HOLY FREAKING COW THAT WAS AWESOME!!!! yay for huerta and his shorts
and so much for the critics who thought he was just about the shorts! :D the boy can fight...and so can clay guida, for that matter. what a show by both guys, and incredible heart shown by roger!
i didn't think anything would top guida vs. griffin for me this year, but i think this one takes it. possibly fight of the year? this is one of the rare times you expect a great fight and actually get more than you anticipated!
damn, i was rooting for Guida. All he had to do was survive the 3rd, cause he definately won the first 2 rounds. Oh well, absolutely amazing fight though...
i didn't think anything would top guida vs. griffin for me this year, but i think this one takes it. possibly fight of the year? this is one of the rare times you expect a great fight and actually get more than you anticipated!
Definitely fight of the year in my opinion!!! Both guys came out looking for an exciting fight and gave us just a fantastic show.
Definitely fight of the year in my opinion!!! Both guys came out looking for an exciting fight and gave us just a fantastic show.
indeed. a friend of mine who hasn't called me in ages just called at 1:30 in the morning because he caught the fight. THAT's how good the fight was!
overall, that may have been their best free show yet, and probabaly better than most of this year's PPV's!
damn, i was rooting for Guida. All he had to do was survive the 3rd, cause he definately won the first 2 rounds. Oh well, absolutely amazing fight though...
truly amazing. that's what i love about clay guida is that win or lose, he's always in a fantastic fight. i feel bad for him that he keeps coming up on the short end despite his great performances.
sorry for guida's loss. i was torn...so i sat on the fence and just was hoping for a great fight. (ultimately, i thought huerta would win a close decision. guida probabaly would have had it, though, as you said.)
complete results from an outstanding night of fights. i'm taping the replay now for ceg in case she missed it, so i'll have to wait up to watch huerta vs. guida again!
Main Card:
Roger Huerta Vs. Clay Guida - Roger Huerta wins by submission (rear naked choke), 0:51, 3rd round.
Mac Danzig Vs. Tom Speer - Mac Danzig wins by submission (rear naked choke), 2:01, 1st round.
Jared Rollins Vs. Jon Koppenhaver - Jon Koppenhaver wins by TKO, 2:01, 3rd round.
George Sotiropoulos Vs. Billy Miles - George Sotiropoulos wins by submission (rear naked choke), 1:36, 1st round.
Dan Barrera Vs. Ben Saunders - Ben Saunders wins by unanimous decision.
Pre-lims:
Troy Mandaloniz Vs. Richie Hightower - Troy Mandaloniz wins by TKO, 4:20, 1st round.
Matt Arroyo Vs. John Kolosci - Matt Arroyo wins by submission (arm bar), 4:42, 1st round.
Roman Mitichyan Vs. Dorian Price - Roman Mitichyan wins by submission (ankle lock), 0:23, 1st round.
Paul Georgieff Vs. Jonathan Goulet - Jonathan Goulet wins by submission (rear naked choke), 4:42, 1st round.
indeed. a friend of mine who hasn't called me in ages just called at 1:30 in the morning because he caught the fight. THAT's how good the fight was!
overall, that may have been their best free show yet, and probabaly better than most of this year's PPV's!
I can't get over how good the fights were tonight. I got drug out to some bars and they're showing the replay now. as usual mooks, always a pleasure to share ufc watching with you.
I can't get over how good the fights were tonight. I got drug out to some bars and they're showing the replay now. as usual mooks, always a pleasure to share ufc watching with you.
i was about to say the same. i'm going to go get a warm blanket since my heat in my igloo is not coming on very often and i'm going to settle in to try to stay awake for the replay. shouldn't be too difficult.
i was about to say the same. i'm going to go get a warm blanket since my heat in my igloo is not coming on very often and i'm going to settle in to try to stay awake for the replay. shouldn't be too difficult.
enjoy the night out!
stay warm up there!!! I don't think you'll have a hard time staying awake with how good the fights were tonight
stay warm up there!!! I don't think you'll have a hard time staying awake with how good the fights were tonight
yep, still up. still cold! it's an old building and the heat can just fly out sometimes. there's actually seaweed in the walls for insulation!
definitely these fights are keeping me awake, even the second time around. i'm still surprised at how good this show turned out to be. there were a couple i was looking forward to over others, but overall is was a great show.
a nice summation from mmaweekly for anyone who missed the show...
