UFC 174 Results

MAIN CARD:

• Demetrious Johnson def. Ali Bagautinov via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Rory MacDonald def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ryan Bader def. Rafael Cavalcante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Andrei Arlovski def. Brendan Schaub via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Ovince Saint Preux def. Ryan Jimmo via verbal submission (kimura) – Round 2, 2:10. 

UNDERCARD:

• Kiichi Kunimoto def. Daniel Sarafian via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52
• Valerie Letourneau def. Elizabeth Phillips via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Yves Jabouin def. Mike Easton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Tae Hyun Bang def. Kajan Johnson via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 2:01
• Michinori Tanaka def. Roland Delorme via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jason Saggo def. Josh Shockley via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:57

How about Andrei Arlovski being back in the UFC for the first time since 2008.  The fight was not anything special and he may not have deserved the win but hey, he's back.  Check out some of the other places he's fought in the meantime, you may have seen him in a parking lot or bar you frequent. But good for him. Always liked him. 

Not the best card going in and not the best card going out.  Lots of decisions.  Only a couple of Top 10 guys.  

Thanks to MMAJunkie.com for the official results. 

Machida Earns Title Shot; UFC on FOX 4 Results

The Staples Center was the site for UFC on FOX 4: Shogun vs. Vera.  The co-main event served as a platform to see who would get the next Light Heavyweight Title shot against the winner of Jon Jones- Dan Henderson next month.  Shogun defeated Vera, but Machida was more impressive in his victory over Bader, therefore Dana White decided to give it to Machida.

Honestly, Jones has beaten all 4 of the guys who were in the mix and none of the fights interest me.

Also on the card, Mike Swick returned to action and got a huge welterweight win, and Joe Lauzon tapped out Jamie Varner... Full result below:

•Mauricio "Shogun" Rua def. Brandon Vera via TKO (punches) - Round 4, 4:09

•Lyoto Machida def. Ryan Bader via knockout (punches) - Round 2, 1:32

•Joe Lauzon def. Jamie Varner via submission (triangle choke) - Round 3, 2:44

•Mike Swick def. DaMarques Johnson via knockout (punches) - Round 2, 1:20

•Nam Phan def. Cole Miller via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

•Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado, no contest (accidental eye poke) - Round 1

•Rani Yahya def. Josh Grispi via submission (north-south choke) - Round 1, 3:15

•Phil De Fries def. Oli Thompson via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 4:16

•Manny Gamburyan def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

•John Moraga def. Ulysses Gomez via knockout (strikes) - Round 1, 3:46


-Keefe

UFC 144 picks

Today I'm up in El Dorado Hills, California. My client, Lennar, is hosting a Grand Opening for their new home concept Next Gen(TM) - the Home Within a Home(TM). It comes w/ a completely separate private suite that's built into the home and monthly mortgage payment. A kid moves out, a kid moves back in, or maybe your parents come live with you. You could even use it for a "mancave" or private guest suite when friends and family come visit. To learn more, visit Lennar.com/Sacramento.

Apologies for the shameless plug, now onto the picks. Given that I have to be there for 11am, I'm keeping this short and sweet.

Main Event

Frankie Edgar defeats Benson Henderson via (T)KO (strikes) in the 5th round (2:48)

Co-Main Event

*Quinton "Rampage" Jackson weighed in 6lbs over and later disclosed it was an injury in training that led to the foul on the scales

Originally, I picked "Rampage" by KO (punch) in the 2nd round - it would have been his first since 2008 at UFC 92 vs. Wanderlei Silva. However, given the circumstances of yesterday, I'm switching my pick.

Ryan Bader defeats Quinton "Rampage" Jackson via (T)KO (strikes) in the 3rd round (3:19)

"Rampage" will announce after the fight that he wants one last fight vs. "Shogun" in Japan before retiring.

Main Card

Mark Hunt defeats Cheick Kongo via KO (punch) in the 1st round (2:26)

Yoshihiro Akiyami defeats Jake Shields via (T)KO in the 1st round (4:33)

Yushin Okami defeats Tim Boetsch via decision

Hatsu Hioki defeats Bart Palaszewski via decision

Joe Lauzon defeats Anthony Pettis via submission in the 2nd round (2:29)

I'm also taking part in a UFC pool at work. Five of us submitted picks only on the seven main card fights, with the result of the main event (method and time) being the primary tiebreaker. $5 a pop, so hopefully this will help pay for the dough I'm shelling out to watch this tonight.

Enjoy the fights!

-Besse

Audio: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Rich Keefe talked to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson prior to his fight against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan. The two discussed Rampage's return to Japan, Jon Jones, and his acting.

Cruz Defends Title, UFC 132 Results

UFC 132 went down last night in Las Vegas. Two of the sports legends were in action (Tito Ortiz & Wanderlei Silva) and they each had completely opposite outcomes. Great card, great action. Here is how it all broke down...

MAIN CARD RESULTS:

•Dominick Cruz def. Urijah Faber via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) to retain UFC bantamweight title
•Chris Leben def. Wanderlei Silva via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 0:27
•Dennis Siver def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
•Tito Ortiz def. Ryan Bader via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 1:56
•Carlos Condit def. Dong Hyun Kim via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:58

UNDER CARD RESULTS:

•Melvin Guillard def. Shane Roller via knockout (strikes) - Round 1, 2:12
•Rafael Dos Anjos def. George Sotiropolous via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 0:59
•Brian Bowles def. Takeya Mizugaki via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
•Aaron Simpson def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
•Anthony Njokuani def. Andre Winner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
•Jeff Hougland def. Donny Walker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27

-Keefe