Dec 25, 2009 - 12:22:47 PM By Wade Keller, Torch editor
KELLER'S UFC 93 LIVE REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2009
LIVE ON PPV FROM DUBLIN, IRELAND
-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan introduced and previewed the show.
1 -- CHRIS LYTLE vs. MARCUS DAVIS
ROUND ONE: Lytle scored very early with some big swings, sending Davis backward into the fence, but not off his feet. Rogan noted that Davis has not been stopped before except by cuts. The crowd sang from the opening seconds and popped for everything Davis did that was even slightly hopeful. During an exchange mid-Octagob, Davis caught Lytle with a counter left to the side of his face at 2:00. The crowd began a new song. "Unbelievable," said Rogan. Davis caught a Lytle kick and then threw him to the mat. He didn't follow him to the mat, though, letting him up. Goldberg said Davis wants this to be the fight people talk to him about when he's 50 years old, a fight of legend. Lytle basically slipped onto his back briefly and Davis seized it, but within seconds they were back on their feet. They slapped hands and went back to work. Davis landed a nice knee to Lytle's shoulder. It picked up gradually as the round progressed. Davis had a cut under his left eye at this point. Lytle landed a nice roundhouse body kick late in the round. Davis shot back ten seconds later with a few punches. Lytle shot right back with a few swings to end the round. Nobody seemed really damaged in that round other than a small cut. Davis's corner told him he's winning every exchange, slow his mind down, and that Davis is showing signs of being winded. He recommended he follow up his kicks more. Davis's corner noted that Lytle had a cut. Round to Lytle for that one punch that landed early because otherwise it was close.
ROUND TWO: Lytle came out aggressively early with a flurry of swings, many missing at first but eventually he began landing them as Davis was backed in the corner and covering with his hands. Davis fled the scene to the other side of the Octagon. Then Davis landed a left roundhouse kick to the ribs that sent Lytle onto his back. Lytle was fine and popped back up. They slapped hands and continued the first. davis followed up with a roundhouse and knee combo. Goldberg said he was working that combination all week. Rogan said he thinks Davis is a little rattled by Lytle's powershots and always moving forward. davis landed a left at 4:00, but no real reaction from Lytle. He caught him with another left to the chin during an exchange. Lots of action throughout, though. Man, close round. Edge to Lytle very early. Edge to Davis in the middle. By the end Lytle remained the aggressor, but he seemed a little more worn out. Davis's corner told him he's a round away from a win.
ROUND THREE: They hugged before the start of the third round. Davis had more energy than Lytle by mid-round. Davis kept going for kick-knee combos. Lytle was throwing nice counter-punches. They opened up at 3:30 against the fenceof r a few seconds. Goldberg noted a huge bruise on Lytle's right ribcage while Davis's left cheek was bruised and swollen. The crowd got loud in the final 30 seconds. When Lytle slipped slightly on another Davis knee, Goldberg said, "That may have sealed the deal." I hope he meant the knee and not the slip caused by a shove by Davis. They hugged immediately when the time expired. Close fight, could go either way without either side protesting too loudly.
OUTCOME: Marcus Davis via split decision (29-28 Davis, 29-28 Lytle, 29-28 Davis)
STAR RATING: (***+) Good, exciting stand-up fight.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Rogan asked Davis how it felt to fight in Ireland. Davis weeped for a few seconds, and then gathered himself and said it's been a dream. He said to beat Lytle 100 miles from where his family is from is amazing. He thanked God and Dana White. Now that's how you get bonuses and title shots. Include Dana and God in the same sentence.
-George St. Pierre is on the cover Men's Fitness. It looked like a cover shot aimed at the gay male crowd or a Chippendale billboard in Las Vegas.
2 -- DENNIS KANG (31, 5-11; 31-10-1, Vancouver, B.C.) vs. ALAN BELCHER (24, 6-2; 12-4, Biloxi, Miss.) - 185 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Kang started strong and got Belcher to the ground. Rogan noted that Belcher was working some submission attempts well from underneath. By 2:00 they were back on their feet. A minute later Belcher was on his back again, but in control with a full guard. Kang almost got a kimura at 4:30. He ended the round on top. Kang wins this round decisively.
