At one time, the UFC only had four weight classes under the Zuffa banner. Tonight’s card on FX ushers in an 8th division as the 125 lb weight class takes center stage. Fans will also be treated to a welterweight slug fest that will set some type of balance to a division in limbo as the next move of Carlos Condit and Georges St. Pierre is unknown.
Continue reading “UFC on FX 2: Alves vs. Kampmann Preview & Predictions”
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 | Writer: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Chris Samnee | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99
Brian Michael Bendis has done a masterful job of providing comic book fans with a feel good story that follows a character you love to cheer for.
Continue reading “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man # 7 Review”
UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson 2/25/12 (Coverage I provided for gerweck.net)
Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
– Prelim Results
Chris Cariaso defeated Takeya Mizugaki via judges decision. (The crowd heavily booed this decision)
Issei Tamura defeated Tiequan Zhang via knockout at 0:32 of Round 2
Steve Cantwell defeated Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision
Vaughan Lee over Kid Yamamoto via Armbar at 4:29 of the 1st Round (Yamamoto was heartbroken over the loss)
Takanori Gomi defeated TKO due to Strikes at 2:21 of Round 2
– Main Card
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Round 1: Pettis opened up with a kick to the body and lands a three punch combination. Lauzon misses with a left right combo and Pettis replied with a leg kick and left high kick to the head that dropped Lauzon and followed up with three hammer fists for good measure.
Winner: Anthony Pettis via TKO @ 1:21 of Round 1
Bart Palaszewski vs. Hatsu Hioki
Round 1: Hioki drops Palaszewski right away but Palaszewski pops right back up. Hioki controls the stand up for a few seconds until Palaszewski gets it to the ground and sinks in the guillotine choke but Hioki gets his head out. Hioki secures full mount and moves to side control. Hioki gets his back and attacks with an armbar and Palaszewski rolls over and to defend against it. Hioki regains the top position and lands heavy punches to close out the round.
Round 2: Both fighters circling with Hioki control the action while Palaszewski is starting to find his range. Hioki is connecting with double jab and follows up with a right leg kick. Palaszewski gets hit low but fights through it. Then both Palaszewski and Hioki hit each other low but fight through it. Hioki connects with a teep kick and shoot in for the takedown. Hioki gets his back and almost sinks in the choke but the round ends.
Round 3: Hioki clinches Palaszewski against the fence and they trade knees to the body until Hioki trips him for the takedown. Hioki is landing shots in Palaszewski’s half guard and moves to side control. He has Palaszewski’s head trapped and landing shot after shot while Palaszewski lands some knees to the body. Palaszewski gives up his back and Hioki gains over under control and is trying to sneak his arm under the chin. Hioki hammers away at the left side of Palaszewski’s body. Hioki locks him up with a body triangle and attempts a neck crank to end the round.
Winner: Hatsu Hioki via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Yushin “Thunder” Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Round 1: Okami is dictating the pace with jabs and power punches to the head. Boetsch shoots in for the takedown but Okami shakes it off. Boetsch switches his stance and connects with two body kicks and a right leg kick. Okami circles connects with two straight rights and throws a high kick but Boetsch moves out of the way. The round ends with Okami landing three more straight punches as he moves to the right to avoid a counter. Boetsch’s cheeks are cut up.
Round 2: Okami connects with two jabs and a knee to the body. Okami is completely relaxed while Boetsch can’t find an ounce of comfort. Okami clinches with Boetsch against the fence and throws a few knees and takes him down while Boetsch holds on to the guillotine but Okami gets out and passes the guard and a tired Boetsch who’s nose is bloody. Okami hammers away to the head on side control and transitions to a head and arm triangle but lets go. Okami attempts a straight arm Kimura but abandons it as he gains full mount and connects with lefts and rights to end the round.
Round 3: Okami’s corner told him in between rounds “If you want to finish him, go ahead. I trust you.” Boetsch just came out like an animal and connected with two punches that rocks Okami. Okami is looking to retreat as Boetsch clips him with a left hand, misses a right high kick and drops him with a right hand. He swarms over him and goes for broke with repeated shots until the ref steps in to call it. ONE OF THE BEST COMEBACKS EVER!
