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STRIKEFORCE: TATE VS. ROUSEY LIVE RESULTS: Rich Hansen's round by round coverage of "Tate vs. Rousey" card from Columbus, Ohio
Mar 3, 2012 - 11:30:00 PM STRIKEFORCE: TATE VS. ROUSEY LIVE RESULTS: Rich Hansen's round by round coverage of "Tate vs. Rousey" card from Columbus, Ohio

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By Rich Hansen, MMA Torch Columnist

The weekend of fights isn't over just yet, as Strikeforce comes live to Showtime tonight with their second event from Columbus, Ohio. Tonight's main card is headlined by a Women's Bantamweight Championship bout between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey. Other featured fights tonight include Josh Thomson vs. K.J. Noons, and Paul Daley vs. Kazuo Misaki

As with every major event, we'll have live round by round coverage of the fights as they air tonight, beginning with the prelims on Showtime Extreme at 8PM ET, so make sure to join us right here!


Prelim Coverage on Showtime Extreme

- Mauro Ranallo welcomes the viewing audience to Columbus, Ohio. Joining him on commentary are Pat Miletich. Gilbert Melendez will be joining the broadcast team for tonight’s eliminator fight between K.J. Noons and Josh Thomson.

- Tonight’s poll on Facebook is to predict the method of victory for the main event; decision, submission, or KO.

- Randy Couture defeated Tim Sylvia five years ago to the day, in the same arena of tonight’s bouts. He is also in his son’s corner this evening.

FIGHT ONE: Ryan Couture vs. Conor Heun Lightweights

ROUND ONE: Jerry Krzys is the referee for this fight. Couture comes out showing more movement, but not much to report in the first minute and a half other than a couple leg kicks by Couture. Couture initiates a clinch up against the fence. Nice knee to the body by Couture. Gives up position and we’re back to the middle of the cage, halfway through the round. Couture’s working the leg kicks against the flat-footed Heun. Couture’s landing occasional punches to the body. Heun shoots and gets a takedown in the middle of the cage. Picks up Couture and slams him, but Couture gets up immediately. Heun with another takedown in the middle of the cage, half-guard. Couture’s keeping Heun close. They’re back up, and Heun lands a knee to the body as they disengage. Trading strikes and I see a big mouse under the eye of Heun. 10-9 Couture

ROUND TWO: Couture was landing straight rights between the arms of Heun in the first. That’s probably how Heun got cut underneath his eye. Both fighters come out more active than they did to begin the fight. Heun lands a couple jabs, Couture continues to move laterally. Heun with a nice turning heel kick. Heun with a single leg that gets couture down, but Couture springs back up right away. Heun has yet to find his range on the feet. Couture missed an uppercut and got taken down. Half-guard for Heun, but Couture’s looking for a kimura, which is slowing Heun’s aggressiveness on the canvas. Couture got warned for holding Heun’s shorts, and loses the arm. Heun has Couture stacked against the cage. Couture’s looking for a triangle, which forces Heun to back off a little. Heun repositions, and gets a front facelock as couture stands up. Couture is stuck in a front choke position, but he gets out of it and drives Heun into the fence. Couture gets the takedown, and takes Heun’s back, but he’s pretty high. Going for a rear naked with a gable grip. Heun escapes, back to his feet against the fence. Good stuff! Couture gets Heun down against the fence. Couture’s on his feet with Heun stacked up against the cage now. 20 seconds left. They’re kind of stuck here as the round ends. 10-9 Couture

ROUND THREE: Miletich says he has Couture “slightly ahead,” giving him both rounds. Um, 20-18 isn’t “slightly” ahead, sir. It means Heun has to finish. Front kick from Couture followed by a straight right. Heun is gassed. Heun lets Couture get a body lock, pused to the fence, drops levels, and gets the takedown. Couture is pounding Heun’s ribs, and Heun is looking for an arm. Couture has a mount on Heun up against the cage. Heun tries to scramble, but Couture stays right him, and threatened with a mounted triangle attempt. He lost the mount, but gets it back a moment later. 2:30 left. Couture has his back, looking to sink the hooks. Couture has Heun flattened out, ground and pound from a back mount until Krzys stops the fight. Ryan Couture improves to 4-1, and this was the most impressive fight of his career. Very good opening fight.

WINNER: Ryan Couture by TKO at 2:52 of round 3.