ROUND TWO: Kang landed a few punches early. Rogan complimented Belcher's chin. Kang shot in and took Belcher down. Kang's corner told him to take it to the ground more. Late in the round Rogan said Belcher has confidence now he can handle Kang's submission attempts on the mat and also absorb his stand-up offense. Rogan said Kang is showing signs of being winded. Because this was his Octagon debut, he might be having an "adrenaline dump." Belcher then caught Kang with a guillotine just like that as Kang shot in on him for a tapout win. Rogan: "Wow!... Wow."
OUTCOME: Alan Belcher at 4:36 of round two via submission. The Pride curse continues?
STAR RATING: (**+) Solid fight with a surprise finish.
POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW: Belcher said he is "so happy with this performance." He said he wished he was more dominant so he could call out the champion, but he admitted he needed a couple more fights. He said this shows he's established himself as a top fighter in UFC, though. He apologized for not being as exciting as he could have been.
3 -- JEREMY HORN (33, 6-2; 88-18-5, Salt Lake City, Utah) vs. ROUSIMAR PALHARES (28, 5-8; 17-2, Brazil)
ROUND ONE: Just before the start, they showed Michael Bisping sitting front row. Horn looked like he was walking out for an execution. Palhares took Horn down right away. Goldberg noted Horn's seen it all. Rogan said not against someone of Palhares's skills, but he does stay composed even in bad situations. Horn avoided a leg submission attempt at 3:00 and went for his own triangle from his back. Palhares easily fended that off. At 3:30 he had Horn's back and began throwing some punches. Horn covered up and then rolled out of it. Palhares grabbed the fence for leverage. The ref slapped his hand off of the fence as Rogan called him a cheater. The round ended with Palhares punching Horn strategically from behind, not punching himself out with a round he already clearly won. 10-8 at least.
ROUND TWO: Horn threw a leg kick, but Palhares countered with a punch. Palhares then took Horn down easily. The ref gave him a second warning for grabbing the fence. One more and he loses a point. That may be Horn's only hope. Just hang around the cage and hope Palhares grabs it again. And again. As he was being punched from behind, the ref asked if he was okay. Horn said he was fine. Horn escaped, but Palhares was immediately all over him again with punches. Horn grabbed his leg and took him down from the ground. Goldberg said, "This has the looks of a dominant fighter getting caught with something." Just as Rogan blew off Goldberg for a stupid comment, Horn got a full mount and applied an arm triangle. "He's got Palhares in a bad spot here!" said Rogan 30 seconds into it. Palhares slipped out after a relatively dramatic 30 seconds. Horn remained on top past the mid-way mark, but Palhares got back to his feet. Horn looked energized as Palhares looked winded. Palhares threw a reverse sidekick that landed softly. Palhares did nothing from there as Horn showed more aggression. Palhares shot in, but Horn fended it off and then missed with a high round kick, but landed left jab. Palhares then took Horn down at 4:00. Horn went for a triangle from his back, but Palhares stood out of it. He finished on top throwing short jabs to Horn's head just to remain officially active. Rogan said that near submission by Horn may score favorably with some judges, but Rogan doesn't believe it wasn't cinched on tight. After round one, that second round was a surprise. Probably more to Palhares than anyone.
ROUND THREE: To the unlikely third round, Palhares opened with a strong back suplex and then moved right on top of Horn. Horn didn't look worried as he took Palhares best submission attempts so far and survived. With one minute left, the ref stood them up. Horn had one more chance to KO Palhares. Palhares actually offered a hand and helped Horn to his feet. Horn threw a high right roundkick,m but Palhares blocked it. He then took Horn down and that was pretty much his last chance. Palhares definitely slowed late in the
OUTCOME: Palhares via judges' decision (30-27 each).
STAR RATING: (**+) Horn staying composed after that first round and then almost pulling it out in the second was pretty exciting. The third round slowed down as the fighters got winded. I wouldn't argue with a three-star-minus rating for either of these, either.
INTERVIEW: Palhares excused his performance by noting he broke his hand in the first round. He was emotional after the decision was announced, and just all smile after this interview.
