Before going to Brazil, I had a call from one of my friends who told me that Denis Kang won his fight against Marvin Eastman by TKO in the first minute of the fight. It made me a feel good because it brings a good vibe to the team, and like Tseng Tsu says in the Art of War, battles are won by momentum. I’m also very happy because I also learned he’ll soon be fighting in the UFC, so for the first time since we started training together, we’ll be able to fight in the same organization.
I flew to Brazil Sunday night, and after a long flight I got into Rio de Janeiro. But after the flight I was very tired because I cannot sleep on the plane, so I had to take the morning off from training to take a nap of a couple of hours. I started my training Monday night after my nap, and I quickly found out that even though I just earned my black belt in BJJ, there are still a lot of guys better than me in this sport at Gracie Barra Academy. I got tapped so many times during my training there and I learned so many new tools that just for that alone, this trip was worth it. I met a bunch of new training partners and good friends as well in Brazil. My friend Cleo from Montreal went with me and was teaching a wrestling class during the day where were training a lot of takedowns and takedown defense, plus MMA sparring as well. At night I was also doing BJJ with the gi to improve my ground skill and knowledge.
During the week, one of the valets at the hotel was very nice with me it was nice to meet someone who spoke French very well. Every time a pretty woman was passing by him, he was making a comment in French about how beautiful and sexy she was…
I think there’s also a section in The Art of War about casually mentioning that you got “tapped so many times” in training in order to bait your enemy into going to the ground with you. Don’t fall for it, BJ! To read the rest of GSP’s post, click here. Unfortunately, Rush never mentions if the valet’s obscene French catcalls successfully got him laid.
(That’s worth a little thumb ouchie. Photo courtesy of NBC Sports.)
- Thiago Alves proved himself worthy of a title shot with his victory over Josh Koscheck at UFC 90, but he didn’t get out unscathed. MMA Weekly reports that he suffered a dislocated thumb in the fight. It’s not a serious injury, and a spokesman from American Top Team said they expect him to be fine, but maybe it’s a good thing that he’ll be forced to wait out the GSP-B.J. Penn superfight before getting his shot at the welterweight strap.
- Patrick Cote, on the other hand, has a more serious injury situation. He suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee on Saturday and will have to undergo arthroscopic surgery next week. This will most likely sideline him for the next six to eight months, rendering prospects of a rematch with Anderson Silva just that much dimmer. By the time Cote is ready to fight again, Silva could have notched another two fights. Perhaps we’ll all be ready to put this one behind us by then.
- Finally, Fabricio Werdum says he was “surprised” by Junior Dos Santos, adding that it was the first time he had ever been knocked out and “it happened so fast.” Indeed it did. Werdum declined the chalk it up to a lucky punch, saying Dos Santos deserved it, and claimed the loss “won’t change anything” with regards to his pursuit of the UFC heavyweight title. Not sure how he means that, but he’s probably going to have to get back in there and notch another significant win if he wants a shot at the eventual heavyweight tournament winner.
This video of BJ Penn’s experience at UFC 87 (courtesy of BJPenn.com, via Yahoo!) confirms a few things that I’ve long suspected: 1) BJ Penn has more fun than I do, 2) Jesse Ventura (seen sitting stone-faced next to Penn at one point) does not, and 3) everyone in the world — including “Rampage” Jackson — thinks they do a good Hulk Hogan impression, but most of them are wrong.
Where things really start to get interesting here is when Penn enters the Octagon to confront Georges St. Pierre about their superfight. You can hear Dana White asking Penn to let GSP “have his moment here real quick,” and you can also hear the boos from the crowd when Penn steps up to the mic. No matter, Nick Swardson thinks he’s the best fighter in the world, and that’s enough for me.
Below, check out BJ hitting the town with Bruce Buffer, who declares Jon Fitch to be “a tough son of a bitch.” You gotta love the Buff.
