Here is Marius Zaromskis facing Jason High for the Dream WW Grand Prix Final which took place on 7/20/09. Zaromskis had already defeated Japanese MMA legend Hayato Sakarai with a nasty head kick and punches earlier that night.
Three months prior, Mario defeated Pride and Shooto veteran Seichi Ikemoto via decision in the first round of the tournament.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
TUF 10 - Big Country
The TUF 10 Finale produced some dramatic KO's and submission victories, a weird ending and an unlikely decision victory. The biggest winner was TUF 10 heavyweight champion Roy Nelson. The 263 pound former IFL Champion was matched up against former football star Brendan Schaub, who played at Colorado in college, Utah Blaze of the arena league and briefly for the Buffalo Bills.
Big Country came out to Weird Al's "I'm Fat" which is a parody of "I'm Bad" by Michael Jackson and let his belly do the talking in the ring. Brendan was the early aggressor, tagging Roy and forcing him to cover up and defend numerous punches. From there, Roy was able to get a takedown and nearly got the fight into his infamous crucifix position.
Brendan was able to scramble and get back to his feet. During the next exchange, Roy threw a massive overhand right that found its mark to Brendan's temple. Brendan crumpled to the canvas and Roy threw a couple follow-ups to seal the first round victory and TUF 10 crown.
In other action, Jon Jones looked athletic, fast and dominating in his performance against Matt Hamill. The extremely long limbed Jones threw front kicks, spinning kicks, and spinning back elbows from southpaw and traditional stances. Midway through the first, Jones nailed Hamill with a massive slam, possibly dislocating Hamill's shoulder.
With full mount, Jones threw wicked ground and pound with amazing quickness. Hamill managed to block many of the strikes with some sneaking threw before Jones threw a 12-6 straight up and down elbow that is illegal. The strike KO'd Hamill, and ref Steve Mazzagatti gave Hamill a DQ win.
Two former college wresting stand-outs Frank Edgar and Matt Veach put on an excellent show. Veach was able to land crowd pleasing slams and use his power. Unfortunately for Veach, eventually Edgar found his mark with right hand sending Veach to the canvas. From there, Edgar working a rear naked choke.
Kimbo Slice made a successful debut in one of the upsets on the card. Most hardcore fans such as myself thought that Houston Alexander and his nasty muay thai put him at a clear advantage. Alexander was circling and shuffling throughout the fight. There were moments of big action and exchanges, with Kimbo mostly finding his mark.
In the second round, Kimbo managed to get a decent slam takedown with good ground and pound. Kimbo continued his dominance in the round working his counter punches. Houston Alexander's best round was the third, where he was able to land some big kicks to Kimbo's legs, at one point knocking the former street brawler down. In the end, it was a unanimous decision for Kimbo.
In other action former NFL players and TUF 10 castmates Matt Mitrione and Marcus Jones did battle in their official UFC debut. Marcus Jones was able to land a big takedown early and batter Mitrione with ground and pound strikes. However, in the second round Mitrione landed a big right hand to floor Jones, whose striking game still needs work.
FULL RESULTS:
Roy Nelson def Brendan Schaub via KO (punch) R1, 3:45
Matt Hamill def Jon Jones via DQ (illegal elbow) R1, 4:14
Kimbo Slice def Houston Alexander via unanimous dec
Frankie Edgar def Matt Veach via sub (RNC) R2, 2:22
Matt Mitrione def Marcus Jones via KO (punches) R2, 0:10
James McSweeney def Darrill Schoonover via TKO (strikes) R3, 3:20
Jon Madsen def Justin Wren via split dec
Brian Stann def Rodney Wallace via unanimous dec
John Howard def Dennis Hallman via KO (punches) R3, 4:55
Mark Bocek def Joe Brammer via sub (RNC) R1, 3:36
*Dana White announced the coaches for TUF 11, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
Big Country came out to Weird Al's "I'm Fat" which is a parody of "I'm Bad" by Michael Jackson and let his belly do the talking in the ring. Brendan was the early aggressor, tagging Roy and forcing him to cover up and defend numerous punches. From there, Roy was able to get a takedown and nearly got the fight into his infamous crucifix position.
Brendan was able to scramble and get back to his feet. During the next exchange, Roy threw a massive overhand right that found its mark to Brendan's temple. Brendan crumpled to the canvas and Roy threw a couple follow-ups to seal the first round victory and TUF 10 crown.
