The UFC Blog

I wasn’t much of a fan of Brock Lesnar until this month. When I heard him on Larry Pepe’s Pro MMA Radio he seemed like a cool guy. When I saw him fight Herring this past weekend the dude is a beast. I’ve never seen anyone move as quickly as he did across the octagon. When he landed his first punch and sent him flying he took off like a charging bull. It was fun to see him fight and he destroyed Herring. If he can continue to learn how NOT to get submitted this guy will dominate his UFC division.

Rd. 1

In the fight of the night, GSP comes out in dominating fashion showing Jon Fitch what a world class  athlete is really made of.  Fitch’s right eye is bleeding and he is getting rocked by GSP.  GSP continues to dominate and take control of the fight.  From the stand up to the ground.  Elbows after bloody elbows, Fitch is seeing the best of GSP.  What a great first round by GSP.

Rd. 2

First thing I have noticed over GSP’s last few fights, his stand up has seemed to improve a lot.  He is picking Fitch apart.   Fitch finally lands a solid right on the chin of GSP, he doesn’t mind.  Another good right by Fitrch.    Both fighters landing good solid punches.  Fitch is bloodied up, but is getting a few good punches here and there.  GSP is still getting the best of him.  Spinning back kick to Fitch’s face ends round two.

Rd. 3

GSP drops Fitch with a right hand at the beginning of the round.   Now on Fitch’s back, he looks like he is going to be in trouble.   A super bloody face and now in a rear naked choke… oh wait, he gets out and gets full guard.  While on top, Fitch is not doing much damage.  I don’t know how it happened, but GSP crawls through the legs of Fitch and is now on top.  Fitch is showing real warrior status.  GSP rocks Fitch with a straight right and followed by a knee that drops Fitch.  Now blood running down his face, GSP is starting to take advantage of it.  Fitch is against the corner and GSP is just teeing off.  GSP drops Fitch with a double leg takedown.  End of round three.

Rd 4

GSP is still getting the best of Fitch.  Fitch cuts open GSP’s right eye.   Fitch is looking to get a haymaker in.  He needs it as he has lost all three rounds so far.  A quick cup chick by GSP, he bows and the two touch gloves.  GSP is what a champion should be like.  Fitch goes for the 1 leg take down, but GSP won’t let it happen, hopping across the octagon while keeping his balance.  Now both fighters on their knees, GSP takes advantage and gets into full guard.  Nice left elbow to Fitch’s face.   Very impressed with how Fitch is handling himself even though he is getting worked over and over.  End of round four.

Rd. 5

GSP starts the round with a final glove touch, a true sign of a champion.  A spinning back fist by GSP rocks Fitch.  Now in full guard, GSP is putting the pressure on Fitch by laying on him, wearing him down.  Nice body shots by GSP on the top.  2 quick right hands by GSP and another.  The crowd starts chanting GSP…  Fitch is cut under both eyes now.    They stand up.  Nice left straight by GSP.  GSP goes for the takedown and Fitch falls.  On the ground, GSP works the half and full guard.   At the end of the round the crowd starts going nuts.  GSP falls to the ground as he walks towards Fitch and bows to him while the two warriors talk graciously.  GSP wins all 5 rounds.

Rd. 1

First right hook from Brock knocks Heath down to his feet but sprawls back up.  Brock tries to lock in a choke.  While in the choke, Heath is working his side like crazy.  Brock goes for the takedown and is successful.  Now on top, Brock lands a solid right that opens up Heath’s right eye.  Brock needs to watch it as he just hit Heath in the back of the head, kind of like he did with Frank Mir.  IA nasty knee to the side of Heaths body hurts him.  Heaths eye is starting to poor out blood.   The round ends with another vicious knee to the side of  Heaths body.  Strong first round for Brock!  

Rd. 2

Brock is starting to look like a fighter.  He is throwing good punches and is showing off his versatile side.  Brock gets the take down again.   Brock gets side guard and starts to land some good punches.  Brock moves to full guard and gets on Heaths back.  Another shot to the back of the head, but the ref does nothing.     With the size of Brocks body on top of Heath, there is not much he can do.  Heath gets to his feet though and starts to try and work Brocks body.   Two knees to Heaths body and he is hurting bad.  You can see it in his face.   Another dominating round by Brock.