A -- TOM EGAN vs. JOHN HATHAWAY - Welterweight Prelim Pre-taped Bout
ROUND ONE: Egan is the youngest active fighter in UFC at 20. Hathaway is just 21. The crowd went nuts chanting home-country fighter Egan's name. Hathaway shot in and got Egan down after some initial resistance. Egan spun out of it and to his feet at 1:00, but Hathaway held tight and took him back down, pounding on his face. The crowd sang as the fighters scrambled on the mat. Evan got up, but Hathaway swept him down. A very loud "Egan, Egan" chant rang out mid-way through the round. Hathaway just wouldn't leg go of his grip on Egan, no matter what Egan did to try to squirm free. Hathaway just smothered Egan late in the round. Hathaway threw some serious punches and elbows and with just 20 seconds left in the round, the ref stepped in to stop it. Good stop as those last four vicious elbows were nasty. Egan didn't exactly pop up either, but he was standing for the decision and seemed fine.
WINNER: John Hathaway via TKO at 4:36.
STAR RATING: **+ - Really exciting for something so one-sided.
INTERVIEW: Hathaway thanked UFC for having him. He was classy and gracious in victory. Rogan then interviewed Egan, who fixed his hair as he looked at himself on the big screen. He thanked the fans for coming out. He apologized for not putting in a great performance, but he appreciated their support. He said he'll be back.
-A video package aired hyping the George St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn main event rematch later this month.
4 -- SHOGUN RUA (27, 6-1; 16-3, Brazil) vs. MARK COLEMAN (44, 6-1; 15-8, Columbus, Ohio)
PRE-FIGHT: They recapped the Coleman win over Shogun in Pride where Shogun dislocated his elbow in a fluke landing and lost as a result, with Coleman laughing and bragging about it afterward. Shogun said Coleman got lucky, and he wasn't even at 100 percent last time they fought. Rogan said Coleman wanted to take Shogun down and he did, and Shogun made a rookie mistake by being taken down and not bracing properly. Rogan said he was talking to Phil Baroni last night about the lack of success of most PRIDE fighters. He said the Shoot Box mystique is gone in UFC, and that mystique is what helped them in PRIDE because they had a psychological advantage in PRIDE that's not there anymore. Rogan gave Coleman credit for redefining the sport back in the day, the first dominant wrestler who took guys down and pounded on them. Rogan said back in UFC, compared to PRIDE, he can use the cage and elbows, two advantages he lost in the rings in pride. Goldberg noted that Shogun can't use soccer kicks or stomps, and eight of his 16 fights that he's won were due to those moves. UFC rules favor Coleman. Rogan built up Coleman's elbows on the ground, saying Shogun's never experienced that before in a pro fight. Rogan said Coleman's best weight is 205 now because with guys the size of Brock Lesnar, if you can make 205, make it.
ROUND ONE: Shogun barely looked at Coleman during the final referee instructions. Just a couple late glances. Coleman stared at him the whole time. Coleman shot in right away. Shogun caught him with a kick and a knee, but Coleman held on and pushed him against the fence. He began punching his head. Shogun quickly squirmed and managed to get to his feet by 30 seconds in. Coleman had his back 15 seconds late, but Shogun shifted to his back and went to some submissions. They were on their feet at 1:00. Shogun landed a big right. Coleman took him down again, but was slow to move in, worried about an upkick. He did a few seconds later and Shogun immediately went for a triangle. Coleman dropped to his back and went for a choke at 2:00. Shogun passed his guard quickly and ended up with a side mount. Coleman clutched his punching arm. Goldberg said Coleman has never won a fight against an opponent who attempted submissions. Wow. Strange. Goldberg wondered if cutting to 205 will be detrimental to his cardio since he had to dehydrate to get there. At 3:20 they were back on their feet. Shogun hit a nice kick. Coleman seemed slightly unsteady, but stood his ground. Shogun landed a left. Coleman began showing signs of being winded. Shogun gook his back, but Coleman slipped out and got Shogun's back. Even if Coleman loses, he's put in a good showing against someone 17 years younger and heavily favored. Shogun moved in and landed a big right that dropped a tired Coleman. Rogan said, "That's it." Coleman defended himself and grabbed Shogun's leg. With 30 seconds left, Coleman just tried to survive. He pushed Shogun against the cage. Shogun broke free with 15 seconds left. Shogun and Coleman exchanged punches. Shogun closed with a knee as the horn sounded. Shogun clearly won the round, but if he expected to win quickly, his pride might have been hurt. Coleman's cornerman told him he hurt Shogun twice and he's looking for a way out. Whatever it takes to get him ready for round two, I suppose. Coleman had trouble finding his corner and may not have heard a word of that. Shogun looked ready to end it quick in round two.
