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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
-Alright, let's get underway! UFC 105 comes to us on tape delay here in the U.S. on Spike, and we've got a full night of fight's earlier on this Saturday night, with Randy "The Natural" Couture in the main event for free for the first time ever. Mike Goldberg opens up the broadcast talking about Brandon Vera's boast earlier in his career that he'd become a multi-weight class Champion, and Goldberg and Joe Rogan also discuss Couture before breaking down the rest of the card.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT ONE: ROSS PEARSON VS. AARON RILEY (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Pearson said he thinks he's got the style to beat Aaron Riley. Riley thinks he can steal some of Pearson's thunder with a victory tonight. He said he plans on using the crowd energy and turning it into a positive. Pearson said he thinks it is his time.
ROUND ONE: Both fighters try to feel out the reach of the other early on here, ducking and feinting their ways around until Pearson throws a leg kick for the first landed strike. Riley comes in and eats a couple of short punches. Pearson lands another good right shortly thereafter. Good leg kick lands from Pearson. Riley came in too close for a punch and ate a few shots ending with a high kick as he backed out. Pearson grabs a Thai clinch and lands a few good knees to the head and body before pushign Riley against the cage. Pearson lands another body punch and more good knees and Riley is getting taken apart. Pearson mixes up his attack nicely with knees and punches before Riley finally broke away. Riley was on the defensive and backing away as Pearson came forward, landing some more knees in the Thai clinch and more punches to set it up. RIley lands a good knee for his first significant strike of the round. Pearson with another very good elbow and right hand combo. Pearson goes back to the Thai clinch and mixes it up some more, landing a number of shots. Riley stays on his feet and continues to take the punishment, however. Riley keeps backing off and Pearson continues to pick him apart. Back to the Thai clinch with more knees to the head and body from Pearson. They release and back off as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pearson. Excellent start for Pearson, who picked apart Riley for much of the round but didn't score any extremely damaging blows.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Riley throws a leg kick early but then quickly got caught with a few straight punches from Pearson. Pearson went to the Thai clinch again and landed a couple of knees before Riley bucked him off. Riley then pushed Pearson against the cage but Pearson kneed him and punched him off and got loose. Riley faked a takedown and landed a punch. Pearson got in with another combo. Very impressive stuff from Pearson here tonight. Riley missed a punch and then had a kick blocked. Pearson lands another big left hook. He gains the Thai clinch again and lands a knee before clinching Riley against the cage. Riley landed a knee of his own and pushed loose. Pearson almost immediately lands a combo. Pearson with more straight rights. Good punch and kick combo from Pearson again. Straight left lands from Pearson and he follows up with a couple more. Good body kick lands from Pearson. Riley clinches and eats a number of shots from Pearson to break him off. Pearson with a few more hard punches landing in succession. Pearson lands a good counter combination and Riley is simply getting blasted at every turn. Pearson back to the Thai clinch and he opens up a nasty cut with a flying knee to the nose. The doctors check on the cut and it's too much and it's all over. Too bad to see it end with a cut stoppage but Pearson was absolutely kicking Riley's ass there.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Pearson via TKO (cut) at 4:38 of the second round.
POST FIGHT: Pearson said he knew Riley was a tough opponent for his first bout and he did nothing but train for this fight since he found out. He said this is his life now, and he's going to do this 100% all the time moving forward.
STAR RATING: (**+) Very one sided fight, but it was some excellent boxing and Muay Thai on display from Pearson. I can't stress enough how impressive an overall performance this was in the striking department from Pearson.
RAMIFICATIONS: Well, we didn't see anything in regards to Pearson's ground game as the bout never got there, but he showed that he's got the chops in his stand up game to hang with the best in the division on his feet. I'm very excited to see how he develops in the UFC, that was an excellent official debut, and much more impressive than his TUF winning bout against Andre Winner.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT TWO: JAMES WILKS VS. MATT BROWN (WELTERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Wilks said he feels Brown is calling him out because Brown didn't win TUF. Brown said he wants to knock Wilks' head off. Brown said he sees himself breaking Wilks down. Wilks says he thinks Brown is making a big mistake and he's going to take him out.
