411’s UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion Report 9.08.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 09.08.2007
Rampage is the Champion of the Light Heavyweight Universe, adding another nail in the PRIDE coffin. Speaking of coffins, after tonight you may want to have one ready for the career of Mirko Cro Cop. Michael Bisping got the hometown decision and more!
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 PICKS~!:
--Here are the predictions I made for the Forum Pick ‘Em Contest, and were also posted in the Friday News Column, that way I can be made fun of when I make some atrocious picks.
Anthony Torres vs. Jess Liaudin
Winner: Jess Liaudin via submission RD1
Naoyuki Kotani vs. Dennis Siver
Winner: Naoyuki Kotani via submission RD3
Tomasz Drwal vs. Thiago Silva
Winner: Thiago Silva via TKO RD2
Gleison Tibau vs. Terry Etim
Winner: Terry Etim via submission RD 1
Houston Alexander vs. Alessio Sakara
Winner: Houston Alexander via TKO RD1
Marcus Davis vs. Paul Taylor
Winner: Marcus Davis via Submission RD2
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Cheick Kongo
Winner: Mirko Cro Cop via TKO RD2
Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill
Winner: Michael Bisping via decision
LHW Title Unification: Rampage Jackson vs. Dan Henderson
Winner: Rampage Jackson via TKO RD4
UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion:
-We come to you tonight from the 02 Arena in London England!
-Mike Goldberg welcomes us, and hypes the Champion vs. Champion bout. Rogan joins us and says that this is a mega match up, the first of many with the PRIDE acquisition. They then hype Hamill vs. Bisping and Congo vs. Mirko.
-Back from commercial and we get a video package for Houston Alexander vs. Alessio Sakara.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Houston Alexander (7-1) vs. Alessio Sakara (15-5-1NC):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Houston Alexander via TKO RD1
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Yves is the official. They touch and Alexander jabs in early, goes for a clinch and has it. Sprawls and then lands big knees to Sakara. Alexander is taken down, but both men back up to their feet. Jabs by Alexander, they both connect, clinch and a HUGE knee by Alexander, Sakara is down. Alexander on top, ground and pound as he rains down on Sakara and it is stopped.
-The Result: Houston Alexander via KO RD1 (1:01)
Joe Rogan is with Houston Alexander. Alexander says Nebraska is in the building. He belongs to the UFC. He thanks his family, friends and coaches, as well as the UFC and the London fans. He talks us through the replay and says it was all good coaching and training. Joe says he has proven himself and Alexander says he will fight anyone. Shout outs to the sponsors.
-Back from commercial and Randy Couture is in attendance. He will commentate for the main event.
-We see Rampage and Henderson arriving earlier today.
-We see Mirko preparing for his fight. We then see Kongo preparing.
-They hype UFC 76 in two weeks.
-Back from commercial and we now get a video package for Marcus Davis vs. Paul Taylor.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Marcus Davis (17-4) vs. Paul Taylor (8-1):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Marcus Davis via Submission RD2
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Yves is the official. They touch and come out throwing. Davis shoots, against the cage now and they jockey for position. Knees by Davis, Taylor with rights. They exchange, both land body kicks. Now good combos by both. High kick by Taylor and he is on top, hammer fists and keeps landing, but Davis maintains half guard and is able to stop the punishment. Taylor works the top, side control and pushes Davis against the cage. Taylor with big rights now, Davis to his knees and gets a single leg. Davis has him down, Taylor works some body shots and Taylor has guard,. Up kicks by Taylor, Davis back down and Taylor works for a guillotine. Davis works for side control, has it and rains down with shots! Elbows now and he is destroying Taylor. He gets his back and Taylor manages to turn back to his back, Davis with a ton of shots onto Taylor. Davis gets the side and then locks in a great arm bar to finish the fight!
-The Result: Marcus Davis via submission RD 1 (4:14)
Joe Rogan is with Marcus Davis. Joe says he was on another level and his best performance ever. Davis says it could have been stopped when he took that high kick. Taylor is very strong and surprised him with that. Davis walks us through the replay and says the high kick, "sucked." He thanks his camp and all of the usual people.
-Back from commercial and we get a video package for the Ultimate Fighter VI.
