Alright, people. It’s 9:00pm, and that means it’s time to get our fight on for the foreseeable future. We’re starting off with the UFC Fight Night event featuring Anderson Silva taking on James Irvin. We’re moving right into the black and white interviews, and then the prolonged intro. Rogan and Goldberg go into the hype, and it looks like we’ve got some new animations! They’re going piece by piece with the newness. I like the animations. Now just get rid of the gladiator montage and get some new music, and things will be good.
We’ve got six televised fights tonight, and when we get back from the commercial, Jesse Taylor and CB Dolloway will start things off.
*Commercial Break*
FIRST FIGHT: JESSE TAYLOR vs. CB DOLLOWAY (Middleweight)
Wow, I like these animations a lot. Very nice production. Now we’ll move into the preview, and we get a recap of the Jesse Taylor situation, and Dolloway talks, and so on. Then we get to the tale of the tape, which also features a new graphic. It’s nice to see that they’re starting to move the production into the 21st century. These are the graphics and animations that belong on an HD broadcast. But anyway, let’s get to the fights, shall we?
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
They wisely skip the ring entrances, and we get going. Dolloway lands an illegal knee to a downed Taylor early on, and Yves Lavigne gives a warning. This is where consistency needs to come in. Nate Marquardt landed a knee to Thales Leites on the way up and had a point taken away. Dolloway landed that knee when Taylor was not only still on the ground, but shooting lower for a leg. I know referees deserve to use their discretion, but it’d be nice to know what to expect for certain infractions. But moving on, Dolloway grabs Taylor’s back after a nice scramble, then transitions into a Peruvian Necktie for the win. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen one of those. That was pretty awesome.
RESULT: Dolloway by submission at 3:58 of Round 1.
STAR RATING: (***-) Good back and forth action for a round, and a really nice submission to finish it off. Very entertaining.
RAMIFICATIONS: How good does Amir Sadollah look right now? Jesse Taylor was built up as a big obstacle through the show, and CB Dolloway had lost twice to the eventual champion. Had Taylor pulled off the win, there would likely be calls for a Taylor-Sadollah showdown. But with this result, those calls will be put to rest.
*Commercial Break*
We get the post-fight interview, then move to another…
*Commercial Break*
Back from the break, they show footage of Anderson Silva arriving, and we get a promo for UFC 87. The crowd is noticeably silent so far, so hopefully some more people will show up soon to the event. Moving on to the second fight.
SECOND FIGHT: ANTHONY JOHNSON vs. KEVIN BURNS (Welterweight)
Intriguing fight here. Was Burns a fluke? Does Johnson have anything on the ground? Will it even get to the ground? We shall see. Also, here’s hoping we can see some mainstream sponsors for fighters soon. If I have to see any more trunks with condomdepot.com, I don’t know if I can handle it.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
Goldberg calls Cung Le “one of the best in the world right now,” which is weird on a lot of levels. They work in the clinch early, and Burns is giving as well as he’s getting (at least as far as quantity.) Johnson lands a kick to the groin, followed by a time out. It seems to me, two minutes in, that Johnson really benefits from the big start. Burns really seems to be able to throw him off his game by pushing the action and not letting Burns dictate the striking. Johnson gets a thunderous takedown into the evidently dangerous guard of Kevin Burns. The action stalls on the ground after a while, and they stand for the last 30 seconds. Johnson lands some decent strikes as the round ends, and he probably takes the round. Burns has a pretty solid chin, as he’s taken some shots. Nothing earth shattering, but he barely flinched from anything. Refreshingly, we don’t go to commercial between rounds. Loving the new production here.
ROUND TWO SUMMARY
Johnson comes out big immediately with a flying knee and some stiff punches. Burns recovers and they clinch, with Johnson landing a nice left on the way out of the clinch. Johnson looks very good here, but Burns continues to impress with the beard. He’s not using head movement at all, and he’s using palm strikes a lot. That’s something you don’t see very often, and Johnson doesn’t like it because he’s catching fingers to the eye. Johnson seems to be running out of gas, and he has to be frustrated that he hasn’t been able to finish Burns. Johnson takes it to the ground again, and he’s content to stay in the guard. Mazagatti stands them up and tells Burns to keep his fists closed when he strikes. Johnson gets the takedown at the very end to seal the round in his favor. Rogan seems not to have noticed the open palm strikes used by Burns, which is odd. Anyway, round two goes to Johnson.
