411mania.com: MMA - 411’s UFC 88 – Breakthrough Report 9.06.08

PRELIM RESULTS~!

Ryo Chonan defeated Joan Carneiro via Split Decision (Judges Douglas Crosby and Tony Mullinax had it 29-28 for Chonnan, while judge Chris Lee had 29-28 for Carneiro.)

Jason MacDonald defeated Jason Lambert via RD2 Submission (RNC) Shown on PPV

Tim Boetsch defeated Mike Patt via RD1 TKO Shown on PPV

Kurt Pellegrino defeated Thiago Tavares via Unanimous Decision (Crosby 29-27, Mullinax 29-27, Lee 29-28 for Pellegrino)
Credit: Dave Meltzer

UFC 88 - BREAKTHROUGH
-LIVE from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia!

-Mike Goldberg welcomes us to the show, runs down the main event a bit as he discusses Liddell and Joe Rogan joins the broadcast.

-They now run down the card.

-We get a video package for Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown.

-Matt Brown gets the cheap pop by using "Devil Went Down to Georgia" as his theme music.

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Dong Hyun Kim (10-0-1dr) vs. Matt Brown (10-6):

ROUND ONE: The official is Mario Yamasaki. And here we go! Brown throws first and misses. A leg kick lands, combo by Kim and then a takedown. Brown right back up but then Kim takes him right back down. Kim has the back as Brown stands, Kim gives it up and pulls Brown back down. Gets the back, has the hooks in as Brown stands. Rear naked choke from the side, Brown works to escape and Kim back to his feet. Kim leaps back onto the back of Brown, Kim has the figure four on the body and works for the arm submission. Brown with a forearm strike and gets Kim down. Brown into the guard, but Kim back to his feet. Knees by Brown, they separate and Brown lands a grazing high kick. Misses the leg kick, gets a body shot. He misses the spinning back fist but avoids the takedown. Kim tries for the double leg, stuffed and knees by Brown. Brown fails at a takedown, they clinch and Kim gets a takedown, but Brown is on top and works for the choke. Rights by Brown, as Brown works more of a side headlock. Brown turns but Kim has his back once again. Kim looks for the inverted arm bar, and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: A really fun first round. Kim was constantly going for the back and dominated early, but Brown was able to escape. Kim out worked him and I felt dominated as far as control goes, so I go 10-9 for Kim.

ROUND TWO: Round two begins and leg kicks land for Brown. Misses the head kick, a good left by Kim follows. Body shot by Brown and a leg kick. Leaping knee by Kim connects, but he falls. He gets back up, knees by Brown and a good combo follows. Kim rushes Brown, gets stuffed and thy go to the cage. North south now, Brown works to the guard against the cage but they get back to the feet and Brown lands a good series of shots. They are locked up against the cage, works the midsection with knees and Brown gets him down. Into the guard, looks for rubber guard but Brown postures out and lands a good right. Up kick by Kim lands, Brown misses a spinning shot but remains standing. Brown lands some clean shots and backs away to allow Kim to his feet. More knees by Brown as he works the gut of Kim. Left by Kim, they clinch against the cage and don't do much. Kim escapes, but a good combo by Brown lands cleanly. Kim misses a left, Brown takes him down and Brown has half guard now. Brown works for the arm triangle,, and then lands big elbows to the mid-section as the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Km looked tired and Brown punished the mid-section through out the round. Brown ties it up 19-19.

ROUND THREE: Round three begins and Brown dances a bit. Misses a body kick, and Kim hits Brown, who realizes he forgot his mouthpiece. He gets it and back to action. High kick by Kim checked, leg kick caught by Kim but Brown backs off. Superman punch by Brown misses, Kim shoots and gets the takedown. He gets side control right away, works knees to the side but Brown escapes and is back to his feet. They work to the cage, more knees by Brown to the side of Kim. Kim tries a throw but it is blocked by Brown. Brown snatches up the right leg of Kim, lands body shots and then releases the leg. Big left hook by Kim, elbow connected and then Brown stops a takedown. Kim then gets him down again, he goes into half guard and then to full. Kim with a right to the face, elbows by Brown from the bottom and they get warned to fight. Km lands a solid elbow and another. Brown is cut open from the elbows, Kim postures up and lands an elbow. More short elbows by Kim and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: A close round early, and just as Brown looked to have control Kim scored two takedowns and cut him with the elbows. I think that takes the third round for Kim, and the fights 29-28.