Winner: Tim Boetsch: TKO at 0:54 of the 3rd Round
Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Round 1: Shields has Akiyama against the fence and works for the takedown but no dice as both men return to the center of the cage. Akiyama seems to have no concern with Shields striking. Akiyama connects with an uppercut but loses his balance and Shields shoots in for the takedown but again, no dice. Both men fighting against the fence trading knees. Shields gets behind Akiyama and works for the takedown for a few seconds and Akiyama spins out of it while losing his mouth piece. Akiyama hits him with a straight punch and shoots in for a front judo trips that brings Shields to the mat. Shields gets right back up and peppers a few jabs to end the round.
Round 2: Shields looks uncomfortable on the feet as Akiyama connects with a right hand and follows up with a spinning back fist. Akiyama shuts down another takedown attempt and is really controlling this fight. Shields connects with a right leg kick but Akiyama is not effected one bit. Akiyama secures another judo trip and controls him for a few seconds and Shields gets back up and controls his back against the fence to end the round.
Round 3: Akiyama missed a high kick and Shields connects with a inside leg kick and body kick. Shields fails at another takedown attempts and throws him against the fence and peppers away at the body of Shields. Shields is landing more punches but they are doing nothing and his nose is busted. Shields finally takes Akiyama down but it lasted for two seconds but he has Akiyama pinned against the fence. Akiyama reverses him against the fence and the ref breaks it up for lack of action to restart the fight. Shields secures the takedown and Akiyama grabs the fence. Shields gets his hooks in and Akiyama grabs the fence again but nothing from the ref. Shields gets the back and hooks in again. and works for the rear naked choke to end the round.
Winner: Jake Shields via unanimous decision 30-27 across the board
Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
Round 1: Hunt lands a right leg kick but loses his balance and Kongo pins him against the fence. Hunt reverses it and pushes off to get the fight back to the center of the cage. Hunt lands a lead left hook to the and drops Kongo with another left hand but Hunt lets him get back up. Hunt is backing up Kongo lands and an over hand left that rocks Kongo and chases Kongo while landing four precise lefts to the head and follows up with a body shot as Kongo goes down. Lands a couple more punches and the ref stops the bout.
Winner: Mark Hunt via TKO at 2:11 of Round 1
Ryan “Darth” Bader vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Bader comes out to “Imperial March” from Empire Strikes Back while Rampage gets the pop of the night by walking out to the PRIDE theme. Remember, Rampage missed weight by weighing in @ 211 lbs and will forfeit 20% of his purse which goes to Bader.
Round 1: Rampage circles to the right and Bader connects with a over hand right and Rampage pushes him against the fence. Rampage pushes him off and Bader misses an over hand right. Bader throws another over hand right and pins Rampage against the fence. Bader is moving very fast in the clinch until Rampage lands an elbow and Bader backs off to the center of the cage. Bader faints a couple a left jabs and shoots for the takedown and misses an uppercut but retains upper body control. Bader lands a knee and Rampage puts his hand down on the mat so Bader can’t use knees. Rampage connects with a right hook to end the round.
Round 2: Bader opens up with some let kicks and body punches and pins him against the fence. Rampage gets double under hooks and Rampage scoops him and and lands a pro wrestling body slam that drops Bader on his left arm in a very awkward way. Bader got up and looked out of it while as Rampage misses a couple of punches. Bader shoots in and takes Rampage down and gains side control and hammers away on him while the fans boo. Rampage slowly crawls up the cage but Bader takes him down and Rampage pulls guard. Rampage gets to his feet and Bader waist locks him, lifts him up high and slams him down for good measure. Connects with some hard shots to the face to end the round.
Round 3: Rampage comes out head hunting and Bader pins him against and lands body shots in the clinch. Bader connects with a left hand as they break. Bader stuffs a takedown attempt from Rampage and Bader shoots in for and secures the takedown and lands in side control. Rampage pulls guard and Bader hammers away. Rampage gets up but gives up his back and Bader hoists him up and puts him down. Rampage pulls guard again and Bader passes and ends up in half guard. Bader landing some hard shots as the Japanese crowd voices their disapproval. Bader attempts a Kimura but the cage is in the way. Bader tries it again but Rampage gets free and pops right up and Bader gets a reverse guillotine choke to end the round.
