Trying to keep up with popular culture in this time of Facebook and Twitter is challenging, I Loved boxing..and I am not sue about UFC...In lieu of that I have an expert fan..Josh Yelverton who looks,learns and reports....so here it is....
Note: Saw a whole store in Vegas Mall called The Fight Store. This is getting big and bigger...
Now here's Josh:
UFC 101 was, without a doubt, more than worth the $45 in Pay-Per-VIew . It had an excellent card lined up , and showed many results that varied from decisions to knockouts to submissions. Here are my thoughts , and my analysis of the main card bouts:
UFC Lightweight Championship Bout:
BJ "The Prodigy" Penn vs. Kenny "KenFlo" Florian
This was Florian's second title shot since a crushing unanimous decision loss to Sean Sherk. After the loss to Shark, Florian changed everything about his training. He has since then racked up a six fight win
streak with only one fight, an unanimous decision victory over Roger Huerta going the distance.Florian had firmly set his sights on a second title shot. Meanwhile on the sandy shores of Hilo ( Hawaii ) , Penn was mending his wounds (both physical and mental) after a one-sided fourth round TKO loss to UFC welter weight champ, Georges "Rush" St-Pierre. Just as many have done after a loss, Penn also composed his training. He seeked out the help of notorious strength and conditioning coach, Marv Marinovich. Some thought that Penn wouldn't be able to recover his strong mentality after his previous loss, but Penn answered all the questions on August 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philly. As soon as the first bell rings, both fighters meet in the center of the cage. Penn was explosive as ever. Both fighters spent a few moments feeling out the range. Florian had never previously been dropped in his entire career ........ Penn changed that very quickly as he hit Florian with a right hand counter that clearly wobbled Florian. Penn continued to stalk his prey, Florian. Florian clinched Penn, and attempted to take him down. Unfortunately for Florian, none of these attempts produced the best results, but they did cause Penn to exert some valuable energy as Penn defended the takedown attempts. Penn did a great job of countering Florian's punches and elbows with some hard shots that rocked Florian. The bell then ended the first round, and a few moments later, it sounded again to start the second round. Round 2 was very much like round 1. Florian clinched Penn in an attempt to take him down, or at least tire him out. Penn defended the many takedown attempts, and rocked Florian several times with stiff counter punches. Penn took round 2 with dominance, but Florian displayed a great chin as he managed to recover from the many times he was rocked. Round 3 continued the trend of the two previous rounds as Florian clinched and Penn continued to throw bombs. Round 4 disrupted the pattern. Florian worked some leg kicks (as in the previous rounds ). Penn threw yet another bomb, and dropped Florian. As Florian rose to his feet, Penn changed the tide as he clinched Florian and took him down with a thunderous slam. Penn passed to Florian's half-guard, and proceeded to work some dismal ground 'n pound. Penn then got the mount and displayed his fury as he dropped his fists into Florian's face several times. Florian turned to protect his face, but he did so at a price ........... he gave Penn his back. This marked the beginning of the end: Penn obliged by taking Florian's back, controlling Florian's wrists, and sinking in an air tight rear-naked choke that caused Florian to tap out. Penn was declared the winner by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:54 in the fourth round. Both fighters displayed great class and sportsmanship after the fight. Florian and his corner congratulated Penn on a job well done, and Penn obliged with the same.
Anderson "Spider" Silva vs. Forrest Griffin
Silva ( The current middleweight champ ) has been criticized by many people in his last two fights due to the fact that he didn't kill them as many people expected him to do. Is it his fault? Not really. Neither of his last two opponents ( or any of his opponents in the UFC for that matter ) have been able to challenge him at all. Sensing that Silva needed a challenge, UFC president Dana White had exactly the man in mind for the job : former UFC light heavyweight champ and TUF season 1 winner, Forrest Griffin. Griffin's previous fight was one that saw him lose his title to Rashad Evans, but in Griffin's opinion, the belt never really felt right on him anyway. "The only difference was that more people wanted to beat me up. It (the belt) was like a target," said Griffin with a smile. Many people thought that Griffin was the man to do the job. Griffin's beaten the odds before. He submitted Mauricio "Shogun" Rua when Rua was ranked the top light heavyweight in the world, and he shocked the world when he defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to earn the the light heavyweight belt. Both men are physically capable of defeating each other, but It would be the stronger mind that wins this fight. If Silva shows up mentally prepared, then he will most likely win. However, if Silva takes Griffin lightly, then he will pay dearly. This fight was one of the most terrifying displays of skill and power that I have ever seen. First round: Griffin throws one-two, head kick, but nothing hits flush. Both fighters feel out the range for a few moments. Griffin then tried to utilize his powerful leg kicks, but as he threw one, Silva caught the leg kick and tagged Griffin with a hard right hand that dropped him. Griffin quickly scrambled back to his feet and established his stance once more. Griffin then threw a series of punches that were answered with a hard left from Silva that sent Griffin to the canvas. Griffin was clearly hurt, but he once again managed to get back on his feet. Griffin came forth with another combination of punches, only to be countered by Silva's right hand that ( once again) dropped Griffin. Silva landed a few shots on Griffin while he was on the ground, but eventually stepped back and decided to let Griffin stand back up. Griffin threw furiously at Silva, and Silva answered back with a combination that was just as furious. Silva then looked at Griffin, and beat his chest as if to say "Let's go, man! Let's get it on ! " Griffin looked at Silva with a smile, nodded, and said "alright." Griffin threw more punches, but none connected. Silva bobbed and weaved around every punch like he wasn't even trying. Silva then dropped his hands to his waist to bait Griffin into attacking. Silva once again weaved around every shot like they were nothing. You could see the frustration building up inside Griffin. Griffin charged at Silva like a bull, and threw a two-one-two combination. Silva ( all while hanging his hands at his waist ) stepped back, avoided each punch, and without even rearing back or turning his body into it, threw a straight right hand that knocked Griffin out cold . ( Keep in mind, Silva is a southpaw, but he was back stepping, and his shoulders were squared. That's the scary part . ) Silva was declared the winner by KO at 3:23 in the very first round. This is scary to say the least. Griffin has always been praised for having the ability to take a beating and still win the fight. Griffin fought Rampage Jackson, ate the same punch that KO'd Chuck Liddel, and got right back up. Rampage's punch has more force than a charging sumo wrestler ( that's a true fact ) , and he couldn't even KO Griffin. Anderson Silva made it look too easy, like he wasn't even trying. Within a single round, Silva dominated one of the toughest men in MMA (like he has done to so many others ), and did it with ease. Silva fought with what I can only describe as a violent elegance. Afterwards, Griffin slowly walked out of the cage without speaking and continued to run back to his locker room. I have no confirmation, but one of my sources tell me that the reason for Griffin's hasty exit was due to Griffin's jaw being broken, and that he couldn't hear out of one ear, but once again I have not confirmed whether or not there is truth to this. SIlva showed class and sportsmanship and praised Griffin, saying "Forrest is a good guy, good fighter, and a good man ." Silva then thanked his partners, coaches, family, friends, and his fans.
Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks
Amir Sadollah is the winner of TUF ( The Ultimate Fighter ) season 7. His coach was one other than Forrest Griffin ( whom he continued to train with ever since ). However, Sadollah has been on a long delay to injuries. Johny Hendricks is a WEC welterweight import. I'm getting angry just talking about this. Shortly into the first round, Sadollah lands some nice leg kicks. Sadollah then establishes the muay thai clinch on Hendricks. Hendricks fed Sadollah a few uppercuts and dropped him . Hendricks landed a few shots on Sadollah, but then Sadollah begins to stand back up. Then Dan Mirgaliotta stops the fight AS SADOLLAH STANDS BACK UP !!!!!!!!!!! The crowd, the fans, and everybody else ( including myself ) were pissed to say the least. A referee is supposed to call a stop to the end of the fight if the fighter is unconscious, taps out ( verbally or physically ), or if the fighter is unable to intelligently defend himself. Sadollah was none of the previously listed. He was standing up. He was defending himself. After Mirgaliotta stopped it, Sadollah stood straight up and looked at Mirgaliotta without stumbling or even hinting that he was hurt. That was a horrible stoppage on Miragliotta's part, and now ( because of him ) Sadollah has a loss on his record that he does not deserve. Both fighter's remained classy. Sadollah congratulated Hendricks, and Hendricks obliged. I'm not mad at Hendricks, he doesn't have the ability to call a stoppage. He just fought until He was told to stop; just like how every other fighter does it. However, I still firmly believe that the stoppage was far too early, and an incredibly stupid call by the referee. Despite what I think, that still doesn't change the "official" results : Johny Hendricks was declared the winner by TKO at 0:29 of the very first round. I'll leave it at that.
Kendall "Da Spyder" Grove vs. Ricardo "Big Dog" Almeida
Grove was the middleweight winner of TUF season 3 . Grove had a few losses a while back, but has since acquired two victories over the late Evan Tanner, and Jason Day. Almeida is coming off an unanimous decision over Matt Horwich in April. Round 1 : The fighters check the range. Shortly into the fight Almeida shoots for the takedown and gets denied. Both fighters clinch up against the cage as Almeida struggles for the takedown. Grove did a good job of defending the takedowns early, but Almeid eventually got a trip takedown. Almeida works some effective ground 'n pound, but Grove stands back up .................. only to be slammed back down by Almeida shortly after. Almeida continues to ground 'n pound Grove until the end of the round. Round 2 : Almeida takes Grove down with a slam, and begins to pound Grove. Almeida stood up and threw shots down on Grove. At one point, Almeida got a bit over aggressive, and got caught in an armbar by Grove. It was fully locked in. I was almost certain that Grove was going to get the tap, but Almeida escaped and stood up. While standing up he almost got caught in a heel hook, but he pulled his leg out. Both fighters stand and trade. Grove then clinches Almeida in a muay thai and threw several fierce knees. One well placed knee from Grove to Almeida's jaw actually dropped him, but Almeida composed and quickly stood back up. Shortly before the bell, Almeida gets a double leg takedown. Round 3 : Almeida scores a takedown; Grove stands. Almeida gets another takedown, and Grove stands again. Almeida did manage to work some pretty good ground 'n pound though. All judges scored the bout 30-27 : declaring Ricardo Almeida the winner by unanimous decision. Both fighters showed much class and respect after the fight.
Josh "The Dentist" Neer vs. Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino
This fight was all Kurt Pellegrino. Neer attempted a few submissions, but none were successful. All three rounds showed Pellegrino taking Neer down and pounding him thoroughly. Neer did manage to stand and cut Pellegrino with a few elbows at the end of the third round, but he didn't stop Pellegrino in time. All judges scored the bout 30-27 : declaring Kurt Pellegrino the winner by unanimous decision. Neer was upset at his own performance, but he congratulated Pellegrino, and Pellegrino did the same in return.
Despite the one early stoppage, this was a great event. I really enjoyed the fights, and I hope you guys did as well. As for you guys who were unable to watch them, I hope I painted a good mental picture for you. For the results of the preliminary bouts, visit UFC.com.
'Till next time,
Josh " Árvore " Yelverton
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