You may have noticed Matt Hughes sitting Octagon-side at UFC 87. At least, that’s where he was for most of the night. Turns out he didn’t make it all the way through the evening, and you can probably guess why. From Matt Hughes’ blog:
I went there really to watch one fight, probably not the one you’re expecting. I went there to watch Brock Lesnar. He is so interesting because he is so athletic as well as being so powerful. So that fight went just like I thought it would, Brock took him down whenever he wanted and on the ground he did whatever he wanted. I was also there watching my buddy, Roger, but he didn’t quite look the same. I don’t think him or Kenny fought their best fight on Saturday. Roger looked to have done a few things different and I would say that he needs to go back to what he was doing before.
The last fight of the night was Georges and Fitch. Georges didn’t look as big as he has before and he seemed like he had gotten tired from the first round. Fitch had the game plan of countering Georges and you just can’t do that. You can’t counter a quicker fighter. To be honest, halfway in the third round I got up and walked out of the arena and went to my hotel. The fight wasn’t the most exciting and I wanted to get out of there before everyone else was getting up to leave.
I’m sure Hughes’ decision to walk out of GSP’s first successful title defense halfway through had everything to do with the quality of the fight and not his personal feelings about St. Pierre. Yes, the GSP-Fitch fight did win “Fight of the Night”, but hey, if you stay all the way until the end you’re going to have a hell of a time getting back to your hotel. You’re also going to have to hear the words, “…and still UFC welterweight champion” and know they aren’t talking about you. You can decide for yourself which of those two things played a greater role in Hughes’ decision to walk out.
It’s time, baby. Jon Fitch attempts to steal Georges St. Pierre’s welterweight belt, Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta throw down in a lightweight #1 contender “definitely in the mix” match, and Brock Lesnar smash face. Hit that “more” link and refresh the page every few minutes to read all the latest from the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. Low prices every day — caged death tonight.
The Minneapolis crowd…noticeably less good-looking than the Las Vegas crowd. But no matter, we’re live and ready to rock. GSP has a 80% success rate in takedowns, 83% success rate in takedown defense, and has only spent 4:51 on his back in his UFC career. As for Jon Fitch, no opponent has ever passed his guard, and he sports a 70% takedown defense rate. How ’bout those stats! Joe Rogan has like a four-day beard-growth going on. Come on bro, you’re better than that.
Jason MacDonald vs. Demian Maia
Wanderlei Silva in the house, coming out with Maia. Clay Guida, as always, is sitting right near the cage entrance. How does he get those awesome seats?
Round 1: Maia with an inside leg kick. MacDonald charges forward and clinches, and Maia responds by pulling guard. Maia trying to set up a triangle, and locks it the hell in. MacDonalad hangs in like a soldier, while Maia drops elbows into his head. But MacDonald slips put, then takes Maia’s back and almost sinks in a rear-naked choke! Maia escapes, and Mac gets back into Maia’s guard. MacDonald gets up and Maia grabs for his legs. MacDonald stands again then drops back in and wraps his arm around Maia’s neck. MacDonald rolls and that choke is sunk in deep. But Maia escapes and takes MacDonald’s back with a rear-naked choke! MacDonald slips out and the bell rings. Crazy first round…maybe dead even with both guys nearly finishing the other.
Round 2: Maia sticks MacDonalad with a hard left hook, and MacDonald shoots in on him with a wobbly clinch. Dirty boxing from Maia, then a takedown. Maia passes into full mount and drops an elbow. Maia starts landing big punches and elbows from the top. MacDonald tries to buck up, to no avail. More sharp elbows from Maia, then a series of punches to the sides of MacDonald’s head. MacDonald is bloodied. Maia sets up a triangle, but MacDonald escapes it and rolls on top of Maia. But the bell rings before he can make anything happen. Clear 10-9 round for Maia.
