411’s UFC 74: Respect Report 8.25.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.25.2007
The feel good story of the year continues as Randy Couture dominates Gabriel Gonzaga to remain UFC Heavyweight Champion!
Feel free to send in your thoughts on the show! If you do, please include your BEST and WORST fight, and score the PPV from 0-10!
MY UFC 74 PICKS~!:
-Here are the predictions I made for the Forum Pick ‘Em Contest, that way I can be made fun of when I make some atrocious picks. These predictions were made in Friday's column as well and haven't changed.
-Clay Guida vs. Marcus Aurelio Winner: Marcus Aurelio, Decision
-Frank Mir vs. Antoni Hardonk Winner: Frank Mir, Submission, Rd 2
-Babalu Sobral vs. David Heath Winner: Babalu Sobral, Submission, RD 1
Dark Match Results: -Clay Guida defeated Marcus Aurelio via Decision
-Thales Leites defeated Ryan Jensen via RD 1 Submission
-Frank Mir defeated Antoni Hardonk via RD 1 Submission
- Babalu Sobral defeated David Heath via RD 2 Submission
UFC 74: Respect~!:
-We're LIVE from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada!
-Mike Goldberg welcomes us to the show, which looks to be packed. He then immediately hypes the Couture vs. Gonzaga bout, and then introduces Joe Rogan. They now move to the hype for GSP and Koscheck and then the Kurt Pellegrino vs. Joe Stevenson bout, which could have big Lightweight Title implications.
-They share the rules of the octagon: Every round in UFC competition is five-minutes in duration. Title matches have five rounds, and non-title matches have three rounds. There is a one-minute rest period between rounds and they use the 10-point judging system.
-We get a video package for Kendall Grove vs. Patrick Cote.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - Kendall Grove (10-3) vs. Patrick Cote (11-4):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Kendall Grove, Submission, Rd 2
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is Herb Dean. Here we go with our first bout. Cote out with a big right to begin. Leg kicks by Cote, a right and they exchange and clinch against the cage. Knees by Grove and then stomps by Cote. Still clinched and Cote still controls as Dean warns them to work. More knees by Grove and Dean breaks them up. Leg kicks by Cote again, and another. Misses a high kick and a combo by Grove. Good body kick by Grove. Leg kicks again by Cote, Grove pushes and they clinch and knees by Grove again. Cote switches and Grove switches and then Cote switches and they are still against the cage. Cote has Grove up but cannot take him down. They clinch again, and a nice right by Grove. Combo by Grove, and then a good right and leg kick connect. Nice high body kick by Grove connects. Grove shoots in, stopped and they clinch, knee by Grove but Cote gets a right and Grove is down! Cote mounts and then gets the back and a choke! Grove escapes and Cote in mount with rights and just rains down! Dean stops the fight!
-The Result: Patrick Cote via RD 1 (4:45) KO
Joe Rogan is with Patrick Cote. Cote is very happy for the win and he says he was really prepared. He says that's what he does, knock out people. He talks us through the replay. He thanks his camp and fans.
-Kobe Bryant is here and gets booed.
-Randy is ahead on the poll with 53%.
-We get a video package for UFC 75.
-We see a video package for the signing of Wanderlei Silva.
-We get a video package for the Kurt Pellegrino vs. Joe Stevenson
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Kurt Pellegrino (16-2) vs. Joe Stevenson (32-7):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Joe Stevenson, RD 2, TKO
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is BIG John McCarthy and one of the judges is JUDO GENE LEBELL! They touch and we're a go. Joe in with a charging combo, backing up Pellegrino. Jabs by Pellegrino, they exchange and Joe back with a jab. Good combo by Pellegrino, knee and Joe almost gets a take down. A shoot by Pellegrino, Joe gets a guillotine but Pellegrino escapes. Pellegrino on top, Joe works for an arm hold but Pellegrino gets out. Pellegrino rolls and Joe gets his back, to their feet and Joe gets a GERMAN SUPLEX on Pellegrino! Joe back into the guillotine, Pellegrino tries to pull out and Joe keeps the hold. Pellegrino escapes and shots to the ribs by Joe. He goes back for another guillotine try, but Pellegrino out. Shots from the bottom by Joe, Pellegrino tries to pass to the back but cannot. Joe is against the cage but pushes off and Pellegrino with a few shots. Pellegrino to his feet and dives back onto Joe. Joe lands shots from the bottom as Pellegrino gets head and arm control. Joe with shots to the ribs and Pellegrino gets a good right. Joe fights to escape and Pellegrino gets a NICE right to end the round.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A very close round, I will go with Joe 10-9 for the great suplex and guillotine attempts. Could go either way.
