Join 411’s LIVE UFC 84 Coverage!
Posted by Randy Harrison on 05.24.2008
All of the action, as it happens!
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WE HAVE A GLADIATOR!! The usual black-and-white fighter videos are rolling and the smack-talking is on! Lyoto Machida says he's ready for the fight, while Tito says that he's not looking for a quick ending, he wants to hurt him. Wanderlei Silva says that he fights with his heart, while Keith Jardine says that if he beats Wanderlei, he can't be denied his place in UFC history. BJ Penn says that he's going to try to hurt Sean Sherk badly with every punch because he's a cheater, while Sherk says that he's going to get right in BJ's face and make this a fight!
Mike Goldberg welcomes us LIVE to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV for UFC 84: Ill Will! Goldie calls this the most anticipated lightweight match-up in UFC history and runs down the entire backstory of Sherk vs. Penn in about a minute or so. Joe Rogan joins the party and says that this fight is Champion vs. Champion before talking about how motivated BJ Penn is and how he looks the best that he has in his career. Talk turns to Sherk and how he's on a roll, he has cardio and how he wants nothing more than to shut BJ's mouth. The talk moves to the showdown at 205 between Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine. Joe talks about how underrated Jardine is, but that Silva is an animal with a wild style that has earned him a TON of fans, before calling it a phenomenal match-up. They give a little quick-hit treatment to the Lyoto Machida/Tito Ortiz fight as well and even mention that this it Tito's last fight in the UFC.
Match One: Light Heavyweights
Thiago Silva (12-0) vs. Antonio Mendes (14-2)
Pre-fight video talks about how aggressive both fighters are and Silva says that every fight is a war and he's ready to win. Mendes says that it's easy to talk before a fight and that once his flying knee hits Silva's face, the talking will be over. Mendes congratulates Thiago for being undefeated but says that he's never faced a fighter like him and that he's going to get his first loss. Silva says that he's VERY proud of never being beaten and that he's going to leave the Ocatgon the same way he enters it, which is undefeated. David Spade in the crowd, looking like he's been beaten with a bag of ugly, mugs for the camera before the introductions.
Round One
Herb Dean is your referee for this fight. They circle to start and Mendes gets a high kick that Silva blocks but he STILL goes down. Mendes gets a bunch of knees inside and puts Silva down again and they end up in Silva's guard for a moment before the fight ends up back on the feet and in the clinch against the fence. Knees to the legs from Silva and Mendes tries for a judo throw and slips, ending up on his back, with Silva passing the guard to mount up against the fence. Silva holds Mendes down and lands a good right hand before transitioning from side control back to full mount. HARD elbow from Silva as Mendes covers up and turtles, taking a ton of punches and that's IT!! Herb Dean steps in to stop the fight and save Mendes from any more punishment.
Winner: Thiago Silva, TKO at 2:24 of Round One
Silva and his interpreter get some face time with Joe in the Octagon and he asks how badly Silva was hurt by the kick that started the fight. Silva says that it really did hurt and that it was surprising how strong Mendes was. He feels like this win moves him up the ladder and whatever the UFC wants him to do and whoever they want him to fight, he'll fight.
The UFC text poll for who will win the main event has BJ Penn getting 65% of the votes so far. We also get to see Urijah Faber in the crowd as Goldie gives a plug to the WEC show coming up next Sunday night.
Inside BJ Penn's locker room and he's looking REALLY calm, laying on the floor and relaxing. We head over to Sean Sherk's locker room and he looks like he's focused heavily on the task at hand, almost seeming trance-like.
Match Two: Light Heavyweights
Tito Ortiz (15-5-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0)
Machida talks about how his father always said that he had samurai blood and that he must fight. Ortiz says that he's given everything to fighting and that this is his most important fight ever. Machida says that he's adapated his karate for MMA and that his style is completely different, while Ortiz thinks his stand-up is better. Ortiz says that he hopes Machida thinks he's soft because he wants to beat people up like he used to. He discredits Machida's jiu-jitsu, saying that jiu-jitsu goes out the window when you get punched in the face and your face is all split up and cut up. Tito makes his entrance and looks very emotional coming down the aisle, stopping to slap fives with a few fans as he makes his way down to the Public Enemy song "Fight The Power". He gets a huge ovation once he finally makes his way into the Octagon. Machida's entrance is much more low-key and he looks incredibly intense, shutting out the boos that are coming from Ortiz's large and vocal fan base. We have an Anotonio Rodrigo Nogueira sighting in Machida's corner, while Ricco Rodriguez is in Tito's corner.
