411’s UFC 68: The Uprising Report 3.03.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 03.03.2007
Randy Couture shocks the world~!
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Dark Match Results: -Jamie Varner defeated Jason Gilliam via Submission (Rd 1)
-Gleison Tibau defeated Jason Dent via Decision (30-27 Across the Cards)
-Jon Fitch defeated Luigi Fiorvanti via Submission (Rd 2)
-Matt Hammil defeated Rex Holman via Submission (Rd 1)
UFC 68 "The Uprising":
-Tonight from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio it is UFC 68 The Uprising!
-Mike Goldberg welcomes us to the show, which is a sell out of 19,000. Tonight is a night of comebacks as Couture challenges for the Heavyweight Title and Franklin and Hughes try to comeback after title losses.
-Joe Rogan is introduced and hypes Couture's return. If it was anyone else he would say that they were crazy, but with Randy he refuses to rule him out.
-FUN FACT: If Sylvia wins he will set a record for UFC Heavyweight Title defenses.
-Rogan thinks if Sylvia wins he can hush the critics, but if he loses then the haters will be out. Rogan then discusses Couture's physical condition, and says he has had no major injures through out his career.
-Couture has 62% of the fans voting in regards to his match.
-Talk moves to Franklin and Hughes. They agree that they were dominating as champions, but were defeated soundly and are out for retribution.
-They run down the card and the Rules of the Octagon.
-We get a video package for Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Jason Lambert.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: Renato "Babalu" Sobral (27-6) vs. Jason Lambert (22-6):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: BABALU (Decision)
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Here we go. They jockey for position, leg kicks and punches by Babalu and a take down as well. Babalu on top and lands some punches, one to the back of the head. More shots to the ribs as Lambert works the close guard. Babalu tries to push him to the fence, lands more rights and Lambert tries to pull him close. Elbow by Babalu, works to side control and they are against the fence. Babalu works for the back and gets a warning for striking to the head. Babalu gets the full back, works for a choke but Lambert keeps battling and works out of that. Babalu still on his back with the leg scissors and looks to have the choke locked and Lambert fights still and escapes! Lambert fights to his feet and they clinch. Some rights by Lambert, uppercuts now and they remain clinched and finally break as Babalu is cut. BIG right by Lambert and Babalu down, Lambert with bombs on Babalu and round 1 ends!
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Great first round, and I will go Lambert 10-9 as he escaped well and hurt Babalu late and ALMOST got the stoppage.
ROUND TWO: Knee by Babalu as Lambert looks for another uppercut. Lambert charges him to the fence, top control and Babalu works out and to the feet they go. Knees again by Babalu and Lambert takes him down again. Rights by Lambert from the top. Rights to the ribs by Lambert and gets a verbal warning for striking to the head. Lefts by Lambert now and he is in control. More shots now and he remains in control as Babalu's eye starts to swell a bit. Lambert keeps working shots from the top, an elbow now and Babalu battles for position but Lambert still in control. Lambert keeps busy and while not strong shots he keeps landing a lot of shots. Short hammer shots by Lambert and they get stood up. Knee try by Babalu but eats a LEFT HOOK by Lambert! He follows up and that is all!
-The Result: Jason Lambert (Rd 2, 3:36 via KO)
-They attend to Babalu after the fight. Lambert comes over to check on him and Babalu appears to be fine.
-Rogan is with Lambert. He thanks Jesus and says he has felt great for weeks and knew he could win. He had confidence that he could win. Babalu is great, but he was calm and took the win. He was training to counter the kicks of Babalu and it paid off. (That KO was nasty.) Rogan says he did well and that it was a huge win.
-We see Couture and Sylvia arriving earlier this evening.
-We see Rich Franklin as well as McDonald preparing backstage.
-We get a video package for UFC 69: The Shootout.
-They discuss the Hughes loss and his attempt to redeem himself.