Round 3: Maia lands a left then takes MacDonald down. MacDonald briefly attempts a guillotine then rolls on top of Maia. Maia rolls for some freakin’ reason and MacDonald almost gets a choke in. Maia escapes and gets on top of MacDonald, throwing more ‘bows. MacDonald rolls to his stomach and takes a few punches from Maia. Maia gets his arm under MacDonald’s neck…finally MacDonald succumbs to the choke and taps. “Motherfucker,” he says when Maia tries to embrace him. Demian Maia def. Jason MacDonald via rear-naked choke, 2:44 of round 3.
Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta? Already?!
Roger Hurta has whined his way into a lead-in slot to Manny Gamburyan. Brutal. Huerta sings along to his theme song, which kicks so much ass, while Stitch lubes up his face. Dan Miragliotta’s reffing this one? Oh no, that’s like a double fuck you! Florian bows his head in a rather lengthy prayer before entering the cage. Probably that one about God teaching your fingers to war, or some bullshit. Buffer puts a lot of salsa on his pronunciation of “HUERTAAAAHH!!!”
Round 1: Leg kick from Huerta, and Florian returns fire. Huerta with another. Kenny with a body kick. Huerta punches as Florian shoots in with a knee. Two more leg kicks from Huerta, but Kenny catches the last one and takes Huerta down. Florian quickly gets the mount and socks Huerta one. Huerta rolls and Kenny’s on his back. Huerta escapes and gets to his feet! The crowd chants Huerta. Kenny misses a superman punch and head kick. Huerta lands a counterpunch and goes after Kenny, pushing him against the cage. Dirty boxing and a knee from Huerta. Kenny backpedals until he’s out of the clinch. Kenny tries to lock on a thai clinch but is pushed off. Some sparring from both guys. Roger chasing Kenny and the horn sounds. Close round…Roger may have pushed the action a bit more.
Round 2: Kenny with a body kick, then a head kick to Roger’s glove. Sharp body kick from Huerta. Roger falls to his knees clinching with Florian against the cage, but Florian doesn’t take advantage and escapes the clinch. Florian going for the single leg and Roger wraps up his arm and lands an elbow from the top. Florian bulls Huerta down, then takes his back, throwing punches. Huerta slips out and they’re standing again. Leg kick from Florian. Leg sweep from Florian, and Huerta briefly hits the mat. Another leg kick from Kenny. Roger misses a superman punch. Huerta clinches and pushes Florian against the cage. Florian lands an elbow and uppercut. Out of the clinch, he lands a right hook, then a couple more punches and a kick. The horn sounds. Clear 10-9 round for Florian.
Round 3: Front kick lands to Huerta’s chin. Florian takes Roger down but he pops up and takes a knee. Florian lands a big punch and takes Huerta down again. Florian threatens the kneebar briefly, then rolls into Huerta’s full guard. Huerta’s with some elbows from the bottom. Kenny gets to his feet, and Roger follows. Good punch combo from Huerta. Knee to the body from Florian, then a big left hook. Another front kick to Huerta’s face! Then Florian lands a jab and dodges Huerta’s punches. Florian looks to be riding out the round, and the crowd boos. Roger lands some punches, then takes a knee to the body. Roger lands a leg kick. Florian lands a body dhot that seems to hurt Huerta. He throws a punch combo then takes Huerta down. But Roger gets up and they exchange punches as the round ends. It’s looking like a decision win for Florian. Y’know, as predicted. All three judges score it 30-27 for Kenny Florian. Well, I guess he doesn’t always finish fights. Big boos from the crowd as Kenny tells Joe how much he respects Kenny. He plugs his new school, Florian Martial Arts Center. Roger looks pretty freakin’ bummed. Now what were you saying about points on the pay per view?
Manvel Gamburyan vs. Rob Emerson
I sort of can’t believe this is a PPV main card fight. Whatever. Emerson comes out to M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” which meatheads know about thanks to the trailer for Pineapple Express. SOUTH COUNTY WHAT.
Round 1: Manny comes out swingin’ like a maniac and gets punched to the ground, then gets punched OUT on the ground. Fuck. 12 seconds, people. Emerson def. Gamburyan via KO. Son of a bitch will probably get a $60,000 bonus for that.
