UFC 137 Penn vs. Diaz results

(Live coverage I provided on gerweck.net)

UFC 137 Penn vs. Diaz live coverage 10/29/11

Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada

The first fight of the night will be in the Featherweight division

George Roop vs. Hatsu Hioki – Josh Rosenthal is the referee

Round 1: Roop comes out of the gate throwing high kicks and tagged Hioki with a right hand. Roop throws an inside leg kick and hits Hioki below the belt. Hioki tells the ref he is ok. Roop throws a couple of teep kicks and Hioki rushes in and pins him against the fence. Both are fighting in the clinch while trying to push each other off. Roop is blocking Hioki’s take down attempts. Hioki almost had his back but Roop was able to stand straight against the fence. Hioki switches position and takes Roop down. He works in Roop’s guard with some punches and Roop scrambles back up as they fight against the fence until the close of the round.

Round 2: Roop is using his reach and landing with leg kicks and high kicks until Hioki takes him down and moves into side control. Hioki goes for a americana but Roop got his arm out. Hioki transitions to full mount but can’t do any real damage. Roop position defense from the bottom is preventing Hioki from doing anything at all. Roop lands an up kick which gives him the opening to get up with ten seconds left seconds left. Charges after Hioki with punches and kicks to end the round.

Round 3: Hioki takes him down at the start of the round but Roop gets right up. Hioki goes for another takedown but Roop sprawls to avoid it. They engage in the clinch and are fighting against the cage with Roop pinning Hioki against the cage. Roop lands several foot stomps while Hioki is holding Roops left arm but the ref restarts the fight with two mins left. Roop shoots in for the takedown is in Hioki’s guard. Hioki attempts a triangle choke but Roop gets out before its locked in. Hioki has underhooked both of Roop’s arms while Roop slams Hioki while in his guard to end the round.

Winner by split decision for Hatsu Hioki 29-28 across the board.

Bad decision for sure and the fans are booing Hioki. Joe Rogan asked him in the post-fight interview if he was surprised he won and Hioki replied “Japanese MMA is not dead. Please, check out our fights”

Jeff Curran vs. Scott Jorgensen – Kim Winslow is the referee

Round 1: Curran opens the round with some inside leg kicks and throws some right-left combination but Jorgensen lands a stiff left hand but Curran keeps fighting. Jorgensen lands another punch that spins Curran around and Jorgensen follows up with a single leg takedown. Jorgensen is in the guard and throwing lots of short punches to the body. Curran sweeps but Jorgensen’s base and balance prevented Curran from getting back up and Jorgensen is back in Curran’s guard. The ref stands them both up with 30 seconds left and Curran lands an overhand right and follows with a knee but Jorgensen takes him down to end the round.

Round 2: They meet in the center right away and Curran throws a couple of haymakers until Jorgensen hits him with a stiff jab . Curran tries to take him down but Jorgensen blocks and wraps him up in the clinch and pins him against the fence. Curran takes down Jorgensen and lands a guillotine choke but Jorgensen spins out of it and wraps Curran in the clinch again and lands some knees to the head but Curran puts his hand on the mat do Jorgensen can’t throw any knees. Jorgensen takes him down but Curran sweeps and prevents Jorgensen from getting back up for the last 30 seconds of the round.

Round 3: Curran lands a stiff jab and Jorgensen follows up with one of his own. Jorgensen is not opening up as much because Curran is landing first. Curran lands a good body kick to Jorgensen. Curran missed a hail mary uppercut and Jorgensen finds his opening to rush in and pin Curran against the fence. There is blood coming out of the nose of Curran and he is getting hit with knees to the body. Curran pushes off and they are both fighting in the center again. Jorgensen lands an inside leg kick and Curran follows up with one of his own and Curran shoots in for the takedown but Jorgensen sprawls and gains side control and holds Curran in position to end the round.

