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By Wade Keller, Torch editor KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT
AUGUST 9, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. AT TARGET CENTER
I'm live at Target Center in media row ten feet from the edge of the Octagon covering this event throughout the evening. Check the site for other coverage from the PPV broadcast perspective.
The streets of Downtown Minneapolis are crawling with MMA-related t-shirt-wearing fans heading toward Target Center. Early-arriving crowd, too, with a buzz in the building for Lesnar. About 85 percent full for the first prelim.
PRELIM FIGHTS
A -- BEN SAUNDERS vs. RYAN THOMAS
ROUND ONE: Really good first round. Saunders took Thomas down with a punch to the face. When he tried to finish, he got caught in a near fight-ending figure-four headlock. He managed to slip out. The round ended with both on the mat going submissions.
ROUND TWO: They went right to the mat at the start, but at 1:00 were back on their feet for some exchanges. Saunders kept backing off when Thomas went go to the mat, wanting to keep the fight standing. It was a good plan as he pelted Thomas a few times and staggered him before taking him down again. A few seconds later he had a tapout to an armbar.
DECISION: Saunders via tapout to an armbar mid-round two.
STAR RATING (**+) - Worth seeing for sure. Great kicks and striking by Saunders to set up a nice submission fiish.
INTERVIEW: Joe Rogan interviewed Saunders afterward. He said he took the fight on short notice. Rogan asked if he anticipates the chance for that armbar after taking his guy down, and Saunders said was part of his gameplan.
B -- "HOLLYWOOD" STEVEN BRUNO vs. CHRIS "THE PROFESSOR" WILSON
ROUND ONE: Wilson dropped Bruno mid-round. He got his back and went for a choke. Bruno covered well and survived. They settled against the cage and seemed spent. The crowd booed the final 20 seconds of the round. Wilson was content winning the round, and Bruno was fortunate to have survived it. Both seemed fine after the round.
ROUND TWO: At 2:00 Wilson again had Bruno's back on the mat, but Bruno defended well and survived. The crowd booed the inaction. This is going to be a tough crowd tonight. The ref urged the fighters to turn it up. Wilson did with a barrage of punches and a solid knee that took Bruno down. Again, Bruno seemed to be dire trouble, but managed to survive the onslaught. Against the fence, nothing happened for another minute other than Wilson looking for an opening. He Bruno stood at 4:00, but Wilson took him back down. He seemed to be playing to win the round and not take any chances. The fans called for a stand-up. The ref did shortly thereafter, telling Bruno, "Be ready to fight" as he stood them up. Bruno wasn't last time. It went right back to the mat with Wilson on top again, throwing a lebow to the rib and looking to ride out another round. The crowd popped between rounds for the replays of Wilson's nasty knee to Bruno.
ROUND THREE: The crowd popped again for another onslaught by Wilson in the opening seconds of the round. Bruno clung to Wilson as they returned to their feet mid-round. Wilson landed a roundhouse as they stood. Bruno shot in immediately and the crowd booed louder than they had previously all night, wanting to see punches not hugging. The ref stood them up and the crowd cheered. Bruno seemed exhausted as he stood up late in the round. Wilson went for a front kick, but missed. He didn't miss with the follow-up. Bruno walked to his corner, but his expression and body language said he was happy it was a three round fight and not five. Wilson danced his way out of the Octagon and to the back with a big smile on his face and fist-pumps for the crowd.
DECISION: WIlson by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
STAR RATING (**-): Some solid blows by Wilson helped take this out of the one-star range for entertainment-value and excitement, but barely. Mostly a mat-based fight that tested the patience of the crowd and at times the referee.
-Minnesota heavyweight boxing legend Scott Ledoux was ringside for the show. He also was a referee for the AWA and occasional special attraction wrestler, with a long AWA feud with Larry Zbyszko in the late-'80s.
C -- JONNY "BONES" JONES vs. ANDREW GUSMAO
ROUND ONE: Jones, who's the same height as Gusmao but has legs twice as long, shot in early, but Gusmao easily backed away. Gusmao landed a loud but harmless roundkick. Then things slowed down, with Jones doing a nice job resisting takedowns by Gusmao. At 2:00 Jones took Gusmao down. Late in the round Jones landed a low blow. The ref didn't see it right away and didn't step in and JOnes landed four hard punches to the face. The crowd booed loudly for some unknown reason as Gusmao got his allowed rest. Jones jogged in place in his corner as Gusmao adjusted and consoled his cup and continued to pace and wince on the edge of the Octagon. After about two minutes he nodded to the ref and was ready to go. Fighters alway overestimate how ready they are to restart the fight, but Gusmao took longer than most. Of course, he took not just a low blow but also four punches to the face. Jones won over the crowd big-time with two late attempts at spinning backfists and an aggressive finish to the round to secure a win.
