 Boxing News -- 24 hours/day - Reload often! Continuously updated all day, every day! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Octagonside by Victor Perea Last night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, headlining UFC 64: Unstoppable, Brazilian Anderson “The Spider” Silva scored one of the year’s biggest upsets with a title-usurping knockout victory of Rich “Ace” Franklin in less than one round. Making his third title defense since winning the UFC middleweight title in June of last year, Franklin entered the bout a -200 betting favorite. Although both fighters weighed in at the 185 pound middleweight limit, Franklin’s packed physique gave the impression he would have the advantage in power department over the slender-framed Silva. Not one to take the easy road, Franklin opted to trade with the renowned Brazilian striker, whose bodacious international career earned him a title shot after just one impressive victory inside the Octagon. Silva threw a hard leg kick that landed—something Franklin surely expected and trained for—as he countered with a good left hook that landed flush, but did not stir, Silva.
Connecting on several of his uppercuts while in Silva’s grip, but to no avail, Franklin threw hooks and elbows over the arms of Silva in hopes of loosening the grip on his head. Unable to shake the former Chute Boxe Academy team member, Franklin went back to fighting fire with fire, again trading knees to the body. Nevertheless, Silva continued to land the more meaningful blows and within moments it was obvious that Franklin would not be able to withstand much more punishment to the body. Silva, still in control of Franklin in the clinch, spun the champion around and onto the fence. The larger Franklin looked helpless to the thrashing Silva was giving him. Noting that Franklin dropped his hands in order to protect his now damaged body, Silva pulled his unyielding Thai clinch even tighter and cold-cocked Franklin with a demoralizing knee to the face of the Cincinnati favorite, instantly breaking his nose. For the first time since being caught in “The Spider’s” web, Franklin was free, but only as he stumbled along the fence—out on his feet.
Franklin, mangled and beaten, turned to his side and fell to the mat, stunning the 10,773 in attendance. Curled on his side, Franklin had one hand up facing Silva who stood over him, hesitant to continue the punishment, as referee “Big” John McCarthy saved Franklin at 3:59 of the first round. “I was not expecting him to be that strong in the clinch,” said Franklin who suffered the second loss of his career. “I was expecting that to be my sweet spot, but he gave me a lot of trouble.” An emotional Silva fell to his knees as the fight was stopped, realizing he had accomplished what he came to the UFC to do. “I want to thank the UFC,” said the newly-crowned champion, now 17-4. “This is the biggest stage . . . the one the world watches, and I am so happy right now. “I can’t even begin to think about it. I just want to go home to Brazil, to my family and watch the fight with them. Then I will see what I can do better and train to improve. I want to make this title proud.” At the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked about middleweight up and comer, Mike “Quick” Swick, who recently defeated former title challenger David Loiseau. Unbeknownst to White, hidden in the crowd, was Swick who called out to White that he wanted the title shot, calling out Silva on the spot. Silva’s translators explained to Silva what was said and White said he still believes Swick is one fight away from earning his shot.
In the first UFC Lightweight title bout since UFC 41, the newly-reinstated lightweight division pinned the incredibly powerful Sean “The Muscleshark” Sherk as a heavy favorite over TUF alumni Kenny “KenFlo” Florian. An accomplished lifelong wrestler, Sherk, a 5’5” version of the Incredible Hulk, welcomed the lightweight division having reached a plateau at welterweight with his only losses coming from the current UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes and No. 1 Contender, Georges St. Pierre. Making his entrance in full Samurai dress, the spiritual Florian appeared deeply focused upon entering the contest. His concentration would be key throughout the championship contest. As predicted, Sherk scored a double-leg takedown to begin the contest, taking the far less muscular Florian to the ground in relatively easy fashion. Working hard from his guard, Florian threw sharp elbows towards the impeding Sherk and, after a quick roll, found himself on his back looking for a guillotine choke, but unable to sink the submission attempt.
Glad to be on his feet, Florian wasted no time opening the second round by throwing a hard left kick to the body that connected. Florian followed with a short knee that was blocked by Sherk, who was en route to another takedown. Working hard on his back in full guard, Florian managed to answer Sherk’s strikes with elbows of his own and, soon after, a heavy stream of blood began to flow. Time-out was called as referee Steve Mazzagatti summoned the ringside physician to examine the big cut on Sherk’s forehead. Florian, also bathed in blood, was also examined for any cuts of his own. Eager to restart where they left off, Sherk turned up the heat and tried desperately to finish the bout before the round would end. Florian, however, never gave in and managed to reverse his position before the round ended.
