...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 51
SEPTEMBER 13, 2013
LIVE FROM BRASILIA, BRAZIL
=====UFC Fight Pass Prelims Quick Results=====
-Rani Yahya def. Johnny Bedford via submission (kimura) at 2:04 of the second round
NOTE: Sick kimura submission from Yahya, as Bedford's shoulder might be badly damaged.
-Sean Spencer def. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
NOTE: One-sided decision for Spencer. He dominated Thiago, landing several damaging strikes and out-grappling the Brazilian. Has to be the last fight in the UFC for Thiago.
NOTE: Trinaldo got a bit of a home edge on that decision in what seemed like a close, but ultimately not all that entertaining, fight.
-George Sullivan def. Igor Araujo via KO at 2:31 of the second round
NOTE: Brutal ground and pound finish from Sullivan. Fairly competitive prior to that, but Sullivan hurt Araujo badly with an unblocked series of strikes there in the second round. Araujo stayed down for a long time.
-Godofredo Pepey def. Dashon Johnson via submission (mounted triangle/armbar) at 4:29 of the first round
NOTE: Johnson slammed Pepey, but immediately after got caught in that triangle, and Pepey held on as Johnson tried to escape, eventually rolling into the mounted triangle position.
=====UFC Fight Pass Main Card=====
Programming note: We'll have an event report tonight for the WSOF 14 event on NBC Sports Network, but as that show begins while the final hour of this event airs, the WSOF report will be delayed until later tonight.
-After a brief intro from Jon Anik, it's quickly to our first fight of the evening.
FIGHT ONE: JESSICA ANDRADE VS. LARISSA PACHECO (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Pacheco opened up with a flurry of strikes as Andrade closed the distance. Pacheco landed a hard knee as Andrade grabbed a clinch. Andrade easily moved towards the takedown, and got Pacheco to her back, where she landed some solid ground and pound. Pacheco tried to scramble out, but ate some more strikes. She scrambled out again, but Andrade tried to set up a front choke. Pacheco defended, but was kept on her back. Andrade passed briefly to mount, but Pacheco pulled her to half guard. She tried to break free further. Andrade held position on top and passed to side control. Andrade continued working from the top, then went for a D'Arce choke. Pacheco worked out of it, and Andrade stood to drop some more strikes down. She blocked a few upkicks, but dropped back into Pacheco's guard. Andrade passed again to side control. Pacheco tried to get free, but got stuck. Andrade went for a guillotine choke and locked it on into half guard. She had it tight, and Pacheco was forced to tap. Not often you see a fight finish like that, good work from Andrade on the ground against an overmatched opponent there.
WINNER: Andrade via submission (guillotine choke) at :33 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Completely one-sided on the ground once Andrade got it there. Still, good work from her to find herself in that position, then lock on that choke while giving Pacheco nowhere to go.
FIGHT TWO: IURI ALCANTARA VS RUSSELL DOANE (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Alcantara took the center and pressed in. He opened with a combination. He pressed forward with a few more hard strikes. He shot in and scored a takedown, then quickly passed to mount before Doane gave up his back. Alcantara landed some strikes from the back and nearly had the choke locked on but Doane worked out of the hold. Alcantara held back position though. Alcantara tried to pass over to mount, but Doane timed it well and shot in for his own takedown, winding up on top. Doane landed some short forearm strikes to the boos of the crowd. Alcantara went for a leg, but Doane stepped out, and dropped back into Alcantara's guard. Doane stood up and landed a hard right hand after some other ground and pound. Alcantara tried to escape and wound up back to his feet. Alcantara accidentally landed a groin shot and the fight was briefly halted. Alcantara came back forward as they restarted and landed some strikes. As they clashed together again, Doane wound up on top as Alcantara tried for a kimura. Close round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alcantara. Close round, and Doane has an argument for it, but I think the positional advantage early for Alcantara gives him a slight edge.
ROUND TWO: Alcantara got the better of some early exchanges. Alcantara landed a big straight left, but Doane took it. Alcantara got a warning to use closed fists after a near eyepoke. Doane got in a few strikes in competition. Doane shot in and secured a takedown. Doane landed a few strikes, but Alcantara kicked him off and got to his feet. Doane stayed on him in the clinch, then took him back down. Alcantara landed some elbows from the bottom. Alcantara continued finding more of a home for his strikes off the bottom than Doane on top. They were finally stood up and Doane had a bad cut on his eye. Alcantara opened up with some big offense and brushed off a takedown attempt. He landed several big strikes, but then Doane took him down again. Alcantara landed some more elbows from his back before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alcantara. Doane again could take it off the takedowns, but all the damage was being done by Alcantara.