ROUND TWO: Early in the round Jones hit another low blow. Gusmao went down in his corner to his knees. There was an attempt at a "bullsh--" chant. Replays showed that the blow seemed above the cup that time, and that Gusmao actually landed a low knee himself. After a short wait, the round restarted. Gusmao threw some strikes to get a rise from the crowd, but Jones bobbed out of the way of most of them. A minute later Jones went for another spinning backfist; it missed, but he landed a jab seconds later. Gusmao remained confident out there against the unorthodox Jones who remained the more aggressive of the two. Jones went for yet another spinning backfist. Gusmao seemed bored by it by now. Good round, all on their feet.
ROUND THREE: At 3:00, after more aggressively solid stand-up exchanges, the ref pulled them away from the edge and back to the middle. Jones was the aggressor still, but Gusmao was a strong counter-puncher and wasn't lying back. Jones hit a nice back reverse sidekick mid-round to Gusmao's stomach. At 4:00 Jones took Gusmao down to the mat and had side mount. Gusmao scored a nice upkick, fitting the pattern of the fight. Jones didn't back off, and in fact moved in to finish the fight on top. Gusmao waved his arms in excitement at the end of the fight, hoping to sway judges, but overall Jones deserves this fight however you want to score it. It wasn't one-sided, but Jones deserves the win.
DECISION: Jones via unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28, 30-27.
STAR RATING (**+): Jones is a fun fighter to watch. He danced after the decision was read and showed great charisma and showmanship without overdoing it during his fight. Gusmao should not hang his head (although he did as he left the Octagon) as the early low blow and four unprotected punches he took to the face could have been the difference as he didn't look bad, either.
D -- CHEICK KONGO vs. DAN EVENSON
ROUND ONE: Kongo got a huge ovation. Can't imagine what the bigger names later are going to get if Kongo got that kind of a pop during ring intros. Kongo lifted and dropped Evenson at 1:00 after a clinch in the corner. No blows landed in the opening minute. Kongo backed up to his feet, but landed several leg kicks before letting Evenson up. Evenson locked on an overhead guillotine for about 20 seconds, but Kongo slipped out. A "Kongo" chant broke out. He lifted and dropped Evenson to the mat again and then began throwing some punches. Evenson covered nicely at 4:00. Kongo again backed of and let Evenson up. This is where Evenson has looked the strongest. He threw a high wild kick and missed. Kongo dropped Evenson with a right jab that landed perfectly, but didn't have that much of a windup. He then battered him with a barrage of dozens of punches and the ref stepped in to stop it. Huge pop from the crowd. Kongo gestured at Evenson, perhaps rudely, as he walked past him. Then he blew kisses to the crowd.
WINNER: Kongo at 4:55 of round one. When the decision was announced, Evenson was still down being tended to. He was helped to his feet and then immediately collapsed into a chair.
STAR RATING (**): Nasty nasty knocked out barrage by Kongo. The ref really let Evenson take a beating before stepping in. Kongo seemed to want to show off some mat work against the pure striker Evenson, but once it did go to it's feet Kongo had the superior striking power.
INTERVIEW: Joe Rogan told Kongo he beat someone with less experience, so now what. He said he wants a title. Rogan asked him to look at the big screen. Kongo walked away from him. Rogan said,"Or not..." The crowd laughed. Rogan said it was a very impressive knockout, then left the Octagon. Evenson looked dejected as he left, but did walk away on his own. Kongo shook hands with fans as he exited the arena.
E -- TAMDAN MCCRORY vs. LUKE CUMMO
ROUND ONE: Early back and forth flurry. McCrory, on his back, nealy choked out Cummo. Cummo squirmed and survived somehow. The long-limbed McCrorry just wrapped himself around Cummo going for submission after submission. With ten seconds left Cummo finally squirmed his way on top. Really fun round.
ROUND TWO: More of the same in round two. Lots of leveraging for submissions by McCrory for more submissions. Cummo just survived, with only a couple signs of life. He survived again, somewhat amazingly.
ROUND THREE: Cummo hurt McCrory early, but McCrory took control for the majority of the round on top on the mat and controlled until the end.
