I'm gonna be lazy and skip out the pre lims that I'm not overly interested in but this should be good. I know the results in advance so no prediction record on the line but I've been looking forward to this for ages!
Middleweight Bout
Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1) vs. Alan Belcher (13-4)
Round One: Belcher looks to work the leg kicks from the get go but can't land. Akiyama misses a lightening roundhouse kick. Belcher fights on the outside intially before getting aggresive and coming with a body kick. Belcher switches stance. Belcher catches Akiyama with a brutal brutal brutal low blow that knocks Yoshihiro off his feet and he crawls to his corner, the replays of that are just horrible, you can really feel it. Belcher is aggresive and loose but can't connect. Belcher hits a lovely counter right but Akiyama replies with a nicely little flurry. Belcher returns to working the leg kick, Akiyama is being very ellusive. Belcher catches Akiyama plum with a left hook and Akiyama goes down but pops right back up and escapes the clinch. Looked like Akiyama was cuaght off balance rather than properly knocked down. Akiyama hits a nice head kick right hand combo. Akiyama hits a superman punch and then both men throw some bombs, great exchange. Belcher has a kick coutnered adn he gets taken down but Belcher uses the Armu-plata to defend himself well.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Akiyama that was so close and very entertaining but I give Akiyama the edge for being more controlled but of course Belcher was more aggresive if I could score it a tie I would.
Round Two: Akiyama catches another kicka dn gets a lovely takedown but Belcher does a lovely sweep and goes for a leg lock but Akiyama counters and gets side control. Superb mat exchange. Belcher gets back to full guard. Wow this is such an evenly matched fight. Akiyama fakes and then hits a nice straight punch from guard. Akiyama's ground and pound is pretty weak and the fight has lulled. Akiyama tries to pass but Belcher attempts another sweep and gets to his feet. Akiyama hits a straight right and alovely uppercut. Belcher misses a wild head kick, but connects with a hard leg kick. Belcher's leg kicks are really starting to have a noticable effect. There's alot of swinging and missing going on. Both men have there hands down and look cocky. Belcher lands a hard straight right but Akiyama shakes it off and Belcher follows it with a big leg kick, three of them.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Belcher he really stepped it up in that round with some superb ground defence negating Akiyama's takedown. Belcher's leg kicks have been devistating but Akiyama is showing he has a good chin
Round Three: Belcher is going all out for the leg now, and Akiyama is moving very slowly, showing his age. Akiyama blocks a head kick, in the first round he'd of stepped away from that. Akiyama unloads with a nice inside flurry to show he's still alive. Akiyama catches another kick and responds with some nice jabs. Belcher lands a nice counter right, Akiyama's eye has closed up, the commentators suspect it was an eye poke. Belcher hits another hard leg kick. Akiyama hits a nice spinning back kick. Akiyama beautifully dodges a roundhouse and hits a counter right hand. Akiyama counters a kick with a straight right hand, both men exchange rights and lefts. Belcher hits the leg kick but Akiyama floors him with a straight right hand, Belcher does this INSANE headstand flip to get up and they touch gloves. Belcher hits a superman punch OFF THE CAGE!!! But Akiyama takes it and replies. Akiyama dodges a spinning back fist and hits a lovely judo throw and gets side control but Belcher powers up. Belcher swings wildly and Akiyama finishes the round with some great shots.
My Scorecard: 29-28 Belcher that is incredibly tight and could be a split decision but Belcher did so much damage it would be hard not to give the round to Belcher despite Akiyama's good counter punch knockdown and takedown.
Judges Scorecard: 30-27 Akiyama, 29-28 Belcher .... 29-28 Akiyama...Akiyama wins by Split Decision!
Well that was a suprising scorecard result, the commentators made a big deal out of it being a robbery but that's unfair Akiyama counter fought brilliantly and got two takedowns and a knockdown. Actually Belcher was cocky and spent too much time playing to the crowd and not putting the fight away or making sure of victory. Regardless it's a good fight and both guys deserved the win, lots of action only a slight lull, good harding hitting action, good counter punching and a could of insane moments especially that Superman punch off the cage by Belcher. Great Opener. (C+)
Middleweight Bout
The Coaches Showdown
Michael Bisping (18-1) vs. Dan Henderson (24-7)
Pre Fight: These guys hated each other and the way Bisping got under Henderson's cool calm laid back skin on the Ultimate Fighter was hilarious leading to a highly anticipated fights of recent memory. Not the two best fighters in the world Henderson is old (but good), and Bisping is well Bisping, overated but capable. Neither man has been TKOed
Round One: Bisping is circling to the right as always, Bisping is using nice footwork to avoid some huge right hands from Henderson. Bisping gets rocked by the huge right hand and Henderson tries to finish him against the cage but Bisping fights out nicely. A big right rocks Bisping again, but yet again Bisping survives. Bisping throws a high kick but doesn't connect he's connecting with some nice counter punches. Bisping dodges another huge right and counter punches. Bisping misses a counter upper cut, Bisping hits a punch kick combo. Bisping throws an over hand right but Henderson takes Bisping to the cage with some knees to the body. Bisping fails miserably with a take down and gets caught with another nice right.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson Bisping did some nice counter punching but he keeps circling into the big right of Henderson like he does in every fight, it's just ridiculous and negates his great foot work. Bisping's corner are going mental telling him not to walk into the right hand.