ROUND ONE: Brown throws a leg kick early to start things off and he bounces on the outside as Wilks takes the center. They clinch and Brown puts Wilks against the cage. Brown throws a good knee to the body but Wilks gets a grip and turns him around, putting his back on the cage. He tries to bound out and Brown landed an elbow. Wilks tried to get a takedown and Brown defended it nicely. Wilks stayed on him and got his back and tried to jump up on his back for a choke, but didn't have it and let it go. He turned around and Brown tried to grab a guillotine but Wilks got out of it. They got to a stalemate against the cage and the ref separated them. Brown landed some really hard shots as they were standing and Wilks had to shoot in for a clinch against the cage again. Wilks stayed on him as Brown held off the takedown and they were separated again. Wilks landed a head kick and then landed a few punches in combination as they got back to the clinch again. Wilks again tried to get a grip and take him down. Brown is doing a great job of holding off any takedowns here. Wilks tries to drop for a leg and Brown keeps him off again. Wilks has a nasty mouse under his left eye. Brown locks in a standing guillotine but Wilks got out of it by dropping down and he pulled off a double leg takedown. Brown goes for a kimura and Brown takes his back as they get back to their feet. Wilks lands a head kick and Brown lands a punch as the round comes to an end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Wilks. Very good start to the fight. This was some very technical clinch work and some fairly even exchanges in the striking game. Wilks got the late takedown and held the advantageous position for much of the round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Brown comes out with a leg kick early. Wilks lands a couple of good jabs before Brown countered. Brown caught Wilks slightly with a flying knee that put him down and had him a bit loopy, but he recovered as Brown got down onto him. Brown landed some hard shots but Wilks grabbed for a leg lock. Brown held it off and got out of it as the both made their way to their feet against the cage. Brown finally separates. Wilks lands a good leg kick. Brown grabs a Thai clinch and lands a good knee and punch. They separate and Wilks goes for the double leg again against the cage. Wilks grabs for a single leg and Brown held him off with a kmiura attempt. Brown then put Wilks against the cage. They both struggle for position against the cage and finally get separated. Wilks pops a jab in as they start up. Brown lands a couple of punches. WIlks lands a few but eats some really hard shots and has to drop down. Brown lands some very hard punches with Wilks on his knees and he's getting drained here. Brown tries to take his back and tries to get side control and Wilks rolled it through to get side control himself. Brown rolled through and got back to his guard. He tried to kick Wilks off of him but Wilks dropped down with a couple of punches. Brown got a triangle locked in at the last second but had no time left in the round to lock it in.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Brown. Hell of a job from both fighters in this round, with Brown's attacks and Wilks surviving some bad, bad spots. We've got a good fight on our hands here.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Wilks lands a jab and Brown lands a good leg kick in response. Wilks rushed in and went for a single leg which Brown held off. Wilks lands a good leg kick and Brown counters with a right hand. Wilks lands a good jab as Brown came at him and then Wilks pushed Brown against the cage in the clinch. Wilks tries to get Brown's back and Brown grabs for a kimura. Wilks then grabs for a kimura and drops down> Brown fends it off and Wilks holds onto the arm in his full guard and wrenches the kimura. Brown tries to hold it off and somehow survives to get out of it. Brown then tries to get a guillotine and uses it to get the full mount. Wilks turns to give up his back and Brown pounds him out for the win. Hell of a fight.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Brown via TKO at 2:27 of the third round.
POST FIGHT: Brown said he had some jet lag that affected his cardio but he said he's working his way up there now. He said he still has a lot to work on and said he was lucky to get out of the kimura.