DECISION: McCrory via unanimous decison (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
STAR RATING (**): Not everyone's style of fight, but a lot of good long-limbed jiu jitsu by McCrory.
-From a local media perspective, the top veteran columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Sid Hartman, and a top sports columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Tom Powers, are present in the row in front of me at ringside.
MAIN SHOW
-The crowd is super-super hot for this. Huge pops for Lesnar, Huerta, and surprisingly GSP - confirming that this crowd has a HUGE percentage of Canadians who travelled south of the border to see their guy. His pop was probably bigger than Lesnar's. Wow.
-Jesse Ventura is in the crowd.
1 -- DAMIAN MAIA vs. JASON MACDONALD
ROUND ONE: MacDonald got mount position on Maia early, but ended up in a bad spot for a near submission. Mac survived by flipping over and popping out. Then he applied his own sleeper submission. Maia escape. They continued to roll and the crowd loved it. At 4:00 Mac got a guillotine. It ended, though, with Mac surviving a sleeper on his back. Just incredible first round drama on the ground. Maia gets the round on his submissions being more dangerous, but both got in a fair share of offense.
ROUND TWO: Maia got a full mount at 1:30. Mac thought of turning and giving his back. He thought better of it, but paid a price either way he was pummeled with punches on his back. Maia dominated and blooied MacDonald. Mac showed good heart and perseverance all things considered. It probably helped that the crowd was so heavily footing for him. With 15 seconds left Mac got on top, but didn't have much left to do any damage. Another round to Maia.
ROUND THREE: By 1:30 Maia had Mac mounted again. Once Mac ate some elbows, Mac gave up his back. At 2:30 he was in a sleeper. That prompted a tapout. The fighters hugged afterward.
DECISION: Maia by tapout mid-third round.
STAR RATING (***-): Just a great display by Maia. MacDonald really showed something just surviving against someone that amazing on the ground. In retrospect, Mac may look back proudly at how much he hung in there especially in the first round when he managed a couple submission attempts himself.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Maia said he was surprised MacDonald didn't tap earlier. He came across as gracious and confident.
-Big between rounds pop for Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson. Jared Allen is also in the house.
2 -- ROGER HUERTA vs. KENNY FLORIAN
ROUND ONE: Big cheers for Huerta and big boos for Florian. During ring intros, Huerta's ring intros seriously rivaled any pop I've heard in this buillding, including being here for Game 7 of the Western Conference Championships when Kevin Garnett was introduced. A national reporter who's seen many shows for UFC in person sitting next to me said, "That's loud." At 1:30, after a lot of movement but not many landed punches in a stand-up dance, Florian tackled Huerta hard to the mat. He looked to be in trouble. He got a huge huge pop when he turned and slipped out and returned to his feet. Florian landed a punch, but it seemed to just ignite Huerta who charged aggressively at Florian and pinned him against the fence. At 4:00 more stand-up exchanges. Florian looked really comfortable and relaxed. Huerta not as much. Round to Florian.
ROUND TWO: Huerta got fancy with some stand-up flurries, but Florian held his own and didn't seem fazed. Huerta went for an armbar while standing. Florian got his back and threw punches. Huerta stood up nd the crowd popped. Florian actually swept Huerta and took him down. Huerta popped back up. Impressive. At 3:00 back to their feet for more fun stand-up. Huerta kept going with Superman punches, but wasn't able to punish Florian or close the distance. Things really heated up at the end with both landing some punches. Florian wins that again.
ROUND THREE: Amazing opening minute. Huerta wanted to be aggressive, and was, but Florian just pelted him with knees every time he came in. Huerta showed some fire after eating some strikes. They went to the mat and Florian went for a leglock. They stood up at 2:00. Herta looked tired and he had big welts from the punishment. It really looked like Huerta wasn't in Florian's league, that's how calm and dominant Florian was. Huerta got aggressive at the end and Florian backed up, but only in preservation of his clearcut win by decision if he avoided getting caught doing something stupid. Huerta slipped with 30 seconds left, but poppedup. Florian popped Huerta in the stomach and then moved in and took him down against the fence. He pelted him and then went for a guillotine. They got back on their feet for the closing seconds. Florian pelted him more as the fight ended. When the horn sounded, Florian celebrated - and for good reason - and Huerta looked exchausted and completely dismayed at what just happened. Florian easily wins that round, too.