ROUND TWO: They come out and both men jab. They box and look for control, Pellegrino lands an inside combo. Nice knee by Joe and then a jab. Another good combo by Joe, Pellegrino tries to shoot and Joe starts to land shots as Pellegrino was don, but he gets back to his feet. Combo by Pellegrino, an uppercut by Pellegrino and another combo. Body combo by Pellegrino and a jab by Joe. Solid body shot by Pellegrino, Joe takes him down, has top and gets a shot that opens up a small cut on the left temple of Pellegrino. Joe lands some shots on the cut and gets the back of Pellegrino, Joe hooks the right leg in and lands some shots. Shots to the head by Joe, Pellegrino rolls and then gets top position. He looks for the guillotine again and Pellegrino slides out. Pellegrino to his feet, and DIVES in with a big right onto Joe. Joe continues to look for the guillotine, Pellegrino fights out and remains on top. North south now and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Not as close as the first round, and I give Joe the advantage again 10-9, but I could see it being even.
ROUND THREE: Final round begins as Pellegrino jabs at Joe. Joe with jabs, uppercut by Pellegrino and he backs off. Combo by Pellegrino, jab by Joe and they clinch against the cage and Joe escapes that. Nice jab by Joe and another. Joe with more jabs and then Pellegrino shoots and takes him down easily. Pellegrino on top, some shots to the head of Joe and John warns them to work. Joe just holds on and gets the stand up. Joe in and charges in with shots to Pellegrino. Against the cage and he gets a take down, but Pellegrino gets a guillotine on him! Pellegrino has the legs locked and Joe manages to escape and then Joe starts to rain down with some shots, forearms now and then rib shots. Nice shots by Joe as Pellegrino is down against the cage and more lefts by Joe now. Joe continues to land as Pellegrino is stuck there. Pellegrino up and knees by Joe! Pellegrino misses a kick and Joe gets a double under hook and takes him down. Pellegrino rolls and gets side control. Joe rolls off the cage, gets the back of Pellegrino and lands some solid shots to Pellegrino. Pellegrino rolls for a leg lock by the round ends. Tremendous round.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: I give round 3 to Joe as well, a great round. I can see it being 29-28 easily though.
-The Result: Joe Stevenson via decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Joe is with Joe Stevenson. Rogan puts over the fight and Stevenson says it was all because of the hard work he did. He says to give Kurt a hand because he's a hell of a fighter. Stevenson talks us through the SUPLEX on replay! Rogan says he is ready for a title shot and Stevenson agrees as he starts to interview Rogan.
-LEE MAJORS IS IN THE CROWD~! ALL HAIL THE FALL GUY!
-Tito's head is in the crowd tonight.
-Randy has the poll advantage with 59%.
-They hype UFC 75 on September 8th. Also September 19th the Fight Night and Ultimate Fighter debut. Finally September 22nd is UFC 76! WAIT, on October 20th is UFC 77!
-We get a video package for Roger Huerta vs. Alberto Crane.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Roger Huerta (20-1-1 DRAW) vs. Alberto Crane (8-0):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Roger Huerta, Decision
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is Steve Mazzagatti. Jabs by Huerta to begin and a leg kick by Crane. Huerta pushes the pace early with leg kicks and combos. Huerta blocks a kick, Crane grabs a rolling foot lock and Huerta looks for a rear naked choke. Huerta rolls and had a figure four headlock for a moment, but Crane escapes and gets his back. Crane looks for the choke again and Huerta escapes and gets top. He lands some great shots and Crane defends with an arm lock, rolls out for a top position and looks for side control. Half guard by Huerta, and into side control by Crane, and now has Huerta's back again. He rolls and Huerta is defending well but Crane is dominating. Huerta rolls to escape and starts landing a lot of punches. A diving punch by Huerta and Crane defends with a guillotine and Huerta escapes. Crane has a mouse under his eye and is starting to bleed from it. Huerta on top as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: That is a hard round to decide. Crane was amazing with his groundwork but Huerta did way more damage with the punches, I will go Huerta 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Huerta out with a body kick right away. To the ground they go as Crane looks for a leg and Huerta is landing solid shots. Elbows and forearms by Huerta land. More shots by Huerta and the eye of Crane is looking bad. Crane looks for an omaplata and a leg lock, Huerta avoids and rolls by Crane on top now. Side control by Crane, Mazzigatti warns Huerta for a head shot. Crane gets the back of Huerta, Huerta stands up and pops out. Crane shoots for a leg, straight kick by Huerta lands and Crane is down. Huerta on top and lands body shots. Hammer fists to the face of Crane and Crane keeps looking for a submission, rolls and gets spider web control, tries a wicked arm bar and Huerta kicks at Crane to work as escape. He pops out but Crane on top still. Huerta out and rights to Crane. Crane shoots for a leg again and Huerta on top. Mount by Huerta, shots to Crane and gets a warning for a back head shot. He lands a LOT of legal shots now as Crane is exhausted. He just lays there as his eye gets worse. Huerta stands and waits on him and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Crane is impressive on the ground, but Huerta dominated and did a lot of damage again. Crane is gassed. Huerta gets it 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Before the round the doctor asked Crane is he wanted to continue. He does and tries to shoot in and rights by Huerta. Body kicks by Huerta, Crane shoots and Huerta escapes. Crane is laying there waiting on Huerta. Huerta in and lands rights, Crane tries a heel hook and hammer shots by Huerta. Back elbows by Huerta as he uses the big screen to help him! Rights by Huerta, back elbow connects as Huerta is using the big screen again to land shots! He rolls and gets top control and gets mount again. Huerta gets his back and starts to land shots and Mazzigatti smartly ends it.
