This past Saturday marked the entry of what was hailed as the first independent sanctioning body in mixed martial arts, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts. Its been a source of controversy since inception among many MMA fans, a large number of whom fear what happened to boxing happening to their beloved sport. What seems odd is that very few fans of MMA understand how the so-called “alphabet soup” of sanctioning bodies came to exist, much less fully understand how it is that YAMMA could change the sport. Before answering those questions reasonably, let’s briefly look at boxing and its numerous sanctioning bodies.

Throughout the first two decades of the 20th century, the concept of the “World Championship” in boxing was considered synonymous with the New York State title. Wanting to gain influence of their own, several states teamed up to create the National Boxing Association. In turn, both would sanction various champions as “world champion”, occasionally creating confusion. In addition, the International Boxing Union in Europe (today known as the European Boxing Union) also, on occasion, sanction world champion fighters of their own. Note that this was already an issue when such groups as the NYSAC and NBA were operating essentially as extensions of state governments, though it was admittedly nothing like the modern day.

Times changed and the NYSAC eventually left the job of regulating world champions to the newly empowered NBA. The expansion of the NBA internationally led to the organization reforming under the title of the World Boxing Association. Wishing more input from hispanic nations, Adolfo Lopez Mateos started a series of meetings that created the first split among independent organizations, as the WBC was formed. These two were considered for a time to be more than sufficient in judging in deciding world champions, however it was the decision of then WBC heavyweight champion Larry Holmes to abandon his WBC belt for the title of the newly formed IBF title. Much like the WBC before it, distance had created resentment for numerous American boxing officials, and their retaliatory strike was to eventually hand titles to many of the WBC’s recognized champions. Also during the 1970s, things took an ironic twist then the power center of the WBA was suddenly and violently shifted to Panama, away from the US, and back towards the nations whom had left it to start anew.

As you might expect, the WBO’s creation was, once again, the result of angry WBA officials splitting off to create their new organization. With cable TV and the international reach of boxing, more and more organizations sprung from nowhere to follow the lead of the WBO and create what seems like a critical mass of titles. Each of the major organizations is now affiliated or has created a regional power to authorize creating local belts, many of which are rarely ever defended in the originating nations/continents. For instance, Mike Mollo and Andrew Golota recently fought for the WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Title in New York, despite neither being from a Latin American nation or of Latino heritage. This could all be expounded upon until we have something the length of War And Peace, but you likely get the idea.

And so, we come to WAMMA. How does WAMMA compare to the organizations of the present day in boxing? For one, they must have looked at the IBF and realized it would be a good idea to attach themselves to the best name in a division right off the bat. Attaching themselves to someone of the profile of Fedor instantly jumpstarts their reputation in the US, which could give them a bit of an advantage when its decided that they will create regional belts (something that is certain to happen). For two, they arrive into a marketplace filled with titles. As bad as boxing is, it is put to shame by MMA, where title belts seemingly outnumber competitors. Every promoter runs a “state” or “world” champion or a combination of both., whether its Sportfight, DREAM, Strikeforce, King of The Cage, Gladiator Challenge, Icon Sport, and the rest. Gladiator Challenge once gave Ruben “Warpath” Villareal the title of “World Native American Heavyweight Champion.” The alphabet soup isn’t there not because its absent, but because MMA’s promoters figure that if they aren’t easily abbreviated, its a lot tougher to make the apt comparison. Plus, its not like many of them have anything like rankings or ever sanction fights outside the home promoter.

Well, except Shooto. Forgot about them, didn’t you? They’ve sanctioned bouts in the US before (particularly in Hawaii, and also with Hook N’Shoot), have rankings, have titles, have a governing body, work internationally with numerous independent Shooto associations across much of Europe, so on, so forth. Shooto’s rankings may often not be the best, but they’re better than nothing at all. They aren’t the only “independent sanctioning body” out there today either. Boxing sanctioning body the NABC, famed for advertising the willingness to sanction title fights as a banner ad on Boxrec, sanctioned several such fights at CFFC 5. The ISCF have given out titles for years and update their rankings on a fairly regular basis. The IFC, now remembered for sanctioning/promotion numerous b-shows, sanctioned many of the earliest UFC events.