Cheick Kongo vs. Dan Evensen (from the undercard)
Dan Evenson desribes himself as a “wiking,” which I think is like an ewok. Wikings, as it happens, have terrible taste in entrance music. Joe Rogan: “The UFC is actually way cooler than the Olympics.” Goldberg: “Good point by you.”
Round 1: Kongo works the leg kicks. Evensen rushes in but Kongo pushes him against the cage, then slams him to the ground. Kongo grabs Evensen’s foot, drags him forward a bit then lays a ton of kicks into Evensen’s legs from the top. The ref stands them up after a brief pause in the action. They clinch against the cage again and Evensen goes for a guillotine but Kongo slips out. Evensen goes for it again and Kongo pops out. Kongo throws a knee into Evensen’s thigh, then takes him down again. Kongo throws some strikes from half guard. Kongo gets to his feet and the ref lets Evensen up. Kongo lands a body kick, then lands a huge right which sends Evensen to the mat, and wildman-punches Evensen until the fight is stopped…with only five seconds left in the round. Kongo def. Evensen via TKO, 4:55 of round 1. Evensen is still on the ground as the result is announced. Kongo says he’s one of the best fighters in the world, and he wants the “tittle.” Joe asks Kongo to take him through the replay, and Kongo walks off. “Or not,” Joe says.
Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring
Lesnar is repping Jack Links jerky to the FULLEST. He intentionally slaps then unintentionally punches one of his cornermen while entering the cage. Guess who’s not getting good advice between rounds? Oh well. Minnesota loves them some Brock Lesnar. And Miragliotta pokes Herring in the eye during the faceoff. Moron.
Round 1: Lesnar whiffs a flying kick. Then punches Herring so hard he flips over completely! Herring rolls to his feet and Lesnar tries to crush out a guillotine choke, but Herring is hanging in. Herring appears to be bleeding. He escapes, but Brock gets the takedown, obviously. Herring kicks him off, but Lesnar jumps on and throws punches while on Herring’s back. Herring tries to move, but Lesnar is tenacious with the back control, throwing some scary punches into Herring’s head. Herring is complaining about something (shots to the back of the head?). Big knee to Herring’s body. Lesnar aint giving up that back, as desperately as Herring’s trying to escape. More ground and pound from Lesnar, who nods his head to the crowd’s chanting. The horn sounds. Easy 10-9 round for Lesnar. They replay that big punch in the beginning and it is murder. Herring’s left eye is pretty bad-looking.
Round 2: Lesnar shoots but is stuffed. Lesnar lands a leg kick! How bout that! Lesnar bulls Herring to the ground with ease, taking his back again. Lesnar gets side control on top of Herring. Herring rolls and Lesnar’s on his back again. Lesnar gets mount, but Herring rolls again. Lesnar throws those 4XL gloves into Herring’s ear. Knees to the body from Lesnar. Herring’s left eye is completely swollen shut. Back to side control. Herring is doing his best to be a moving target, then manages to get to his feet. Lesnar nails Herring with two knees to the body. Herring throws some knees of his own now. Lesnar puts Herring back on the mat as the round ends. 10-9 for Lesnar again.
Round 3: Lesnar smiling at Herring across the cage. Nice leg kick from Lesnar. Herring pushes Lesnar against the cage. Lesnar reverses it, and throws some knees, then takes Herring down again. Lesnar is on Herring’s back, throwing knees dead into his spine. Herring briefly threatens a kimura, then Brock gets the mount. Herring bounces out and Lesnar’s on his back again. Disgustingly painful-looking knee to the body from lesnar. Lesnar goes for the rear-naked choke but Herring slips out, gets up, and starts to fire punches on his feet. Brock wants no part of it and easily takes Herring down. Lesnar with more back control. Herring rolls and Brock gets into his guard. Lesnar scores the mount. He celebrates a few seconds early and gets punched. Brock seems to point and laugh at Herring as the horn sounds. Lesnar’s a happy man. He does a little rodeo lasso routine as Herring slinks back to his corner. BROCK LESNAR IS THE TRUTH. All three judges score it 30-26 for Lesnar. “Can you see me now?!” Lesnar says to the crowd. Then says something about falling off the horse against Frank Mir, but getting back on the stallion and riding it somewhere, then says “woo!” Quite a showman.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
Get in your final predictions now. Fitch looks intense as hell, by the way. GSP does that water-spit thing he does, then pours some out, possibly for his dead homies.