THE RESULT: Dong Hyun Kim via Split Decision (29-28 Kim, 29-28 Brown, 29-28 Kim)

Joe Rogan is with Kim. Through his translator Kim says that he is sorry that the UFC fans got a decision because he hates it himself. He will be different the next time.

Joe is with Matt Brown now. Rogan thought he won the fight. Brown says he was never in trouble in the first round, and he says he fights for finishes. He doesn't care what the judges say, and he loves to fight.

-Yoshida is here, he is chilling because Karo backed out of the fight due to injury.

-Chuck is winning the text vote with 81%.

-We get a video package for Nate Marquardt vs. Martin Kampmann.

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - Nate Marquardt (29-8-2) vs. Martin Kampmann (13-1):

ROUND ONE: The official is Mario Yamasaki. They come out, both throw wildly and back off. Good body shot by Nate, Kampmann stalks him and a high kick by Nate drops Kampmann! Kampmann back up and they clinch. Good elbows by Nate, he starts to unload on Kampmann and is in control. He is rocking Kampmann against the cage, chases him around and he picks him apart! IT IS ALL OVER!

THE RESULT: Nate Marquardt via RD1 (1:22) TKO

Joe Rogan is with Nate Marquardt. Joe says he had an awesome performance. Nate says that his coaches rule, that he was prepared and wanted to keep it basic. He knew he could take it standing and took what he got. He walks us through the replay.

-Chuck is winning the text vote with 78%.

-Faber and Torres are in attendance, and they mention that the WEC show is cancelled. BOOOO!

-We get a video package for Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Dan Henderson (22-7) vs. Rousimar Palhares (17-1):

ROUND ONE: The official is Herb Dean. They touch and slowly circle. Henderson backs him off, lands a big right and is down! Henderson lands some ground shots and then lets Palhares up. Palhares shoots, stuffed and then grazes Henderson with a high kick. Tries to shoot, fails and another big right by Henderson is checked. Palhares changes to southpaw, misses a spin wheel kick as Henderson ducks and then shoots, great sprawl by Henderson and he stops that. High kick by Palhares checked again, jab by Henderson and another right grazes Palhares. Palhares misses another high kick, they throw wildly and Palhares rocks him with an uppercut. To the ground and Henderson backs off. Palhares with a right, Henderson slips and then backs off. A left by Palhares misses, good left by Palhares lands, a jab as well and then shoots, gets Henderson down and is on top, and into side control he goes. Palhares to half guard, Henderson controls the head and Palhares postures up a bit, looks for a knee bar but the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Henderson looked like he would end it early, but Palhares survived and was able to eventually get Henderson to the ground. But Henderson controlled the majority of the round and did good damage, so 10-9 for Henderson.

ROUND TWO: Round two begins and they begin slowly again as they circle. Palhares shoots, stuffed, throws a high kick and grazes Henderson. Tries to shoot again, and gets a BIG slam on Henderson! Into guard by Palhares, both trade some punches as Palhares looks to pass. Palhares locks in the heel hook, Henderson slips out and lands a right. Henderson escapes, he limps a bit but is up and they circle. Palhares shoots, Henderson gets a choke on Palhares, but he rolls and to the feet they go. Jab by Henderson, a good right follows. Palhares shoots, Henderson with a right and into the guard of Palhares. Short elbows by Henderson connect, hammer fist follows as Palhares looks for an out. Henderson gets warned to work, lands more short elbows and they get stood up. A jab by Palhares, but Henderson with a solid right to back him off. A high kick blocked by Henderson and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Palhares has the sub attempt early off of the slam, but Henderson not only escaped but came back with the takedown and did some damage. A close round, but I go Henderson up 20-18.

