Goodnight from the Playboy Mansion
Thank you for reading the Press-Telegram's coverage of Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion. Goodnight from Beverly Hills, Calif.
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Thank you for reading the Press-Telegram's coverage of Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion. Goodnight from Beverly Hills, Calif.
The main event has Gilbert Melendez vs. Tetsuji Kato in a 155 pound match.
Melendez wastes little time going for a let of Kato but can't get the take down. Kato fights free and both fighters are in the neutral position. Melendez hits Kato with a short left that stuns him enough to allow Melendez to land a hard right and put Kato down. Melendez begins to pound Kato but can't get a pound game going. Melendez gets enough daylight to hammer home punches, but it is still not enough. Eventually Kato with stands that and both fighters are standing again.
Chants of "El Nino" for Melendez begin in round 2. Both fighters exchange a series of strikes to each other, but nothing has hurt either fighter. Kato now has a cut over his right eye. Melendez has been in control of this round forcing Kato back.
Melendez begins the final round with a two-leg take down. Melendez lands some ineffective strikes and Kato again makes it to his feet. Melendez is able to jab Kato back. Kato is able to get away from the jab and score a take down of his own. However, Melendez is able to fight his way out. The round ends with both fighters standing.
Melendez wins the fight in a unanimous decision, 30-27 on all three cards.
Eugene Jackson vs. Joe Riggs meet in this 185-pound matchup
Riggs catches Jackson with a hard right and backs him up. Eventually, Riggs scores the take down. Jackson gives up his back and for the next 30 seconds fights out of a rear naked choke followed by an arm bar. Riggs is still too much and score another take down and begins to pound the head of Jackson. However Jackson survives that for a while before Riggs is finally able to put him away with the referee stopping the bout at 3:56 of the first round.
Josh Thomson vs. Adam Lynn meet in this 155-pound match
Both fighters lock up to the begin the match and Thomson is able to get a standing take down but Lynn quickly recovers to his feet and again they are tied up. Thomson has been able to land some knees to the mid section of Lynn while locked up. Time is called for an incidental low blow to Thomson to allow him to recover. As both fighters are in the neutral position, Thomson lands a strong right that floors Lynn. Thomson wastes no time and strikes Lynn until the referee is forced to call the fight at the 4:45 point of the first round.
This 155 pound match up has Billy Evangelista vs. Clint Coronel
Evangelista has Coronel backing up at the start of the match, but it doesn't mean the Coronel is not landing his share of punches. Evangelista is keeping Coronel back with his kicks however there is a cut over the right eye of Evenagelista. Coronel seems to have this round do to him landing punches.
The second round begins with Coronel able to land some punches to the head of Evangelista. More than a minute in both fighters throw a hail of punches with neither fighter getting a better position out of it. Both fighters are giving each other their best shots and there is still no advantage as the round ends.
It appears that Coronel is talking to Evangelista to begin the third round. After a series of punches, Coronel says something to Evangelista. It looks like Coronel is looking to counter attack a series of punches. And out of nowhere Evangelist scores a two leg take down on Coronel that has him on his back. Coronel is doing his best to prevent Evangelista from getting a better strike position by mixing it up close. Coronel finally fights out with 15 seconds left in the round and match ends.
Evangelista wins the match by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29).
Matt Lee vs. Jorge Masvidal meet in this 155 pound match up
Both fighters are looking for their open spot and early on it appears that Lee is the aggressor but Masvical scores a double leg takedown. Lee stands up and gets meet with strikes to the head and a strong right elbow is enough to floor Lee. Masvical continues to strike until the referee stops the fight at mark 1:33 of the first round.
This 205 pound match up has Bobby Southworth vs. Bill Mahood
Both fighters lock up with Mahood against the fence. Southwood gets a single leg takedown and has Mahood on his back and strikes. Then all of a sudden Southwood yells out "Tap! Tap!" The referee stops the fight and asks Mahood what the problem is and Mahood motions towards his ribs as the doctors enter the ring. The fight is stopped due to Mahood's tap out from strikes at the 1:15 mark of the first round.