Winner: Ryan Bader via unanimous decision 30-27 across the board
UFC Lightweight Championship
Frankie “The Answer” Edgar vs. Benson “Smooth” Henderson
Round 1: Henderson throws a right leg kick and Edgar catches it and backs him all the way across the cage while Henderson keeps his balance. Henderson goes for an enziguri and Edgar ducks and backs up. Henderson hits Edgar low and the champ shakes it off. Henderson lands a left hand as Edgar charges in. Edgar shoots in and takes him down but Henderson gets up and attempts a standing Kimura but fails and follows up with a spinning back hand that misses. Henderson goes for a fake low kick and swings for the high kick and misses and Edgar scores a few more punches to end the round.
Round 2: Edgar catches another leg kick and kicks the one leg Henderson is standing on and still can’t buckle him. Edgar connects with a double jab and Henderson counters with a right hook. Edgar is landing more punches but Henderson’s punches are harder. Edgar left eye is swelling up as he lands another left hook and Henderson shoots in but Edgar stuffs the takedown. Henderson is targeting the left eye as Edgar lands a leg kick and one, two combo. Henderson lands another right hand and Edgar shoots in and takes him down but lands in Henderson’s guard. Edgar is landing some hard shots and Henderson connects with a huge up kick that appears to have broken Edgar’s nose. Edgar is rocked and Henderson sinks in the guillotine choke but can’t finish as the round ends.
Round 3: Edgar lands a nice body head four punch combo and lands an over hand right as Henderson attempts to take him down. Henderson lands a knee to the body and Edgar counters with a right hook. Edgar lands a straight hand Henderson takes him down but Edgar pops right up and goes right down again. Edgar pops up again and breaks away. Henderson misses an upward elbow and Frankie lands a one, two punch combo and follows it up with an inside leg kick. Henderson lands two punches and misses a high kick and Edgar takes him down to end the round.
Round 4: Edgar lands an inside leg kick and misses a right high kick. Henderson connects with a double jab and misses a knee. Henderson faints a jab and throws a body kick and catches it low. Frankie catches a breather and the fight resumes and Edgar comes out with a leg kick and a right hand to the head. Edgar with another right hand and Henderson shoots in for the takedown and lands the guillotine and it’s tight. Frankie fights for it and escapes but Henderson again, attempts the standing Kimura on the way up. Edgar catches another leg kick but Henderson lands a knee to the body. Edgar misses a high kick and Henderson lands a kick to the body and takes him down briefly and Edgar catches another kick to the body on the way up and throws a four punch combo that misses to end the round.
Round 5: The crowd is on their feet for the start of the final round. Edgar catches another Henderson leg kick but misses a high kick and Henderson lands a straight right hand. Edgar comes back with a right uppercut and a big left to the head that Henderson shakes off. Edgar takes him down and gets his back but Henderson once again, attempts the standing Kimura and Edgar lets go. Henderson lands a huge right hand and throws a body kick but slips as Frankie catches his leg and Henderson gets away. Henderson lands a hard left hand and Frankie drops Henderson with a right hand and tries to get his back but Henderson gets up. Henderson lands a knee to the body. Edgar shoots for a takedown but Henderson catches in the guillotine choke but Frankie escapes and Henderson hammers away on him to end the round.
I would not want to be a judge in this fight but I have it a close 3 rounds to 2 in favor of Henderson.
Winner and NEW UFC Lightweight Champion: Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
Post Fight Interviews: Frankie Edgar feels he did enough to win the fight because he landed more punches and takedowns but those are the breaks. Joe Rogan asked him he is will move down to 145 lbs and Edgar replied “It’s too soon to make a decision.”
Ben Henderson is the third fighter to hold a WEC and UFC championship
UFC 144 Post Fight Press Conference Notes
Bonuses: $65,000 each
Fight of the Night: Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson
Submission of the Night: Vaughn Lee
KO of the Night: Anthon Pettis
– Rampage: “I’m not surprised I lost the fight. I injured my knee pretty bad and my doctor told me not to fight” Re-injured knee mid-fight
– Dana White says of Pettis’ title chances: “I think he’s gonna get it”
– Dane White on Tim Boetsch “The way Tim fought in the 3rd round is the way everyone should fight when they are down 2-0
– Ryan Bader admitted he was dazed after being slammed by Rampage
– Mark Hunt asked Dana White if he could fight next Saturday in Australia
– Dana White said he dosen’t want to comment on how close Hatsu Hioki is to a title shot at Jose Aldo
– Rampage said he used the PRIDE music because he wanted to cheer people up and because the Japanese fans are his favorite fans
– Frankie Edgar said he doesn’t want to take anything away from Ben but he feels he did enough to win those rounds
– Frankie Edgar’s response when asked about Pettis getting the next title shot “I’m not trying to shoot anyone out of anything they deserve, but I had to do two immediate rematches, so what’s right?”
