UFC 79

A sold out crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas were all ready to see one of the most exciting fight cards to date from the UFC!

The UFC has seen a large growth in its mainstream appeal over the last few years. Longer-term fight fans of MMA have talked about one fight match up for over 6 years now. The dream fight that has always talked been about is Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva. At one time they where the champions from the two biggest MMA show rivals.Chuck for UFC and Wanderlei for Pride. Times have changed of late UFC now owns Pride. Chuck and Wanderlei have both been knocked off the top of the pack. But as both fighters now need wins to restart a climb to the top, what better timing for the dream fight to go ahead. What better timing indeed. Chuck has lost his last two fights, but is said to be back on form and hungry again. Wanderlei still young enough, but due to so many wars in the ring was rumoured to be burning out. But now both fighters look reborn with this chance to turn their careers back into a new reign of glory. Both of these fighters love to throw hands and are at their best when they smell blood, so it was set to be a good old fashion tear up!

Excitement to see this fight is at an all time high. Another point to make is this is not even the main event! The main event is a Championship fight between Matt Hughes and George St Perrie. Matt Hughes vs. George St Perrie the rubber match for the interim welterweight UFC title. This was to be Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra, but Serra damaged his back in training and is on the bench for this one. Serra is still the title holder but he is out for some time. Therefore GSP will step up and see if he can claim back the belt, which he lost to Serra. The winner set to settle up with Serra in due course. The drama is at an all time high to see which one of these fighters can take a solid hold of the welterweight belt.

Matt Hughes known as a hard nose country boy who has the right to demand respect in the octagon due to his status as arguably the best welterweight in the UFC to date.
George St Perrie (known as GSP) on the other hand has been earning his respect of late by putting the old guard on the run. He is on course to be the next generation of champions to dominate for some time.

With only 30 days notice for this fight GSP was more than ready to go, which shows how much this man wants his belt back!

Hughes schooled GSP on the ground the first time they crossed paths. The second time GSP schooled Hughes in the stand up. What kind of fight is planned for this one! So it’s the young lion that will be looking to take the pride from the old lion. Are you ready? We have never been so ready!!!

The Main Fights:

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Lyoto Machida
Sokoudjou has caused a stir in the MMA world of late. He has beaten some top guys in Pride, that being; Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona, but as he made quick work of these fights it’s been hard to fully assess his whole game. He is a physical beast and has a full head of dreadlocks so when he walked in wearing a mask from the film "The Predator" it was not a big leap from reality!
Machida came to the octagon in his Gi wearing his new BBJ Black belt. Would we see these BJJ skills in use tonight? That would be a good test of Sokoudjou for us to see.

Round 1
Sokoudjou rocked Machida with a right hand. Sokoudjou made a nice trip to takedown Machida but was quickly reversed with a perfectly timed sweep by Machida. Sokoudjou now holds half-guard as Machida looked for a Kimura but Sokoudjou escaped the hold. Machida tied to pass the half guard. He landed a few strikes from top position but was really looking to pass guard. Just as Machida starts to work an arm-triangle the Ref Yamasaki stood the fighters up! Both throw hands then a leg kick landed for Machida. Sokoudjou with another nice tip puts Machida on to the canvas but Machida is quick to get his feet.

Round 2
The fighters exchange strikes but Machida showed his ring craft by circling away from the power of Sokoudjou. Machida lands a well controlled head kick. Sokoudjou looks to return a head kick but Machida controls distance very nicely. Exchange of blows from both fighters with no real advantage made for either fighter. Machida lands a front kick and then shows his excellent timing set and lands another head kick. Machida hits a solid punch to drop Sokoudjou to the canvas. It evens looks like Sokoudjou lost a strand from his dreadlocks! Machida followed his opponent to the ground and looked for an arm-triangle he was owed from the first round. Sokoudjou muscles around. Machida then took the mount position and again looked for another arm-triangle but then Sokoudjou tried to roll out, but only buys time and is still on his back looking gassed now. Machida works some more strikes to soften his opponent and again for the arm-triangle. He lock in the submission and now passes to side control which is the stronger position to make this submission work, which finally forced Sokoudjou to tapout at 4:20 of the second round.“I’m ready for the belt,” said Machida, 12-0. “I’ve beat the Alaskan Assassin (Sam Hoger), the African Assassin (Sokoudjou); what other assassin is there?” Not as planned for Sokoudjou. Machida show excellent timing, distance control and was very skilled on the ground. Relaxed under fire from a dangerous fighter, good professional show from Machida.

Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva vs. Chuck ‘The Ice Man’ Liddell
Wanderlei looked in great shape and good to go as always. His training for this fight was full on. Chuck came out with the look in his eyes that was all business.

Round 1
Both fighters circled in the center of the Octagon. Wanderlei looked like a pacing panther and Chuck looked patient both waiting for the war to explode into action.
Wanderlei looking ready to bite let one of his two-handed attacks loose but no real contact. Chuck fired counters; it was like a top gun dogfight! Chuck jab to set up his distance for a trademark overhand. You can see his game, but you still can’t stop him doing it! Solid low kick landed for Silva to back Chuck up and let him know nothing is going to be for free. Chuck rushed in and sets upon flurry! Silva fire fights out and was hurt but recovered quickly. Chuck again backed up Silva to the fence and landed a straight right. One-two landed for Chuck but Silva countered with hooks. Chuck is looking for the knockout and places another right hand. Big overhand from Chuck. Leg kick payback given from Silva. Great one, two from the Ice Man, which he chases in on. It then became like a real Rocky film with toe-to-toe trading! The crowd were on their feet. The warriors break and move. Chuck doubled up with the hook. Chuck then went to the inside of Wanderlei's left leg with a low kick. More to break up Wanderlei’s pace than anything else.