-We get a video package for Mirko Cro Cop vs. Cheick Kongo.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Mirko Cro Cop (22-5-2Draws) vs. Cheick Kongo (20-3-1Draw):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Mirko Cro Cop via TKO RD2
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Big John is the official. They come out and jabs by Mirko. Leg kicks by Kongo, another and Mirko backs him off and gets a body kick. Good leg kick again by Kongo. A nice knee to the body by Kongo, and an inside leg kick follows. Another to the body. Jabs by Kongo and misses a body kick. Body kick by Mirko and another. They kick and collide, Kongo down off a slip and back up, they clinch and are against the cage. Short knees by Kongo to the thighs of Mirko. Big John separates them, back center and leg kicks by Kongo. Straight body kick by Kongo, Mirko misses a high kick. Mirko catches a kick of Kongo, has him down and Mirko lands good body shots and has him against the cage. Kongo is in half guard as Mirko continues to land body shots. He is working over the right side, ribs, and Mirko has mount now. More body shots by Mirko, keeps mount and starts landing shots to the head. Kongo works off the cage but Mirko sits up in mount and lands shots, Kongo counters and is out, on top and lands a few shots as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Very good first round. Mirko got the advantage when they got to the ground, landed great body shots and had good control. I go Mirko 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Good body kick by Kongo to begin. Jabs by Kongo, another body kick. He is backing off Mirko now and light jabs and then barely misses a high kick. Another near miss. Body kick by Mirko. They clinch, knees by Mirko. Kongo gets a takedown, has side control and works some body shots. Mirko gets half guard, but a great elbow by Kongo. Mirko looked for a triangle, but failed. Mirko tries to push away, Kongo works to try and get him near the cage. Kongo stands and drops down with a shot. Kongo stands and waits on Mirko, standing kicks to a downed Mirko. Kongo back into Mirko's guard. Some elbows by Kongo, Mirko pushes off and almost kips up. They clinch against the cage and Kongo just hit Mirko in the groin, Big John missed it. Knees by Kongo from the clinch and Mirko turns control. Big John breaks them up, don't know why though. Kongo with GREAT knees connecting and Mirko is rocked a bit. The round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Good turn around for Kongo as he controlled the round, although there was the suspect groin shot. But I have it Kongo 10-9, even fight going into the final round.
ROUND THREE: Final round now. Leg kicks by Kongo, and Mirko misses a high kick. Jabs by Kongo, and another leg kick and a right then rocks Mirko a bit. They clinch and against the cage. Knees by Kongo, and a shot to the groin is caught by Big John, warning and Mirko gets a rest period. Replay shows that Mirko got hit in the daddy button, that would be the triple-decker pecker wrecker. Mirko only tales a minute rest of his five, mistake I thing. Jabs by Kongo and a straight left and Mirko looks lost. Good body kick and follow up right by Kongo. Another great body kick and jabs by Kongo. More body kicks and to the clinch. Knees to the thighs of Mirko and Mirko answers back with some knees. Big John breaks it up, early I thought. Body kick by Mirko, tried a body kick and lands. Kongo lands one now. Mirko is backing off and they clinch, knees by Kongo. Some dirty boxing by Kongo, more knees and Mirko has no answer. Big John breaks them up again. Kongo out with a body kick and jabs. More body kicks and Kongo is just dominating. Mirko with a body kick but Kongo back with a combo and knees. They trade kicks, clinch and against the cage. They hug and need to be broken up here, come on Big John. Some knees by Kongo and it is over.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Domination by Kongo. He takes the round 10-9, and the fight 29-28, from me anyway.
-The Result: Cheick Kongo via decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Joe Rogan is with Cheick Kongo. Kongo salutes the crowd. Joe says he was the underdog and has now defeated one of the top heavyweights in the world. Kongo says he did it for his friends, family and country. Kongo says his improved ground game helped. He has a back and shoulder injury and it hurt him preparing for the bout.
-They hype Fight Night on the 19th, as well as the debut of the Ultimate Fighter VI. Then UFC 76 on September 22nd.