Constantly wiping the stream of blood over his right eye, Sherk found himself eating a pair of monster left head kicks that made the nearly capacity crowd erupt as the round closed. Now entering the championship rounds, Sherk absorbed several hard kicks to the body from the Boston College graduate before, again, securing another takedown. While being able to take Florian to the ground at will, Sherk had several inactive moments during the contest that prompted many ringside observers to call for the fighters to be stood up. Referee Mazzagatti finally complied during, allowing Florian to throw another big head kick that was blocked-but-felt by Sherk. Landing two big kicks to begin the fifth, Florian soon found himself again on his back before being stood up. Sherk threw a big left hand and, expecting the takedown to follow, Florian threw a big knee before clinching and attempting a guillotine choke as they made their way to the ground. Florian’s trademark elbows began to work against him as the steady flow of blood from the cut he caused earlier in the bout made his submission attempt nearly impossible for the blood-covered “Muscleshark” was able to slip out.
Florian continued to work on his back as the final round closed, frustratingly aware that he had not done enough to prevent defeat and win the belt. Official scorecards read 50-48 and 49-46 twice all for Sherk; Fightnews.com scored the bout 48-47 for Sherk. “Everybody underestimated Kenny except me,” said the newly-belted champion, who improves to 30-2-1. “He’s a very tough fighter. I knew it was gonna be a war and that’s what I got.” A bruised Florian, now 7-3, disappointed with his performance, gave the new champion due credit. “I don’t think I deserved it,” he admitted. “He deserved it. “It was frustrating, I would’ve liked for them to restart it more, but what can you do? I can’t go back what’s done is done. I put it on myself: I should have fought better. Simple as that.”
In a welterweight special attraction, rising prospect Jon Fitch battered Shooto-famed fighter Kuniyoshi Hironaka over three rounds. Hironaka, who holds wins over UFC fighters Nick Diaz and Renato Verissimo, was a slight underdog but with definite potential to win the contest. Landing a solid overhand right and immediately going for the takedown, Fitch began the bout in promising form. The experienced Hironaka placed himself in a good position, opting to attempt a shoulder lock instead of simply falling into full guard. Locking his ankles and holding his grip tightly, Hironaka looked to have Fitch in trouble, and the referee looked on closely to see if Fitch was still conscious. Slowly working his way out of the would-be shoulder lock, Fitch used his free left elbow to pound Hironaka, making him pay for every second he held the grip. With only a minute and a half left in the round Hironaka finally gave up his grip, dropping his leg and staying in full guard. Fitch exploded with strikes to the body and head, posturing himself to pass onto Hironaka’s back. Fitch, with both hooks in, unsuccessfully tried a rear naked choke which was defended against, then answered with several unanswered strikes to the face to end the round. Fitch, a Purdue University graduate, explosively answered the second round by landing an overhand right followed by a left head kick that disoriented Hironaka as he was, then, slammed to the ground. With a growing mouse over his left brow, Hironaka defended valiantly in full guard as Fitch imposed his will. After a few short moments, referee Mario Yamasaki restarted the fighters only to see Fitch land another head kick and take the fight back to the ground. Hironaka, again, looked for a triangle choke but the 28-year-old Fitch defended his way out of it, adding a plethora of strikes and elbows to his damaged opponent. The third and final round began with both fighters trading evenly as Fitch landed a straight left that Hironaka answered back with a flush right uppercut—his best punch of the night. Fitch decided not to take any chances and he started to dictate the fight by taking Hironaka to the mat once more. Once in Hironaka’s full guard, blood began to flow from the nose of Fitch. Time was called and a ringside physician examinee the bloody nose. The bout resumed and Fitch dominated on the ground by landing vicious elbows that have left Hironaka’s right eye almost completely shut. After referee Yamazaki restarted the action, the fighters traded away again, Fitch earning one final takedown and throwing heavy hands at Hironaka through the final horn. Judges scored the bout 30-27 twice and 30-25, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Jon Fitch, now 17-2-1. Fightnews scored the bout 30-26, giving the second stanza to Fitch, 10-8. After the bout, Fitch, unlike anyone in attendance, was unimpressed with his victory: “I’m a little upset with myself. I think I could have put him away on my feet. I think my striking was superior. I just didn’t let it go.” With his victory over Hironaka, who falls to 10-3, Fitch has assured any doubters that he is a force in the welterweight division.
