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 Episode 10 - Roop's Hand

This episode featured the final first round match-up between lightweights John Polakowski and George Roop. Both are good stand-up fighters, but George believed he held the edge on the ground. Unfortunately for George a few days before his fight he got a finger jammed into the fence and it injured his hand.

The episode featured John's affection for hugs and George's injury. John is seen in a montage giving hugs to all members of both teams including the coaching staff. Funny to see John try to give Mir a hug. The hugs even get to tough guy Junie Browning, as Junie says that he likes the guy.

George's injury seems pretty bad as his hand swelled pretty huge. Throughout the episode the hand was either submerged in water or being massaged.

The fight started with one of the oddest things I've ever seen, a hug in the ring instead of the glove touch. I don't even want to see the glove touch, so I'm definately not a fan. Save the hugging for after the fight.

Roop was able to land some high kicks while John tries to work punches inside. When stepping forward, Roop is able to get a takedown. Roop then lands ground and pound before getting John's back. John is able to reverse and throw some ground and pound of his own to close out the round. I gave the round to Roop.

In the second, Roop eats some hard straight punches to the face and looks rattled. Roop begins throwing punches with his bad hand and eventually gets the takedown. From there he locks in a body triangle with John's back and rides out the fight. I thought the round was pretty even. The decision comes back for George Roop.

(George Roop pictured)

The final four in each bracket are decided next. Not too many surprises as Junie had previously called out Efrain Escudero and Eliot Marshall called out Ryan Bader. They will be showing two fights in the final two episodes.

LW Match-ups-
Junie Browning(Mir) v. Efrain Escudero(Nog)
George Roop(Mir) v. Phillipe Nover(Nog)

LHW Match-ups-
Eliot Marshall(Mir) v. Ryan Bader(Nog)
Vinny Magalhaes(Mir) v. Krzysztof Soszynski(Mir)

TUF 8 Episode 2

In this episode, the next 8 fighters to enter the house is determined. The episode wastes little time as virtually all we see are the preliminary fights. I was very dissapointed to see the two most experienced 155 pounders fight in the first round. I was also dissapointed to see two of the most experienced 205 pounders fight eachother. Whatever, it is easy to be critical of the UFC.

Westly Murch v. John Polakowski- This was the fight between two interesting characters. Murch is from England making the trip over to represent his country. Polakowski has ADHD and enjoys giving people hugs. After a brief exchange, Murch spent a great deal of time on top of Polakowski. However, Polakowski got in quite a few strikes from the bottom. When they stood up, Murch let loose a snapping low kick, however it was checked by Polakowski. The bell sounded right after that kick and Murch fell to the ground. He was in some serious pain, but came out like a true warrior. However, it didn't take long before he couldn't put any pressure on the leg and went to the ground.

Polakowski, who was very happy wasted no time in giving Big Nog, Dana White and Frank Mir hugs. Frank said that if John was on his team there would have to be a 3 second rule on the hugs.

Sean O'Connell v. Shane Primm- O'Connell spoke about his love of Forrest Griffin and having watched every season of TUF. However, he was simply outmatched by Primm. After taking some knees, O'Connell got a double leg takedown. However he is immediately defending an arm-bar, then a guillitine, then is submitted with a rear naked choke.

Ido Pariente v. Efrain Escudero- This match should have taken place in the semi-finals, not the prelims as these the most experienced of the 155 pounders. Ido was able to get a trip takedown on Efrain, however Efrain soon gets to his feet. Efrain then gets his own takedown and gets Ido's back, securing a rear naked choke victory.

Ryan Lopez v. Tom Lawlor- Lopez is a bounty hunter by day, and fighter by night. While Lopez came out absolutely shredded at 205, he probably should have worked on his technique a little more. Mir talks about how he likes Lopez' raw talent and athletisim. However, this isn't a body building match, it is a fight. Lawlor takes Lopez down, rains down punches and gets a rear naked choke.

Roli Delgado v. George Roop- These two very tall 155 pounders. It was a sloppy fight that was shown pretty in highlight fashion. Roop outworks Delgado and gets the unanimous decision victory.

Ryan Bader v. Kyle Kingsbury- This was a very questionable match-up as they have the 2nd and 3rd highest win totals of any other 205 pounders. Kingsbury was able to get the best of Bader standing landing some punches. However, Bader was able to get some slam takedowns and pushed the pace of the fight. In the second round Bader was able to secure an arm-triangle right before the bell for the submission win. On a side-note, Kingsbury looked good.

Charles Diaz v. Shane Nelson- According to Frank Mir, Diaz was talking a huge game before the fight, hyping himself up. Well, don't believe the hype, as Nelson worked his kicks and overwelmed Diaz taking the unanimous decision.

Eliot Marshall v. Karn Grigoryan- This was actually a pretty entertaining fight, but one in which I thought Marshall should have won in the first two rounds. When there was a third round I was kinda shocked. While in the third, Marshall almost had a triangle, got mount, opened up a cut on Grigoryan, and almost had him finished. By some fluke occurence the judges handed the victory to Grigoriyan. I don't know what they were watchign during the fight, but it wasn't the fight. Those judges have to be reprimanded.

Anyway, it is disclosed that Antwain Britt, who had won in the previous 8 fights, broke his hand and will be out for 6 weeks. That opens the door for Dana to bring back Eliot Marshall. Justice is served I guess.

*On a sidenote- That was one of the worst decisions I have seen in a while. I hope NSAC does something about those judges.

205
Krzysztof Soszynski (15-8, 3-4 IFL)
Ryan Bader (7-0)
Vinicius Magalhaes (2-2)
Eliot Marshall (5-1) replaces Antwain Britt (3-1)
Shane Primm (2-0)
Tom Lawlor (4-1, with DQ loss to Shane Primm)
Jules Bruchez (0-0)
Karn Grigoryan (4-0)

155
Shane Nelson (9-3)
"Junie" Allen Browning (2-0)
Efrain Escudero (10-0)
George Roop (8-3)
Phillipe Nover (5-0)
Brian McLaughlin (5-0, wins in Ring of Combat)
John Polakowski (2-1, all three fights v. Olaf Alfonso, 2 in the WEC)
Dave Kaplan (3-1)

-Looking at those records, I'm sure you can tell why I was a little upset that 205 pounder Kyle Kingsbury at 7-1 didn't get an easier first round fight. Also Ido Pariente at 155 who is 13-4 didn't get an easier fight.