ROUND THREE: Final round now and jabs by Henderson to begin. Palhares shoots, stuffed and then misses a spinning heel kick. High kick checked by Henderson, they circle and Palhares slips on a hook kick. Jabs by Henderson, then by Palhares. Palhares shoots, sprawl and nothing there for Palhares. Palhares gets stuffed again. Jabs by Henderson, and then a big right lands. Right hook by Palhares, Henderson backs off and then Palhares lands a few wild shots but Henderson mostly avoided. Leg kick by Palhares, crowd hates this right now. A good right again by Henderson, they stay away as Palhares shows no urgency at this point. Henderson connects again, Palhares shoots and gets the takedown but Henderson is out right away. Jab by Palhares, another and then misses a right. Overhand right by Henderson, they go to the ground and Henderson escapes another heel hook try. Henderson with a right, Palhares gets a momentary takedown by Henderson is right back to his feet. Henderson drops Palhares with a big right and then dives in with a HUGE right as the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Henderson was mainly defense, but it worked as Palhares never was a threat to him. I have it 30-27 for Hendo.

THE RESULT: Dan Henderson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Joe Rogan is with Dan Henderson. Hendo says he was tough and had a great chin. He wanted to stay on the feet and wanted no part of the ground. Hendo says it was a bad match up and that Palhares is a dangerous man. He then says the heel hook didn't get real deep, and he wasn't nervous but didn't want to be in there.

-Joe Rogan is with Randy Couture. They discuss the Brock fight, and Couture says he hasn't had a challenge from a wrestler like this since Randleman. He says Brock is dangerous and says he has to refine his striking and take a submission if it presents itself. He doesn't need motivation to get ready for a fight, he loves the sport and says Brock does present problems and he looks to solve them. Brock vs. Couture = MANY BUYS!

-Forrest Griffin is on the cover of Men's Fitness.

-We get a video package for Tim Boetsch vs. Mike Patt.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Tim Boetsch (7-2) vs. Mike Patt (15-2):

ROUND ONE: The official is Herb Dean. They touch and Patt with a body kick. Jab by Boetsch, a right and then short uppercuts. Leg kick by Patt, a combo grazes Patt and they clinch. Knees by Patt, then by Boetsch. Boetsch tosses Patt away, gets a body kick and then a leg kick by Patt. Body shot by Boetsch, jabs by Patt and another leg kick by Patt. Patt comes in and gets LEVELED by Boetsch! That was a huge right hand. Boetsch follows upon him and lands about 10 shots before Dean stops the fight. Thanks for coming Mike Patt.

THE RESULT: Tim Boetsch defeated Mike Patt via RD1 (2:03) TKO

Joe Rogan is with Boetsch. He is happy with the result because he's been training very hard. Striking has come natural to him and he really likes it. He thanks God.

-September 17th is Fight Night Live and the debut of the Ultimate Fighter NOG vs. MIR! October 18th is UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben on Spike TV, and on October 25th it is UFC 90: Anderson Silva Owns You on PPV! November 15th is UFC 91: COUTURE vs. BROCK = MANY BUYS!

-We get a video package for Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Rich Franklin (25-3-1nc) vs. Matt Hamill (6-1):

ROUND ONE: The official is Mario Yamasaki. They touch and we're off. They dance, leg kick by Franklin to begin. Another leg kick connects and Franklin keeps the distance. Right by Franklin lands, Hamill changes stances and gets a great right. Franklin with another leg kick. Another and he eats a right on the way in. Franklin controls with the leg kick, another but takes a right on the way in. Right by Hamill, Hamill misses a right but then lands a short one. Franklin has a small cut going under the right eye, and lands another leg kick. They throw wildly, a left by Hamill connects. They circle and Franklin with the leg kick. Hamill misses a right, and another. Combo by Franklin, but Hamill gets the takedown. Hamill postures up and Franklin looks for the arm bar, Hamill escapes and Hamill is cut as well. Back to the feet and a knee by Franklin on the way up. Nice knee by Franklin, and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Franklin dominated with the leg kicks, controlled the round and almost had the arm bar. I will go 10-9 for Franklin.