Winner: Scott Jorgensen: unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson- Steve Mazzagatti is the referee

Round 1: Nelson is in the best shape of his career as his belly is a lot smaller. Nelson takes him down and Cro Cop gets his guard. Nelson lands a couple of punches in top position while pressing his weight on Cro Cop. Nelson throws a few more punches that do not land and Cro Cop kicks him off and gets back to his feet and lands a left hand under the eye of Nelson. Cro Cop lands a body kick and a straight left and Nelson lands an overhand right that rocks Cro Cop for a moment and Cro Cop lands a left uppercut that backs off Nelson. Nelson is constantly closing the distance but Mirko throws a left hand as he is looking for that one punch to end the fight.

Round 2: Nelson lands a looping right hand and rushes in but Cro Cop lands another uppercut and Roy turns around but Cro Cop follows and lands a flurry of uppercuts and left hands to the body. Nelson gets away from the fence and his face is bloodied up. Cro Cop lands a high kick to the head but Nelson shakes it off. They engage in the clinch and Nelson takes him down and moves to side control. Nelson is trying to pin down Cro Cop’s left arm. He is using his weight on Mirko’s chest to pin him down. Nelson traps Cro Cop’s left arm in the crucifix position and lands a barrage of punches to the face with Cro Cop unable to defend but he survives the round.

Round 3: Straight left from Cro Cop and Nelson follows up with a looping overhand right and a straight hand that rocks Cro Cop as he backs up against the fence. Nelson lands a straight left that hurt Mirko as he falls to the ground and Nelson jumps on his back and lands punch after punch to Cro Cop’s face until the ref jumps in to stop the fight.

Winner: Roy Nelson by TKO at 1:30 of the 2nd round.

In the post-fight interview Cro Cop said this was his farewell fight and wanted to go out on a win. Says he was treated like a king by the “UFC Headquarters” and he apologized to the fans for not winning his final fight. The live crowd applauded him as he left the ring.

Matt Mitrione vs. Cheick Kongo – Herb Dean is the referee

Round 1: Both fighters are circling each other and with neither one throwing any punches with the fans starting to boo. Mitrione rushes in with an overhand right and Kongo wraps him up and pins him against the fence. Mitrione underhooks both of Kongo’s arms so he can’t do anything. The breaks them up and they restart in the center. Mitrione’s hands are really low and but he is the aggressor. Kongo throws a body kick but Mitrione catches it and kicks his legs from out underneath him but Kongo gets back up as the round closes and the fans boo.

Round 2: Mitrione connects with a left hand to open the round. Kongo lands three inside leg kicks and follows up with a straight right that Mitrione slips and avoids it. Mitrione is fainting a lot before he throws a punch as he is backing up Kongo throughout this round but no one has connected with a big shot. Mitrione lands an uppercut and Kongo moves out of the way to relax for a moment and Mitrione doesn’t follow up. Mitrione lands two leg kicks and leaping straight hand followed with an uppercut to close the round.

Round 3: Mitrione rushes in but Kongo lands an uppercut and pins him against seconds until he lands a big takedown with ease. They get to their feet but Kongo is control Mitrione by his waist and is landing knees to the back of the thigh and takes him down again. Kongo has side control and mixing elbows to the body and punches to the face. The ref is telling them to work as Kongo is having more difficulty landing anything of significance. Mitrione attempts to explode to get back up but Kongo uses his weight and hits him with shots to the body to end the round. By far the most action and most damage of the fight. Kongo won this round for sure by out wrestling Mitrione.

Winner: Cheick Kongo by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28

BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz – Josh Rosenthal is the referee

Round 1: Diaz pushes Penn against the fence and lands some shots with no real power behind them. He keeps his weight on him until BJ gets away and lands a stiff left hand to the jaw. BJ takes Diaz down and Diaz rolls out of it and BJ follows and it looks like they are wrapped in a small package. They get back up and Diaz lands some straight punches and BJ follows up with a left uppercut to the eye that hurts Diaz. Diaz’s hands are wide and low and connects a nicely timed right hand and BJ follows up with one of his own to end the round and Diaz shoulder checks BJ as he walks back to his corner.

