It has been an incredible spree of Mixed Martial Arts mayhem over the past week or so, and it does not appear to be slowing down. While I am preparing to head down to Las Vegas to cover UFC 81, so much has happened in MMA over the past week, that I would be remis if I did not share that info with you.
UFC Fight Night
On Wednesday, UFC Fight Night went down with some interesting results:
Main Card
Mike Swick vs. Josh Burkman - Unanimous Decision
Patrick Cote def. Drew McFedries - TKO (Strikes) @ 1:44 of Rd. 1
Thiago Tavares def. Michihiro Omigawa - Unanimous Decision
Nate Diaz def. Alvin Robinson - Submission (Triangle Choke) @ 3:39 of Rd. 1
Preliminary Card
Kurt Pellegrino def. Alberto Crane - TKO (Strikes) @ 1:55 of Rd. 2
Gray Maynard def. Dennis Siver - Unanimous Decision
Jeremy Stephens def. Cole Miller - TKO (Strikes) @ 4:44 of Rd. 2
Corey Hill def. Joe Veres - TKO (Strikes) @ 0:37 of Rd. 2
Matt Wiman def. Justin Buchholz - Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) @ 2:56 of Rd. 1
There were some interesting paydays for some, not so interesting for others. Click here to see what I mean.
I was paying close attention to see what medical suspensions would be dished out after the event, especially in regards to Canadian Patrick Cote. I was hoping he would not end up getting a medical suspension so he would be ready, willing and able to fight for the UFC when they come to Montreal on April 19th.
Most of my concerns were met with a sense of releif until it was announced the Cote will not be fighting on the card. Instead, he will be a part of the french language broadcast team for the show.
UFC 81 Goes Down This Saturday Night
Later on this week, I’ll be heading to Las Vegas to cover UFC 81 for Sportsnet and The Fan 590.
Look for daily reports, starting on Wednesday, which will include footage from the public workouts, the pre-fight press conference, one on one interviews with all the main event fighters, my predictions and much, much more.
UFC 81 Fight Card
MAIN CARD (TELEVISED)
- Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
- Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Tim Sylvia (for interim heavyweight title)
- Ricardo Almeida vs. Alan Belcher
- Jeremy Horn vs. Nate Marquardt
PRELIMINARY CARD (NOT TELEVISED)
- Tyson Griffin vs. Gleison Tibau
- Kyle Bradley vs. Chris Lytle
- Marvin Eastman vs. Terry Martin
- Tim Boetsch VS. David Heath
- Rob Emerson vs. Keita Nakamura
This week on ‘The Showdown’
Make you sure you tune in to the Fan 590 for ‘The Showdown’, this Thurday night at 10pm. Guests will include Brock Lesnar, his opponent Frank Mir and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia, who is one half of the main event competiting for the interm heavyweight title vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Also joining me on Thursday night will be the very well respected Sam Caplan, from Pro Elite, EliteXC and CBS Sports. Caplan is one of the best in the business whose insight in the sport of MMA is golden in my books.
Ciao for now,
Showdown Joe