*Commercial Break*
ROUND THREE SUMMARY
Lots of leg kicks by both guys here. I like Johnson’s leg kicks. Very snappy. Rogan and Goldberg seem to be rooting for Burns here. They’re talking about how the takedowns (Johnson just scored another) will sway the judges, and how Johnson hasn’t really done anything with them. True, but he’s winning the fight on the feet, too. So what…he should lose the fight because he’s tired and he’s using takedowns to rest? They’re stood up again, and Burns lands what looks like an uppercut, but Johnson reacts like he got stabbed in the eye. Upon further review, he pretty much did. Johnson poked Johnson in the eye and then missed an uppercut. Johnson went down, though, and the fight was stopped. I thought for sure that the result was going to be a disqualification in favor of Johnson, but Burns takes it by TKO.
RESULT: Burns by TKO at 3:35 of Round 3.
STAR RATING: (***) The rating is for the fight itself, but the decision was a complete dud.
RAMIFICATIONS: The decision cannot stand or it sends a completely messed up message. So if you poke a guy in the eye, that’s a legal move now? Did I miss something? It was obvious that Johnson didn’t go down as the result of a strike. He wasn’t hurt. He screamed when the eye got poked. How many times have you heard a guy scream when he gets knocked out? The worst part is, I don’t know that the fight warranted a rematch. Johnson was clearly winning up until the poke. The decision shouldn’t be rendered a no contest. It should be a victory for Anthony Johnson.
*Commercial Break*
THIRD FIGHT: CAIN VELASQUEZ vs. JAKE O’BRIEN (Heavyweight)
Apparently these two have wrestled before in college. I was not aware of that. Judging from what I’ve seen out of both fighters, I don’t think O’Brien has a chance. We shall see. Bruce Buffer pronounces Velasquez with the “qu” like a “kw”, which is entertaining.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
Velasquez wins the initial scramble for position and moves O’Brien into a crucifix, raining down clean punches. O’Brien eventually stops fighting, and that’s the end.
RESULT: Velasquez by TKO at 2:02 of Round 1.
STAR RATING: (**+) It gets a boost for the dominance factor, and the beating-a-guy-at-his-own-game factor.
RAMIFICATIONS: I know O’Brien isn’t a top-flight fighter, but I’m inclined to believe the hype on Velasquez. O’Brien was able to hold down Heath Herring for three rounds, and is very strong. Velasquez simply dominated him and didn’t allow him to get his back off the ground. Against a guy with his wrestling resume, that’s pretty impressive.
*Commercial Break*
I’m noticing again during the post-fight interview that the crowd has zero pulse tonight. I’m begging the UFC to keep the smaller cards out of Vegas. Go somewhere that can appreciate it. For smaller shows, you’ve either got to go to a smaller market, or somewhere with really good fans. Vegas isn’t either one. The big events bring in good fans, but a lot of them aren’t local. The smaller ones just can’t bring in a hot crowd like you’d see in Oklahoma City, or St. Louis, or any number of places between the coasts.
We’re three fights in with only 1:15 elapsed. Not bad, but it could be a double-edged sword if we’re fed a bunch of filler in between bouts. They come back from break, and again we see Anderson Silva, followed by a UFC 87 promo. The promo reminds me that Kenny Florian needs a new nickname. Scrap the unoriginal “Kenflo”, and make it “The Fonz.” Seriously, are you going to tell me that Kenny Florian doesn’t look like Henry Winkler 30 years ago?
Mike Goldberg does a pre-recorded satellite interview with Georges St. Pierre, and I am itching to switch to the Affliction show. But I will resist! In the meantime, I’ll just go grab some limeade or something while you read my riveting play-by-play concerning my beverage of choice.
*Commercial Break*
Hey! While I’m thinking about it, and since there’s nothing going on, have you seen the front page of ESPN.com? Go check it out. Fedor is front and center. Stay with us for the coverage of course, as our TV analysis is unrivaled. But it’s pretty cool to see MMA on the front of ESPN.com like that – especially with a non-UFC fighter. Also, there sure are a lot of male enhancement commercials going tonight. Double-entendre, anyone? There’s plenty here.