So what is there to do about such titles? Could something end the madness of hundreds of meaningless belts? The answer is shockingly easy in theory, but impossible in practice. The Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, or OPBF, regulates boxing within Japan and allows bouts to happen, including title fights. What westerners aren’t typically aware of is the simple fact that the IBF, WBO, and other similar organizations are not allowed to sanction title fights in Japan. The OPBF decided to stay with the WBC and WBA alone following their split in the 1960s and haven’t allowed anyone else in. The simple way to end the madness of having 6-7 heavyweight champions in the sport is for major athletic commissions in the US to refuse the right to various organizations to have such “world title fights”. Such bouts could perhaps be held for regional belts, but not for world titles.

Were the state of Nevada to end the ability for promoters to create their own champions and regulate their defenses without allowing for all the things that are demanded of independent sanctioning bodies, the landscape would immediately change. But boxing has proven that the value of such trinkets is more to promoters in the short term than the health of the sport in the long term. With MMA’s current promotion specific current nature in the US and given the way athletic commissions have always reacted to the creation of yet another sanctioning body or world title, its unlikely we’ll ever see an end to the madness of the belts. For that reason, why not WAMMA? If not them, then it will merely be but someone else.

ShareThis

“The fight contract is up today…July 19th according to the contract. That was 18 months or four fights.That’s the way the contract is written, by the language that I’ve read in the contract that my attornies explained to me. That’s the rub. They say I owe them two more fights. And, we need the State to settle the dispute and give us a declaration as to what they say the contract says. I either owe them two more fights and I’ll fight Nogueira or find a way hopefully for the UFC to make the Fedor fight happen, that’s what means most to me. Or retire if that’s the case…I don’t know what’s going to happen there. Or they’ll say no, the contract term ended, you’re free and clear to go and fight wherever you want.” - Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez got a one-on-one with Randy post-Affliction.

Randy does go on to say that whoever loses the decision might take it to the Supreme Court, but this has to be seen as a positive step as far as this whole debacle is concerned. I for one think ‘Minotauro vs. ‘The Natural’ is just as compelling a match-up as the Emelianenko fight. Couture’s “Fedor-only” approach is a bit of a slight to a guy with a resume like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Despite coaching on The Ultimate Fighter against the presumed contender Frank Mir, one can only think that the UFC would jump at a Couture-Nogueira unification match, putting the Mir fight on the backburner. No matter what happens in the legal arena, fans and media alike deserve to see Randy Couture fighting again in the near future. *fingers crossed*

ShareThis

ShareThis

HEIWA DREAM.5 Lightweight GP 2008 Final Round
Date: July 21st, 2008
Place: Osaka Jo Hall in Osaka, Japan

10. Lightweight GP Final Fight: Kawajiri/Alvarez vs. Uno/Aoki
9. Heavyweight Fight: Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem
8. Middleweight Fight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Katsuyori Shibata
7. Featherweight Fight: Hideo Tokoro vs. Takeshi Yamazaki
6. Welterweight Fight: Motoki Miyazawa vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
5. Featherweight Fight: KODO vs. Joseph Benavidez
4. Lightweight GP Reserve Fight: Joachim Hansen vs. Black Mamba
3. Lightweight GP Semifinal Fight: Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Eddie Alvarez
2. Lightweight GP Semifinal Fight: Caol Uno vs. Shinya Aoki
1. 2×5 Minute Special Rules Fight: Daisuke Nakamura vs. Andy Ologun

Read more for results and a few thoughts and comments.

1. 2×5 Minute Special Rules Fight: Daisuke Nakamura vs. Andy Ologun
Nakamura fought for the second time this week (having also competed on Thursday’s DEEP event - what was he doing for Shooto on Friday? - SLACKER) with a first round armbar on everyone’s favourite Nigerian shrimp chef brother. Routine.

2. Lightweight GP Semifinal Fight: Caol Uno vs. Shinya Aoki
Oh, this should be good. Maybe I’ve not been paying attention but Bas on commentary just declared his soccer affiliation to PSV Eindhoven which I think is worth noting.

