Televised Fight Number 7 Main Event: Joe Lauzon vs Kenny Florian
Kenny Florian cut Joe Louzon on the back of the head with an elbow with Joe in his gaurd. This is a bad foul and an even worse cut. This sucks. Herb Dean stood the fighters back up. Kenny has passed Joe’s gaurd and is working and elbow. Joe proves to be too strong for Kenny and has taken him back to the feet and then slammed him again. Joe’s got side control and is working hard. This first round is going to go to Joe if Kenny doesn’t do something big. Joe almost ended the fight with a ankle lock. Kenny’s ankles must be made of rubber cuz he wasn’t tapping to either of Joe’s nasty ankle locks.
Kenny Florian wins by Joe Louzan falling asleep as Florian played pattie cake on his hands. Herb Dean stopped the fight but in reality Joe Louzan was taking no punishment, but couldn’t get Florian off of him. I’d like to see Kenny Florian put on 20 pounds and step up a weight class. He could actually finish a fight in this position. I predicted it, but really wanted to see Joe win.
Televised Fight Number 6: Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar
Gray and Frankie just made it through round one on their feet. Both fighters are working a technical standup game and both fighters are looking strong. Round one is a toss up, Frankie has a cut/mouse under his right eye that will probably sway the judges to give round 1 to Gray.
Round 2 looks good for Maynard. Gray is dominating. Edgar has some great elbows and doesn’t look phased or impressed by Maynard so far. Both fighters looking active on their feet. Gray has started to let Edgar come to him. Frankie is really starting to push the action and it just might be enough to win this round. Edgar scores a takedown but Gray’s defense proved too much and quickly got back to his feet. If Gray’s standup had been this good while on the Ultimate fighter tv show he wouldn’t have lost. As round 2 ends I call it a draw.
Both fighters need to do something big in the third round to change the judges minds about the previous two. The round starts well for Gray. I’m impressed with Frankie’s chin. Gray landed some shots and Frankie didn’t even bat an eye. Gray has dominated the first half of the round. Frankie needs to do something quick to win. Just under two minutes remaining.
This fight is going to the score cards. The judges have it for Gray Maynard by unanimous decision. All three judges gave him all three rounds. This is Frankie’s first lost and won’t be his last trip to the octagon. He’ll be back.
Televised Fight Number 5: Tommy Speer and Anthony Johnson
I’ve never seen Johnson fight, but have really enjoyed watching Speer. Both fighters look in shape. Wow, Tommy Speer just took a freakin beating. Johnson is a bad ass striker. Anthony Johnson will be a future title contender. Tommy Speer was brutally knocked out by a series of hands and knees.
I’m impressed Speer could take that many shots. The last time I saw someone get beat that bad in the octagon was when Anderson Silva tore apart Chris Leben. This fight looked eerily similar.
Televised Fight Number 4: Karo Parisyan and Thiago Alves
Thiago wins by a controversial stoppage again by Steve Mazzagati. Steve is going to get a phone call from Dana when this is over. Thiago landed a nice series of punches putting Karo on his ass. Karo was rightfully pissed off at the stopage but probably would have received a worse beating had Steve let it go on. This had better be my only miss of the night.
Televised Fight Number 3: Matt Hamill and Tim Boetsch
The referee Adam Martinez looks terrified to be in there. He is outweighed by atleast forty pounds by each fighter. Hamill quickly took Boetsch down. Let’s see what he can do from the ground. Boetsch threw some serious knees in the first round and cut Hamill’s lip wide open.
Round 2 Boetsch is in serious trouble. Matt Hamill wins by TKO and some ground n pound. Boetsch had such a great first round but didn’t have the wind to finish the fight. Hamill rained punches down. I predicted Hamill would win but thought it would come from a submission, not a serious of Hammers.
Televised Fight Number 2: Nate Diaz and Kurt Pelligrino
Nate Diaz is in bad shape. Pelligrino took control from the first seconds of the fight. Nate needs to survive round 1 and get off to a better start in round 2. Nate Diaz is bloody after a some bad shots to the face on the ground.
Nate survived round 1 and actually showed some offense towards the end. Pellegrino really did some damage while in Nate’s side gaurd. I’m impressed with Diaz for stickin around. Nate needs to have a good second round for this to go his way.
Nate wins by a vicious triangle choke. Nate attempted a leg sweep and Pelligrino ended up on top, then he got sorta slammed and pulled Pelligrino into his guard. Nate knew the fight was over before Pelligrino could tap.
Televised Fight Number 1: Houston Alexander and James Irvin
James Irvin just knocked out Houston Alexander with a badass superman punch. Then Alexander had the balls to say in front of everyone that he didn’t feel it and that his kids have hit him harder than that. When you get knocked out you don’t remember what happens. Even when Joe Rogan shows him the replay he denies being knocked out. Reminds me of when Gray Meynard knocked himself and got the draw.
The controversial stop by Steve is obviously going to be questioned by Houston’s fans, but from an objective “I don’t really care much about these too fighters” I would agree with Steve’s stoppage. Alexander couldn’t defend himself. If Irvin keeps pounding him and doesn’t stop Alexander goes to sleep for much longer.
(updates of the fights are coming as the fight happens)
UFC Fight Night predictions: 3 correct 1 wrong (controversial stoppage of Karo)