FIGHT OF THE YEAR?
REVIEW: HUERTA SOLIDIFIES HIS PLACE AS A CONTENDER
Saturday, December 08, 2007
by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com
LAS VEGAS – It was a chilly night in Sin City, but the action was white hot in The Pearl at the Palms Hotel & Casino where Roger Huerta made the move from over-hyped Sports Illustrated cover boy to iron-clad Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight contender.
Clearly the fight of the night, Huerta and Clay Guida fought one of the highest paced, most dynamic battles of the year. This fight was everything and more that the hype promised.
Guida appeared poised on the brink of victory as he dropped Huerta to his back in the second round, but somehow Huerta dug deep into his heart and found a way to survive. Then in the third round, Huerta shifted gears, yet again, rocked Guida and then took his back and clamped down the fight-ending rear naked choke.
Huerta was clearly overwhelmed with emotion after the fight, thanking God and his mother before declaring, “I want to bring the UFC to Mexico.”
The Ultimate Fighter welterweight finale went pretty much as expected, with the bigger Tommy Speer trying to utilize his size and strength, while Mac Danzig went for skill and technique. In short order, it was Danzig that took Speer to the ground and quickly transitioned to his back to sink in a rear naked choke.
Leading up to the finale, Danzig made no bones about why he signed up for the hit reality series. He wanted to win it all and build up his name to the legions of mixed martial arts fans around the world. He easily did that on Saturday night.
“I was really nervous going into this fight with Tommy,” said Danzig after the fight, although it didn’t show in his performance.
Asked if he would now drop back down to his usual weight of 155 pounds, the new Ultimate Fighter winner stated, “Absolutely. I’m really happy about jumping in the mix with (Roger Huerta and Clay Guida).”
In an amazing battle of wills, John Koppenhaver and Jared Rollins bloodied each other near the end of the first round, trading elbows on the ground, and commenced to fight a see-saw battle of wills.
As both fighters were cloaked in crimson, Rollins looked like he would end it with a succession of brutal knees, but Koppenhaver was able to reverse position on the ground and put Rollins out with a fight-ending ground and pound assault.
“I didn’t want to have to fight him tonight,” said Koppenhaver in tears after the fight. “I love him man. He’s a tough, tough dude.”
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the Machados, George Sotiropoulus, now training with UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, wasted no time getting Billy Miles to the ground. Once there, he fixed himself on Miles’ back, locking in the rear naked choke at 1:36 of round one.
“I knew that was his weakness,” said Sotiropoulus of Miles’ ground game. “I knew once it was on the ground it was going to be over.”
In the opening bout of the live telecast on Spike TV, Dan Barrera and Ben Saunders fought a fairly close back-and-forth affair early with Barrera trying to employ a ground and pound attack, while Saunders went for the submissions. As the fight progressed, Saunders took over and earned the unanimous decision.
In the final preliminary bout, Troy Mandaloniz and Richie Hightower gave fans an exciting slugfest. Hightower took charge in the first half of the first round, landing some wide punches, along with a succession of forearms and knees. But in the end, it was Mandaloniz that caught Hightower walking into a stiff left jab, dropping him to the mat, and then finishing him off with a couple of hammerfists for the TKO.
Unable to compete in the semi-final round due to injury, Matt Arroyo made up for it with by putting on a submission clinic at the expense of John Kolosci at Saturday’s finale. He attempted several submissions, finally finishing Kolosci with an armbar late in the first round.
Roman Mitichyan’s fight in the finale was even more short-lived than his injury prone stint during the regular season, albeit this time in his favor. He immediately took Dorian Price to the mat and dropped into a straight ankle lock that had Price tapping almost immediately.
In the event’s opening bout, Paul Georgieff knocked Jonathan Goulet down with a left hook about halfway through round one, but it was Goulet that would call upon the depth of his experience to put the fight away. After going down, he grabbed Georgieff’s legs and put him on his back. The Canadian then transitioned through various positions to Georgieff’s back and locked on a rear naked choke, causing him to pass out.
so it looks like bj vs. joe daddy becomes the LW championship in january...