STAR RATING: (***) Very good fight between two very evenly matched competitors. Matt Brown was extremely impressive in this fight and James Wilks put in a hell of an effort in the loss, including nearly getting that kimura locked in midway through that third round.
RAMIFICATIONS: Brown gets to move up the welterweight ladder a bit here, but Wilks doesn't lose much in the loss. This was a very even fight for much of it and Brown just had a bit more on this particular night.
PRELIM FIGHT A: ANDRE WINNER VS. ROLI DELGADO (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Delgado throws an early head kick and then tries to pop in with a knee. Winner throws a near crippling leg kick and pops in and out with a punch. Winner lands a huge right that rocks Delgado and Roli somehow recovers enough on the ground, making Winner allow him back up. Delgado tries to run at him with a combo and gets Winner clinched against the cage. Delgado lands a good knee as Winner came in close. Delgado lands a couple of good jabs. Winner again lands a good right and then a left. Delgado throws a body kick. Winner lands a good combo and pushes Delgado against the cage. He backs out and barely misses a couple more punches. Winner lands another really good leg kick. Winner then lands an overhand right that knocks Delgado out cold. The ref didn't get to him in time and Winner landed a couple of unnecessary shots before the fight was stopped. That was a spectacular punch.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Winner via KO at 3:22 of the first round.
STAR RATING: (***-) That was a spectacular knockout punch and a great win for Andre Winner. Both him and Pearson showed some great striking tonight and it's good to see their strengths highlighted here on this card.
-Joe Rogan brings in Tito Ortiz via satellite for an interview. He said he's getting ready for the fight and he's excited to be back. He said everything in his life is coincidental and he's excited for this fight. Tito talked about Machida getting lucky that he got out of the Triangle in their bout and says nowadays he's submitting guys left and right in those positions in training. He said he thought he was going to get a bit of an easier fight than he was expecting, but he thinks he's the better fighter right now than Forrest.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT THREE: MICHAEL BISPING VS. DENIS KANG (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Kang says he feels he needs to introduce himself with the right fights to U.S. fans. Bisping said he wants to get some respect back in this fight. He said he's pissed off, he needs to win and do it impressively. Kang said he wants to crush him and do it every round.
ROUND ONE: Kang throws a few shots early that miss and Bisping lands the first shot with a kick. Kang lands a good leg kick right after. Kang lands a good left in an exchange. He lands an inside leg kick and Bisping catches it but can't do anything with it. Kang lands a huge right that drops Bisping and he gets down into Bisping's half guard. That nearly ended the fight right there. Kang passes to side control and Bisping grabs his leg back into half guard. Kang is trying to keep his top control as Bisping struggles to hold him. Kang tried to pass to the mount but Bisping nearly bucked him off so he stayed in half guard. Finally he did move into mount but Bisping escaped nicely to half guard again. Bisping is showing some very good defense here. Kang, still in half guardhe finally got to full mount with ninety seconds left. Bisping again with a really nice hip escape to get back to half guard, and then he finally pushed it to full guard. He tried to throw his legs up for an armbar but Kang powered out and landed a punch. Rogan namedrops Gegard Mousasi when talking about Kang getting caught. Bisping nicely gains guard again after Kang had side control. Kang is getting neutralized on the ground and Bisping's been very impressive from his back as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Kang. The really nice punch led to a very good ground battle, but Kang took the first round without a doubt and will have to find a way to do more against Bisping the rest of the fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Bisping throws a head kick that's way off it's mark to start the round. He lands a leg kick and Kang gets in with a jab. Kang misses a right and Bisping counters with a right. Kang lands a jab. Bisping lands an inside leg kick. Kang lands the overhand right at the end of the extension. He gets in a couple more punches. Bisping is coming forward here in this round. Kang again with the right hand. Bisping lands a good straight jab. Bisping then shot in for a single leg and got the takedown, and Kang pulled guard. Bisping landed a short elbow and tried to posture up to land a few shots. Kang threw his legs up and Bisping continued to land shots. Kang rolled out and got to his feet but he got cut open. Bisping shot in again and took him down a second time. Bisping continued to work the ground and pound. Kang threw his legs up again and rolled out and got back to his feet. Kang is bloodied and battered right now. Bisping came in and landed a couple of punches. Kang landed a punch and Bisping tagged him with a few more. Bisping shot in again and slammed him down, landing a few more shots. Kang tried to roll out again and ate a ton of shots as he worked back up to his feet. He got dropped in the exchange and the ref stopped the fight. Very impressive performance from Michael Bisping.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Bisping via TKO at 4:24 of the second round.