DECISION: Florian unianimous decision (30-27 all three judges). Florian hugged Huerta afterward.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Rogan interviewed Florian, who got booed. He did nothing but kick the ass of the hometown favorite. That doesn't call for being booed. Florian said he wants a title shot. As Huerta walked out, he looked right over my head at his adoptive mother in the crowd and said about six times, "I love you, I love you!" He looked crushed at the loss.
STAR RATING (****): That is about as exciting as a 30-27 fight can get. Florian was Anderson Silva-like in how smooth and confident he was against a great opponent.
3 -- ROBERT "THE SAINT" EMERSON vs. MANVEL GAMBURYAN
ROUND ONE: Gamburyan moved in aggressively, got knocked down with a punch, and then KO'd while trying to get up again with a decisive blow. His head hit the mat and the ref moved in quickly. He tried to get up again after a second, but the ref stopped in. He then dropped his head and realized how hurt he was and the fight was overa nd didn't protest anymore. After a minute, he got up and hugged Emerson.
DECISION: Emerson via knockout.
STAR RATING (*+)
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Rogan said he must have anticipated Gamburyan coming out strong. Emerson said he didn't have that as a gameplan, he just reacted. He said he respects him.
-Wanderlei Silva was wandering in the crowd, taking pictures with fans. So was Keith Jardine. Jesse Ventura is also in the crowd.
-Just overheard backstage that the gate is $2.2 million-plus, the best-ever for Target Center, beating out all concerts including Prince and Elton John.
-Intermission. On PPV they aired Kongo's win.
4 -- BROCK LESNAR vs. HEATH HERRING
PRE-FIGHT: Brock came out first. Got a big ovation. Not deafening, but big. Huerta got a bigger pop for sure. Just more passion and intensity for him at least during his ring entrance. Herring came out second. A little surprised at that. Okay, the ring intro pop for Brock was enormous. Lesnar landed an early punch that almost literally flipped Herring over. He moved in and went for a guilotine. It took a lot of energy, but he didn't seem badly winded after they dropped to the ground. He dominated on the mat from there. He couldn't finish Herring, but boy did he punish him with more punches to any bodypart that was leal to hit.
ROUND TWO: Huge huge huge crowd heat as the round began. Herring kept his distance but seemed game for a fight. Neither landed anything for a minute of stand up, then Lesnar shot in and took him down. More of the same, with Lesnar riding and controlling Herring for a minute. He got a full mount, then side mount with nasty hard knees to Herring's ribs and back. Herring started to look like he had been in a really nasty car accident without a seat belt or air bags. At 4:00 they got tot heir feet and Herring had Lesnar against the fence, although Lesnar was in control. Herring threw some body shots. Lesnar kneed him in hte gut and Herring seemed to lose his wind each time. Herring threw a knee against the fence. Herring swung with an uppercut and missed. Lesnar took him down as the horn sounded. Two decisive point wins for Lesnar. 10-8 arguments could be made for each.
ROUND THREE: They clinched against the fence at 0:45 and exchanged knees. When Lesnar had enough, he just wrapped his arms around Herring and tossed him to the mat where he punished him with driving knees to his kidney area. Lesnar turned Herring over and got full mount. The crowd pops as Lesnar smothers Herring. Herring turns over onto his knees in a pick your poison moment. Lesnar went for a sleeper from a sitting position. Herring slipped out. They stood up briefly. Herring threw some punches. Lesnar quickly slammed him back to the mat and continued to smother him and punish him methodically. With 30 seconds left, the crowd began cheering. (Sid Hartman, at this exactly moment, got up and walked to the back for those familiar with the Minnesota media scene). Herring stood up and shouted, "F---!" They had a man-hug, then went to their corners. Brock celebrated a decisive win with some gestures toward Herring that he was lassoing him and pulling him in.
DECISION: Lesnar via unanimous decision (30-26 by all three judges). They showed Rena Mero (a/k/a Sable), Lesnar's wife, applauding him.
STAR RATING (***+): Dominant by Lesnar. Fascinating to watch. He just controlled it throughout. If Herring got in any more offense and landed a couple punches, I would have gone to the four-star category, but the fact that Lesnar was never in jeopardy but also couldn't finish the fight took away a bit from this being a "must-see" match. Well, it's still must-see, but it's not a Fight of the Year contender.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Rogan said he is so impressed given it's just his third pro fight. Lesnar said, "Can you see me now?" (A catchphrase of WWE's John Cena. Strange to throw that in there.) Lesnar said he's been working hard to get better. He said he fell off the horse against Mir, but is back on the stallion.
