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BY WADE KELLER, MMATORCH SUPERVISING EDITOR
KELLER'S UFC 116 PPV BLOG
JULY 3, 2010
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - MGM GRAND
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
-Thanks for joining us tonight for coverage of UFC 116. Be sure to check out my blog on the UFC 116 Spike TV special posted earlier tonight, and of course Jamie Penick's detailed report with full details of every round and analysis of every fight.
-MMATorch App readers, be sure to also visit our website by the same name (www.MMATorch.com) with a new design this year and tons of original daily news and editorial content.
-Jamie Penick and Matt Pelkey are hosting a live post-event show at 1 a.m. ET at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mmatorch.com. They'll take your live phone calls and discuss the fight card results. Call 646-716-8090 to either participate with a question/comment or listen in live.
INTRODUCTION: Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan introduced the event from Octagon-side. The crowd erupted in boos. Rogan pointed out they just showed Brock Lesnar arriving backstage.
1 -- GEORGE SOTIROPOLOUS VS. KURT PELLEGRINO (LIGHTWEIGHT)
-Solid opening fight. The final three seconds was crazy. The next time you want to know why a fighter with a 2-0 lead after two rounds on points plays it safe, that's why. Pellegrino almost pulled out what his corner told him before round three he had to do - finish him. If there was 15 seconds left on the clock, he probably have gotten a stoppage.
-Sotiropolous said afterward he was dazed, but not knocked out at the end. My hunch is he'd have been dazed long enough to lose. That gave Pellegrino the "face-saving" finish to take away some of the sting from the loss.
HYPE: The hype for the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen main event at UFC 117 on Aug. 7 begins with Sonnen delivering some great promos about how Anderson is great and is the champ, but he is "the best." He said Anderson is "finally facing the number one contender." Sonnen is going to sell this fight.
2 -- STEPHAN BONNAR vs. KRZYSTOF SOSZYNSKI
-Rogan touted Bonnar's style, saying that he's still in UFC despite some of his losses because he drags fighters into his kind of fight.
-Rogan said Bonnar's body looks harder than in their previous fight.
-I've long been a proponent of rematches after close fights or controversial finishes, as I think it's fascinating to see what fighters do against the same opponent after having experienced being in the Octagon with them once before, how they change their strategy of approach.
-Rogan said Soszynski gestured to Bonnar before the fight about whether they'd touch glove and Bonnar signaled no.
-With the pace of that first 3:30, I'm betting when Bonnar lookedupat the clock to see how much time was left he was surprised to see 1:30 left. Rogan called it "round four." It looked like it with Bonnar's bleeding all over the place by this point.
-After a Forrest Griffin-Bonnar type of first round, Soszynski smiled and offered a high-five to Bonnar. Bonnar didn't turn that down. Thrilling first round, great fighting spirit by both. Soszynski won the round, but Bonnar had his moments and hung in there.
-A big knee by Bonnar in a clinch leads to a barrage of punches and a TKO win mid-second round. What a big win for Bonnar. He knew it based on how he reacted and posed for the camera afterward. Rogan had said Bonner's career depending on this. I'd say after the first round, win or lose, he was going to be in-demand for more televised fights. That finish assures it. You get your money's worth with him.
-My star rating (***+): A real contender for Fight of the Night. Not a technical masterpiece, but a lot of fun and very much a crowd-pleaser that keeps a lot of people UFC fans.
-Afterward, Bonnar told Rogan he has no idea how good he feels about the win. He said when he dropped him with the knee, he kept throwing punches and told himself: "They're not taking this fight from me. No one is taking this fight from me." Great post-fight interview from Bonnar.
TEXT POLL: They showed results of text voting for Lesnar-Carwin. Just like Vegas odds, it's 50/50.
3 -- CHRIS LYTLE vs. MATT BROWN
-Lytle should get Submission of the Night for that. What a sequence that led to the verbal tab. Lytle again shows that he's not just a KO artist. Such a contrast with how the previous fight ended, and it's another example of what makes MMA such a fascinating sport.
-Post-fight, Rogan asked Lytle about surviving the choke in round one. He said he waited it out and decided to let Brown tire himself out. He snuck in at the very end a plug for Peter Schiff for Senate in Connecticut, a Tea Party candidate.
CELEBRITIES: They showed Holly Madison, Marisa Miller, Gene Simmons and Junior Dos Santos in the crowd. Rogan asked, "Who's that?" when they showed Miller.