Quite an even first round and, although it doesn’t matter so much with DREAM judging criteria, I would say Aoki took it. Unsurprisingly he went for more submission attempts (with almost every movement he made) and generally did a good job of controlling position. His first body throw saw him end up in mount but alas the Aokiplata as some are calling it could not be busted out. Uno is wearing shoes (could this be part of his sponsorship with Nike?) which outraged Bas in booth because it almost resulted in his getting caught in a toehold. There was an outrageous attempt at a triangle choke that U have no idea how Uno stayed conscious through. It looked certainly over but somehow he hung on before escaping. Bas thinks that Aoki’s legs may be fatigued in the second as a result. Great round.

Aoki has no takedown skills specifically but he has managed to take the fight to the ground immediately in both rounds. It was made too easy for him though. The second round was a bit anti-climactic as it was complete domination by Aoki. Not that he threw a punch (possibly in the whole fight) but he maintained position on the floor with ease and ended the fight in a gogoplata almost position to leave his mark in the judges mind. Disappointing performance from Uno, the sentimental favourite, but he was never in the fight. Aoki records another win against a quality opponent but looks quite tired going into the final.

3. Lightweight GP Semifinal Fight: Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Eddie Alvarez
Another interesting match in what has been a great tournament so far. You’d imagine that this may go to a decision and take more out of the winner that Aoki had to endure - but if it’s anything like Hansen-Alvarez then it could be another contender for Fight of the year.

Alvarez surprises me early on by shooting for a takedown at the first opportunity, which doesn’t prove successful. I would have thought that he would have had faith in his boxing but it turns out to be Kawajiri who lands the first shot of note with a good straight right. As I;m typing that, Alvarez hurts him with a punch that Stuns Kawaijiri and seems to give the American a surge in confidence as he suddenly starts to have conviction in his strikes once more and throws a series of knees to follow.

The fight is stopped for a cut and Kawajiri immediately retaliates by knocking Alvarez down and jumps on top of him. After some sparring he moves to Mount!

They get back to the feet and start slugging at each other again. Alvarez just walks forward relentlessly and proceeds to throw what is more akin to one continuous combination than a series of them. Just relentless and an uppercut knocks Kawajiri to the floor. There is nearly a real basic error as he steps off assuming it to be over but Shimada says it must continue as Kawajiri looks to have slightly regained his bearings. It only delays the inevitable though because Alvarez jumps on him and pounds until the referee can’t feasibly let it continue any longer. Really good fight with a great finish. Aoki-Alvarez in the final.

4. Lightweight GP Reserve Fight: Joachim Hansen vs. Black Mamba

I’ll take any excuse for a Hansen fight despite not wanting either to have to be used in the final.

Hansen does the smart thing and takes him down at the first opportunity. It doesn’t take long before an armbar finishes things and Hansen, theoretically, could step into the final at short notice now.

5. Featherweight Fight: KODO vs. Joseph Benavidez
I feel robbed that KID isn’t here, especially so after seeing them hype Urijah Faber on the preview video. Also, it’s doubly frustrating because this show deserves to be seen by people and his absence means the casual Japanese are unlikely to tune in. This is only made worse by Cro Cop being missing in action.

Benavidez looks a strong wrestler and does a good job of controlling position early on, including a big slam to the far physically weaker KODO. The Japanese tries to scramble but ends up in a guillotine. The Californian pushes his opponent onto his back and manages to hold onto the choke to force an inevitable submission. Dominant win, es expected once the opponent was changed. I look forward to seeing him again.

6. Welterweight Fight: Motoki Miyazawa vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka

Hironaka won in the first via TKO cut stoppage, around the eye.

We’re almost back from intermission and Urijah Faber has joined Kenny and Bas in the commentary booth. It appears to be first time Rutten and Faber have met as they have an awkward introduction where the WEC champ claims to be of Dutch descent.

7. Featherweight Fight: Hideo Tokoro vs. Takeshi Yamazaki

Tokoro won a unanimous decision. I’ll be honest, I’m eager for the two main fights and didn’t pay a lot of attention. I have even less interest in seeing Shibata next.

BREAKING NEWS - ALVAREZ INJURED HIS EYE IN THE FIRST FIGHT AND CANNOY CONTINUE. IT WILL BE AOKI VS. HANSEN IN THE FINAL.

That is incredibly disappointing as I’m sure everyone will agree. The Hansen rematch isn’t nearly as compelling as much as I like him. There is slight interest but it’s still going to be anti-climactic. Hopefully they can arrange Aoki-Alvarez at the next possible opportunity.

