UFC 127 Penn vs Fitch

UFC 127 Penn vs Fitch

Watching the UFC 127 right now.  Updates and thoughts after the fights.  Sorry for the past 2 weeks of lack of updates of the MMA world.  Updates will be posted up soon.

PS.

If anyone is looking for a stream to watch UFC 127 and doesnt already have one.  Dont miss it UFC 127 go check it out!!!!!

Streaming Links

sportshunter.tv  (link 1 works)
atdhenet.tv

Donaire V Montiel Recap

Wow. After the Timothy Bradley v Devon Alexander debacle many inside the boxing circles were worried for another letdown when Nonito Donaire faced Fernando Montiel in a bantamweight superfight.

The Filipino Flash made sure that we did not have to sit through a boring fight as he landed a left hook that will surely be the runner up to the Martinez Williams KO as knockout of the year.

Nonito looked faster in every aspect, more poised, and had no problems with Montiel's power. People will be eager to place Donaire in the upper echelon of p4p lists after this fight. While I think that he deserves to be placed in the top 4 (you can see that change reflected on our P4P list) I don't know if he has the win totals and the number of quality opponents that the top 3 have. It will be interesting moving forward to see the fights looming at Super Bantamweight for Nonito.

When the first knockdown occurred I was sure that Montiel would not make the count. Even after the miraculous beating of the 10 count I feel the referee Russell Mora erred in letting it continue. When he requested Montiel to step forward he should have seen that Montiel was not responsive in any way. I think Mora is lucky that Montiel didn't get hurt further.

In the undercard, Mike Jones showed that he would have won the first fight easily against Soto Karass had he not decided to go crazy in the 2nd round of the first fight. It was clearly a tactical error in which he thought the opponent was much more hurt than he actually was, he didn't train hard enough, and he thought the ref was going to stop it.

This second fight was a great venue for Mike Jones to grow up. He showed his good hand speed, the ability to stay in the pocket and in control. The headbutts that opened up Soto Karass were as nasty as could be, but Jesus was game and kept coming forward. There are large fights also coming up for Mike Jones if he and his camp wants to pursue them. More than likely, he will take on a few more easy fights before cashing in.

Other random thoughts.

Can someone please let me know how the state of Nevada can allow Erik Morales V Marcos Maidana. Morales is going to get seriously hurt... I'll say it right now... KO6.

MMA thought.. Wow. Fedor. Only in the fight game can someone fall so fast.

Get ready for Rios V Acosta on the 26th Showtime! Watch it, stream it, do something. It will be a good action fight probably with Rios coming out on top! Showimte 10ET/PT (tape delayed for us west coasters)

I hope Donaire keeps winning. It's refreshing having a Filipino fighter who speaks English so well!

Donaire V Montiel

Who isn't excited for this matchup this weekend. Both fighters are coming off of big win streaks. Both fighters are in everyone's p4p list.

Yes, most average fans know little of the bantamweight division, but we are looking at the top two fighters by any comparison. They also have a lot in common. They both were brought into the boxing game from their fathers. Both are boxer punchers. Both have never been stopped. Both have stopped 9 of their last 11.

Donaire won the IBF belt by knocking out Vic Darchinyan in 2007. He is the clear #2 to Pacman in the islands and will be looking to step out of the superstar's shadow this weekend. He is 28, young and hungry. His speed and explosiveness have aided him and masked the small weakness he has in the defensive game. His jab will be a large question mark in the fight. Lately he has used it amazingly, it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up with a pressure action power puncher like Montiel.

A 31 year old Mexican fighter in Montiel will be using all of his power shots in this fight. He will be a little weight drained (he has said he will move up after this fight). However, he has the clear edge in power especially in his left hand. He is looking to be the first Mexican to win titles in 4 weight divisions. This future hall of famer is also trying to step out of the shadows of his countries greatest fighters.


While the oddsmakers has it a 2-1 fight in the favor of the Filipino, I think it will be a LOT closer than that. Donaire will be tested a few times, and Montiel is not going to quit even when out sped in hand and feet departments. If Donaire wants to win it will have to be from out boxing Montiel.

Donaire W12 in a very very entertaining fight!

ESPN Friday Night Fights Mora vs Vera 2/4/11 Recap

Charles Hatley vs Chris Chatman

Thie first televised fight of the night was Charles Hatley vs Chris Chatman.  First thing you notice about Chatman is that he drops his right hand a lot especially when he his throwing a straight left to the body.  Trying to do defend an early Hatley flurry with philly shell like defense he ends being caught with a double left hook straight right hand combination.  Hatley does a good job of trying to finish with a huge left hook and right hand but Chatman as tough as he is, is able to survive round 1.

Good fight in the 2^nd round both trading on the inside.  Chatman pushes forward, not giving himself space to punch or land combinations, but is aggressive using his body to smother the longer Chatman.