Round One
Referee Yves Lavigne gets us underway and they touch gloves and circle a little with Machida firing out a good mid-kick as a huge "Tito" chant breaks out. Leg kick from Machida and Ortiz tries one of his own, missing and then having to avoid a high kick attempt from Machida. Ortiz tries to cut off Machida, but Machida does well to avoid, landing a leg kick and then stuffing an Ortiz takedown attempt. Ortiz comes forward with a combination and misses both punches before Machida shrugs off another takedown attempt. Another leg kick lands for Machida and they move to a clinch with Machida shrugging Ortiz off again. Ortiz tries to push forward again but Machida just sidesteps and pushes Ortiz away from another clinch. Another leg kick lands for Machida and they continue to circle with Ortiz missing a haymaker to the body. Ortiz throws a high kick that misses and Machida follows with a combination that's blocked by Ortiz. Ortiz moves in and Machida tries to land a counter right hand but it catches Ortiz on the shoulder. High kick from Machida gets blocked by Ortiz and they end up in a clinch again with Machida shrugging him off again. Machida throws a nice kick combination to the leg and the head, with the head kick getting blocked. Ortiz backs away for a moment, looking frustrated before missing a high kick and Machida hits a switch kick to the body before getting a TRIP TAKEDOWN ON ORTIZ! INTO SIDE CONTROL AND LANDING RIGHT HANDS AS THE HORN SOUNDS!! 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Machida. Chuck Liddell is shown in the crowd between rounds.
Round Two
They touch gloves and circle again with Ortiz missing a body kick and Machida landing a nice counter left. Leg kick from Machida as another "Tito" chant starts and they circle in the middle of the Octagon with some booing and "boring" chants starting. Ortiz tries a shot but Machida is just too quick, getting away and throwing a good kick to the body. Front kick just misses for Machida and he lands another solid leg kick before avoiding another combination from Ortiz. Left hook from Machida is mostly blocked by Ortiz and he lands a short uppercut. More booing from the crowd as Machida fakes a low kick and tries a high one that's barely blocked by Ortiz. Ortiz continues to try to cut off Machida but Machida continues to elude the takedown attempts. Ortiz gets a deep double-leg attempt but Machida sprawls to avoid it, ending up on top when Ortiz pulls guard. They scramble back to the feet and Ortiz throws an overhand right that misses. Machida lands a solid knee up the middle and pushes Ortiz back as they continue to circle. Machida stuffs another combination from Ortiz and Tito is VISIBLY frustrated, finally landing a body kick at the horn but it's too little too late for this round. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Machida.
Round Three
Ortiz has a cut on his right eyelid that gets worked on as Ricco Rodriguez tells him to throw the jab between rounds. They touch gloves and Ortiz tries another combination that is avoided by Machida. Leg kick lands for Machida and they circle a little more with Ortiz taking the middle of the cage. Ortiz gets into a clinch as the crowd gives Yves Lavigne a round of applause for avoiding falling down. Ortiz works some good uppercuts to the body in the clinch but Machida just shrugs him away again when Ortiz tries for the takedown. They separate and Ortiz tries another shot but Machida just shrugs him away again. Machida lands another good leg kick and Ortiz comes close to landing a right hook, grabbing the Thai clinch. They work some dirty boxing against the fence with Machida and Ortiz both landing good shots. Deep single-leg attempt from Ortiz but Machida shows WONDERFUL balance and avoids it, working the fight back to the clinch against the fence. A couple of inside knees land for Ortiz and Lavigne breaks them up to the center of the cage. Machida LANDS A NASTY KNEE TO THE BODY!! DOWN GOES ORTIZ! Machida in the full guard of Ortiz and Tito is hurt badly. Crossfaces and elbows from Machida as well as shots to the body and Ortiz is bleeding very badly from his eye. TRIANGLE ATTEMPT FROM ORTIZ AND IT'S DEEP!! MACHIDA BRIDGES TO TRY TO GET FREE AND MACHIDA ESCAPES!!! Ortiz throws a flurry from the bottom and the fight is OVER!! They bow and shake hands with each other in the middle of the cage as Shaquille O' Neal is going crazy at ringside. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Machida and the fight 30-27 for Machida.