ROUND TWO: Round two begins and they circle, leg kick caught by Hamill but Franklin gets away. They jab at each other, high kick by Franklin lands and then a combo follows that. Franklin chops away at Hamill with the leg kicks and Yamasaki checks the cut of Franklin. The doctor is in to check him, but they are back to action. Franklin lost some skin they say, damn. Hamill shoots for a leg, but can't get the takedown and Franklin with a combo to answer. Jab by Hamill, short uppercuts and they both connect. Body kick by Franklin, and a leg kick catches Hamill low. We get time for Hamill to recover, and we're back to action. Jabs by Franklin, high kick grazes Hamill and Hamill shoots, but takes knees against the cage. Leg kick by Franklin, lefts by Hamill connect. Body kick by Franklin and another leg kick. Leg kick and a combo by Franklin keeps control of the bout. Another combo with the leg kick by Franklin, Hamill switches stances and keeps taking leg kicks. Hamill gets a leg, but Franklin escapes. Dirty boxing by Hamill, Franklin separates and back to the leg kick. Hamill gets a leg again, but Franklin escapes once again. Flying knee by Franklin lands, a jab and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Franklin is chopping Hamill down and stuffing all takedown attempts. I have it 20-18 for Franklin.

ROUND THREE: Franklin was hurting as they took care of the cut in between rounds, which is his only worry right now as he has dominated the fight. Final round begins and a good body kick by Franklin lands. A knee by Franklin, uppercut by Hamill in return. Franklin drops Hamill with a HARD body shot, and that's all.

THE RESULT: Rich Franklin via RD3 (0:39) TKO

Joe Rogan is with Franklin. He thought he was fine in regards to the cut. He puts over Hamill and says he looks worse than he feels. He wants to gain weight to compete.

-We get hype for Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans.

-Chuck wins the text poll with 72%.

-And now we get the video package for Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Chuck Liddell (21-5) vs. Rashad Evans (16-0-1dr):

ROUND ONE: The official is Herb Dean. IT'S TIIIIIIME! They come out, touch and circle. Jab by Liddell, and then by Evans. Evans backs off, lots of dancing by Evans and they both get jabs. Liddell backs off Evans, over the top right by Evans and then a right by Liddell. Hard body kick by Evans and a left. Liddell misses a right, Evans dances some more and wants to stay away. Left jab by Evans and another. Leg kick by Evans lands, he stays away from Liddell and then changes stances again. Jab by Liddell, jab by Liddell and a grazing right by Evans. Right by Liddell, who has a small cut under one eye. Jab by Liddell, and a leg kick by Evans. Combo by Liddell, a right lands and Evans backs off. High kick misses for Liddell, who has a mouse under his eye and the round ends.

SCORECARD:: Close round, but Evans did well with the leg kicks he threw and cut Liddell. I will go Evans 10-9.

ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Liddell looks pissed. Liddell stalks Evans, leg kick by Liddell and they both throw wildly and Evans lands solidly. A right by Liddell, they both land on a combo try and then a right hook by Evans. Misses another, Liddell stalks him again and Evans DROPS HIM WITH A HUGE RIGHT AND KNOCKS CHUCK OUT!

Chuck is still down as they check on him. He is on the stool now and looks to be ok.

THE RESULT: Rashad Evans via RD2 (1:51) KO

Joe Rogan is with Evans. Rogan says it is a huge victory, and Evans says he hopes that Chuck is ok. He is very happy about the win and Chuck is a great fighter. He says you cannot try to take Chuck down and hope to win, you have to fight his own game. Evans says that he hopes to be in line for a title shot, but he is a patient man.

-Dana White congratulates Evans.

-The turning point of the evening was Franklin working through the big cut to defeat Matt Hamill.

MIDDLE WEIGHT BOUT - Jason MacDonald defeated Jason Lambert:

ROUND ONE: We head to the prelims for another fight, no pre-match stuff. The official is Yves Lavigne. MacDonald is stuck in a guillotine, he works to escape and loosens the hold. He is in half guard as he escapes and passes into full guard. MacDonald controls the top, but doesn't do much as Lambert has good guard control. MacDonald works in some body shots, elbows as well and he starts to do good damage from the guard. MacDonald keeps the control as we head into the final minute of the round. MacDonald keeps Lambert against the cage, working shots to the ribs and the face of Lambert. Lambert tries the guillotine again, has it deep but MacDonald holds on while throwing wild shots to survive.

