocked the counter. He landed a kick to the body and ate the counter punch. Teixeira landed a couple more kicks. Viana landed a good jab. Viana landed with an overhand right. Teixeira accidentally kicked Viana low. Viana landed another short combo as they restarted. Teixeira landed a couple of leg kicks. Viana landed a hard body kick. Teixeira shot in and went for a double leg. Viana had some good takedown defense, however, and got to his feet. Viana landed a couple of strikes. He connected on a jab and landed a couple body punches. Teixeira rushed in with a short combo. He went for another takedown and completed it with 30 seconds left. Viana worked right back to his feet. The fight ended after a few more strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. Very close round, could have gone either way.
WINNER: Viana via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Tough final round to score, so there's no issue with a split in Viana's favor. He was still landing well overall, and it was a solid, close fight between both of them. Nothing special, but not bad at all.
FIGHT THREE: DELSON HELENO VS. FRANCISCO DRINALDO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Drinaldo took the center and hoped around a bit, feinting an attack. He exploded out with a front kick to start that landed to the body. They continued circling each other, looking for an opening and testing the range. Heleno rushed in and got caught with a left hand. He grabbed a clinch, but Drinaldo fought hard to stay on his feet. Heleno stayed on him in the clinch, but Drinaldo defended well, and landed a few knees. Drinaldo got loose and landed a hard left and a knee to the body. Heleno got back to the clinch and got Drinaldo to his knees. Drinaldo got to his feet again but took a couple of hard knees to the body. Drinaldo got loose again and landed a hard knee to the body. He landed another one to the body with Heleno on his knees and he landed some strikes on the ground. Heleno stood and ate another knee. He tried for the takedown again but got stuffed once more. Drinaldo landed some elbows and punches to the body and head in the sprawl. He landed a hard knee to the body. Heleno finally pulled guard. Drinaldo landed some big hammerfists. He started teeing off and Heleno just covered up, forcing Herb Dean to step in. Impressive stuff from Drinaldo. He made Heleno pay for those takedown attempts, and did a ton of damage with smart knees to the body and much more. Good stuff.
WINNER: Drinaldo via TKO at 4:21 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) That was fun stuff. Crazy that Drinaldo is formerly a lightweight. He looked pretty damn big in that fight. That was a really good debut for Drinaldo and a vicious beating he gave Heleno in that four minute bout.
-Rogan and Goldberg commented on the crowd as it was going crazy over nothing. That's the thing about tonight's card: the fans in Brazil are thrilled with the event, as ravaged as it is, as TUF: Brazil was a hit in the country. However, the fans who would put down pay pay-per-view money for the card are also those either at the event or in the country, who are getting it for free on TV already. Those the UFC is charging to watch in North America are not nearly as thrilled.
FIGHT FOUR: ANISTAVIO MEDEIROS VS. RODRIGO DAMM (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Medeiros landed an early jab. Damm landed a hard leg kick. Medeiros responded but went a little high with the kick. Medeiros landed a couple more kicks. Damm rushed in with a short combo but didn't get through. He landed a hard leg kick. Medeiros landed one in kind. Medeiros landed another kick low to the cup. Restarting, Damm cracked Medeiros with a couple of strikes. He hurt him again with another strike and took his back as it hit the ground. Damm tried to work for the rear naked choke, got it locked in, and forced the tap.
WINNER: Damm via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:12 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Very solid fight from Damm. He was patient with his attacks early, then pounced when Medeiros was hurt. Good killer instinct and a nice finish for the Strikeforce vet.
-20 minutes to pay-per-view time.
=====Pay-Per-View Main Card=====
-Goldberg and Rogan welcome the pay-per-view broadcast to break down tonight's pay-per-view card. Wanderlei Silva's getting the hard push tonight, playing up his Pride credentials. They then discuss the other fights on tonight's pay-per-view card before we get to the first bout of the night.
FIGHT FIVE: YURI ALCANTARA VS. HACRAN DIAS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters started slow, until Alcantara scored a knee 30 seconds in. Dias then grabbed a leg and drove him to he cage. Alcantara held off the takedown attempt and turned Dias around. Dias used that to complete the takedown, however. Dias landed several short strikes in half guard. Dias tried to take Alcantara's back in a scramble, then went for an arm triangle choke. He used it to move to mount, but lost the arm triangle choke. Alcantara exploded from the bottom and put Dias back into his guard. Dias landed a hard elbow. then another. Alcantara got to his feet, but Dias picked him up and slammed him back down. Dias went back to landing elbows in the guard. Mike Goldberg lets everyone know this fight is the 2,000th in the history of the UFC. That's a hell of a stat. Alcantara got to the cage, but ate a bunch of strikes and Dias tried to take his back. He landed several knees to Alcantara's thighs. Alcantara then scrambled and took Dias' back standing. Dias grabbed for a kimura. Dias turned him around and they separated with seconds left. Alcantara landed a kick as the horn sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Not quite enough offense for a 10-8, but that was a fun start to the fight, and an impressive first round from the debuting Dias.
ROUND TWO: Alcantara rushed in with a knee and a strike. Dias came right back and landed a strike. Alcantara landed a hard body kick and rushed in. He grabbed a double underhook, but then got thrown onto his back with Dias once again on top. Dias landed some hard strikes from the top. Alcantara threw up for an armbar and almost had it locked on, but Dias broke free. Dias postured up and landed a few strikes. Dias passed to half guard. Dias landed some more strikes, but Alcantara worked back up to his feet. Dias dragged him right back down and got into half guard. Dias tried to pass, but Alcantara defended well. Dias landed several short elbows. Alcantara regained full guard. They were stood up with 40 seconds left. Quick standup there. Dias engaged but Alcantara landed a couple of good strikes. He landed a couple more to drive Dias back as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Alcantara nearly finished that with the armbar, but Dias broke out and worked really well from top position for most of the round.
ROUND THREE: Dias began stalking to start the round, but it was a very tentative start to kick things off in the final frame. Alcantara wasn't coming out like he needed the finish, though he surely does. Dias landed a hard kick to the body. Alcantara caught a kick to the body, but Dias backed him away. Dias knew he was ahead and was content to play it safe. They traded strikes, then Dias grabbed for a single leg, moved it to a body lock, and took Alcantara down. He landed several short strikes that did some damage as he had Alcantara's arm locked up. Alcantara scrambled out and popped to his feet. He tried to grab a kimura as Dias shot back in, but Dias got free and took him right back down. Dias dragged him to his back and landed some strikes in the guard. They were stood up with 40 seconds again. Alcantara rushed in and Dias shot back in. Alcantara sprawled and then got on top of Dias. He tried to rush to make something happen, but it was too little, too late as the round came to an end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Alcantara brought it on in the final seconds, but he did nothing the rest of the round.
WINNER: Dias via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**) Solid debut performance for Dias. Not a ton to it, but his wrestling was effective, and his ground and pound did a lot of damage in the first two rounds. Good work and a nice debut.
FIGHT SIX: FABRICIO WERDUM VS. MIKE RUSSOW (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Werdum walked forward early and Russow tried to rush him back. Russow landed the first jab of the fight. Werdum missed a strike then tried for a knee. He stunned Russow with a right. Russow threw his hands up and then tried to clinch. Werdum spun off and separated. Werdum landed a short uppercut. Werdum landed a hard left. He landed another short flurry but Russow avoided the knee. Russow tried to clinch again but Werdum backed off. Werdum landed a hard leg kick. Werdum landed a couple punches. He got in another couple strikes. Werdum dropped Russow with an uppercut then started unleashing punches on the ground. A lot of those were looking like they were hitting the back of the head, but the assault continued for a few moments before Herb Dean stopped the fight. Werdum did what was expected of him in getting past Russow. This was always more about fighting in front of his home country fans.