Winner: Lyoto Machida, Unanimous Decision
Machida is with Joe and the boo-birds are out big time. Machida says that the triangle was tight and that he was going to have to die because he wasn't going to tap. He says that he was VERY surprised with Ortiz's submission attempt, even saying "Big surprise" in English and he says that he's very happy with this fight and he thanks Tito for the fight, and that Ortiz is a legend in the sport. Joe is with Tito Ortiz now and he asks about the triangle attempt and Ortiz says that he got the wind knocked out of him with the knee to the body and he says that Machida is very elusive and that he's a great fighter. Ortiz talks about how he hasn't used his submissions before because he's never been on his back. Ortiz says that he's going to be fighting for another three or four more years whether it's in the UFC or not. He talks about Dana White a little, saying that he's sorry that he's going to leave, but he also shows some class and thanks the Fertittas for everything they've done. Joe asks if it's decided for sure if he's leaving, and Ortiz says that it's still up in the air. He pimps his book and says that he's given his life in the Octagon for the greatest fans in the world, he brings up how Joe interviewed him after his first fight at UFC 13 and then thanks his training partners, his girlfriend, his ex-wife, etc etc, before turning around and showing the back of his shirt, which simply reads "I did it my way".
The text poll now has BJ Penn winning the main event with 59% of the votes, which shows a little movement towards Sean Sherk's side.
Match Three: Light Heavyweights
Goran Reljic (7-0) vs. Wilson Gouveia (10-4)
Wilson Gouveia says that the new guy needs to stop talking shit and that he's going to punch him in the face and send him back to Croatia, Reljic says that he knows he's stronger. Gouveia says that he's going to punish Reljic and kick his legs before punching him in the face. Reljic says that Gouveia is a good fighter but he has a very big mouth and that it's about time that someone shut him up. This fight has some bad blood going in as Reljic did a little bit of a headbutt number on Gouveia during the weigh-ins. The Rock makes an appearance in the front row as Joe Rogan bags on how incredibly, incredibly white his teeth are. They really are white. Think Ross on Friends white.
Round One
Herb Dean gets the fight started and they touch gloves before Gouveia lands a SOLID inside leg kick. Another leg kick lands from Gouveia and Reljic lands a snapping kick to the body in response, though it's mostly blocked by Gouveia's arm. Another HARD kick thrown from Reljic and he's throwing a lot of them though they're getting blocked. Gouveia comes forward with a wild combination that misses and Reljic lands a solid counter left hand out of an exchange. Straight left just misses for Reljic and he throws another kick from the left side as Joe points out that all the strikes are coming from the left side. Both men land with punches and Gouveia tries another combination but Reljic steps away from it. Body kick from Gouveia lands and Reljic counters with a body kick of his own and they're back to circling before throwing combinations. Reljic throws another couple HARD high kicks that Gouveia continues to block with his arm. Gouveia lands a solid uppercut and Reljic looks in trouble as Gouveia tracks him down with more shots and another hard uppercut. Reljic pulls guard and closes things off completely, avoiding any more damage and even coming near an omaplata attempt at the horn. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Gouveia.
Round Two
Between rounds, Reljic's corner tells him to set up his kicks with punching combinations first. They touch gloves again to start the second and Joe and Goldie talk about Gouveia's right arm and how red it looks, with Joe speculating that it could even be injured. Reljic tries to throw a combination but Gouveia steps away from it and Reljic JUST misses with a NASTY high kick. They trade single punches that both miss and Reljic lands another kick to the body before Gouveia pushes him down to the mat. Gouveia lands a beautiful left hook and Reljic goes down to close off his guard again. Gouveia begins POUNDING away against the fence with elbows and forearm strikes before he passes into half-guard and crossfaces Reljic. Reljic gets things back under control and even scrambles back to his feet but eats a right hand from Gouveia as a reward. Reljic lands a HUGE STRAIGHT LEFT HAND. Gouveia delays and goes down and Reljic is on him with a TON of punches with Gouveia actually blocking most of them. Continuing the relentless assault, Reljic finally starts getting punches in and they're landing heavily and Herb Dean steps in to stop the fight!