-Back from commercial and we get a video package for Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Michael Bisping (14-0) vs. Matt Hamill (5-0):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Michael Bisping via decision
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Mario Yamasaki is the official. Mat charges out and lands a jab. Another and they exchange, both landing good shots. God jabs by Matt, leaping knee by Matt misses. Kicks by Bisping, leg kicks by Bisping and a knee by Bisping, Matt catches and to the ground they go. Back to the feet already as Matt let Bisping up. Knee by Bisping, jabs now and Matt answers back with jabs. Straight right by Matt, jabs now and a combo by Bisping. Leg kicks by Bisping, jabs now and Matt answers. Matt with a takedown, Bisping to his feet but they clinch and are against the cage. Dirty boxing by Matt and Bisping is bloodied. They separate, good combo by Matt and Bisping is rocked a bit. Matt has a leg, but cannot get him down. Bisping is cut and they exchange. Jabs by Matt, leg kicks by Bisping to answer. Matt with those looping Liddell jabs. Combo by Bisping as he fires back, lands good shots and backs Matt off. Matt with more shots and Bisping basically runs away from him. As Bisping backs off he falls on his ass as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Good opening round for Matt Hamill. He stayed up, rocked Bisping and cut him up. Bisping looked lost at times. Hamill gets the round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Matt jabs to begin. He backs off Bisping, but Bisping back with a combo and a leg kick by Matt takes him down. Bisping looks to use the rubber guard, Matt still in control as he works to get out of the closed guard. Matt landing some body shots, side control and Bisping is able to escape and to the feet they go. Jabs again by Matt, then by Bisping. A left hook by Bisping misses, jabs by Mat. They clinch, elbow by Matt and he releases. Good shots by Matt and he again backs Bisping off. Quick exchange of rights, Matt shoots and gets the takedown. They stand and clinch, rights by Matt and they separate. Jabs by Matt, another connects and another. Bisping is jittery and dancing, not doing much. Jabs again by Matt, Bisping with a straight right but eats another jab. Combo by Bisping, mostly blocked and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Not nearly as dominating a round for Hamill, but the takedown and shots landed, with overall aggression is enough to take the round; even though he never had Bisping in trouble. Hamill 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Final round and they come out jabbing. Bisping with a good uppercut and combo to follow and rocked Matt. More shots by Bisping, fake knee and jab by Bisping. He slips and Matt looks for a takedown, but backs off. Left hook by Matt, they exchange and a great right by Bisping. Matt shoots, great sprawl by Bisping to stop that. Looping shots by Mat miss as he looks tired now. Matt shoots and gets the takedown. Great counter wrestling by Bisping and Matt into the closed guard. Bisping tries an arm bar, but Matt counters and gets him against the cage. Bisping to his feet and they go back to striking. Great knee by Bisping, but he gets taken down again. Good shots from Bisping in the guard, he works to push Matt off and looks for the right arm bar again. Good shots by Bisping, side control by Matt and ha starts to land shots. North south and Bisping to his feet, he lands a good combo and leg kick. They start to throw wildly and a great kick by Bisping to the face of Matt. Mat shoots in, sprawl by Bisping and that is all.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: I have to go Bisping for this round. He did very good damage, clean hits and his counters from the takedowns were good. I could easily see some one going for Hamill here though due to the takedowns. Unfortunately it is too late on my card, as I go 29-28 for Hamill.
-The Result: Michael Bisping via SPLIT decision (Bisping 29-28, Hamill 30-27, Bisping 29-28)
Joe Rogan is with Bisping says he got hit but doesn't think he was in trouble. He says this counts even more because he shut up Hamill. He talks us through the replays, and says he out boxed Hamill. He thanks everyone.
Joe is now with Hamill. He says Mike did a good job and he gives him all the credit in the world. Hamill seemed totally deflated there.
-Brandon Vera and GSP are in the house.
-They hype UFC 76.
-We get a sneak peak for "Good Luck Chuck."
-Randy Couture joins the commentary team for the main event.
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Rampage Jackson via TKO RD4
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Big John is our official. They touch and Jackson in with a flurry, they clinch to the cage and knees by Dan and then by Jackson. Jackson with more knees, Dan turns the control and gets some really good knees and then an elbow. Rights by both men still in the clinch, more knees by Dan to the legs. Some body shots by Jackson. Shoulder shrugs by Dan, they separate and a right by Dan. More against the cage on Jackson, leg sweep by Dan and an elbow, into side control. Dan slides him to the cage, Jackson with some shots from the bottom. Short elbows by Dan, total control of Jackson, but Jackson rolls and escapes. Good right the body by Jackson, and now back to the clinch against the cage. Knees by Dan to the thighs, then to the chest. Body shots by Jackson, good left by Dan though and then a great combo by Dan. Jackson back with a knee strike, body lock by Dan and they go against the cage again. They exchange knees as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Very good round for Dan Henderson. He had great knees and landed more damaging shots. He will take round one 10-9.
