411's UFC 72: Victory Report 06.16.07
Posted by Michael Huckaby on 06.16.2007
Franklin guarantees himself a spot in the next middleweight title fight and more!
Welcome to 411's UFC 72: Victory report, live from Ireland!
Ed Herman vs Scott Smith
ROUND 1: They touch gloves and we're underway. Herman immediately shoots and gets a quick takedown into Smith's full guard. Herman presses Smith's head up against the cage and unloads some punches to the midsection. Some short elbows by Herman, who is staying active with strikes in Smith's guard. Smith turns, Herman passes, and Herman has Smith's back standing. We're now clinched against the cage, Smith with his back to the cage and double underhooks. Smith reverses position and lands a punch but Herman responds with knees in a Muay Thai clinch. Herman with another hard takedown. Herman is still in Smith's full guard and Smith is doing a nice job avoiding strikes this time around. A couple huge Herman elbows open a large cut on Scott Smith's nose. Massive blood and Herman goes nuts with elbows looking for a finish as Herb Dean steps in to check out the cut on Scott Smith. Smith is holding is head up while on his back, trying to avoid letting blood slide into his eyes. Smith bucks him off and now gets top position. He grabs a leg and falls back for the leglock, Herman does the same before spinning around and taking Smith's back on the ground. Herman almost has a choke but Smith fights out as an exciting round one ends. 411mania scores it 10-9 for Ed Herman.
ROUND 2: A quick shoot by Herman but Smith has a nice sprawl. Herman moves Smith into the cage where Smith is looking for a guillotine to combat the takedown attempt. Herman with the takedown but he looks to be in trouble with the guillotine as his face turns bright red. Herman manages to fight out to a big ovation from the crowd and is again in Smith's full guard. A couple more blows from the top by Herman as Smith again tries to control Ed's arms. Herman moves around and takes Scott Smith's back for a choke and Scott Smith quickly taps.
Winner: Ed Herman, submission (choke), Rd 2.
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida
- Tyson Griffin coming out to Eye of the Tiger, which is always worth noting.
ROUND 1: They touch gloves and we're underway. They circle with Griffin in the center as they feel each other out for 30 seconds. They exchange right hands that miss and the second Griffin goes for a legkick he is taken down but immediately stands back up. Guida is a pitbull and stays on him, driving him against the cage standing. Great takedown defense by Griffin, being picked up in the air but not getting taken down. Griffin goes down and works a guillotine as Guida is pushing Griffin's leg trying to fight out. It's pretty deep and keep in mind Tyson is very fresh at the start of the fight. Guida takes his time and works out of guard and into half guard before pulling his head out to an ovation. Knee to a downed opponent by Guida gets a warning from Big John as he's still working for a takedown in the corner. Griffin turns and tries to take Guida's back, standing, and eventually drags him down to the mat. As soon as Griffin works to the front Guida stands right back up and we're in the same position against the cage. Over/under against the cage with Guida in the dominate position again looking for a takedown. Tyson lands a big right hand but catches one in return from Clay that backs him off. Guida with another shoot but Griffin with a nice sprawl and we're back to standing in the center. Uppercut and two big shots by Griffin as Guida shoots in again to avoid another shot. The round ends with Guida shoving Griffin to the mat, very technical first round. VERY even five minutes that could go either way, 411mania gives it to Tyson Griffin 10-9 for more effective striking and the guillotine attempt.
ROUND 2: We start again exchanging shots as Griffin again lands one so Guida shoots in but can't get the takedown and has Griffin against the cage. Guida finally takes him down but Griffin's scramble was great as he gets dominate position and then stands back up. Big shots being exchanged, mainly missing. Nice legkick by Griffin who then fakes a shot and throws a couple more punches. Nice left high kick by Guida who again shoots for the takedown. Griffin instead takes down Guida with a single leg but Guida is able to hop back up. Griffin takes Guida's back and German suplexes him but takes the weight on Guida's backside on his head. Griffin has Guida's back on the ground but Guida quickly switches it and goes for a kneebar. Huge shots to the side by Griffin as he's in the kneebar trying to get out. Guida is going full force trying to pull that kneebar but Griffin is patient and gets a heel hook of his own. Guida spins out and again takes Griffin's back on the ground. This is a technical war. Clay Guida gets the hooks in as Griffin stands up (think Sanchez/Alessio) and begins walking around the ring. Griffin falls forward to slam Guida but isn't very successful as Guida maintains back control on the ground. Griffin attempts to swing out and ends up on top of Guida as round two ends. Another excellent round, 411mania gives round two to Clay Guida, evening the fight on my card.