SEAN SHERK STRIPPED OF TITLE
Saturday, December 08, 2007
by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com
According to sources close to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion has stripped lightweight champion Sean Sherk of his title following the upholding of his suspension by the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for the steroid Nandrolone.
The CSAC, earlier this week, did decrease Sherk’s suspension from 12 to 6 months. He will be eligible to come off of suspension in early January due to his suspension being retroactive to the night of his July 7 bout against Hermes Franca.
A proposed interim lightweight title bout between B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson on Jan. 19 will now reportedly be declared a full title bout and drop the interim designation.
goodbye to big john :( what a fight to go out on though!
Big John passing on the torch
Friday, December 7, 2007
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Veteran referee (Big) John McCarthy, one of the most recognizable faces of mixed martial arts, is retiring to join the Toronto-based Fight Network as an on-air personality and "strategic adviser."
McCarthy is slated to call it quits Saturday night after officiating his 535th bout -- the Roger Huerta-Clay Guida main event at "The Ultimate Fighter 6" Finale in Las Vegas.
"I don't think that I'm exaggerating if I say Big John is the John Madden of The Fight Network," George Burger, president and CEO of The Fight Network, said on a conference call Friday. "He is going to help launch us to an even greater international reputation."
The six-foot-four, 240-pound McCarthy is known for his signature introduction to bouts. He asks each fighter "Are you ready?" and then chops his hand down and snarls "Let's get it on."
He has refereed 100 championship fights.
McCarthy had already been doing a segment for the TV network called "The Last Call." He said Friday that he could not expand his broadcast work and referee.
"Athletic commissions look at it as a conflict of interest so I had to make a choice," he said.
"I think I have an insight that most people don't in the sport," he added. "It's a great opportunity for me."
The Fight Network job allows him to work in all areas of the sport, not just the UFC, and boxing, he said.
McCarthy was one of Royce Gracie's training partners for UFC 1: The Beginning in November 1993. Promoters used Brazilian referees for the UFC opener but then Rorion Gracie, Royce's older brother and UFC co-founder, asked McCarthy to referee UFC 2: No Way Out in March 1994.
"I was with the UFC from the beginning," McCarthy said. "I like to think that I helped the sport of mixed martial arts grow. I had a great ride and enjoyed every part of it -- the good times, the bad times. I wouldn't have traded any of it."
McCarthy is a former 20-year-plus member of the Los Angeles Police Department, serving as an instructor in the department's defensive tactics section.
Married with three kids, McCarthy also has a gym -- Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy -- in Valencia, Calif.
"John has been such a great referee for years that it is unfortunate he is retiring," Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said in a statement. "However, I am sure he will continue to play an important role in the sport of mixed martial arts, and that can only be a good thing."
McCarthy cited Montreal's Yves Lavigne as one of the fine referees still in the game.
"I think he does a great job. The best part about him is he's a humble person who always wants to learn, knows if he makes a mistake, wants to correct it."
wow, Big John is retiring . . . didn't see that one coming. He definitely is the best ref out there.
I wonder who will end up refing the heavyweights and big title fights. I personally think Mario Yamasaki is a really great ref but is probably not big enough too pull Tim Sylvia off another HW.
an evan tanner interview?...i wouldn't post that, would i?!?....;):D
Evan Tanner Talks UFC Return
An MMAjunkie.com Interview
December 10, 2007
After a year of speculation — after all the rumors, and inside sources, and supposed booked fights — former UFC middleweight contender Evan Tanner is officially back.
For a year and a half, the former UFC middleweight champion has been sitting on the sidelines. While the time away allowed him to work through some personal problems, the 36-year-old acknowledged that he needed a break from the sport. After 10 years of competing professionally (including nine in the UFC) he needed to regroup. He needed to refocus. Tanner needed “to catch his breath,” as he told us.
He’s back in the organization, but as we learned in our discussion with the fan favorite, that’s the easy part. When you have four possible opponents — for possible opponents who all declined the fight — you realize comebacks aren’t as simple as you sometimes imagine. But he knows one brave soul will step up sooner or later.
Now, opting out of the traditional fighter-sponsorship model, Tanner wants another shot at the title. He admits that current UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva has looked nearly unbeatable. He praises him as a great champ. But — and don’t ask him why — just thinks he has Silva’s number.