WINNER: Werdum via TKO at 2:28 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Not much to that at all. Werdum was expected to get past Russow with relative ease, and that's what he did. Russow's not on the level of the fighters Werdum has faced in the last several years, so this was just a body to put in front of him in order to get a win in his home country. If he picks up a big win in the fall he may get his rematch with Junior dos Santos, though.
FIGHT SEVEN: GODOFREDO PEPEY VS. RONY JASON (TUF: BRAZIL FEATHERWEIGHT FINALS)
ROUND ONE: Jason broke into tears prior to the fighter announcements, clearly thrilled to be here tonight. Pepey rushed him back early, then threw a flying knee, but got hit with a right. Jason held off the takedown attempt against the cage and broke free. They swung wildly at one another, but didn't hit the mark. Pepey grabbed a clinch, then pulled guard. After a warning for punches to the back of the head, Pepey grabbed for a kimura on Jason's right arm. Jason defended well, clasping his hands together under Pepey's body. Pepey was finally forced to let the hold go. Pepey got another warning for back of the head strikes, but there's some translation issues here. They were then stood up. Jason landed a hard leg kick. Jason landed a flying knee. Pepey tried to jump up and pull guard, but Jason then slammed him down hard. Pepey landed some elbows from his back. He landed a few more elbows. Jason rode out the round in Pepey's guard as they exchanged strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. Pepey tried to bring the fight to where he was most comfortable, but didn't have much offense from his back at all, and he got slammed the second time he tried to pull guard.
ROUND TWO: Pepey landed an early inside leg kick. Pepey landed a hard one of his own about 30 seconds later. The action slowed considerably. They clinched in the center, and again Pepey pulled guard. The crowd booed the move. Pepey landed some strikes from his back. Jason landed an elbow from the top. Pepey got one more warning for back of the head strikes. Jason got to side control and stood up, allowing Pepey back up. Jason landed a big right and left as Pepey tried to rush in. Jason landed a left. He got in a body kick. Jason again landed a kick. Pepey looked for a spinning move but had to stop halfway through. He missed another spinning strike. They squared off as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. He landed several more strikes than Pepey, and Pepey just hasn't done much of anything in the fight. The bout's not very good through two rounds.
ROUND THREE: Jason rushed in with an early right. He got in another nice strike as Pepey rushed in. Jason landed a kick to the body. Pepey had no sense of urgency with three minutes remaining in the bout. Pepey finally landed a left and barely avoided the counter. Jason landed a sloppy strike, then got hit low by a kick, prompting a brief delay. As they restarted, Jason pressed in with a few strikes. Pepey caught a knee and clinched. Pepey tried to pull guard but Jason stood and landed a few kicks to the legs before Pepey was let back up. Jason landed a looping left. Pepey then landed a second, even harder low blow, sending Jason down hard. Pepey begged not to have a point taken. Jason had five minutes to recover. Really surprised Pepey wasn't given a point deduction. He had several warnings for fouls in the fight. As they restarted, Pepey landed a couple more leg kicks. Jason landed a body punch. Pepey tried for one takedown as the round ended. Jason then threw his arms out and they nearly came to blows after the fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. Pepey just didn't do much of anything in the fight, and should have had a point deducted. This was not a good fight in the least.
WINNER: Jason via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) Easily one of the poorest Ultimate Fighter Finals bouts in the show's history. Pepey had little to nothing to offer on the feet, and when he pulled guard he wasn't attacking from his back at all. This was just a bad fight, with very little happening outside of several illegal blows that ultimately went unpunished.
FIGHT EIGHT: CEZAR FERREIRA VS. SERGIO MORAES (TUF: BRAZIL MIDDLEWEIGHT FINALS)
ROUND ONE: Ferreira pressed the action early. Moraes got accidentally poked in the eye but had to continue. Ferreira went for a capoeira high kick but it was partially blocked. Ferreira landed a couple of short lefts and backed off. Ferreira landed a knee. Moraes swung wild punches to break loose from the cage. Moraes landed a body shot. Ferreira got one in. Ferreira landed a left and popped out before Moraes could grab a clinch. Moraes landed a couple as he got backed up to the cage. And, as we saw in the last finals, another low blow came. This time it was Ferreira landing a hopping straight kick to the groin. They restarted with a minute left in the round. Moraes landed a couple of strikes. Ferreira landed a kick to the body. He threw a few punches to close the distance, but Moraes exploded with a wild flurry to back him off. Ferreira landed a front kick to the gut. He threw one high but it was blocked right before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. He's pressing the action and landing some good offense, but Moraes has kept him on his toes with several flurries and exchanges of his own.
ROUND TWO: Ferreira rushed forward and landed a few strikes. Moraes tried to pull guard but fell on his head. Moraes dropped hard, either from a punch or a slip, but Ferreira let him back up. Ferreira landed the capoeira kick to the head that dropped Moraes, but Moraes tried to grab a leg on the ground and Ferreira let him back up. Ferreira backed Moraes up again. Moraes tried to play to the crowd, but it drew boos. Ferreira landed another short combo. Moraes tried to rush in. Ferreira came right back and landed a hard body kick. Moraes hurt Ferreira with a big shot. He rushed after him and started throwing more. Moraes tried to capitalize, but Ferreira recovered. Goldberg compared it to Forrest Griffin-Stephan Bonnar. Nope, not anywhere close to that. They squared off as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. Moraes' final minute rush wasn't enough to take back the round. This is another fight that's just not very good tonight. The FX prelims featuring TUF: Brazil talent were better.
ROUND THREE: Ferreira hurt Moraes early on in the round, knocking him to his back. He let him stand back up. The round slowed considerably. Moraes landed a right midway through the round. Ferreira essentially allowed Moraes to stick in the fight. Little action happened over the next minute. The crowd chanted for Moraes. Moraes tagged Ferreira again. He played to the crowd a bit. Moraes landed another big strike, backing Ferreira up. Then Ferreira sent Moraes to his back with a huge straight left. Ferreira landed a few kicks before letting Moraes up, and the round ended shortly after he did.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Ferreira got the late knockdown, but got rocked himself right before that. Hard round to score, really could go either way, and neither has a clear argument for the round. Dana White said on Twitter this was the "Fight of the Night," but I'm not sure what he was watching.
WINNER: Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**) It wasn't the worst fight in the world, but there wasn't much to it either. Moraes had little striking to speak of, yet he still found occasions to rock Ferreira in the fight. The TUF: Brazil finals bouts were far from pay-per-view worthy, and that was one of the biggest issues coming into the night.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT NINE: RICH FRANKLIN VS. WANDERLEI SILVA (190 LB. CATCHWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Franklin took the center early and stalked Silva. Franklin took a body kick and landed a right. Silva landed a right as Franklin went for a body kick. Franklin landed a right. He got in an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a body shot. Franklin landed a few jabs. Franklin stumbled Silva with a left, but Silva popped back up. Franklin landed a few punches against the cage, backed off, then landed another short combo. He got in a few more punches and kicks on the cage. Franklin landed a hard body kick. Silva landed a head kick that brought some excitement from the crowd, but Franklin continued moving forward. Franklin landed a couple of hard punches and then they traded strikes. Franklin landed a head kick and a few more punches in a flurry as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. He was the aggressor and landed more strikes overall in that round.