Round 1: GSP gets a takedown right off the bell. Fitch controlling GSP’s body and hands. GSP sneaks in a punch, then an elbow. GSP thrown down two more from the top. Fitch tries to get to his feet, but GSP puts him back down. Fitch gets up and takes a punch, then a right hand that drops him! GSP slugging hard from the top. Fitch taking huge punches and elbows; he’s cut under his left eye. GSP dropping more right hands. Fitch gets his feet and is wobbled by more punches. GSP takes him down and continues the abuse. Deadly elbows from GSP, who moves to side control, then the mount. GSP becomes the first fighter to pass Fitch’s guard. And the horn sounds. Total domination from GSP.
Round 2: Fitch lands a left. GSP pops him with the jab. Superman punch and leg kick from GSP. Another leg kick, and some great jabs from GSP, then a head kick. A couple more leg kicks from the champ. Fitch digs a punch into GSP’s body. GSP misses a spinning back kick. Both guys exchange punches, with Fitch getting the worst of it. And another exchange. Fitch lands a right, then a left. GSP sticking and moving, then shoots, but is stuffed by Fitch. Fitch with a slick punch combo. GSP gets a right hand to Fitch’s ear. The horn sounds. A closer round, but still clearly in GSP’s favor.
Round 3: After trading punches, GSP lands a huge right hand that knocks Fitch on his ass! GSP takes Fitch’s back and sinks the hooks in. Fitch is bleeding heavily from the eye. Fitch escapes the choke attempt and rolls on top of GSP. Fitch laying some shots into GSP’s body from the top. Fitch moving GSP towards the fence. Fitch tries to posture up and GSP slips out, and rolls on top of Fitch. Fitch is pressed against the cage. GSP lets Fitch up and they’re back standing. Good jabs from GSP, then a leg kick. GSP fires a head kick then a leg kick, then pushes Fitch against the cage. Fitch lands a punch from the clinch, then GSP punches back. GSP lands a combo with a vicious knee that drops Fitch again. GSP pouring it on as Fitch gets to his feet, then slams Fitch to the mat as the round ends. Another 10-9 round for GSP.
Round 4: Fitch missing some punches. GSP is cut, but not as bad as Fitch. Fitch with a body kick. GSP with a hard right hook, and Fitch responds with another body kick. Fitch shoots in weakly and is easily stuffed by GSP. Fitch lands a jab. Fitch does his damndest to take GSP down, but the champ manages to stay upright. Fitch tenacious on the single leg and drops to his knees. He lets go, and GSP immediately pounces on top of him. Fitch avoiding serious damage from the top, and GSP goes for a last-second leglock as the round ends.
Round 5: GSP pops Fitch with a left, then lands two leg kicks. And a jab. And then a sick reverse backfist! GSP takes Fitch down near the cage, throwing down some hard punches. GSP lands an elbow from the top, and more punches. Fitch gets up and is popped by a jab. GSP goes for another takedown and gets it. One minute left. Fitch tries to wriggle out but GSP aint having it. Fitch gets up and GSP puts him right back down. And the horn. Both guys kneel and bow to each other in the center of the Octagon. GSP IS ALSO THE TRUTH. St. Pierre makes his first career title defense, winning the unanimous decision; the judges score it 50-43, 50-44, 50-44.
GSP told Fitch that the loss was the best thing to happen to him; it’ll make him stronger. BJ Penn wanders into the cage and says “let’s do this!” GSP says he’s a proud champion and will fight anybody who deserves it. And the broadcast runs out of time as GSP tries to give more shoutouts. But that’s the end. Great freaking card.