4 -- YOSHIHIRO AKIYAMA vs. CHRIS LEBEN
-As Leben danced to the Octagon (you can't be in a bad mood after watching that ring entrance), Rogan said he was off the radar two fights ago and if he were to win here, he'd be right back in the mix. Rogan said he doesn't consider himself a fighter anymore, but rather a martial artist. Goldberg said he's cleaned up his life and has changed his outlook now that he's teaching.
-Talk about a complete opposite, Akiyama came out to music that you're more likely to hear at the Bellagio water show. Goldberg and Rogan got across what a superstar Akiyama is in Asia. Goldberg said Akiyama compared his star power in Japan to that of Chuck Liddell in the U.S.
-If you've never seen two people out on their feet fight, at 1:30 of round two that may have happened. Just an amazing segment of a fight there. Leben kept leaning in and taking punches as he threw punches. Rogan called him a zombie. Perfect description.
-They got a standing ovation after the second round, deservedly so. Akiyama was totally spent late in that round, completely exhausted, yet he stood there taking punches. They're not exactly mirror images of each other in every way, but they both have incredible fighting spirit and rock-hard chins. It's not fair to say they have weak cardio necessarily only because of the pace they set for one another.
-Leben raised his arms at the start of the third round and got a huge ovation. Rogan: "What a psycho!" Then he smiled and nodded at Akiyama as the ref called them to the middle. They touched both gloves and then went to war. This is the type of fight that even if Akiyama loses, he'll be a hero in Japan for the effort and resilience. Same for Leben, who has turned himself into a "main card draw" again with this fight.
-As Leben threw double punches from his back to Akiyama's head, Rogan asked, "Is this a movie?"
-The crowd booed mid-round as Akiyama held him down with a half guard. They wanted another classic round. They chanted, "Leben! Leben!" Akiyama kept just enough activity going to prevent the ref from considering a stand-up.
-Here's a fight where if UFC wants to make some money, book a rematch and make up a title so they can get sanctioned for five rounds.
-What an amazing fight and a finish that nobody could script in a movie. Rogan said Dana White was going crazy. Leben finished Akiyama with a triangle with less than 30 seconds left in a round that he had spent almost entirely on his back. Words can't really convey the drama of that finish.
-Lebel called out Wanderlei Silva afterward.
-Star rating (****+): It just doesn't get much better in sports than that.
-Post-Fight: Leben asked Rogan if he liked that. He said he wants Silva on the next.
-Rogan interviewed Akiyama afterward. He could barely stand upright or speak. He said in English that Leben is a great fighter. Rogan asked if he was surprised at how good Leben was on his back and on the ground given his rep as a stand-up fighter. Akiyama said he was very good.
-Leben danced his way to the back.
CELEBRITIES: Mike Goldberg, who was once very very close to leaving UFC to become the WWE lead announcer, messed up "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's name. He called him "Cold Stone." Austin doesn't look a day older than he did in the late-1990s when he was the top ratings draw on cable television. They also showed "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson, boxer James Toney, boxer Evander Holyfield, Sen. Harry Reid, and Anthony Kiedis. I'd love to read Reid's mind during this spectacle.
5 -- BROCK LESNAR vs. SHANE CARWIN -- UFC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
-Lots of boos for Lesnar as soon as Carwin's music stopped.
-This is one of those UFC main events where you're not a fan if you're heart rate doesn't double just watching the ring entrances.
-Josh Rosenthol is the referee.
-They slapped gloves mid-ring after ref instructions. They circled each other in the opening seconds. Carwin looked ready to throw a single KO punch. He was winding up. Lesnar was more cautious, but threw a few front jabs. Carwin clipped Lesnar 30 seconds in, so Lesnar immediately shot in for a takedown. Carwin maneuvered into a stalemate with Lesnar, threw a knee, and both backed off. Great first 45 seconds. Lesnar bounced and jumped to stay loose. A loud "Carwin! Carwin!" chant broke out. Carwin hit a big left uppercut. Lesnar backed off. Carwin moved in for the kill. Lesnar pushed him off and tried to gain distance. He threw a knee. Carwin was relentless. Lesnar collapsed against the fence as Mir did against him. It looked like it was over. The ref could justifiably stepped in at that point without it being seen as a ridiculous premature stoppage, although Lesnar was keeping his hands up and pushing off. Kudos to the ref for understanding the fighters and what was at stake. Neither fighter has taken many punches in his career. Rogan asked if Carwin was going to punch himself out. The chants for Carwin were back, as loud as ever.