-The Result: Roger Huerta via RD 3 (1:50) TKO
Joe Rogan is with Huerta. Rogan says his conditioning and submission defense were great. Huerta thanks all of his people and sponsors, and the fans. They talk about him using the big screen. He says he has done it before and you do what you have to do.
-We see Couture and Gonzaga preparing for their fight.
-Goldberg and Rogan discuss Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck.
-We get a video package for Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Georges St. Pierre (13-2) vs. Josh Koscheck (11-1):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Josh Koscheck, Decision
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is BIG John McCarthy! GSP looks like a beast. Here we go. They touch and Koscheck with a combo to begin. Another combo by Koscheck. GSP shoots in and takes Koscheck down. Rights by GSP, works for side control and elbows from bottom by Koscheck. He passes to half guard and they both land some shots. Some lefts by GSP, Koscheck works shots from the bottom and keeps guard. BIG left forearm by GSP. A right now and GSP gets him against the cage. Some shots by GSP, body shots now and GSP still in control. Elbow by GSP, lefts now and Koscheck turns and stands, shoots and GSP stuffs him. Koscheck has a leg and takes GSP down, and GSP did grab the cage. Koscheck on top, butterfly guard by GSP. Nice shot by Koscheck, GSP gets a warning for grabbing the cage. He tries to push off and Koscheck lands a good shot as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Close round as GSP controlled early, and then Koscheck got the latter half. I will go Koscheck 10-9, but it was very close.
ROUND TWO: GSP fakes a kick and then lands a leg kick. Another and shoots in and had Koscheck down. GSP works for side control, Koscheck gets a warning for a knee strike. GSP gets a kimura, but Koscheck escapes. Lefts by GSP now, another kimura locked in. Koscheck in half guard so he is in a good position, GSP pulls on the arm and Koscheck manages to escape. Side control by GSP, lands more lefts on Koscheck. Koscheck battles from bottom, Koscheck scrambles and GSP holds him down. Half guard by Koscheck, looks for another kimura and lands some body shots as well. GSP is sitting on Koscheck's head and lands shots to the face now while working the arm. GSP cranks at the arm and lands body shots now. He keeps cranking on the arm and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: GSP dominated the round and takes it easily 10-9. I have it even right now 19-19, but GSP could be ahead.
ROUND THREE: Final round now begins. Leg kicks by GSP. Good shots by both. Koscheck throwing wildly and getting some connection. More leg kicks by GSP. Koscheck misses a big right, and a good right by GSP. Combo by Koscheck, moves in and more leg kicks by GSP. Punch and leg kick by GSP. They both connect with combos now. Right and leg kick by GSP. Jabs and leg kicks by GSP. Koscheck with a wild right, shoots and had a leg, Koscheck gets him down but GSP gets top. Koscheck is bleeding a little from the nose as GSP lands elbows. Big elbow by GSP and another. GSP is dominating Koscheck right now and Koscheck wanted an arm bar, but GSP keeps landing big shots. Body shots by GSP, more elbows land, GSP gets a leg lock as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: GSP dominates again and takes the fight 29-28 on my card, but I can see 30-27.
-The Result: Georges St. Pierre via decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Joe Rogan is with GSP. GSP and Koscheck hug after the bout. GSP says he feels unbelievable. He feels reborn and apologizes for his last loss, but he thinks it was for the best as he is better than ever now. He has a game plan and says Josh is a great wrestler, and he wanted to get him on his back. He thanks his camp and says to Dana White, he gave a good show and wants a show in Canada.