STAR RATING: (**+) Nothing special, but a surprisingly good performance by Couture. Add to that the fact that Randy was in his corner, five years to the date of ending Tall Guy’s reign of apathy in the UFC Heavyweight division, and it was a fun fight.


FIGHT TWO: Caros Fodor vs. Pat Healy Welterweights

ROUND ONE: Keith Peterson is the third man in the cage tonight. This should be a great fight, as both guys are evenly talented. No feeling out process as they exchange early. Healy pushes Fodor into the fence, looking for a takedown. Fodor turns Healy around into the fence and has an underhook. Now Healy reverses. 90 seconds in. Healy disengages, but gets hit with a big counter left hook. Healy’s a little stunned, and retreats into the fence. Fodor puts Healy on his back against the fence. Healy’s on his butt, not his back, and is looking to wall walk. Nope, Fodor gets Healy down, and lands a slick elbow to Healy’s face. 2:30 left. Fodor’s got half-guard. I think Healy’s nose is bleeding, maybe broken. Healy is looking to use the cage to get up, and succeeds in getting out the back door. He holds on to Fodor’s leg as he gets down and manages to take Fodor down, and is in guard against the cage. Not where Fodor wants to be with one minute left. Helay’s posturing up, and landing small shots. Healy stands up, but Fodor holds onto Healy’s left heel. Healy dives back into guard. Healy’s starting to land a little harder as the round ends. 10-10. Cop out, but the first 2:30 was identical to the final 2:30

ROUND TWO: Fodor and Healy come out swinging again. Fodor’s jabs are getting through early because Healy’s hands are too low. Now Healy lands a nice combination, and eats a leg kick. Healy with a leg kick, then shoots a double which Fodor stuffs. Healy has Fodor up against the cage, just like the first round so far. Healy has a single, dropping levels trying to lift and slam Fodor. You can hear individual conversations from fans in the first eight rows. Healy has Fodor down, but his head is stuck. His head gets free, and he’s on top in half-guard against the fence with 2 minutes left in the round. Fodor slips out and gets back to his feet… for about 5 seconds. Healy gets Fodor back down and is in half-guard against the cage. Passes and in side control, but Fodor is keeping Healy close to his body. Back to half-guard, and the fans are turning on this fight. This is very dull, and hard to defend from an entertainment standpoint. Like Two and a Half Men. Healy gets in side control, into full mount with 20 seconds left. Fodor’s defending well, but he’s been on his back for most of the round. 10-9 Healy. Easy round to score

ROUND THREE: Fodor probably needs to finish, because Healy probably took the first round because he controlled the latter half of the first as opposed to the opening half. Fodor needs to land a few big shots here to take control. Healy gets a single leg and pushes Fodor into the fence. Takedown, and grinds Fodor down to his back. Full mount. Fodor has good wrist control, but he’s still mounted. Healy hasn’t landed one strike as Fodor tries to get back to half-guard. And there it is. Healy’s landing a couple of short left hands now with 2:30 left in this tedious fight. Fodor’s looking for submissions, but there’s nothing there. And as I say that, Healy’s on top looking for a head and arm choke. Fodor wiggles out, and is looking for a leg lock. He’s got Healy’s leg hooked, but not in a submission position yet. Healy escapes, gets another arm triangle, and this one is too deep for Fodor to escape. Fodor is forced to tap.

WINNER: Pat Healy by submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:35 of round 3.

STAR RATING: (**) It was mostly dull and repetitive, but the ending sequence was well done. Gilbert Melendez would use Pat Healy as a tooth pick were they to fight.


FIGHT THREE: Roger Bowling vs. Brandon Saling Lightweights

ROUND ONE: Mark Matheny is the man in charge for this fight. GO DEWEY! Bowling goes for a high kick, Sling catches it and punches him down. Bowling back to his feet. Big exchange of punches in the middle. Body kick by Bowling and pushes Saling into the cage. Big knee by Bowling. These guys are trading bombs, and both guys are hurt. Bowling got the worst of it, but Saling didn’t realize it. Bowling presses Saling back into the cage, and lands a huge right. These guys are trading bombs. Bowling falls and gets back down. Wow! Bowling takes Saling down against the fence. Looking for an arm, loses it, and we’re standing and trading more bombs! Bowling shoots for a double, and drops down. Gets the takedown. Looking for some type of side choke. And we still have more than 2 minutes left. Bowling is landing a couple knees to the gut on the ground here. Saling’s using the cage to try to stand, but Bowling is landing left hands and is keeping Saling pinned to the floor. Side control, and Saling has his feet up on the cage. Bowling weathered the storm well. Crucifix for Bowling, landing lefts at will now. Saling keeps bucking his hips, but can’t escape. Matheny warns Bowling about fingers to the eyes with 45 seconds left. Saling is bleeding badly from the forehead. Out of the crucifix, side control now. This is nuts. Bowling gets the mount as the round ends. HOLY FECES! 10-9 Bowling

