Yves Jabouin defeats Ian Loveland by the narrowest Split-Decision. Ian's technique fell apart as he tired and disagreed with the decision. I had Yves winning 29-28.
Yuri Alcantara defeats Felipe Arantes by Unanimous Decision. I said it before by Yuri was literally hit by a truck (much like Antonio Rodrigo Nogeueira in his youth) in Brazil and still fought to a win! That is impressive alone.
Erick Silva TKO'd Luis Ramos just 40 seconds into his Zuffa debut! Both men came in absolutely throwing to kill and Silva landed the most. I'd like to see the Black House protege a little longer but you can't deny the results.
Raphael Assuncao defeats Johnny Eduardo by Unanimous Decision. I was disappointed to hear the Brazilian crowd boo one of their own just because he is a ground fighter who they considered "boring" on this night. Had to hurt the kid but a solid grind em out performance none the less though the stand up still needs work.
Paulo Thiago defeats David Mitchell by Unanimous Decision. That was not impressive. Thiago was very hesitant and slow against an average at best fighter who doesn't belong in the UFC. Maybe it was the home pressure but Paulo didn't impress and seemed to gas out in the 3rd round yet again to continue his curious training regime.
Rousimar Palhares defeats Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision in a very odd yet entertaining bout. "Toquinho" the tree stump came out smashing Dan and putting him on his ass for a brutal beating. The problem was referee Herb Dean took one step toward the pair for a better look and Palhares took that as he "won" and he broke off from his attack and jumped atop the Octagon to celebrate his victory. The confused look on Dean's face was hysterical as he readied Miller and pulled the idiotic Rousimar down from the cage to continue the bout. Just a huge mental error and completely the fighters fault alone. Back to action, Dan hurts Palhares with a mysterious right hand (?) and almost finishes him but time ran out to save the confused Brazilian who then punched Miller well after the bell had sounded. In the 2nd, Palhares got back to work and continued a just train-wreck-hard-to-watch beating on the Jersey boy though he did survive the harsh 10-8 round. In the final round, Rousimar obviously slowed and was breathing deeply but had enough to gut out the win in a strange yet highly entertaining bout.
* This Rousimar Palhares is dumb and a cheater. We all remember when he held a kneebar long after the referee had called an end to the bout with Thomasz Drwal who suffered unnecessary damage to his knee. Then when he got legitimately defeated by cheater Nate Marquardt, he complained that the "Great" was "greasing" though immediate tests Octagon side proved him wrong. Now we have the fool calling a stop to his own fight and again striking well after the bell has sounded. Let's not forget he also repeatedly held the fence even after repeated warnings and the referee physically pulling him from the fence. I really question why Herb Dean didn't take a point for that cheating alone! Zuffa needs to pull Palhares and his camp aside and really make the point that cheating will not be tolerated. I personally don't want to see this guy fight anymore and hope the UFC addresses this escalating situation.
** Dan Miller is tough as they come and I give him credit,.....but.....he's just not that good. Sorry. Also, Dan got his ass whipped with brother and mother in the corner!
Thiago Tavares TKO's Spencer Fisher (sort of) in round 2. There is an unwritten rule in MMA that referees allow sturdy veterans more leeway in bad positions because they have been there so many times before and deserve the chance to fight out. In the 1st, Thiago took the "King" down and worked for position winning the round but doing little damage. In the 2nd, Tavares again had Spence flattened out and began the barrage of strikes many of which were to the back of the head or to the blocking arms. Fisher's mouth piece did fly out but Fisher was moving and trying to improve position. Trying to improve position is key. He wasn't getting free but was working and for that the bout should not have been stopped but referee Marc Goddard stepped in anyway awarding the win to the hometown boy. The "King" and I disagreed with the decision but we are overruled.
Stanislav Nedkov KO's Luiz Cane who took out his frustrations on the cage. "Banha" came out rolling hurting the smaller Nedkov and seemingly in control of the bout. Then a wounded Stanislav threw a left hook from Bulgaria that rocked Luiz' dome. Cane completely fell apart as his equilibrium failed and while retreating involuntarily kicked at the cage as if to blame the fence for his upcoming loss. Cane hits the mat and Nedkov pounded him out to remain undefeated in a come from behind KO debut! "KO Of The Night"
* C'mon admit it. Seeing the wobbling Cane kick the fence while retreating was funny. It was also nice to see Luiz, devastated by the loss, get to his feet and motion for the crowd to stop booing the winner and clapping in respect.