ROUND TWO: Shogun threw leg kicks early. Coleman shot in at 040 and managed to take Shogun down. Rogan said if he punched his face against the fence here, that was his chance. Shogun was on his feet 20 seconds later, breaking free. Coleman said: "With his hands down, it's almost like he's waiting for something disastrous to happen." Shogun just started pelting him. Rogan said it's tough to watch. The crowd began chanting "Coleman, Coleman" briefly. At 3:10 Coleman got Shogun down onto his back. He pushed his way back to his feet 15 seconds later. Shogun began pelting Coleman, so Coleman again took Shogun down. Rogan noted that Shogun looked tired, too. Shogun applied a shoulder lock submission with his right leg. Shogun caught his breath and seemed to be waiting to snap Coleman's arm as soon as Coleman gave him the opening. The crowd booed the inactivity, the waiting game both seemed to be playing. The rounded ended with Coleman's face in the mat and arm tied up, but Coleman survived. Rogan didn't get why Shogun didn't try to finish him by rolling over. Coleman's corner told him again he's going to win the fight if he just throws two right hands in a row.
ROUND THREE: Coleman landed a gut punch that sent Shogun a few steps backward. Rogan said even if Shogun wins here, it's not impressive and not what he wanted. Coleman got Shogun on his back again. Goldberg asked if Coleman could eek out a decision. Rogan said he could knock him out, but he didn't answer the decision question because, well, the answer is no way. Coleman just smothered Shogun with is wrestling skills. He began throwing some rib punches and elbows to the face. The rowd cheered and Coleman seemed to get a second wind. Shogun was patiently looking for a submission from underneath. Shogun clasped Coleman's leg and went for an anklelock. He appeared to be in trouble, but eventually slipped out. Coleman stayed on top as of 3:00 and had Shogun's back. He began punching him. Coleman just wouldn't let him go and Shogan may have seemed more winded than Coleman. Shogun slipped out and stood in front of Coleman, who was on his knees. Shogun threw a knee toward Coleman's head, but the ref stepped in and warned him that it's against UFC rules to do that. The ref asked if Coleman was okay. He hesitated to yes. The replay showed that the knee didn't actually catch Coleman and hit the body, which is legal. With one minute left, they were standing up again. Shogun threw a sloppy kick and a slpppy couple roundhouse rights as he was clearly out of fuel. So was Coleman, though, and Shogun took Coleman down with two punches. The ref stepped in quickly. Coleman protested. He gave Coleman the out he needed, although Coleman didn't defend the last nasty uppercut and was just going to eat more punches. Rogan said it was just traget practice at that point for Shogun. Coleman chewed out the ref afterward, shaking his head in protest the whole time.
OUTCOME: Shogan at 4:36 of third round.
STAR RATING: (****-) That was a must-see fight. I'd for four-stars on drama, but I add the minus because both fighters were exhausted so early and things got sloppy from there. But Coleman's heart and no-quit endurance despite being completely winded was amazing to watch from a 44 year old.
INTERVIEW: Rua could barely talk afterward and it was hard to understand. Rua walked over to Coleman and hugged him. Coleman hugged him back. They traded some pleasantries and clearly gained respect for each other after that battle. Coleman raised Rua's arm. Rogan then moved over to Coleman and asked him how tough it was to cut to 205. Coleman said he's a wrestler he just did it. He said he's really disappointed in himself. "A good fight's not good enough," he said. "I came here to win." He said he thought he had a chance to finish Rua, but he's a tough son of a bitch. He said now it's 1-1. He said he deserves a rematch. "I respect you, but I can beat you." Boy did he have the face of someone who entered with a battered face and just took another severe beating. He was stumbling around the ring after the interview, shaking hands but barely keeping to his feet.
5 -- DAN HENDERSON (38, 6-1; 23-7, Temecula, Calif.) vs. RICH FRANKLIN (34, 6-1; 26-3, Cincinnati, Ohio) -- Light-Heavyweight Contenders Fight
Rogan complimented Henderson as one of the best MMA fighters of all-time. Is it wrong that when I hear Franklin's entrance music, all I think about is someone walking in to take a brutal beating from Anderson Silva? Instead of sounding intimidating or inspiring, it's like death march music. Rogan said he thinks Franklin is a happier fighter at 205 even though he's gigantic at 185. He said the Matt Hamill fight was a great showcase for him to show off what he could do at 205.