SCORECARD:: Outside of the early guillotine try and the one at the end, MacDonald dominated the round and I feel took it 10-9.

ROUND TWO: They touch, throw wildly to begin and MacDonald with the takedown. MacDonald in half guard, transitions into mount and then gets the back and has the rear naked choke in, body triangle as well by MacDonald and that is all.

THE RESULT: Jason MacDonald via RD2 (1:20) Submission (RNC)

Joe Rogan is with MacDonald. They discuss the guillotine at the end of the round, but he saw the clock and just held his breath. He knew he could take it to later rounds and take the win and he did.

-Submission of the night was MacDonald's RNC that we just saw.

-They discuss Evans' victory, and we see him backstage celebrating with is people. We get another replay of the KO.

-Chuck walks and is disappointed.

Remember to leave a score of 1-10 in the comment section as well as your fight of the night!

Post Comment (24) | Email Larry Csonka | View Larry Csonka's 411 Profile

Send To Friend |

Stumble It! |

Digg It! |

Please add your comment below.

If you are registered, you can login and post under your registered name. If not, you can post as a guest or register.

* Please note that 411 moderates all comments. Your comment will show up on the site after it has been approved by an editor.

Name :

Comment :

Remaining Characters :

2800

Comments (24)

finally!!! the michigan state boy will get his respect. and chuck will get a clue, it's over baby!!!

Posted By: beezy 428 (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 12:54 AM

I'm a big Chuck fan, crap...

Posted By: Brett (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 12:56 AM

Ugh... that hurts, I picked the winners correct for every single damn fight, even the undercards, but missed Liddell vs. Evans. That rat bastard.

Posted By: Duncan (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 12:57 AM

chuck got knocked the eff out. damn that was a nasty hit

Posted By: Guest#7887 (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 01:15 AM

Wow. Liddell looked dead after that shot.

Posted By: William (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 01:17 AM

Man, I thought through the whole first round that Rashad was pulling a Kalib Starnes, scared to death to engage and then... WOW. Good job, very good job. "Sugar" needs a better nick name though. Like Rashad "Ice Killah" Evans. Okay, that's not any better but at least it rolls off the tongue.

-Mike

Posted By: RanmaSolo (Registered) on September 07, 2008 at 01:21 AM

yes i knew he could do it!!!!
GO EVANS

Posted By: D.A.N. (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 02:07 AM

"Man, I thought through the whole first round that Rashad was pulling a Kalib Starnes, scared to death to engage and then"

That's the way to beat a counter-puncher. Be more patient than he is, and don't worry aobut a boring fight. When Chuck backs up, he is at his best...so make him move forward.

Posted By: Anon (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 02:39 AM

I knew Chuck would lose, he hasnt been the same since the Jackson lose, I loved how Goldberg said "he was back" after beating Wanderlei, it was a unanimous decision, not a KO, relax.

Posted By: Joel (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 03:44 AM

Wow, for me having no interest in the card it sounds like it turned out to be fairly interesting. I was thinking Liddell by knockout but boy was I wrong. I want some of whatever they are feeding Rashad Evans, he went from a terrible fight on the Ultimate Fighter to 16-0 with a knockout victory over "The Potbellied Assassin" Chuck Liddell.Guess the only thing the Iceman is killing now is alcohol.

Posted By: Rob391 (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 07:35 AM