Winner: Goran Reljic, TKO at 3:15 of Round Two
Reljic is in the cage with Joe Rogan and after a couple of false starts, he congratulates Goran for the win in his UFC debut. Goran says that he's proud of what he did and says that Gouveia was a tough opponent, almost knocking him out in the first round. He says that he did his best and then says thanks to his sponsors and to Randy Couture's gym for their help in training. He says that his left hand is his strongest weapon and that he trains it a lot with CroCop. He had him rocked and he realized that he had to finish him off before Gouveia had another chance to finish him.
The text poll is back and BJ Penn is still on top by a 57-43 margin. Laura Prepon is in the crowd, looking rather yummy if I do say so myself. We head into BJ Penn's locker room and he's shadow-boxing a little, looking completely focused. Sherk is doing some pad work with full boxing gloves in his locker room and looks to be loose and ready to go.
Match Four: Heavyweights
Shane Carwin (8-0) vs. Christian Wellisch (9-2)
No pre-fight videos for this one so we're straight to the action. Yves Lavigne is your referee for this fight.
Round One
They touch gloves and Carwin comes out with heavy combinations, pressuring Wellisch early on. Wellisch throws a good combination and lands a good right hand before CARWIN PUTS HIM TO SLEEP WITH A MASSIVE RIGHT HAND!!!! IT"S OVER!! The replays show Wellisch's mouthpiece going FLYING out of his mouth after the punch landed right on the chin. VICIOUS knockout.
Winner: Shane Carwin, KO at 0:44 of Round One
Joe's with Carwin in the Octagon and Shane says that the UFC is the place to go. He talks through the KO saying that he connected right down the pipe, calling it beautiful. He thanks his sponsors and coaches, especially his boxing coach before he turns to accept congratulations from Nate Marquardt in his corner. Mandy Moore is in the crowd and gives a smile and a wave before we go back to see more of Penn and Sherk getting ready in their respective dressing rooms.
Match Five: Light Heavyweights
Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1, 1 NC) vs. Keith Jardine (13-3-1)
An impressive video of both fighters' accomplishments shows before Jardine talks about how scary it is to fight another fighter who can't afford another loss and says that he only thing he can control is beating Wanderlei. Wanderlei talks about how important this fight is for him and that he needs to win because it's his job! He says that he's going to fight with his technique, his conditioning and his heart. Jardine feels like he's a better boxer, a better kickboxer, a better grappler. Silva says that he's going to make it quick and get the win, while Jardine says that if he gets the win he can't be denied his place in the UFC history books. Keith Jardine comes to the cage first, with his customary bagpipe entrance music. He gets a really subdued response from the crowd, and it's looking like he's going to be fighting the crowd as well as Silva. Jardine has Nate Marquardt and Greg Jackson in his corner, and Goldberg talks about how he's spent some time in Montreal training with GSP as well. He yells at himself in his corner a little before the lights go out and the crowd gives a big roar for Silva's entrance. Silva's Sandstorm entrance is still awesome to watch and the crowd is electric, roaring louder as he makes his way to the Octagon. Silva looks very calm, though oddly not as intense as he used to look, almost smiling during the ring walk. A good number of boo's during Jardine's introduction and a nearly standing ovation for Silva during his.
Round One
Jardine rushes to take the middle of the Octagon and throws an overhand right that glances off of Silva's chin. SILVA CATCHES JARDINE AND HE GOES DOWN!! BACK TO HIS FEET AND SILVA PUTS HIM DOWN AGAIN WITH A BIG LEFT!! SILVA IS HAMMERING AWAY ON HIM ON THE GROUND AND JARDINE IS OUT COLD!! IT'S ALL OVER!!! Jardine is still down and flat on his back in the middle of the cage and he hasn't moved since the fight was stopped.