ROUND TWO: The second round started tentatively. Silva got in first with a left. Franklin landed a right and Silva threw a kick. Silva slipped on a kick but popped back up. Franklin landed a jab. He got in another one and avoided the counter. Silva landed a body kick. Franklin landed a solid strike, then got in a short flurry. Franklin landed another short flurry. He landed a right hook. Silva was backed up against the cage, but finally circled out. Franklin went back on the offensive. Franklin kept him on the cage. Silva backed him off with a right. Franklin landed a couple more strikes as he continued to press in. He landed a hard body kick and ate a right. Silva landed a couple of strikes as he rushed in. Silva landed a few and got in a knee. He hurt Franklin with a right. He landed a knee. Silva then dropped Franklin with a big punch. He landed strikes on the ground, but Franklin recovered. He tried to score a takedown, but Silva kept him down and landed some big strikes. Silva ended the round delivering hammer fists in a huge turn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Silva. It would have easily been a Franklin round until that last minute. Silva just pounced as soon as he hurt Franklin, and very nearly ended the round.
ROUND THREE: The first minute was tentative from both, with neither wanting to overextend and get caught. Frnaklin continued to press the action. Neither was engaging much through the middle segments of the round. Franklin got in a body kick. Franklin ducked under a punch and scored a takedown into half guard. Franklin landed a couple of elbows. He started unleashing a bigger flurry and ended the round with his own set of strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Nothing much happened until the final minute, and the takedown and ground strikes were in Franklin's favor.
ROUND FOUR: Franklin was clearly the fresher fighter after three. They exchanged strikes again in the center. Franklin continued to paw in strikes whilee avoiding Silva's attacks. Franklin landed a left. He got in a nice right to the temple. Franklin landed a body punch. Franklin got in a short combo. Franklin landed another short combo. Silva wasn't doing anything offensively in the round. Silva landed a hard low kick. After a short delay, Franklin went back on the attack. Franklin landed a good body kick. Silva landed a right. Silva ended the round with a short flurry.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Silva stopped attacking almost the entire round there. Franklin didn't do a ton, but it was enough to win the round, and Silva needs a finish to take the fight.
ROUND FIVE: After an awesome second round, the action had considerably slowed down. Silva wasn't showing much of a sense of urgency despite being down three rounds to one. Franklin got in a good left a minute into the round. They traded jabs. Franklin did a little dancing around and landed a few strikes. He continued to circle to avoid Silva. Franklin landed a couple of punches to the body. Franklin landed two more to the head. Silva tried to press in but was blocked. Silva landed a strike, but Franklin connected on a couple more. Silva tried to goad a firefight, then ate a right from Franklin. Silva again tried to rush in, but Franklin avoided the strikes. Silva landed a right. Franklin continued to circle away. They traded strikes. They swung wildly but missed. Silva backed Franklin up and they traded strikes to the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Silva didn't turn it on until the final minute, and it was Franklin landing the better strikes even then. Workmanlike fight from Franklin down the stretch, but it was effective enough that he should take the fight four rounds to one.
WINNER: Franklin via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
-Franklin began his post-fight interview in Portuguese to the cheers of the crowd, then admitted that he lost some time between the second and fifth rounds. Watching the replay he laughed that he didn't remember the shot that knocked him down. Franklin still hopes to make a title run at middleweight before his career comes to an end.
STAR RATING: (**+) The second round was just awesome, awesome stuff, but Silva had nothing left once he couldn't put Franklin away, and it hampered the last few rounds. All around it was a solid fight, with a really fantastic round in the middle of it, but it definitely faded down the stretch.
-Thanks for joining us through another event. We'll have reaction to the weekend's action as the week goes on, then it's time to turn our focus to the epic rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen in two weeks!
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JUNE 23, 2012
LIVE FROM BELO HORIZINTE, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL
=====Facebook Preliminary Card Quick Results=====
-- Milton Vieira vs. Felipe Arantes ends in split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
-- Marcos Vinicius def. Wagner Campos via TKO at 1:04 of the third round
=====FX Preliminary Card=====
Alright fans in North America, it's time to get to a bunch of fighters you've likely not heard of on FX for free before tonight's pay-per-view card! Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the FX broadcast, and it's clear from the crowd shots that, though this card isn't big for fans in the U.S. and Canada, the fans in Brazil are ready to make it an event. The crowd is packed, and were very vocal during the two Facebook fights. Rogan and Goldberg discuss Rich Franklin stepping into tonight's main event before going to the first bout of the televised broadcast.
FIGHT ONE: THIAGO PERPETUO VS. LEONARDO MAFRA (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Perpetuo moved ahead early, landed a leg kick and a couple of strikes. Mafra landed a punch and a leg kick. Mafra landed a couple of leg kicks. Perpetuo got in a body kick. Mafra swung wildly with some strikes but missed. He landed a good body kick. Mafra landed a solid combination that backed Perpetuo off. Perpetuo missed a strike and Mafra pressed him back with leg kicks. They traded strikes in close and Perpetuo grabbed a clinch. Mafra broke free and pressed him off with strikes. They traded strikes again, with Perpetuo landing a hard right and Mafra countering with a left. Mafra got in a knee. Perpetuo backed Mafra to the cage, but he got cracked by a few strikes from Mafra. Mafra landed a leg kick. Mafra caught a kick and countered with a couple of strikes. Perpetuo landed two hard strikes and grabbed a clinch. He tried to go for a takedown, but Mafra stuffed it. Perpetuo continued to stay on the clinch, and he landed a few knees and an elbow before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mafra. Tough round to score, but I think Mafra landed more overall, countered well, and hit Perpetuo with combinations instead of one strike at a time.
ROUND TWO: Perpetuo landed a couple of good strikes countering an early flurry from Mafra. Perpetuo landed a left to the body and a right. Perpetuo landed a few strikes as Mafra tried to walk him down. He continued to keep Mafra off balance, and avoided the attempts from Mafra. Perpetuo went for a takedown, but nearly got caught in an armbar. Perpetuo rolled over and broke free, ending up in guard. Mafra almost got another armbar in. He continued to try to attack from the bottom, but then ate a couple of elbows. Perpetuo continued doing damage from the top as Mafra tried to keep active in his guard. Perpetuo moved to half guard and continued on the attack. Perpetuo continued landing elbows, forearms, and punches to the head and body from top position. The round ended with him on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Perpetuo. Nearly a 10-8. He was delivering a lot of punishment on top in the last half of that round.
ROUND THREE: Perpetuo threw a superman punch early. Perpetuo landed a hard kick to the body. Then he dropped Mafra with a big right. He pounced and started delivering strikes on the ground. Mafra was given time to try to fight back, but finally the regeree stepped in to stop the fight.
WINNER: Perpetuo via TKO at :41 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**) Fun opener, but as with all of these TUF: Brazil fights, they're likely to feature a mixture of the exciting and sloppy. Perpetuo's got some power, and some good instincts with his ground and pound as well.
FIGHT TWO: JOHN TEIXEIRA VS. HUGO VIANA (150 LB. CATCHWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Teixeira landed an early leg kick. Viana engaged and they traded strikes in the center of the cage. Viana got the better of a second exchange. He landed a hard right and popped out. Teixeira landed a hard right and a leg kick. They traded strikes again and Teixeira started bleeding. Viana landed a couple more strikes. Teixeira landed a couple of hard strikes, took a leg kick and added a couple more. Teixeira slipped on a knee attempt but popped back up. Teixeira got in a hard knee to the body in the clinch. Viana landed a short combo. Teixeira continued to go back on the attack. He landed a body kick, but ate a left in a flurry as they traded strikes again. Viana landed two hard body punches. Teixeira missed a looping strike and Viana took his back. Teixeira got swung back around. They traded strikes again. They clinched, and traded position on the cage. They ended the round in the clinch.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Viana. Teixeira got in his fair share of offense, and was at times pressing the action, but Viana was more active and landed more overall.