Round 2: Diaz is talking trash to start the round and BJ answers with a right hand. Diaz pins BJ against the fence as they are both trading punches to the body as the crowd chants for BJ. Diaz has some damage on his right eye. Diaz tries to take him down and BJ sprawls and Diaz follows up with a knee to the body. Diaz landing a lot of short punches and follows up with a left hook to the body that hurt BJ. Diaz attempts a double leg takedown but BJ blocks and Diaz follows it up with a three-punch combo and Penn is hurt and backing away. Diaz is stalking Penn while landing at will. Diaz puts his hands up saying“What” as he continues to land at will to the body and head. BJ Penn’s face is busted up and he is tired. Diaz looks like he can go all day.

Round 3: Diaz starts the round with three straight left hands that land flush on BJ. Straight jab, right hook is the story of this round for Nick Diaz. BJ is trying to throw but Diaz keeps landing first. BJ lands a right hook to Diaz’s jaw but Diaz continues to stalk him and holds him against the fence. BJ keeps looking at the clock. BJ attempts a takedown but changes his mind and tries to land that one right-hand punch to end the fight. Both fighters and trading lefts and rights in the center of the cage and BJ lands a right hand but Diaz follows up with a straight left and head kick and Diaz grabs his BJ’s head with both arms in a clinch and lands knees to the body to end the round.

Winner: Nick Diaz by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-27, 29-28

Diaz was yelling in the camera, “I won that shit” repeatedly and during the post-fight interview, he called out Georges St. Pierre and said he doesn’t believe he is hurt. BJ Penn said this was probably the last time you will see him fight because he wants to perform at the top level and he has a daughter at home and another one on the way and he can’t go home to them “Looking like this” referring to the condition his face is in and his right eye being black and blue and closed shut.

Preliminary results:

Clifford Starks defeated Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision

– Francis Carmont defeated Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision

Ramsey Nijem defeated Danny Downs via unanimous decision
Brandon Vera defeated Elliot Marshall via unanimous decision 29-29 across the board
Bart Palaszewski knockouts Tyson Griffin at 2:44 in the 1st round
Donald Cerrone submits Dennis Siver with a rear-naked choke at 2:22 of the 1st round

UFC 137 Bonuses:

– Nick Diaz and BJ Penn won Fight of the Night

– Donald Cerrone won Submission of the Night

– Bart Palaszewski won Knockout of the Night

All four fighters will receive $75,000 each

UFC 137 Preview and Predictions

The bright lights of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will play host to a UFC event where the injury curse has come in waves as the main event has been changed for the third time as BJ Penn and Nick Diaz will battle for welterweight supremacy.

Continue reading “UFC 137 Preview and Predictions” →

Can A Short Guy Be Darth Vader For Halloween?

Halloween is one of the few days of the year when I can unleash my inner child and take a break from that responsible adult thing. The costume I choose is the key ingredient in this endeavor. I have been everything from a clown to Freddy Krueger.

My goal has always been to be Darth Vader. The problem is I’m not exactly the tallest tree in the woods. Before we continue, yes, I know this is not a Star Wars blog. However, the first Star Wars comic book was published on March 8^th, 1977, 79 days before the first movie was released, so there’s your connection, and besides, it’s my blog.

Darth Vader is my favorite science fiction character. I’ve often wished for the ability to force choke someone and have extended my arm in many a failed attempt to levitate the remote control. Vader’s influence has profoundly impacted my life, and all I want to do is pay homage to the dark lord of the Sith.

I gravitate towards the Star Wars section at the costume shop, and I always try on the Darth Vader mask with the special breathing sound effects. My wife always says, “Just do it,” when it’s so obvious what I am contemplating as I wield a plastic lightsaber in the aisle in a dignified manner while a five-year-old wearing a Boba Fett helmet looks at me like I’m the weirdo.

Friends have suggested I dress up as Yoda if I’m apprehensive about the height disparity. Hold the phone. I’m not an AT-AT, but I’m not an Ewok either. Truth be told, I have no quarrel with Yoda, as he and my dog share the same name. The few extra pounds I carry nowadays would make me look more like Slimer than the Jedi master himself.

I could always say I’m dressed as Lord Helmet or, better yet, Vader’s second cousin, Dark Vader. Maybe I will just man up and say, ‘HELL YEAH, I’M DARTH VADER.” It all depends; can a short guy really pull it off?