ROUND TWO: The doctor checked Saling between rounds, but allows him to continue. Bowling looks for an early takedown on a fatigued Saling, who took the fight on short notice. Bowling’s on top in side control, and I don’t think that we’re going to see a third round. Crucifix. Ivan Salaverry sheds a single tear. Bowling is landing right punches to Saling’s forehead. How much more is Matheny going to allow? None. It’s over. Mercy stoppage. Saling is a tough son of a female dog. See what I did there?

WINNER: Roger Bowling by TKO at 1:15 of round 2.

STAR RATING: (***) Like Pam Poovey from Archer, it was ugly as hell, but a hell of a lot of fun. Bowling’s only chance to lose was to get sucked into a brawl early, Saling had his moments.


FIGHT FOUR: Alexis Davis vs. Sarah Kaufman Women Bantamweights

ROUND ONE: Jerry Krzys is in the cage for the second time tonight. Davis is landing in the middle of the cage form a collar clinch. Both girls are eating big shots here, until Kaufman pushes Davis into the fence. They separate, but Davis is getting hit frequently here. Her face is red from forehead to chin. They clinch in the middle, exchange knees, and Kaufman muscles Davis back to the fence. Kaufman has much much much more strength. Davis has a cut over her eye. Kaufman lands a big shot as they separate, and the ref calls time to have the doctor inspect that cut. It’s bad, but far enough to the outside of her head that the fight will continue. Discounting the blood, her face is redder than a fire engine. Davis’ standup defense is awful. Kaufman is homing in on that cut. Clinch in the middle, trading knees, and Kaufman muscles her into the cage, as she loves to do. Davis wiggles off the fence and lands a knee to the body as they disengage. 50 seconds left. Stand and bang in the middle, and Davis won that exchange. These women are tough. Davis cut Kaufman with a series of standing elbows, and both these women are driving forward. 10-9 Kaufman. There’s a case for 10-8, but Davis had some good offense.

ROUND TWO: That was a violent first round. 119 total strikes landed between Kaufman and Davis, that’s a lot of offense. Kaufman continues to land every punch she throws. But Davis is landing at a 50% clip herself. Rock em Sock em Robots here. Kaufman’s a bloody mess here as well. Davis misses a body kick, and gets clinched, which means she’s going to get pushed into the wall. Yep. Kaufman has double underhooks here and is able to keep the position as they exchange knees. They’re throwing knees at will here. The action slows, both women are trying to get their wind. They disengage with 2:30 left. Another exchange of punches. They’re just punching like crazy until they clinch. Davis’s cuts (plural) are open, and she’s leaking like Julian Asange now. Up against the fence again. Knees from Kaufman, and a big elbow as they disengage. Davis lands a hard leg kick. Kaufman’s counter strikes are hitting at like 400% accuracy. 10-9 Kaufman Great action, but really sloppy and a little slow

ROUND THREE: Third round opens with both fighters trading straight punches in the middle of the cage until Davis throws a couple kicks. They’re both gassed. Kaufman catches a kick, but can’t reach Davis with a straight right. There has been a grand total of zero takedown attempts so far. And yes, that’s in a Sarah Kaufman fence. Nice 1-2 combo by Kaufman. Clinch in the middle, and a nice knee by Kaufman. Davis lands a trip takedown in the middle of the cage with 3:15 left. Lands in side control. She has Kaufman’s head controlled and isn’t able to land much. Kaufman is bucking wildly trying to throw Davis off of her. Kaufman’s doing a good job defending, and keeping her arms in to avoid an armbar attempt. Davis rolls her over trying to grab that arm. She knows she needs to finish. Kaufman sweeps, and she’s on top with 1:45. Davis gets back on top in side control, and is trying to land bombs to Kaufman’s head. Kaufman rolls to her side with 1:15 left. Davis needs to finish the fight, and takes Kaufman’s back. One minute left, half-guard now. Davis looking for the mount, but Kaufman knows she can’t lose if she can get to a decision. 15 seconds left, it’s going to end with Davis on top. 10-9 Davis. 29-28 Kaufman. That was the second best women’s fight I’ve seen.

