UFC 94 Review

UFC 94 turned out to be a decent show with great top billed fights. With an estimated 14,855 people showing up at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I watched the fights on ppv and will be interested to see how many ppv buys the event had. GSP v. Penn has been hyped since last year and my guess is that the advertising dollars paid off.

Clay Guida def Nathan Diaz via Dec (Split)- Guida came to the fight with a high energy and smothering style to win the split decision. Diaz was able to land some heavy strikes and knees, but couldn't get anything really going. Guida won the fight by being able to get Diaz' back, get takedowns and better position. Guida now has three straight wins since his loss to Roger Huerta.
*Guida and Diaz win Fight of the Night.

Karo Parisyan def Dong Hyun Kim via Dec (Split)- In my opinion, Kim got the short hand of the stick in this fight. Kim won the first round by getting Karo's back, throwing down hammerfists, and almost getting Karo stuck in a Kim triangle choke. The first round that was decisive as the second and third round were very hard to score. I would give the second to Karo and the third to Kim. In dropping the decision, Kim learned a lesson not let the fight go to the judges scorecards.

Jon Jones def Stephan Bonnar via Dec (Unanimous)- Jon "Bones" Jones looked athletic and unorthodox in his second straight win in the UFC pushing his record to 8-0. Jones landed a suplex in the first while trying to get Bonnar's back. Jones also connected with a spinning back elbow and a vicious knee. Jones didn't let up, tossing Bonnar to the mat, getting takedowns at will, and throwing good knees throughout the fight to win the unanimous decision. With some more training and experience, Jones will continue to progress and develop into a force.

Lyoto Machida def Thiago Silva via KO (Punches) R1, 4:59- Machida took his time early on before connecting with a kick and knee to the body. After a brief time for a knee to the groin, Machida was able to land consistent combinations and takedowns. Right before the end of the round, Machida landed a left right combination and dove in for one more punch. Absorbing the impact, Silva is out for the count as the ref called the fight. Machida did a good job silencing his critics as he systematically took Silva apart.
*Machida wins KO of the Night.

Georges St. Pierre def B.J. Penn via TKO (Corner Stoppage) R4, 5:00- GSP simply overwelmed BJ Penn en route to an eventual TKO at the end of the fourth round. St. Pierre was able to dominate the fight with takedowns, ground and pound and connecting on his feet. BJ almost was able to get a couple submission attempts going, but they never really came close. BJ ate way too many elbows and punches in the fourth and when he went to the corner they called the fight.

GSP is now a lock for the UFC Hall of Fame. He has five straight wins including over Matt Hughes for the interim title, Matt Serra to unify the title, and defending against Jon Fitch and BJ Penn. A fight with Thiago Alves looms, as well as speculation of a potential fight with Anderson Silva.

UNDERCARD

Dan Cramer def Matt Arroyo via Dec (Split)
Jake O'Brien def Christian Wellisch via Dec (Split)
Thiago Tavares def Manny Gamburyan via Dec (Unanimous)
Jon Fitch def Akihiro Gono via Dec (Unanimous)
John Howard def Chris Wilson via Dec (Split)- Won the second fight of the night bonus.

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.