ROUND TWO: Viana missed an early punch and Teixeira took advantage, landing a few hard strikes before grabbing a clinch. He tried to get a takedown, but Viana got him turned around. They broke away from one another and Teixeira continued stalking. He landed a hard left, shot in, and scored the first takedown of the fight. Viana worked to his feet in short order. They clinched for a bit before being separated. Teixeira landed a hard leg kick. Teixeira landed a good counter right and a knee. Viana landed a hard combination. Viana landed two hard strikes. Teixeira hurt Viana with a knee, but didn't take advantage and Viana recovered. They traded strikes. Teixeira continued to press. He tried for a takedown but Viana stayed up. They traded punches again. Teixeira grabbed a brief clinch, then landed a knee and a punch to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. Viana has slowed considerably from the first round.
ROUND THREE: Teixeira landed a couple of early leg kicks. He landed a short right and blocked the counter. He landed a kick to the body and ate the counter punch. Teixeira landed a couple more kicks. Viana landed a good jab. Viana landed with an overhand right. Teixeira accidentally kicked Viana low. Viana landed another short combo as they restarted. Teixeira landed a couple of leg kicks. Viana landed a hard body kick. Teixeira shot in and went for a double leg. Viana had some good takedown defense, however, and got to his feet. Viana landed a couple of strikes. He connected on a jab and landed a couple body punches. Teixeira rushed in with a short combo. He went for another takedown and completed it with 30 seconds left. Viana worked right back to his feet. The fight ended after a few more strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. Very close round, could have gone either way.
WINNER: Viana via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Tough final round to score, so there's no issue with a split in Viana's favor. He was still landing well overall, and it was a solid, close fight between both of them. Nothing special, but not bad at all.
FIGHT THREE: DELSON HELENO VS. FRANCISCO DRINALDO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Drinaldo took the center and hoped around a bit, feinting an attack. He exploded out with a front kick to start that landed to the body. They continued circling each other, looking for an opening and testing the range. Heleno rushed in and got caught with a left hand. He grabbed a clinch, but Drinaldo fought hard to stay on his feet. Heleno stayed on him in the clinch, but Drinaldo defended well, and landed a few knees. Drinaldo got loose and landed a hard left and a knee to the body. Heleno got back to the clinch and got Drinaldo to his knees. Drinaldo got to his feet again but took a couple of hard knees to the body. Drinaldo got loose again and landed a hard knee to the body. He landed another one to the body with Heleno on his knees and he landed some strikes on the ground. Heleno stood and ate another knee. He tried for the takedown again but got stuffed once more. Drinaldo landed some elbows and punches to the body and head in the sprawl. He landed a hard knee to the body. Heleno finally pulled guard. Drinaldo landed some big hammerfists. He started teeing off and Heleno just covered up, forcing Herb Dean to step in. Impressive stuff from Drinaldo. He made Heleno pay for those takedown attempts, and did a ton of damage with smart knees to the body and much more. Good stuff.
WINNER: Drinaldo via TKO at 4:21 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) That was fun stuff. Crazy that Drinaldo is formerly a lightweight. He looked pretty damn big in that fight. That was a really good debut for Drinaldo and a vicious beating he gave Heleno in that four minute bout.
-Rogan and Goldberg commented on the crowd as it was going crazy over nothing. That's the thing about tonight's card: the fans in Brazil are thrilled with the event, as ravaged as it is, as TUF: Brazil was a hit in the country. However, the fans who would put down pay pay-per-view money for the card are also those either at the event or in the country, who are getting it for free on TV already. Those the UFC is charging to watch in North America are not nearly as thrilled.
FIGHT FOUR: ANISTAVIO MEDEIROS VS. RODRIGO DAMM (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Medeiros landed an early jab. Damm landed a hard leg kick. Medeiros responded but went a little high with the kick. Medeiros landed a couple more kicks. Damm rushed in with a short combo but didn't get through. He landed a hard leg kick. Medeiros landed one in kind. Medeiros landed another kick low to the cup. Restarting, Damm cracked Medeiros with a couple of strikes. He hurt him again with another strike and took his back as it hit the ground. Damm tried to work for the rear naked choke, got it locked in, and forced the tap.
WINNER: Damm via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:12 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Very solid fight from Damm. He was patient with his attacks early, then pounced when Medeiros was hurt. Good killer instinct and a nice finish for the Strikeforce vet.
-20 minutes to pay-per-view time.
=====Pay-Per-View Main Card=====
-Goldberg and Rogan welcome the pay-per-view broadcast to break down tonight's pay-per-view card. Wanderlei Silva's getting the hard push tonight, playing up his Pride credentials. They then discuss the other fights on tonight's pay-per-view card before we get to the first bout of the night.
FIGHT FIVE: YURI ALCANTARA VS. HACRAN DIAS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters started slow, until Alcantara scored a knee 30 seconds in. Dias then grabbed a leg and drove him to he cage. Alcantara held off the takedown attempt and turned Dias around. Dias used that to complete the takedown, however. Dias landed several short strikes in half guard. Dias tried to take Alcantara's back in a scramble, then went for an arm triangle choke. He used it to move to mount, but lost the arm triangle choke. Alcantara exploded from the bottom and put Dias back into his guard. Dias landed a hard elbow. then another. Alcantara got to his feet, but Dias picked him up and slammed him back down. Dias went back to landing elbows in the guard. Mike Goldberg lets everyone know this fight is the 2,000th in the history of the UFC. That's a hell of a stat. Alcantara got to the cage, but ate a bunch of strikes and Dias tried to take his back. He landed several knees to Alcantara's thighs. Alcantara then scrambled and took Dias' back standing. Dias grabbed for a kimura. Dias turned him around and they separated with seconds left. Alcantara landed a kick as the horn sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Not quite enough offense for a 10-8, but that was a fun start to the fight, and an impressive first round from the debuting Dias.
ROUND TWO: Alcantara rushed in with a knee and a strike. Dias came right back and landed a strike. Alcantara landed a hard body kick and rushed in. He grabbed a double underhook, but then got thrown onto his back with Dias once again on top. Dias landed some hard strikes from the top. Alcantara threw up for an armbar and almost had it locked on, but Dias broke free. Dias postured up and landed a few strikes. Dias passed to half guard. Dias landed some more strikes, but Alcantara worked back up to his feet. Dias dragged him right back down and got into half guard. Dias tried to pass, but Alcantara defended well. Dias landed several short elbows. Alcantara regained full guard. They were stood up with 40 seconds left. Quick standup there. Dias engaged but Alcantara landed a couple of good strikes. He landed a couple more to drive Dias back as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Alcantara nearly finished that with the armbar, but Dias broke out and worked really well from top position for most of the round.
ROUND THREE: Dias began stalking to start the round, but it was a very tentative start to kick things off in the final frame. Alcantara wasn't coming out like he needed the finish, though he surely does. Dias landed a hard kick to the body. Alcantara caught a kick to the body, but Dias backed him away. Dias knew he was ahead and was content to play it safe. They traded strikes, then Dias grabbed for a single leg, moved it to a body lock, and took Alcantara down. He landed several short strikes that did some damage as he had Alcantara's arm locked up. Alcantara scrambled out and popped to his feet. He tried to grab a kimura as Dias shot back in, but Dias got free and took him right back down. Dias dragged him to his back and landed some strikes in the guard. They were stood up with 40 seconds again. Alcantara rushed in and Dias shot back in. Alcantara sprawled and then got on top of Dias. He tried to rush to make something happen, but it was too little, too late as the round came to an end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. Alcantara brought it on in the final seconds, but he did nothing the rest of the round.
WINNER: Dias via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**) Solid debut performance for Dias. Not a ton to it, but his wrestling was effective, and his ground and pound did a lot of damage in the first two rounds. Good work and a nice debut.
