UFC 98 Ka-Da-Tay

Karate is officially back in style as Lyoto Machida systematically picked apart Rashad Evans at this weekends UFC 98 to take the Light Heavyweight Crown. Machida is not the first karate practicioner to win the 205 belt, as future UFC Hall of Famer and Kenpo Karate expert Chuck Liddell dominated the 205 pound division before the belt began to change hands.

Lyoto Machida def Rashad Evans via KO (Punches) R2, 3:57- Lyoto Machida dominated this fights as he has in his 15 career victories. Lyoto was able to keep Rashad Evans at a distance, then capitalize when he saw an opening.

In the first, Lyoto was able to score a knockdown off a body kick, back up, then punch the face. Lyoto picked up his pace in the second round, landing kicks and punches before setting up his final push. Lyoto at a couple punches but unloaded a fury with a head kick and several punches before landing an uppercut that sent Rashad into the cage fence seeing stars.

Lyoto will likely face Rampage Jackson in his next bout. Hopefully they are not put in TUF 10 as coaches as it will put both fighter on the shelf for 7 months or more. MMA Blaster's readers were correct in predicting Lyoto Machida would win 66-49.

(Lyoto Machida pictured)

Results:

Frankie Edgar def Sean Sherk via Dec (Unanimous)
Chael Sonnen def Dan Miller via Dec (Unanimous)
Drew McFedries def Xavier Foupa-Pokam via TKO (Punches) R1, 0:37
Matt Hughes def Matt Serra via Dec(Unanimous)
Brock Larson def Mike Pyle via sub (arm-triangle) R1, 3:06
Tim Hague def Pat Barry via sub (guillotine) R1, 1:43
Kyle Bradley def Phillipe Nover via TKO (strikes) R1, 1:03
Krzysztof Soszynski def Andre Gusmao via TKO (strikes) R1, 3:17
Yoshiyuki Yoshida def Brandon Wolff via sub (guillotine) R1, 2:24
George Roop def David Kaplan via split dec

TUF 7 Finale Results

The TUF 7 Finale wrapped up Saturday night, and it was overall a decent fight card. There was a ton of filler as usual.

*Amir's attempted jump kick versus Matt Brown in his third fight

Rob Kimmons def. Rob Yundt, Submission (Guillotine choke) R1 3:58
Dean Lister def. Jeremy Horn, Submission (Guillotine choke) R1 3:52
Matt Brown def. Matt Arroyo, TKO (strikes) R2 3:40 - This is the second victory that TUF 7's Matt Brown has posted over Arroyo.

Dustin Hazelett def. Josh Burkman, Submission (Armbar) R2 4:46- This fight wasn't shown on the broadcast, but won fight of the night and submission of the night honors.

Andrew McFedries def. Marvin Eastman, TKO (Punches) R1 1:08- This fight was shown after the main event. It was quick as McFedries scored an uppercut to stun Eastman before a barrage of punches to force a stoppage. McFedries won KO of the night for this knockout.

Matt Riddle def. Dante Rivera, Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00- Riddle looked in shape and sharp as he beat up Rivera for three rounds.

Spencer Fisher def. Jeremy Stephens, Decision (Unanimous)- This fight was a war, but Fisher edged out the decision with takedowns and elbow strikes. Fisher was throwing the elbows across his body. They proved pretty effective.

Diego Sanchez def. Luigi Fioravanti, TKO (Strikes) R3 4:07- Diego came out throwing heavy leather with Luigi. Luigi stayed tough despite being knocked down by punches. In the third, Diego kept up the heat with a left high kick, knee to the face and some punches to force the stoppage.

Amir Sadollah def. CB Dollaway, Submission (Armbar) R1 3:02 - Amir Sadollah proved his win over CB in the regular season was legit as Amir showed heart yet again. After being taken down by CB, Amir weathered a storm of punches before securing an arm. When Amir tourqed the arm, CB tapped once, and that was enough for Herb Dean to call it. Amir had a never say die attitude the entire season. He scored most of his wins in come from behind fashion, never giving up.
*Come on UFC, only a plaque and a contract? What happened to a wristwatch or a Scion? Show Amir some love.

Kendall Grove def. Evan Tanner, Decision (split)- Kendall was able to control the fight for the duration with his stand up game. Tanner's offense was limited to the clinch and takedown. Grove seemed to land knee's, punches and nearly secured the victory. I had it a unanimous decision for Grove, I don't know how anyone could give it to Tanner.
*Kendall has to use his reach and lanky frame to his advantage in his fights. He gets in trouble when fighters get in close.

UFC Fight Night 12 Results

UFN 12 Recap

Three exciting fights made the broadcast on Wednesday night. The amount of fluff that goes into the Spike live telecasts is pretty harsh. There were 30 minutes of filler before the first fight. Then there was a long interview with Sly Stallone, and another with two guys from Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Tour. There was also the Rambo replay. Needless to say, it would have been nice if they could have put the Wiman fight that ended in the first or Corey Hill's fight that ended at the start of the second. Here are the results:

Mike Swick def. Josh Burkman via majority decision - Overall a relatively repetitive fight. Burkman tried to get a takedown, was stopped, and the fight was reset. The karate kick roundhouse by Burkman and a couple other wild and unsuccessful moves were interesting. Swick's heavy kick to Burkman's jugular probably won him a round. The other two rounds were very close. In my book this fight could have easily been a draw.