** I doubted you Stanislav Nedkov and you snatched victory from the mouth of defeat. Kudos but you are still to small for Light Heavyweight.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira KO's Brendan Schaub for one of the most amazing and perfect moments ever in MMA! The most beloved MMA fighter in all of Brazil, past his prime, coming in expected to die, and giving one of the best moments in the entire sports history. "Big Nog" ate some good strikes from the "Hybrid" early, but he just looked different. Healthier, stronger, and throwing so hard as if powered by the cheers of the crowd. I almost thought "Minotauro" was hurt with a just brutally powerful right hand that drops the kid on his face! Rodrigo dives on his unconscious prey as the referee stops the fight and all of Brazil celebrates! Just a great, great moment for the "old guard" and Brazil! "Big Nog" celebrates atop the cage with his twin brother and yells "I'm back!"
* Beautiful just beautiful. I could not have written it any better and I cannot express how happy I am for the legend. How about a "master's bout" rematch with Mirko Cro Cop? I'm down but the beloved Nog can do whatever he wants.
** Brendan Schaub can sit down, check his ego, and return easily but I hope some eyes are opened as to how overrated this kid is at the moment. The potential is there but he isn't as ready as he thinks he is. Stefan Struve would make sense next as both are young improving Heavyweights with holes in their games.
Edson Barboza defeats the always game Ross Pearson by Split-Decision in a never-say-die fight. That people, was a fight. The "Real Deal" came out strong and I was very impressed. Barboza got into his grove as things went along and though I agree with the overall decision, Pearson was never out of the fight and though beaten to a bloody pulp, hung till the end in a very close fight. "Fight Of The Night"
* Edson Barboza takes another step forward in his career but also realizes the competition level is at an all time high.
** I love Ross Pearson and thought he did much better than expected. This guy doesn't stop improving and is a class act start to finish. Much respect and he's not done yet.
Mauricio Rua embarrassed the embarrassing Forrest Griffin by KO in the very 1st round. It began with a right hook from "Shogun" that dropped Forrest who seemed to immediately go into panic mode much like when he shit the bed against Anderson Silva. Rua brings down hammer fists that would make Thor proud as Griffin flails about like he's drowning in the ocean before the lights go out.
* Mauricio Rua looked good again but we just never know what "Shogun" we will see. Are the knees healed after 1,000 surgeries? Can Rua stay healthy? Who knows but its fun to watch isn't it? I could possibly see a rubber match with Lyoto Machida next or even Phil Davis.
** Forrest Griffin said it best this week when he mentioned that he looks like he is stagnate and almost regressing in his game. He's just a personality who over achieved and is coming back to Earth while turning into an asshole. I don't care what comes next for Griffin in MMA and I don't think he cares either. Nice job of running out of the arena again douche bag. Classy.
Anderson Silva TKO's Yushin Okami in obvious and dominant fashion in the 2nd round. The "Spider" took the 1st round off as he often does and then brought the Bruce Lee out in the 2nd. Silva got comfortable dropping his hands to his sides and crouching in a ninja stance. A frustrated Okami is hurt by a straight right jab that drops him and he covers up. Its pinpoint elbows and punches as you see the fight leaving Yushin and the referee is left with no choice but to save the injured fighter.
* Yes, Anderson Silva made it look easy yet again. Even I can't deny he is the best Pound4Pound fighter in the world. I'd like to see a rematch with free agent Dan Henderson next before Chael Sonnen who deserves nothing. Obviously, the world want Anderson Silva versus Georges St. Pierre.
** Yushin Okami wasn't as sturdy as I thought but you cannot express how powerful and just perfect placed the strikes are coming at the poor fella. You just can't hang and I'm just glad "Thunder" at least got the title shot he deserved.
I love Kenny Florian for the record. His commentary is great as well but his interviews were cringe inducing and very hard to watch. He just doesn't excel there which is fine but its pretty bad when I'm telling the TV to let Mike Goldberg do the interviews! You're still the man "Kenflo."
Dana White was bowled over with joy at this event and said, “We might be here every weekend. We’re getting early polling back from TV in Brazil that we did a 20 percent share tonight, which could be almost 30 million homes… We’re probably real close to setting up an office down here, this is a huge market for us, and we’re just getting started."
Referee Mario Yamasaki stood up fights way too early all night almost at the behest of the crowd it should be noted.
8-4 on the picking side.
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