ROUND 3: Rogan and Goldberg agree that it is one round apiece. Some strikes by Griffin but they don't land cleanly. Body kick by Griffin as Guida shoots in for another takedown attempt but again is unsuccessful. They exchange more strikes before Guida falls forward for another takedown, against stopped by Griffin, and we're up against the fence. Guida gets the trip and ends up on top but Griffin rolls through. With both men on the ground, Guida lands a couple strong backfists before sliding over into Griffin's half guard. Guida transitions for the back but Griffin rolls into guard to stop it. Another leg lock attempt by Griffin but Guida pulls it out immediately into the mount but only for a fleeting second before Griffin gets half guard. Guida now landing some strikes from top position but Griffin answers with an upkick. Clay Guida is still in Tyson Griffin's half guard with forty-five seconds to go. Some soft hammerfists by Clay Guida as Griffin looks to work for an arm. Big knee to the gut of Griffin and Guida explodes with strikes from the top as time expires. Great battle. 411mania scores it 10-9 for Clay Guida and 29-28 overall for Guida.
ROUND 1: Leg kick by MacDonald who immediately goes for a takedown, pushing Singer up against the cage. Footstomps by MacDonald who is pulling and tugging for a takedown. MacDonald briefly hip tosses Singer down but Rory hops right back up and we're in the same position on the cage. Little action as they're still clinched but Rory switches to the dominant position. Singer unloads a couple of strikes and then pulls guard. Halfway through round one as Singer is stopping MacDonald from getting any strikes off on the ground. MacDonald stands over Singer looking for better position but Singer pushes him off and we're back on our feet in the center. MacDonald again shoots but slips and Rory Singer gets top position. MacDonald recovers and we're back on the feet where Singer half lands multiple knees before Rory just powers MacDonald down and gets full mount. MacDonald turns and gives his back, looking to get into Singer's full guard. MacDonald gets top position and has a cut on the top of his head, though it's not stoppage worthy. Rory Singer is working a very active guard as MacDonald is having trouble getting anything off at all. Rory works quickly and slaps in a triangle with ten seconds left in the round but the bell rings before anything can come of it. 411mania gives round one to Rory Singer.
ROUND 2: MacDonald shoots for the first takedown and it's successful into Singer's guard. Rory is using the cage to avoid being pressed into it. MacDonald finally gets a few shots off from the top but Singer recovers and we're back in a mixture of guard and a body triangle. The crowd boos at little action as MacDonald is unloading several punches but very little is landing. MacDonald is into the half guard and we're halfway into round two. MacDonald improves to full mount and starts unloading some strikes to Rory's head. Lavigne is in position to stop the fight and he does so. Rory wasn't necessarily in a great amount of trouble but he wasn't doing anything to protect himself or improve position.
Winner: Jason MacDonald, TKO (strikes), Rd 2.
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez
ROUND 1: The Irish are large fans of Forrest. Forrest goes for a touch of gloves and Hector Ramirez just brushes him off. Forrest starts as the aggressor, backing Ramirez off against the cage a couple of times. Ramirez shoots and gets into Forrest's half guard. Ramirez stands over and allows Forrest back up and we're swinging in the center again. High kick by Forrest is blocked by Ramirez, who is very cautious early on. Multiple leg kicks are landing for Forrest as Ramirez is keeping the distance. Ramirez finally unloads a big punch which partially lands but Forrest backs up and we're in the center again with more Griffin leg kicks. Nice left jab by Ramirez, who now takes the center position briefly. Two big left hooks by Ramirez look to land but Forrest comes back with a knee and jab of his own. Kick-punch-kick combo by Forrest is responded to with a big slugging flurry by Ramirez, all of which miss. The crowd chanting Forrest's name in Irish drinking song form. Leg kick lands by Forrest and then a big uppercut. Forrest is backing Ramirez into the corner but Hector responds with a couple missed punches of his own. Forrest unloads a several strikes combo and then retreats as Hector charges after him across the Octagon. Two beautiful leg kicks by Forrest, they're starting to greatly annoy Ramirez who is throwing more and more wild strikes in response. Fairly close round but Forrest being the big favorite and name has to get the benefit on the judges cards. 411mania gives it 10-9 to Forrest Griffin.
ROUND 2: HW Champ Couture is cornering Forrest and LHW Champ Rampage is cornering Ramirez. Ramirez needs to get aggressive or those leg kicks will do him in. Forrest clinches and throws some knees before separating and landing another leg kick. Another leg kick by Forrest as Ramirez simply looks tentative. Nice punching combo by Forrest and a brief exchange that does no damage. Forrest is the easy aggressor, pressing Ramirez back and against the cage with every flurry. Nice right hand by Ramirez when they're in close but Forrest responds with a high kick and a body kick. They circle with little action and we're halfway through round two. Forrest with a flurry that backs Ramirez up but he gets out of danger. Six or seven punch combo by Forrest puts Ramirez in the corner but he backs off when Ramirez complains of a kick to the groin and he's given the five minutes if needed by Herb Dean. They touch gloves and we're back underway with another Forrest flurry and he backs away once again. Ramirez unloads a wild right that misses and he eats a couple more punches and a leg kick. Another wild miss by Ramirez as he's now checking all of the Griffin leg kicks. End of round two and this round wasn't even close; Ramirez is doing nothing but throwing an occasional wild punch. 411mania gives round two to Forrest Griffin, 10-9.