FIGHT SIX: FABRICIO WERDUM VS. MIKE RUSSOW (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Werdum walked forward early and Russow tried to rush him back. Russow landed the first jab of the fight. Werdum missed a strike then tried for a knee. He stunned Russow with a right. Russow threw his hands up and then tried to clinch. Werdum spun off and separated. Werdum landed a short uppercut. Werdum landed a hard left. He landed another short flurry but Russow avoided the knee. Russow tried to clinch again but Werdum backed off. Werdum landed a hard leg kick. Werdum landed a couple punches. He got in another couple strikes. Werdum dropped Russow with an uppercut then started unleashing punches on the ground. A lot of those were looking like they were hitting the back of the head, but the assault continued for a few moments before Herb Dean stopped the fight. Werdum did what was expected of him in getting past Russow. This was always more about fighting in front of his home country fans.
WINNER: Werdum via TKO at 2:28 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Not much to that at all. Werdum was expected to get past Russow with relative ease, and that's what he did. Russow's not on the level of the fighters Werdum has faced in the last several years, so this was just a body to put in front of him in order to get a win in his home country. If he picks up a big win in the fall he may get his rematch with Junior dos Santos, though.
FIGHT SEVEN: GODOFREDO PEPEY VS. RONY JASON (TUF: BRAZIL FEATHERWEIGHT FINALS)
ROUND ONE: Jason broke into tears prior to the fighter announcements, clearly thrilled to be here tonight. Pepey rushed him back early, then threw a flying knee, but got hit with a right. Jason held off the takedown attempt against the cage and broke free. They swung wildly at one another, but didn't hit the mark. Pepey grabbed a clinch, then pulled guard. After a warning for punches to the back of the head, Pepey grabbed for a kimura on Jason's right arm. Jason defended well, clasping his hands together under Pepey's body. Pepey was finally forced to let the hold go. Pepey got another warning for back of the head strikes, but there's some translation issues here. They were then stood up. Jason landed a hard leg kick. Jason landed a flying knee. Pepey tried to jump up and pull guard, but Jason then slammed him down hard. Pepey landed some elbows from his back. He landed a few more elbows. Jason rode out the round in Pepey's guard as they exchanged strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. Pepey tried to bring the fight to where he was most comfortable, but didn't have much offense from his back at all, and he got slammed the second time he tried to pull guard.
ROUND TWO: Pepey landed an early inside leg kick. Pepey landed a hard one of his own about 30 seconds later. The action slowed considerably. They clinched in the center, and again Pepey pulled guard. The crowd booed the move. Pepey landed some strikes from his back. Jason landed an elbow from the top. Pepey got one more warning for back of the head strikes. Jason got to side control and stood up, allowing Pepey back up. Jason landed a big right and left as Pepey tried to rush in. Jason landed a left. He got in a body kick. Jason again landed a kick. Pepey looked for a spinning move but had to stop halfway through. He missed another spinning strike. They squared off as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. He landed several more strikes than Pepey, and Pepey just hasn't done much of anything in the fight. The bout's not very good through two rounds.
ROUND THREE: Jason rushed in with an early right. He got in another nice strike as Pepey rushed in. Jason landed a kick to the body. Pepey had no sense of urgency with three minutes remaining in the bout. Pepey finally landed a left and barely avoided the counter. Jason landed a sloppy strike, then got hit low by a kick, prompting a brief delay. As they restarted, Jason pressed in with a few strikes. Pepey caught a knee and clinched. Pepey tried to pull guard but Jason stood and landed a few kicks to the legs before Pepey was let back up. Jason landed a looping left. Pepey then landed a second, even harder low blow, sending Jason down hard. Pepey begged not to have a point taken. Jason had five minutes to recover. Really surprised Pepey wasn't given a point deduction. He had several warnings for fouls in the fight. As they restarted, Pepey landed a couple more leg kicks. Jason landed a body punch. Pepey tried for one takedown as the round ended. Jason then threw his arms out and they nearly came to blows after the fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jason. Pepey just didn't do much of anything in the fight, and should have had a point deducted. This was not a good fight in the least.
WINNER: Jason via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) Easily one of the poorest Ultimate Fighter Finals bouts in the show's history. Pepey had little to nothing to offer on the feet, and when he pulled guard he wasn't attacking from his back at all. This was just a bad fight, with very little happening outside of several illegal blows that ultimately went unpunished.
FIGHT EIGHT: CEZAR FERREIRA VS. SERGIO MORAES (TUF: BRAZIL MIDDLEWEIGHT FINALS)
ROUND ONE: Ferreira pressed the action early. Moraes got accidentally poked in the eye but had to continue. Ferreira went for a capoeira high kick but it was partially blocked. Ferreira landed a couple of short lefts and backed off. Ferreira landed a knee. Moraes swung wild punches to break loose from the cage. Moraes landed a body shot. Ferreira got one in. Ferreira landed a left and popped out before Moraes could grab a clinch. Moraes landed a couple as he got backed up to the cage. And, as we saw in the last finals, another low blow came. This time it was Ferreira landing a hopping straight kick to the groin. They restarted with a minute left in the round. Moraes landed a couple of strikes. Ferreira landed a kick to the body. He threw a few punches to close the distance, but Moraes exploded with a wild flurry to back him off. Ferreira landed a front kick to the gut. He threw one high but it was blocked right before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. He's pressing the action and landing some good offense, but Moraes has kept him on his toes with several flurries and exchanges of his own.
ROUND TWO: Ferreira rushed forward and landed a few strikes. Moraes tried to pull guard but fell on his head. Moraes dropped hard, either from a punch or a slip, but Ferreira let him back up. Ferreira landed the capoeira kick to the head that dropped Moraes, but Moraes tried to grab a leg on the ground and Ferreira let him back up. Ferreira backed Moraes up again. Moraes tried to play to the crowd, but it drew boos. Ferreira landed another short combo. Moraes tried to rush in. Ferreira came right back and landed a hard body kick. Moraes hurt Ferreira with a big shot. He rushed after him and started throwing more. Moraes tried to capitalize, but Ferreira recovered. Goldberg compared it to Forrest Griffin-Stephan Bonnar. Nope, not anywhere close to that. They squared off as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. Moraes' final minute rush wasn't enough to take back the round. This is another fight that's just not very good tonight. The FX prelims featuring TUF: Brazil talent were better.
ROUND THREE: Ferreira hurt Moraes early on in the round, knocking him to his back. He let him stand back up. The round slowed considerably. Moraes landed a right midway through the round. Ferreira essentially allowed Moraes to stick in the fight. Little action happened over the next minute. The crowd chanted for Moraes. Moraes tagged Ferreira again. He played to the crowd a bit. Moraes landed another big strike, backing Ferreira up. Then Ferreira sent Moraes to his back with a huge straight left. Ferreira landed a few kicks before letting Moraes up, and the round ended shortly after he did.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Ferreira got the late knockdown, but got rocked himself right before that. Hard round to score, really could go either way, and neither has a clear argument for the round. Dana White said on Twitter this was the "Fight of the Night," but I'm not sure what he was watching.
WINNER: Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**) It wasn't the worst fight in the world, but there wasn't much to it either. Moraes had little striking to speak of, yet he still found occasions to rock Ferreira in the fight. The TUF: Brazil finals bouts were far from pay-per-view worthy, and that was one of the biggest issues coming into the night.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT NINE: RICH FRANKLIN VS. WANDERLEI SILVA (190 LB. CATCHWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Franklin took the center early and stalked Silva. Franklin took a body kick and landed a right. Silva landed a right as Franklin went for a body kick. Franklin landed a right. He got in an inside leg kick. Franklin landed a body shot. Franklin landed a few jabs. Franklin stumbled Silva with a left, but Silva popped back up. Franklin landed a few punches against the cage, backed off, then landed another short combo. He got in a few more punches and kicks on the cage. Franklin landed a hard body kick. Silva landed a head kick that brought some excitement from the crowd, but Franklin continued moving forward. Franklin landed a couple of hard punches and then they traded strikes. Franklin landed a head kick and a few more punches in a flurry as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. He was the aggressor and landed more strikes overall in that round.
