UFC 98 Results: "Karate Is Back!"

The Main Event of UFC 98 saw 2 undefeated fighters square off for the Light Heavyweight title. Lyoto Machida comes out to Linkin Park and that alone makes me hate him. Rashad Evans enters to Redman's "Time For Some Action" which used to be Anderson Silva's theme (he should come out to System Of A Down's "Sugar"). The 1st round is as expected as both fighters are cautious of the other and only 3 strikes (by Machida) are landed in the 1st 3 minutes. At the 1 minute mark Machida floors the champ and pounces like a madman though Rashad is able to get back 2 his feet. Not much after that and the 1st stanza ends in favor of the challenger. Evans looks awful nervous as the 2nd begins and mocks Machida just before he hits the canvas for the 2nd time. Evans is hurt badly but talking shit and trying to bob and weave like he isn't hurt, as he did against Forrest Griffin. The result is not the same as Lyoto's pinpoint accuracy KO's Evans in brutal Gabe Gonzaga over Mirko Cro Cop style to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion! Too much respect shown by "Sugar" who just waited and accepted punishment instead of dirty boxing and even perhaps pulling guard to force the ground battle I envisioned. Horrible gameplan from Greg Jackson leaves his former champ embarrassed as an emotional "Dragon" accepts the title.

Matt Serra comes out to "Gonna Fly Now" (Rocky's theme) which is commendable but a little known fact, Serra KO'd his friend Pete "Drago" Sell with his shoulder by hugging him by accident. Shockingly no touch of gloves as the bout begins. Not much early and Matt Hughes doesn't look comfortable in the unusual south paw position. Then both men clash heads followed by Serra's (man he hits to the back of the head a lot huh GSP) strike to the back of the head, and Hughes is knocked almost unconscious. Visibly on queer street, Hughes absorbs punishment and somehow gets a much needed takedown (which will now be referred to as a t-down). Serra gets up and is talking trash to Hughes whose eyes seem to be in another world. The 1st round ends and in the corner Hughes asks if he was knocked down! Still looking uncomfortable in the south paw stance and a glazed over look in his eyes, Hughes proceeds to get another t-down though Serra employs pretty good defense. The crowd boo's but Hughes is employing good G&P via body work. Hughes is in autopilot as the round ends and he cannot find his corner for the 2nd straight round and still looks rocked! The final round begins and Hughes hands are completely down. Finally, a good right from Hughes into a t-down but Serra puts on a shoulder lock to prevent any offense. Serra has developed a small mouse under his left eye as the referee stands them up. Serra is now daring Hughes to punch his chin and then scores a t-down of his own followed by his patented strikes to the back of the head (I'm just getting sick of that). Both men hold on to go to the inevitable decision and Hughes actually hugs Serra and raises his hand showing the class Hughes is known for. The judges award Hughes the 29-28 decision (I had it 30-28 Hughes) and the Welterweight legend has tied Chuck Liddell for 16 (most all time) wins in the UFC!!! Hughes states he is now a free agent but will only fight for the UFC and wants at least 1 more fight in the UFC, hopefully close to home.

Frankie Edgar used a plethora of striking combos and brilliant footwork including t-down attempts to keep the stuck in concrete Sean Sherk honest in their Lightweight bout. The lack of reach was very evident as Edgar just looked awesome doing whatever he wanted to the former Lightweight Champion. Sherk had no "Answer" for Edgar who looked so impressive in his unanimous decision win over the 1 trick shark. Ownage 30-27!

Chael Sonnen grasped the Republican party power given by Satan to take a commanding decision win over Dan Miller. Danny grabbed a deep guillotine early, but couldn't finish and gassed his arms. The Team Quest veteran then used his cardio and size advantage to lay and pray (literally I'm assuming) over the game but outworked Miller. The crowd did not approve.
Professor X is a really good dancer, but could not withstand the brutal assault of the unbelievably heavy handed Drew "Massacre" McFedries. Do not stand with this HitSquad fighter who just landed that 1 initial shot that led to full demolition. Protest all you want X, he could've killed you!
My now named "Special K" Krzysztof Soszynski, got a KO win over Andre Gusmao in what many thought would be a Jiu-Jitsu clinic at the battle of the IFL alumni. I'd just like to say nice Fedora hat and somewhere Bas Rutten is proud of his former student.
Brock Larson finally made PPV air defeating a very game Mike Pyle by arm triangle choke. Pyle made Xtreme Couture proud taking this bout on last second notice and constantly transitioning from submission to submission before being caught himself. My favorite nose in MMA gets the win and the other UFC Welterweights had better pay attention.
Pat Barry came out hands down against Tim Hague who he almost KO'd with a head kick and subsequent punches. It ain't over till the ref calls it and a wounded Tim Sylvia/Heath Herring love child fought his way back and got a text book guillotine choke for the comeback win! Barry should be embarrassed and ashamed of himself for that come apart loss and a humble Tim "Quivering Lip" Hague honors all of Canada.
Phillipe Nover lost again to Kyle Bradley but in all fairness, referee Yves Lavigne dropped the ball on this 1. Nover did get dropped by a right hand, but returned to his feet as Lavine had already stepped in once and looked unsure of what to do. The contest was halted and Yves would be boo'd for the remainder of the evening as was fitting. I don't know if the athletic commission will overturn this fight, but Nover our favorite sunglasses wearing at the weigh-ins guy, loses again after being touted by Dana White as the 2nd coming of Anderson Silva (ha!).

Yoshiyuki Yoshida tapped Brandon Wolff twice via guillotine in their bout. Referee Steve Mazzagatti missed the 1st tap but a calm Yoshida calmly rolled over Wolff for the 2nd victory in 1 bout as the UFC referees continue to look stellar on this card.

George Roop got the split decision win over Dave Kaplan (who will soon be cut by the UFC) and I still don't care.

Who is in line for a shot at Lyoto Machida's title as Forrest Griffin has a date with Anderson Silva? My guess is 1 "Rampage" Jackson is not looking forward to facing the new Light Heavyweight "man." Rashad Evans needs to take a little initiative on his own and Matt Hughes should retire though I still think Matt Serra isn't shit. Chael Sonnen isn't afraid to bore his way to a decision and Frankie Edgar just opened the eyes of everyone in the Lightweight division. Sean Sherk probably won't be cut but I wish he would be. Drew McFedries will never contend for a title but will always be exciting as win or lose he hasn't gone past the 1st round in 9 straight fights (with a record of 5-4). I have nothing left to say about this card save it wasn't worth $44.95 but I knew that going in so who is really at fault here? 7-3-1 on the picks as I will not allow Yves Lavigne to fuck me like he did Phillipe Nover which sounds like a gay porno star.