We recently spoke to Tanner about his return, his blueprint for a return to the title picture, and why he wants to bring fans along for the ride.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you tell me about the deal you signed with the UFC?
EVAN TANNER: It was a contract for four fights. That’s what I got.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Did it replace an existing deal?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t want to go into details about all that. Let’s just say that I’ve always been on good terms with the UFC. I took a little time off, but I never technically left the UFC. I didn’t sit out on bad terms or anything. I had been fighting consistently for 10 years, and I had been with the UFC for nine of those years, so wanted to take some time off, catch my breath, and deal with some things in my personal life.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: And there were no problem with the UFC?
EVAN TANNER: I always kept in contact with them. Then, at one point, I was ready to get back in there, and they were ready to have me.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Were there any hiccups or problems during that process?
EVAN TANNER: The UFC has always been great to work with. So, no.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you tell me exactly how it all came together? Did you call up Dana White and say you wanted to return?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t want really went to get into all the details. It just all worked out. I guess I was ready to get a fight again. And, however you want to say it, they were ready to get some new blood in there — well, some old blood back in there — and spice up the middleweight division. It worked out well for the both of us. They needed some 185-pounders that were ready to go.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Have you, in fact, been booked for an upcoming event?
EVAN TANNER: They have a date in which they want me to fight, but they haven’t — but they’re having a problem finding an opponent. There’s the contract, which says I’m obligated to fight a certain amount of times in a certain amount of time. But then there’s the bout sheet — the idea of the fight. Until that’s signed, everything is up in the air. Right now they have a date in mind but no an opponent.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you say the date?
EVAN TANNER: No, I think legally or whatever I’m not allowed to disclose that info. I’m sure the UFC wanted to announce it when it becomes official, so I don’t want to mention it.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: But you said they’re having a hard time finding an opponent?
EVAN TANNER: Yes, they’ve offered the fight to four guys — four guys who have made a name for themselves in the division. Those four guys have all turned it down, so they’re still looking.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: A lot of people are saying the UFC’s middleweight division is very thin. What’s your assessment?
EVAN TANNER: No, I don’t really know. That’s the talk I hear, “The division is thin; the division is weak.” I don’t know. I just want to get in there and fight.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: I know you’ve probably been asked this a lot, but how do you think you match up with current middleweight champ Anderson Silva?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t know what it is. I just feel I have his number. He has far better skills — striking, you know. He’s done great and has been a great champion and has some great title defenses. But for some reason, I feel I have his number. I’d like to win some fights and get back into contention and earn the chance to prove it. But you never know what’s going to happen with (Dan) Henderson (at UFC 82). He could be the one holding the belt before I work my way back into contention. Anderson’s going to have a really tough fight with him.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: So what’s the game plan? Two or three wins, and you’re ready for a title shot?
EVAN TANNER: I think it’s a matter — it’s just my opinion, I have no way to know or say — it has to do with winning fights. My position is strong if I win fights and win them decisively. I just can’t eek out decisions. It might take just two. If I can win two fights and just smash my opponents, I’ll be right there, yeah.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: On your official website, you explained your reasoning for having fans sponsor you rather than going the traditional-sponsor route, so we won’t go into that. But what’s the reaction been thus far?
EVAN TANNER: Man, there’s been a tremendous response. I’ve been surprised. I sat out a year and a half. I haven’t fought in a year and a half. There’s been a lot of speculation about my return, but that’s all it ever was. I announced my new four-fight deal, and there’s still people saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Despite not having a fight signed and a fight announced, I still have gotten a great response. I think once we pick a fighter to be an opponent and the UFC announces a date, I think things will take off even further. I’m glad to have fans who wanted to be a part of it.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you think it’ll be enough? Will you get the total sponsorship you need to train and cover your living expenses?
EVAN TANNER: It should be. If things are done right, that is. I’m not trying to cash in on the fans. I’ve been doing this for 10 years and paying my dues. It’s my livelihood. It’s a business. I can make money with sponsors, or I can include the fans. I need to make money and pay the bills. I think I’ve earned the right to. But I’m not trying to get rich off the fans. For what they give and what they’re getting, I want them to be happy. I want it to be a mutually beneficial exchange. But in following this path, I don’t know the potential or how far it goes. With sponsors, you’re guaranteed so much (money). I could be giving up a lot of money — hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the deal maybe. I’m willing to let that go in the end. When I’m on my deathbed, I’ll know I stood by my principles and stood up for something I believe in.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: At any point during your recent time away from the UFC, did you consider your fighting career over?