8. Middleweight Fight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Katsuyori Shibata
I love how much the Japanese boo Akiyama and nobody else in the world. There was thumbs being pointed downward when he came out. Yosh will be repping Judo to the fullest by wearing the Gi.

Bas informs us that the reason for the Gi being maintained is a statement to prove that his days of greasing up are behind him.

This fight is a perfect example of why it’s nice to have independent tv stations covering MMA. This is a complete mis-match and Rice / Rutten are calling it as such. It’s nice to not have your intelligence insulted from time to time as we have seen in the past when every commentator works from the promoter and has a duty to try and justify their decisions.

Akiyama bides his time but eventually mounts Shibata and chokes him out using the grease-proof Gi. Shibata moves to 2-5 and I NEVER nee to see him fight ever again.

The Alvarez news has been officially confirmed. Alvarez is in the ring looking distraught. His fiance is at the side of the ring in tears also. He says he begged the doctors to let him fight but they would not allow it. he issues a challenge to whoever is the victor and informs the Japanese that he will be back to fight in front of them. He finishes with his “trademark backflip” from the top turnbuckle.

9. Heavyweight Fight: Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem
Hooray, fights I care about again. Come on Alistair!

In many way, this is 2008’s answer to VE days. Overeem submitted Hunt in the first minute or so with a shoulder lock, all after just a couple of days notice that he was going to fight. The tension in his face as he twisted Hunt’s arm with every ounce of energy he had was pretty fearsome. A glorious turn of events. Let’s hope Hansen can make it a European double in the main.

Aoki immediately gets a takedown. I’m starting to think the notion of him having awful takedowns is overrated because while technically deficient in that area he is normally able to get the fight to the floor one way or another.

Hansen attempts an up-kick to the standing Aoki but only succeeds in hitting him square in the nether regions. The replay shows that it was indeed low but annoyingly they restart on the feet rather than where they were.

Aoki begins to work the rubber guard that proved so successful when they first fought. Hansen shakes off a shoulder control position to smash Aoki in the face and temporarily scare Japan. It’s interesting to see someone try and bully Aoki on his back although it is a very dangerous tactic. As I type that Hansen stars unloading with some more ground and pound which Aoki is struggling against. He doesn’t to have any answer. The fight looks almost over…! Yes! Aoki tapped out due to strikes and the referee steps in. Hansen in the winner! Europe is on top of the MMA world for today at least.

Hansen steps out of the reserve bout and is your DREAM GP champion! Hansen vs. Alvarez II is coming up. Aoki looks distraught.

ShareThis

Remember to subscribe to via iTunes. Just search for ‘Total MMA’ or if want to flex your technological muscles then:

1. If you do choose, click Advanced followed by Subscribe to Podcast.
2. Type in http://feeds.feedburner.com/TotalMMARadio

ShareThis

On July 19th, Affliction, the company known for its rather gaudy clothing line launched a Holy War against the world of Mixed Martial Arts, the UFC in particular, led by Megadeth and the world’s best heavyweights. While it wasn’t their intention originally to jump right in to rivaling the UFC head-to-head, it was UFC that immediately fired back planning their own show with easily the best pound for pound fighter in the world, Anderson Silva headlining. Affliction Banned looked a lot like their clothing looks: rough around the edges, disorganized and not for everybody. The card that they assembled was epic in proportions, with three huge heavyweight fights, featuring a former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion, four former UFC Heavyweight Champions and a former IFL Heavyweight standout. This was undoubtedly huge.

The show has come and gone now, and the reaction is decidedly mixed; you were either enamored with the fights they put on or you were too busy staring at UFC’s new graphics and the stability their card offered to get too invested in Affliction. UFC was presented as it always was last night, the presentation that they have built up since the 90’s now after trying everything in the book and finally settling on what they have now. The show featured some revamped graphics to freshen the look up a bit, but it was still business as usual for the UFC. This isn’t a bad thing, it simply is what it is. Affliction wasn’t the same sort of complete package that UFC was, no doubt. While talking to Marc Staehling as he was in attendance, it was clear that the beginning of the show was a giant disaster. The first fight had both of the fighters come out, wait around, then return to the back, only to be brought out again. The second fight was announced and then didn’t happen. The third fight that was announced, which was actually the second fight to take place, happened nearly halfway into the second hour of the event and aired “live” on FSN (if your local FSN wasn’t airing a local interest Major League Baseball game). Clearly something wasn’t going right with the event. Things picked up of course, and by the time the PPV started, the show moved along smoothly. The production level wasn’t UFC caliber, but it seems like a lot of the non-mainstream media is talking about this, while people like the respected Dave Meltzer and other mainstream media sites are looking at the content of the show.