Fuck dammit

there goes Anderson silve vs lidell

Posted By: hhh (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 08:45 AM

First and foremost, i have to say that i love this sport. Along with MMA, i watch football religously, and frequently watch pro wrestling(although i haven't actually watched wrestling all summer).
I used to box at a local gym and it was through my love for boxing that i became interested in MMA. I've actually lost interest in boxing since I started watching MMA, and personally I believe that boxing is a sport on life-support, a dying breed. But that's a whole nother topic and i'll save it for another day. Maybe i'll just start writing articles for 411 so i can voice my opinion to the masses on a weekly basis. I'll call it......"A View From a (Red)Cloud".
As far as UFC 88 goes, I thought it was a very good show. I personally believe that Brown won but i'm not a UFC judge so, my opinion doesn't really matter. Don't get me wrong, Kim did great and easily won the first round, but I don't think he did anything damaging in the second or third, which is most likely due to the excellently executed knees to the body that brown delivered all fight.
The Marquardt fight was exactly what I expected, no offence to Kampmann, but I think Marquardt is one of the most overlooked fighters in his division. I knew that Marquardt would be confident in his ability to win this fight by strikes and he did precisely that. He was somewhat remeniscent of Chuck Liddell in his persistent, and menacing stalking of Kampmann thorughout the first(and only) round.
I'm going to be brief with the Hendo fight, because i'm a huge fan and don't want to sound biased. I think Hendo did everything right in this fight, even though he was caught a couple times, it seemed like he had an answer to everythign that his opponent did all night. Even though the kneebar looked nice, Hendo powered out, he took a monster slam, and immediately through elbows at his opponent upon landing. All in all, it wasn't the KO i wanted to see from him, but it's good to see Hendo come back to form in the octagon, after a couple of tough losses.
Although I liked the outcome of the Boetsch fight, I need to see more from Tim before I commit to his ability. I mean, I have alot of respect for Jeet Kune Do and I think it would be great for MMA in genreal if there were more fighters that practiced the art, but Isn't Boetsch the guy that Hamill absolutely dominated just a couple months ago.
Wow, I just relised that the 2800 charactors were given to use to post our comments isn't as much as it sounds like, i mean 2800 sounds like alot, but i still have three fights to cover and i'm down to 225 charactors left to use. So i'm going to stop here, post this comment, and then do another for thet last three fights aired on the PPV. To my loyal readers, sorry about the break, but look further down the comments, u'll c me

Posted By: Red Cloud (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 09:27 AM

chuck liddell is and was awesome but he's not immune to the same affliction that plagues every great athlete - you cannot stop the aging process. eventually time takes over and there are younger, bigger, stronger, faster guys who are all willing to do whatever it takes to reach the top. there's no shame in bowing out and recognizing that if you could turn back time you could run with these new dogs, but you can't, so get over it before you get hurt. liddell has done extremely well, and from what i've read he has been smart with all the money he has made ... stay in the sport by all means, as a trainer, coach, commentator, or whatever, but stop taking punches, please.

Posted By: someguy (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 09:31 AM

I'm back, guess I must have beat wanderlai Silva....maybe not.
All jokes aside, before I finish my review, let me just say that this is the best PPV i've seen the UFC put together in a while.
Ok, on to the Hamill v. Franklin fight.
While I personnally am a fan of both fighters, I wanted to see a win from Hamill more than one from Franklin simply because Franklin is already one of the greats of the sport and a loss would not have hurt him that much, and a win would have been huge to Hamill's career. All that aside, Hamill lost this fight the second he decided to dtand with Franklin the entire fight. Now i know, Franklin's leg kicks took alot out of Hamill's spring in his step, which he kinda needs for his takedowns, but i'm having a hard time understanding why he didn't go for a takedown early in the first. Hamill clearly shines at wrestling, and therefore should make every fight he walks into a wrestling match. Sure you proved your hands are decent, and that your chin is carved from stone, but all that dsays to me is that you should maybe eat a couple of punches, while throwing some of your own, to set up.......wait for it.....a TAKEDOWN. I believe that the Bisping fight really broke Hamill's cinfidence in his wrestling ability, because despite numerous takedowns as well as some viscious hands, the judges(mistakenly) believed that he didn't do enough to win and so now Hamill comes out looking for KO's more than anything else. I think if he goes back to a prominent wrestling game and compliments it with his abilities to strike and eat some big shots, he'll get back to his winning ways. Congrats to Franklin for a perfectly executed gameplan though.
Alright, here it is, the fight that you've all been waiting for... Chuck Liddell vs Rashad Evans. Did everyone see the build up for this fight? Did you hear Chuck say that "everyone says they want to stand with me, until I start landing punches", well as a Liddell fan, I expected exactly that to happen, Rashad would try to stand with him, get rocked, and either the fight would end there or Evans would change his gameplan to try and out wrestle Chuck. Boy was I wrong, Chuck stalked Evans the entire first round, landed some good shots and was pretty much the Chuck we all know and love from his LHW title run. Then he comes out second round, with the same gameplan and knocks out Evans......wait....are you telling me that Rashad Evans knocked out Liddell? And in spectacular fashion at that. Props to Evans on standing with Chuck, and I feel bad for Griffin now because Rashad proved that not only is he dangerous in his wrestling, but he can KO anyone he steps in the cage with in one shot.Good luck in your title shot, do you hear me Dana? Evans deserves a title shot, now!! Look for my next comment to finish.