EVAN TANNER: I just wanted to take some time off. There was no thought or intention of retiring. I wanted some time off. The way I see it, I didn’t envision or shape my career like a lot of people have. Some fighters get that one shot and feel they have to go crazy and make the most of it right away. Me, I know I’m in it for the long haul. I fight at my own pace. I accept fights and do things at my pace. If I’m taking time off — I’m not really worried or missing out on that opportunity window. I’m in it for the long haul. I was just taking a break and catching my breath. That’s what was going on on my side.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: How often did you get the question, “When are you coming back?“
EVAN TANNER: I pretty much avoided — OK, I got it a lot I guess. As usual, when I’m not fighting or training, though, I don’t pay much attention to the sport. I don’t get the latest news and don’t watch on TV or the shows. I like to compete, but I don’t like to watch the sport. It’s been like that with all the sports I competed in. During my time off, I was doing my own things and adventures and stuff. I was totally separated from the fight world. I wasn’t training or anything, so I wasn’t associating with fighters. In that environment, I wasn’t exposed to that many fans. I got the question, but it wasn’t all the time.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you know when you will, in fact, retire? Is there a certain accomplishment that could signify the end?
EVAN TANNER: That goes into my usual response: I play it by ear. I go day by day and wait and see. I have no ultimate goal or number of fights or achievement in the fight game I have in mind before I’m done. As long as I feel like a young man with a spring in my step and being competitive, I’ll keep going. We’ll go day by day for now.
wow, Big John is retiring . . . didn't see that one coming. He definitely is the best ref out there.
I wonder who will end up refing the heavyweights and big title fights. I personally think Mario Yamasaki is a really great ref but is probably not big enough too pull Tim Sylvia off another HW.
agreed, releash, he's the best. that's a good question about the HW matches. i hadn't really thought about that. i guess it's up to the athletic commissions. maybe herb dean will see more work?...which could cause problems because it seems like every second or third fight he does, something very odd happens.
agreed, releash, he's the best. that's a good question about the HW matches. i hadn't really thought about that. i guess it's up to the athletic commissions. maybe herb dean will see more work?...which could cause problems because it seems like every second or third fight he does, something very odd happens.
I hope Herb Dean doesn't become the go to ref for HW and light HW. you are right about strange things happening during his fights. he's made several controversial calls, although I can't recall any flat out bad calls off the top of my head. I hadn't thought about the fact that the athletic commission is the one who determines who refs the fights, not the UFC.
there was the quick stoppage in the second ortiz / shamrock fight, the awkwardness when he tried to stand marcio cruz and arlovski up after arlovski kicked him in the head and cruz wanted to stay down anyway, the "time outs" he gave gonzaga and barrera due to blood in their eyes...etc. etc. one of my faves (in terms of fights i mean) is when evan tanner beat dave terrell for the vacant MW championship and herb dean was standing away from them waving his arms and goldberg was trying to figure out if the fight was over..."it is all ov-....wait it's not, ok now it's all over!", fortunately for terrell it finally was.
just a few examples of herb's bad luck and / or indecision.
also, there was the mess that was the frank shamrock vs. renzo gracie match where herb actually had to get on the mic and explain what happened.
sometimes it's not even his fault, the strange situations just seem to follow him around.
i'm not sure what they'll do, but i guess we'll find out in the next few months, eh?
pretty good write up about big john mccarthy from the ufc website i thought i would pass along...
12/10/2007
There’s only one Big John McCarthy
By Thomas Gerbasi
It was the perfect going away gift for a referee. Saturday’s lightweight war between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida. But like all great ‘third men’, John McCarthy – who retired as an active referee following last weekend’s main event - was noticeable by being barely noticeable, making all the right moves and all the right calls, a fitting end to a 13 year journey that saw McCarthy become as much a part of the UFC as the great fighters who have graced its Octagon.
And as I told him Saturday, there will always be just one Big John McCarthy.