Having reportedly just signed a six-fight contract with the UFC, heavyweight hopeful Cheick Kongo happily entered tonight’s contest on the heels of a two-fight win streak since entering the Octagon in July at UFC 61. Facing a less experienced yet undefeated Carmelo Marrero, many MMA pugilists believed this would be a good test for Kongo. The well-rounded fighter would challenge his size and power both, on their feet and on the ground where Kongo is at his weakest. As expected, Kongo used his legs early on, missing his first four legs kicks as Marrero kept his distance. Marrero was fully aware of the Muay Thai expert’s lethal knees, and wanted no part in a kicking contest. Kongo’s fifth and sixth leg kicks landed flush on the outside of Marrero’s knee, but he might have overdone it as Marrero the seventh consecutive kick and shot for the takedown. With one leg in mid-air, Kongo quickly found himself on his back. Both fighters simultaneously sought to secure a guillotine choke but it was Marrero who controlled the Paris native on the ground for the remainder, although he was unable to do any significant damage outside of the winning the round. Sticking with what worked, Marrero quickly took Kongo to the ground to begin the second. Expecting to go down, Kongo dug deep for a guillotine choke, holding it tightly for what seemed an eternity. With just over three minutes left Marrero managed to pull away from the choke attempt and briefly stayed in Kongo’s full guard until referee Yves Lavigne stood the fighters up. Unfortunately for Kongo, standing was short-lived and he found himself taken down to the mat twice more before the round came to an end. Having lost the first two rounds on all but one of the judge’s scorecards, Kongo entered the final round desperately needing to finish Marrero. For the first time in the contest, Kongo successfully defended Marrero’s first takedown attempt of the round, but success was short-lived for Marrrero swept Kongo to the ground for the sixth time in the contest. Kongo closed the bout with a furious pace, ending up in Marrero’s full guard for the first time in the contest with only minutes left. Kongo was unable to finish his opponent while briefly in control. Managing to land one big knee before the round ended, a frustrated Kongo returned to his corner, aware that his third round efforts would not be enough. Kongo, however, was given a glimmer of hope when announcer Bruce Buffer announced that the judges had reached a split decision. Judge Tony Weeks scored the contest 29-28 for Kongo while judges Nelson Hamilton and Lester Griffin scored it 29-28 for the winner, and still undefeated, Marrero.
Making his UFC debut as the youngest man to ever step inside the Octagon, Dan Lauzon was the night’s biggest underdog. Having turned professional just four short months ago, Lauzon had earned three victories, one in each month after turning 18. But it would be the experience and skill of Spencer “King” Fisher that would, ultimately, decided the outcome. Lauzon made the first move, dangerously shooting for a takedown against the team Miletich fighter known for his fight-ending knees. An apparently very confident Fisher pushed Lauzon away, only to again find himself defending a takedown. This timem Lauzon took hold of the more experienced Fisher and lifted him completely off the ground, slamming him to the ground in the biggest takedown of the night. Still grinning with confidence, Fisher found himself on his back attempting to kick away his adversary. Lauzon shot off right hand after right hand and elbow after elbow, leaving everybody watching thinking there might be a possible upset. During a brief break in Lauzon’s striking, Fisher unsuccessfully attempted to stand. Lauzon continued to drop elbows and strikes to avoid having the fight being stood up. After many attempts, Fisher finally got off his back after losing the first four minutes of the contest. Taking advantage of a tiring Lauzon, who took the bout with only two weeks notice, Fisher aggressively went after him, landing a big flying right knee that hurt Lauzon. Thereafter, Fisher made every strike that landed count. Turning away in pain, Lauzon might as well have told Fisher he was ready to be taken out, for the “King” pounced on him,relentlessly landing a knee to the body and finishing the young Lauzon with a several strikes, winning by TKO at 4:38 of the first round. “I think everything hurt him,” said Fisher, now 20-2-0. “The knee followed by the uppercut hurt him. One of the elbows he hit me with hurt me for a second.”
In a bout that had more kicks than the World Cup Final, Kalib Starnes from The Ultimate Fighter. Season 3 and Japan’s Yushin Okami, fresh off a victorious UFC debut in August, slugged it out in the night’s first middleweight bout. Starnes, fighting out of British Columbia, Canada, came out with an immediate right head kick that Okami blocked. But before he could blink, Starnes threw another right head kick. Okami quickly ducked, making Starnes swing and miss as he answered back with a right head kick of his own—also blocked, but felt—by Starnes. Okami, a very dangerous fighter, who made a name for himself fighting in Japan and Hawaii, looked for the takedown as the two fighters clinched along the cage. Starnes gave it up and went digging for a guillotine choke on the way down to the canvas. The more experienced Okami stayed calm as he battled his way out of the tight grip of Starnes and the crowd rewarded his escape with a roar of applause, as the round drew to an end. Constantly eyeing Okami’s legs, Starnes came out in the second on the losing end of an exchange of strikes. The quicker Okami landed the more significant blows. Starnes took the clinch and expended a lot of energy during failed sweep attempts throughout the second round. It was beginning to look as though the highly-touted Canadian might have taken too much of a step up in competition. While looking to open up his opponent with knees, Starnes accidentally landed a low blow. After recovering for a few moments, Okami looked on as Starnes jumped faked a left kick and came with a right kick to the head. Okami, with his back to the fence, went for the sweep and took Starnes to the ground. Once there, Okami landed two powerful right hands, adding more damage to the face of Starnes to end the second round. It was more of the same in the third as Okami continued to do more damage with his hands, again attempting another takedown. Starnes, with nowhere to go, turned and ran to avoid it, but was quickly tripped up by Okami, who put Starnes on his back in full guard. Throwing hard uppercuts from above, Okami forced the beaten Starnes to turn over, taking his back soon after. A collection of strikes and no answer from the covered up Starnes forced referee Yves Lavigne to stop the contest at 1:40 of the third round. Winner by TKO, Okami improves to 19-3 while the still promising Canadian drops to a respectable 9-2-1. “I trained really hard for this fight. Kalib is a tough guy. I knew my punches where hurting him,” said Okami.