– The media keeps asking Frankie Edgar about dropping to 145 lbs and he keeps telling him he is not thinking about that right now
– Tokyo Press asked Dana if Yoshihiro Akiyama will be cut after losing four in a row and Dana said himself, Joe Silva and Lorenzo Fertitta will get together and make a decision.
– Dana White paid Takeya Mizugaki his win bonus after his controversial decision loss to Chris Cariaso
(column I wrote for gerweck.net)
It took eleven years, two months and eight days for the Ultimate Fighting Championship to make the journey back to Japan. This is Zuffa’s first foray into the land of the rising sun and they endured numerous cultural, political and criminal road blocks along the way that stemmed from their acquisition of Pride back in 2007. The MMA market in Japan is a cracked shell of what it once was as its glory days when the grandest events and the best fights on the planet took center stage. Fans are used to their MMA events encompassing a professional wrestling atmosphere. Dana White has gone on record stating there will be no mention of Pride or any hint of theatrical spectacle to UFC 144. This is the time for the company to introduce a new business model that, hopefully, a new generation of MMA enthusiasts will latch on to. This Saturday we will be treated to 4 hours and 7 fights on pay-per-view instead of the usual three and five.
Continue reading “UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson Preview & Predictions”
“The following athletes were tested: Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Koscheck, Renan Barao, Ed Herman, Dustin Poirier, Max Hollaway, Matt Riddle, Henry Martinez, Edwin Figueroa, Alex Caceres, Matt Brown, Chris Cope, Rafael Natal, Michael Kuiper, Stephen Thompson and Dan Stittgen. All results received thus far have been negative, except Mr. Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites. A complaint for disciplinary action against Mr. Diaz has been filed.“
This is the second time Nick Diaz has tested positive for Marijuana in the state of Nevada. The first time was on 2/24/07 when Diaz defeated Takanori Gomi via submission. The victory was changed to a no contest when Diaz’s drug test came back positive for Marijuana. Diaz is currently not licensed to fight in the state of California due to skipping out on a pre-licensing drug test thus, canceling a Strikeforce title fight against Jay Herion. Diaz was quoted in a 2009 edition of the Los Angeles Times saying “I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers,” “I drink 10 pound of water and sweat out 10 pounds of water every day.”
He no-showed several press conferences leading up his October title fight against GSP. The UFC removed him from the bout as punishment for not fulfilling his contractual obligations to promote the fight. This drug test renders Nick Diaz a liability to the sport. Millions all over the world want to see Diaz fight. He should be a millionaire by now and fans all over the world will never get to see him in he mega bouts because he can’t put the blunt down. This is his second offense and that usually carries a 12 month suspension. In my opinion, he is unreliable as a professional fighter and the UFC should just release him.
Red Lanterns #6 | Writer: Peter Milligan | Art: Ed Benes, Diego Bernard & Rebecca Buchmann | Colors: Nathan Eyring | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $2.99
British professor Jack Moore has dealt with a lifetime of torment and ridicule. He buried his anger, thinking he could keep his feelings in line. Things change for Mr. Moore as the instrument of rage selects him and begins a harrowing transformation of the mind, body, and perhaps, soul. Moore tries his best to fight it as a tidal wave of awful memories floods his mind.
Reminders of the past begin to chip away at his consciousness until Jack realizes he can no longer control himself as he’s encountered the one thing that can make him the monster he hid from everyone: A Red Lantern ring.
Meanwhile, Atrocitus and Bleez fight each other for leadership of the Red Lanterns as many of the Lanterns watch on, rooting for one over the other.
The crux of the story is Moore’s emotional struggle as the power ring plays the devil’s role on the shoulder, telling him to embrace the hate.
