UFC 82

Saturday night Columbus, Ohio March 1st and over 16,000 fans attended the sold out Nationwide Arena ready for UFC 82 Pride of a Champion.

It was set to be a big night for the middleweight division with UFC Middleweight Champ Anderson Silva vs. Pride Middleweight Champ Dan Henderson. Some think Anderson is still not fully proven (maybe they never watch his fights) and Dan is the man to put him to the test.

Mark Coleman was inducted into the UFC hall of Fame. He was the first UFC Heavy weight Champ back in the day and has since had success in Japan, but has not been active of late. His goal is to get back into the ring to fight Brock Lesser in 5 months time.

Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
Jon Fitch on a wining freight train, on paper looks too hard to derail with 7 wins in the UFC. Very well rounded excellent wrestler. He’s a training machine.
Chris Wilson is from Team Quest so he will have game, making this a tough match up.

Round 1
The centre of the octagon was held by Fitch to start the round. Fitch kicked the inside of Wilson's left leg and looked to clinch. Both fighters traded knees and then broke apart.
Fitch shot in but Wilson defended the takedown well, using footwork and strong body control. Fitch looked to throw two handed attacks and set up a takedown. Wilson returned fire landing well with an uppercut. One two again from Fitch, he likes to run in with both hands firing. Nice right hand from Wilson countering Fitch’s open attacks. Excellent head kick from Wilson, now finding his pace. Knee landed for Wilson but Fitch was able turn it into a takedown. Fitch tried a slow crushing pass, which was progressing. Wilson tried to control Fitch’s head to stop the pass, but Referee ordered a stand-up, which was a bit early as they where both working on the ground. Wilson now held the centre of the octagon. Fitch throwing one two combinations once again. Wilson kicked the body and got a single-leg, but was swept quickly by Fitch. Wilson worked his guard and went for an omaplata but was not successful as Fitch got back to Wilson's guard. Last 30 seconds Wilson held guard well. Wilson had the edge in the round.

Round 2
Wilson looked to be more relaxed and ready to go. Fitch started off working his game of chasing the legs for a takedown again. Wilson low kick attempt and the fighter’s clinch and Fitch found himself on top after a scramble for positioning. Fitch worked to pass to half-guard, but Wilson pulled full guard. Fitch stayed busy striking from the top. Fitch worked a very strong and proactive to pass attempt. Wilson defended well at first, but gave up side-control Fitch worked knees to the body and elbowed the head. Fitch then progressed his knee across to gain mount and pressed down to control the position. Wilson showed his toughness immediately working back to half-guard. Wilson pulls guard and Fitch passed again to side body again. Fitch advanced and to north south as the round ended. Fitch took this round making the fight a round each so far.

Round 3
Fitch started back in control of the centre of the octagon. He found an inside leg kick.
Wilson also looked to start strong in the third round with a kick to the body and a left hook. Whizzer throw attempt from Wilson, but Fitch flows out and back to standing.
After stopping a failed throw from Fitch, Wilson took a hard left and right. Fitch went back to the legs with a low kick. Excellent one two attack from Fitch again. A right hand landed for Fitch and Wilson tried to counter with a spinning back kick. Two more low kicks connected for Fitch. Wilson pressed forward, but looked less sure of himself now. Wilson slow jabbed and was taken down with a single-leg for his lack of distance control. Fitch pressed Wilson on the cage and worked elbows. Fitch stands to pass but Wilson holds guard so Fitch continued to ground and pound. Wilson went for a guard shoulder sweep and then ended up pulling a triangle choke, which he held until the end of the round. Fitch may have been saved by the bell, but he did do enough in the rest of the round to hold on to the judges vote.

All judges see the fight for Jon Fitch

Good fight, both tough guys. "He's a long opponent, very good hands," the 30-year-old Fitch said afterward. "A lot of speed." "I'm ready to fight for that title, whoever's got it," Fitch said. "Serra, St. Pierre whoever the best man is, I want to fight them. Once you have that belt, every fight you have is going to be the toughest. That's where I want to be." Fitch is now 8-0 in the UFC; he must be the number 1 contender now!