ROUND 3: Hector Ramirez's corner telling him to let his hands go but Ramirez responds that he can't feel his leg. Now we get an exchange but Forrest continues to back away after throwing his strikes. Nice right by Griffin. Ramirez shoots in for a takedown and gets it against the cage but Forrest immediately stands back up and we're clinched. Forrest tries a takedown but Ramirez shoves him off and we're back in the center. Another kick combo by Griffin, these are landing but aren't coming close to ending the fight. As Ramirez comes forward, Forrest steps to the side and hits a nice knee to the midsection. More soft circling and another leg kick by Forrest, little action in the cage but if leg kicks were nickels Forrest would be a millionaire. Nice uppercut by Forrest as Ramirez is still not putting together any combinations. Forrest goes on the offensive pounding Ramirez against the cage before backing up once again, not wanting to get caught with a wild counter. One minute remains as Forrest with his 2,314th leg kick, causing Ramirez to wince. Forrest pounding with uppercuts now, wanting to finish, as he pushes Ramirez up against the cage and unloads several punches. The fight ends and it wasn't even close. 10-9 Forrest, 10-8 if you want to push it as Ramirez didn't pretty much nothing. 411mania scores it 30-27 for Forrest Griffin.
- Forrest makes fun of himself for being tentative and gives credit to Ramirez as he says it's not difficult to fight a guy that's running.
RIch Franklin vs Yushin Okami
- Yushin Okami coming out to "Battle Without Honor or Humanity". Franklin looks as focused as I've ever seen him marching down to the ring.
ROUND 1: They feel each other out in the center and Okami is the physically bigger man. More men are southpaw and Rich lands a jab. Franklin looks to be the aggressor but Okami is known for being a counter puncher in the striking game. Still little action as we're 90 seconds in, just the occasional missed punch. McCarthy calls out "work" and they have a nice little exchange. Okami looks to clinch and Franklin shoves him into the cage and backs away. Some boos in the crowd as neither man wants to commit to moving forward. Rich goes forward with a couple of misses and clinches against the cage with underhooks. Boos across the arena and McCarthy separates the fighters back to the center of the ring. Low kick by Franklin is responded to with a strong shot by Okami. Okami commits to a big hook but Rich ducks under it. Thirty seconds left in the round and a great leg kick by Franklin might win him this around alone as there was really no action. End of round one and there was little to talk about. 411mania slightly gives round one to Rich Franklin, 10-9, as he was the aggressor.
ROUND 2: No action in the first thirty seconds as the crowd boos. One minute into the round and still just an occasional missed punch but Franklin has landed two decent leg kicks. Rich charges forward with multiple strikes but nothing lands cleanly. Another nice leg kick by Franklin but Okami responds in kind. Franklin goes forward again but Okami clinches in the center of the ring, looking for the takedown. Rich works to double underhooks and moves Okami to the cage wall. McCarthy again separates them and we're restarted in the center with less than two minutes left in round two. Franklin charges forward again but misses his shots before Okami lands a nice right. Missed high kick by Okami and Franklin chases him back away. Thirty seconds remain in round two as Franklin finally moves forward for some strikes and then shoves off Okami when he tries to clinch with him. Franklin lands a very nice 1-2 to the head of Okami as the second round ends to a chorus of boos from the Irish fans. 411mania gives round two to Rich Franklin, 10-9. The replays show Rich Franklin might have hurt his left hand on that 1-2 on Okami.
ROUND 3: Rich tries to touch gloves and Okami charges forward with a flying knee. Rich didn't appreciate that and waves his finger at him. Leg kick by Franklin as Okami looks to be closing the distance but isn't really throwing anything. They clinch in the center, over/under, and Okami slams him down and into side control. Rich is fighting to keep Okami out of the mount as Yushin lands some hammerfists. Okami passes and gets full mount with three minutes left in the fight. Franklin uses his elbow and tries to push Okami back to half guard while Yushin throws some punches down. Franklin tries to escape out of the back and they stand up with Yushin going for a standing guillotine. Okami pulls guard looking for that submission and Rich flips position and gets on top against the cage. Okami stands up and Rich flings him to the ground and gets his back, standing. Okami is looking for an arm as Rich stares at the clock with 1:15 to go. Okami has a submission and Rich doesn't want to tape but he's in obvious pain. Franklin rolls to avoid the pressure and continues to do so but he's not tapping. Okami is sitting on Rich's head with his back against the cage as we have 30 seconds left. Franklin rips his arm out and postures up over Okami, unloading some punches. Round three is about 200x more entertaining than one and two combined. Franklin moves into side mount and lands a punch as the final bell rings. Great round. 411mania gives round three to Yushin Okami, 10-9. Okami came closer to finishing the fight than Franklin did, but having to go round by round I give it to Rich Franklin, 29-28.