Great first round! Looked like Chuck had better range control and his timing was working for him. Silva looked to be off his normal game of chasing down opponents with strikes, maybe giving Chuck to much time to find range on him. Chuck is known for countering that come forward style quite well, so maybe Silva is being over careful to start which is allowing Chuck to get comfortable, well as can be with the Axe Murderer chasing you!

Round 2
Silva started out swinging for the fences and catches Chuck so it looked like he knew Chuck was gaining control of the distance. Both warriors trade again. Silva backing Chuck this time with nice combinations. Low kick from Chuck to keep Silva in check. Body kicks found a way in for Silva. The pace picked up again and Silva landed a nice right hand. Silva then sent the Ice Man to the canvas with another glancing right hand. Chuck jumps up very quickly and sends back an overhand. Chuck gets put over again from Silva but is again quickly back in the game as if it never happened. Body lock from Chuck then a power elbow. Silva has a cut above his right eye. Brawling with both fighters took heat but Liddell got the best of the exchange. Silva smashes Chuck again but the Ice Man landed a great punch back and scored a nice quick takedown to then look to ground and pound.
Incredible action in the second round.

Round 3
At the start of the round, Liddell dropped levels and scored a quick single-leg takedown. Silva on his back just kicks him off. Stands and looked to send some knockout blows. Head kick blocked by Chuck Chuck returned with his trademark over hand punch.Both fighters exchanged once again in the center of the cage. Great action. Strong left hand from Silva then another sharpe one, two from Chuck.
Chuck put in a spinning-back fist then crushed Silva once again with a solid one two that knocked back Silva. Chuck chased with an array of punches that rocked Silva. But Silva not an easy guy to knock out at all. He rolls with the punches and shows he’s one tough SOB and holds his ground. Silva is dangerous when hurt, Chuck is controlling pace trying to get a finish but being careful at the same time. Nice over hand and punches from Chuck, which is working well for him tonight. Silva pressed on looking to fire and trade. He does catch Chuck with a good right hand. Chuck shoots the takedown and put Silva to the ground in the last 30 seconds of the fight.
Excellent fight!! 6 years worth waiting for. This fight was all the hype plus some!

The judges had it 29-28 30-27 30 -27 for Chuck Liddell. You could see Chuck had a good game plan for this fight, which was working well so he stayed with it. Silva is always ready to fight, but just could not get into the range to really do the damage he can do. “It would have been a travesty if we wouldn’t have fought because it’s a great fight for the fans,” said Liddell. “I knew it was a big fight for everybody, especially for me to get back on track.” Great to see Chuck back in the game.

“I gave my best,” said Silva. “Win or lose I like to give to my fans.” You have to love Wanderlei Silva a true warrior. It does show when two fighters go in and give the fight their all then nobody comes out a loser.

Matt Hughes vs. Georges ‘The Rush’ St Pierre (GSP)

Hughes looked back into his wrestlers shape, strong and powerful. Relaxed as always, but which game will he be bring tonight? GSP looked very confident, so different from his first fight with Hughes and also more relaxed and focused than his second fight with Hughes. GSP has been training with the Canadian National Wrestling team and has reached a level, which would normally be unobtainable unless you started early in life and just wrestled. But GSP trains with 5 centres, each the best of what they do. He showed excellent wrestling in his last fight with Josh Koscheck. Add his great stand up striking skills and you have a highly well rounded MMA fighter.

Round 1
Hughes comes out in a right lead to start this fight. Looks like he is trying to upset GSP striking game with his change in lead. Hughes shot in for an ankle takedown but St. Pierre is ready and angles away. Nice low leg kick from GSP looking very focused. Hughes reaches for another take down, but with no real commitment. GSP landed a kick to the body and goes for a superman punch and they both work the Thai clinch. GSP was in control of the clinch and tripped Hughes to the mat showing his wresting and BJJ skills. GSP works his ground and pound from the top position in full guard. Hughes tried to hand fight and his was looking for an armbar. GSP showed good posture and is able to control the ground action. Hughes looked for the single from the bottom, but GSP is all over him. Hughes ends up trapped against the fence and started taking heavy shots from GSP. Hughes tries to lock down GSP to limit the damage and maybe get the stand up from the Ref, but GSP stayed busy. GSP took the mount position. He then unloads on Hughes. Hughes looks again for a lock down but GSP starts slamming his weight up and down on Hughes. GSP then pushes Hughes head down and breaks the body lock and rains the punches. Hughes gives his back and looks for the armbar and the round ends Hughes was completely dominated by GSP in round 1.

Round 2
GSP looking to strike Hughes. Fighters tried up GSP once again out wrestled Hughes with a single-leg drive to canvas. GSP looked to elbow from Hughes full-guard.
Hughes tried to control guard with GSP looking to pass. GSP passes to Hughes half-guard and makes it to mount seconds after. Hughes again gave up his back and GSP looks for choke

Hughes escapes and both are quickly back on their feet. Hughes looked for a single-leg, but GSP had none of it and they trade knees. GSP threw Hughes to the mat with a great sweep and adds an elbow to the face. Takes seated head control and attacks for a powerful Kimura looking to finish. You can see GSP is going for the finish with full intention. Hughes tried to muscle out, but GSP is on the case and keeps the arm and moves into an arm bar. Hughes submitted verbally at 4:54 of the second round.
Great fight for Georges St. Pierre. He looks so complete as an MMA fighter; it’s hard to see anyone being able to match the full game he can now bring. Great fighters on this card making it an excellent night for the UFC and fight fans. A great way to end the year!

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