411’s UFC: The Ultimate Fighter VI Finals Report 12.08.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 12.08.2007
An awesome night of fighting sees Jon Koppenhaver and Jared Rollins battle in a bloody war, Mac Danzig winning the Ultimate Fighter VI championship in dominating fashion while Roger Huerta defeats Clay Guida in another war!
STAY TUNED for after the show when the 411 MMA Zone debuts "Lay and Pray Radio!" The first podcast from the 411 MMA Zone!
As usual here are my PICKS for the forum contest, same as I used in the news column this past Friday. If I do badly, I do badly, no big deal. Just remember that I have picked a ton of upsets this year, and I take pride in that.
Paul Georgieff vs. Jonathan Goulet
Goulet, strikes, RD1
Roman Mitichyan vs. Dorian Price
Price, sub, RD1
Richie Hightower vs. Troy Mandaloniz
Hightower, decision
Matt Arroyo vs. John Kolosci
Arroyo, sub, RD1
Dan Barrera vs. Ben Saunders
Saunders, RD3, strikes
Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulos
Sotiropoulos, decision
Jon Koppenhaver vs. Jared Rollins
Koppenhaver, strikes, RD1
TUF Final: Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer
Danzig, strikes, Rd2
Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
Guida, decision
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!
Make sure to check out the 411 Streaming Player for all of the latest podcasts from 411. This week there were two MMA Conference calls that we covered; one for his event and the other regarding John McCarthy's retirement from MMA officiating, after tonight. Check them out!
The Ultimate Fighter VI Finals~!:
-LIVE from the Palms in Las Vegas! I am so glad they got out of the Hard Rock for these shows.
-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan are our announce team.
-Goldberg says this is the night of opportunity, and a win here will go a long way.
-They tease a major announcement. I wonder if it is the fact that they stripped Sherk of the Lightweight title? I kid, but it looks like it will be either announcing coaches (Rampage and Forrest) for season seven, or a possible CBS deal that has been rumored for a while.
-We get a "Cinematic Movie Introduction" for World of Warcraft.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Dan Barrera (1-0) vs. Ben Saunders (4-0-2):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Yves Lavigne is the official. They touch and the night of fighting is on. Works a leg and then head kick, Dan shoots and they clinch against the cage. Knees by Dan, he keeps working for the takedown, but Saunders' sprawl is great thus far. To the mat and back up, Dan works for the back as they stand but Saunders gets a few rib shots. Knees by Saunders, one to the head and another and they go to north south. Saunders almost had an anaconda choke, to the side and works for the back. Saunders has the hooks, but Dan gets him against the cage. Saunders with an elbow and works for a short arm bar, Dan turns it and into the guard of Saunders he goes. Saunders works rubber guard, Dan out and a big right landed. Saunders works elbow shots, while Dan gets some short body shots. Saunders gets some shots to the ear of Dan as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: A very close round, quite hard to call actually. Barrera is showing some more damage it seems, and I suppose I will go with Saunders 10-9 for the good guard work.
ROUND TWO: Dan shoots right away and gets a take down, gets his back and ands a few shots. Saunders rolls to guard, gets a few elbows but is worked against the cage. He works to push off showing really good flexibility. Saunders seems to be doing more damage from the guard. Saunders almost rolls out, but Dan keeps in the guard. Crowd getting restless, but Saunders is working well from the guard and they get stood up. A flying knee try by Saunders, but Dan ducks and he only grazes Dan. Dan works for a takedown, but Saunders gets the back and has over under control. Saunders with a great roll, but Dan gets into his guard. More elbows by Saunders, and while Dan is on top he isn't doing anything. They get stood up, and a head kick lands by Saunders. North south and Dan gets warned for a third time for grabbing the shorts of Saunders. Saunders is landing good clean shots on Dan, and then a good elbow. He works for an arm bar, but the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: While they got stood up twice, a much better round in my opinion and Saunders takes this round as well on my card 10-9.