My Spider Dichotomy

I hate spiders. I always have, and the thought of them makes my skin crawl. Living in the Halloween capital of the world doesn’t make it any easier because I spend my October nights walking by large mechanical spiders hanging on every window. I have secretly used a fax cover sheet to push one near a co-worker, so they would have to kill it instead of me.

Sometimes, I need my wife to kill them on sight. I know, I know, but in my defense, I would totally take out a mouse or a rat she needed me to, so I think we are even. One time, my friends tried to trick me into seeing the movie “Eight Legged Freaks” under the guise of seeing “Attack of the Clones” in a hilariously twisted attempt to cure me of my phobia.

For some reason, I enjoy Spider-Man comic books more than most. I think he has the coolest costume, and I daydream about web-slinging from skyscraper to skyscraper when I visit New York City. Of course, I prefer the comic-inspired web-shooters as opposed to the organic webbing in the movies.

I’ve been writing a weekly comic book column for two months now, and I have been very impressed with the Spider-Man books as of late. One, in particular, had a ton of giant spiders, and I almost couldn’t finish reading it, but I persevered. I just don’t understand how I can enjoy this character much, even though the insignia on his back makes me want to spray Raid on him.

I should probably turn in my man card after all of this. I don’t think I will ever truly discover why I find myself emotionally vested in this character derived from the very thing I simply can’t abide. Maybe this is normal, or maybe I’m a special kind of crazy. In the end, I may never know.

All Guts & No Glory For Roode.

wm14 — Austin wins WWF belt at Wrestlemania 14

Remember when Stone Cold Steve Austin went over on Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 14? I remember because I was at the Fleetcenter that night. Wrestling fans all over the world rejoiced because the Austin 3:16 era had arrived. Now, imagine if Shawn Michaels had won that match and Austin pinned Shawn in the rematch at the following months Unforgiven pay-per-view? Can’t picture it? Well, let me paint it for you. The revitalization that occurred in professional wrestling because of the Attitude era would have never materialized.

Continue reading “All Guts & No Glory For Roode.” →

Is Bobby Roode Bound for Glory?

(Posted on Gerweck.net)

This Sunday, Bobby Roode will headline TNA’s signature event, Bound for Glory. He is set to face Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight title in what will be the most important match of his career. This is also one of the most important matches in the history of TNA because they have a rare opportunity to create a new star within the industry.

Continue reading “Is Bobby Roode Bound for Glory?” →

UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard III results

UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard III results 10/8/11

Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

– Facebook Prelims

Mike Massenzio defeated Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision

Aaron Simpson defeated Eric Schafer via unanimous decision. The score was 30-37 across the board

Darren Elkins defeated Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision

Stipe Miocic defeated Joey Beltran via unanimous decision

– Spike Prelims

Anthony Pettis defeated Jeremy Stephens via split decision. The score was 29-28 across the board

Demian Maia defeated Jorge Santiago via unanimous decision. The score was 30-27 across the board

– Main Card

Joe Lauzon defeated Melvin Guillard by submission via rear-naked choke @ 0:47 of 1st Round

Nam Phan defeated Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision. The score was 29-28 across the board

Chael Sonnen defeated Brian Stann by submission via arm triangle @ 3:51 of the 2nd Round

*Sonnen cut a promo after the bout saying “Anderson Silva absolutely sucks. Superbowl weekend, lets sweeten the deal. If you lose, you leave the division. If I win, I leave the UFC forever”.

-Featherweight Championship

Jose Also defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision to retain the title. The score was 49-46 across the board as Florian won the 1st round and Aldo won 4 close rounds.

-Lightweight Championship

Frankie Edgar defeated Gray Maynard via TKO due to strikes at 3:54 of the 4th round.