Falaniko Vitale vs. Ron Fields meet in this 195 pound matchup
Both fighters lock up with Fields getting better position to throw knees. But Vitale is able to withstand that and score a double leg take down. Vitale continues his assult with a series of punches to the head and body of Fields. Fields is doing his best to stop the pummling but he still has yet to find it and taps out due to strikes at the 3:02 mark of the first round.
Heavyweights Daniel Puder vs. Richard Dalton are the fifth fight of the night
Dalton went right at Puder to start the match with a wild right punch that glances of Puder. The attack sets up Puder for a guillotine choke and for most of the first round, Dalton is just trying not to get the hold sniched up anymore. Dalton breaks free after a while and both fighters lock up against the fence. Punder again locks in a guillotine but cannot get any leverage to make the move effective. Dalton is able to get a hold of Puder's leg and gains a takedown with 30 seconds left in the fight and that is where the round ends.
The second round begins the same way the first began with a guillotine choke from Puder, but this time Dalton is able to counter with a double leg take down. Dalton is unable to do anything and the referee stands both fighter up. As both fighter seperate, Dalton appears to slip, and Puder jumps on top of Dalton's back. Puder works his way towards the head of Dalton, but Puder gets to high and eventually Dalton gets loose. Dalton attempts to end the round with a single leg takedown, but it is blocked by Puder.
Both fighters lock up to start the third round and Puder locks Dalton against the fence and knees the body and stomps the feet of Dalton. Both fighter eventually break fee of each other, but again lock up. After another break, Dalton finally lands some punches that knock Puder to the fence. Puder eventually recovers and both fighters end the match locked up.
Puder wins on all three fight cards 30-27 to reamin undefeated in six fights.
The fourth fight of the night has light heavyweights Dewey Cooper vs. Adam Smith
Both fighters exchange strikes but nothing has done any damage and neither fighter looks to be going for a take down. It was an uneventful round with Cooper being the aggressor causing Smith to move back for most of the round.
The second round starts with Cooper going for a kick to the head of Smith, but is caught and Smith pushed Cooper back on one leg eventually taking him down. Smith is unable to keep the pressure on and Cooper breaks free. However The fight has slowed down to a mat match and now Smith appears to be a better ground fighter. After long lock up, the referee stands up both fighters and the match ends in the neutral position.
Smith is able to get a take down but Cooper rolls through to escape to start the third and final round. Cooper nails Smith that causes Smith to step back, but Cooper is unable to take the advantage. Smith then scores a take down again. Both fighters are unable to do anything on the ground and the referee comes to break up the fight. Smith ends the round by taking down Cooper as the round ends.
Cooper wins the match by unanimous split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27).
Middleweights Eddie Millis vs. Daniel McWilliams
Millis tries to go for a takedown but is caught in a guard by McWilliams and eventually overpowers Millis down. Milis gets a reversal and goes for a leg lock but McWilliams is able to get out and locks in a rear naked choke to get Millis to tap out at 2:05,
The second of 12 fights on the night has Luke Stewart vs. Sam Liera with both fighters coming in at 169 pounds.
Stewart goes for a big kick early, but slips on the mats and takes a hard shot from Liera. Stewart quickly recovers and scores a takedown for the advantage. Both fighters reverse position while on the mat. Liera clenches Stewart close to his body making it hard for Stewart to land strikes. But Stewart breaks loose and begins to rain punches on Liera. The referee is giving Liera a chance to break out of it, but he can't as Stewart's knees have Liera pinned down and true to his word, the referee stops the fight at the 3:40 mark of the first round.
Welcome to the Press-Telegram's coverage of Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. The first match of the night is between 135 pounder's Anthony Figueroa vs. Miguel Linares.
Both fighters feel each other out to start the first round. When both fighters lock up, Figueroa is able to strike faster and hard than Linares who has no where else to go but down. Figueroa continues his strikes on the ground forcing the official to stop the fight at 2:09 of the first round.
First off, let me apologize for the lack of coverage on this blog last night.