WINNER: Sarah Kaufman wins by majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (***) I wish every fighter fought with the heart that Davis and Kaufman showed tonight. This fight had something for everyone. Lots of striking, good grappling, and enough blood to please the vampires. But the thing is that the fight looked like it was in slow motion. Also of note, Davis outlanded Kaufman in total strikes, 172-166. The judges got it right, but just sayin.


- So, um, this is awkward. Roger Saling fought a hell of a fight, and impressed me, considering the circumstances. A little online research on Saling also revealed that he’s a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio. So, as to any positive juju I may have been putting forward for Saling, please know I was unaware of his past.


- This wraps up the prelims. The main card begins at 10:00 PM Eastern, on Showtime.


Main Card Coverage on Showtime

- My wife, who has never watched even 2 minutes of MMA with me, just said, “He looks like a fish,” in reference to Frank Shamrock. I don’t know if he does or does not, but there you go.


FIGHT ONE: Bristol Marunde vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Middleweights

- This is Jacare’s first fight since dropping the middleweight title to Luke Rockhold. Marumbe took this fight on short notice when Derek Brunson was pulled from the fight by the Ohio athletic commission, due to his 20/420,000,000 vision (I am rounding up to the nearest 420,000,000)

ROUND ONE: Keith Peterson, he of the bad neck tattoos (as if there’s such a thing as a GOOD neck tattoo, is your referee. Jacare lands a straight right that has Marunde retreating fast. Straight kick by Jacare caught, eats a punch for his effort. Marunde’s changing stances frequently in the first minute. Jacare throws a lead left hook, Marunde ducks under, and avoids the intended clinch. Crowd is dead. Straight kick lands by Jacare. Head and collar clinch in the middle, Jacare takes him down, gets Marunde’s back. Marunde tries to stand, trying to slide under, but Jacare means alligator in Portuguese, so, um, no. Marunde’s turtling with Jacare on his back. Jacare gets warned for throwing a headbutt to the shoulder of Marunde. Uppercuts under the armpit from a patient Jacare. Jacare is throwing lefts and rights to Marunde’s head. Peterson breaks them up and warns Jacare for shots to the back of the head. Restart from standing with 1:45 left. Marunde comes foreward and gets knocked down by a straight right. Jacare pounves, gets on top, and is going for Marunde’s neck. Marunde escapes, but is on his back. Marunde gets up, but has Jacare on his back again. Jacare takes Marunde down and is riding his back yet again. Jacare spins to the side, and Marunde is up, but still has Jacare on his back. Marunde is up against the fence, and Peterson warns him from grabbing the cage with 30 seconds left. Marunde turns out with 10 seconds left, and ends the round by throwing knees to Jacare’s thighs. 10-9 Jacare. Not enough damage or near finishes for a 10-8. Easy 10-9. Those shots were to the side of the head, in case I failed to mention that strenuously enough.

ROUND TWO: Jacare outstruck Marunde 16-0 on the ground in the first round. Marunde with a wild hook that misses by about 42 inches. Marunde is pressing forward, and catches him with a right. Jacare landed a flying spinning back kick to the face that forced Marunde back into the cage. Nice! Jacare has his back, and drags him down as he is wont to do. Marunde managed to pull Jacare over the top, and we’re back to our feet, 90 seconds into the round. Marunde presses forward, Jacare evades easily. And again. And yet again. Let’s just say, generously, that Marunde can’t find his range, and can’t match Jacare’s athleticism as well. Clinch, big knee by Jacare to Marunde’s chin. 2:30 left in the round. Marunde’s missed more punches than Leonard Garcia. Easy joke, sure. But apt nonetheless. Another head and collar clinch by Jacare, but Marunde got out of harm’s way unscathed. Jacare triples up on the jab, but ate a big leg kick. Flying straight kick to the face to Marunde just missed barely. Overhand right by Jacare. And another. He’s found his range. Jacare is going to that well quite a bit. It’s amazing how much Jacare’s improved on his feet since 2009. Jacare ends the round with a sudden takedown into a leglock attempt. 10-9 Jacare. He’s too good for Marunde.