Patrick Cote def. Andrew McFedries via TKO (strikes) — R1, 1:44 - This was a very exciting 1:44 worth of action. Both fighters exchanged shots taking blows, and Cote lulled McFedries in. Cote next smashed McFedries on the jaw, following McFedries to the canvas with an uppercut. The fight was stopped with McFedries basically against the fence with his hands up taking punches.

Thiago Tavares def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision - After an entertaining grappling match in the first round, the rest of the fight was uneventful.

Nate Diaz def. Alvin Robinson via Submission (triangle choke) — R1, 3:39 - Diaz looks to be the real deal as he sealed this win with a perfectly executed triangle. After connecting with a hook, Diaz slammed Robinson to the mat, but found himself in a tight guillotine choke. Diaz stayed calm, worked himself out, and looked crisp with his grappling in the win. His legs from the bottom are never stopping as he looked extremely limber applying the triangle.
*My pick for submission of the night.



Kurt Pellegrino def. Alberto Crane via TKO (strikes) — R2, 1:55 - This fight is the type that makes some a little squeemish. Crane opened the fight with a head kick that struck Pellegrino right in the mouth. Pellegrino's bottom tooth actually punctured his skin. Crane went for a choke with Pellegrino on the floor, but the dazed Pellegrino didn't submit. Maybe because he was unconscious. Crane should have punched Kurt out there, but his inexperience showed. In the second round, Pellegrino struck Crane near the eye, and when Crane grimaced, held his face and rolled, the fight was called.
*My pick for KO of the night. *Fight of the night.

Undercard - I'd like to watch before I comment, here are the results.

Gray Maynard def. Dennis Siver via unanimous decision
Jeremy Stephens def. Cole Miller via TKO (strikes) — R2, 4:44
Corey Hill def. Joe Veres via TKO (strikes) — R2, 0:37
Matt Wiman def. Justin Buchholz via submission (rear-naked Choke) — R1, 2:56

UFC Fight Night 12

Preview by the MMA Blaster

Tonight on Spike at 8:00 pm CST will be the UFC's installment of their 12th Ultimate Fight Night series. Given that their are seven lightwieght contests you tell the division is starting to get crowded and that a 145 pound featherweight division may be needed. Like most MMA fans, I'd much rather see Spike squeeze an extra fight or two because I'm interested to see how some of the undercard plays out.



MAIN CARD

WW- Josh Burkman (9-4) vs. Mike Swick (10-2)- Mike Swick is making his debut at 170 following his loss to Yushin Okami. Previously, Swick had won five straight at 185. Burkman is 5-2 in the UFC with his last four fights going to decision.

MW- Patrick Côté (11-4) vs. Drew McFedries (6-2)- Côté has won two straight in the UFC and one in the TKO since his loss to Travis Lutter for the TUF 4 title. McFredreis recently KO'd Jordan Radev in 33 seconds, his previous fight saw him losing via a deep arm triangle by Martin Kampmann.

LW- Thiago Tavares (12-1) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (4-5)- Thiago was undefeated before losing a decision to Tyson Griffin in his last bout. Judo master Omigawa lost in his last UFC fight to Matt Wiman.

LW- Nate Diaz (7-2) vs. Alvin Robinson (9-2)- TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz looks to keep the win streak going. His last loss was to Hermes Franca at WEC 24. Robinson beat Jorge Gurgel in his last fight and lost to Kenny Florian previously in his UFC career.

UNDERCARD

LW- Alberto Crane (8-1) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (10-3)- Both fighters are looking to rebound from losses. Crane last lost to Roger Huerta. Pellegrino last lost to Joe Stevenson.

LW- Gray Maynard (3-0) vs. Dennis Siver (11-4)- Maynard recently KO'd Veres in just 9 seconds following his dual KO no contest with Robert Emerson. Siver recently knocked out Naoyuki Kotani at UFC 75.

LW- Cole Miller (13-2) vs. Jeremy Stephens (12-2)- The tall and limber BJJ specialist Cole Miller has won 4 in a row and 2 in the UFC. Recently he got a win over Leonard Garcia at UFN 11. Stephens has won 2 in a row, one in the UFC and one in the MCC.

LW- Corey Hill (1-0) vs. Joe Veres (4-2)- 6'5" Corey Hill finally makes his debut on the big stage in the UFC. He is a major prospect and Jens Pulver took paid extra attention to him on TUF 5. On the show Hill lost to Nate Diaz after beating Robert Emerson.

LW- Justin Buchholz (7-1) vs. Matt Wiman (8-3)- After losing two straight, Wiman has won two straight in the UFC since his TUF 5 appearance. Buchholz has won four straight in Hawaii taking part in Elite XC, Icon and ROTR promotions. He previously fought in the Alaska Fighting Championship.