We at the Press-Telegram try to provide live coverage of MMA events whenever possible. However, due to technical difficulties, we were unable to update the fights as they happened.
It was, however, a great night of action. Two great fights; two very good fights; and one better-than-expected performance. So, click the link below and we'll get started on my thoughts on UFC 76: Knockout.
In non-televised action:
Michihiro Omigawa vs. Matt Wiman
Wiman wins unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28. -- It was an impressive performance by Wiman. Omigawa was the stronger fighter early, and I had him winning the first round in large part due to his guillotine attempt putting Wiman in early trouble. Omigawa started the second off strong, forcing the action, but Wiman came on strong and stole the round with a takedown. The third round saw Wiman dominate the action with punches and kicks. Omigawa looked beat up in the face, while Wiman did three pushups right after the horn sounded to end the fight.
Scott Junk vs. Christian Wellisch
Wellisch forces Junk to tap out in the first round with a heel-hook submission. -- Junk started off as the aggressor with wild haymakers and a couple of knees. But Wellisch landed a pair of knees of his own and caught Junk in the submission for the win.
Diego Saraiva vs. Jeremy Stephens
Stephens wins unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27. -- Highlight of the show thus far was Stephens countering Saraiva's triangle choke attempt with a "Rampage"-like power bomb. Saraiva held on and Stephens delivered another, albeit not quite as effective as the first. The last two rounds were kind of a letdown after the hot start, but Stephens did enough to earn an easy decision.
Anthony Johnson vs. Rich Clementi
Clementi forces Johnson to tap out in the second round with a rear-naked choke. -- This was a battle between an experienced fighter with nearly 50 fights in Clementi and a young, up-and-coming fighter in Johnson, who was fighting his fifth bout of his career. Chalk one up to experience. Johnson scored a knockdown in the first round, but Clementi seemed more effective. Clementi seemed to wear down Johnson in the second, got his back and sunk in a choke for the win.
Pay-per-view fights:
Thiago Tavares vs. Tyson Griffin
Griffin wins unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28. -- After a so-so first round in which Griffin seemed to have the edge, the action picked up a lot in Round 2. Griffin landed several hard shots, while Tavares worked more toward submissions. Highlight of the round was when Tavares was on Griffin's back. Griffin stood and then dropped sideways, landing Tavares on his head and allowing Griffin to escape the choke attempt. The third round saw both men look tired and Tavares had a nasty black eye. Griffin seemed more aggressive, though, forcing the action. Lots of grappling early on. Tavares had a late takedown but it was too little, too late.
Lyoto Machida vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Machida wins unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27. -- I leaned over and told my co-worker that this was the "popcorn fight," meaning this is the fight that the fans get up and go get their popcorn before the marquee fights start. The worry going in was that Machida's style may turn this into a boring fight, but he was more aggressive than he had been of late and turned in a solid performance against the more experienced Nakamura to improve his record to 11-0.
Diego Sanchez vs. Jon Fitch
Fitch wins split decision, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28. -- Sanchez looked in great shape and showed more energy before the horn than his entire fight with Koscheck. The staph infection appears to be behind him. One thing I also noticed was Fitch is noticably bigger than Sanchez, which ended up playing a big part in the outcome. Sanchez seemed intent on taking the fight to the ground, which was curious given Fitch's wrestling background. Once the fight went to the ground, Fitch used his superior size to control Sanchez and keep his back on the mat. I didn't think Fitch did much with his positioning, while Sanchez stayed busy from the bottom and worked several submission attempts. In the third round, Sanchez nearly ended the fight with a triangle choke, but Fitch was able to twist his way out of it. Before the decision was announced, I wondered what would be rewarded more: Body positioning or near submissions. We got our answer.