Yushin Okami vs Evan Tanner
Tanner the ex Middleweight Champion is back from a 2 year break from MMA. If you know of Tanner you will be aware of his famous Internet blog following his roller coaster ride of his life. He said he’s now back on track and in full time MMA training. Tanner looked in great shape, but it’s a long time out of the ring and Okami is a tough fighter to get started again with.

Round 1
Tanner starts in the centre of the octagon chasing and lands a right hand. Okami jabs back then another right again from Tanner. Okami set up with a jab then dropped Tanner with a straight left then ran in to finish. Tanner reversed the position showing his old experience was kicking in. Both back to feet, Tanner recovered quickly and worked for a single-leg against the cage. Okami fought off the takedown and pressed Tanner against the fencing. Knee from Tanner, Okami stepped away with a hook. Okami went to the Thai plum head control and landed knees to the body. Tanner pushed him off Last minute they slow trade. Tanner looking for low leg kicks and Okami looking for another left hand.

Round 2
Tanner is cut, but not bad. He attacked leg kick again. Big hands came back from Okami. Okami is looking to be more in charge and seems to be relaxed at this point.
Right jab, left uppercut from Okami landed home. Tanner clinched with Okami and worked the low knees. Thai Plum control again from Okami. He looked very strong from this position. Tanner had to dig deep as the pressure was rising for him. Okami lands nice combo again. Tanner pressed Okami to the fence, trying to turn the pressure back to his opponent. Tanner worked to the body, leaving his head open for a knee to the head. Okami pushed Tanner’s head back and pulled him in for a solid knee on the chin. Its over for Tanner.Referee jumps in at 3:00 of the second round to save Tanner.

Not the return Tanner would have wanted. I hope he stays on track and gets back to the gym. Okami showed a good game and is very strong at this weight. I can’t help but think his style in this fight was like a lesser version of Champ Anderson Silva. What could he offer Anderson in that case? We may find out soon after this win.

Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
Leben is a come forward striker with an iron chin that helps him keep going under fire. Sakara training at American Top Team in Florida on paper is the superior boxer, but this is maybe going to be a balls to the wall fight.

Round 1
Leben comes out chasing with a kick. The fighters exchanged kicks and punches to start. A messy beginning of trading and chasing around the octagon. Leben and Sakara both landed heavy right hands. Nice body kick from Leben Sakara looks to be the more refined striker, but Leben is more powerful. Clinch fighting from these warriors then a superman punch from Sakara, which is lost to Lebens raw counter striking. Body kick again from Leben. Leben turned up the pressure with a knee and his trade mark of throw down punching. Then landed a big left swinging punch that dropped Sakara to the canvas. Leben jumped on Sakara and brought on the rain, which prompted Herb Dean to stop the fight at 3:16 of round two.

Sakara did work cleaner strikes, but its was Lebens pressure punching and come forward style that helped him land his combinations and work a way in.

"He actually hit a lot harder than I thought," said Leben. "His footwork and movement was really good. He caught me with a couple of clean shots that actually hurt. It takes a lot to hurt me, so more power to him. That's exactly what I did. I put him in the blender. I took him in the deep end. I said you want to swing, let's swing."

You got to love Leben’s style.

Heath ‘Texas Crazy Horse’ Herring vs. Cheick Kongo
Both fighters are looking for title shots, so this will be an interesting match up.Herring has been following a new training programme for this fight. He’s always an exciting fighter to watch. Bringing the pain and working the pace is his style. With his new step up in conditioning this should be an exciting fight. When he entered the octagon to the title music of the ‘good the bad and the ugly’, it showed the new training had paid off as he looked in his best shape for some time for this fight.Kongo has continued to improve and learn from each fight so it would be interesting to see how he would fair with a fighter with the experience of Herring.

Round 1
Herring came out to bring a war to Kongo. A right hand from Herring dropped Kongo down to a knee, which prompted him to clinch up to make time to shake if off.
Kongo recovered well and made a single-leg takedown ending up in half-guard.
Herring having strong wrestling used a Kimura to get to his feet and worked to push the pace on the feet again. After a low kick both fighter’s ended up back on the ground. Herring worked a beautiful sweep and took the top control. Kongo being very strong got back up and was caught in a front headlock. Kongo worked knees from this position and took Herring down again. Kongo made it to the mount. But Herring bridged out and drove for a takedown of his own. Kongo reversed the position, and then Herring worked his way back up once again. Herring looked to take down Kongo, but got reversed. Herring ended up in a turtle position with Kongo holding on to him.