Rd. 3

Heaths right eye is starting to look really nasty.  It is already bruising and is cut open.  Brock has Heath up against the cage.    Brock is landing some vinous knees to the back of Heaths spine (IMO).   Brock gets full guard.   Another vicious knee to the side of Heaths body.   Heath gets to his feet and lands a few solid blows on Brock, he responds by taking him down again.   Brock ends the round raising his hand before the bell.  As the bell rings, he points and laughs at the Texas Crazy Horse.  Brock wins via unanimous decision all 3 rounds.

Manny comes out with a fury of punches but leaves himself open and gets caught with a right hook that drops Manny and follows with a  left hook from Rob and is knocked out.

Manny comes out with a fury of punches but leaves himself open and gets caught with a right hook that drops Manny and follows with a  left hook from Rob and is knocked out.

Rd. 1

Roger starts the action with a solid left leg kick.    Roger is pushing the pace.  The crowd is going crazy for Huerta.   Florian gets the first take down of the night.  Kenny gets top position and tries to stretch Roger out.    The fighters get to their feet.  Ken Flo lands a  knee that just seems to piss off Roger.   Nice knee to the body from Roger.  Nice left by Huerta.  Kenny doing a good job on the defensive mode though.   End of round one.

Rd. 2

Roger is really pushing the pace in this fight.  Kenny is doing a great job of not taking any real damage with the exception of a few solid shots from Roger.    Roger on top of Kenny getting the best of him.  Kenny gets Rogers back and tries to stretch him out.    Roger gets out and the crowd goes wild.  Nice left kick to Rogers left leg.  Kenny sweeps Roger but he gets right back up.    Fighters in clinch Kenny gets a good elbow in.   End of round two.

Rd. 3

Nice front kick to start off the first round from Kenny.  Another knee that rocks Roger.  He tries to shake it off but is clearly rocked from it.  Kenny gets full guard.  Roget gets up and fighters go into clinch.  Roger rocks Kenny with a few shots.  Another nice knee followed by a high leg kick to Rogers dome.  Kenyn lands another solid left.  Another front kick from Kenny rocks Roger.  Roger is clearly upset that he hasn’t been able to get the best of Florian.  Roger lands a solid left kick but Kenny comes back with a nice body shot.  Kenny is really taking control and is really working Roger.  

Kenny Florian wins all 3 rounds via unanimous decision.

Rd. 1

Jason starts the action with the first take down of the fight.  Jason works towards full guard.   Maia gets MacDonald’s in a deep tranle but MacDonald gets out of it and switches it into a choke on Maia.  Jason is in full guard again.  Jason gets Maia in another deep chock but Maia gets out of it and reverses it so that Maia is on MacDonald’s back and gets in a deep choke.  MacDonald pulls his arm out with brute strength.  There is a reason why they call him The Athlete.  End of round one.

Rd. 2

Fighters start out the round in clinch with Maia getting the first take down.  In top position, Maia lands a few solid blows.  Maia is pounding the crap out of MacDonald from full guard.  Maia has MacDonald pinned down controlling MacDonald’s hips and not letting him do anything.  MacDonald is taking some serious punishment and he needs to start defending himself or else the ref is going to call it.  Elbows, hooks, etc… Maia continues to control MacDonald.  MacDonald’s face is starting to show a lot of the punishment.  Maia switches into an arm bar but MacDonald gets out and gets top position.  End of round two.

Rd. 3

The crowd really loves this fight.  Maia gets the takedown but MacDonald immediately grabs his neck.  Maia reverses.  MacDonald gets full guard.  He really needs to make up in points this round.   MacDonald reverses and goes for the choke again but Maia gets out and gets full guard in the same position as last round.  Maia lands some nice punches from the top and switches to a rear naked choke and finishes the fight.  

Rd. 1

Tandan starts the pressure and lands a few good uppercuts.  Fighters go into clinch with Tamdan putting on the pressure by leaning on his opponent.  Tamdan gets the first take down of the night and gets full guard and switches to his back and gets a deep rear naked chocke laid in.   Luke has his chin tucked so Tandan couldn’t get the choke completely in.   He switches around to get top mount.  Tandan lands a  few good punches from full mount.    Luke is trying for a triangle but cfanot get it around Tandans 6’4 frame.  Tandan has full guard again and lands a nice overhand right.  Tandan is going for the arn bar but Luke pulls his own arms back.  Luek switches over and gets full guard on Tandan.   Great first round.

