Strikeforce Contenders - Washington

Strikeforce Contenders - Washington was an entertaining fast paced show featuring many great bouts. The card got off to a bang after a huge Luke Rockhold punch rattled Cory Devela, sending him to the canvas before Rockhold sunk in the winning rear naked choke just 30 seconds into the bout.

Army Ranger Tim Kennedy made a successful return to the cage after his recent 18 month deployment in Afganistan. The former sniper used grappling prowess to stay one move ahead of "The Goat" Nick Thompson. While Thompson looked to have a potential keylock/shoulder lock in the first, Kennedy used his strength to overwelm Thompson. In the second, Kennedy scored a nice takedown, then began to land clean ground and pound shots before causing Thompson to tap in the second round.

Jorge Gurgel and Conor Heun fought an action packed 15 minutes. The first two rounds turned into a kickboxing bout despite both holding BJJ blackbelts. Each fighter looked to land power shots throughout the fight, with Heun landing a couple uppercuts, and Gurgel landing big hooks and straight punches. The third round featured a brief glimpse of what each can do on the ground with reversals and Heun working the rubber guard. Eventually, the bout went to the judges who handed the unanimous decision to Gurgel in this close fight.

In the main event, Joey Villasenor and brawler Evangelista Cyborg brought some good kick boxing and ground work throughout the fight. Villasenor was coming back from elbow surgery and hadn't fought in a year. Smoking Joe may have eaten some leg kicks in the fight, but stayed strong and took the split decision.

Female fighters Sarah Kaufman and Shayna Bazler dueled it out for all three rounds. Kaufman was the more powerful fighter as she out-struck Bazler in lieu to a decision victory. Kaufman almost got into some trouble in the first round as Bazler had a knee and arm type choke that turned Kaufman's face red. However, the ref consistently called for action and may have altered Bazler's plans.

Overall, the refs called for action far too often in this card. Fighters would literally be on the ground for three to five seconds before action was called. This, despite the fighters actively trying for a submission or guard pass.

Here are the full results:

Joey Villasenor def Evangelista Cyborg via split dec
Tim Kennedy def Nick Thompson via sub(strikes) R2, 2:37
Jorge Gurgel def Conor Heun via unanimous dec
Sarah Kaufman def Shayna Baszler via unanimous dec
Luke Rockhold def Corey Devela via sub (rear-naked choke) R1, 0:30
Dennis Hallman def Justin Davis via sub (rear naked choke) R1, 0:20
Brian Caraway def Alex Zuniga via unanimous dec
Landon Showalter def George Stork via unanimous dec
Len Bentley def Marques Daniels via unanimous dec
Steve Hadsel def Taylor Roberts via KO (punches) R1, 0:17

Lyle Beerbohm def Duane Ludwig via sub (schoolyard choke) R1, 4:27- I haven't seen this fight, but it was reported that "Fancy Pants" Lyle Beerbohm had the submission of the night with a rare schoolyard choke victory. With the win, Beerbohm is now 10-0 as a pro, after amassing a 12-0 amateur record.


(Tim Kennedy pictured)

Anderson the Destroyer - UFC 82 Results

UFC 82 had three pretty great fights and two well fought decisions. I've been able to watch most of the undercard fights on Ultimate MMA Videos, see friend links on the right side. The fight of the night went to Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson for good reason. KO of the night went to Chris Leben. Anderson also got the submission of the night. Despite being on the undercard, Arlovski and Diego got quite a reception in Ohio. Here are the results:

Anderson Silva def. Dan Henderson via submission (rear-naked choke) — R2, 4:52 - Dan Henderson was able to win the first round after a body lock takedown and controlling Anderson for the rest of the round. This was accomplished by elbows and short hammerfists to the face, but Anderson looked calm and waited for the bell.

In the second, Anderson landed leg and body kicks to Henderson. Henderson threw punches that failed to meet their mark. They both traded blows before Henderson caught a knee to the head and was taken down. Henderson was dazed and the rear naked choke was sunk forcing Dan to tap. Anderson has secured his legacy as one of the best UFC fighters of all time.
**MMA Blaster pollsters were correct - 29 voted correctly, 25 were wrong!
**MMA Blaster pick correct


Heath Herring def. Cheick Kongo via split decision - After Herring tagged Kongo with a punch to the face, Kongo took Herring down and was controlled the rest of the round. The second and their rounds saw Herring controlling the ground game and winning the split decision.
**MMA Blaster pick incorrect

Chris Leben def. Alessio Sakara via TKO (strikes) — R1, 3:36 - Sakara seemed to land more punches and have better technique, but Leben landed a powerful left hook that sent Sakara to the canvas, Leben pounced and finished Sakara off for the victory.
**MMA Blaster pick correct

Yushin Okami def. Evan Tanner via KO (knee) — R2, 3:00 - After a couple minutes of boxing, Okami was able to knock Tanner to the canvas and then control him for the first round. The second saw Okami work Tanner over in the Thai clinch landing a knee directly to Tanner's head.
**MMA Blaster pick correct

Jon Fitch def. Chris Wilson via unanimous decision - Fitch controlled most of the fight by getting more takedowns and controlling the action on the ground. Wilson was able to land some combinations. It was a fairly lackluster fight.
**MMA Blaster pick correct