In other action, Jon Jones looked athletic, fast and dominating in his performance against Matt Hamill. The extremely long limbed Jones threw front kicks, spinning kicks, and spinning back elbows from southpaw and traditional stances. Midway through the first, Jones nailed Hamill with a massive slam, possibly dislocating Hamill's shoulder.
With full mount, Jones threw wicked ground and pound with amazing quickness. Hamill managed to block many of the strikes with some sneaking threw before Jones threw a 12-6 straight up and down elbow that is illegal. The strike KO'd Hamill, and ref Steve Mazzagatti gave Hamill a DQ win.
Two former college wresting stand-outs Frank Edgar and Matt Veach put on an excellent show. Veach was able to land crowd pleasing slams and use his power. Unfortunately for Veach, eventually Edgar found his mark with right hand sending Veach to the canvas. From there, Edgar working a rear naked choke.
Kimbo Slice made a successful debut in one of the upsets on the card. Most hardcore fans such as myself thought that Houston Alexander and his nasty muay thai put him at a clear advantage. Alexander was circling and shuffling throughout the fight. There were moments of big action and exchanges, with Kimbo mostly finding his mark.
In the second round, Kimbo managed to get a decent slam takedown with good ground and pound. Kimbo continued his dominance in the round working his counter punches. Houston Alexander's best round was the third, where he was able to land some big kicks to Kimbo's legs, at one point knocking the former street brawler down. In the end, it was a unanimous decision for Kimbo.
In other action former NFL players and TUF 10 castmates Matt Mitrione and Marcus Jones did battle in their official UFC debut. Marcus Jones was able to land a big takedown early and batter Mitrione with ground and pound strikes. However, in the second round Mitrione landed a big right hand to floor Jones, whose striking game still needs work.
FULL RESULTS:
Roy Nelson def Brendan Schaub via KO (punch) R1, 3:45
Matt Hamill def Jon Jones via DQ (illegal elbow) R1, 4:14
Kimbo Slice def Houston Alexander via unanimous dec
Frankie Edgar def Matt Veach via sub (RNC) R2, 2:22
Matt Mitrione def Marcus Jones via KO (punches) R2, 0:10
James McSweeney def Darrill Schoonover via TKO (strikes) R3, 3:20
Jon Madsen def Justin Wren via split dec
Brian Stann def Rodney Wallace via unanimous dec
John Howard def Dennis Hallman via KO (punches) R3, 4:55
Mark Bocek def Joe Brammer via sub (RNC) R1, 3:36
*Dana White announced the coaches for TUF 11, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Video of the Day - Schaub v. Curtis
Here is Brendan Schaub fighting Johnny Curtis from UWC 4 - Confrontation, which took place on 10/11/08. Brendan, a cast member on TUF 10, has won his first two fights on the show against Demico Rogers and Jon Madsen.
The 4-0 pro fighter played football at the University of Colorado, the practice squad of the Buffalo Bill and the arena league's Utah Blaze. The fight starts at 5:03.
The 4-0 pro fighter played football at the University of Colorado, the practice squad of the Buffalo Bill and the arena league's Utah Blaze. The fight starts at 5:03.
Strikeforce Preview - Cung Le Returns
This Saturday Strikeforce will take place at the HP Arena in San Jose, California. The main event will see the return of the extremely entertaining Cung Le as he tangles with powerful brawler Scott Smith. Expect Le to throw kicks from distance to keep Smith at bay.
In a lightweight title fight, Josh Thomson will fight Gilbert Melendez in a rematch of a June 08 match won by Thomson. Josh Thomson hasn't fought since September 2008, and has not defended his title. Gilbert Melendez has stayed active since dropping a decision to Thomson, defeating Mitsuhiro Ishida and Rodrigo Damm via knockout earning an interim 155 pound belt.
In other action, uber grappler and athlete King Mo Lawal will be fighting TUF 2 veteran Mike Whitehead. A win by Lawal could propel him into a fight with Gegard Mousasi or another big name.
FULL CARD:
Cung Le vs. Scott Smith
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez
Matt Lindland vs. Ronald "Jacare" Souza
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal vs. Mike Whitehead
Antwain Britt vs. Scott Lighty
Daisuke Nakamura vs. Justin Wilcox
Bobby Stack vs. Alex Trevino
Alex Crispim vs. A.J. Fonseca
(Cung Le Highlights)
In a lightweight title fight, Josh Thomson will fight Gilbert Melendez in a rematch of a June 08 match won by Thomson. Josh Thomson hasn't fought since September 2008, and has not defended his title. Gilbert Melendez has stayed active since dropping a decision to Thomson, defeating Mitsuhiro Ishida and Rodrigo Damm via knockout earning an interim 155 pound belt.