ROUND THREE: Alcantara moved in again and tried to press Doane back. Doane clinched up and went for the takedown, but Alcantara countered it well. They continued their battle. Doane landed an illegal knee, and the ref put hands on him, but didn't separate them or give any official warning or anything. Doane completed the takedown. Doane tried to land some strikes from Alcantara's guard. Alcantara fired back from the bottom. Doane stood, and Alcantara kicked him back enough to get up. Doane tried to grab a D'Arce choke. Doane got in a knee, but lost the choke attempt. Alcantara tried to get to his feet, then nicely reversed and defended a single leg. Doane popped out of the position and tried to take Alcantara down again. He ate a knee. Alcantara got dragged down again. Doane tried to stay busy, but wasn't doing a ton of damage. He got in some short forearms, but again, more to stay busy than anything. Alcantara then swept and got on top with 20 seconds left. He landed some strikes from the top to end the fight on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Doane. I don't think Alcantara had enough offense to negate the two takedowns there. Going to be a close decision that could legitimately go either way.
WINNER: Alcantara via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) I'm kind of impressed the judges got that correct. Alcantara did all the damage in the first ten minutes before fading late. Not a great fight though.
FIGHT THREE: SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS. WENDELL OLIVEIRA (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters traded some kicks and jabs early. Oliveira landed a leg kick. Ponzinibbio pressed back in but missed. They traded punches again. Oliveira landed a solid uppercut as Ponzinibbio rushed in. Oliveira continued to land strikes. Ponzinibbio landed a huge flurry against the cage and Oliveira went out on his feet. After he got dropped to a knee, he was punched back to consciousness, but the ref stepped in anyway. Good stoppage from Mario Yamasaki.
WINNER: Ponzinibbio via TKO at 1:20 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Nice flurry from Ponzinibbio to finish that fight. He had actually gotten caught a couple times before that, but then had Oliveira hurt and pounced. Good finishing instincts.
FIGHT FOUR: LEONARDO SANTOS VS. EFRAIN ESCUDERO (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Santos sored an early overhand right, and covered up as Escudero tried to counter. Escudero landed a short combo. Escudero got in some kicks and avoided an uppercut. They clinched and Santos pressed Escudero to the cage. Santos dropped levels and secured a takedown into side control. He landed a knee to the body. He tried to step over to mount, but Escudero defended well. After another scramble, Santos got back to half guard. Santos landed a punch to the body. He tried to pass out and snuck over to mount. He landed a few strikes and Escudero nearly gave up his back. They battled for position with Santos working for a choke. He landed some strikes and tried to open Escudero's defense. Santos continued to do damage from the back, then got a second hook in and pulled Escudero backward. Santos lost position with an armbar attempt late.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Santos. Good, clear round for Santos; did some good work on the ground.
ROUND TWO: Escudero tried to play the aggressor, but neither did much of anything in the opening 30 seconds. Santos then got in a knee to the body in close. Santos landed some jabs. Escudero swung wildly but didn't find a home for his strikes. Santos landed a couple more jabs. They traded punches. Escudero got in a knee to the body in a clinch. He landed an overhand right. Santos was slowing down. Escudero landed a right hand, then another and Santos went down. Escudero stood over him and landed a right hand. He then backed off and made him stand. Santos looked labored in his movements. Escudero slowed down his attack as they restarted. Santos tried to jump in with a knee. Santos missed a head kick. Escudero landed a few punches. Santos shot in, but Escudero stuffed it, sprawled, and wound up on top himself. He backed out and made Santos stand again. Santos landed an uppercut as he got up. Escudero fired back with a few strikes. Escudero landed another right hand. Santos spun around before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Escudero. Bad round for Santos, as a clearly tired Escudero still beat him to the punch throughout, and scored the knockdown in the round.
ROUND THREE: They both took the center, but neither again were doing much of any consequence. Escudero landed some strikes. Escudero wasn't doing much as he went forward, but Santos did even less backing up. Santos threw out some kicks that didn't really find a home. Santos scored a takedown with three minutes remaining, right into half guard. Santos passed to mount without much trouble. Escudero tried to lock his arms down. Santos held position, and got Escudero's back again in transition. Escudero defended as Santos tried to find room for a submission. That room didn't come, and Escudero made it to the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Santos. The momentum was swinging the other way, but Santos scored that well timed and much needed takedown.
