Why was there constant booing from the moronic crowd every two seconds of inaction you might ask? Because we are in Philadelphia where the crowd is as awful as you would expect.
Mike Thomas Brown defeats Nam Phan by Unanimous Decision. In the 1st, "MTB" got to work taking down Phan and just big brother abusing him for five minutes and leaving him bloody. Phan avoided the ground in the 2nd and got his punches together to even up the rounds. For the finale, Mike had to reach down as he grew tired but slapped around the pesky Phan with his standard G&P en route to the judges nod.
* Not sure Mike Thomas Brown has the "it" needed to get back to his Featherweight title, but a sturdy test vs Tiequan Zhang or Javier Vazquez would help fill in the question marks.
Johny Hendricks defeats Mike Pierce by Split-Decision. This was a great fight. The two welterweight prospects didn't disappoint with a razor close back and forth fight with Johny looking a bit better on the feet taking more chances which paid off with most of the judges. Pierce looked good too but Henricks is now 11-1 with his only stumble to the feared Rick Story. "Fight Of The Night"
* Lets continue to move Johny Hendricks up the ladder slowly but surely perhaps facing Brian Foster, Jake Ellenberger or Anthony Johnson to see who's the leader of the new school.
Mike Pierce can rebound easily after a gutsy performance against Chris Lytle or the aforementioned Rick Story.
Ivan Menjivar defeats Nick Pace by Unanimous Decision. This is one of those fights where the loser gained more stock in defeat than the winner did with victory. Ivan has been rolling with Tristar gym in Canada and has looked vastly improved as of late. Pace was kind of the unheard of replacement that looked like a metro-sexual and little else. Nick stuck to Menjivar like glue and made it a highly contested bout. Pace set the Nick early smothering Ivan who seemed a bit rattled. The "Pride Of El Salvador" got going in the 2nd starting with an overhand right followed by landing knees but Pace was able to score a takedown to survive until the final round. Ivan took the lead with leg kicks but suffered some sort of left eye injury which forced him into survival mode for the finish.
Chad Mendes defeats Rani Yahya by Unanimous Decision. Rani needs to develop some semblance of striking ability or I'm just not going to pay attention anymore. "Money" literally threw Yahya around and into the mat with thundering slams. Deftly opting to stay on the feet, Chad sparred a bit and put in another solid performance for his perfect 11-0 record.
Alexander Gustafsson defeats Matt Hamill by TKO from punches and elbows in the 2nd round. Is Matt even trying anymore? What are these half hearted takedown attempts where he looks as though he is aiming at the shoulders? Hamill was the expected punching bag for Alexander who honestly didn't look as good as I had hoped. People are now clamoring for Gustafsson to get a "big name" opponent but I'm less sure now that he is ready. Alexander seemed too loose on the feet straight missing most of his strikes while being passive and absorbing unnecessary shots.
Rory MacDonald TKO's Mike Pyle in the very 1st round. Holy "GSPJr.'s" that was impressive. For all the hype placed on this poor kid, he performs like its nothing. The Tristar golden boy was abusing the legs of "Quicksand" who paid the price for constantly retreating to his rear. MacDonald took his time as the crowd boo'd the 2 seconds of inactivity when "Ares" dropped a sledgehammer right hand that forced Pyle into turtle mode. More brutal right hands come down unanswered and the referee stops the fight. MacDonald just dominated a very tough veteran as his record climbs to 12-1 at only 22 years of age.
Constantinos Philippou defeats Jorge Rivera by Split-Decision. Ahh, that was a shame. Unfortunately, I also scored the bout 29-28 for Philippou who just out worked the veteran. Jorge struggled in the clinch where I thought he would be better though a lot of the bout was spent pressed up against the cage with little action even after re-starts. Rivera got dropped in the 2nd and it looked like the referee was about to stop the fight as Jorge was taking a lot of punishment, when "El Conquistador" reversed position and began unloading some G&P of his own. The men tired as the round continued and Constantinos rolled into an omoplata but could not finish correctly. Jorge started strong for the final round but was nullified by being stuck against the Octagon time and time again. Time ran out on the bout and perhaps Rivera's career. Sad if true but much respect to a class warrior.