Winner: Wanderlei Silva, KO at 0:36 of Round One
Joe is in the cage with Silva and he says that it's incredible for him to win and he's very emotional, thanking everyone for coming to see the fight tonight. He says that he's very happy that he's won and he thanks the fans again. He says that Jardine is a very tough guy and again says that he's very happy with the win. He thanks Dana White and the Fertittas, saying that it's an honor to fight in front of his fans and his boss. Jardine is up and on his feet, hugging Silva as they both make their way out of the Octagon.
Match Six: Middleweights
Ivan Salaverry (12-5-1) vs. Rousimar Palhares (16-1)
No pre-fight video and Mario Yamasaki is your referee for the fight.
Round One
They touch gloves and circle before Salaverry tries a high kick that gets caught by Palhares and he takes Salaverry down into side control. Salaverry controls the body of Palhares but he ends up giving up full mount almost immediately and he turns it into back control as Salaverry tries to roll out of it. Palhares tries to secure the rear naked choke, prying on Salaverry's chin and head. Salaverry hand-fights to get out of it and does well to defend the flurry as Palhares takes a moment to compose himself before trying another attack. Salaverry looks to try to spin into the back control but Palhares does well to keep things under control and as Salaverry tries to break free, Palhares transitions to an armbar and locks it up TIGHT. Salaverry is forced to tap out!!
Winner: Rousimar Palhares, submission (armbar) at 2:36 of Round One
No interview for Palhares as they just show the replay again of the transition into the armbar. Palhares accepts congratulations from Murillo Bustamante in his corner. Another text poll is up and the voting is at 56% for Penn and 44% for Sherk. Goldie tries to throw it to a WEC bit with Joe in the crowd talking to Urijah Faber and they finally get it there. Faber says that BJ is taking the fight seriously and that he went out there to train with him and that he thinks that Penn is going to win the fight tonight. Joe calls the upcoming fight the biggest in 145 pound history and Faber says that it's in his hometown and that he's going to give it everything he can, putting Pulver over as a very tough opponent. Pulver says that he's excited to be coming in as the challenger and that he's ready to go into Faber's hometown to try to take his title. Pulver feels like he has a comfort level fighting at 145 and that the guys at 155 were a little too big for him to work with and that he's feeling like his training has been good and he's ready to go.
Match Seven: UFC Lightweight Championship
Sean Sherk (32-2-1) vs. BJ Penn (c) (12-4-1)
Goldberg and Rogan are cageside, and Rogan calls it a perfect match-up, talking about BJ's stand-up and BJJ before moving to Sherk's wrestling, cardio and pressuring pace. Talk turns to how angry Sherk is about losing his title in court rather than in the Octagon. The final text voting has BJ Penn getting 55% of the votes and Sherk getting 45% and Goldberg throws it to the video package for the main event. We get highlights of Sherk's fights against guys like Kenny Florian and Hermes Franca before we hear Dana White talking about how Sherk got the belt taken away for the positive test and that BJ Penn stepped in and won the title, with highlights shown of his bloody domination of Joe Stevenson. We get to hear BJ's infamous "SEAN SHERK, YOU"RE DEAD!" statement before Sherk talks about how pissed off he is and how this is the first time he's fighting someone he hates. BJ talks about how he wants to kick everyone's ass and Sherk says that he's going to have to be killed to be stopped. BJ questions Sherk's heart and Sherk questions Penn's and he says that he's going to make Penn quit. Penn says he wants to beat him in the first round and Sherk says that winning the belt back would be redemption for him.
JAWS THEME REMIXED!! Here comes Sherk to a decidedly mixed reaction, and actually almost no reaction at all. He enters the Octagon and HERE come the boos!! The lights go down and BJ Penn makes his usual powerful entrance to his traditional Hawaiian music, looking emotional and near tears as he makes his way to the cage. Rather telling that there is no belt to be seen either with Penn or his entourage as they come to the Octagon. HUGE ovation for BJ as he enters the cage. The introductions are up and there is a HUGE round of boos with a smattering of cheers for Sherk as he's officially introduced. The crowd goes NUTS for Penn as he's introduced, even chanting his name along with Bruce Buffer as he makes the introduction.