Sanchez was booed mercilessly by the fans during his postfight interview and I don't understand it. He was a class guy who admitted that Fitch won the fight and that he still had some work to do to get back in the win column. The Anaheim crowd was VERY fickle last night.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
Griffin forces Rua to tap out with a rear-naked choke in third round. -- A tremendous fight. Griffin looked huge, compared to Rua. This bout had it all. Exciting standup, exciting ground game, a raucous crowd. Griffin seemed to get the better of things in Round 1, but a Rua elbow in Round 2 split Griffin's forehead open and blood began to flow. Griffin seemed to wear out Rua in the final round and the fact that he was able to finish Rua was amazing. I'm going to say this was more Griffin winning it than Rua losing it. The TUF 1 champion has looked like a more mature fighter since losing to Keith Jardine, fighting a more patient fight. The other impressive thing about Griffin, who's known for his standing skills, is his ability to avoid staying on the mat, even against the most skilled of oppnents. Tito Ortiz couldn't keep him down, and neither could Rua. Griffin may be in line for a title shot against "Rampage." It'll be interesting to see what UFC has in mind for Rua, who looked like a beaten man walking out of the Octagon.
Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine
Jardine wins split decision, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. -- This fight went as expected ... and it was also completely unexpected. Liddell came out and seemed on his game in the first round, and landed some heavy shots on Jardine. But Jardine landed the punch of the fight in Round 2, dropping Liddell with an overhand right to the jaw. Liddell got right back up and seemed to do enough to put himself back into contention to win the round. Jardine was cut over his right eye and his left ear was bloody and swollen. That HAS to be painful. The third round saw Jardine as the busier fighter and I even began to wonder if Liddell had broken his hand or a rib, because he was curiously inactive. I gave the third round to Jardine easily. Jardine won the fight due to the knockdown in the second round.
The crowd seemed in the mood to boo everything, the decision, Jardine and even Liddell, who did not take part in the post-fight interview.
Well, the first excellent news of the night comes when Mike Goldberg reveals that tonight's event will be commercial free! Other than the little "SPIKE" logo in the upper right-hand corner of my TV screen (and the extra $40 in my pocket next month), this really will feel like a pay-per-view event.
Wait ... there's a commercial for the upcoming season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which starts Sept. 19. Goldberg lied! Where's Fedor? I want Goldberg put in a submission hold ASAP for getting my hopes up, then dashing them. Yes, there's a chance I may have misheard what he said but, well, then I'd be at fault and that's just not possible.
For those following along, I'll be updating my thoughts on the fight in the extended entry. Refresh the page every once in a while to see my updates. Enjoy and make sure to leave comments!
Light heavyweights
Houston Alexander (7-1) vs. Alessio Sakara (15-5, 1 NC)
Round 1 - Well, that didn't take long. Alexander fed Sakara a vicious standing knee to the face and then pounded out a TKO win just one minute into the fight. Not much to that fight. Alexander looks like he could be a contender down the road (I think he still looks a little stiff), but at 35-years-old, he better hurry before he hits the wall.
So much for no commercials ...
Welterweights
Paul Taylor (8-1-1) vs. Marcus Davis (17-4)
Round 1 - Wow, what a fight! Marcus Davis should get two victories added to his record for the amount of heart he showed. A little over a minute into the round, Taylor dropped Davis with a Gonzaga-like kick to the head and looked like he was going to pummel his way to a win. But Davis survived, held on and eventually got top position and looked like HE was going to pummel his way to a win. Taylor was able to buck him off, but Davis slipped an armbar onto Taylor and it was over. Great fight.
Decision: Two judges had it 29-28 for Bisping, the other judge 30-27 for Hamill. It's scoring disparities like that are why the sport needs trained judges.
I'm a big fan of "The Ultimate Fighter" series, and I have to say the upcoming season looks outstanding. I've often wondered how much the damage done to that house each season costs UFC. Some of that chaos reminds me of deadline at the Press-Telegram during high school football season!
Heavyweights
Mirko Cro Cop (22-5-2) vs. Cheick Kongo (20-3-1)
Round 1 - Interesting round. I was curious to see if Cro Cop would be tentative at all, considering the devastation of his last loss. He looked good and seemed a little more comfortable inside a cage, using it to his advantage on the takedown. I'd give the round to Cro Cop.
