UFC 106 Review

UFC 106: Griffin v. Ortiz took place on 11/21/09 and featured nine bouts making the broadcast on Spike and PPV. Forrest Griffin won a narrow split decision to push himself closer to a title shot. Josh Koscheck also moved closer to a title shot with a victory over the uber athletic Anthony Johnson.

Forrest Griffin def Tito Ortiz via split dec- Forrest and Tito battled for three rounds in this compelling three round fight. Tito and Forrest fought a close first round, with Forrest controlling the stand-up and Tito managing to get one takedown. In the second, Tito was able to take advantage of a takedown to land some elbows, opening up a cut on Forrest.

Never one to shy away from blood, Forrest came alive in the third round. Tito cardio started to falter, or he felt he was up on the scorecards. Forrest landed punches and kicks at will, winning the third round in convincing fashion. With the win, look for Forrest to fight Antonio Noguiera or Thiago Silva if he beats Rashad Evans.
*MMA Blaster readers correctly choose Griffin 44-28.

(Forrest Griffin pictured)

Josh Koscheck def Anthony Johnson via sub (RNC) R2, 4:27- The first round saw Anthony Johnson controlling much of the action and defending takedowns. With Koscheck getting up, still on his knees, Johnson threw and elbow and came through with a hand, grazing Koscheck's eye. The round continued with Johnson looking strong.

In the second, a Koscheck open hand punch sunk fingers into Johnson's eye. Johnson appeared shaken, and didn't return to form. Shortly after getting back into action, Koscheck got a takedown and choked out Johnson with a rear naked choke. Koscheck would like to fight number one contender for the 170 pound division, Dan Hardy.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def Luiz Cane via TKO (punches) R1, 1:56- Nogueira's UFC debut was stellar, as his boxing looked crisp as he systematically picked apart Luiz Cane.

Paulo Thiago def Jacob Volkmann via unanimous dec- Thiago controlled the grappling game and managed to land more strikes to win the decision.

Amir Sadollah def Phil Baroni via unanimous dec- Phil Baroni was able to land some power punches and get a takedown in the first round, but Sadollah dominated the clinch and long distance striking from then on. In the third, Baroni slowed down and Sadollah took advantage, peppering him with strikes and clinch work.

Ben Saunders def Marcus Davis via KO (knees) R1, 3:24- Ben Saunders dominated the fight with the use of his devasting thai clinch. Saunders popped Davis with knees from every direction, eventually sending Davis to the canvas.

Kendall Grove def Jake Rosholt via sub (triangle) R1, 3:59- Rosholt dominated the grappling game, getting take downs and landing heavy right hands and knees. However, Rosholt made a wrong move and landed in a triangle choke.

Brian Foster def Brock Larson via TKO (strikes) R2, 3:25- Larson disappointed again, getting run over by Brian Foster. Foster dominated Larson with a heavy dose of ground and pound in the second, stopping the fight.

Caol Uno vs. Fabricio Camoes declared majority draw
George Sotiropoulos def Jason Dent via submission (armbar) R2, 4:36

UFC: Fight For Troops Results

The Fight For the Troops card ended out to be one of the best shows in recent memory. It also was one of the most brutal, as the injury list for this card will end up being long and plentiful. The fights themselves were exciting. There was an abundance of star power giving support to the Intrepid Fallen Hero's fund. Some were Jack Black, Charlie Sheen, Lauren Prepon and Everlast.

Josh Koscheck def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida via KO (punch) R1, 2:15- Koscheck and Yoshida briefly circled before Koscheck threw a massive right hand. The punch connected and Yoshida was knocked out standing. Koscheck followed up the punch and Yoshida collapsed violently to the canvas before the ref stopped it. The brutal KO won the knockout of the night award.

Mike Swick def. Jonathan Goulet via TKO (strikes) R1, 0:33- This fight didn't last long as Swick threw a quick combination that landed. While stunned, Goulet went for a single leg. Unfortunately for Goulet, Swick unleased a fury of punches before Goulet was out cold and the ref jumped in.

Steve Cantwell def. Razak Al-Hassan via technical sub (armbar) R1, 4:04- Razak Al-Hassan pressed the action from the start of the bout, throwing body kicks and punches. Al-Hassan was dropping his hands after the strikes however, and Cantwell answered with a high kick which dropped Al-Hassan. After some time on the ground, Cantwell secured an arm-bar. Al-Hassan didn't tap and tried to roll out of it. Unfortunately, it was too deep and Cantwell wrenched it until the ref stepped in. The arm was likely broke and a tendon damaged. I'll try to update you on his condition.

Tim Credeur def. Nate Loughran via TKO (injury) R2, 5:00- Tim Credeur dominated the stand-up in route to winning his second straight fight inside the UFC. Credeur has an awkward stance that makes it difficult for opponents to time. Credeur also looked good when the fight hit the mat. In the second, Credeur struck Loughran in the ribs a couple times with kicks and a punch, and it appeared that was the reason he couldn't continue.