And thankfully, let’s move back to the fights.
FOURTH FIGHT: HERMES FRANCA vs. FRANKIE EDGAR (Lightweight)
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
Lots of action on the ground early, and Franca looks to “lull [Edgar] to sleep”, as Edgar’s corner says. It’s nice to be able to hear the corners. Franca comes thisclose to sinking an armbar, but Edgar impressively pulls it out. Nice sequence. Back on the feet, they exchange some blows and Edgar takes it back down until the round ends. Nice round, and very close. I’d give it to Edgar by just a hair. But I wouldn’t argue with giving it to Franca.
Interesting tidbit between rounds. They must have told the cornermen to watch the language, as Edgar’s corner says “you’re fu…you’re beautiful.” Of course, after that happened, we went to Franca’s corner where they cut away quickly after his corner used some questionable verbiage for cable.
ROUND TWO SUMMARY
Edgar gets the better of the first minute with strikes on the feet and on the ground. Big shots by Edgar from the full guard. Edgar gets behind Franca and lands some nasty shots to the side of Franca’s head before Franca rolls back into guard. Edgar’s corner is doing a great job here of helping him avoid submissions before they become a danger. Back on the feet, Edgar lands some punches and a head kick before taking Franca down again to end the round. Dominating round for Edgar, and a beautiful gameplan.
ROUND THREE SUMMARY
Franca is much more aggressive coming out in the third, landing a big uppercut and a big knee to start. Edgar has the edge on speed, though, and he’s taking Franca down at will. Franca keeps looking for that big overhand right, but he can’t find the range. Franca is tired, and Edgar is far from it. He is all over the Brazilian with punches, kicks and takedowns. Franca goes for what would have been a beautiful armbar, but Edgar escapes nicely. Back on the feet, Franca lands a nice punching combination followed by a big knee, but Edgar takes him down. Franca may have broken Edgar’s nose, and the round is over. I’d give it to Edgar, but Franca made it closer at the end. I’ve got it 30-27 for Edgar, but it was closer than that score.
RESULT: Edgar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (***) Nice fight. They kept a really good pace throughout, and even when Franca was exhausted, he was still very dangerous with big strikes and slick submissions from the bottom. Edgar had a beautiful gameplan, though, and he executed it to perfection.
RAMIFICATIONS: Edgar rebounds in a big way after losing the fight to Maynard. Franca is a big question mark right now after being dominated twice by two punishing wrestlers. I think an Edgar-Sherk fight would be quite intriguing. I’m not sure what I’d do with Franca, but he’ll probably be a gatekeeper for a little bit, trying to string some wins together.
*Commercial Break*
I’m sensing a theme here – Anderson Silva is in the building, and we get a UFC 87 promo, followed by a…
*Commercial Break*
FIFTH FIGHT: BRANDON VERA vs. REESE ANDY (Light Heavyweight)
We’re getting ring entrances for the co-main event. “Mama Said Knock You Out” for Andy, and some Filipino rap for Vera. Vera looks pretty lean at 6’3”. Finally the crowd is starting to show a modicum of life as someone in the first row sends a text message. Then they show Paul Pierce int eh crowd…sending a text message.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
Vera is all about the head kicks early, as he should be against a much shorter opponent. Awesome sequence as Andy misses a leg kick and then goes into that little relaxed spin that a lot of fighters do, and Vera smashes his thigh with a kick, sending him to the ground. I wish that happened more often. Eventually Vera gets a big takedown and tries to work a position, but then lets Andy up after a scramble. They end on the feet, and the round goes to Vera.
ROUND TWO SUMMARY
Vera continues to dominate both on the ground and the feet, feeling no threat from Andy. He almost grabs a Thai clinch, but lets it go. The action stalls for a bit as Vera is likely looking for the counter. Not sure why he feels like he needs to do that with his reach advantage, but whatever. Andy comes in for a clinch, and Vera lands a head kick as they separate. Round two ends in a stalemate on the feet with Vera landing a parting leg kick.