Round Two: Henderson is trying to set up the right hand still, and Bisping is still doing some nice counter punching, but he's only barely dodging some huge shots. Henderson lands a huge right hand and a big left follows, god how many times do I have to type that. Bisping walks into a nice jab. Henderson misses another huge right and gets off balance but is safe. Bisping gets a nice little jab but is grazed with a big right. Bisping walks right into a HUG-FUCKING-MUNGOUS RIGHT HAND AND BISPING IS OUT COLD!!!! Dan throws a scary punch when the guy is clearly out cold christ. Dan Henderson wins by Knock Out.
Wow what a brutal knock out, and that was literally a knock out he was out cold and still is ouch. That second shot was really uncalled for and pretty scary. All credit to Henderson he was in great shape but Bisping was just stubborn and stupid. He kept circling into Henderson's power side, even though his coach was incredibly vocal and warned him. It was really a blessing to get to the end of the round for Bisping but he wasted his oppurtunity to sort out his sort comings. Henderson in the post match interview said that he studied tape and saw the Bisping circles into the right hand in every single fight, he though Bisping would change it up but of course he didn't. Henderson deserves a title shot against Silva, he will lose but as a veteran in great shape he's earn it. That was a real reality check for Bisping, he's a great personality and has some good natural skills but he'll need to rededicate himself. Fight wise, this was an incredibly brutal knock out to end a grudge match. (C+)
UFC Welterweight Championship Match
Thiago Alves (22-4) vs. Goerges St-Pierre (18-2)
Round One: Huge chants for "GSP" from the off. GSP stays away from Alves's hands and then gets a takedown, Alves tries to get up but gets takedown down again. Alves gets to his feet but gets take down again. GSP takes his back but Alves rolls over and escapes brilliantly. Alves gets a hook and a leg kick but GSP's movement is very good and GSP gets a nice combo as the crowd chant "Olay, Olay, Olay". Alves tries to press forward adn unlaod but gets taken down hard again.
My Scorecard: 10-9 GSP he's dominating, but its not dull great take downs and clever counter punches.
Round Two: GSP gets a leg kick and then a monsterous takedown again. GSP control is amazing but to be fair to Alves he's working well on his back and defending well getting to guard. Alves is bleeding heavily from the nose and GSP is pounding the hell out of it with elbows. GSP tries to pass guard but Alves is defending very well but GSP just Tees off when he can't pass guard fully. Alves spins to his feet superbly but he gets pinned up against the fench, wow his is dominant.
My Scorecard: 10-9 GSP utterly dominant, Alves is defending superbly and working well, he's showing he's no joke and deserves to be in there. I've finished eating now so I should be able to type more
Round Three: Alves comes out swinging with big shots but GSP is counter punching well, GSP walked into a hook but recovers well. Alves manages to stuff a takedown (finally it only took him two rounds). GSP dodges Alves offence superbly and GSP counters with another brilliant takedown, wow GSP is putting on an absolute clinic. Alves escapes to his feet nicely again. They battle with some inside work neither guy really getting the better of it. Alves hits a leg kick, GSP is keeping Alves on the end of his jab. GSP knocks Alves down with a left hand and dives into the mount throwing elbow after elbow but Alves recovers and shows some impressive toughness.
My Scorecard: 10-9 GSP another excellent round from GSP more great takedowns, Alves looked better and pressed well but then GSP got a knock down out of nowhere, I feel bad for Alves he's being made to look alot worse than he actually is.
Round Four: Guess what? GSP starts the round with another huge takedown, seriously this is insane and he passes into mount. Full credit to Alves he's defending himself well and scrambling incredibly well avoiding everything GSP tries. GSP misses an arm triangle and allows Alves to get a mount! Way to go Alves! GSP's butterfy guard is good and Alves tries to drop bombs but isn't having much success. GSP escapes to his feet superbly after being trapped on his back and of course he took virtually no damage. Alves goes for the big uppercut but can't hit anything. Alves goes for a leg kick and GSP gets another friggin takedown, he's countering the leg kicks now. They go to sprawl and GSP gets teh back and goes for the rear naked choke but Alves defends himself well as the round comes to an end.