Round 3 Chatman still very aggressive keeps Hatley off balance by making him miss and pushing forward.  When Chatman stands on the outside it is very dangerous because Hatley fires off great shots when in his range.  Hatley missing a lot over the top when Chatman is close ducking close near the belt line.  Wonder why he doesn’t use the upper cut more, maybe because the over hand hook counters but definitely is something he should be using more since Chatman is ducking his head so much and not always countering back with anything.

Round 4 Hatley has been trying to catch Chatman while coming in but while back pedaling a lot of his power is gone, but still landing some nice left hooks, right hands here and there.  Chatman does a good job when pushing Hatley against the ropes while throwing combinations on the inside, but when he only uses upper body movement and not his feet to move around he is susceptible to Hatley’s arsenal and is in danger of getting dropped or rocked anytime.

Round 5 throughout the fight when Hatley misses and is off balance and or doesn’t bring his gloves back to his face after throwing, Chatman is not there to counter or make him pay for him miss/being off balance.  Hatley is still not using his uppercut to counter Chatman’s low head movement, but instead just keeps firing off shots missing over the top of Chatmans head.  He is still having trouble establishing his jab rarely you can see him throw a double jab, he uses his jab more to find his opponent to try and land a straight right.

Round 6 Hatley uses his footwork more and keeps on the outside not letting Chatman bully his way inside as frequently.

Round 7 Hatley still using a lot of footwork trying to pick Chatman apart on the outside and tries to catch Chatman coming in and doing it well.

Round 8 A straight left lands after a right hook inbetween Hatley’s gloves and knocks him down.  After getting up Hatley is still feeling the effects of the punch as Chatman aggressively tries to finish he fight.  The fight ends with Hatley in danger and keeps fans wondering if it was a 10 round fight maybe Chatman could have finished the fight.

Majority Draw, Judges score it (73-77)(75-75)(75-75)

Ray Ximenez Jr. vs Alfredo Berto

Round 1 Ximenez jr, looking good with great hands speed and nice combinations.  With a right uppercut left hook hurting Berto starts the onslaught as Ray lands at will with combinations of all sorts.  The ref could step in anytime but lets it go as Ray doesn’t get over confident and doesn’t over extend himself to finish he keeps his range and keeps picking Berto apart.

Round 2 Berto is way over matched but is showing heart, though eating shots almost every combination Ximenez is throwing he stays in there getting caught more on the side of his head than straight in the face.

Round 3 Ray does more of the same, keeping the fight in his range, fighting when he wants to engage and never gets over extended and confident.  Ray switches from orthodox to southpaw near the end of the round showing his versatility.

Round 4   More of the same, but for the difference in skill level in the match I really expected Ray Ximenez to turn it up and finish it, surprising the fight went to a decision. 

Unanimous decision for Ray Ximenez Jr., all 3 judges (40-36)

Sergio Mora vs Bryan Vera

Round 1 Mora hasn’t found his jab in this round.  Vera aggressive coming in with his double jab and right hand after pushing Mora back, though unable to land.  Vera catches Mora with a left hook the most significant shot of the round as Mora nods to acknowledge he got caught but shows no sign of damage as he comes back with a flurry of his own to end the round

.

Round 2 Vera is aggressive coming forward; Mora tries to out slick his opponent against the ropes and back pedaling, but is unable to dodge everything.  Vera landing some nice combinations and landing while Mora is leaning back.  Vera is landing more and outworking Mora while Mora is more on the defense but still landing with nice countering left hooks.

Round 3 Mora staying slick, but is caught with some shots against the ropes, the body head left hook combination from Vera is working and has landed multiple times in this fight so far.  Mora mixing it up out boxing and closing the distance gives Vera a hard time finding Mora in this round.

Round 4 Mora making Vera miss but hasn’t done much to capitalize.  Switching from southpaw and orthodox keeps Vera guessing and opens up Mora’s straight left from the southpaw stance.  Mora being more aggressive this round ends up in clinches for his efforts.  Vera lands a left that’s the most significant punch in the round, but Mora still is the more aggressive fighter in this round having Vera back pedal more than he has in any other round.

Round 5 Vera catches Mora with a left hook while pivoting to the right catches Mora off guard, but is unfazed by the punch.  Both men trying to find their rhythm as they exchange and work on the inside.

Round 6 Mora is landing the cleaner punches countering effectively on the inside but when caught against the ropes it is harder for Mora to dodge Vera’s combinations.  Vera lands a big right hand while Mora is laying against the ropes.

Round 7 Mora does good work on the outside but gets into a defensive mode again letting Vera get off when he lays against the ropes.  Mora tries to work with his back against the ropes for the majority of the round, both men landing inside shots, nothing significant.

Round 8 Vera is pushing forward with aggression Mora lands a few shots when he comes in but not much.

Round 9 Mora has success countering moving backwards, and more in this round.  Vera’s assault and aggression is subdued by Mora’s good body work.

Round 10 Mora seems to have more energy as he lands some shots on the outside while making Vera miss.  Mora pushes the pace and working more than Vera in this round.  Though Vera is pushing forward he is getting caught with Mora left hooks on the inside. 

Split decision for Bryan Vera, Judges (94-96)(94-96)(96-94)

ATDHE.net down!

