UFC 98

MGM Grand Garden Arena was once again ready for a big night in MMA.

Andre Gusmao vs. Krzyszfof Soszynski

Round 1
Soszynski has been running through his opponents of late and this fight was no change to the Polish Experiment. Soszynski put a beat down on his opponent from the start of the fight, causing referee Herb Dean do stop the fight at 3:17 of the first round.
Soszynski is on a good run right now. In his last few fights he has showed his strong top game and heavy hands. This fight was going the same way, but he finished it before he needed to control the ground. The experiment continues!
Winner: Soszynski

Mike Pyle vs. Brock Larson

Round 1
This was a great fight. Showing a master class on MMA skills. Larson took Pyle down, but Pyle looked to finish with an armbar. As Larson escaped Pyle looked to progress chasing a leg lock this time. Larson attacked with a guillotine then a head and arm choke, but Pyle escapes and fires back a shoulder lock, which Larson evades. The fighters continued to scramble ending with Larson catching the gead and arm again. He finished fight with the arm triangle!
Winner: Brock Larson

Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar

Sherk really needed to revamp his game for this fight as he had come up short in his last few outings. Edgar would be a hard test at this point.
This fight went the 3 rounds.The fight really was an exciting fight in some ways, but each round was a repeat of the same formula. Sherk was explosive but not really bringing anything new to his game of late. Sherk is a great wrestler, but he did not really try to shoot much and takedown his opponent. He worked behind his jab and didn’t really have an answer for Edgar’s attacks and counters. Edgar was hitting out combinations from everywhere and anywhere. He really mixed it up and just really outworked Sherk in terms of interesting movement changes and game plan. It was a tough fight for both fighters as Sherk is a top professional, but it was as of late for Sherk just not enough.
I’m not really sure why Sherk has not tried wrestling and takedown more, which in the past always worked well for him. Maybe he is working with some sort of injury? I don’t know, but he has much better success when he pressured the takedown.
Not to take anything away from Frankie Edgar he looked excellent and was very much up for the job at hand.
All three judges agree and award 30-27 scores to Frankie Edgar.

Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Round 1
McFedries is well known for his knockout power and this fight he showed just why that is. He came in and destroyed Foupa-Pokam in just 37 seconds! He unloaded right of the bat and just put the beat down his opponent, keeping intact his loaded guns rep!

Winner: Drew McFedries

Matt Serra v Matt Hughes

This true grudge match went the 3 rounds with Serra taking the first round with a knockdown via a clash of heads, which gave him a chance to pressure Hughes. But Hughes came back in round 2 and controlled the fight by taking down Serra and dominating the top game. Round 3 was the close round to judge with Hughes in early control again as Serra tried to counter with submission attacks.
Overall an interesting fight due to the build up, based on the dislike both fighters had for each other.

All three official judges see the fight 29-28 for Matt Hughes.

Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida

Evans known for his wait and counter style would be looking for the big finish again. But Machida is the Karate King of hitting and not getting hit!
Both fighters are known for having awkward styles. So this would be a very interesting fight. Either a great fight or a slow grind, it was time to find out!

Round 1
Both fighters looked to feel each other out. Evans was dancing on the outside not wanting to commit. Machida was just waiting and stalking his opponent. A real game of chess or would it become checkers. Evans in the past has caused his opponents to get frustrated with his style, then capitalised on their mistake of trying to chase him with counter punching. Machida was not of the same mould. Machida tested a body kick which was blocked. A few trade of blows but not in range from both fighters.Then Machida dropped Evans with a strong left right on the chin. Evans stands and Machida kicked low. Evans looked to finish strong, but the round was lost.

Round 2
Machida looked to clinch and tried a trip. Evans held his base using his wrestling skills. Evans looked for payback but Machida avoided the attack. Fighters where pacing and moving again with no real decision being made. Machida worked his kicks, which he can just put out from nowhere!Then Machida rocked Evans with a power straight. Machida pull the pressure on and was keeping Evans from restanding. Evans was up and down trying to find a way to make some space to recover. But Machida stayed on him and unloaded hell! A crushing right left dropping Evans out cold!
Machida the new UFC Light Heavyweight world Champion!

“Karate is back,” Machida declared. “I tried all my life to be champion. I’m very, very, happy. Now, I want to keep this belt for a long time.”

Karate was never away! Just people forget that the traditional arts do have solid power! Machida showed he could punch and kick from any angle and had great timing.

“He was very difficult to solve, very fast and explosive,” Evans said “He did a good job tonight. He’s real clever, and he has excellent timing. I just didn’t come out sharp enough. The only thing I can do is go forward. It’s the first time being on the other side.”

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.

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