-Mid-round Lesnar was bloodied. Carwin was on top and picking his spots, including a nasty elbow. Lesnar's head was bouncing off the canvas. Carwin backed off at 3:10 to se if Lesnar wanted to stand. Lesnar stayed down. Carwin moved right back in. Rogan said Lesnar appeared to be badly hurt. Carwin was in half guard and turned his head to catch his own breath. Lesnar threw punches from underneath and then tried to scramble to his feet. He got to his feet at 4:00. Some fans applauded. Carwin was gasping, Lesnar was bleeding, both seemed willing to rest for a few seconds. Carwin looked up at the clock with 20 seconds left. Lesnar held Carwin against the fence and went for a takedown, but Carwin resisted.
-In Lesnar's corner, they told him Carwin was exhausted because he knows first hand how tiring it is to be on top of someone and throw that many punches. His corner told him to punch and move, not back down and cower. They finally asked, "How are you doing?" He said matter of factly: "Good."
-Carwin was exhausted in his corner, asking for water. Rogan said it was easily a 10-8 round.
-Coming out for round two, Lesnar smiled. He was thrilled that he showed he has a tough chin and survived with his title at least that round. Carwin winked at him. They high-fived. Rogan noted that this was the first round two of Carwin's career.
-Same start to round two with them circling. Lesnar channeled Rashad Evans with some dancing in the opening seconds. Lesnar threw a huge right, but missed. Lesnar then shot in at 0:52 and took Carwin down, something he couldn't do when Carwin was fresh early in round one. That showed Carwin was really tired.
-Lesnar covered and smothered Carwin in half-guard. He shifted to a full mount and a side mount, then applied an arm triangle. Carwin had breathing space. Lesnar shifted a little, closed off that opening, and Carwin tapped.
-Lesnar popped up and smiled and celebrated. He sat on the top edge of the cage and threw punches at his own chin, signaling that he proved he has a chin. Goldberg: "That's the baddest man on the planet." Carwin and Lesnar hugged mid-ring and raised each other's arms. Lensar let out some big "whoos!" White presented Lesnar with the belt. They hugged and exchanged some brief words.
-Rogan interviewed Lesnar. He asked him about the first round. Lesnar said tonight isn't about him. He said this is about his family, his doctors, his training partners, his training staff. "I am blessed by God!" he exclaimed. "Ladies and gentleman, I stand before you a humble champion and I'm still the toughest SOB around, baby." Rogan asked how satisfying the submission was after the difficult first. Lesnar said he had to weather the storm because he delivered some heavy shots. He said he was rocked by Carwin early, but he felt Carwin's punches weaken over time and he decided to wait him out and let him punch himself out.
-Rogan then interviewed Carwin, who was still breathing hard. He said he was going after the kill. He said Lesnar is a tough son of a bitch and took the ground and pound like no one else. "I f---in' tightened up. My hats off to him. He's the f---in' champion. I fell of the mountain, but I'll climb back up." He said he felt he could survive on his back near the end, but then Lesnar shifted and cut off his air and he was about to go out. He closed by thanking God, his family, and the fans. He told his son and daughter he'd be home to hang out with them soon.
-Cornermen for Carwin congratulated Lesnar. He graciously shook hands with them.
-They cut to Cain Velasquez, Lesnar's next challenge. Lesnar took out 12-0. If he takes out 8-0 Velasquez, can anyone question Lesnar is the best heavyweight?
-Steve Austin and Bill Goldberg were among the first to congratulate Lesnar outside the Octagon. The announcers didn't point out Goldberg, although a cool trivia note would have been that Goldberg was Lesnar's opponent in his final WWE match. Goldberg did get Austin's nickname right this time, though, calling "Stone Cold."
QUOTEBOOK
Stephan Bonnar after his win: "I like winning ugly, and boy do I look ugly right now."
Stephan Bonnar to the fans: "I've spilled pints and pints of blood for you gys over the years and, you know what, it's been my pleasure. I've enjoyed it. I know I'm sick in the head and need help, but I love you guys!"
Joe Rogan on Shane Carwin before the fight: "It really is spooky how calm he is."
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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