In other action, uber grappler and athlete King Mo Lawal will be fighting TUF 2 veteran Mike Whitehead. A win by Lawal could propel him into a fight with Gegard Mousasi or another big name.
FULL CARD:
Cung Le vs. Scott Smith
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez
Matt Lindland vs. Ronald "Jacare" Souza
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal vs. Mike Whitehead
Antwain Britt vs. Scott Lighty
Daisuke Nakamura vs. Justin Wilcox
Bobby Stack vs. Alex Trevino
Alex Crispim vs. A.J. Fonseca
(Cung Le Highlights)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
TUF 10 Preview
TUF 10's regular season will wrap this Wednesday with a two hour episode featuring four fights. On Saturday, the TUF 10 Finale will take place, with Matt "The Hammer" Hamill and Jon "Bones" Jones headlining.
So far, Roy Nelson and Brendan Schaub from Team Rashad have made the final 4. Darrill Schoonover and Marcus Jones will fight first and James McSweeney will fight Matt Mitrione or an alternate.
Darrill Schoonover, an Army Vet, is 10-0 in his young career with a big victory over BJJ ace and former NFL player Rex Richards in the Shark Fights promotion. Schoonover has good stand-up to go along with his ground game. In his first TUF fight, Schoon peppered Zak Jensen standing, nearly getting a KO, before locking in a triangle choke.
Marcus Jones, a former 1st round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is a big guy with huge power. Jones' stand-up is still not refined as he looks like a zombie stalking his prey. However, once the fight gets to the ground, it enters Jones' comfort zone. Against Mike Wessel in the first round of TUF, Jones secured a fast and nasty armbar, almost causing Wessel serious injury.
James McSweeney against Matt Mitrione will be a pure stand-up fight if the fight occurs. McSweeney has solid leg kicks that he would use to cut down a big tree like Mitrione. Mitrione took a beating in his fight with Scott Junk, however he has complained quite a bit since the fight.
TUF 10 FINALE MAIN CARD
Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones
Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Veach
Finalist No. 1 vs. Finalist No. 2
Houston Alexander vs. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson*
PRELIMINARY CARD
Dennis Hallman vs. John Howard
Brian Stann vs. Rodney Wallace
Mark Bocek vs. Joe Brammer
TUF 10 Final 4 runners-up
TUF 10 Second Rounders
So far, Roy Nelson and Brendan Schaub from Team Rashad have made the final 4. Darrill Schoonover and Marcus Jones will fight first and James McSweeney will fight Matt Mitrione or an alternate.
Darrill Schoonover, an Army Vet, is 10-0 in his young career with a big victory over BJJ ace and former NFL player Rex Richards in the Shark Fights promotion. Schoonover has good stand-up to go along with his ground game. In his first TUF fight, Schoon peppered Zak Jensen standing, nearly getting a KO, before locking in a triangle choke.
Marcus Jones, a former 1st round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is a big guy with huge power. Jones' stand-up is still not refined as he looks like a zombie stalking his prey. However, once the fight gets to the ground, it enters Jones' comfort zone. Against Mike Wessel in the first round of TUF, Jones secured a fast and nasty armbar, almost causing Wessel serious injury.
James McSweeney against Matt Mitrione will be a pure stand-up fight if the fight occurs. McSweeney has solid leg kicks that he would use to cut down a big tree like Mitrione. Mitrione took a beating in his fight with Scott Junk, however he has complained quite a bit since the fight.
TUF 10 FINALE MAIN CARD
Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones
Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Veach
Finalist No. 1 vs. Finalist No. 2
Houston Alexander vs. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson*
PRELIMINARY CARD
Dennis Hallman vs. John Howard
Brian Stann vs. Rodney Wallace
Mark Bocek vs. Joe Brammer
TUF 10 Final 4 runners-up
TUF 10 Second Rounders
Video of the Day - Gracie v. Holloway
Here is Rolles Gracie's MMA debut against Sam Holloway in the IFL. Rolles fights Mustapha Al-Turk at UFC 109. Renzo Gracie is also rumored to be joining the UFC.
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