Knockout of the Night: Rashad Evans
As if there was any doubt. As Liddell moved in for an uppercut, Evans took a page out of his book and landed a big overhand right, catching Liddell on the chin. Liddell’s limbs folded up on the canvas in awkward positions, and was the most brutal knockout since Gabriel Gonzaga KO’s Mirko CroCop.
Submission of the Night: Jason MacDonald
Canadian MacDonald gave Jason Lambert a rude welcome to the 185lb class (and possibly showed him the door) by locking on a text book rear naked choke.
Fight of the Night: Kurt Pellegrino and Thiago Tavares
Unfortunately for the rest of us, this bout was on the undercard and went the full 15 minutes. Pellegrino came out with the upper hand and Tavares has now lost two straight, though both losses were exciting fights.
Rashad Evans defeats Chuck Liddell via KO Round 2 – This is a truly shocking result. They dance around for most of the first round, with each guy landing a shot or two. Liddell has a small cut on his cheek. They do more of the same to start round 2, except this time they start to engage more. While near the fence, Liddell swings for an uppercut, while Evans rears back and really, truly swings for the fences with an overhand right (a Chuck Liddell specialty) and connects clean on Liddell’s chin. Liddell crumples in a heap, and does not wake up for a long, long time. He gives no interview afterwards. I’m 0-1.
Rich Franklin defeats Matt Hamill via TKO Round 3 – Franklin does the expected here, and keeps the distance from Hamill most of the fight. He gets taken down a few times, but manages to stay out of trouble. He keeps finding the range on Hamill’s gut with kicks. Hamill opens a big cut above Franklin’s left eye. Round 3 comes, and after some lazy punches by Hamill, Franklin connects flush on Matt’s ribs, and he goes down in a heap. I’m 1-2. I called a decision, but who’s counting?
Dan Henderson defeats Rousimar Palhares via Unanimous Decision – Palhares shows some power, but not much technique. Ditto for Henderson. In the end, Hendo’s experience and cardio pulled him through. I’m 2-3.
Nate Marquardt defeats Martin Kampmann via TKO (Strikes) Round1 – Marquardt just too much for Kampmann. Too strong, too fast, too technical, and too big. I didn’t pick the right method of winning, but I did pick the winner. 3-4.
Dong Hyun Kim defeats Matt Brown via Split Decision – Ho yeah, 4-5
Kurt Pellegrino defeats Thiago Tavares via unanimous decision – Bang on, 5-6
Tim Boetsch defeats Mike Patt via TKO (Strikes) Round 1 – Bang on again, 6-7
Jason MacDonald defeats Jason Lambert via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2 – Well, I got the round right, 7-8
Ryo Chonan defeats Roan Carneiro via Split Decision – 8-9
Yeah, the little details I messed up…but I got the winner right on most.