If you watched the show, you know what Affliction was going for with the production, they weren’t looking for a polished show that you’d see on ESPN with smooth graphic fade-ins, bright lighting and a professional announce team. They were going for something “edgy” and more “rock n’ roll” (or heavy metal for that matter), only for it to not exactly work. Instead at times it looked unprofessional and confusing, such as the odd dimming of the lights during staredowns and ring introductions. So all in all, it didn’t work, but it wasn’t awful. When I think of awful I think of your standard KOTC or even YAMMA-level of production, which are just abysmal. For a company’s first MMA show, it beats any of the other start up companies we’ve seen in the past few years (WFA, EliteXC, Strikeforce, YAMMA, etc.), but it wasn’t the UFC.

There were lessons for them to learn in this show, and hopefully corrected by the next show. It is noble to want to present something different, but a lot of what they wanted to be different was simply bush league and doesn’t exactly fit with a fight card. If you want to keep a live performance from a band or multiple bands, that can work. I know it helped enhance the show for me, it was a good distraction in between fights as opposed to getting what would most likely be poor analysis from Frank Trigg and Jay Glazer, or more Big John in the back looking like a goof segments. What they don’t need to learn is how to put together a card, as the card delivered; a passable, even fun undercard, three great fights on the top of the card with a lot of buzz around each fight. I know that I walked away from the show pleased, and minor issues aside look forward to what will hopefully be a card just as good, with some improvements on the front end to help enhance the experience.

What we, the fans get, is some actual competition for UFC. There is no doubt their production could use work, but the caliber of the fights they put on should leave no doubt in anybody’s mind that Affliction means business.

ShareThis

Before his fight with former UFC champion Tim Sylvia, many questioned Fedor’s ability to come back strong after a long layoff. He had been fighting creampuffs and inexperienced fighters in Japan and middleweights in BoDog Fight. Would he be able to overcome Sylvia’s size and reach advantage? The answer was a definitive yes.

Sylvia’s vaunted jab was never an issue. Fedor closed the distance so quickly that Sylvia never had a chance to throw it and his punching power dropped the big man to his knees.

“He got off first and then I had so much going through my mind,” Sylvia said. “He got off first, landed the big punch, jumped on me, and got the submission.”

Clearly well established once again as the best heavyweight in the world, and the new WAMMA Heavyweight Champion, Fedor now has several options for his first defense. The obvious fight that they’ve been building to since he resigned from the UFC is with the sport’s living legend Randy Couture. “I would be very honored to fight Randy Couture,” Fedor said through a translator after the fight. In the ring, Couture indicated a willingness to rumble with the Russian, but ongoing legal issues make that fight an impossibility. Affliction did very well to set up two viable contenders on this single show.

Andrei Arlovski reestablished himself as a top contender by destroying former IFL standout Ben Rothwell with precision striking. “I think boxing is what won the fight,” Arlovski’s boxing trainer Freddie Roach said. “The other guy was good on the ground and controlled it a little bit. Andrei’s boxing helped. His hands are really good and we’ve been talking about being a professional boxer.” Roach may be talking about boxing, but after the dramatic win, Arlovski is talking about his next MMA fight. “I want to fight Fedor, Josh or anybody Affliction chooses.”

Another possible opponent is Josh Barnett. Barnett avenged his first career loss by knocking out Pedro Rizzo with a left hook right on the button. “My footwork wasn’t what I wanted,” Barnett said. “I clipped him at the top of the head and when he put his foot back, he wobbled. When I saw he was unstable, I came forward. I knew he wouldn’t be able to get out of the way.” Barnett has a well rounded game and possesses the kind of size that could give Fedor trouble if he gets on top.

Whoever Fedor fights next, they will be a decided underdog. Fans in the United States finally got to see what all the fuss is about. With uncanny speed and strength, Fedor seems likely to reign atop the heavyweight division for some time.