-We get a video package for Matt Hughes vs. Chris Lytle.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT: Matt Hughes (42-5) vs. Chris Lytle (32-13-4):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Matt Hughes (RD 2 Submission)
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Lytle in with a flurry of punches, but not connecting. Hughes shoots in and Lytle gets the front locked, almost in a guillotine. Hughes works and Lytle holds on. Hughes with rights to the ribs and works for side control and escapes the choke. Hughes tries to pass the legs and gets some elbows to the ribs. Butterfly guard by Lytle, lefts by Lytle as well. Back to the guillotine try by Hughes is out. Hughes works for side control as Lytle gets some light lefts. He gets side control and the crowd is way into Hughes. Hughes almost in a top crucifix now controlling the arms, rights by Hughes. Lytle works knees as Hughes gets a few elbows. More rights by Hughes and Lytle grabs a head scissors. Hughes stands and tries for an arm bar…almost has it and round one ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A very strategic round one here, very interesting to watch. I will give it to Hughes 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins as Lytle looks for punches. Hughes charges in again and to the mat they go. Hughes on top as Lytle back to the Guillotine try again. Hughes works for side control but Lytle still holds the one leg, stopping that. Hughes gets side control as they are against the cage. Good right by Hughes and then a few elbow shots. Lytle knees the ribs and Hughes with more elbows and rights. Hughes in control and more rights to Lytle, who is busted open. More elbows to the top of the head by Hughes, Hughes goes to full mount and Lytle fights but Hughes remains in control and into more of a side control, Lytle flips him now and gets on top. Sprawl by Lytle, passes and tries for the back and Hughes tries to get a Kimura. Lytle spins out and Hughes on top but Lytle is out of the Kimura. Hughes back to the crucifix position; elbows again by Hughes and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Great round with a lot of action. Hughes dominated but Lytle fought hard and showed a lot of heart, but I have to go Hughes 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins with Lytle looking for strikes again. Solid kick by Lytle, good left but Hughes shoots in and takes him down. Side control by Hughes, as he works for the crucifix position again. Lefts by Hughes and then elbow strikes. Knees by Hughes, Lytle holds from the bottom and Hughes still controls. The crowd gets restless here as Hughes works the top. Hughes goes for an Americana on the left arm but lets go. Lytle tries to work knee shots but Hughes is still is side control. Hughes looks to move for mount, knee on the belly and not doing much now. An elbow and a right by Hughes, Lytle tries to get some shots from the bottom but not much happening. Hughes almost locks in an arm bar, but Lytle escapes and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A largely uneventful last round, Hughes dominated the entire fight and should win the fight 30-27. Eddie Bravo agrees.
-The Result: Matt Hughes (Unanimous Decision 30-27 across the cards)
-Rogan is with Hughes. Joe says he was phenomenal and Hughes says he got back to his roots. He did his best to neutralize Lytle and it worked. The fight didn't go how he expected, but he'll take the win. Hughes talks through some replays and says he wanted cleaner strikes, but Lytle stopped that and did well. Hughes thanks the fans for their support and wanted on this card to fight here tonight. Hughes says his title shot will be up to UFC.
-Anderson Silva is here live, as is Rashad Evans.
-We see Franklin and McDonald preparing in their locker rooms.
-We get another hype package for UFC 69: The Shootout.
-Rachelle Leah is here, very nice.
-We get a video of the movie "The Shooter," which I believe is the sponsor tonight.
-They discuss Franklin getting beat down by Silva, and whether he is ready to be back.
-We get a video package for Rich Franklin vs. Jason MacDonald.
-Rich has a shiner on his right eye, must have been hard training.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Rich Franklin (22-2) vs. Jason MacDonald (19-7):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Rich Franklin (RD 1 TKO)
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They circle and Rich with a rights to start. Kick by MacDonald, right by Rich and MacDonald grabs his leg, Rich fights and tries to avoid the takedown. Rich escapes, rights and knees by Rich and he rocked MacDonald a bit. MacDonald shoots in now and against the cage they go, knees by MacDonald and they clinch. More knees by MacDonald and then by Rich as well. MacDonald with solid knees to the legs of Rich as they work around the cage, Rich with some knees as well. Lots of knees being traded and they break the clinch. Both miss some punches, circle and Rich connects with a right. Good combo by Rich, MacDonald in and caught with a right by Rich. Kick by MacDonald, back to the clinch they go and Rich takes him down and rains down with rights and lefts! MacDonald is able to get back to his feet and looks to be fine right now. MacDonald shoots in, grabs a leg and a takedown. MacDonald works top and Rich flips him and more rights and lefts by Rich and round one ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Good first round. MacDonald was never really in trouble, but Rich dominated I feel, 10-9 for him.