Brian Ebersole KO's Dennis Hallman at the end of the 1st round. So, "Superman," who needs TRT injects to be super, came into the bout wearing speedo's. Yes, speedos. Tiny little blue shorts that made even "Hairrow" uncomfortable. Dennis attacked from the opening bell forcing Brian to defend the RNC in the early going and doing little else. Ebersole then reversed position and landed a right hand that seemed to hurt Hallman. Dennis survives the hammer fists but when Ebersole's elbows come crashing down the lights go out in Philly. "KO Of The Night"
Rashad Evans TKO's Tito Ortiz by knee to the body and punches in the 2nd round. The fact that Dana White gave this "Fight of the Night" is hilarious. Anywho, "Suga" did look great putting together combinatons and looking very fluid in the Octagon for having been away for over a year. Everything seemed to land as the step slow Ortiz landed shots to Evan's retreating shoulders or armpits. "Suga" brought it home in the 2nd with a brutal knee to the chest of Tito. The "HBBB" folded up shop and Rashad raised his hand.
"Rampage does move like Frakenstein now.” Alluding to Jackson's standup inability.Ivan Menjivar defeats Nick Pace by Unanimous Decision. This is one of those fights where the loser gained more stock in defeat than the winner did with victory. Ivan has been rolling with Tristar gym in Canada and has looked vastly improved as of late. Pace was kind of the unheard of replacement that looked like a metro-sexual and little else. Nick stuck to Menjivar like glue and made it a highly contested bout. Pace set the Nick early smothering Ivan who seemed a bit rattled. The "Pride Of El Salvador" got going in the 2nd starting with an overhand right followed by landing knees but Pace was able to score a takedown to survive until the final round. Ivan took the lead with leg kicks but suffered some sort of left eye injury which forced him into survival mode for the finish.
* Brian Bowles needs a fight or perhaps Brad Pickett should he defeat his next opponent whose name eludes me right now. Ivan is climbing the ladder and those fights make sense.
Chad Mendes defeats Rani Yahya by Unanimous Decision. Rani needs to develop some semblance of striking ability or I'm just not going to pay attention anymore. "Money" literally threw Yahya around and into the mat with thundering slams. Deftly opting to stay on the feet, Chad sparred a bit and put in another solid performance for his perfect 11-0 record.
* "Money$" awaits the winner of Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo vs Kenny Florian.
Alexander Gustafsson defeats Matt Hamill by TKO from punches and elbows in the 2nd round. Is Matt even trying anymore? What are these half hearted takedown attempts where he looks as though he is aiming at the shoulders? Hamill was the expected punching bag for Alexander who honestly didn't look as good as I had hoped. People are now clamoring for Gustafsson to get a "big name" opponent but I'm less sure now that he is ready. Alexander seemed too loose on the feet straight missing most of his strikes while being passive and absorbing unnecessary shots.
* I'd like to reschedule Alexander Gustafsson vs Vladimir Matyushenko to give the Swede more growing time before we throw him in against the Phil Davis types of the world. I got nothing for Hamill save I bet these losses aren't helping the release of his "life story" in movie form. The guy has simply quit evolving and is regressing.
Rory MacDonald TKO's Mike Pyle in the very 1st round. Holy "GSPJr.'s" that was impressive. For all the hype placed on this poor kid, he performs like its nothing. The Tristar golden boy was abusing the legs of "Quicksand" who paid the price for constantly retreating to his rear. MacDonald took his time as the crowd boo'd the 2 seconds of inactivity when "Ares" dropped a sledgehammer right hand that forced Pyle into turtle mode. More brutal right hands come down unanswered and the referee stops the fight. MacDonald just dominated a very tough veteran as his record climbs to 12-1 at only 22 years of age.
* Rory MacDonald could easily face the new big thing Charlie Brenneman or fellow youth superstar John Hathaway.