A part of the UFC since its second show in 1994, McCarthy, with his trademark ‘Let’s get it on”, was the sole arbiter in the early days of a sport with little in the way of rules or regulation. Yet by UFC 3, McCarthy was given more responsibility in terms of being able to stop fights and protect the fighters, and as the years went on, he was known as not only a stern taskmaster when it came to enforcing the ever increasing list of rules which governed competition, but as a compassionate one who put fighter safety paramount over everything else.
Eventually, McCarthy became more than just a referee, as he was deeply involved with the training of future officials and as an ambassador of the sport to regulators, the media, and the fans.
But when it came down to it for McCarthy, through 535 bouts, it was all about the fights, and for the fighters, having John McCarthy referee your match was a sign that you made it to the big time. As Guida said after his gallant loss to Huerta, “He’s somebody this sport won’t soon forget. It was an honor to have that guy shake my hand and say ‘Let’s get it on’ one last time. You can’t put a price on something like that. It was awesome.”
John McCarthy stayed the course. He survived the sport’s ‘dark ages’ and was able to witness the explosion of the sport in the mainstream. It was something he knew would happen eventually, as he said in a 2005 UFC.com interview.
“I believe the UFC is only going to get bigger and better,” said McCarthy. “The sport of MMA is growing at a phenomenal rate right now and the popularity is only going to grow. Boxing is great, but it
is the sport of our fathers, while mixed martial arts is the sport of the new generation. Kids of today like the extreme sports; anything that goes faster, flies higher, hits harder or has more risks is what ignites the interest of today’s young man or woman. The sport of Mixed Martial Arts delivers those types of things in the fighting arena. It is not just about who punches the hardest, but who has the most overall fighting skill. Fighting is not just about punches. That is only one aspect of fighting and that is not enough. Real fighting encompasses all ranges of fighting. The ability to punch, kick, elbow, throw, take down, control and submit your opponent is what makes MMA so exciting. As a referee in the sport I am lucky to be a part of this evolution. I have been blessed by all of the experiences I have been through because of this sport. I have been there from the beginning; I have taken part in the changes and growth of the sport, being there in the beginning with the good times and then into the bad times and now back. I cannot say that I would not have changed a thing, because that is not true. I would have changed the bad times if I could and trust me I tried. But in the end it has all been an incredible experience and adventure that I will remember forever.”
Same here. Good luck Big John, and thanks for the memories.
this was quite interesting too. huerta's post-fight comments about the punch landed by guida in the final minute of round two:
“I was hurt. He rocked me, man. I was slightly knocked out but I knew what was going on. I just heard this ringing, and it was the weirdest thing, all I saw was all this hair, I didn’t know if it was a human being or a lion attacking me, then after about 10 seconds I was like ‘Hey Clay’ and it was back on.”
all I saw was all this hair, I didn’t know if it was a human being or a lion attacking me, then after about 10 seconds I was like ‘Hey Clay’ and it was back on.”
hahahah ... I found this hysterical . Clay's hair is pretty ridiculous. Joe Rogan made a comment during their fight wondering about how Clay could see through all the hair for his punches.
Comments
huerta comes back from the brink of defeat and does the unthinkable...he stops clay guida with a SOLID rear naked choke!
wow!
and so much for the critics who thought he was just about the shorts!
What a comeback!!! one of the best fights ever!
awwww . . . he's too cute!!
i didn't think anything would top guida vs. griffin for me this year, but i think this one takes it. possibly fight of the year? this is one of the rare times you expect a great fight and actually get more than you anticipated!
Definitely fight of the year in my opinion!!! Both guys came out looking for an exciting fight and gave us just a fantastic show.
indeed. a friend of mine who hasn't called me in ages just called at 1:30 in the morning because he caught the fight. THAT's how good the fight was!
overall, that may have been their best free show yet, and probabaly better than most of this year's PPV's!
truly amazing. that's what i love about clay guida is that win or lose, he's always in a fantastic fight. i feel bad for him that he keeps coming up on the short end despite his great performances.
sorry for guida's loss. i was torn...so i sat on the fence and just was hoping for a great fight. (ultimately, i thought huerta would win a close decision. guida probabaly would have had it, though, as you said.)
Main Card:
Roger Huerta Vs. Clay Guida - Roger Huerta wins by submission (rear naked choke), 0:51, 3rd round.
Mac Danzig Vs. Tom Speer - Mac Danzig wins by submission (rear naked choke), 2:01, 1st round.
