MMAVu

It was another good night of fights for the Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale. Here are the results and some thoughts.

Efrain Escudero def. Phillipe Nover by Unanimous Decision. I extremely dislike Escudero’s strategy for this fight. It was extremely reminiscent of Sean Sherk’s 5-round lay n’ pray “victory” over Kenny Florian. Escudero showed he has better wrestling, and controlled where the fight went. Nover showed better striking, aggression and submission skills. Does taking a guy down and holding him there really carry that much weight??

Ryan Bader def. Vinicius Magalhaes by KO (Punch) R1. Props to Bader, as each guy’s strength canceled the other guy’s out and the fight stayed on the feet. Bader landed a glancing right to Vinny’s head, knocking him loopy.

Anthony Johnson def. Kevin Burns by KO (Kick) R3. This must have been a very satisfying and gratifying win for Johnson. Kevin “Feel the” Burns showed a lot of skills. Both these guys are gamers.

Wilson Gouveia def. Jason MacDonald by Submission (Verbal) R1. Gouveia caught MacDonald with a good shot, and the Canadian was never able to recover, as Gouveia was relentless.

Junie Browning def. David Kaplan by Submission (Armbar) R2. The guy you love to hate, Denis the Menace…Junie showed great improvement and tapped David “Iron Jaw” Kaplan out.

Krzysztof Soszynski def. Shane Primm by Submission (Kimura) R2. Shane “K-Fed Clone” Primm showed me some guts for sure, as he kept wading into battle with Krzystof. His arm looked nasty, and Soszynski showed class by apologizing for possibly applying the hold too hard. That’s for you, Steve Cantwell. This is how a fighter is supposed to be, respectful.

Eliot Marshall def. Jules Bruchez by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) R1. Eliot “Fire” Marshall turned Bruchez in to Vern with the choke. I can’t believe that’s his nickname. You’re in the UFC, can’t you come up with a better nickname??

Undercard:

Tom Lawlor def. Kyle Kingsbury by Unanimous Decision.
Shane Nelson def. George Roop by Split Decision.
Rolando Delgado def. John Polakowski by Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1.

Bonuses were $25,000 apiece:

Fight of the Night: Junie Browning and Dave Kaplan (Browning is much improved from the “Woe is me” quitter he was, maybe still is, on the reality show)

Knockout of the Night: Anthony Johnson (This could have gone to Ryan Bader just as easily)

Ultimate Fighter 8 Submission of the Night: Krzysztof Soszynski. Damn near wrecked Primm with a kimura while still in the half guard.