My Scorecard: 10-9 GSP all day, Alves got the mount and all credit to him that was much closer but GSP is learning to counter everything not just little bits and bobs now.
Round Five: Poor Alves his famously leg kicks have now been totally taken away as GSP gets another brilliant takedown. Alves gets up to his feet. GSP is just dancing around Alves it looks like Alves has the takedown stuffed but GSP absolutely EXPLODES and gets another mental takedown! Alves powers his way up to his feet again major kudos to this guy. GSP counter a hook into a takedown this time and that's takedown number 9!!! GSP is in half guard and he looks like he's going to ride out the round.
My Scorecard: 50-45 GSP no contest.
GSP wins by Unanimous Decision. One judge had it 50-44.
Wow GSP is the best pound for pound fighter, Alves is a good fighter, but GSP showed that he is undisputedly great and what makes this fight even more amazing is that GSP pulled his groin in the third round but still dominated the final two. His timing was remarkable, his stand up was great and his take downs were from another friggin planet. Alves was a good fighter, he showed heart, great defence and couldn't be put away but GSP is just so much better. Unlike Anderson Silva, GSP fought cautiously and just did enough, but GSP actually mixed it up and showed legitimate dominance and still had an exciting fight. GSP was very humble post fight. Good fight too one sided obviously some awesome takedowns. (C-)
The Main Event
UFC Heavyweight Championship
Frank Mir (12-3) vs. Brock Lesnar (4-1)
Pre Fight: The hype is superb Frank Mir comes accross like a total prick, but Lesnar to be fair can be a great to. "This guys got a horse shoe up his arse, and I'm going to take it out and beat him over the head with it" great line Lesnar. Mir says Lesnar punches like his little sister. Both men have great and perfectly suited entrance music.
Round One: Lesnar doesn't touch gloves and turns his back on Mir, Lesnar is so friggin cool! Mir's left leg is incredibly taped. Lesnar tees off and gets a takedown and grabs Mir by the throat in half guard. Lesnar cuts Mir's nose with a elbow to the face and the crowd boo as Lesnar hits some punches. Lesnar punches Mir in the face hard, Lesnar continues to punch Mir hard in the face as he has him pinned down. Lesnar is just teeing off kind of from a headlock and now Mir realizes he has to go. Mir's face is bloody and bruised. Lesnar pounds the body and then the face again. Lesnar has a next crank and he's just pounding Mir. Mir gets some distance but Brock just puts him down hard and gets a hammer fist. Mir tries to escape but gets a hammerfist for his troubles.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Lesnar Mir is just getting pounded from what should be a good position, he's being to one dimensional, Brock just laid on top of him for five minutes and pounded his face hard.
Round Two: Lesnar dodges Mir's offence and he counters a knee with a takedown but lets Mir up. Mir hits a nice hook and a knee and then a flying knee but this time Brock won't let him up. Brock lays ontop of Mir and pounds the hell out of Mir with power shots adn the referee has to stop it. Mir has been knocked out. Mir is a bloody mess. The replay shows that Lesnar killed Mir. Brock Lesnar wins by TKO.
Lesnar gets in Mir's face and says "talk all the shit you want now", the crowd boo and Lesnar gives the crowd the finger what a dude. Lesnar then starts going nuts and growling into the cage. Lesnare makes some funny facial expressions and tells the crowd he loves the boos. Lesnar said he beat him over the head with the Horseshoe and the shouts "Wooooooooooh!". "I'm gonna go home tonight and drink a Corrs Light, that's a Corrs Light, because Bud Light (the show's sponsor) won't pay me nothing, hell I might even get on top of the wife tonight". What a dude.
Mir was just pathetic there, Lesnar was too big, too tough and too strong. Mir was in his half guard adn just pounded the holy hell out Mir. Mir looked decent for about two seconds, he had a horrible game plan and got completely owned. Lesnar's post match was excellent. Lesnar was gold after the fight. The fight it self wasn't amazing as it was Basically Brock laying ontop and pounding the crap out of Mir. The grudge match element and Lesnar's personality makes this a must see. (C-)
Overall Thoughts: No real classic fights on this show, but some really good, intense grudge matches. This was good solid action, with one awesome knock out, and great importance and some great grudge matches. Not a classic but it deliverd the big matches. (7.5/10)
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