ROUND TWO: The second round started tentatively. Silva got in first with a left. Franklin landed a right and Silva threw a kick. Silva slipped on a kick but popped back up. Franklin landed a jab. He got in another one and avoided the counter. Silva landed a body kick. Franklin landed a solid strike, then got in a short flurry. Franklin landed another short flurry. He landed a right hook. Silva was backed up against the cage, but finally circled out. Franklin went back on the offensive. Franklin kept him on the cage. Silva backed him off with a right. Franklin landed a couple more strikes as he continued to press in. He landed a hard body kick and ate a right. Silva landed a couple of strikes as he rushed in. Silva landed a few and got in a knee. He hurt Franklin with a right. He landed a knee. Silva then dropped Franklin with a big punch. He landed strikes on the ground, but Franklin recovered. He tried to score a takedown, but Silva kept him down and landed some big strikes. Silva ended the round delivering hammer fists in a huge turn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Silva. It would have easily been a Franklin round until that last minute. Silva just pounced as soon as he hurt Franklin, and very nearly ended the round.
ROUND THREE: The first minute was tentative from both, with neither wanting to overextend and get caught. Frnaklin continued to press the action. Neither was engaging much through the middle segments of the round. Franklin got in a body kick. Franklin ducked under a punch and scored a takedown into half guard. Franklin landed a couple of elbows. He started unleashing a bigger flurry and ended the round with his own set of strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Nothing much happened until the final minute, and the takedown and ground strikes were in Franklin's favor.
ROUND FOUR: Franklin was clearly the fresher fighter after three. They exchanged strikes again in the center. Franklin continued to paw in strikes whilee avoiding Silva's attacks. Franklin landed a left. He got in a nice right to the temple. Franklin landed a body punch. Franklin got in a short combo. Franklin landed another short combo. Silva wasn't doing anything offensively in the round. Silva landed a hard low kick. After a short delay, Franklin went back on the attack. Franklin landed a good body kick. Silva landed a right. Silva ended the round with a short flurry.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Silva stopped attacking almost the entire round there. Franklin didn't do a ton, but it was enough to win the round, and Silva needs a finish to take the fight.
ROUND FIVE: After an awesome second round, the action had considerably slowed down. Silva wasn't showing much of a sense of urgency despite being down three rounds to one. Franklin got in a good left a minute into the round. They traded jabs. Franklin did a little dancing around and landed a few strikes. He continued to circle to avoid Silva. Franklin landed a couple of punches to the body. Franklin landed two more to the head. Silva tried to press in but was blocked. Silva landed a strike, but Franklin connected on a couple more. Silva tried to goad a firefight, then ate a right from Franklin. Silva again tried to rush in, but Franklin avoided the strikes. Silva landed a right. Franklin continued to circle away. They traded strikes. They swung wildly but missed. Silva backed Franklin up and they traded strikes to the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Franklin. Silva didn't turn it on until the final minute, and it was Franklin landing the better strikes even then. Workmanlike fight from Franklin down the stretch, but it was effective enough that he should take the fight four rounds to one.
WINNER: Franklin via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
-Franklin began his post-fight interview in Portuguese to the cheers of the crowd, then admitted that he lost some time between the second and fifth rounds. Watching the replay he laughed that he didn't remember the shot that knocked him down. Franklin still hopes to make a title run at middleweight before his career comes to an end.
STAR RATING: (**+) The second round was just awesome, awesome stuff, but Silva had nothing left once he couldn't put Franklin away, and it hampered the last few rounds. All around it was a solid fight, with a really fantastic round in the middle of it, but it definitely faded down the stretch.
-Thanks for joining us through another event. We'll have reaction to the weekend's action as the week goes on, then it's time to turn our focus to the epic rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen in two weeks!
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_PPVs_6/article_13673.shtml
mercredi 27 juin 2012
MMA shirt at the center of assault trial
A shirt "popular with MMA fans" set off a fight in Illinois that left a man blind and paralyzed. No, for real.
Anna Minette, a friend of the victim Eric Bartels, pointed out a spot on the shirt of Joe Messina, the man charged with assault. Messina resp...
Anna Minette, a friend of the victim Eric Bartels, pointed out a spot on the shirt of Joe Messina, the man charged with assault. Messina resp...
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mma-shirt-center-assault-trial-122441805--mma.html
What happens when UFC 147 opponents share an elevator? (VIDEO)
During fight weeks, the UFC houses all of its fighters and staff at the same hotel. From Tuesday, when the fighters arrive for pay-per-view events, to Sunday, when they leave, there are plenty of opportunities for awkwardness as opponents see each othe...
Randy Orton Is A Work Horse, Stacy Keibler/George Clooney
– Many people that have tickets to the Night of Champions PPV stated they were invited to take part in a group survey to discuss upcoming WWE Studios films. They would be paid $20 to watch scenes from a film and discuss the positives and negatives. WWE has John Cena’s Family Reunion, Edge’s Inside Out, and the horror film No One Lives on the way.
– It has been reported that from August 27th through September 5th, World champion Randy Orton wrestled every day except for one that was used for ...
– It has been reported that from August 27th through September 5th, World champion Randy Orton wrestled every day except for one that was used for ...
Source: http://www.ifight365.com/2011/09/randy-orton-is-a-work-horse-stacy-keiblergeorge-clooney/
The Kelly Kelly-Shaped Hole In Our Lives: WWE's Inactive List
Injuries have stacked up in WWE over the last few months, and with more and higher profile roster suspensions, the Wellness Policy is being strictly enforced. Here’s a reminder of who’s currently on the bench in alphabetical order: Wade Barrett: Dislocated elbow Evan Bourne: 60-day wellness suspension and subsequent car accident resulting in broken foot [...]
Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/19/the-kelly-kelly-shaped-hole-in-our-lives-wwes-inactive-list
Anderson Silva tells of plans to break Chael Sonnen?s face
Through the scads of trash talk Chael Sonnen has spewed since his last bout with Anderson Silva, the UFC middleweight champ has stayed mostly silent. Sure, he'd answer back from time to time, but for the most part, Silva let Sonnen do the heavy lifting in the trash talk department.
That ended Monday when Silva erupted during the UFC 148 media conference call. Listen to the call above. Silva starts speaking at the 6:40 mark, and even if you don't know Portuguese, you can feel the heat in his voice.
"First of all, Chael is a criminal," Silva said through Ed Soares, his manager who often serves as his interpreter. "He's been convicted of crimes. He doesn't deserve to be inside the Octagon. And when the time comes and the time is right, I'm going to break his face and break every one of his teeth in his mouth."
Silva is referring to Sonnen's guilty plea in a mortgage fraud case that happened just months after Silva beat Sonnen with a fifth-round submission at UFC 117.
It wasn't the end of Silva's verbal beatdown of Sonnen.
"I'm going to beat Chael like he's never been beaten before. The joke is over. There's no more talking. I know he's on the line listening, and the game is over. I'm going to beat his [expletive] out of the UFC. He's never going to want to fight again after I'm done with him."
Sonnen offered few retorts for Silva, save a reference to an earlier comment he made about Silva's wife cooking him a steak after Sonnen won the fight.
"He says he's going to break my face? I have two words for you: medium rare."