Rd. 2

Tandan gets the first take down of round two.  Tandan gets full guard and lands a few good punches but Luke is constantly moving and worming around. Tandan switches around  and gets Luke’s back again. Tandan goes for the rear naked choke again but fails again, tries to switch to an arm bar but Luke gets out again.  Luke gets top position. Tandan has a very unorthodox style and switches over to Lukes back again and goes for the choke again but switches to Full guard.  Tandan lands a couple nice punches.  Luke already seems tired while Tandan is very relaxed and is controlling the fight since it started.    

Rd. 3

Luke starts the third round with a solid right to the body that rocks Tandan.  Luke gets guard and is landing small but effective elbows.  Lukes mouth is wide open and Tandan gets the takedown.  Nice elbows to Lukes side but in half guard.  In half guard, Tandan lands some good elbows that started making Lukes nose bleed.  Tandan switches to an arm bar but the fighters are too sweaty already.  Tandan gets the take down.  Luke goes for the triangle and almost has it in.   Tandan picks up Luke and slams him to the ground,.    Tandan dominates all three rounds.  What a great performance by the nerds!

Tandan wins via unanimous decision.

Luke Cummo (167) vs. Tamdan McCrory (170)

As Joe Rogan put it, The Battle Of The Nerds! lol

Kongo looks like a beast coming out of the jungle to take care of his predator.  Kongo picks up Evensen and drops him.  Kongo is waiting for Dan to get up and gets some nice side leg kciks in.  Kongo is sitting over Evensen waiting for him.  Kongo is looking to take down Evensen but Evensen has a strong chocke but Knogo gets out.  Kongo picks up and drops Evensen.  Kongo is on top landing minimal punches.  Kongo sits over Evensen again waiting for him.  The ref breaks them up.  Nice leg kick but Kongo followed but a right hook right on the jaw of Evensen that drops Evensen and Kongo gets on top and pounds Evensen until the ref stops it.   Kongo wins via TKO.

Evensen is still on the ground long after Kongo dropped him and continued his rampage.

Rd. 1

Jon goes for the first takedown but missed.  Andre lands a leg kick to Jon’s body that sends a clap around the arena.  Fighters go into clinch.    Jon lands a solid right hook but doesn’t seem to fade Andre.  Jon gets the takedown.  Andrew lands 2 back to back body shots.  Both fighters are very cautious to try anything big.  Jon lands a solid knee to Andre’s groin that rocks Andre back in the corner and lands left, right, left, right…. Totally unintentional but the crowd doesn’t like it.  Andrew is hurt bad and I don’t blame him, he even got cut while trying to recover from the groin shot.  The round ends with both fighters getting a few good shots.

Rd. 2

Andre is coming out with a vengeance and wants to hurt Jon badly after that knee to the groin.  Fighters go into clinch again and Jon Jones lands ANOTHER knee to the groin that drops Andre.  Seriously, the ref needs to dock a point for that.  They resume, with Jon lands a nasty leg kick but Andre gets the take down.  Jon lands a sold right but does nothing with it after that.  Jon spins around and Andrew catches him awhile spinning.  Jon looks to be a little hurt from it.  Andre pins Jon against the cage and the ref breaks them up.  Job looks to go for a takedown but does a spinning elbow that rocks Andre.   Andre looks at the ref as he might have got hit again.  Ref does nothing.  Jon does another spinning back fist and Andrew responds with a flurry of punches.  Jon lands a solid body shot.  And another…  End of round two.

Rd. 3

Andrew has a look on his face as if his balls really hurt.  Jon is really pushing the pace and trying to overwork Andre.  Both fighters land solid punches back and forth.  Fighters go into clinch again and Andrew looks like is really trying to stay away from Jon’s knees due the ground shots.  Andre is falling back.  Both fighters are showing some good action but no one is really dominating in this round.  The ref breaks them up and brings them to center ring.  Jon is breathing with his mouth open while they are in clinch.  Jon gets the takedown.   Andre is doing a good job of letting Jon do any real damage.  Good up kick by Andrew when Jon stands up.  Jon now has full mount but Andrew is going for the triangle but cannot lock it in.  End of round three.