WINNER: Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*+) Not a good fight. Escudero started to take over in the second, but couldn't follow up in the third, costing him the fight against a tired out Santos.
FIGHT FIVE: GLEISON TIBAU VS. PIOTR HALLMANN (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Tibau came out in force with a huge flurry of strikes that had Hallmann reeling. He then shot in and scored a takedown, but Hallmann worked back to his feet and then got separation. Hallmann tried to engage, but ate a big right hand as he delivered a knee. Tibau slowed down a bit. Hallmann landed a right hand. Hallmann landed a body kick. Tibau missed a spinning back fist. Tibau shoved Hallmann backward as he stuffed a takedown. Hallmann landed a hard body kick. After another clinch went nowhere, Hallmann tried to come forward again. Tibau shot in and scored another takedown, but Hallmann was right back to his feet. He got separation out of the clinch again. They traded punches. Hallmann landed another hard body kick and clinched. They jockeyed for position, trading knees to the body. After separating, Hallmann pressed in. He landed a few more strikes before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tibau. It was looking like a quick squash match out of the gate, but Hallmann got himself back into the fight by the end of the round.
ROUND TWO: Tibau rocked Hallmann with an early spinning back fist and he tried to follow up. Hallmann somehow recovered into a clinch. He turned Tibau around, but then got turned back himself. They were separated by the ref. Hallmann moved straight ahead, trying to land a few strikes. He connected on a push kick to the body. Tibau got in a kick to the leg. Hallmann landed a kick to the body. Tibau landed a good counter-right. He landed a left.. Hallmann pressed him back and got in a knee, but then Tibau clinched and turned him back around. They separated, and Tibau clearly looked exhausted. Still, he was winning the round. Tibau fired off some kicks. Back to the clinch, where neither was doing much of anything. Tibau missed a spinning back kick on the break. Back to a clinch with Hallmann initiating. Tibau tried to turn in for a takedown attempt to no avail at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tibau. Another strong start, only to fizzle out quickly to not much more. Still, Hallmann did very little overall.
ROUND THREE: Hallmann moved straight in trying to score with some offense, but missed a few strikes. Tibau was breathing heavy and backing up. Tibau landed another counter left. He shot in and scored a takedown less than a minute in. Hallmann moved back to his feet on the cage. They battled in the clinch for a bit, again with neither getting in much effective offense. They separated again, and Hallman again tried to close the distance. Both missed some strikes. Halmmann got a brief thai clinch and landed a good knee that opened Tibau up. He got in another after a brief clinch battle. Hallmann landed a couple of strikes as he closed distance again, but ate a right hand. The fight was halted to check on the cut. Tibau was allowed to continue. Yamasaki reset them in the wrong clinch position, and he adjusted them. Tibau then scored a quick takedown, but Hallmann was quick to his feet, where he landed a couple more knees. They separated and both missed strikes again. Hallmann got in another knee. He went for a head kick that missed and it was back to another clinch. Tibau went for another takedown, but Hallmann held it off well. They got back to a clinch before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hallmann. Ultimately too little, too late, but he did a lot of damage to close things down there.
WINNER: Tibau via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*+) Mostly dull fight, with a few bursts of offense. Tibau had a few big surges, but he was effective for maybe all of four minutes of the 15 minute fight.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT SIX: BIGFOOT SILVA VS. ANDREI ARLOVSKI (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Arlovski opened with a combination to the body. He landed a few more strikes and avoided a counter strike. Arlovski landed a nice right hand and sidestepped away. Arlovski connected to the gut. Silva just stood in the center as Arlovski moved around him. Arlovski connected again and got out of the way. Much better performance already from Arlovski than he had against Brendan Schaub. Nice right hand landed for Arlovski. Bigfoot connected on a body kick. Arlovski landed a solid uppercut with a right hand behind it. Arlovski landed a combo. Bigfoot tried to close the distance and Arlovski countered well. Arlovski dropped Bigfoot with a two major straight right hands. Arlovski started throwing hammerfists on the ground and Bigfoot went out cold. That's the best Arlovski performance in ages.
WINNER: Arlovski via KO at 2:59 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Fantastic performance from Arlovski. I can't remember the last time we saw him fight like that. He was fast, he fought smart, and he completely out-classed a man who beat him four years ago and who came in as the favorite over him. Huge win, and Arlovski immediately puts himself into the mix at the top end of the UFC. In 2014. Craziness.
-That's the show! Thanks for sticking with us on this report tonight, tune in shortly for our delayed WSOF 14 coverage as well!
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