POST FIGHT: Bisping said he will never forget how he felt after that Henderson fight and he hates that he doesn't get the respect he feels he deserves. He said the Hendo fight was simply a set back and will get back to being the Michael Bisping of old. He said he's never questioned an opponent and will take on anyone in his path and he's going to continue the long climb to the top.
STAR RATING: (***+) That may have been the best performance of Bisping's career. He survived the near knockout in the first round and showed off an excellent defense game from his back before taking the second round every step of the way.
RAMIFICATIONS: That was a breakout performance from Bisping. He wasn't too tentative like he was in the Henderson fight, and he showed off excellent defense in the first round after nearly getting knocked out. The second round may have been the best round of his career, and he dominated Kang from start to finish in that 4:24.
PRELIM FIGHT B: ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON VS. JARED HAMMAN
ROUND ONE: Hamman lands an overhand right early and both guys are throwing bombs to start. Hamman pushes forward with a head kick and an overhand right. Gustaffson accidentally pokes him in the eye. As they restart Gustaffson lands a huge overhand right that drops Hamman and he pounds him out quickly, and that's all she wrote.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Gustaffson via KO at :41 of the first round.
POST FIGHT: He said it's great to be here and he thought it was just a very good punch. He thanked everyone who helped him get here.
STAR RATING: (**+) Great punch from Gustaffson to drop Hamman and a great finish to introduce himself to the UFC fans. Hamman didn't even see that punch coming and suffered because of it.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT FOUR: DAN HARDY VS. MIKE SWICK (WELTERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Dana White said the winner of this fight gets a shot against Georges St. Pierre. Swick said there's pressure to win because of what's at stake, and he thinks he should be able to win easily. Hardy said he's got an itchy trigger finger and Swick is the next in front of him. Swick says Hardy is not a better fighter. Hardy calls him Mike "One Trick" Swick.
ROUND ONE: Swick comes right out to the center and stalks Hardy against the cage. He lands an inside leg kick early. He rushed in and got caught with a punch. He recovered and clinched Hardy against the cage. Hardy rolled it around however, and landed some knees and punches to the body. Swick turned him around again and they jockeyed back and forth for position against the cage for a bit. Both landed knees in this spot. Hardy with knees to the thigh and body punches. Swick landed a couple of punches and knees himself before landing one low. The ref separated them and gave Hardy time to rest. Hardy was alright after less than a minute and they got right back to it. Swick shot in and went for a takedown again but Hardy held it off and clinched on the cage. Hardy landed a knee and Swick stayed on him, working for the takedown. Hardy landed a good knee to the body. Hardy then put Swick's back on the cage and they traded knees. Swick landed a couple of short punches and put Hardy's back on the cage again. Swick tried to drop to grab a leg but Hardy held him off. He landed some more short punches and Hardy put him on the cage. Hardy landed a good knee to the body and then another. Swick landed a knee again and a couple of punches. Hardy separated and ate a right hand and they both traded shots just before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Both guys landed a seemingly equal amount of shots there, with both getting a power shot in there for good measure as well. It's hard to give that one one way or the other, as neither had a clear advantage, with both jockeying for position against the cage as well.