Jon Jones wins via unanimous decision. IMO the ref should have knocked a point off for the repeated groin shot which would have made the decision a lot closer.

The Target Arena here in Minneapolis, MN is about 85% full right now, I am sure it will fill up closer to the main cards that start at 9pm Central time.

Great venue and I cannot wait to come back to Minneapolis as it is a great town with superb public transportation, great night life, lots of great places to eat at.   It is truly a hidden secret that I really wasn’t expeceting coming here.

When I post pictures after the fight, we will starting a new contest called Where’s Wildo.  Stay tuned for more detailed.

Rd. 1

Chris starts out the action and they end up in clinch with neither fighter’s doing much.  The first books of the night start.  Bruno slips and Wilson get on top.  He stands up and launches a nice kick to the face. Wilson throws Bruno to the ground and tries to land a few elbows but they end up standing up.  Nice kicks by Wilson.  Wilson responds with a thai knee that drops Wilson.  Wilson gets Bruno’s back and goes for the choke.  Wilson has got one arm locked but can’t keep it.  He lands a few good shots from Bruno’s back.  Bruno tries to stand while Wilson is on his back but cannot.  Wilson still has Bruno’s back and is lying against the cage.  Wilson goes for the rear naked chock but Bruno does a good job of stopping it.  Bruno has a nice goose egg on the left side of his face. End of round one.

Rd. 2

Wilson tries a front kick, Bruno blocks and they go to the ground.  Wilson tries to get Bruno’s back again but fails.  Wilson gets the take down.  Wilson stands up and while Bruno tries to, Wilson goes for the choke.  The crowd boos due to the non action.  Wilson lands another good knee to Bruno’s head.  Bruno goes for the take down but doesn’t get it.  The fighters are up against the cage, next to the BSN No-Explode.  The ref pulls them apart and Wilson lands a solid uppercut followed by another knee that drops Bruno.  Wilson is on top with his knee around Bruno’s neck and is landing some solid elbows to Bruno’s side.  Wilson switches to a choke but Bruno gets out.  Wilson is still on top landing good punches but the ref stands them up.  Bruno goes for the take down and gets a very weak takedown but Wilson gets top position again!  End of round two.

Rd. 3

Bruno is visibly done with the fight and has nothing.  Wilson needs to take control and knock him out.  Wilson lands a vicious uppercut that drops Bruno.   Wilson gets Bruno’s back again and goes for the same choke he has tried at least 5-7 times now.  Wilson has Bruno’s back and whad’ya know, he goes for the choke again.  Bruno is doing a great job of not getting chocked out.  Wilson stands up and tries to get Bruno off of him but Bruno pushes him to the ground.  I think that is all Bruno can do now, try to stay alive.  Bruno doesn’t want to stand up and is taking blow after blow.  They stand again and Bruno goes for a knee and just holds it as if he is saying stop, please!  They stand them up again and Wilson lands a nice left hook to the body and Bruno goes for a leg again and sits in the same position.  Wilson is on top again.  He stands and Bruno tries to get up and Wilson lands a knee to Bruno’s dome that sends a roar around the arena.  Wilson completely dominates all three rounds.   Chris Wilson wins 30-27 via unanimous decision.

Rd. 1
Saunders starts the fight off with a nice knee followed by some solid leg kicks.  Ben is completely dominating.  Ryan Thomas goes for the first takedown of the night but fails.  Fighters go into clinch.  Ben follows with a few more solid leg kicks to the body. Ben knocks down Ryan with a straight right and gets Ben in a triangle but escapes easily.      Ryan is starting to bleed out of his left eye.  Ryan goes for the triangle again but Ben escapes again.  Ben is on top grounding and pounding.  Ben is trying to get a rear naked chock but cannot get his arm locked underneath.   Ben has Ryan’s back and is still trying for the rear naked chock and is wasting a lot of energy.  End of round one.