This may not be a MMA or Boxing issue exclusively. However, ATDHE.net has recently been seized by the ICE.

This site has been a favorite for many to watch the many MMA and boxing telecasts not available in their area. ICE has been shutting down streaming sites and torrent sites in a dramatic show of power against pirates.

What they may not know is that ATDHE didn't truly host any of these video sites instead it was just a linking website.

ATDHE, as illegal as it may be, was expanding the base of fight sport viewership. If boxing follows UFC's model using Spike TV to show fights for free, I expect a viewership and interest spike as well.

Still there are streaming sites out there and I am sure some other site will step in where ATDHE was and take it to even a higher level (HD streaming???).

Strikeforce Diaz vs Cyborg Recap

Nick Diaz vs Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos

Both fighters came in the fight trying to find their range, but Cyborg was able to find a home for his leg kick early in round 1 giving some problems for Nick because Nick’s distance is usually closer to the opponent enabling him to land at will with his boxing.  Cyborg continues using the right leg kick throughtout the 1^st round.  Nick tags Cyborg through out the fight with combinations of straights and hook, without commiting 100% to any punch it lets his hands fly faster, doing so, he is able to overwhelm his opponents with multiple punches.  Each shot may not have knockout written on it but if you don’t dodge it, it will do damage.  Cyborg doesn’t use his distance well, when Diaz walks in he can’t land clean because he doesn’t have space to throw, he doesn’t use his feet.  His conditioning is questionable unable to keep what was working for him in the first round, the right leg kick to Nick’s lead leg.  He throws a lot of hooks and winging punches, though Nick takes a few he can see most of them coming and only getting caught here and there.  Nick straighter punches keep Cyborg moving back, the pressure of a taller fighter coming towards you is hard to train for.  The only time you see Nick back up in this fight was when Cyborg was using his leg kicks.  Only landing a big uppercut and a few hooks, Cyborg was getting gassed, unable to handle Nick’s stand up and decided to take Nick down.  Cybrog being gassed and Nick slap on a tight arm bar and finish the fight.  Nick Diaz improves his record to (24-7) with a 9 fight win streak.

Robbie Lawyer vs Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Round 1 both fighters get their jitters out with movement on their feet, all that ends with a Souza takedown and easily works in to side control.  Souza, being a top BJJ practitioner, shows the difference skill levels on the ground with great ground control and always threatening with submissions.  Lawler does a great job of scrambling to his feet from side control using hand control to get out of any threats of head choke when scrambling.  They both trade punches as Souza back petals he is caught with a lead left knee by Lawler and starts doing the chicken dance while moving back as he is caught with another huge right hook.  Robbie spends time in Souza’s guard but is unable to put on any offense in passing or strikes.  Lack of action referee John McCarthy stands them up.  Robbie lands a big right liver kick and both fighters throw a flurry ending the round with a takedown attempt by Jacare.

Round 2 Jacare gets a takedown and gets side control and peppers Robbie with strikers trying to set up to mount or a submission.  Robbie is unable to maintain guard on the ground letting Jacare move back to side control quickly after a scramble.  With a leg bar attempt Souza chains an armbar attempt when Robbie tries to escape, and tries to slap on another armbar attempt but Robbie shows his own BJJ IQ by jumping over Jacare relieving the danger of another armbar.

Round 3 Souza starts his attack his a thai clinch landing some knees partially blocked by Lawlers arms as Lawler tries to counter with punches inside the muay thai plum.  The clinch ends up against the fense and Souza is able to take Robbie down again.  Robbie tries to get up giving Souza his back and Souza quickly does a wrestling “suck back” pulls Robbie quickly to the ground and Jacare quickly circles to Robbies back slaps on a body triangle and finishes the fight with a rear naked choke.  Ronaldo Souza ups his record to (14-2).

Herschel Walker vs Scott Carson

Round 1 Herschel Walker takes the center of the ring, Carson throws a right high kick that clips Walker but walker is unfazed and instead pumped up by the kick as he puts his hands down and yells at Carson.  They trade right hands both missing but Walker follows this up with a left hook, right hook combination, the left knocking Carson down.  Herschel follows him to the ground controlling him in the guard and from the back position hammering away.  Carson tries to escape by rolling to his guard and get up using the fence but is caught by a left hook by Walker and ends the fight.  Hershel Walker improves to (2-0) with 2 Tkos.

Roger Gracie vs Trevor Prangley

Round 1 Both fighters were slow to get started on their feet, both trying to find their range no one committing with any combinations or one punch.  Gracie being the taller fighter tries to establish his jab but ends up landing a few knees in the clinch pushing Prangley against the fence.  As they clinch again Gracie gets a front trip takedown.  Prangley stuck against the fence after the takedown was unable to use his legs to get into a good guard giving Gracie a full mount.  Gracie slowly works to get better position cross facing Prangley, as Prangley feels the danger he rolls to escape giving Gracie his back.  Gracie slaps on a body triangle and works to end the fight with a rear naked choke.  Gracie adds another submission win improving his record to (4-0) with 4 submissions.