There was nothing special or bad about the artwork as it did a great job orchestrating Milligan’s script. It is detrimental to our mental health to keep things bottled inside because eventually, you will snap.
The red ring was drawn to Moore like a moth to a flame, and the end result produces the first human Red Lantern.
Grade: A-
Prelims
Stephen Thompson defeated Dan Stittgen via switch kick KO at 4:13 of Round 1
Rafael Natal defeated Michael Kuiper via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Matt Riddle over Henry Martinez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Brown beat Chris Cope via knockout at 1:19 of the 2nd Round
Edwin Figueroa defeated Alex Caceres via split decision (28-27, 27-28, 28-27) Caceres lost 2 points due to two low blows he landed.
Dustin Poirier defeated Max Holloway via submission in the 1st Round
Main Card
Ed Herman defeated Clifford Starks by submission via rear-naked choke at 1:43 of Round 2
Renan Barao defeated Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision 30-27 across the board
Josh Koscheck defeated Mike Pierce via split decision 28-29, 29-28, 29-28
Fabricio Werdum def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision 30-27 across the board. (Werdum displayed improved striking that kept Nelson at bay)
Carlos Condit defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 to become the UFC Interim welterweight title.
After the bout Nick Diaz said about the loss
“I’ve not going to accept the fact that this is a loss,” Diaz said. “I pushed him back the whole fight, I walked him down, and I was the guy on top.
“You guys pay me a ton, but I don’t think I’m getting enough to keep going on. … I don’t need this shit. I pushed this guy back the whole fight. … I don’t want to play this game anymore.”
Fight Bonuses $65,000 each.
Fight of the Night: Nelson vs. Werdum
Submission of the Night: Dustin Poirier
KO of the Night: Stephen Thompson
My thoughts:
I was a close decision that will be disputed by some. I scored the fight 48-47 for Nick Diaz with him winning rounds 1,2 and 5 and Carlos Condit winning rounds 3 and 4. Condit usually fights for the finish but after the the second round he realized the only chance to win is to become a point fighter. He also looked shocked when his name was announced which tells the story. Judge Junichiro Kamijo gave Carlos Rounds 1,3 & 4 while judges Patricia Morse-Jarman & Cecil Peoples gave Condit Rounds 1,2,4 & 5. Another Greg Jackson play it safe fencing match gets the win but fans lose as it wasn’t the war we hoped for. It will be interesting to see who Gregg Jackson chooses to corner when Condit fights GSP in November.
Fight-Metric stats:
Condit out-struck Diaz in the fight by a 159-117 count overall, and a 151-105 number in “significant strikes.
In strikes to the head and body, Diaz landed 111 to Condit’s 91.
In strikes to the legs, it was Condit 68, Diaz 6.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship continues their Superbowl weekend tradition to provide MMA fans with a memorable encounter. Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz will unquestionably set the Mandalay Bay Event Center on fire with action and excitement as the sport’s top welterweight fighters will go to war at UFC 143. It’s a tale of two fighters who couldn’t be more different outside the cage and harness the same killer instinct inside the cage. Nick Diaz perfectly put this fight into perspective when he stated “You’re more in danger of losing a decision to St-Pierre; you’re more in danger of losing your teeth to Condit”
Continue reading “Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit Preview & Predictions”
Batman #5 | Writer: Scott Snyder | Art: Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion | Colors: FCO | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $2.99
One of the great things about being a comic book fan is when you find the perfect book that completely captivates your attention from beginning to end.
Comic book nirvana has arrived as Scott Snyder puts Batman through the wringer in a story with the Dark Knight battling his own sanity. Bats has been trapped in a dark labyrinth by the Court of Owls for eight days without food, water, or rest. He hasn’t bathed or shaved, his costume is torn up, and the white left eyepiece is missing from his mask.
The missing eyepiece is excellent because it allows us to see Batman’s true emotions as he faces unspeakable peril. Over the years, I always wondered if a punch or a kick hurt more than he let on or how horrified he was, if at all, when he examined a crime scene.
At one point, the lights inside the labyrinth are turned on, and a stylish Owl-shaped water fountain is revealed. Knowing it’s drugged, Batman drinks the water without hesitation. The mind games begin to take shape as secrets are revealed, and the horror is unleashed.