Jared Rollins Vs. Jon Koppenhaver - Jon Koppenhaver wins by TKO, 2:01, 3rd round.
George Sotiropoulos Vs. Billy Miles - George Sotiropoulos wins by submission (rear naked choke), 1:36, 1st round.
Dan Barrera Vs. Ben Saunders - Ben Saunders wins by unanimous decision.
Pre-lims:
Troy Mandaloniz Vs. Richie Hightower - Troy Mandaloniz wins by TKO, 4:20, 1st round.
Matt Arroyo Vs. John Kolosci - Matt Arroyo wins by submission (arm bar), 4:42, 1st round.
Roman Mitichyan Vs. Dorian Price - Roman Mitichyan wins by submission (ankle lock), 0:23, 1st round.
Paul Georgieff Vs. Jonathan Goulet - Jonathan Goulet wins by submission (rear naked choke), 4:42, 1st round.
I can't get over how good the fights were tonight. I got drug out to some bars and they're showing the replay now. as usual mooks, always a pleasure to share ufc watching with you.
i was about to say the same.
enjoy the night out!
with my last second change of heart, I ended up 7 for 9 on my picks. you went for 7 for 9 too mookie!!
stay warm up there!!!
yep, still up. still cold!
definitely these fights are keeping me awake, even the second time around. i'm still surprised at how good this show turned out to be. there were a couple i was looking forward to over others, but overall is was a great show.
as much as we joke about being bad at the pciks, lately not too shabby...we're consistently over .500
i smell $$$ !!
FIGHT OF THE YEAR?
REVIEW: HUERTA SOLIDIFIES HIS PLACE AS A CONTENDER
Saturday, December 08, 2007
by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com
LAS VEGAS – It was a chilly night in Sin City, but the action was white hot in The Pearl at the Palms Hotel & Casino where Roger Huerta made the move from over-hyped Sports Illustrated cover boy to iron-clad Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight contender.
Clearly the fight of the night, Huerta and Clay Guida fought one of the highest paced, most dynamic battles of the year. This fight was everything and more that the hype promised.
Guida appeared poised on the brink of victory as he dropped Huerta to his back in the second round, but somehow Huerta dug deep into his heart and found a way to survive. Then in the third round, Huerta shifted gears, yet again, rocked Guida and then took his back and clamped down the fight-ending rear naked choke.
Huerta was clearly overwhelmed with emotion after the fight, thanking God and his mother before declaring, “I want to bring the UFC to Mexico.”
The Ultimate Fighter welterweight finale went pretty much as expected, with the bigger Tommy Speer trying to utilize his size and strength, while Mac Danzig went for skill and technique. In short order, it was Danzig that took Speer to the ground and quickly transitioned to his back to sink in a rear naked choke.
Leading up to the finale, Danzig made no bones about why he signed up for the hit reality series. He wanted to win it all and build up his name to the legions of mixed martial arts fans around the world. He easily did that on Saturday night.
“I was really nervous going into this fight with Tommy,” said Danzig after the fight, although it didn’t show in his performance.
Asked if he would now drop back down to his usual weight of 155 pounds, the new Ultimate Fighter winner stated, “Absolutely. I’m really happy about jumping in the mix with (Roger Huerta and Clay Guida).”
In an amazing battle of wills, John Koppenhaver and Jared Rollins bloodied each other near the end of the first round, trading elbows on the ground, and commenced to fight a see-saw battle of wills.
As both fighters were cloaked in crimson, Rollins looked like he would end it with a succession of brutal knees, but Koppenhaver was able to reverse position on the ground and put Rollins out with a fight-ending ground and pound assault.
“I didn’t want to have to fight him tonight,” said Koppenhaver in tears after the fight. “I love him man. He’s a tough, tough dude.”
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the Machados, George Sotiropoulus, now training with UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, wasted no time getting Billy Miles to the ground. Once there, he fixed himself on Miles’ back, locking in the rear naked choke at 1:36 of round one.
“I knew that was his weakness,” said Sotiropoulus of Miles’ ground game. “I knew once it was on the ground it was going to be over.”
In the opening bout of the live telecast on Spike TV, Dan Barrera and Ben Saunders fought a fairly close back-and-forth affair early with Barrera trying to employ a ground and pound attack, while Saunders went for the submissions. As the fight progressed, Saunders took over and earned the unanimous decision.