Constantinos Philippou defeats Jorge Rivera by Split-Decision. Ahh, that was a shame. Unfortunately, I also scored the bout 29-28 for Philippou who just out worked the veteran. Jorge struggled in the clinch where I thought he would be better though a lot of the bout was spent pressed up against the cage with little action even after re-starts. Rivera got dropped in the 2nd and it looked like the referee was about to stop the fight as Jorge was taking a lot of punishment, when "El Conquistador" reversed position and began unloading some G&P of his own. The men tired as the round continued and Constantinos rolled into an omoplata but could not finish correctly. Jorge started strong for the final round but was nullified by being stuck against the Octagon time and time again. Time ran out on the bout and perhaps Rivera's career. Sad if true but much respect to a class warrior.
Brian Ebersole KO's Dennis Hallman at the end of the 1st round. So, "Superman," who needs TRT injects to be super, came into the bout wearing speedo's. Yes, speedos. Tiny little blue shorts that made even "Hairrow" uncomfortable. Dennis attacked from the opening bell forcing Brian to defend the RNC in the early going and doing little else. Ebersole then reversed position and landed a right hand that seemed to hurt Hallman. Dennis survives the hammer fists but when Ebersole's elbows come crashing down the lights go out in Philly. "KO Of The Night"
* Dana White honestly gace Brian Ebersole $70,000 for a, "Bonus For Getting That Off Television As Fast As Possible." Dana was in rare form tonight as you will soon see.
** Brian Ebersole vs a returning Josh Koscheck would be hilarity but "Hairrow" can make any fight fun.
Vitor Belfort KO's Yoshihiro Akiyama a mere 1:52 into the 1st round. "Sexyama" decided standing with the "Phenom" who has 13 (now 14) KO's to his credit was a good idea. It wasn't ass Belfort rocked and attacked but more people than just men are beginning to notice Vitor "Back Of The Head" Belfort in recent fights. Watch his fast hands and you'll see he keeps landing punches behind the ear on the feet (as if training to do so) and hammerfisting the back of guys domes on the mat is the norm.
* At any rate, the overrated superstar wins again and could match up nicely with oft overlooked power puncher Brian Stann. "Sexyama" will probably find himself cut this coming week which is unfortunate.
Rashad Evans TKO's Tito Ortiz by knee to the body and punches in the 2nd round. The fact that Dana White gave this "Fight of the Night" is hilarious. Anywho, "Suga" did look great putting together combinatons and looking very fluid in the Octagon for having been away for over a year. Everything seemed to land as the step slow Ortiz landed shots to Evan's retreating shoulders or armpits. "Suga" brought it home in the 2nd with a brutal knee to the chest of Tito. The "HBBB" folded up shop and Rashad raised his hand.
* Nobody seems to like Rashad Evans which perplexes me. He's the consummate professional nice guy which I guess gets you hated. "Suga" had some wonderful quotes at the post fight presser.
"Boo if ya love me!" as a slogan for his new T-Shirt.
"He's going to sleep praising himself cocky." on Jon Jones recent behavior.
Classic, and nothing but the winner of Quinton Jackson vs Jon Jones will due for Evans who is by the way 16-1-1 in his career!
** Tito Ortiz can fight Stephan Bonnar or even Rich Franklin. Nobody wants to see Tito/Griffin 3 which sucked the first two times.
Also at the post fight presser, Dana White called Matt Serra fat in front of the world when protoge Constantinos Philippou was asked about training with the "Terra" and Ray Longo. Dana quipped, "It had to help you are traing with a a super heavyweight now." When the gallery laughed and you could hear Serra groan White said, "Is he back there eating?" Wonderful.
** Tito Ortiz can fight Stephan Bonnar or even Rich Franklin. Nobody wants to see Tito/Griffin 3 which sucked the first two times.
Also at the post fight presser, Dana White called Matt Serra fat in front of the world when protoge Constantinos Philippou was asked about training with the "Terra" and Ray Longo. Dana quipped, "It had to help you are traing with a a super heavyweight now." When the gallery laughed and you could hear Serra groan White said, "Is he back there eating?" Wonderful.
9-2 on the picks people!
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