Gray Maynard won the first round in similar fashion as he won the first round in their second fight when Gray hit Edgar with a over hand right hand that rocked him. Frankie recovered and used slick footwork and got in and out with his punches. Maynard kept telegraphing his punches as he kept looking for that one knockout shot. Edgar finished Maynard in the 4th when he connect with two right hand shots after Maynard missed the takedown. Edgar jumped on him and kept hitting with shot after shot until Josh Rosenthal came in to stop the fight. Edgar was happy as can be while Maynard was devastated as he buried his face into the cage while his corner calmed him down.

UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Preview & Predictions

While UFC 136 does not have a marquee mega fight that will produce a lot of fan fare, it is the most well rounded card of the year as every fight is intriguing and well matched. Two title championship fights headline the card with the return of one of the most controversial fighters the sport has seen in years. The Facebook Prelims start 5:45 p.m. EST and the Spike TV Prelims start at 8:00 p.m. followed by the PPV beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Continue reading “UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Preview & Predictions” →

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Preview @ UFC 136

Chael Sonnen, the mouthpiece of the middleweight division, returns to the Octagon on Saturday night after a 14-month suspension to take on Brian Stann in a contest that will determine the next contender to Anderson Silva’s championship reign. For Stann, it’s a fight to show the world that he belongs among the middleweight elite.

For Sonnen, this is the first step towards silencing the critics that the fruits of his labor against Silva were the result of hard work and not the product of ill-gotten gains. The sub-par administration and lack of drug testing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will cast a shadow of doubt over a Sonnen victory. Chael’s flair for dramatic storytelling sells the bout while Brian Stann’s personal story of heroic combat and decorated military service sells itself to popular opinion.

The UFC stayed away from commission shopping for fighters, but they made a first-time exception for Sonnen since Texas is the only state in the country he can get licensed in. The Oregonian’s placement on this card suggests the promotion is banking on him to win. The reality is Zuffa wins no matter the outcome. A win for Sonnen sets up a huge money-making rematch and a win for Stann creates a new star in the division. Whether it is legal or in poor taste, you can’t blame the UFC for making a business decision, they would have done it sooner or later.

The promotion for this fight has been a little different since Sonnen has uncharacteristically shied away from insulting his opponent. Customary diatribe such as “I will mow you down like autumn wheat, AGAIN” in reference to Silva has been replaced by “I’m the best Middleweight fighter in the world and I’m going to prove it again on Saturday”. It’s easier to insult a world champion who some perceive to be cocky than a Marine Corps veteran with hero status.

The fight itself will prove to be a battle of wills inside the cage. Stann will try to engage with his stand up while Sonnen will look to control the action with his wrestling. Chael’s weakness is unquestionably his submission defense. Stann does not have the pedigree on the ground to catch him in a submission. He will have to avoid Sonnen’s mixture of punches and elbows from the top position and scramble back to his feet in quick fashion in order to improve his chances. In the end, wrestling will be the key factor, as I don’t see Sonnen having problems taking Stann down since he has no problem taking down higher caliber opposition.

Prediction: Chael Sonnen by judges decision.

Animal Man #1 Review

I finally read Animal Man #1. I often find Vertigo titles hard to read, so I held off on it. The book has generated a lot of hype, and many are calling it the best of The New DC 52.

The book starts with Buddy’s newspaper interview with “The Believer.” The piece highlights his life as a superhero, stuntman, and family man. It’s a text-heavy page, so it might be a turnoff. It’s not a critical read, but it might give you more appreciation or understanding of the character.

We then see Buddy at home preparing dinner with his wife, Ellen. His daughter, Maxine, wants a puppy, but Buddy says no because being so close to one animal for a long time might interfere with his powers.

He hates that he has to disappoint her, but he would rather err on the side of caution. Ellen wants to know if he will get paid for a movie project he is involved in. Cliff, his son, runs downstairs to tell Buddy about a man with a gun holding people hostage inside a hospital, and Buddy decides it’s time for Animal Man to swing back into action.

I would not want to see Travel Forman’s artwork in a Superman comic book, but it is perfect for this type of story. Jeff Lemire’s script is very well written, and he knows how to convey a character’s depth to the reader.

Bottom line, it’s good but just not my cup of tea. I need a little more action and adventure in my comics. I recommend Animal Man to anyone who is a fan of good writing and is looking for something different.