ROUND TWO: They circle and MacDonald shoots in and has a leg. Rich with shots and gets a verbal for punching to the back of the head. Rich is countering the takedowns well, and escapes. Another good combo by Rich but MacDonald shoots in again, has the leg, again and cannot get Rich down. MacDonald now gets the back from a standing position and takes Rich down. He has the arm and MacDonald looks for a triangle, but Rich passé sit excellently and gets side control and rights. Rich gets the knee on the belly and they are against the fence. Knees by MacDonald from the bottom, Rich on top and gets full mount. Rights and lefts by Rich and MacDonald tries to cover up. MacDonald is cut above the right eye now. MacDonald punches from the bottom. Full mount again by Rich, MacDonald tries to roll and Rich rains down with shots again. He has the back and even more punches by Rich. Big lefts to the head by Rich, Rich on the back again and more rights and lefts. Back to full mount and Rich is killing him with punches and NO STOPPAGE as the round ends. Herb Dean, controversy!
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Rich killed him and it should have been stopped, 10-9 for Rich again.
MacDonald goes to his corner to get checked, he is in bad shape and the fight is over. His corner threw in the towel it seems, and that is really for the best as Rich was just killing him.
-The Result: Rich Franklin (Rd 2 TKO)
-Rogan is with Franklin. Franklin says it feels great to get the win here in his home state. He thanks God for getting him through the fight. Franklin says he felt great, but was nervous. He says Anderson is here and he is on the way back to his belt. Anderson is coming to the Octagon now as Franklin says for the crowd not to boo him as he is a true champion. They hug and Anderson says through his translator that Rich is still a champion and he hopes for a rematch and they will have a great fight. Franklin says that he is a champion and tough as hell. It will be exciting and Dana said they could do the rematch in Cincinnati. Crowd hates Anderson.
-We get a video package for Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFedries.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Martin Kampmann (11-1) vs. Drew McFedries (5-1):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Drew McFedries (RD 3 TKO)
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Drew in with big rights, some connecting. Another connects well, a right rocks Kampmann and he pounces on top and gets some more shots, but Kampmann gets to his feet. Right hook by Drew, a good combo and Kampmann is just getting hit constantly. Straight left by Drew, another right and a combo again. Kick by Kampmann to the side, and Drew with a right and Kampmann has some facial swelling. More shots by Drew, another combo and in control. Kampmann with a takedown, and side control now. Kampmann with some elbows, not all connecting but a good bit. Big knees by Kampmann now. Kampmann still in side control, went for mount and gets a sweet arm triangle and Drew is out!
-The Result: Martin Kampmann (4:06 RD 1 Submission)
-Drew is up and walking, he is ok.
-Joe is with Kampmann now. Kampmann feels good as Drew "punched fucking hard!" He needs to work on stand up and against southpaw defense he admits. He says he was open for the side choke and finally got it.
-We see Sylvia and Couture warming up in their respective locker rooms.
-They hype the April 5th Fight Night and the Lightweight Edition of The Ultimate Fighter. Two day later is UFC 69, the Shootout!
-Some celebrities discuss the main event.
-Fan poll is 71% think Couture will win.
-We get a video package for Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture.
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Here we go kids! Let's get it on! They circle, Couture rocks Tim with a huge punch and attacks! Tim is rocked, Couture tosses him down and GETS A CHOKE! Tim fights out of it, and Couture has the back. Tim has a big bruise on the side of his head from that first punch as he calms himself as Couture keeps the back. Couture with the leg scissors on the mid-section, Big John tells Tim to work out. Couture keeps working for a choke, Tim counters and keeps it off. Rights by Couture, and keeps working for the choke. Couture not doing any damage now and just keeping him locked down. Some rights now by Couture, looking for the choke again. Tim keeps working the hands away from a choke and wants to turn into the mount. Tim tries some shots, and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: CRAZY start to the fight as the crowd erupted. Couture controlled and wins the round 10-9. Eddie Bravo agrees.