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Hardy landed a huge counter left as Swick came in that rocked Swick. He came forward smiling and landed another two shots before rushing him into the cage. He lands a good elbow, though he should make Swick stand with him. Hardy backed off and landed another elbow and threw some punches to the thighs as Swick tried to hold onto him. Hardy threw some good hooks to the body as Swick tried to fend him off with short punches of his own. Swick with another knee to the body and Hardy landed a right to the head. Swick threw three consecutive rights that found their mark. Hardy landed a good right and an uppercut and then went for a foot stomp. Swick got a little separation and landed a knee to the body. Hardy went back to the body punches and the ref finally separated them. Swick slipped on a high kick attempt but got back to his feet. Hardy threw a low leg kick. He got in with another leg kick. Swick landed two punches and nearly rocked Hardy. Swick jumped in with a Superman punch that found it's mark. Hardy missed an overhand right and ate the counter left from Swick. Swick again caught Hardy with a left. Hardy ate another left as he came in and Swick clinched him against the cage. Hardy with another rocking right hand as he broke off.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hardy. He had Swick in a couple of bad spots there, but to his credit Swick is hanging right with him. This is a very close and very good fight thus far.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Hardy stalked Swick down to start the round. Hardy landed a good leg kick early. He landed a right but Swick landed one of his own and both guys are swinging punches now. Swick landed a couple and came in and tagged Hardy. This is becoming a brawl now. Both guys swing some huge punches. Hardy lands the right as Swick catches him with a left, but Swick took the worst of that one. Hardy clinches him on the cage, tries to pick him up and slam him but Swick nearly gets a guillotine. Hardy started throwing elbows from Swick's guard and had Swick cut open. Swick tried to go for a triangle but Hardy postured up and landed a punch. He continued throwing body punches and the ref came and stood them up. Swick came in again and ate the left hook. Hardy lands another counter left after Swick gets in a leg kick. Hardy puts his hand to his ear as the crowd chants his name. Hardy gets in the leg kick. Swick pushes forward with a flurry, but nothing hits straight on. Swick with the left again. Hardy then pushed forward but Swick pushed him back. Swick then moved in as time wound down. They traded shots and clinched as the round came to an end with Hardy pushing Swick's back against the cage as the buzzer sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hardy. More effective strikes landed by Hardy in that round, but this was a very good fight between these two.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Hardy apologized that he couldn't finish, but he got it done in the end. GSP was in the cage and Rogan went to talk to him. GSP said that Hardy proved he deserved a shot at the Title, and he congratulated him on a big victory while saying that Hardy would prove a tough challenge to his belt.
STAR RATING: (***) I highly enjoyed this fight, and both put on gutsy performances. Hardy had one of his best career performances, but likely cost himself a few chances to finish this fight when he went for takedowns after knocking Swick loopy a few times. Hardy can take a punch and will give GSP a hell of a challenge when the two face off next year.
RAMIFICATIONS: Well this one's clear. Hardy gets to fight for the UFC Welterweight Title sometime in the spring, and his bout with GSP should be an excellent Title fight. Hardy gets more impressive with each performance, and it will take the performance of a lifetime to overtake GSP atop the welterweight division.
[Commercial Break]
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: RANDY COUTURE VS. BRANDON VERA (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Vera said this fight was going to bring out everything in him. Couture said the best guy in the weight class is Machida, and Vera is a good step in that direction. Vera pulls out the "to be the man you've got to beat the man" line.