ROUND THREE: A body kick and combo by Saunders to begin the round. Dan works for the takedown, Saunders stops that and lands clean shots. Saunders looks for the back, wraps the legs and works for a choke, but Dan gets to his side. Saunders is landing good shots still and Saunders is in the dominant position. Dan escapes a choke, but cannot get out of the body triangle. Saunders keeps landing shots and looking for the choke. Saunders keeps the body triangle and the back now, lands shots as Dan tries to roll out. Dan finally rolls and turns into the guard. Saunders stays busy in the guard, and Dan cannot do anything of note. Dan works him against the cage, and they get stood up. A great body kick by Saunders lands as he continues to dominate the round. His takedown defense has been really good here and he lands body shots to Dan, who is just holding on right now. The round ends.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: A dominating performance in round three for Saunders, who on my card takes the bout 30-27.
-The Result: Ben Saunders via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Joe Rogan is with Saunders. Saunders wanted to finish, and he was disappointed and he is sorry for not finishing. He walks us through the replays.
-Back from a commercial and we see Hughes and Serra highlighted in Men's Fitness.
-We get a video package for UFC 79.
-Joe Rogan is with Hughes. Hughes discusses the fight, and says he has time to prepare for GSP. He says that this fight will be different, but he won't tell us why. He prayed and sharpened his tools apparently. Hughes feels he has the advantage due to already training for a five round fight and GSP only having a month. Hughes said he could have waited, taken an easy opponent, but he decided to take the GSP fight.
-We get a video package for Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulos.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Billy Miles (2-1) vs. George Sotiropoulos (7-2):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: John McCarthy is the official. Miles out quick with combos and works for a takedown, against the cage they go and down into north south. Sotiropoulos gets the side, lands good shots and then gets some hammer fists. He rolls, gets the back and the hooks in and lands more shots. Miles starts to flatten out but Sotiropoulos lets up on him hammer fists and lefts. He flattens out Miles, gets the body triangle and choke, Miles taps.
-The Result: George Sotiropoulos via RD1 (1:32) Submission
Joe Rogan is with George Sotiropoulos. Rogan says it was a great victory. Sotiropoulos new he was weak on the ground and was surprised to get it there so easy, and he just ended it.
-We get a video package for Richie Hightower vs. Troy Mandaloniz.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Richie Hightower (7-1) vs. Troy Mandaloniz (2-1):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: The official is Steve "THE STASH" Mazzigatti. They trade to begin. Hightower very aggressive and lands good shots on Troy. To the mat they go as Hightower gets the takedown and side control. They get right back to the feet, good combos by Troy, a great shot rocks Hightower and then a short elbow by Troy. Knees by Hightower, they clinch, to the cage they go and some dirty boxing goes on, knees to the thighs by Troy now. Leg kicks by Troy, and a combo and body kick by Hightower. They trade again, a knee by Troy and then a body kick by Hightower. They slow down and trade some light shots, knees to the things again by Troy. Clinched against the cage and they trade knees. They stalemate a bit, and shove away. Good body shots by Hightower, a stiff jab drops Hightower and Troy lands a few more shots and the fight is stopped. Hightower is busted open as they check on him.
-The Result: Troy Mandaloniz via RD1 (4:20) TKO
Joe Rogan is with Mandaloniz. Mandaloniz says Hightower is tough and he took good shots. He trained hard and now everyone knows he can punch like a mother. Mandaloniz says he could watch the replay all night.
-Forrest Griffin was at the Video game awards and talks to people.
-Kevin James is there, chilling with Rampage Jackson.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Jon Koppenhaver (5-1) vs. Jared Rollins (9-3):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: The official is Steve "THE STASH" Mazzigatti. Rollins in for a takedown, eats a kick but into the guard of Koppenhaver. Butterfly guard by Koppenhaver, to his feet and gets a takedown. Koppenhaver into the guard of Rollins, lands good body shots and stands, drops down with a good right. Shoulder shot and Rollins looks for am arm to counter, but Koppenhaver keeps control. Rollins gets a few elbows from the bottom, controls the arms of Koppenhaver and then again with three more. They jockey and Rollins with more elbows. Koppenhaver with more body shots, while Rollins gets more elbows from the bottom. Koppenhaver finally drops an elbow in retaliation to Rollins, and then goes back for more body shots. Koppenhaver isn't trying to pass the guard at all. Koppenhaver gets Rollins against the cage, more body shots and then some short elbows by Koppenhaver. Rollins with a ton of elbows from the bottom, but he is busted open badly. Rollins holds on and manages to get out of the round.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: Rollins was doing tremendous work from the bottom with the elbows, but Koppenhaver was able to start getting clean shots and busted him open , doing a lot of damage and making Rollins hold on for the end of the round. I will go Koppenhaver 10-9, in a pretty close round.