“I was amazed at how good he is,” Sylvia said. “The guy’s a stud. I don’t think he’s human. He’s incredible. I don’t think anybody’s going to beat him for a while.”

Meanwhile, Anderson Silva continued his winning ways on the UFC’s Ultimate Fight Night. Moving up to 205 pounds to face James Irvin, Silva looked fit and comfortable with the extra weight. After a brief feeling out process, Silva caught an Irvin kick in his left hand while landing a right hand right on the button. It was an amazing display of athleticism, snatching Irvin’s foot out of midair after a full force, blazing fast kick. But that kind of exceptional display has become common place for the striker from Curitiba, Brazil, just par for the course for the Middleweight Champion.

“This was my first time coming up here and it was a good experience,” Silva said. “But my responsibility is to defend the 185-pound title.”

The problem for the UFC is a lack of promising contenders in his weight class. Patrick Cote seems overmatched and Yushin Okami is one-dimensional. British superstar Michael Bisping is the best matchup for business, but he has to get past the tough Ultimate Fighter veteran Chris Leben before a title shot is conceivable. It may be that Silva won’t have the money making matchups he needs at 185 and the move to Light Heavyweight will be a permanent one.

Whoever Silva or Fedor fight, something amazing seems bound to happen. Silva’s last ten wins have all come via knockout or submission. Fedor has secured six submissions in sequence. They’re the best fighters in the world in their absolute fighting prime. We were lucky to see them both on one amazing night. The best of the best.

ShareThis

Claimed attendance was just under 14,000. It was a raucous crowd, especially for Anaheim.

Tom Atencio

-next show will be in early November

-it will likely feature the big heavyweights that won: Barnett, Arlovski and Fedor

Matt Lindland

-doesn’t rule out fighting above his natural weight class again, but plans on sticking at 185

-he specifically wants fights with Bustamante and Terrell(both men are free agents)

Babalu Sobral

-not very interested in fighting Rogerio Nogueira, citing their past friendship, although he would fight him if he had to

-strongly hinted at wanting a fight with Tito Ortiz(he might just get it in Affliction)

Josh Barnett

-has an excellent relationship with World Victory Road, but has nothing scheduled as far as fighting in Sengoku goes 

Tim Sylvia

-the finishing choke was indeed a windpipe choke(like the Fujita fight), and according to Sylvia it “hurt like hell” 

ShareThis

Paul Buentello vs. Gary Goodridge

Round One

Buentello looks a little less flabby than usual. Confusion in the ring right now. Goodridge is stretching on his back. It’s been 3-4 minutes since they announced the fighters. CSAC is delaying the start of the bout, the announcer says the bout will start in a few moments.

Nope.

The first bout has been delayed…..very unorganized start to the evening.

They’ve re-introduced the fighters….here we go!

Round One

Buentello lands some nice punches and kicks in combination throughout the first two minutes. All stand-up thus far, not surprising. Buentello continues to land the left jab and right uppercut.This has pretty much been a kickboxing match thus far. Spinning back kick grazes Goodridge in the last 20 seconds.

Buentello 10-9

Round Two

Buentello opens with more of his left jab. More uppercuts from The Headhunter, although Goodridge is covering up fairly well. Heavy exchange up against the ropes…both guys land. Two minutes left in the round and they meet back in the center of the ring. Buentello still landing the jab…feeble takedown attempt from Buentello. Goodridge is starting to land more leg kicks and body kicks….he might go upstairs. Similar to round one, all stand-up, Buentello landing the more effective strikes.

Buentello 10-9

Round Three

Same old story a minute into the first, Buentello finding the mark with his jab, as well as uppercut. Goodridge is staggerd from a flying knee at the 2-minute mark. Buentello clinches him in the corner, to no avail. Another flying knee from Paul with a minute left…can’t finish him though. This one goes the distance.

Buentello 10-9

Judges

Nelson Hamilton 30-27

Lester Griffin 30-27

Marcos Rosales 30-27

WINNER: Paul Buentello by UD

Analysis: Clear-cut win for The Headhunter. He was quicker than Gary, and really used his jab well, finding the mark with it often. Kudos to Gary for stepping up to the plate, but he was never really in the fight.

Vitor Belfort vs. Terry Martin

Randy and Tompkins are in Belfort’s corner. Terry comes down to classic Jacko.