(That’s not the face of a man you want to bet against, is it?)
You can learn a lot about life by gambling on sporting events over the internet. Mostly what you learn is that oddsmakers and bookies are smarter than you 90% of the time. The key is knowing that you know less than the oddsmakers and bookies and working around it (I think Socrates said that). Another thing you can learn is that some people actually bet on preseason football. Seriously. You might as well bury your life savings in the backyard and hope it grows into a money tree. At least that way you know where it is.
Fortunately for the off-shore gambling economy, UFC 87 is a stacked and somewhat unpredictable card, so the temptation to try and win some cash is almost irresistible. Our odds today come from Betus.com, and as always you should read Damon Durante’s MMA Betting for ‘Tards if you still don’t know how odds work.
Georges St. Pierre (-350) vs. Jon Fitch (+250)
It’s not exactly shocking to see GSP as the favorite, but the way people have been jumping on the Fitch bandwagon of late, claiming that he presents all kinds of new problems for the champ, I’m surprised the line isn’t a little closer. But there’s a reason it’s not. GSP is an incredible athlete who seems to be at the height of his powers, both mentally and physically. Fitch’s greatest strength is his wrestling, and you aren’t going to outwrestle GSP. Ask Josh Koscheck and Matt Hughes. You certainly aren’t going to finish him that way, and five rounds worth of trying for takedowns is going to leave you vulnerable to catching knee-in-the-face disease, which is known to be fatal to your title hopes.
A guy with Fitch’s natural ability always has a shot, but not one I’d want to bet on. If you do though, that’s cool. Maybe poverty will be good for you.
Brock Lesnar (-260) vs. Heath Herring (+200)
With as little as we know about Lesnar’s abilities as an MMA fighter and as inconsistent as Herring has been, this one should really be closer to a pick’em. The line has probably moved in favor of Lesnar at least in part because fans know him better and are more willing to throw down a bet on a familiar name. As we’ve seen before, that is not a reliable strategy.
This is so unpredictable you should tread very carefully, but Herring is certainly worth some small action at 2-1 odds. He’s the veteran in this situation and he is, according to Dana White, newly dedicated to his career as a fighter. That’s enough for me, but I’m a reckless son of a bitch.
Kenny Florian (-145) vs. Roger Huerta (+115)
Florian is my pick to win, but this one ought to be a close. The chances of it going to decision are, in a word, good. And when that happens who knows what the judges will say, especially if one of them is Sensei Cecil Peoples. What I’m saying here is that Florian should get the slight edge, which is what you see reflected in the odds.
It’s still worth it to me, though, because Florian’s head is in the right place and he has the kind of skills to finish the fight, whereas Huerta’s chances of doing the same aren’t nearly so strong. I wouldn’t pawn your wedding ring to make the bet or anything, but the blender? Yeah, pawn that sucker. You gave up on those protein shakes months ago.
Manny Gamburyan (-340) vs. Rob Emerson (+240)
What the hell. Does someone want to explain to me why, on such a loaded pay-per-view, Manny Gamburyan and Rob Emerson is a televised bout? This is an Ultimate Fight Night bout if ever there was one. Was there some kind of scheduling error? Did they decide to fill this spot by throwing darts at their roster of lightweights? Anyway, if you want a lock that you will most definitely not profit from, take Gamburyan over Emerson. You’re welcome.
Demian Maia (-300) vs. Jason MacDonald (+220)
Maia should win this. He really, really should. But something about “The Athlete”. He’s been winning fights he wasn’t supposed to (some of them, anyway) since he came into the UFC. I don’t think this will be one of them, but then I didn’t think he’d beat Ed Herman, either, so there you go.
You know something? I say you go for it. I say you bet the house on MacDonald. You need something like that to get you out of this rut. What do you need a house for, anyway? Remember Kane from “Kung Fu”? He didn’t have a house and he seemed happy. Come on. Do it. You pussy.