Andrei Arlovski def. Jake O’Brien via TKO (strikes) — R2, 4:17 - O'Brien tried extremely hard for a takedown in the first round, absorbing some punishment before finally getting one. In the second, while pushed against the fence, Arlovski scored a trip takedown from a body lock. From there Arlovski rained down punches before looking at the ref. A couple more shots and the ref stepped in. I originally thought it was a quick stoppage, but O'Brien was definately hurt lying on the ground and didn't look to know where he was afterwards.
**MMA Blaster pick correct

Luigi Fioravanti def. Luke Cummo via unanimous decision
**MMA Blaster pick incorrect

Josh Koscheck def. Dustin Hazelett via TKO (strikes) — R2, 1:24 - After a pretty even first round, Kos overwelmed Hazelett in the second and got the TKO from strikes.
**MMA Blaster pick incorrect

Diego Sanchez def. David Bielkheden via submission (strikes) — R1, 4:42 - Diego fired out of the gate getting the takedown and systematically found the mark with his strikes.
**MMA Blaster pick correct

Jorge Gurgel def. John Halverson via unanimous decision
**MMA Blaster pick incorrect

UFC 82 Preview

*All fighters have made weight and are primed and ready to go.

MAIN CARD

MW Champ Anderson Silva (20-4)(5-0 UFC) vs. Pride MW Champ Dan Henderson (22-6, 2-1 UFC)- This match is for the UFC MW Title- Anderson is on an impressive 5-0 streak to start his career in the UFC. He has looked unbeatable in his dismantling of Nate Marquardt, 2X of Rich Franklin, Chris Leben and Travis Lutter in the UFC. The only real blemish was giving up some takedowns to Travis Lutter.



While Dan Henderson lost a unanimous decision to Rampage Jackson in his last UFC bout, many fans seem to forget just how great of a career Henderson brings to the table.

He started his career 9-0 winning three tournaments including UFC 17, Brazil Open 97, and the five match, two night, Rings - King of Kings 99. During that stretch, Dan defeated Carlos Newton, Allen Goes, Gilbert Yvel, Renato Sobral and UFC HW Champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. His other notable victories are over Renzo Gracie, Ninja Rua, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Yuki Kondo, Murilo Bustamante, Akihiro Gono and Kazuo Misaki.



**My pick - Silva via TKO Rd. 3

Heath Herring (27-13, 1-2 UFC) vs. Cheick Kongo (11-3, 3-1 UFC)- These two heavyweight strikers will be throwing some serious leather. Counter punching could get a little boring. If Kongo can win he will get close to getting a shot at the title.

**My pick - Kongo via KO Rd. 2


*Old Kongo HL

Chris Leben (17-4, 7-3 UFC) vs. Alessio Sakara (12-6, 3-3 UFC)- Both will stand and bang and this will more than likely be an exciting affair. I'm hoping for a quick KO so we can see an extra fight from the stacked undercard.

**My pick - Leben TKO Rd. 1

Yushin Okami (20-4, 5-1 UFC) vs. Evan Tanner (34-6, 11-4 UFC)- After two losses in a row in 2005, Tanner fought once in 2006 winning by triangle choke versus Justin Levens at UFC 59. He hasn't fought since. Each of Okami's UFC fights have reached the third round, where Okami usually turns on the heat. Okami's only loss in the UFC was to former title holder Rich Franklin.

**My pick - Okami via decision

Jon Fitch (15-2, 7-0 UFC) vs. Chris Wilson (13-3, 0-0 UFC)- Chris Wilson is a veteren of the IFL and has wins over their WW Champ Jay Hieron and the exciting Rory Markum. Fitch has 14 victories in a row, and has looked excellent in his grappling and his submission game.

**My pick - Fitch via submission Rd. 2

UNDERCARD

Former HW Champ Andrei Arlovski (11-5, 9-4 UFC) vs. Jake O’Brien (10-0, 3-0 UFC)- This is Arlovski's last fight on his contract. Arlovski will be looking to KO or submit O'Brien who hasn't fought since his upset of Heath Herring which was a year ago. I expect to see O'Brien attempt a takedown early and to absorb some punishment.


**My pick - Arlovski via kneebar Rd. 1

Dustin Hazelett (10-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Josh Koscheck (9-2, 7-2 UFC)- Hazelett has three straight wins in the UFC. Kos will be looking to take Hazelett down and ground and pound a victory.

**My pick - Hazelett via armbar Rd. 3

David Bielkheden (12-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. Diego Sanchez (17-2, 5-2 UFC)-Diego is looking to rebound from two decision losses to Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck.

*Diego in KOTC according to photobucket

**My pick - Sanchez via TKO Rd. 2

Luke Cummo (6-4, 3-2 UFC) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (11-3, 2-3 UFC)- Cummo and Fioravanti are both looking to take steps up the 170 pound latter.

**My pick - Cummo via armbar Rd. 2

Jorge Gurgel (11-3, 2-2 UFC)vs. John Halverson (16-5, 0-1 UFC)-Halverson's only loss in the UFC was to young star Roger Huerta. Gurgel will look for a submission, while Halverson will more than likely look for a KO.

**My pick - Halverson via KO rd. 3