ROUND TWO: Both guys are actually cut we find out. Rollins with a good combo, and knee and has Koppenhaver against the cage. He takes down Koppenhaver, but Koppenhaver falls on top and Rollins with more elbows, and Koppenhaver is bleeding just as badly right now. Koppenhaver stays in the guard and is eating elbows from Rollins. Koppenhaver keeps working the body from the guard, and this is one of the more bloody MMA fights I have seen in some time. Rollins with more elbows and they now get stood up. They trade, a flying knee by Rollins and then shoots in, gets the takedown. He stands and rains down with shots, Rollins into the guard of Koppenhaver now. Rollins stands, gets a good clean shot and back into half guard. Side control by Rollins, Koppenhaver works off the cage and Rollins gets his back, no hooks and back to side control. Rollins gets the back again, has the hooks in and looks for the choke. Crowd is digging war machine. Rolling back to half guard as Koppenhaver gets out of the choke try. Rollins now stands and is raining down shots, Koppenhaver tries to cover up and pulls Rollins close and we'll head to round three!
LARRY'S SCORECARD: What a war. Rollins takes this round easily in my eyes, and I have it all tied up 19-19.
ROUND THREE: Crowd is hot for round three. Rollins shoots right away, Koppenhaver grabs the cage and gets warned. Koppenhaver gets into the guard again, gets some good shots before slowing down. They get stood up, and they are gassed. Koppenhaver charges Rollins, knees by Koppenhaver and lands two more, a right and Rollins is down. Rollins in the guard, both guys are throwing very weakly due to exhaustion, Koppenhaver reverses out of nowhere, gets top and rains down with shots and the fight is stopped! THE STASH dove in for the save!
-The Result: Jon Koppenhaver via RD 3 (2:01) TKO
Joe Rogan is with Koppenhaver. Koppenhaver is overwhelmed with emotion. He's happy to win, he respects Rollins and didn't want to fight him but he had too. He starts to cry and says Rollins should be back because he is great. They go through the replay.
-We get a video package for UFC 79.
-We get hype and video for Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer. Including seeing their homes and where they train. Danzig's chick is hot.
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER SIX CHAMPIONSHIP WELTRWEIGHT BOUT: Mac Danzig (17-4-1D) vs. Tommy Speer (9-1):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: YVES is the official. They touch and here we go kids. Speer rushes Danzig, they clinch at the cage and knees by Danzig. Knee by Speer, more knees and Danzig snags his leg and switches him around. Danzig works for a trip and finally gets a takedown. Danzig lands some lefts, gets mount on Speer and starts landing a lot of shots on Speer. Short elbow by Danzig, more rights, now Speer turns and Danzig gets his back and has the hooks in. He flattens out Speer, works rights and tries to get the choke…and SPEER TAPS!
-The Result: Mac Danzig via RD1 (2:01) submission
Speer's face looks bad. Dana is there to hand out his award with Matt Hughes.
Joe Rogan is with Mac. They talk about the house and Mac dedicates the fight to his mom. He was nervous, Speer is strong and he knew what he had to do, but he respects Speer. They talk us through the end of the fight. He is going to drop to lightweight. He thanks trainers, partners, Spike, UFC and the world.
Joe is now with Speer. It was tough being in the house, and he is glad to have made it this far. He felt unprepared. Joe says he did well, and that he has a bright future ahead of him. Speer thanks his brother.
-We get a video package for Matt Arroyo vs. John Kolosci.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Matt Arroyo (2-1) vs. John Kolosci (8-4):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: John McCarthy is the official. Kolosci tries a takedown, Matt gets the back and then the side. Into the guard now, Matt has a guillotine and Kolosci escapes. Matt now lands shots from the bottom, gets an arm bar and Kolosci tries to stand… Kolosci powerbombs him down and Matt sinks in a deep arm bar, Koloscis spins out and gets into the guard. Great escape there. Matt grabs the cage, gets warned and Kolosci stays in guard. Matt pushes off the cage, they get warned to improve position and work. Kolosci stands and lets Matt up. Kolosci shoots, and Matt gets a guillotine and pulls Kolosci down. Kolosci escapes again and is in guard. Body shots by Kolosci, elbows by Matt and then a good right from Kolosci. Matt rolls into an arm bar and Kolosci taps this time. That was nice.