Great round. Close to judge.

Herring showed his excellent wrestling and Kongo showed a much improve ground game, but no real submission based attacks.

Round 2
Whizzer attempt for Herring straight of the bat, but as they scramble Kongo took the top position. Herring then pulled to half guard. Kongo stood and kicked Herrings legs. Referee brought the fight back to the feet. Herring pressed Kongo again but ended up on the receiving end of a nice powerful double-leg takedown. Herring turtled up again. Kongo worked a few punches but he didn’t try to progress the position. Therefore Herring was able to make his move, ending up rolling Kongo over then going to north south then side-control. Herring worked big knees to the body and was able to control the position. Herring showed superior base on the ground. Again close to judge but I would say Herring

Round 3
Both fighters collided with low kicks, which put them both on the ground. Kongo took the top position. Herring re stood and drove for a single leg attack. Kongo pushed on the head of Herring, showing off his newfound grappling skills. All repeats again as Herring punches but ends up on the mat. He reversed the situation well ended up side body to north south once again, where he worked the body with big knees and punches.Kongo had no answer at this point for Herring’s attack. Which allow Herring to progress to full mount control.

The official judges end up with a split decision for Herring.

Herring said after "If I could have thrown knees to the head people, this fight would have been over a long time ago, but here in the U.S., we don't have knees to the head." It was a close fight. Herring showed his better all round game and Kongo showed a much-improved grappling standard, but with still a lack of submission skill.

Great to see Herring on the up and Kongo showed he is still growing and has tons of potential.

Anderson ‘The spider’ Silva vs. Dan Henderson

UFC Middleweight Champ vs. Pride Middleweight Champ

‘"I’m going to knock him out" was Hendo’s plan for this fight. "It’s going to be funny, he’s going to try to do something that’s impossible" was Anderson’s reply to that. Anderson is known for his knockout striking skills and Henderson is known for his unbelievable toughness.Both at the top of their game, this is another dream fight from the UFC and the fans.

Round 1
Silva shook hands with Henderson during Herb Dean's instructions. But as the bell rung Silva refused to touch gloves showing he’s all business now. The fighters felt each other out for the first minute. Henderson then sent out a low kick. Henderson found a home for his right hand, which Silva answered back with a low kick of his own. Henderson chased in with big over hand strikes as he always does. Front kick from Anderson testing the distance, followed by another to the head. Henderson punched into a clinch while Henderson worked the body lock to takedown Silva. Henderson tried to pound, but Silva held him tight to control the distance and take away Hendersons punching power.Henderson covered Silva's face with his hand and dropped a big elbow. He tried to take cross body. Henderson gained the side control but Silva worked back to his guard.

Round 2
Silva looked focus for this round. Silva landed some nice punches and a low kick. Henderson pulls guard, but got back to his feet, where he pressed Silva against the fence. Nice right hand from Henderson, looking to brawl. Anderson looked so relaxed and just opened up his speed and beautiful timing. He landed a tight punch and solid knee to Henderson. Henderson dropped to the mat and chased a leg for the takedown on autopilot, which Silva controls and gains the top position. Henderson tried to tripod and pull out which gave up his back to Silva who wasted no time in locking in a body-triangle. After punches and elbows Silva was able to sink in the rear-naked choke, which forced Henderson to tap.

Tapout at 4:52 of the second round.

‘Hats off to Anderson’ was the Henderson’s words to the champ. "I needed to control the stand up a little bit better," said Henderson, "I didn't pressure him that much. I should have kept him on the defence a little more. I kind of let him get his offence going by standing there a little too much. So, my game plan, I didn't execute it well enough I think." Dan thanked the fans. A class act as always.

Silva said he was not surprised that he had won with a submission. He trains with the best. He is looking to fight the best.

"Not taking anything away from Dan Henderson, he came, he fought very well, but in my mind, the real champion other than myself that I have faced in the Octagon was Rich Franklin," said Silva, "Not to take anything away from Dan Henderson, though."

Excellent to see two great professional martial artists doing what they do best.

If the main events where not enough (and they where) What an undercard for this event! Arlovski, Koscheck and Sanchez all won tonight on the undercard. It just shows the amount of top levels fighters are now in MMA.

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