Round 2 - Excellent round for Kongo, who came out and backed down the normally-stalkerish Cro Cop. I thought it was curious that Kongo took the fight to the ground, where, while he looked improved, he still looks very awkward. When the fight went back standing, Kongo landed some Anderson Silva-like knees to Cro Cop's midsection. Cro Cop didn't look nearly as confident as he did the first five minutes and I thought Kongo won this round rather easily. Looks like the winner of the next five minutes will decide it.
Round 3 - More of the same as the second round. Kongo looked strong, while Cro Cop looked tentative. Kongo received a warning for low blows, but he was dominating before he landed them. With all of Cro Cop's outside interest (Croatian police, government) it wouldn't shock me at all if this was the last time we see him competing in MMA. He's clearly not the same fighter. Let's wait for the official decision.
Decision: All three judges scored it 29-28 in favor of Kongo. Definitely the right decision. Cro Cop's legend loses a bit more luster.
Light heavyweights
Michael Bisping (14-0) vs. Matt Hamill (5-0)
Round 1 - Opening round went nothing like I expected. I underestimated Hamill's size as he looks markedly bigger than Bisping. Hamill's striking isn't pretty, but when his hands land, they're awfully effective. Bisping has to hope Hamill will wear down as the fight goes on. Bisping seemed to come on as the round closed, but Hamill finished strong and won the round on my card.
Round 2 - Closer round, really could go either way. Hamill took Bisping down early and I thought that was great strategy ... IF he could've kept him there. Dominate the first round standing, dominate the second on the ground. But Bisping was able to get back to his feet relatively quickly and fought an even round with Hamill. If I had to vote, I'd give the second round to Bisping, but barely. Again, the last round should decide it. I think Hamill should concentrate on taking Bisping down and try to ground and pound his way to a win.
Round 3 - A very tough round to call. Bisping outstruck Hamill, who seemed to be tiring, but Hamill was able to take Bisping down twice, and landed some good shots with the second one. Each landed one good shot as the round closed. It depends on the judges and how much they value takedowns. If I was a judge, I guess I'd give it to Bisping, but it wouldn't upset me at all to see Hamill get the decision. We'll wait for the judges' scores.
Bisping telling Hamill to go back to wrestling is one of the main reasons why I don't think he'll ever become a major superstar in the United States. Sure, there was bad blood, but be the bigger man and admit Hamill gave you all you could handle.
Great show of class by the fans in England, applauding Hamill's effort, after booing him during the fight. If only Bisping had shown that kind of class during his post-fight interview.
Light heavyweight title fight
(C) Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (27-6) vs. Dan "Hollywood" Henderson (22-5)
Round 1 - While there was plenty of action to start and end the round, most of the first five minutes was pretty methodical and Henderson had control for most of the round. He should win the first round.
Round 2 - Better round for Quinton, though still a close fight. Crowd's kinda quiet as all this is going on, after the slugfests on the undercard. Fight should be all even after two rounds.
Round 3 - Real tough fight to score. Most of it is being fought on the ground, but neither fighter is claiming a clear advantage. Jackson got the better of it when the fighters were on there feet. Another round for the champion.
Round 4 - This fight really could be fought inside a phone booth ... well, if the phone booth were laying on its side. Not much distance between the two fighters, though "Rampage" is starting to take control of the fight. I think Henderson needs a KO or TKO to win the title.
Round 5 - A lot more standing in this round than the previous four. Though this was a tough, hard-fought fight, I think Jackson wins the decision easily. He landed better punches throughout and wasn't dominated on the ground by the superior wrestler. We'll wait for the decision.
Decision: Jackson by unanimous decision - 48-47, 49-46, 49-46
Overall, an entertaining show. Taylor-Davis was a great fight. Hamill-Bisping was compelling. Sad to see the fall of Cro Cop, but Kongo has some real potential as a star. Jackson is a superstar and deserves the spotlight. This isn't the last we'll see of Henderson.
Put yourself on the record and leave your predictions for tonight's historic UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion event, which airs tonight on SpikeTV! I'll be back later tonight, blogging as the event airs on television, starting at 6 p.m. PDT.
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