ROUND THREE: Jacare with a takedown 5 seconds into the round, lands in guard, and switches to half-guard. The takedown came from a wild right by Marunde that, wait for it, missed by 42 inches or so. Jacare pushes Marunde into the fence, still in half guard with 4 minutes left. Jacare’s being patient, landing a few big rights when the moment allows him to do so. Marunde’s trapped here, tries rolling into Jacare, but Jacare’s not allowing him any space. Jacare has a body lock on the ground. Allows Marunde to stand, and takes his back as a result. Marunde’s bleeding from the forehead. Jacare takes him down again, and gets his back for the 42nd time. Jacare’s looking for a choke this time, and the camera shows a 10 second clip of the referee’s backside, so I don’t know if Jacare’s got a choke or not. Oh, he got an arm triangle choke for a submission. Thanks, Producer man, for allowing us to see that set-up so clearly.

WINNER: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza by submission (arm triangle choke) at 2:43 of round 3.

STAR RATING: (**) Great beats average 99 out of 100 times. Nothing more to say. Well, I can say I love watching the great BJJ guys put on clinics. Moving on.


FIGHT TWO: Lumumba Sayers vs. Scott Smith Middleweights

- Sayers came out to some bad R&B jam, which was awful. But then I see Scott smith and hear something that sounds like Nickelback, and, well, I need a drink. Or two. dozen, that is.

- I am happy Smith is back to 185. He looked awful at 170. I mean physically, not talking about his performances. He was way to gaunt at 170 to be effective. Strikeforce needs him to win here, just to have some name depth.

ROUND ONE: Mark Matheny is the referee for this middleweight fight. Smith with a lead right to the body, Smith backs up fast. Overhand right by Sayers gets Smith to duck into a double leg form Sayers, and Sayers is on top. Sayers gets Smith’s back, gets his hooks in, and then chooses to give up the position and gets to his feet. Sayers tags Smith with a left, then a right. Smith grabs Sayers’ head and throws a knee. Sayers picks up Smith over his head and hits him with what looked like an inverted vertical suplex. WOW! That was some REAL elevation. Smoth goes for a guillotine from the bottom, can’t get it. Sayers rolls across and locks in his own guillotine. Smith taps, and it’s over. Incredible sequence!

WINNER: Lumumba Sayers by submission (guillotine) at 1:34 of round 1.

STAR RATING: (****-) Look, I just saw a vertical suplex into a power slam in a mixed martial arts fight. That looked like an inverted version of Bill Goldberg’s finishing move, whose name I don’t remember because I haven’t thought about him or his wrestling moves in like 10 years now.


FIGHT THREE: Paul Daley vs. Kazuo Misaki Welterweights

ROUND ONE: Unless both guys gas fast, this should be a very short, and very violent fight. Jerry Krzys will be in charge of the action. Daley looks huge, like a decent sized LHW. Daley throws a double jab, looking for his range. Leg kick by Daley, 1 minute in. Big right by Misaki misses, but backed Daley up fast. Leg kick by Daley, Misaki responds with a double jab. Prolonged feeling out process. Misaki catches a kick, and plows forward for a takedown into the cage pad. Misaki has a figure four around Daley’s legs, but Daley gets back up nonetheless, but eats a knee for his punishment. Misaki’s hands are fast tonight, even though he hasn’t really let them go yet. Nice low-high combo by Misaki. Daley with a wild flying knee that missed by 5 feet. 90 seconds left. Daley pushed Misaki back with a jab. Misaki hit Daley on the jaw with a good right hand, and he’s battering Daley against the fence. Most of them landed to Daley’s forearms as he covered up. Misaki with a right to the ribs with 50 seconds left. Daley shoots for a takedown, Misaki slipped while evading and got taken down as a result. Misaki is doing well in preventing Daley from doing anything. 10 seconds left, Daley stands and lands some big lefts, Misaki rolls, and the round ends with Misaki on top. 10-9 Misaki

ROUND TWO: Daley looked confused and flustered in the first round. Nice left kick by Misaki to the hip of Daley. Misaki outlanded Saley 2:1 in the first round. Daley is fighting for a takedown against the cage after eating some shots while wading in. Doesn’t get it, and we’re back to the center of the cage. Daley’s just telegraphing and throwing bombs, easy stuff for Misaki to avoid. Daley landed on Misaki as Misaki was trying to throw a spinning backhand. Daley looks for another takedown and gets it. Lands in full guard, with Misaki controlling Daley’s head.. Daley’s been on top for 30 seconds now, and hasn’t been able to throw more than 2 or 3 punches. Daley postured up briefly, threw a left, and punched the canvas next to Misaki’s ear. This is like Bizarro World Paul Daley. Takedowns and inaccurate punching. Misaki rolls, gives up his back with 1:20 left. Misaki sweeps and rolls, and lands on top. That’s the Paul Daley we all know. Misaki in Daley’s closed guard now. Krzys is threatening to stand them up, and does so with 15 seconds left. Misaki and Daley trade right hands as the round ends. 10-9 Misaki. Hard round to score, neither guy did a ton.