ROUND ONE: A friendly hand shake during the ref's final instructions. Goldberg: "They finally meet!" Fun opening 45 seconds with neither landing much but both throwing, with Henderson finally landing a bit right and then swinging and missing with a righ roundhouse kick. He moved in quickly on Franklin and had him on his back. Franklin blocked Henderson's full mount with his right leg. Henderon began throwing some punches, so Franklin got up with a sense of urgency. Henderson landed a lot of punches, swarming him for about 10 seconds or so. Franklin grabbed his hand and slowed it down. Franklin tried to stand and did by 2:30. They were back at center ring. Franklin looked fine. Henderson landed another kick and punch. Franklin landed a strong left to Henderson's face at the end of a combination. They slapped hands mid-ring after an accidental headkick by Henderson. Franklin threw a strong bodykick. Franklin went for a takedown on Henderson, but Henderson resisted. Henderson began breathing heavy. Rogan touted Franklin's cardio, calling him a "conditioning machine." Henderson smiled and nodded to his corner as the horn sounded. Franklin had two nasty gashes at the temple and top of his forehead. Franklin told his corner it was a headbutt that got him. Franklin saw the cut on the big screen, laughed, and said, "That's a bad one." Round to Henderson.
ROUND TWO: Nice pace in the early minutes of the round, all stand-up and pretty even. At 2:30 they went against the fence, and Henderson got the advantage and took him down. Franklin went into the guard as blood began to flow from the cut on his forehead. Henderson smothered him and just held control and scored points for controlling position until the round ended. Franklin nodded and they high-fived each other. Franklin's corner said he's doing fine, but he needs to try to knock him out this round. In other words, your down 2-0 and can't win on points without a 10-7 round. Henderson said Franklin's tired. His corner said Franklin is more tired than he is. They seemed pretty even.
ROUND THREE: Franklin paced it early like he had to win by KO, but Henderson probably landed the better punch. By 0:45 Henderson had Franklin down on his back against the cage again. Franklin positioned himself like his corner suggested, trying to walk his way up the cage. Franklin got on top at 1:30 and had Henderson wrapped up. Henderson slipped out and back to his feet. Henderson looked more winded after that exchange than otherwise in the fight. At 2:30 they moved back to straight stand-up with Franklin looking fresher. Rogan really complimented Franklin as being a humble guy who wants to do the best he can. Franklin kept looking for opening and landed a few lefts to the chin and kicks to the ribs. With 1:30 left, they were clinched against the cage. Henderson threw a high roundkick and slipped and fell to the mat at 4:15. Seconds later Henderson poked Franklin in the eye. Franklin went down hard and fast, crying out in pain. The replay showed Henderson stuck his fingers straight out at Franklin as Franklin moved in and it looked nasty. Franklin's eye looked bad. The ref told Franklin he doesn't get five minutes for a groin strike. The ref checked with the commissioner and he said he gets two minutes. Franklin told Henderson, "It was accidental, without a doubt." Rogan said Henderson has had a ton of time to recover and that took away Franklin's best hope of winning. Henderson threw a big left that just glanced Henderson's chin. The horn sounded. Franklin held his hands in the air, while Henderson leaped into the arms of his cornermen. Lots of respect shown afterward between the fighters.
OUTCOME: Henderson via split decision (29-28 Henderosn, 30-27 Franklin, 29-28 Henderson). Franklin was visibly surprised and disappointed with the decision. What fight did the judge watch who gave Franklin all three rounds? Seriously, that's ridiculous.
STAR RATING: (****-) Really good close fight with a good mix of strong stand-up and ground fighting. Not an all-time classic, but for three rounds of two great fighters who spent the rest of their primes in opposite countries, this lived up to the hype.
INTERVIEW: Henderson said he didn't agree at all with the 30-27 judge's call, but said Franklin did win the third round. Henderson talked about being a coach on The Ultimate Fighter opposite of Bisping. He said it's right up his alley being a coach since he was in the Olympics a couple of times. He closed by saying he missed his daughter's tenth birthday last week and wanted to wish her a birthday.
[Rich Franklin art credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch]