Rd. 2

Ben is staring down his opponent with an almost joker-ish look in his eyes before the round starts.  Fighters go into clinch and Ben gets top position.  Ben stands up and waves his opponent over to say, c’mon.  Ben follows with more solid leg kicks to the head and body.   Ryan slips and Ben gets his back again.  Ben stands up again and waits for Ryan to get up.  Ben tries another knee and Ryan catches.  Ryan is defiantly feeling those legs kicks to his ribs, he grabs his ribs as if he is seriously hurt.  Ryan falls to the ground and Ben gets his back again and goes for an arm bar and Ryan is forced to tap at 2:28 seconds in round two. I   think he could have got away from it, but he is obviously in a lot of pain due to the vicious leg kicks to Ryan’s ribs. Great performance by Ben Saunders!

Bodybuilding.com is ringside here covering the UFC 87 at the Target Arena in Minneapolis, MN.  

I will be here covering each of the fights play by play, the first fight of the night starts here in just a few minutes.

170 lbs.: Ben Saunders (170) vs. Ryan Thomas (170)

Kenny Florian versus Roger Huerta could possibly be the fight of the night.  Both these ligtweights are outstanding all around fighters.  Florian and Huerta both need this win if they want to earn a title shot with BJ Penn.  These fighters have both been in wars, Florian versus Sean Sherk was a epic bloody battle that went 5 rounds for the lightweight belt.  Huerta versus Garcia was also an epic battle that the UFC continues to replay on SPIKE TV!
So this fight is a must see!  Dont miss it!

Here is the crazy canadian chick that went off on Dana… she went off on how Dana needs to end the fued between him and Tito.

She doesn’t look crazy, does she?

Dana’s response…

WW

The UFC needs a big name in the HW division has it has been unsuccessful in the past in signing big names.  However one of the biggest names most recently signed by the UFC is the former WWE HW champion Brock Lesnar, he was also a NCAA HW wrestling champion.  He suffered a first round submission loss to former UFC champ Frank Mir at UFC 81.  Lesnar showed glimpses of greatness as he dominated the first minutes of the fight with a brutal ground n pound attack that left Mir battered.  

He goes up against a seasoned veteran of the MMA world in Heath Herring.  The Pride FC veteran Herring has nearly 50 fights under his belt and has fought the best of the best.  He still isn’t a house hold name amongst casual MMA fans, but with a win over Lesnar might boost his markability.  

Both fighters looked huge at the weigh ins, and Herring looks to be in the best shape of his life.  In his early career he would look a little chubby but seems to have rededicated himself and looks absolutely ripped.  Lesnar has always been a monster and has to cut weight to make the 265 weight limit.

This will be a very enteraining fight, will Lesnar’s raw power and athleticism prove too much for the experience of Herring?  Or will the rededicated Herring show the world that Lesnar should have stayed in the WWE?  Only time will tell… check out my UFC 87 Preview and Predictions!!!

Here are the official weigh-in results from earlier today:

170 lbs.: Georges St. Pierre (170) vs. Jon Fitch (170)
265 lbs.: Brock Lesnar (265) vs. Heath Herring (250)
155 lbs.: Kenny Florian (155) vs. Roger Huerta (155)
155 lbs.: Manny Gamburyan (155) vs. Rob Emerson (155)
185 lbs.: Demian Maia (185) vs. Jason MacDonald (185)
170 lbs.: Luke Cummo (167) vs. Tamdan McCrory (170)
265 lbs.: Cheick Kongo (235) vs. Dan Evensen (244)
205 lbs.: Andre Gusmao (205) vs. Jon Jones (205)
170 lbs.: Steve Bruno (170) vs. Chris Wilson (170)
170 lbs.: Ben Saunders (170) vs. Ryan Thomas (170)

All fighters made weight.  Brock Lesnar was looking huge at 265!

Pics being uploaded here in a bit.

WW

Will dawg and I made are way around Minneapolis this afternoon and shot some cool footage. We made our way to the Target Center early where we received our temporary media passes and headed to the action. Dana White was answering questions from fans. The Ufc has a "fight club" where members can ask questions to whomever the featured guest Is. There was one upset fan who asked Dana why he continued his hate for Tito. It was a funny exchange. Vandi silva showed up and signed autogrpahs for the fans.

Right now we’re watching a video on the main card fighters before they weigh in. The Ufc does an awesome job of marketing the fighters and telling their stories. I’m sitting next to Kevin Cole from yahoo sports. One of the most knowledgable guys in the MMA world. He was recently a guest on Larry Pepe’s pro mma radio. Stay tuned for more updates after the weigh-INS.