Round One
Sherk tries for a single-leg immediately and it gets stuffed by Penn. Leg kick lands from Sherk and he throws a combination but it misses. Another combination from Sherk and he misses again as a HUGE "BJ" chant comes up from the crowd. Sherk is just throwing wild punches and combinations everywhere as BJ fires back with crisp jabs. Sherk lands a STIFF punch and BJ pushes through it with another jab and they're back to circling in the middle of the cage. Clinch inside and Sherk lands a good knee and an inside elbow as BJ counters with an uppercut. They trade jabs and continue to throw single punches back and forth, with nothing landing. BJ gets a right hand in and a couple of jabs before they separate. Sherk with a jab of his own that lands and a NICE chopping leg kick as Sherk has a little blood under his right eye. Counter left hook lands for Sherk and he tries it again but misses and they're back to jabs in the center. A quick exchange with neither man landing anything and Sherk is still throwing wilder combinations. Right hand lands for BJ and another quick jab to follow it up and he lands a short knee as Sherk comes in for a combination. They trade knees inside and circle with BJ continuing to land the jab right up to the horn. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Penn.
Round Two
A small mouse is forming under Sherk's right eye as they start round two with Sherk landing a solid leg kick and throwing a combination that just misses. Another leg kick from Sherk and they exchange with Penn landing some solid punches inside. Another snapping leg kick from Sherk and he tries a Superman punch that misses and they're exchanging again inside with Sherk landing the better blows this time. The cut under Sherk's eye looks to be getting a little bigger as a "Steroids" chant starts in the crowd. Strong jab lands from Sherk and BJ tries to fire back but it gets blocked by Sherk's hands. Left hook lands for Penn and Sherk lands with one of his own. Combinations from both men miss and Sherk continues to throw wilder punches trying to connect. BJ triples the jab and follows with a right hand and there's another jab from Penn as he's keeping the distance and controlling the pace of the fight. Left hook nearly lands for Sherk and BJ counters with another vicious jab. Right hand/left hook combination from Sherk that lands and Penn continues to land, hitting a counter right hand as Sherk gets a leg kick in. Sherk looks to be cut on his left eye as well, bleeding pretty heavily as BJ looks a lot like he did against GSP in the early going. Kick from Penn gets blocked by Sherk and BJ lands a HARD knee, which Sherk catches and tries to use for a takedown and BJ avoids it. They trade punches with Sherk swinging wildly and the round comes to an end. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Penn.
Round Three
They exchange jabs in the middle as another "Steroids" chant starts in the crowd. BJ catches a good combination of punches but doesn't get away quick enough and eats one from Sherk. Sherk continues with the haymaker swings and Penn continues to pick away with technical striking and jabs. Left hook to the body lands for Penn and the crowd begins to get a little restless. BJ tries a takedown attempt that gets stuffed but follows it up with a solid punch and another couple of snapping jabs. The pace slows a little before BJ lands another combination while Sherk swings for the fences. Sherk just misses a left hook and he tries a jab but it gets blocked by Penn. Body kick lands for Penn and he's continuing to find a home for his jab, as Sherk throws and lands a solid body kick. STIFF jab from Penn lands and Sherk answers with a couple of leg kicks, JUST missing with a triple left hook combination. Another leg kick lands for Sherk and he's really starting to turn it on with the leg kicks. Good combination lands from Penn as Sherk throws another leg kick as Joe and Goldberg speculate on whether Sherk has possibly hurt his right hand as he hasn't thrown many of them. PENN LANDS AN UPPERCUT AND A MONSTER KNEE AND PUTS SHERK ON HIS BACK!! PENN IS ON HIM AND HAMMERING AWAY!! SHERK GETS SAVED BY THE HORN!!! BJ THINKS THAT IT'S OVER WAVING HIS HANDS AND IT IS!! IT'S ALL OVER!!! Mario Yamasaki calls the fight as BJ heads over and gets a taste of Sherk's blood off of his face, licking his gloves clean. Penn heads over to hug Sherk and tells him to come to Hawaii and train with him anytime, seemingly burying the bad blood.
