UFC 173: Play By Play

Li Jingliang defeated David Michaud by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).

Sam Sicilia defeated Aaron Phillips by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

Well, this wasn’t great to watch. Sam realized his only chance was on the ground and continually grounded his opponent. Both men made multiple mistakes on the mat and though the 2nd was a wild brawl, there wasn’t a lot of professional technique to be found. Pretty lame fight from two guys that wouldn’t succeed in Bellator.
Fight Grade: D

Vinc Pichel Upset Anthony Njokuani by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

“From Hell” came out and quickly poked Njokuani in the eye. The foul was blatant and Tony’s eye showed some instant swelling. Back to action, and Vinc took away Nj’s reach by pressuring him against the cage. Then came a low blow from Pichel and we stop again after the 2nd foul from Vinc and we’re still in the 1st round! Yet another groin strike late in the round from Vinc that the referee missed to end things on a low note. (9-9 Draw) [We would have taken a point from Pichel]

The Nigerian got busy to start the 2nd, but Pichel quickly slammed him to the mat. Some grounded right hands stunned Anthony and then Vinc suplexes Njokuani back down after they got to the feet for only a second! Vinc is staying glued to Anthony and just big brothering him on the ground. (10-9 Pichel)

Tony’s jab is looking good to start the final round as he does what he can to keep distance. Vinc hits his 7th takedown of the fight and is controls  Nj for the rest of the round. (10-9 Pichel)
Fight Grade: C

Mitch Clarke submitted Al Iaquinta by D'Arce Choke 0:57 into the 2nd round.

Its always fun to hear Matt Serra screaming in the corner as he coaches Al who quickly gains top control and drops right then left over and over again. Iaquinta gets some work done but Clarke is doing a good job threatening with submissions and escapes to the feet just for a moment before getting taken back down to end the round. (10-9 Iaquinta)

We begin the 2nd, with Al eating a punch but spinning Mitch while taking him to the ground once more. Clarke locked up a deep D’arce choke out of nowhere and Al goes to sleep quickly in a big upset and stunning turn of events! Wow, nice stuff! Al got caught in the “Danger Zone.” “Submission of the Night”

Fight Grade: B

MMA Fight Fallout
Bad game plan from the Serra-Longo camp. Matt and Ray encouraged Al to wrestle with Mitch after the 1st round. Clarke’s only real chance was in grappling while standing Iaquina would have had a big advantage. Perhaps it was overconfidence but an error in coaching led to the loss.

Chris Holdsworth defeated Chico Camus by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Chris is now going by the nickname “Holds It Down” (awful) which earns him -3 points to start things off. Holdsworth is much taller than Chico and uses the length to drop Camus for a flash knockdown early on. “Holding On” Holdsworth earns the 1st takedown of the fight and quickly takes full mount. “Hold Steady” controls the veteran for rest of the round. (10-9 Holdsworth)

Chico listened to his corner and starts tagging Chris instead of trying to take his head off to begin round 2. “Hold The Phone” trips Camus to the mat and takes full mount again. Chico escapes a head and arm triangle attempt and gets to the feet only to be taken right back down. “Hold On A Minute” uses some strikes to try and set up back mount. He can’t get it and looks for the head and arm triangle again. Camus defends the RNC to end the round. (10-9 Holdsworth)

Pat Barry is in the corner of Camus and its good to see him conscious for a few moments at least. Chico is swinging hard to start the last round but “Hold The Mayo” hits the takedown and continues to do as he pleases with his excellent Jiu-Jitsu work. “Hold My Purse” gets a body lock and nearly a RNC but you have to give Chico some props for his defense. “Hold The Door” wins in a route. (10-9 Holdsworth)
Fight Grade: C

MMA Fight Fallout
We have bad news to report. Someone slammed a door in the locker room and Pat Barry was knocked out by the breeze!

Tony Ferguson TKO’d Katsunori Kikuno with a Punch 4:06 into the 1st round.

Kikuno is tagging Tony early and Ferguson seems to be having some trouble adjusting to the odd style and stance of the Japanese fighter. A stiff jab lands for Ferguson and then a combination hits against the cage. Kats is leaving his face wide open and paying for it now. Not to be racist, but Kikuno looks a bit like Minowaman. Anywho, Tony rolls across the cage for nothing but lands a 3-punch combo before slamming Katsunori down to the mat. Tony loses an armbar but locks in a D’arce choke to no avail. The Japanese fighter’s arms are completely down and a right hand lays out Kikuno as the referee steps in between to stop the fight.
Fight Grade: B+

MMA Fight Fallout
Um, somebody tell Kikuno he’s just not good enough to fight like that. Hands down, zero head movement against a guy with a 10” reach advantage is just stupid. Tony looks good and has a lot of upside. Now he just needs to face a decent opponent.

Michael Chiesa soundly defeated Francisco Trinaldo by crazy Unanimous Decision.

Beardy beards gets full mount and drops elbows before switching to a blitz of punches. Total strikes are 32-2 with a minute left and Mikey does not stop the onslaught. Trinaldo is moving a bit but just takin’ a beatin’ as the round ends. (10-9 Chiesa)

We start the 6:00 mark, and Francisco is being more careful now. The Brazilian pulls an arm in guillotine and drops to the mat but Mike escapes to the delight of the crowd. Trinaldo gets a sweep and the men move into heel hook position. The submission attempt fails and Chiesa takes control on top though the men seem to stall out. Mike is controlling things on top though not much happens to end the round. (10-9 Chiesa)

We have some ugly striking at the start of the final 5, until the American gets another takedown. Some pitter pat striking from both men but Chiesa is controlling the fight. Trinaldo almost pulls an armbar and thats about it for this tepid fight. (10-9 Chiesa)
Fight Grade: C-

Its PPV time! The buck toothed bandit will face the meanest midget around and Dan Henderson may die before our very eyes! Stay tuned.