How ya like the "Prodigy" now Sean Sherk. Sean bitched and moaned that he never lost his title but I think cheating via steroids to defend it means ya lost it. Still, BJ Penn called him out and the war of words ended Saturday night. Sherk inexplicably didn't go for his constant shoots on BJ instead saying he thought he was doing well on the feet. His face told a different story. BJ used his length advantage to jab away at Sherk tagging him at will with better boxing skills and speed. Sherk just couldn't reach BJ and when they locked up Penn tossed him away like it was nothing. He looked tired at the end of the 2nd round which worried me but then as the 3rd began Penn seemed fine and would even turn it up a notch. More of the same peppering strikes and a flying knee to Sherk floored the former champ as BJ dropped on him with a barrage of strikes just as the round ended. BJ stood up confident and said it was over though Sherk was saved by the bell. However, as Penn walked away confidently, Sean couldn't seem to get to his feet and referee Mario Yamasaki ended the punishment. Dominance by Penn who will defend his title next against the winner of Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian.
Wanderlei Silva has brought back the "Axe Murderer!" Wand came out striking as did Keith Jardine but it was the warrior of old who just unloaded the vicious assault we had seen so many times in Japan. A punch to the ear rocked Jardine and a left to the jaw on the way down didn't help. Silva pounced on the fallen opponent and just pounded him until Keith's body went stiff as a board and the ref stopped the fight, perhaps a little late. The celebration was short lived as the classy Silva instantly knew there was concern for Jardine's health. Everyone checked on the fallen fighter who seemed frozen in that stiff position for some very long minutes. Keith would eventually be OK and walk out of the cage under his own power though still very shaken. Wand shed a few man tears as he got that much needed win he had been working so hard for, and in spectacular fashion. 36 seconds and Wanderlei Silva is back baby!
Thiago Silva was also impressive though he was dropped by a head kick by Antonio Mendes in the opening minutes. Mendes followed up the attack but Thiago gained his composure and took the fight to the clinch on the feet while he recovered. A failed judo throw by Antonio leg Silva to the top position and then to full mount where he just unloaded in anger and Mendes tapped from strikes. Thiago Silva reminds me of a young Renato "Babalu" Sobral and has to be in the Light Heavyweight Title hunt. Don't sleep on Mendes, this talented Brazilian will return as he is a good fighter we need to see more of.
Goodbye Tito Ortiz and good riddance. I doubt he wanted to go out on his back, bloodied, hurt, and dominated in a 30-27 decision loss. Lyoto Machida used his unorthodox karate style to pick and choose his spots frustrating Ortiz in every round and landing all the strikes will stuffing the slow takedown attempts. Tito knew he was losing going into the final round and tried to bring the fight to Machida but instead ate a flying knee to the body which floored the veteran fighter. Machida followed with strikes but almost got caught in a triangle he beautifully countered. Lyoto is established as a major player and Tito leaves the UFC on a one sided loss. Beautiful!
Gordon Reljic, oh did I forget to mention he trains with Mirko Cro Cop, defeated Wilson "Overly Hyped" Gouveia in a war. Reljic attacked early and had Wilson on his heels with head kicks and power striking. Gouveia started to put the punches together in the 2nd stanza when Gordon landed the left temple punch dropping the "Title Contender" (which I never saw) and won the fight in his UFC debut.
Nakamura was out of shape and out matched as Sokoudjou battered him at the end of the 1st round. Nakamura fell off his stool dizzy and with his leg injured and the fight was called. Soko moves on and with his 3rd straight loss we may not see Nakamura in the UFC again. Even so, we'll see the popular and hilarious fighter again I am sure. Good luck and get well Kazuhiro.
Rousimar Palhares slickly armbarred Ivan Salvarry while Shane Carwin KO'd Christian Wellisch into the 3rd row. Dong Hyun Kim took out Jason "Ears" Tan via elbows and judo expertise while Yoshiyuki Yoshida sealed a pretty anaconda choke on the inexperienced "War Machine" for a submission win. Rich Clementi had some trouble with Terry Etims size advantage but pulled through for a decision win.
So folks, Palhares, Carwin, Kim, Reljic, and one could even say Wanderlei Silva pulled upsets on this exciting card. That is 5, yes count em, 5 upsets picked correctly for a PPV. When is the last time you saw that happen hmmm? Thats a whopping 9-2 on our picks uh thank you.
Wanderlei Silva has brought back the "Axe Murderer!" Wand came out striking as did Keith Jardine but it was the warrior of old who just unloaded the vicious assault we had seen so many times in Japan. A punch to the ear rocked Jardine and a left to the jaw on the way down didn't help. Silva pounced on the fallen opponent and just pounded him until Keith's body went stiff as a board and the ref stopped the fight, perhaps a little late. The celebration was short lived as the classy Silva instantly knew there was concern for Jardine's health. Everyone checked on the fallen fighter who seemed frozen in that stiff position for some very long minutes. Keith would eventually be OK and walk out of the cage under his own power though still very shaken. Wand shed a few man tears as he got that much needed win he had been working so hard for, and in spectacular fashion. 36 seconds and Wanderlei Silva is back baby!
Thiago Silva was also impressive though he was dropped by a head kick by Antonio Mendes in the opening minutes. Mendes followed up the attack but Thiago gained his composure and took the fight to the clinch on the feet while he recovered. A failed judo throw by Antonio leg Silva to the top position and then to full mount where he just unloaded in anger and Mendes tapped from strikes. Thiago Silva reminds me of a young Renato "Babalu" Sobral and has to be in the Light Heavyweight Title hunt. Don't sleep on Mendes, this talented Brazilian will return as he is a good fighter we need to see more of.
Goodbye Tito Ortiz and good riddance. I doubt he wanted to go out on his back, bloodied, hurt, and dominated in a 30-27 decision loss. Lyoto Machida used his unorthodox karate style to pick and choose his spots frustrating Ortiz in every round and landing all the strikes will stuffing the slow takedown attempts. Tito knew he was losing going into the final round and tried to bring the fight to Machida but instead ate a flying knee to the body which floored the veteran fighter. Machida followed with strikes but almost got caught in a triangle he beautifully countered. Lyoto is established as a major player and Tito leaves the UFC on a one sided loss. Beautiful!
Gordon Reljic, oh did I forget to mention he trains with Mirko Cro Cop, defeated Wilson "Overly Hyped" Gouveia in a war. Reljic attacked early and had Wilson on his heels with head kicks and power striking. Gouveia started to put the punches together in the 2nd stanza when Gordon landed the left temple punch dropping the "Title Contender" (which I never saw) and won the fight in his UFC debut.
Nakamura was out of shape and out matched as Sokoudjou battered him at the end of the 1st round. Nakamura fell off his stool dizzy and with his leg injured and the fight was called. Soko moves on and with his 3rd straight loss we may not see Nakamura in the UFC again. Even so, we'll see the popular and hilarious fighter again I am sure. Good luck and get well Kazuhiro.
Rousimar Palhares slickly armbarred Ivan Salvarry while Shane Carwin KO'd Christian Wellisch into the 3rd row. Dong Hyun Kim took out Jason "Ears" Tan via elbows and judo expertise while Yoshiyuki Yoshida sealed a pretty anaconda choke on the inexperienced "War Machine" for a submission win. Rich Clementi had some trouble with Terry Etims size advantage but pulled through for a decision win.
So folks, Palhares, Carwin, Kim, Reljic, and one could even say Wanderlei Silva pulled upsets on this exciting card. That is 5, yes count em, 5 upsets picked correctly for a PPV. When is the last time you saw that happen hmmm? Thats a whopping 9-2 on our picks uh thank you.