ROUND THREE: Daley starts the round with a leg kick. It’s about time he does something different. Nothing significant in the first 45 seconds. Daley’s throwing first, Misaki is countering. Misaki got taken down as Daley ducked under a looping hook. Nice double leg takedown by Daley. Weird. Daley’s in full guard, throwing short elft elbows. One of them sliced Misaki open, he’s gushing from the hairline, and the referee calls time. That cut is gushing, and Misaki’s back is covered. It’s above the outside of his left eye, and it is incredibly deep. The fight resumes in the middle of the cage with 3 minutes left. He HAS to stay off his back. Short left hook by Daley. Daley’s going for the takedown, but doesn’t get it. Misaki coming forward, and they are trading bombs. Misaki ate a kick, and shrugged it off. Daley’s slowing down, backing straight up, and ate a flying knee against the cage. I can’t believe how much blood Misaki’s losing here. Shamrock says he think Daley is mentally broken now. Body punch from Daley. 1 minute left. Daley catches a kick, gets the takedown, but Misaki pops back up and pushes Daley into the cage. This would be highly dramatic if Daley didn’t look so tired. 30 seconds left, in the middle of the cage, and Shamrock is ragging on Daley’s chi now. Dalye looks for the takedown, doesn’t get it. The fight is over. 10-9 Daley. 29-28 Misaki

WINNER: Kazuo Misaki by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (***-) They showed a slow motion replay of the elbow that cut Misaki open, and even in slo-mo the blood covered Misaki’s forehead in about half a second. Hemight need staples, not just stitches. As for the fight itself, don’t ever bet on Daley, since you never know how his fights are going to play out. He sliced Misaki open, broke Misaki’s nose, landed 4 takedowns, but still managed to look poor.


FIGHT FOUR: K.J. Noons vs. Josh Thomson Lightweights

ROUND ONE: Keith Peterson is the referee for this fight. Thomson throws a couple of straight kicks, and one of them catches Noons on the jaw. This crowd is unbelievably quiet. Noons rushes forward, nothing comes of it. Thomson goes for a flying heel hook, swing and a miss. Both guys land straight right kicks simultaneously, which is always fun. Thomson shoots low from distance, gets stuffed at first, grabs a single, gets the takedown. Noons is still scrambling, gets to the cage, but Thomson won’t let go. Noons is sitting with his back ot the fence, with Thomson wrapped around both legs. This is a stalemate which has the crowd booing, and rightfully so. Thomson loses position, Noons starts to stand, and Thomson drags him back down. Thomson finally flattened Noons out, and is looking for his back. Noons isn’t taking punishment here, but he’s working hard to avoid worse positioning. Thomson in half-guard, parallel to the fence now. 10-9 Thomson

ROUND TWO: Noons comes to the middle and lands a superman punch. Noons stuffs a takedown attempt, and them taunts Thomson. Thomson slips while throwing a head kick, and Noons gets on top. Thomson reverses, lets Noons up, and pushes Noons into the fence, looking for a takedown. He spun Noons away from the fence and planted him. Noons spins, gets his back against the cage, and the crowd boos again. This is very strategic, and very dull. Thomson gets Noons’ back, and Noons falls back down so as to get Thomson off of his back. 3 minutes left. Miletich’s analysis of this is awesome, byt the way. Mauro and Frank are doing a great job of letting Gilbert and Pat do this fight. Thomson in closed guard now, parallel to the fence. Noons is looking to stall the action to get a standup, and you can’t blame him. And there it is, and a Bronx cheer from the restless crowd. Noons unloading with punches, and Thomson is on his bike. Noons is cut open, by the way. Thomson is slowing down, and Noons is landing frequently. Thomson initiates a clinch, but Noons gets away easily. Surprising that Noons is fresher. This is ring rust at play. And as I say that, I look up and see Noons on his but against the fence. Nice shot of Noons rolling his eyes to the camera. Thomson with a big right on the ground. 30 seconds left. Noons has thomson’s head controlled, and is landing pitter patter punches off of his backside as the round ends. Noons rolls his eyes again as the horn blew. 10-9 Thomson. 4 minutes on top > 20 seconds of effective striking