ROUND THREE SUMMARY
Vera lands a nice shot, then they clinch against the fence in front of the immortal Cecil Peoples. An interesting note: every time the camera gets close to Vera and Andy when the clinch, Vera is breathing really hard. It makes you wonder if the weight cut didn’t go well the first time. In fact, I’d bet that’s what’s going on here. Vera is tired, and this would hardly be the first time a guy looks lackluster the first time in a lighter weight class. Vera lands a couple of nice knees, but then stops. He is tired. It speaks even more to the disparity of talent between the two fighters that Vera is so lackluster and is yet utterly unthreatened by Andy. The third round ends and it goes to Vera. I’ve got it 30-27 for Vera.
RESULT: Vera by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**-) Not quite as bad as the crowd thought, but it hardly lit up the night.
RAMIFICATIONS: Well, hopefully Vera will pick a weight class and stay there, and hopefully it’s at 205 lbs with a better cut. There are a number of good fights for Vera if he can get the science of cutting down. I don’t know that Reese Andy will make another UFC appearance. I just watched three rounds and barely noticed his presence.
Vera mentioned Quinton Jackson’s recent struggles in his post-fight interview and wished the former champ well…and still the crowd booed. Who are these people?
*Commercial Break*
We get a mention of Anderson Silva and then a UFC 87 promo, but then instead of a commercial break, Goldberg and Rogan break down the main event. I heard James Irvin say that if he needs to take 30 punches from Silva to land 10, that’s what he’ll do. And that’s why he’s going to get destroyed. Yes, he has big power. Yes, he can end a fight very quickly. Yes, he’s bigger than Silva. But Silva is a different kind of beast. He is a human wrecking machine, and while Irvin can end the fight with one punch, Silva will. If he lands a punch, he may not knock you out immediately, but he will stagger you. And once he’s got a window, forget about it.
SIXTH FIGHT (MAIN EVENT): ANDERSON SILVA {UFC Middleweight Champion} vs. JAMES IRVIN (Light Heavyweight)
Irvin enters (aptly, I might add) to “Enter Sandman.” Silva, plays “Ain’t No Sunshine”, from DMX – the edited version – which means that there’s like four words that you can hear. It says something about Anderson Silva that this fight means essentially nothing, and yet I’m almost giddy with excitement that I’m about to get to see him fight.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
As predicted, Silva takes a window of opportunity, catching a kick from Irvin, and puts Irvin out. He lands a shot to the chin that floors Irvin (and the fight should have been stopped right there), then cracks him a few more times for good measure, finally forcing Mario Yamasaki to call a stop to the action. It’s not often that you can say a fight that’s over within two minutes was stopped late, but this is one of those times. Irvin has a cut under his eye that looks like it was opened with a knife.
RESULT: Silva by KO at 1:01 of round 1.
STAR RATING: (***+) I give it props because Silva is so electric. Silva will never be in a Fight of the Year candidate, because no one can hang with him. No one.
RAMIFICATIONS: None really. Silva won’t stay at 205 because he wants to give Machida a chance to win the title at that weight, and Irvin will be given props and more chances for taking a fight that he was never going to win.
SEVENTH FIGHT: BRODIE FARBER vs. RORY MARKHAM (Welterweight)
The IFL was just mentioned by name on a UFC broadcast, which is as good an indicator as any that Zuffa is close to buying them.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
Well, if a one-round fight can be fight of the night, this was it. Great action on the feet for the whole round. Farber started to get the better of the striking and had Markham on his heels, and Markham landed a kick directly to the chin of Farber, putting him out. Farber goes limp, and that is it.
RESULT: Markham by KO at
STAR RATING: (***+) Really entertaining round of fighting. Competitive and decisive.
RAMIFICATIONS: Markham will obviously be back with such a huge knockout, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Farber on another undercard. He looked pretty impressive up to the point that he went out.
Well, as a summary, this was a heck of a broadcast. Seven fights and it ends exactly at three hours. That is how you put together a fight card. Obviously they got some help from fight lengths, but the pacing never felt slow or rushed. There was a part in the middle where the commercials got a bit arduous, but that was it. Nothing you wouldn’t see from a normal football broadcast. I’m excited to check out the prelims with all of the debuting fighters, and this was a great warmup before checking out the Affliction card. Stay tuned, because in a few minutes, I’ll be tackling that one head-on.