With over 20 victories on his record, Tinley Park, Illinois’ shaggy-looking Clay “The Carpenter” Guida entered the Octagon with about as much experience as you can have, against an equally-prepared Justin “Pretty Boy” James in one of the most exciting bouts of the night. Starting the fight, James’ quick hands and even faster knees kept Guida from securing a takedown. After landing two right hands, James clinched Guida and threw several vicious knees to the body, one of which landed untouched on Guida’s right side. A few moments of clinching along the fence prompted referee Steve Mazzagati to separate the fighters and restart the action. Wanting to avoid “The Pretty Boy’s” fast hands, Guida looked for the takedown again and the two fighters returned to the clinch. Guida created some space and landed a big right hook. Unhurt, James answered back with a monster knee that looked like it could have dropped an elephant, but Guida took it well before moving the battle to the ground. After dominating the first half of the round with his striking, James found himself on his back in full guard, first trying to secure an armbar, then trying to defend against Guida’s relentless elbows and strikes from above. James stayed composed and looked comfortable on the ground while searching for a way out.
Guida, a proud member of Carpenters Union local 363, came out firing in the second round, answering a right knee from Guida with a takedown. Kicking up towards an attacking Guida, James unsuccessfully tried desperately to fend off his opponent. Guida disregarded the kicks and attempted to hold as he went berserk on “The Pretty Boy.” Advertising “Ground and Pound” in large print on the back of his shorts, Guida did just tha,t beginning a furious campaign on the ground. Throwing ferocious elbows that carried his entire bodies’ momentum, Guida mauled James with everything: hooks to the body, elbows and even a double-hammer punch. Referee Steve Mazzagati asked for action from the bottom as James was unable to do anything meaningful with his back to the ground. In beastly fashion, Guida exploded after landing a big right elbow to the face of James, forcing James into the fetal position while covering his face. Guida (whose moniker should be changed to “Animal” from the Muppets) then took his back and effortlessly secured a rear naked choke, forcing James, now 22-6, to tap at 4:42 of the second round. “He had the armbar really deep, but there was no way I was going to tap,” said Guida, now 21-3. “I feel awesome right now. I’m ready for round three. All my training partners know I’m a tough guy.I work hard at the gym. Winning in your UFC debut feels great.”
Pellegrino too legit for Assuncao Lightweights Junior Assuncao and Kurt Pellegrino faced off in the night’s opening bout of a scheduled nine—but downgraded to eight—bout card, after the Keith Jardine vs. Mike Nickels bout was scratched at the last minute when Nickels backed out, claiming a back injury. Pellegrino, a slight favorite, made his crowd-pleasing entrance to the sound of MC Hammer’s “Too legit to quit,” while the less-experienced Assuncao, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt who’d turned pro in 2003, entered the Octagon after only five professional bouts. With double the experience, Pellegrino was returning after his loss to Drew Fickett at welterweight in July at UFC 61, and a victory outside the UFC in August. A submission specialist trained by Hermes Franca, Pellegrino looked to take the fight to the ground early. After eating two overhand right hands from Assuncao, Pellegrino was happy to do so. At first in control on top, Pellegrino found himself defending a guillotine choke for longer than he would have liked. Pellegrino escaped the submission attempt and earned side mount doing a great deal of damage and pounding the pinned-down Assuncao while referee “Big” John McCarthy paid close attention to Assuncao’s condition. After realizing that the fight might be stopped if he did not change position, Assuncao gave up his back in an attempt to escape submission. The eager Pellegrino then worked his arms around his opponent’s neck, securing a rear naked choke and forcing Assuncao to submit at 2:04 of the first round. “I was looking to take his back and submit him, and that’s just how I did,” said Pellegrino, now 9-2, after the bout. “A lot of my fights I envision the outcome. I envisioned beating him. My confidence level was unreal in the Octagon. I was never in trouble during the fight. I’ve never lost at 155 and I’m gonna run this weight class.” Assuncao drops to 4-2.
Bonus photos
|
