UFC 102,103,104 roundup

Its been another busy time for the UFC. Some big names have been in the mix of late! We rounded up the last big shows for you!

UFC 102 - COUTURE V NOGUEIRA

Ed Herman vs. Aaron Simpson

Aaron Simpson impressed the hell out of me in this fight! Herman is a tough well rounded fighter and Simpson just took him apart. It was a great shame in the second round that Herman injured his knee and was unable to continue. Herman showed his toughness and the Referee had to step in to stop the fight as Herman was not wanting to go home. Real shame for both fighters. Herman would have liked to have had a chance to turn it all around and Simpson would have loved to complete his showcase of skills.

Winner – Aaron Simpson

Bradon 'The Truth' Vera vs Krzysztof Soszynski

Both good all rounders and both likeable fighters. Vera looked on form in this fight, at last finding his feet at light heavyweight. Soszynski is a tough fighter and as had good success of late. The fight was to be all Vera winning every round. Soszynski a not a easy fight at all. But he is no Randy Couture, which is his next opponent now! That will be a whole new test to see if Vera is really the truth!

Winner – Bradon Vera

Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia

Marquardt is a physical beast and Maia is a BJJ Wizard, so would his magic work in this match up? Maia started with a kick which was blocked. He then tried to kick again, but a low kick with your hands down was not the best attack against an opponent like Marquardt, who countered it with a a heavy right dropping Maia and ending the short fight.The Referee stopped the match at 0:21 seconds of the first one.

Winner - Nate Marquardt

Would have really liked to see these two warriors mixing it up as the battle of styles would have been great to see, but in the end I am sure Marquardt was happy he didn't have to test his ground game with the likes of Maia.

Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva

Jardine never seems to get a break! The rollercoaster of MMA deals him hard. Hes won some great big fights and has also been unlucky just as much. Jardine came out banging, but Silva covered well and landed a hard left-hook counter. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:35. I am sure Jardine will be back soon. Thiago Silva showed he has KO power to go with his great ground game, which I am sure that's the last thing his division wanted from him!

Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Another fight match up that the fans really wanted! Funny as Randy is the much older guy, but its Big Nog who you would think was the older fighter. After years of some real wars Big Nog has been looking like he may be at the point of slowing down. Until now! Nogueira looked in great shape for this fight. This turned out to be a great fight! Both these harder warriors came out to fight the good fight. This fight was a ebb and flow of top level MMA. Nogueira was able to control the pace and direction of the fight for each round. Randy was not out of the game, but Nogueira was gaining the breaks to build control. At one point it looked like Nogueira was going to finish a submission attack with a head and arm choke, but Randy worked his way out. All in all a great fight to watch, just wished it was a 5 round fight as these guys looked good to go for more fun. Also would have been interesting as Randy sometimes gets stronger later in these types of fight. Excellent win and back to form for Big Nog.

Winner - Nogueira - unanimous decision

UFC 103

Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley

Paul Daley is one of the UK's best kept secrets. He has fought on other big shows, but now he was really going to be unleashed to the UFC fans. He has great striking and always comes looking for a KO. A style which is always welcomed by promoters! Kampmann is another dangerous fighter so this would be a great match up.

Kampmann came out swinging! Daley was all ready and reacted well with tight counter punches. Kampmann tested for a single, maybe thinking putting Daley down may be a good plan. But Daley countered the attempt well. Daley nailed Kampmann will a left hook. Daley followed up and Referee Yves Lavigne stepped in and stopped the fight. It was a early stoppage, which is becoming a trademark for Ref Lavigne. Kampmann was rocked but its a fight and fighters of that level can ride out a storm. He was not in a dangerous position as they where still standing. Therefore he should have had a bit more time to answer the problem he was given, as that is what its all about after all.

Winner – Paul Daley

Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort

I was really looking forward to this fight. I met up with Vitor when he was fighting in London as he is good friends with my BJJ teacher Leo Negao. Leo was helping him with his prep for that one. Vitor was super nice and its great to see him back at the top of his game at the UFC again. Franklin is a very skilled fighter, but I would say his striking style is very much just based on work rate rather that game plan or high end striking skills. Vitor is famous for his striking power and is also a strong BJJ blackbelt. All and all when he is on his game he can be big trouble!

Well that is just want happened! After what looked like a slow start. Vitor landed a the hammer and dropped Franklin. Vitor followed up which caused Referee Yves Lavigne to step in at 3:02 of round one.

Winner – Vitor Belfort

Great to see Vitor back in the mix at the UFC.

UFC 104 Machida vs. Rua

This event was all about the main event. In the end the main event wasn't the kind of fight that could carry a weaker card. Still some good fights, but as the UFC has spoiled us with us with so many great cards, we notice more when they have a flat night. I think this will all change very quickly for the UK fans as the next event UFC 105 is in England and has a card load of exciting match ups!

Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher

Joe Stevenson looked back in his last fight and again in this match up the new and improved Stevenson was back to show that you can bounce back new and refreshed. He dominated and forced Fisher to tap out on his feet due to strikes in the second round.

Winner – Joe Stevenson

Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua

This was a fight I was waiting to see. Both strong strikers and both very skills grapplers as well. Either a war? A stale mate? A master class in chess fighting? A good old tear up?

What was it to be?? Well we had a very close first round as the fighters checked out each others styles. Bear in mind these have trained to together in times gone by, it was now time for an update on their develops since that time. When you have trained in the gym with guys you get an idea of where you both are in relation to each others skills, but that can change a bit when the cage door closes. Put a few years distance in the mix and I bet you have two guys who have some catching up to do!

Shogun and Machida both worked leg kicks and body kicks in this round. Looking like a very close round to judge once again! Round three and four where all Shogun. Machida as not able to find his rhythm at this point and Shogun paid him for him.In round five Shogun stepped up his attack, which a caused Machida to get back in the game and finish strong I terms of movement and counter striking.

All three judges score the fight 48-47 for Lyoto Machida, unanimous decision.

It was really Shogun's fight, but judging fights round by round often makes for a decision that after may seem not so clear cut. It was a very hard fight to judge and not the best performance from Machida. Shogun looked good and seems on track to good things! A rematch looks on the cards for these warriors. Maybe not the best championship fight, but fighting is tough and at this level you don't get walk overs!

Next up in the UK no less, will be UFC 105 Couture vs Vera! With one of the best cards for some time.

I think Randy still has the goods to take on the up and coming guys, so Vera will have his hands well and truly full. Vera has been on better form of late, as he seems to have adjusted to light heavyweight now. So still is an interesting match up. With match ups like - Dan Hardy vs Mike Swick, Michael Bisping vs Denis Kang, Paul Taylor vs John Hathaway and Paul Kelly vs Dennis Siver – we should see some sparks fly! The UK fighters will be looking to impress so it will be high drama for sure. Bisping will be hell bend of proving he is back after his last KO loss to Dan Henderson. Dan Hardy as a very tough fight, as Mike Swick is a top level fighter. If Hardy does the job he will be in line a title shot very soon. Paul Taylor is always great to watch and is taking on a unbeaten Hathaway. Taylor seems to taken on a UFC gatekeeper roll. Anything can happen in MMA and I get the feeling UFC 105 will be one of them nights!

We will be reporting all the news of UFC 105 in our next issue!

Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative of the Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system. Teacher of Tui Na Chinese Massage Therapy

He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.

Web:
www.alanorr.com
www.thechinesemedicineacademy.co.uk
www.warriorfunctionaltraining.com

For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk