UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” Bonuses
UFC 87 gave mixed martial arts fans some all around great action. Only three fights can get the bonuses the UFC give out. The usual three are Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night and Knockout of the Night.
Each one of the fight bonus winners will take home an additional $60,000 on top of their paycheck amount (not yet known).
Fight of the Night: Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
Submission of the Night: Demian Maia
Knockout of the Night: Rob Emerson
I would not disagree with any of these picks. Obviously Emerson deserved KO of the night with his 12 second fight. Demian Maia had no competition getting the only submission on the card. GSP Vs. Jon Fitch was a great fight, Fitch showed huge heart lasting all the way through the five rounds.
Anderson Silva Victorious at 205lbs
Anderson Silva, the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world mad his move up to light-heavyweight last night. His first opponent at the new weight was James “The Sandman” Irvin.
James Irvin was coming fresh off of his 8 second win against Houston Alexander at the last fight night, Fight Night 13.
Anderson Silva proved to MMA fans that he is one of the best around. He caught a kick of James Irvin’s just a minute in and followed through with a right hook. It was lights out for Irvin just a minute and one second into the fight.
Surely Anderson Silva can go further in his quest up the light-heavyweight division but first he will be re-defending his middleweight championship. Most likely against Yushin Okami sometime around UFC 90.
UFC 86: Forrest Griffin Becomes the New Light-Heavyweight Champion
It was something that many of his fans wanted to see. Something that many analysts believed he couldn’t do. Regardless of that though Forrest Griffin is the new UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion.
Over his time fighting in the UFC Forrest Griffin has become well loved by many. His entrance into the UFC was one of epic proportions taking on Stephan Bonnar in The Ultimate Fighter Final and winning by unanimous decision. That fight is still recognized today by UFC president Dana White at the “most important fight in UFC history.”
The fight against Rampage was an entertaining one. Both fighters had their share of beatings and it all looked pretty close to being done for Forrest in the second round, a round which he took 10-8 in points from the three judges. The only thing I have to complain about in the fight is how the judges believe Forrest won so decisively. In my opinion and probably in the minds of many others including Forrest Griffin thought the fight would be a lot closer. Maybe even a draw.
All is said and done now though. Forrest Griffin is the new Light-Heavyweight Champion. Only one question remains though… Who next? Well I think that Forrest will be matched up against the winner of UFC 88 in Atlanta Georgia. Either Rashad Evans or Chuck Liddell. For Rampage? Who knows? I think he will end up with another title shot fairly soon.
Ultimate Fighter: Season Finale
Here it is. The season finale of The Ultimate Fighter 7. The night started with Mathew Riddle taking on Dante Rivera.
The first round was pretty even between the two fighters. Towards the end of the second round Riddle ended up getting mount and could of got some good punches in. Instead he went for an armbar and Rivera escaped. Riddle once again tried an armbar while having Rivera in his guard. It was not successful and a 3rd round had to happen. Matt Riddle dominated the third round but couldn’t get a finish. The fight went to the score cards. Two of the judges scored the fight 30-27 and then obviously in his true style Cecil comes in with a 29-28. Matt Riddle won the fight.
Spencer Fisher Vs. Jeremy Stephens was the second fight of the night. Fisher seemed to have control of the fight in the first two rounds. In the third Jeremy got a guillotine but Fisher held on. All 3 judges scored the fight 29-28 for Spencer Fisher.
Amih Sadollah went up against CB Dollaway for th Ultimate Fighter Season 7 title. I wanted Amih to win this fight because I cant stand the cockyness of CB. Fortunately Amir did win the fight with an armbar in the first round. Just like the semi final. CB claimed he didn’t tap but I personally think he did. Amir Sadollah was awarded the title of Ultimate Fighter.
Evan Tanner got back in the octagon tonight to fight Kendall Grove. Kendall owned all of the fight with some flying knees, crazy upkicks and huge uppercuts. Evan Tanner showed he has amazing heart though by staying in there and making the fight go to decision. Kendall Grove won by split decision.
Ultimate Fighter: Road to the Finals
Amir Sadollah suprisingly beat CB Dollaway with an armbar in the 3rd round. The finals were all set Amir Sadollah vs. Jesse Taylor would be The Ultimate Fighter 7 conclusion.
Jesse Taylor went out and drank a bit too much while celebrating and ended up wrecking a limo and terrorising some guests at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas. As Dana White said “You’re not mentally ready.” That was it Jesse Taylor had lost his place in the finals after working so hard for it. Dana did say he could give him a call in a few months when he is sorted out.
This was the first time a fighter had been kicked off after the shows ending. Tim Credeur and CB Dollaway were brought back into The Ultimate Fighter and the two agreed to fight each other for the newly found finals spot.