As you read the book, you come to a page layout where you have to turn the book left-side up to make sense of it all. When you turn from that layout, the next page is upside down, which looks like a mistake.
You naturally turn it right-side up to examine the page, thinking you are correctly holding the book again. As you continue to read, it takes you a minute to realize that you’re reading the previous pages repeatedly, thus experiencing and sharing Batman’s mental madness.
The ingenuity of it all was simple and brilliant. The artwork is almost in sync with the story, more than any other comic book I have read in quite some time. Even this early in the year, Snyder’s number 5 has all the makings to be the single best issue of the year.
Grade: A+
(Coverage I provided at gerweck.net)
UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller
Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
Color Commentators: Jon Anik & Kenny Florian
– Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft (Referee: Herb Dean)
Round 1
Pat Barry throws a leg kick and but Morecraft catches it and takes him down. Morecraft is on top and is working for the rear naked choke. Barry turns away and gets back to his feet and lands three stiff jabs. Morecraft ate a few leg kicks as he attempts to shoot for thetakedown. Morecraft shoots again and takes him down and ends up on top in the full mount. He works for a head and arm choke but Barry escapes and Morecraft lands an arm bar but Barry steps over to the right and escapes. Barry misses a head kick and Morecraftthrows a left hook and Barry slips it to land a right hook that drops Morecraft. Jumps on him to land three more punches and Morecraftis out and the ref steps in to call it.
Winner: Pat Barry via KO @ 3:38 of the 1st round.
Pat Barry said during the post fight interview that he knows everyone says James Toneyis his BJJ coach but he proved he can escape submissions and he is here to put on a show. Barry also gave a shout out to all the plankers out there.
– Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian (referee Mario Yamasaki)
Round 1
There is some bad blood coming from Easton in the pre fight interview. He says he is going to make Papazian’s UFC debut a debacle. This bantamweight fight is under way and Easton runs to the center of the cage and they are not wasting anytime and swinging for the fences while tied in the clinch. Easton holds Papazian against the fence but Papazian sinks the under hooks and reverses Easton. They continue to land punches and knee in the thai clinch against the fence. The ref breaks it up and they restart in the center. Papazian is keeping him at bay with jabs while Easton is looking for his range with combinations. Easton misses a spinning back kick and eats a left hand for his trouble. Easton lands a thunderous leg kick and they trade punches once again in the thai clinch to close the round.
10-9 Papazian
Round 2
Papazian lands two straight right hands and Easton took it like it was nothing and lands a leg kick. Papazian is circling away from Easton’s power but Easton lands a nice left hook. Easton is control the cage while Papazian is looking for an uppercut. Easton lands another leg kick and a nice right hand and pins Papazian against the fence. Papazian reverses while lands some knees to the body. The fans boo andYamasaki breaks it up right away to restart the fight in the center. Easton uses a three punch combo to get Papazian against the fence and secures the takedown. Easton peppers away at Papazian while in half guard until Papazian gets back to his feet. The round ends with Easton stuffing a Papazian takedown and winds up on top to land a few more punches.
10-9 Easton
Round 3
The competitiveness fight this fight is pretty good as both fighters are keeping a non stop pace. They trade some punches in the center of the cage until Easton pushes Papazian against the fence and Easton lands a knee as the ref breaks up the fight for a restart. Papaziansays the last knee hit him low and takes a few seconds to rest. The fight continues and both men are trading punches back and forth in the clinch. Easton has found his range while Papazian is finding the mark with the uppercutt on the inside. Man, these guys are fighting in close and only using a small amount of the octagon. Easton lands several leg kicks and drops Papazian with a right hand but Papazianpops right back up but looks stunned. They clinch and Papazian gains control against the cage. Easton escapes and they trade back and forth, again, for the last 30 seconds. This will be a tough fight to score.
Easton 10-9
Winner Mike Easton via majority decision 29-28, 30-27, 29-29
Easton in the post fight interview says he knew Papazian was tough and he knows he has a lot to work. Says he will continue to work his way up to prove he belongs in the UFC.