-Rob Leer, Target Center p.r., told me that 30 percent of tickets were sold to Canadians. There are almost 100 media credentials, and 60 percent are national and 40 percent local.
5 -- GEORGES ST. PIERRE vs. JON FITCH
PRE-FIGHT: Ring announcer Bruce Buffer looked like he was warming up for a fight while waiting for GSP's ring entrance, jumping up and down and stretching his neck. I'd pay to see GSP vs. Buffer. Ring intros better move fast as it's 11:22 and they've got five rounds of five minutes, plus four minutes total between rounds, which could extend this another 29 minutes, plus post-fight decision announcement, all to fit into their remaining PPV time.
ROUND ONE: Fitch swung, GSP tackled him to the mat. Loud "GSP" chants from the heavily-Canadian crowd. He held him down and threw some punches, but nothing damaging. He remained on top and in control as Fitch maneuvered to protect himself - with success. A loud "USA" chant rang out, countered by a loud "GSP" chant. GSP landed a hard right at 2:30 and moved in to finish him. Fitch withstood a barrage of punches. GSP punched himself out and Fitch managed to hang in there. That was as close to over as a fight gets without being over. At 3:00 GSP smothered Fitch against the cage. Fitch stood up at 3:39, but GSP knocked him backwards and close to out. He mounted him with a minute left. He shifted to side mount with 30 seconds left. Fitch squirmed to get loose. He looked like he had life in him when he stood up after the round. 10-8 for GSP.
ROUND TWO: Fitch stood with GSP early. He threw some combos that didn't land. GSP went for a left jab SUperman, but missed. Fitch did take some shots and bled from the face. GSP landed a high right roundhouse kick. Another loud "GSP" chant. At 1:30 they circled center-ring. GSP looked supremely confident. GSP landed more punches. GSP is bleeding from the forehead. With a minute left they continued to exchange punches. Fun round, and close. Very close. GSP may have won judges over with a final left hook. I'd go 10-9 to Fitch, though.
ROUND THREE: GSP took Fitch down hard with a big punch, knocking his mouth guard out. He went for a finish on the mat, but couldn't. At 1:00 Fitch actually slipped out and ended up on top in a dominant position on GSP. Wow. Great opening 75 seconds. At 2:15 GSP managed to maneuver himself back on top. Back on their feet at 2:45. GSP looked fresher, but Fitch still had legs. GSP landed a hard low roundkick to Fitch's lead leg. Then a high roundkick to Fitch's head 30 seconds later. GSP hit a combo of punches and kicks and came close to ending it. FItch got up and looked at the clock. GSP slammed Fitch hard to the mat with 15 seconds to go. Fitch is amazing tough, but he's not quite in GSP's league according to this fight. He had trouble getting two feet from the mat to his bench between rounds. That's 10-9 for GSP. Solid.
ROUND FOUR: Some fans left, not realizing it was a five round fight. Or they just came for Lesnar. More stand-up to start this round. GSP looking like it's round one other than the sweat. FItch amazingly recovered again between rounds and had his legs. GSP bled under his left knee from a knee. Now GSP looks like he's been in a fight. Fitch gained some steam from seeing blood, it seemed. They hit simultaneous punches. GSP thought he followed with a low roundkick and immediately apologized. What a guy. FItch moved in for a takedown and got a single-leg of GSP lifted for at least 30 seconds. GSP wouldn't go down, but impressive effort. GSP ended up on top with Fitch's back against the cage. GSP went for an armbar at the very end. Fitch slipped out as the horn sounded. GSP wins that, too, but Fitch earned everyone's respect - if he hadn't already.
ROUND FIVE: GSP dominated this on the ground against the cage. Fitch hung in there, but didn't really score any points. For a brief mid-round stand-up Fitch for the first time seemed truly spent and tentative. Not much of a final round, but what a final fight.
DECISION: GSP by judge's decision. (50-43, 50-44, 50-44).
STAR RATING (****): Fight of the year contender. Sure, one-sided to a degree, with only one questionable round, and everyone giving GSP at least one 10-8 round. But Fitch's resilience was just amazing.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Rogan asked if Fitch was his toughest fight as he predicted. GSP said he was. He said this fight made him better. He said he's willing to face anyone whenever. In walked B.J. Penn. The crowd booed B.J. No post-fight interview with Fitch.
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