Round One

Crowd very pro-Vitor. Not a whole lot of activity a minute in, An attempted high-kick from Vitor gets big ooohhhs from the crowd. Crowd gets restless as they tie up at the half way minute of the round. Nice straight right from Martin. Relatively uneventful first stanza. Neither fighter with much of an advantage.

10-9 Martin

Round Two

Martin begins more aggessively, backing Vitor up. Martin is starting to mix in body punches now. Martin catches a kick, and takes him down. Open guard from Vitor, as he lands some elbows from bottom. Belfort scrambles back up to his feet. Wow….two minutes to go, Belfort lands a flying knee Martin holds on for dear life, then a big combo drops Martin unconscious through the ropes. Crowd goes nuts.

WINNER: Belfort via KO at 3:18 of round two.

Analysis: Holy cow, that was a spectacular finish. Relatively dull up until that point, but the finish saved it. Reminiscent of the old Phenom.

Mike Pyle vs. JJ Ambrose

Round One

Ambrose quickly backs Pyle up into the corner. Clinch work, knees. Pyle with double unders takes him down into side control, and quickly mounts. Ambrose gives up his back, hooks in, gets in mount again. Pyle looks for an arm triangle to no avail. Gets his back again, looking for a choke. Ambrose is in a bad way….Pyle flattens him out, RNC, over.

WINNER: Mike Pyle via RNC at 2:55 of the first round.

Analysis: After Pyle took the fight to the floor, he just utterly outclassed Ambrose. Not surprising at all. Dominant win for Quicksand.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Edwin Dewees

Round One

Dewees keeps his distance, working leg kicks in the opening minute. Rogerio looking for the one-two.  Dewees backed into the corner, throws a few push kicks, then reverses and pushes Regerio into the corner. A few punches from Nog, and Dewees essentially pulls guard. Closed guard from Babyface…Nog deciedes to stand up when he gets the chance. Thai clinch from Rogerio landing nice shots to the body, he starts unleashing the fury in the corner, knocks him down with a left, then a flurry of punches causes Herb Dean to stop the fight.

WINNER: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via TKO 4:09 of the first round.

Analysis: It took a little while for Rogerio to get going, but once he did he looked very sharp, utilizing the same thai clinch that he destroyed Todd Gouwenberg with, and then finishing it with punches.

Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao

Round One

Lindland drops him early, and quickly latches onto a guillotine, which Negao desperately trys to escape. Lindland in half guard, but still has the choke locked in. Finally Negao slips out 90 seconds in. Matt in his guard. Matt with a fouble hammer-fist~. Halfway through the round, Lindland is controlling with Gn’P. Matt into half-guard. Back to the feet with a minute to go. Nothing major lands in the final seconds.

10-9 Lindland

Round Two

Negao catches Lindland in the clinch 40 seconds in, and Matt looks stunned. Sloppy brawling up against the ropes…dangerous stuff. Lindland gets double unders two minutes in, transitions to a double-leg, and begins the Gn’P assault. The Gn’P turs into a smother, although Lindland starts to land significant elbows three minutes in. Lindland landing punches and elbows to finish the round.

Lindland 10-9

Round Three

Standing starts off, Some looping punches exchanged, Lindland getting the better of Negao. Knee to the liver from Lindland. The Law looks to have much more in the gas tank 90 seconds in. Lindland continues to out-land , although sloppily out-land Negao standing. Both men sweaty, making it difficult for Lindland to take him down, The Law eventually takes him clear out of the ring. With one minute to go, big knee landed by Lindland.

Lindland 10-9

Judges

30-26, 30-27×2

WINNER: Matt Lindland by Unanimous Decision

Analysis: Controlling performance from The Law, although it appeared the long layoff slowed him down a bit, and he didn’t have that next gear that he needed to finish the fight. Lindland vs. Belfort next?

Renato Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead

Round One

Fast pace to open, both guys testing the waters with punches. Leg kick from Babalu. Donald Trump’s arrival distracting me….Babalu tries a takedown, Whitehead defends. With a minute to go, they start to trade again, as a big Babalu chant begins…Whitehead mises a big right and gets taken down, but returns to his feet quickly. Tough round to call.