ROUND TWO: They come out and a leg kick by Dan. Good shots by both, an uppercut by Jackson and then a combo after a miss by Dan. They clinch, and a takedown by Dan. Side control right away and shoulder shrugs by Dan. Short elbows now, isolates the right arm of Jackson gets some knees to the side of Jackson. Jackson with a few body shots from the bottom, crowd is restless. Jackson rolls out and to the feet they go. Knees by Jackson, Dan goes for a takedown, but Jackson lands on top. Side control by Jackson, elbows by Jackson from side control. He lands elbows, Dan almost rolls out but Jackson remains on top. Good body shots by Jackson, and he continues that assault. A few shots to the head and then the ribs as he sits in the half guard. More elbows to the ribs by Jackson, an up kick by Dan to end the round.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: I could see the round going either way, but I felt Jackson did a lot more in his part of dominance, so I will go Jackson 10-9, and 19-19 overall.
ROUND THREE: Dan misses a leg kick, they jab a bit for position and a good right by Jackson. Jackson stays away from the clinch and gets a leg kick. Combo misses by Jackson, but then gets a good right, body shot and a great combo, and another to Dan. Dan is looking tired, breathing through his mouth already. Takedown by Jackson, right into side control. Dan gets a warning for hitting to the back of the head, Jackson works the knees to the body from side control. Dan tries to roll, god elbow by Jackson. Half guard now, Dan looks for a kimura, Jackson works the ribs again. He escapes the kimura and lands more body shots. More rights and elbows to the ribs by Jackson. Dan with a tremendous roll into side control! Great elbow to the face of Jackson. Short elbows now, Jackson with shots from the bottom. Dan has Jackson against the cage, Dan gets his back and still has Jackson against the cage. Jackson stands, eats a knee by Dan and then answers back with a shot that semi rocks Dan as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Another hard round for scoring. I still feel that Jackson is doing more, the knees on the ground from side control and dominating a good portion of the round make a lot of difference. I will go Jackson 10-9, and 29-28 overall for Jackson.
ROUND FOUR: Jackson out with a combo to start. Straight right by Dan but he gets dropped with a right by Jackson! Jackson on top and gets some shots, Arm bar by Dan and Jackson escapes that! Dan works for another arm bar, Jackson stacks him and some hammer shots to Dan. He escapes and gets side control. Knees to the sides by Jackson again. Dan to his knees, Jackson roll shim back to his back and Dan looks for the kimura. Jackson escapes and lands more shots from the top. More rights to the body by Jackson, good elbow from the bottom by Dan but Jackson keeps working the body. Half guard but a good right from Jackson. Dan is tired, more so than Jackson. Big John was apparently not satisfied and he stands them up. Spin kick by Dan misses. Jackson stalks him and lands 4-5 good shots in a combo and rocks Dan. Good rights and a jab by Jackson, the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: While the previous two rounds you could argue for both men, I feel that this was Jackson's round rather easily. 10-9 for Jackson, 39-37 overall for Jackson.
ROUND FIVE: Jackson was favoring his left hand in the corner, which has been giving him problems. Jackson lands some good shots and is landing them solidly. They clinch and to the cage they go. Shoulder shrugs by Dan, he controls against the cage looking for the takedown. Good combos by both and Jackson was shaken up. They go wild with exchanges and then a leg kick by Jackson. Good right by Jackson, body shot by Dan and then a combo by Jackson. Another followed by a right hand. Superman shot by Dan and then a takedown. Dan has done damage here and is looking to do something significant here with 90-seconds left. Rights by Dan, Jackson tries to roll but fails. Dan stacks him up a bit and lands good shots. Jackson to his knees, gets up and knees by Dan. Dan tries to shoot again, knees by Jackson and he gets the takedown. Half guard and good shots by Jackson land. To their feet, great shots by Jackson, Dan is down and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: I was ready to go with Henderson, but then Jackson got the takedown, good damage and at the end sent the message. I will go Jackson 10-9, and 49-46 overall.
-The Result: Winner and THE UNIFIED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE UNIVERSE Quinton Jackson via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Joe Rogan is with Quinton Jackson. Jackson says Unified champion sounds good. He says Dan beat up his fists with his face. Jackson walks us through the replays. He says he thought he should do something so Dan wouldn't whoop his ass. He wanted to slam him, but since Dan was a Greco champion that ruined his plans. He says nobody knows it, but he has ju jitsu. He just doesn't like submitting people. He praises God and thanks all the right people.
-Goldberg and Couture discuss what a great win it was for Jackson.
-The submission of the night was Marcus Davis.
-Goldberg and Rogan put over Rampage and his evolution as a fighter.
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!