ROUND THREE: You could definitely make a case for Noons winning that second round. Melendez gave it to Thomson, though. Noons is keeping his hands awfully low, but still suffers a trip takedown. Thomson lands on top, and sinks in an arm triangle immediately. It’s tight, but Thomson is stuck in half guard. Noons escaped, but gave up his back in the progress. Thomson is stuck between side choke and fully taking his back, but it’s a dominant position in the middle of the cage. This is a stalemate, but it’s a stalemate in a dominant position, so it’d be criminal to get stood up. Noons rolls over, and Thomson is on top in an open half-guard. Nice show of heart by Noons, but he’s still screwed. Noons lands two big hammerfists to the throat of Noons. Noons is gassed from both the choke and having to struggle to get Thomson off his back. Less than 2 minutes to go. Short elbow to the throat by Thomson. Melendez is respectfully unimpressed by Thomson. 75 seconds left. More elbows, to the jaw this time. Thomson postures up somewhat, and noons can’t do much to stop him. Thomson stands, and dives into full guard. Thomson has been content to grind out this third round and take a decision. Credit to Thomson for controlling Noons better than anyone else has before. 10-9 Thomson, 30-27 Thomson

WINNER: Josh Thomson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (*+)Thomson looked good, but it was against KJ Noons. Gilbert Melendez shouldn’t be reduced to having to fight Thomson again. For the life of me, I don’t know what round Noons won. But, no harm no foul. When Mauro asked Thomson what he thought about his performance, Thomson replied, “It was shit.” When asked to elaborate, he offered the same reply. He then said his conditioning was “shit” and his performance was “shit.” At least he’s self-aware. His response definitely earned my respect.


FIGHT FIVE: Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey Women Bantamweight Championship

- In the Facebook poll, 72% of respondents feel that this fight will end via submission. Well, yeah.

- Frank Shamrock just said that he picks Rousey to win. Honest question here: Should a commentator be making public predictions on the fight he covers?

- Shamrock says Tate has to keep the fight standing in order to win. I don’t know if he’s right, but I do know she should stay off her back

- If I saw Ronda Rousey in a dark alley, I think I’d slowly back off and run away. Rousey looks like she wants to kill people.

ROUND ONE: Referee Mark Matheny tells the world that he knows they aren’t touching gloves, so let’s get it on. I haven’t been this excited for a fight in a while. Tate comes out swinging wildly, Rousey gets a takedown immediately. Rousey looking for side control. She’s got it. Rousey stands up, and dives back into guard. Spins to side position, hammerfisting Tate. This is now her longest ever fight. ARMBAR! It’s dislocated, Shamrock is groaning in agony watching it. Tate gets to her feet, but that arm is jacked. Tate has Rousey’s back. On the mat. Tate has both hooks in, but Rousey is powering out. Nope. They’re on their feet, Tate has Rousey against the fence, and drags her back down. I still can’t believe Tate got out of the armbar. Tate is looking for a choke, but Rousey gets out the back door and is standing. Tate to her feet, clinch against the cage. Rousey’s setting up a throw, and gets a trip instead. North south standing position. They break apart, and Rousey lands a 1-2. middle of the cage. Rousey with a judo hip toss, I don’t know what they’re called, forgive me. It was a hip toss. Rousey in side mount, now full mount. Tate gives up her back. Rosey throwing elbows to the ear of Tate, looking for an arm now. She’s almost git it, she got it again, the same arm. This is brutal. TATE TAPPED! Her arm is jacked up something firrce as Rousey stands over her like Ali stood over Liston. Tate’s arm is wrecked.


WINNER: Ronda Rosuey by submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round 1.

STAR RATING: (****+) This was epic. When Rousey got the second armbar, Tate’s arm was an unbelievable shade of red from the first armbar, 3 minutes prior. The crowd is ohhing and awing in disgust to the slow motion replay of the fight ending armbar. Rousey got so far into Tate’s head that Tate wouldn’t tap when she should have, and it’s going to cost her months of rehab.


Follow Rich Hansen on Twitter @MMATorch Rich