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is Herb Dean. Here we go! They touch and rights by Gonzaga. Nice combo by Couture, almost had a take down, left hook and a take down by Couture. Has his back, they stand and Gonzaga frees a hand, they are against the cage and knees by Gonzaga. Right by Couture, knees follow. Couture takes him down and they get back up and they both land shots, Gonzaga with a good left kick in there and clinch against the cage. SLAM by Couture! Back to their feet and they exchange knees. Elbow by Gonzaga and a left, Gonzaga is bleeding a from the nose. Knees by Gonzaga, they clinch against the cage and Gonzaga's mouth is wide open, he could have a broken nose. Lots of blood now as they are still clinched. Big elbow by Couture, knees and another big elbow. Another and shoulder shrugs. Left hook by Couture, Gonzaga with double under hooks and tries to stop Couture. Short left by Couture, a left elbow connects big time by Couture. Another and Gonzaga is sucking wind due to that nice and spitting blood. Gonzaga out with a combo, Couture gets him against the cage and round one ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Good first round. Couture got some good take downs and appears to have broken Gonzaga's nose. I give it to Couture 10-9.
ROUND TWO: They were working on Gonzaga's nose big time during the rest period. They begin and a jab by Couture. Gonzaga tries a high kick, Couture ducks and gets him against the cage with the clinch. Left misses by Couture, gets a big right and then a left. Uppercut and they clinches with Gonzaga who is bleeding a lot. He tells Dean he cannot see, Dean stops to ask him if he can continue and Dean says if he can't see he can't get it cleaned. They go back to the same position and we go again. Couture tries to take him down, Gonzaga grabs the cage and Dean takes a point from Gonzaga. Lefts by Couture connect and he continues to work with knees. Left by Couture, lots of blood out of Gonzaga now. Couture with gut shots and a big combo. Upper cuts and Couture in control. Couture tries to sweep the legs, big shots by Couture again and a knee now. Big right and back to the clinch. Dean warns Gonzaga about grabbing the fence again. Uppercut by Couture and an elbow. Couture shoots and against the cage they go. Gonzaga's nose is pouring blood. Gonzaga switches, but Couture back in clinch control. Lefts by Couture, a BIG right uppercut by Couture lands. Knees by Couture, shots by Couture and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Couture dominated, and with the point taken away, Couture gets the round 10-8.
ROUND THREE: They come out and Gonzaga tries a high kick, blocked by Couture. A good right by Couture, they jab at each other and Gonzaga tries to stay away. Gonzaga now nails a BIG left kick and Couture just takes it! They clinch and Couture gets a takedown. He starts to land a lot of shots and Dean watches on and Gonzaga is not answering and it is OVER!
-The Result: Randy Couture via RD 3 TKO
Joe Rogan is with Couture. He and Gonzaga hugged after the bout. Rogan says it was an amazing bout. Couture says he wanted to tie him up and got in his face it would pay off. Couture says they clashed heads on the takedown and that is what damaged Gonzaga's nose. He admitted that Gonzaga rocked him a few times. Couture says he heard Gonzaga's nose crunch, and he knew he had to keep the pressure on. Rogan says it is an honor to watch him. Couture thanks his team, wife and family.
-Goldberg discusses UFC's popularity and the Fight Night Shows. They do a fight week recap.
-He then hypes the Ultimate Fighter 6 and Serra vs. Hughes. We see highlights from the previous seasons. We see Hughes and Serra talk shit, this season will RULE!
-We get a video package for Ryan Jensen vs. Thales Leites.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - Ryan Jensen (11-1) vs. Thales Leites (11-1):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Our official is Herb Dean. They touch and Jensen in with big kicks early. Leg kicks and a jab on Leites. Big head kick and more kicks connect. Jab by Jensen, leg kick by Leites. Another and Jensen charges in, takes Leites down and Leites passes, to their feet and they stand. Knees by Jensen. Good right by Jensen, Leites shoots and takes Jensen down. Leites gets his back, back elbow by Jensen but Leites slams him down, gets his back and gets both legs hooked, knees to the body and Jensen escapes. To their feet, leg kicks by Leites. Good right by Jensen, leg kicks by Leites. One by Jensen and then one by Leites. Jensen shoots and gets top, elbows on Leites, he stands and Leites gets an omaplata, Jensen escapes and Leites works and gets a sweet arm bar and that is all.
-The Result: Thales Leites via RD 1 (3:47) Submission
Joe Rogan is with Thales Leites. Joe says his BJJ helped him win again. Leites thanks all the right people, God as well. He is really happy and wants to come back soon. He talks us through the replay and how he got the submission. "He left his arm, I got it."
-Submission of the night was Leites from that last bout.
-Goldberg and Rogan discuss the evening. They say GSP looked great and outwrestled Koscheck with ease. They then discuss Couture's victory and that he is a freak of nature. Rogan calls his a rare gem. We see Randy in the locker room talking with Michael Irvin.
Stay tuned for Monday Morning when "My Take on MMA" returns with a complete breakdown and final thoughts on the show~!
Feel free to send in your thoughts on the show! If you do, please include your BEST and WORST fight, and score the PPV from 0-10!