CB Dollaway defeated Tim and CB moves on to the finals to face Amir Sadollah again.
Ultimate Fighter Recap
How about a nice game of horse to start the show? It happened and Rampage got OWNED! He did manage to get his team paid though due to his nice 3 pointer skills. Griffin’s dunk silenced Rampage in the end though.
Jesse Taylor ended up getting wasted and pissed his pants for national TV before getting in the hot tub where he tried to drown himself.
Both Jesse and Tim successfully weighed in for their fight. In the first round Jesse ended up getting in there and taking Tim down which was unexpected. Tim did pretty good controlling him on the ground though taking a few punches to the head. Tim tried a few triangles and armbars from his back but they all ended in a short ground and pound from Jesse.
The second round started the same as the first. Jesse in Tim’s guard. Tim managed to turn the tides though getting mount on Jesse for a short time before going back to having him in guard.
The third round was a repeat of the first two. Controlled by Jesse all the way through with Tim making a few advances.
Jesse Taylor moves onto the finals at the Palms in Las Vegas. Next week we find out his opponent.
It Needs Consequences
Rule 18 of the UFC states that “Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck” is a foul. Now watch this…
It seems as though Nate Marquardt doesn’t understand these rules and by the lack of officiating Herb Dean was having a hard time with them too. Nate Marquardt piledrive’s Leites into the mat as though he was working for the WWE in the old days.
I personally think that Marquardt needs to be penalized for this especially as it was his 3rd foul of the fight too.
The Ultimate Fighter 7: Quarter Finals
The first fight of the night sees Tim Credeur taking on the undefeated Daniel Cramer. Cramer has an 8 year age advantage over Creduer. The majority of this fight was on the ground. It was a really good fight though. Tim Creduer won in the first round by heel hook.
Second fight of the night is Cale Yarbrough vs CB Dollaway. CB was controlling the fight all the way through and had his back for a significant amount of time. During his time with back control CB got the referee to stop the fight due to strikes.
Time to pick the semifinals. Jesse Taylor vs. Tim Credeur and Amir Sadollah vs CB Dollaway
Totally unrelated but Detroit Red Wings won the NHL’s Stanley Cup! Detroit 3 - 2 Pittsburgh
EliteXC: Kimbo Slice Vs. James Thompson
Photo courtesy of Combatlifestyle.com. For more photos from this album: http://www.combatlifestyle.com/pics/view_album.php?id=882
Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson was the headlining event for EliteXC’s “Saturday Night Fights” Kimbo should of finished this fight in a matter of minutes instead James Thompson took him down quite a few times where Kimbo proved to be the weaker man. Even though Slice had been training with Bas Rutten he lacked the knowledge on basic hip escapes and instead was forced to take some punches and elbows from James Thompson.
The fight went into the third round where judging by the look on Kimbo’s face he was angry about what was happening. So Kimbo went out there and bust Thompson’s cauliflower ear. With the killer instinct he has he attacked it until blood was pouring out. The referee stopped the fight after a few more punches from Kimbo. Although I believe the stoppage was premature one or two more punches from Kimbo and Thompson would of been unconscious. James Thompson believed he had a fighting chance and gave the referee a little slap on the face to prove it.
Anyway Kimbo Slice retained his undefeated record and is rumored to be fighting Brett Rogers next. Brett Rogers is also undefeated at heavyweight and would like a shot at Kimbo to prove he isn’t really that good. Here is what Rogers said in the post-fight press conference:
A man is man. And what I saw in this man today, it was just garbage. I’m going to speak it real, it was garbage. You did tap. You did tap out, I saw it, I was right there.
Check out the post fight press conference highlights at CagePotato
Ultimate Fighter 7: Quater Finals Recap
So the quarter finals are upon us now. Jesse Taylor took on Dante Rivera in the first fight, Jesse just took Dante down and held him there giving him a few good punches. Dante kept trying submissions but Team Forrest was all over what was happening and kept preventing it. Jesse Taylor won the fight via unanimous decision.
Amir Sadollah took on his friend in the house Matt Brown. The first round was mostly standing which Amir owned surprisingly. Matt tried a few take downs but epically failed on them. Matt came back towards the later half of the fight getting a few good punches to Amir’s head and delivering some good knees to Amir. The last 30 seconds belongs to Amir though. I would of given Amir that round. He put in a good effort!
Amir got guard midway through the round and Matt looked extremely tired but was still trying his best to get back up. Amir was delivering the elbows to his face while he had him down. Matt got out but Amir immediately got him in the triangle making him tap and winning the fight. It was a very good fight from both guys.
Be sure to watch next week C.B takes on Cale. Tim also takes on Dan and the semi-final fights will be announced.