ROUND ONE: THey touch gloves and Vera lands a high kick early and follows with a couple of punches. He grabbed the Thai clinch and tried to do some damage but Randy pushed him up against the cage. Randy dropped down for a double leg but Vera held him off. Couture landed a knee to the thigh and then one to the other. They traded knees as they were in a bit of a stalemate and then Vera tried to turn it around to put Couture against the cage. Randy turned it right back around but then the ref separated them. Randy landed a right and then immediately clinched again, pushing Vera's back to the cage. Couture then tripped him up and got the takedown. Vera got back up to his feet but Couture had him in a headlock and landed a couple of knees. He then dropped for a single leg but Vera held it off.Couture got double underhooks but wasn't able to hold onto that. Couture again dropped for the single leg but Vera held it off again. He threw a punch as he hopped on his leg to hold off the takedown. Randy stayed with it but finally let go and landed a punch. Vera tried to grab the Thai plum but Couture pushed him off and stayed against him on the cage. The ref separated them with twenty seconds left but Randy stayed right with the clinch and landed a few knees as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Couture. Extremely slow start to the fight, with Couture trying to wear Vera down against the cage but not having success in taking him down.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Vera landed a double whammy of illegal blows to start the round, with a low blow kick and poke in the eye. Couture recovers with his time and Vera lands a knee to the body early. Vera landed a couple more knees and punches as Couture rushed in on him again and clinched him on the cage. Couture tried to get the takedown but Vera turned him around and the two traded knees in the clinch. Couture threw a body punch. Vera tried to throw him but Couture simply turned it around and got Vera's back against the cage again. Couture again attempted to drag Vera down but Vera stayed on his feet. The ref separates them again. Vera lands a good jab and backs off. He lands a good high kick and then a good body kick as well. Vera landed another good body kick that nearly doubled Couture over and Vera followed up on him and got him down and got into his guard. Couture recovered on the ground as Vera slowed. The ref stood them up as Couture held on to Vera. Couture gets a straight right in and goes back to the clinch against the cage. Couture landed a knee to the thigh.He popped out with a good right hand and a short elbow. He then got in a good left hook as well with some nice dirty boxing late in the round. The round ends with Vera's back again on the cage.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Vera. The hard body kicks and knockdown took this one for Vera, and thus far was the most effective offense of the fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Vera landed a very good inside leg kick and Couture countered with a right. Couture landed a good flurry on Vera against the cage and then clinched again after a double leg attempt was stuffed. Couture backed out a little and landed three straight shots. Nice dirty boxing from Couture. He goes for the double leg again but Vera holds him off. Couture again lands a good right and stays on Vera against the cage. Couture continues the dirty boxing as he keeps Vera against the cage, landing punches and elbows. Vera again stuffs the takedown attempt when Couture dropped down. The ref finally separated them again. Couture landed a straight left but Vera landed the body kick again. He went for a high kick but it was blocked and then he landed another body kick. Couture popped in with a right hand and then clinched again. Couture landed a straight left and then Vera actually clinched Couture against the cage and dropped for a double leg. Couture looked up at the clock and then Vera got a late takedown. Couture held on tight and Vera couldn't do anything with his position. Randy gave up his back and got back to his feet and landed an uppercut. They traded shots and separated and then swung punches at each other until the buzzer ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Couture. Couture's control against the cage and dirty boxing took the round for him, though some would likely give Vera the edge with the late takedown and final flurry. Couture, however, landed more punches overall in that round and Vera couldn't do any damage after the takedown. Very close fight but I'd give it to Couture.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Couture via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Couture said he felt he controlled the fight but admitted that the body kick very much hurt him. Couture said Vera was a hell of a fighter and did a great job. He said he feels much better now dealing with guys Brandon and his size.
STAR RATING: (**) Not the most exciting fight in the world, but a much needed and solid win for Randy Couture. Vera doesn't lose much ground in the division with this loss, but it's another in a string of less than stellar performances from the once highly lauded fighter.
RAMIFICATIONS: Couture's not going to get a Title shot with that performance, but one more win against a top tier light heavyweight will put him into place to possibly face off against the winner of Machida vs. Shogun II.
-Well that's another event in the books, and we've still got two more left this week. With a WEC Title bout coming on Wednesday and Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz coming next Saturday, there's plenty more action to be had. Stick here for coverage of all the action here on MMATorch.com!
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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