-The Result: Matt Arroyo via RD1 (4:42) submission
Joe Rogan is with Arroyo. They discuss the submission tries, and he walks us through the one he tapped on.
-KEN FLO joins the commentary team. They talk about MAC dropping down to lightweight. FLO puts him over and says he will do well. The move to talk of Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta. FLO says there are no scrubs in UFC and Huerta doesn't deserve the flack he gets. Rogan talks primarily about Guida and that he has fought tough guys.
-We get a video package for Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Roger Huerta (21-1-1) vs. Clay Guida (22-5):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: BIG JOHN is the official, in what is his last bout. Thanks for everything Big John! Let's get it on! High kick by Huerta, jabs now and then Clay gets a takedown. Into the guard goes Clay, Butterfly guard by Huerta, to the feet they go and Clay with a BIG slam on Huerta! Back to the guard and the crowd loves Clay thus far. They work against the cage, Clay works to half and looking for side control. Huerta kicks off the cage, rolls and tries a heel hook. Clay escapes and gets the back of Huerta. Huerta turns and goes to his feet. They trade knees and Clay got one when Huerta was down. Big John offers up a warning, and that was an illegal knee. Back to action, good shots by Huerta. High kick lands for Huerta, jabs now and they trade wildly. Clay shoots and against the cage they go. Huerta looks for a kimura as they go to the ground. Clay gets the back of Huerta, sinks a hook in and the other. He tries to flatten out Huerta, rolls to the side and gets a choke. Not deep though. Huerta works off the cage, counters and into the guard of Clay. Huerta gets the back now, looks for an arm and Clay escapes. Side control by Clay as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: A HELL of a first round. I am torn as Huerta got some really good submissions tries and counters near the end, but so did Guida overall ad he had the takedowns. I will go Guida 10-9 in an extremely close round.
ROUND TWO: They come out trading to begin the round. Clay with a takedown on Huerta, goes to the guard of Huerta, gets the back but Huerta rolls out. They both get hard shots and Clay wanted a knee, but Huerta kept a knee on the ground. They trade hard shots now, a high kick to the shoulder by Huerta. A leg kick and then a body kick. Clay shoots and Huerta escapes that. Clay shoots again and gets a great takedown. Clay in the guard of Huerta, Huerta kicks him off and then Clay gets his back. Clay wraps the legs, but Huerta escapes and they go to north south. Back to the feet and a great combo by Huerta. Another and they start to trade and Clay shoots and takes him down again. Hammer fists by Clay, he has the back and then elbows by Huerta. Elbows by Clay, back to north south, Clay grabs a leg and then drops elbows. To the feet, they unload on each other and Huerta goes to shoot, eats a hard shot by Clay, Clay unloads and Huerta gets him into the tight guard. Side mount by Clay and lots of shots by Clay landing from the top. A big right by Clay, double hammer fists by Clay, side mount and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORECARD: Sweet Jesus another great round. I will go Guida 10-9 here, and up 20-18 on my card.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins and they trade wildly again. A knee to Clay as he shoots, another and he is hurt. Wild shit here. Clay shoots to avoid more shots, but Huerta gets his back. He has hooks in…has the choke and rolls Clay. Clay taps. Jesus that was a great fight.
-The Result: Roger Huerta via RD3 submission
Joe Rogan is with Huerta. He thanks God, his mom and everyone. He puts over Guida, and says he never got discouraged. He buries Hatton vs. Mayweather and says UFC is the real show. He wants UFC to go to Mexico.
Joe is with Clay Guida now. He says he got racked well by that elbow. He puts over Huerta, and says he had the first two rounds, but he got caught. He thanks his camp and the fans. He is honored to fight Huerta and says he will win next time.
-FLO puts over the UFC Lightweight Division.
-Dana White is set to make his major announcement. The building appears to be empty already. Season 7 of TUF is going to change and be crazy. He announces that Forrest Griffin, the #1 contender for the Light Heavyweight Title will be one of the coaches on the show. They will announce the other coach during the video game awards. It will be Rampage. He won't tell us the changes, but he is excited and it will be very revamped.
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!