Halfway through the call, Silva disappeared. With his opponent gone, Sonnen hung up, too. UFC president Dana White ended the call, and then tweeted, "7 years in the UFC and I've never heard Anderson talk like this before!!!"
[Related: Roy Nelson makes interesting proposal to face Mike Russow]
There is only one plausible reason for this Anderson to have shown up. The real Anderson has an evil twin named Andreson. Anderson turns to Andreson when he wants to avoid conference calls, and tells him to let loose. Andreson read through everything Sonnen has said about his twin brother, and let it out. Then, at UFC 148, both men will show up at the fight just to confuse Sonnen.
Or maybe, just maybe, Silva got sick of holding it. Two weeks before the fight, he's letting it out, which is an interesting sign of things to come on July 7.
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mardi 26 juin 2012
Brian Choi Looking to Make the Most of Unexpected Opportunity at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors
Brian Choi?s long awaited ONE FC debut will arrive sooner than expected on Saturday night when he steps up to take on Arnaud Lepont at the sold out Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur. He was in preparation to fight on the Manila card when his Evolve MMA team mate Eddie Ng suffered a shoulder injury [...]
MMA Elite 30% Off
My cousin is involved in MMA stuff and he told me that MMA Elite recently opened up a new site and they sent him a 30% off promo code.
I think the code works for multiple people because I've sent...
I think the code works for multiple people because I've sent...
Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?78701-MMA-Elite-30-Off&goto=newpost
What is the most incredible thing(s) you've ever seen?
I know we've all probably witnessed some crazy stuff. Please share some of the craziest, most unbelievable, amazing, horrible, painful, crappiest,...
Source: http://forums.ufc.production.sparkart.net/showthread.php?t=120464&goto=newpost
Lightweight Spencer Fisher likely retiring after Friday night fight with Sam Stout
It looks like this weekend will mark the final time fans will have an opportunity to see seasoned veteran Spencer Fisher in action. Fisher, who made his Octagon debut in 2005, has come forward to say his bout with Sam Stout at UFC on FX 4 will almost certainly be his last. Stout and Fisher [...]
n-Bag dropping off the Clay Guida Bandwagon, whos with me?
I used to respect his cardio and movement, but JESUS! Get to the part where you DO SOMETHING!!!! It was like Sopranos season 2 out there ( and in Jersey I might add) for crying out loud. The GAMEPLAN...
NCAA champion wrestler Anthony Robles on MMA and his next challenges
Anthony Robles is used to overcoming challenges. The man was born with one leg, and still won a Division I NCAA wrestling championship. It's not surprising to hear that the challenge of MMA holds interest for the Arizona State grad and motivational speaker.
"It's a possibility. Right now, I'm focused on my speaking career, but when I'm in Arizona, I'm wrestling and I'm learning jiu-jitsu," Robles told Cagewriter. "I'm having fun with it. I would always get the fight question when I wrestled in college, I would say, well, if they ever make a 125-pound weight class in MMA, I'd be there. They just made it."
The UFC's recent addition of flyweights opens the door for Robles, but in the meantime, he has plenty on his plate. He is working on a book, movie rights and this week, he's in New York with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a group that supports the endeavors of physically challenged athletes. He likes getting to meet other athletes like him because of the way they see each other.
"To ourselves, we're not disabled. We're not handicapped. We're just out there doing the best with what we have, and we're going to do everything we can to beat whoever comes across our paths. Just to be in the same room as these other competitors now, they get that mindset. We have that bond, of us showing the world what we're capable of."
[Related: Kevin Iole: UFC returns 'The Ultimate Fighter' to a taped format in hopes of ratings boost]
"We are honored to feature Anthony Robles at our 2012 Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope," said Virginia Tinley, the executive director of CAF. "His ability to overcome the odds, and his incredible achievements, make him a role model for both challenged athletes and able-bodied athletes alike. His success serves as an inspiring example that there are no limits to what the next generation of challenged athletes can accomplish, and CAF is proud to provide the support that will allow them to pursue their dreams."
The Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope took place in New York on Wednesday evening. In addition to Robles, the event featured challenged athletes Haven Shepherd, U.S. Army Major Daniel Gade and honored Third Point CEO Daniel Loeb.
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UFC on FX 4 Main Card Predictions
The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks off a busy weekend with a trip to the new Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey for UFC on FX 4. A key lightweight contest headlines the card with former title challenger Gray Maynard taking on Clay Guida in a five round bout. Clay Guida vs. Gray Maynard Maynard [...]
UFC on FX 4 Main Card Predictions is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/ufc-news/ufc-on-fx-4-main-card-predictions-58594/
UFC 147: Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Russow Video Highlights
Fabricio Werdum (Pictured) continued his ascent up the heavyweight totem pole Saturday night by making quick work of Mike Russow. It took the former Strikeforce star all of two minutes and 28 seconds to dispose of the Chicago police officer at UFC 147. The 265-pounders came out headhunting, so it was clear someone was going [...]
Source: http://www.5thRound.com/120429/ufc-147-fabricio-werdum-vs-mike-russow-video-highlights/
lundi 25 juin 2012
The Latest Update On Maryse & Her Recovery Time
Maryse stated on her official website Saturday night that she has recovered from her abdominal hernia surgery on August 24.
“I met with my surgeon today and she said everything is perfect,” she wrote. “There’s a little bit of fluid inside by the incision and where the repairs were done, but its totally normal apparently. The scar healed really good and there is no infection. So the surgery was a total success. I’m sooooooo happy!!!”
The former WWE Divas Champion last competed on the July 25 episode of RAW. She was advertised ...
“I met with my surgeon today and she said everything is perfect,” she wrote. “There’s a little bit of fluid inside by the incision and where the repairs were done, but its totally normal apparently. The scar healed really good and there is no infection. So the surgery was a total success. I’m sooooooo happy!!!”
The former WWE Divas Champion last competed on the July 25 episode of RAW. She was advertised ...
Source: http://www.ifight365.com/2011/09/the-latest-update-on-maryse-her-recovery-time/
Obscene Anti-Sonnen Posters @ UFC 147
I'm not sure if you guys remember hearing Rogan mention something about some of the anti-Sonnen posters around the arena being a bit harsh, but I...
Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/102917-obscene-anti-sonnen-posters-ufc-147-a.html
Bellator 71 Recap
Bellator 71, the first installment of the promotion's 2012 Summer Series, emanated live from the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in Chester West Virginia. The main card saw Former Strikeforce title challenger Brett "The Grim" Rogers make his Bellator debut as well as the opening round of the light heavyweight tournament.
UFC on FX 4 and UFC 147: We want your picks!
It's a very busy fight weekend, so that means Cagewriter is doing twice the picks. Do you want your picks to show up right here? Then here's what you do. Pick your favorite fights from UFC on FX 4 and UFC 147's main cards and go to Cagewriter's Facebook page and tell us who will win and why. (Don't forget the why!) Selected Cagreader's picks will appear here with picks from Kevin Iole and me.
Here is the main card from UFC on FX 4:
Clay Guida vs. Gray Maynard
Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout
Brian Ebersole vs. T.J. Waldburger
Ross Pearson vs. Cub Swanson
And from UFC 147, not counting the finals from "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil":
Rich Frankin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Mike Russow vs. Fabricio Werdum
Yuri Alcantara vs. Hacran Dias
Now pick a few fights that pique your interest, go the Cagewriter Facebook page, and tell us why you're picking who you're picking and why you're picking him.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-fx-4-ufc-147-want-picks-180810370--mma.html
Dolph Ziggler on Jack Swagger: "He's Really Tall. We Get It."