– Duane Ludwig vs. Josh Neer (referee Josh Rosenthal)
Round 1
Ludwig caught Neer with a right hand as he came forward but Neer secures a bodylock and works for the takedown. Ludwig avoids thetakedown and hits Neer with another right hand and follows up with a knee to the body and Neer is hurt but signals to the ref that he lost his mouth piece. Fight stops. Ref inserts mouth piece and we resume. Neer eats some serious shots until Neer shoots for a high single and takes him down. Ludwig tries to create some distance with his legs and Neer jumps into his guard. Ludwig tries to get back to his feet but Neer sinks and locks up a high elbow guillotine choke. The ref checks Ludwig’s right arm and he is out and the ref calls it.
Winner Josh Neer via submission at 3:04 of the first round.
Neer said in the post fight interview that he wanted to stand and trade more but Ludwig was getting the better of him and he had to look for the takedown. Says his biggest strength is that he doesn’t like to lose and will to whatever it takes to win. This is Neer’s second straight win in the welterweight division and will fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him.
They air a video package hyping UFC PRIMETIME featuring an inside look at Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit at UFC 143 on 2/4/12. Jon Anikinterviews Dana White about the primetime series and White says they are two completely different people outside the cage but the same exact person inside the cage. White says Diaz is a fighter who truly wants to do nothing but fight and is looking to finish you.
Main Event
– Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller (referee Herb Dean)
Pre-fight interview hype, Miller says there is not a guy on the planet he can’t finish when he fights at his best and Guillard guarantees he is going to finish Miller. Miller comes out to “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Melvin gets the lights out superstar entrance treatment and “Fire Breazze” by Al Bizzare is his entrance music of choice.
Tale of the Tape
Age:
Miller 28
Guillard 28
Height:
Miller 5’8
Guillard 5’9
Weight:
Miller 155 lbs
Guillard 156 lbs
Reach:
Both 71
Round 1
Guillard misses two flying knees and drops Miller with a left hook. Miller presses forward and with a takedown attempt but Guillard uses his power to stop the take down and lands another knee and right hand. Miller pushes Guillard against the fence but can’t take him down. Guillard pushes him off and lands a right hand down the pipe and goes for another flying knee but Miller catches him and takes him down. Guillard fights back to his feet but Miller is still on on his back with his hooks in. Miller takes away Guillard’s balance and Miller cranks Guillard’s neck and moves it enough to get his forearm under the chin for the choke and Guillard taps out.
Winner: Jim Miller via RNC @ 2:04 of the 1st round
Post fight interview: Miller says Melvin is tough and there are a lot of people in lightweight and “the other division” who don’t want to fight him. Says he is the most dangerous lightweight in the world and is ready to prove it against anyone. Also asks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers for his nephew (son of UFC middleweight Dan Miller) who is going through medical issues.
– Nick Denis vs. Joseph Sandoval (referee Josh Rosenthal)
Round 1
They air the first prelim from earlier in the night and Denis opens with some combinations. Sandoval fires back but take a few punches for his trouble. They are tied up in the clinch and Denis unleashed and plethora of elbows and Sandoval is out cold before he hits the ground.
Winner: Nick Denis via KO at 0:22 of the 1st round.
– Ariel Helwani interviews Pat Barry in the locker room and Barry says wrestling and BJJ will always be his weakness. Also says that everyone thinks the Deathclutch is done since Brock Lesnar retired but they are wrong and Deathclutch is moving forward.
– Ariel Helwani interviews Josh Neer and Ariel informs Neer that Ludwig said he spit his mouth piece out on purpose. Neer denies it and says he fought for 30 seconds after the mouth piece fell out. Says he is not going to call anyone out but he wants his next fight to be against a tough veteran.
– Prelim results
Daniel Pineda beat Pat Schilling via RNC @ 1:37 of Round 1
Fabricio Camoes beat Tommy Hayden via RNC @ 4:03 of Round 1
Charlie Brenneman over Daniel Roberts via unanimous decision
Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Kamal Shalorus via RNC @ 2:08 of Round 3
Jorge Rivera defeated Eric Schafer via TKO due to strikes @ 1:31 of Round 2. (Rivera announced his retirement from MMA before the fight and will go out with a win)
Bonuses $45,000 for each fighter
Fight of the Night: Barry vs. Morecraft,
Submission of the Night: Jim Miller
Knockout of the Night: Nick Denis
$45,000 for each fighter
RingsideLogic.com 