ROUND TWO: They come out and circle, Couture in and Tim escapes. Right by Tim and jabs now. Couture with another right and slams Tim to the cage. They clinch, they separate and Couture tries to shoot in but Tim stops him. Couture tries for the leg for a takedown, but nothing. He gets it now and Tim defends and keeps him away. Couture with a good left from the top, elbows from the bottom by Tim. Couture with a good right, and then an elbow. Both men working well and landing shots. Couture stands up and comes back in with punches. A good left connects now and then a right. Tim is bleeding from the nose a little now. More shots by Couture, Tim keeps working and almost looks for a triangle. Tim has the body scissors from the bottom, but more rights and elbows by Couture. They get stood up and Couture stays away. They go in, Couture gets the leg and a takedown as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Couture had control the whole round and tales this one as well, 10-9. Bravo agrees.
ROUND THREE: They circle and Tim jabs away. Good left jab by Couture. Leg kick connects by Couture. Both connect with the stand up a bit, another right by Couture. Couture in and gets a right and eats a jab. Couture bobs and weaves and both men connect with some shots. Couture looks smooth here and Tim looks tired. Good jab by Couture, another and then a hook. Crowd into Couture big time. Another right by Couture connects. Tim is frustrated as Couture keeps away and keeps connecting. Tim should really try some leg kicks in my opinion as this is not working. Knee by Tim now from the clinch, they separate and Couture looks to be tiring a bit now. Good left by Couture and another off the combo. Still all stand up here as we go into the last minute. A couple of jabs by Tim and Couture with another right. Couture is just staying away and counter punching. A good jab by Couture and then a right. Again with a over the top left. Jabs by Tim and they exchange some shots as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Couture was just great here, he is tiring but he connected a ton and Tim is more tired, 10-9 for Couture again, Bravo agrees.
ROUND FOUR: We begin round four and they stand up and Couture shoots in and down they go, good sprawl by Tim. Couture with a takedown and gets mount. Tim looks to work his legs up for a submission, Couture backs off in the mount and then gets a good right. Couture head fakes and tries to work for shots. Couture getting shots still and in control as he has been the entire fight. Tim pulls the head down and they get stood up. Combo by Couture connects. Tim misses shots and tires more. Two over the top lefts by Couture and is hitting Tim at will. Couture goes in with a combo and a takedown again. Side control for Couture now, as the crowd is chanting for Randy. Couture keeps control and gets some short elbows. Mount by Couture and rights and lefts to Tim. Couture gets the back for a moment but Tim escapes and they go to the north south position. Tim lands some solid shots and is in control now and they stand up. They both land shots as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Couture again as he dominated the majority of the round. Bravo agrees.
ROUND FIVE: They come out and trade shots. Good left hook by Tim. They clinch and inside uppercuts by Tim. Couture shoots now and takes Tim down again! Tim is very tired and Couture works for side control and lands rights and elbows. Crowd going wild now! Couture looked to try a heel hook, and then turns to side control beautifully. Tim works off the cage as Couture gets elbows again. Knees to the ribs by Couture and short elbows follow. More knees as Couture continues to work and stop them from standing. Tim pushes away from the cage and more knees by Couture. Couture into the mount now and rains down with some shots. Rights by Couture as Tim tries to find an escape. Big left by Couture and they stand up. Takedown again by Couture and into the mount and Tim is very tired and frustrated. Tim's left eye is about swollen shut as Couture keeps control. Under 30-seconds left and Couture in mount still. Couture keeps working shots and that is all as the crowd goes wild!
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Couture wins easily in a clinic, 50-45. Eddie bravo agrees with me.
-The Result: AND NEW UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION- Randy Couture (Unanimous Decision, 50-45 across the cards.)
-Rogan is with Couture. Joe is speechless he says and also says that was the most incredible thing he has ever seen. Couture says not bad for an old man! Couture says that the doubters fueled him. At 43 he'll always be the underdog, but that's ok. He talks us through some replays of the bout. He puts over Sylvia as tough, but the big guys he sparred with helped a lot. He worked on the opening combo and he worked perfectly tonight. He dedicates his fight to Jesus Christ and the US Soldiers. Rogan says he is an inspiration.
-Rogan is with Tim now. He said Couture out fought him. He wanted to win, but says Couture earned it and beat him. Tim says he wasn't prepared for the striking of Couture. He now says he came into the fight with an injury. He then says he didn't want to take anything away from Randy's victory and says he is sorry.
-Rogan puts over Couture huge and says he is the real warrior and is the man that can prove people wrong. Millions doubted him, and he proved them wrong.
-Submission of the night was the Martin Kampmann arm triangle.
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