Jim Miller def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision- This was the first fight broadcast of the night and lived up to the fight of the night honors that it received. Miller hit Wiman with punches, kicks, body kicks, body punches, a tight guillotine choke, and an upkick, but Wiman didn't go down. The fight ended with Miller trying to sink another submission. Miller took the fight on short notice and fought with some serious fire.

Ben Saunders def. Brandon Wolff via TKO (strikes) R1, 1:49- Saunders put on his best Anderson Silva impersonation to work over Brandon Wolff. He threw knee after knee after knee before crumpling Brandon Wolff. He left with a massive lump on his head after the fight. I haven't seen a hematoma like that in some time.

Dale Hartt def. Corey Hill via TKO (leg injury) R2, 0:20- Corey Hill was winning the first round of this fight before coming out in the second and throwing a low kick. The kick was checked in the shin by Dale Hart and Hill's tibia snapped. It was one of the most gruesome injuries you will see. It looked like Jose Landi-Jons from TKO 32.

Steve Bruno def. Johnny Rees via sub (rear-naked choke) R2, 3:44
Luigi Fioravanti def. Brodie Farber via unanimous decision
Justin McCully def. Eddie Sanchez via unanimous decision

TUF - Upperdecker Edition

Recap by the MMA Blaster

I saw something that was pretty nasty last night. Nasty in the sense that War Machine, or Poop Machine, dropped a deuce in the the top shelf of the Team Hughes toilet. I have heard about this practice before, but had never seen it in action. Billy Miles reaction was priceless when he walked into the bathroom and discovered a nasty smell. When he flushed the backwater came back a little brown.

It was pretty obvious when Team Hughes came back from practice that something had just went down. All three could not stop laughing. Mac said that Richie was laughing like Fran Drescher (the Nanny) and got in his face before the deed was even discovered. The person that took it the worse was J-Rock, who proceeded to kick team Serra's door in (too bad he didn't kick like that when he was facing George). Rude Boy and War ended cleaning it up, no harm, no fowl smell.

The editing of this episode was priceless. Anytime they showed Speer, it was right after his previous fight when he is the most swollen. We got to see some actual coaching from Serra and Hughes - finally. Serra was showing JJ, and Hughes gameplaning for some Saunders high kicks. I wish that they would show more technique and training, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon.

The first round of the fight consisted of Speer basically imposing his will for a takedown, and then Saunders getting the most of Speer on the ground. Saunders nearly had a arm bar, then nearly had a triangle. But, close just doesn't cut it. The second round saw Speer taking Saunders down and getting some shots in. I scored the first round for Saunders and the second for Speer. With time left, I thought for sure it would have been called a draw and we would see another round. To my surprise Speer won. I seriously have my doubts about judges, but if you want to win you have to finish the fight.

The quarters were picked with Danzig fighting Arroyo and George fighting Speer. Supposedly one fighter won't be going any further. If it is injury related, I would guess Speer would be out. If it is idiot related, I would say Mac probably did something stupid to Richie and got booted. Regardless, I am looking forward to the next show.

TUF Fight to Call Tonight - Saunders v. Speer

Thoughts by the Blaster

Tonight's episode of the Ultimate Fighter reality show features a matchup between American Top Teams' Ben "Beserk" Saunders (4-0-2) and Minnesota farm boy Tom Speer (7-1). Speer and Saunders both faced tough battles in their previous fights and both ended up coming out on top. Kind of sucks for them that they have to fight at this stage, because Saunders and Speer are no joke.

Saunders lists himself as a Jeet Kune Do Concepts fighter. I'm guessing he is a Bruce Lee fan "flow like water." I saw superb kicks, crisp punches, and near submission attempts in his fight against a very tough Daniel Barrera and expect the same in this fight. Looking at his record, he has wins over Charles Blanchard (4-1, only loss to Saunders), and a couple 185 pounders. His first pro fight ended with a draw to UFC vet Crafton Wallace.

Speer has been shown as a soft spoken and excellent wrestler on TUF (almost a Matt Hughes clone). The red head was cut by a War Machine punch right off the bat in his first match and bled all over the place. Instead of panicking, Speer persevered and was able to get the victory. He has fought in the WEC beating Sidney Silva (6-2), and has fought mainly in Extreme Challenge events. His one loss came from referee stoppage about a year and a half ago to a fighter named John Meyer (2-1).

I really don't know who to pick in this fight, mainly because I am such a fan of both fighters. While ideally, I would have liked a Danzig v. Speer, George v. Saunders quarterfinals, this fight will probably be entertaining. What the heck, I'll say Saunders by submission round 2.