“He’s really tall. We get it, said�Dolph Ziggler in WWE’s post-RAW Fallout piece when asked to elaborate on his win Monday night against his former (I guess) tag team partner, Jack Swagger, as Vickie Guerrero looked on adoringly. Ziggler defeated Swagger Monday on RAW and, uh, won Guerrero’s� affections (her words) afterward. In other backstage [...]
Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/23/dolph-ziggler-on-jack-swagger-hes-really-tall-we-get-it
UFC on FX 4 Prelims Recap: Lamas upsets Hioki, Miller wins in welterweight debut, and more
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The preliminary card for Friday's UFC on FX 4 event from Atlantic City featured some impressive performances along with some expectedly less-than-thrilling action. All in all, though, the eight fights that preceded the FX broadcast made for an enjoyable start to the night's action.
The Facebook card kicked things off, with Ken Stone thwarting Dustin Pague's hopes of two wins in two weeks in the UFC. Pague took the fight on very short notice, and put in a solid effort; however, Stone edged past him in a close fight, taking the split decision with two scores of 29-28.
In a feel good moment before the Fuel TV broadcast, New Jersey's own Dan Miller made a successful welterweight debut, submitting Ricardo Funch in the waning minutes of their fight. The guillotine choke finish was necessary for Miller, as he very well could have been down two rounds to none into the final frame. However, he got the win, his first since December of 2010.
The Fuel TV card then kicked off with three straight stoppages. Matt Brown beat up Luis Ramos throughout the second round, leading to the referee stopping the fight with both fighters standing as a too-tough-for-his-own-good Ramos wouldn't go down from the assault. Chris Camozzi then pulled out a win with a third round battering of Nick Catone, opening up a nasty cut over Catone's left eye that forced doctor's to stop the fight in the third. Had they not called it there, Camozzi may have lost a decision.
Then Steven Siler continued his undefeated run in the Octagon, submitting a debuting Joey Gambino just under three minutes into the fight. Following that bout, Rick Story notched his seventh win in ten UFC fights, taking an uninspired decision win over another debuting fighter in Brock Jardine.
Ultimate Fighter runner-up Ramsey Nijem added his second straight win in the UFC's lightweight division, earning a TKO win over C.J. Keith via a questionable referee stoppage while he was in mount.
Finally, the preliminary card broadcast came to a close with an upset in the featherweight division. Hatsu Hioki turned down a title fight against Jose Aldo for this summer, hoping to continue settling into the UFC's featherweight division before going for the belt. That may not have been the best move, as he was defeated by Ricardo Lamas by unanimous decision, and nearly found himself submitted by several guillotine attempts by Lamas. The loss was his first since November of 2009, and drops him down the ranks in the 145 lb. division. The win was Lamas' third straight, and he's now 7-2 in nine appearances under the Zuffa banner in the WEC and UFC.
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The Facebook card kicked things off, with Ken Stone thwarting Dustin Pague's hopes of two wins in two weeks in the UFC. Pague took the fight on very short notice, and put in a solid effort; however, Stone edged past him in a close fight, taking the split decision with two scores of 29-28.
In a feel good moment before the Fuel TV broadcast, New Jersey's own Dan Miller made a successful welterweight debut, submitting Ricardo Funch in the waning minutes of their fight. The guillotine choke finish was necessary for Miller, as he very well could have been down two rounds to none into the final frame. However, he got the win, his first since December of 2010.
The Fuel TV card then kicked off with three straight stoppages. Matt Brown beat up Luis Ramos throughout the second round, leading to the referee stopping the fight with both fighters standing as a too-tough-for-his-own-good Ramos wouldn't go down from the assault. Chris Camozzi then pulled out a win with a third round battering of Nick Catone, opening up a nasty cut over Catone's left eye that forced doctor's to stop the fight in the third. Had they not called it there, Camozzi may have lost a decision.
Then Steven Siler continued his undefeated run in the Octagon, submitting a debuting Joey Gambino just under three minutes into the fight. Following that bout, Rick Story notched his seventh win in ten UFC fights, taking an uninspired decision win over another debuting fighter in Brock Jardine.
Ultimate Fighter runner-up Ramsey Nijem added his second straight win in the UFC's lightweight division, earning a TKO win over C.J. Keith via a questionable referee stoppage while he was in mount.
Finally, the preliminary card broadcast came to a close with an upset in the featherweight division. Hatsu Hioki turned down a title fight against Jose Aldo for this summer, hoping to continue settling into the UFC's featherweight division before going for the belt. That may not have been the best move, as he was defeated by Ricardo Lamas by unanimous decision, and nearly found himself submitted by several guillotine attempts by Lamas. The loss was his first since November of 2009, and drops him down the ranks in the 145 lb. division. The win was Lamas' third straight, and he's now 7-2 in nine appearances under the Zuffa banner in the WEC and UFC.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13668.shtml
Anthony Johnson fighting in July as a light heavyweight
It seems Anthony Johnson has finally come to understand what the rest of the MMA world seemed to know already ? he?s a light heavyweight. Johnson, who has missed the required mark as a welterweight and middleweight on multiple occasions, has informed Titan FC head Joe Kelly he wants to fight at 205 pounds in [...]
Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/17/anthony-johnson-fighting-in-july-as-a-light-heavyweight
dimanche 24 juin 2012
UFC on FX 4 Results: Gray Maynard outlasts Clay Guida for Split Decision win
It?s a weekend packed with MMA goodness including the return of Bellator, a ONE FC event, and back-to-back shows from the UFC! Things kick off tonight with UFC on FX 4, a card headlined by what should be a terrific tilt between lightweights Clay Guida and Gray Maynard. Each has fought some of the top [...]
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/06/22/ufc-on-fx-4-real-time-results/
UFC 147 Post fight Conference (video inside)
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Its close to starting. Lets enjoy, I hope the whole thing isnt in Portuguese like the Japanese one was in Japanese(ufc 144 i...
Its close to starting. Lets enjoy, I hope the whole thing isnt in Portuguese like the Japanese one was in Japanese(ufc 144 i...
Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/102892-ufc-147-post-fight-conference-video-inside.html
What Now? UFC on FX 4
UFC on FX 4 at Revel Atlantic City, New Jersey is now a thing of the past, as per usual, it's time for us to take a look at the card and ask ourselves what the next logical step for the headlining fighters are.
UFC on FX 4's Guida believes win over Maynard could make him No. 1 contender
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. � Gray Maynard (10-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) says he learned plenty in his 2011 fights with Frankie Edgar.
But Clay Guida (29-12 MMA, 9-6 UFC) might have learned even more.
Guida...
But Clay Guida (29-12 MMA, 9-6 UFC) might have learned even more.
Guida...
Bellator Signs Talented Russian Prospect Alexander ?Tiger? Sarnavskiy
Talented Russian lightweight prospect Alexander ?Tiger? Sarnavskiy has signed with Bellator. The 23 year old fighter has a 20-0 record coming into the lightweight tournament. Bellator announced the move earlier today.
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29109/bellator-signs-talented-russian-prospect-alexander-tiger-sarnavskiy/
Hockey Fight of the Day: Ulf Samuelsson vs. Cam Neely
It’s once again time to rewind the clock and look at a clash from yesteryear. This time around the brawl involves Boston Bruins’ favorite Cam Neely knocking heads with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Ulf Samuelsson in 1993 game between the two storied squads. Tweet
Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/16/hockey-fight-of-the-day-ulf-samuelsson-vs-cam-neely
Logan The Pink Pounder Clark Steve The Snake Claveau Rich No Love Clementi
samedi 23 juin 2012
Greg Jackson talks Jon Jones DUI and if he will coach him still - Greg Jackson
Head trainer at Jackson's MMA Greg Jackson speaks about his star pupil Jon Jones and his recent DUI charges
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