10-9 Whitehead

Round Two

A fair amount of clinch work, with no major shots landed in the first 90 seconds. Babalu goes for a guillotine, but gets taken down for his troubles. Whitehead on top, Babalu locks onto his shoulder, looking for a plata of some kind but loses his grip. Fight stood up with 80 seconds to go. Nothing much happens other than a few knees to the body from the clinch as the round comes to an end.

10-9 Whitehead

Round Three

Awkward exchange early as Whitehead double legs Babalu to the outside, and Babalu appears to have a guillotine sunk in. Re-started standing..Babalu being the aggressor landing more significant strikes. Whitehead desperately takes the fight to the floor again, but double legs Babalu to the outside. Very shoddy ring-design, as there’s no one there to push them back/block it off. Babalu guillotine again, but they’re too sweaty, and Whitehead ends up on top. Omoplata from Babalu….Whitehead escapes. Babalu trying hard for a finish from the bottom. Big Babalu chant with a minute to go, but he can’t finish Whitehead.

10-9 Babalu

WINNER: All judges score it for Babalu. Hmm….so much for my scorecard.

Analysis: Pretty uninspiring fight, with neither guy really looking all that good. Hopefully they book Rogerio vs. Babalu

Mark Hominick vs. Savant Young

Round One

Stand-up exchanges for the first minute, neither men landing more than the other. Young throwing big bombs, but missing the mark. Hominick is a little it more precise with his shots. Fight remains standing for the entire round with Hominick landing more, although not doing much damage.

10-9 Hominick

Round Two

1:45 in and Savant fainally takes the fight to ground. He’s swept by Hominick  who looks for a triangle, butgets powerbombed out for his troubles. Hominick nearly secures an armbar…back to triangle, back to armbar…OVER. Some ground skillz from the Machine.

WINNER: Mark Hominick via armbar at 4:28 of round two

Analysis: Hominick gets back on track, and in surprising fashion via submission, not what he’s known for.

Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo

Round One

Feeling out process in the first minute. Josh clinches, looks for a takedown, but Pedro slips out. Josh using a front-kick, which isn’t common for him. Barnett landing shots, and getting out of Pedro’s range effectively. Barnett has landed several outside leg kicks, and a spinning back kick.

10-9 Barnett

Round Two

Barnett continues with the front kicks, keeping Pedro away. And then……Barnett cracks Pedro with a left hook KO’ng him on the spot, similar to his loss to Roman Zentsov.

WINNER: Josh Barnett via KO at 1:45 of Round Two

Analysis: I thought keeping it standing would prove to be a mistake for Barnett, but he used front kicks, and really nice movement, and Rizzo never really looked dangerous. Barnett should be next in line for a WAMMA shot

Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell

Round One

Both men trade strikes in the opening minute, both landing, but little damage inflicted. Rothwell is hanging in there, clinching Andrei up, landing the occasional uppercut. Arlovski uses the douhle unders to put Rothwell on his back, goes for a heelhook, Rothwell escapes and back on the feet they go. Andrei lands a few solid punches that stun Rothwell in the last minute, but fails to capitalize. Rothwell connects with a right in the dying seconds showing that he is still in this.

10-9 Arlovski

Round Two

Cautious start until Rothwell rushes Arlovksi with punches, but Arlovski comes right back, huge flurry, eventually ends up on top, although Rothwell works to guard. Arlovski on top scoring points on Big Ben. Rothwell is bleeding. Andrei falls back in a heel hook, Rothwell escapes and ends up on top. Big elbow from Ben. And another. Rothwell continues to score points from on top. Stand up with 25 seconds to go…..Huge flurry to finish the round by Arlovski. JUMPING KNEE in the corner.

10-9 Arlovski

Round Three

Ben presses Andrei into the corner. Crowd boos….the separate, Andrei goes in for the kill drops Rothwell with some punches, and Rosenthal stops the fight.

WINNER: Andrei Arlovski via TKO Rd. 3

Analysis: Wow….incredible heart from Rothwell to survive, and Arlovski looked like his dangerous old self. Arlovski now has a claim to the next WAMMA shot…….

FEDOR EMELIANENKO VS. TIM SYLVIA

Round One

Big punches from Fedor….DOWN GOES SYLVIA. Hooks in, choke over.

FEDOR IS THE KING

I’m out.

ShareThis

ShareThis