Posted By: Red Cloud (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 09:50 AM

Wow, I talk or in this case, type way to much. I mean, It took me more than 5600 charactors to sum up one PPV.
I watched the MacDonald v Lambert fight expecting to see some amazing escapes from Mac throughout until Lambert would eventually get him in a hold he just couldn't get out of.
OK, so i'm hit and miss on that one, Seen some great escapes, and then he shocked me when Lambert gave up his back for just a second, and Mac punished him for it. Great work from both fighters, but Lambert, you clearly need to keep your composure. I know how annoying it can be to see every move you lock in get broken, but that doesn't mean you get upset and lose focus, keep your cool, and you'll surly secure a win in the end.

Alright, it took more than two full comments, but I finished my report of UFC 88, and look foward to writing one for 89, 90, 91, and 92 by years end.

Hey 411, why don't you take these three comments,put them together into one article, come up with some cool Graphic, Title it "A View From a (Red) Cloud" and put it on your MMA front page.

To all my loyal readers
See you next time
Red Cloud

Oh and p.s., tell me some of the other topics you like and i'll start posting comments on anything you like, as long as I have a good knowledge of it. And if I don't have a good Knowledge of it, i'll look into it, who knows, maybe i'm missing out on something great, and one of my readers can pput me onto it.

Posted By: Red Cloud (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 10:02 AM

Chuck is too one dimensional and now Rampage, Jardine and Evans have al showed why. The secret is simple: don't chase him. Liddell's whole strategy is to sit back and counter punch or stuff ou on a take down attempt. If you let him come forward, he's a lot less dangerous.

Posted By: Chico Whoretiz (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Chuck's gonaa fight um all one more time, and this time he'll knock them all out

Posted By: Iceman (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Crap, I had the whole thing spolied by Yahoo before I got a chance to see it. I was just gonna check my email and when I logged on to Yahoo the headline screamed "Big Upset At UFC 88" and then I knew Chuck was gonna lose - I mean, what else could it be??

Posted By: Bohnsack (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Even though Chuck is way over the hill, I think that was a lucky punch, and I was pickin Evans.

Posted By: Guest#8490 (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 01:20 PM

Oh boy now maybe we'll get to see Evans vs Machida one day for the title and it will be the most birng 25minutes in recorded MMA history! Props to Evans for winning, but I can't stand guys that avoid engaging at all cost until their opponent just gets so frustrated that they become reckless. Beautiful KO, but c'mon Rashad, let's try to be a little exciting eh?

Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 04:30 PM

Not much of a Matt Brown fan, but I agree w Cloud that I think he edged it out.

Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 04:34 PM

Beautiful KO, but c'mon Rashad, let's try to be a little exciting eh?

Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 04:30 PM

Dude, this is pro wrestling it's MMA. all that matters in the end is whos on top! Better to be boring and undefeated then exciting and with a lousy record.

Posted By: Davis (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 04:56 PM

Actually with a former-pro wrestler challenging for the heavyweight belt having a 2-1 record UFC is more like pro wrestling then you think...

Posted By: Rob391 (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 05:49 PM

"Even though Chuck is way over the hill, I think that was a lucky punch, and I was pickin Evans."

If by being lucky you mean too fast for his slowing dow, aging opponent, then yeah sure.

Posted By: Samer (Guest) on September 07, 2008 at 06:22 PM