Diego Sanchez - Image: Zuma Press

It was in that second round that Diego used over a dozen brutal elbows from his back to cut holes into Guida’s scalp, turning the next two rounds into a bloody mess. Both could have gone either way on the judge’s scorecard, but in the end it was Diego Sanchez who was awarded the split decision.

In other fights, Joe Stevenson (an EveryJoe favorite for obvious reasons) proved he’s not a has-been by out-wrestling Cesar Gracie disciple Nate Diaz on the ground, winning the first two rounds with a number of nifty reversals and rolls. At one point Joe Daddy caught the young Diaz in a crucifix, trapping both his limbs and hammering on his face. Nate spent the time trying to get something going off his back but only had success in the third round when the fight stayed on the feet.

While there’s no doubt Nate Diaz is a talented prospect, I think it’s time the UFC sent him back to the prelims for more seasoning. It sucks to say that because he’s always a pleasure to watch fight, but better that than have him lose again and wash out of the UFC like another talented prospect who was pushed too hard too early: his brother Nick Diaz.

As for the actual Ultimate Fighter finals, UK welterweight James Wilks seemed like a different man as he drubbed Team USA’s DaMarques Johnson on the feet and ground before sinking in a choke in the dying seconds of the first round. Johnson seemed as shocked as I was with Wilks’ transformation and spent the entire fight trying to survive the onslaught. While I’m going to wait and see if Wilks can repeat this kind of performance against a UFC vet before writing his name on all my school binders in sparkle marker, there’s no doubt this victory will make him an instant star in England.

UK fighter Ross Pearson was less impressive as he defeated Andre Winner via decision in a slow and methodical three round battle. Both fighters spent a lot of time stalemating each other in the clinch, but Pearson won the fight with crisper striking. If you’ve tivo’d this event and take a more selective approach to which fights you want, I’d say you won’t miss much by skipping this one over.

Last but not least, Kevin Burns attempted to pass gatekeeper Chris Lytle but got smacked back down. While Burns started strong and nearly knocked Lytle out (something no one has ever managed to do), he gassed halfway through the second round and spent the rest of the fight eating decent but not conscious-threatening combinations from Lytle. Burns also accidentally kicked Lytle in the junk three times, making hm one of the most unintentionally dirty fighters in the UFC. This fight went to the scorecards where Lytle was declared the winner, two rounds to one.

Overall this was a solid event, although it felt like the three hour show had about an hour’s worth of commercials.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sanchez beats Guida in TUF9 bloodbath

Image: Newscom

I think Sanchez is a little better rounded on the ground and he’s improved his standing game greatly since his beginning in the UFC. there are other rumored fights right now but this is the only one that has been confirmed by the UFC.

“Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida has the potential to be one of the most action packed fights of the year,” UFC President Dana White said.

Really? Clay Guida is a good fighter, but he’s been extremely boring lately, playing it safe. Sanchez on the other hand seems to have a bit more energy flowing during his fights. If it came to a win by anything more than a decision I would put my money on Sanchez.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sanchez Vs. Guida Set For TUF 9 Finale

I missed the first hour of UFC 95 last night, but it seems that the first hour was just like the following 2 hours.

Josh Koscheck lost in the first round by ref stoppage KO. From what I have read, Josh Koscheck was pretty much running the show until he got caught with a few good hits that sent him to the floor without Paulo Thiago even following up before the ref stopped it. The fans were not happy with this stoppage and I probably would not have been either.

Demian Maia VS. Chael Sonnen: Chael Sonnen loses to a triangle choke in round one. This is Sonnen’s first UFC fight since 2006 (lost to Jeremy Horn at UFC 60) and only his second professional loss in 9 fights. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of Chael Sonnen in the UFC despite this loss.

Wilson Gouveia vs. Nate Marquardt: This was an interesting match but Nate Marquardt pretty much dominated the entire fight before the ref stopped the fight in the third giving Nate the TKO by strikes. Nate Marquardt wants a chance at Anderson Silva, but I don’ think he’s really ready for Silva…but is anyone ready for The Spider?

Dan Hardy kept is fight with Rory Markham short and under 2 minutes. He also backed up his word. He talked a lot of trash coming in to this fight and he did knocked Rory out. Markham came in at Hardy with a big right, which Hardy kind of avoided and countered with a huge straight left that put Markham out and on his back. Hardy followed up with two more big hits before the ref stopped the fight. Hardy wins at 1:09 in round one with a knockout punch.

The televised a couple of prelim card fights to which we saw Heavyweight Mike Ciesnolevicz defeat Neil Grove with a heel hook that Grove may be taking some time off to recover from. We also saw Evan Dunham defeat Per Eklund fairly quickly in the first round. Dunham doesn’t look like much, but he took Eklund out pretty easily. Lastly we saw Terry Etim defeat Brian Cobb. This was another fast ref stoppage. I think Cobb would have lost anyway, but the ref was quick to stop this one.

Diego Sanchez defeated Joe Stevenson by unanimous decision. Diego Sanchez played it safe through every round and worked some great combos. He once again proved that he has an iron chin. He didn’t go for the ground and pound that we often see from The Nightmare, but kept it standing and feeding Stevenson with combos. I think Stevenson is relying too much on the guillotine these days and perhaps Sanchez is right saying that he’s not evolving as a fighter.

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

UFC 95 = Fast Stoppages

Post from: EveryJoe

Sanchez Vs. Stevenson: A Lot Of Respect

Diego Sanchez

During The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 I didn’t like Diego Sanchez. He had this certain cockiness about him, but they also made him look very unintelligent during the season. Sanchez proved that he was in it to win it during the show and came out on top with his win over Kenny Florian in the Ultimate Finale. Diego’s last fight was a win over Luigi Fioravanti at The Ultimate Finale 7.

Joe “Big Daddy” Stevenson has kept a good record since his win in The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 over Luke Cummo. With 6 wins and 3 losses on his UFC record, Stevenson is still a solid fighter. His recent loss at UFC 91 with a rear naked choke executed by Kenny Florian was an unexpected loss by many people although Florian has also proven himself to be a surgical jiu-jitsu fighter. I would like to see Sanchez Vs. Florian again soon.

Most thought that The Ultimate Fighter reality show would not be as big as it is and would not generate as much lasting talent as it has. The Ultimate Fighter has spawned some of the most talented fighters in the UFC and WEC. Although I’m sure there are many talented fighters still out there waiting for their “moment” in the big time promotions, TUF has done well to showcase many that deserve their time in the octagon.

According to MMAWeekly, Dana White confirmed that Sanchez and Stevenson will be the headliners for UFC 95 at the post fight press conference at UFC 92.

Post from: EveryJoe

Diego Sanchez Vs. Joe Stevenson At UFC 95

 

UFC has announced the the welterweight co-main event fight between Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson at UFC 91 will be for the No. 1 contender fight foe BJ Penn’s lightweight championship.

The winner of the fight will be guaranteed a shot at Penn’s title after the Penn Vs. St Pierre welterweight championship fight at UFC 94.

Flooian goes in to this match with a victory over Roger Huerta at UFC 87 by unanimous decision. Before this fight happened Dana White said the winner of that bout would most likely get a title shot. However after Florian’s win B.J. Penn was scheduled for a fight for the welterweight title against GSP and Florian was scheduled to fight Stevenson who lost to Penn by submission early this year.

Read more about this at MMAJunkie

Image source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Co-Main Event Fight At UFC 91 To Be A Lightweight No. 1 Contender Fight

Other fights confirmed for the even are Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory and Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson

Image used with permission from Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

UFC 91 Tickets Go On Sale Saturday September 20th