Winner: BJ Penn, TKO at 5:00 of Round Three
Penn says that he respects Sherk before asking the crowd to give him a round of applause. He calls this a VERY satisfying win and Penn says that he was going to create the biggest fight in history and then shake his hand after. Penn talks about how it was the same punch that caught Uno and that he didn't want to continue to hammer away at Sherk. Penn asks the crowd if they want him to break GSP and they respond with a roar. He thanks his sponsors and his team of trainers and the fans that flew in from Hawaii before giving his customary BJPenn.com shout-out. Joe is with Sherk and he says that he had to come out with something different because he knows how hard BJ is to take down. He felt like he was competitive in the stand-up and wanted to keep it that way. Sherk says he's not sure about the stoppage because he didn't even hear the bell ring and he says that he wants to continue fighting and that he loves being a part of the UFC. He says he'll go home and figure out what's next and come back strong. He thanks all of the fans that have supported him through the past ten months as well as his sponsors before plugging his after-party.
Match Eight: Welterweights
Jon Koppenhaver (6-1) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (9-2)
No pre-fight video like with all the prelim fights and the referee in charge is Herb Dean.
Round One
They touch gloves and Koppenhaver tries a couple of leg kicks before they move to a clinch and Yoshida gets a HUGE judo throw into side control. Koppenhaver tries to roll out of it and Yoshida gets a TIGHT anaconda choke as Koppenhaver tries to get to his feet and Yoshida clinches it in tighter, using his legs to pull the choke in further and Koppenhaver is PUT TO SLEEP!!
Winner: Yoshiyuki Yoshida, submission (anaconda choke) at 0:56 of Round One
Yoshida is with his interpreter and Joe and he gets asked if he was surprised if Koppenhaver clinched with him and he says that it was just what he expected. He says that the anaconda choke was just right there for him and Joe looks like he can't get out of that interview fast enough as he barely says anything, even with the interpreter.
Match Nine: Light Heavyweights
Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-7) vs. Sokoudjou (4-2)
The referee in charge for this fight is Steve "No 'Stache" Mazzagatti.
Round One
Leg kick lands from Sokoudjou and he hits another before Nakamura rushes in with a combination. Another HARD leg kick lands for Sokoudjou and he gets another one inside the same leg. Body kick gets caught from Nakamura and he takes a punch moving away before Sokoudjou lands another HARD body kick. Nakamura rushes forward with another lunging punch that misses and they circle and feint a little with Sokoudjou throwing body kicks and a Superman punch that land. Flying knee from Nakamura gets blocked by Sokoudjou and he follows it up with a nice right hand that lands. Sokoudjou tries an uppercut that misses and throws a high kick that gets blocked by Nakamura. They exchange and both men miss their strikes and the crowd gets on them a little as the pace slows considerably. Nakamura flies in with another attempted combination and Sokoudjou lands a CHOPPING leg kick, followed by a good combination on the rushing Nakamura. Another hard leg kick lands for Sokoudjou and they circle and feint before Sokoudjou lands a HARD right hand and puts Nakamura down. Hammerfists for Sokoudjou and Nakamura is saved by the horn. He limps to the corner and looks like he's talking to them about his knee. We see the replay with Nakamura falling awkwardly, twisting his knee after he got hit with the right hand. The referee is over in the corner and he puts a stop to the fight!!
Winner: Sokoudjou, TKO at 5:00 of Round One
Joe is with Sokoudjou and he talks about how he made up for his first UFC fight and how he put too much pressure on himself in that first fight and that he came into this fight wanting to have a good time. He thanks the fans for coming, thanks his sponsors and then talks about how he knew that Nakamura would catch his legs every time he threw a kick and that he trained to throw punches after those kicks. Sokoudjou takes the time to call out Shogun before calling it an interview. WOW!
Joe and Goldberg are talking about the night of fights as we see BJ in the locker room getting checked out by the doctors and Joe says that when you add talent to dedication, you get unstoppable and that's what BJ Penn is right now. They show Sherk in the locker room and he looks MESSED UP!! Tons of cuts and scrapes all over his face and a HUGE mouse under his right eye. They talk about Wanderlei Silva and how he proved how aggressive a fighter he can be with his performance tonight, bringing up how huge this victory was and how badly he needed it. They talk about UFC 85 upcoming and throw it to a What's Coming Up segment before saying goodnight from Las Vegas!!