In the final preliminary bout, Troy Mandaloniz and Richie Hightower gave fans an exciting slugfest. Hightower took charge in the first half of the first round, landing some wide punches, along with a succession of forearms and knees. But in the end, it was Mandaloniz that caught Hightower walking into a stiff left jab, dropping him to the mat, and then finishing him off with a couple of hammerfists for the TKO.
Unable to compete in the semi-final round due to injury, Matt Arroyo made up for it with by putting on a submission clinic at the expense of John Kolosci at Saturday’s finale. He attempted several submissions, finally finishing Kolosci with an armbar late in the first round.
Roman Mitichyan’s fight in the finale was even more short-lived than his injury prone stint during the regular season, albeit this time in his favor. He immediately took Dorian Price to the mat and dropped into a straight ankle lock that had Price tapping almost immediately.
In the event’s opening bout, Paul Georgieff knocked Jonathan Goulet down with a left hook about halfway through round one, but it was Goulet that would call upon the depth of his experience to put the fight away. After going down, he grabbed Georgieff’s legs and put him on his back. The Canadian then transitioned through various positions to Georgieff’s back and locked on a rear naked choke, causing him to pass out.
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5236&zoneid=13
SEAN SHERK STRIPPED OF TITLE
Saturday, December 08, 2007
by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com
According to sources close to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion has stripped lightweight champion Sean Sherk of his title following the upholding of his suspension by the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for the steroid Nandrolone.
The CSAC, earlier this week, did decrease Sherk’s suspension from 12 to 6 months. He will be eligible to come off of suspension in early January due to his suspension being retroactive to the night of his July 7 bout against Hermes Franca.
A proposed interim lightweight title bout between B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson on Jan. 19 will now reportedly be declared a full title bout and drop the interim designation.
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5235&zoneid=13
Big John passing on the torch
Friday, December 7, 2007
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Veteran referee (Big) John McCarthy, one of the most recognizable faces of mixed martial arts, is retiring to join the Toronto-based Fight Network as an on-air personality and "strategic adviser."
McCarthy is slated to call it quits Saturday night after officiating his 535th bout -- the Roger Huerta-Clay Guida main event at "The Ultimate Fighter 6" Finale in Las Vegas.
"I don't think that I'm exaggerating if I say Big John is the John Madden of The Fight Network," George Burger, president and CEO of The Fight Network, said on a conference call Friday. "He is going to help launch us to an even greater international reputation."
The six-foot-four, 240-pound McCarthy is known for his signature introduction to bouts. He asks each fighter "Are you ready?" and then chops his hand down and snarls "Let's get it on."
He has refereed 100 championship fights.
McCarthy had already been doing a segment for the TV network called "The Last Call." He said Friday that he could not expand his broadcast work and referee.
"Athletic commissions look at it as a conflict of interest so I had to make a choice," he said.
"I think I have an insight that most people don't in the sport," he added. "It's a great opportunity for me."
The Fight Network job allows him to work in all areas of the sport, not just the UFC, and boxing, he said.
McCarthy was one of Royce Gracie's training partners for UFC 1: The Beginning in November 1993. Promoters used Brazilian referees for the UFC opener but then Rorion Gracie, Royce's older brother and UFC co-founder, asked McCarthy to referee UFC 2: No Way Out in March 1994.
"I was with the UFC from the beginning," McCarthy said. "I like to think that I helped the sport of mixed martial arts grow. I had a great ride and enjoyed every part of it -- the good times, the bad times. I wouldn't have traded any of it."
McCarthy is a former 20-year-plus member of the Los Angeles Police Department, serving as an instructor in the department's defensive tactics section.
Married with three kids, McCarthy also has a gym -- Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy -- in Valencia, Calif.
"John has been such a great referee for years that it is unfortunate he is retiring," Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said in a statement. "However, I am sure he will continue to play an important role in the sport of mixed martial arts, and that can only be a good thing."
McCarthy cited Montreal's Yves Lavigne as one of the fine referees still in the game.
"I think he does a great job. The best part about him is he's a humble person who always wants to learn, knows if he makes a mistake, wants to correct it."
http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2007/12/07/mccarthy_retires/
I wonder who will end up refing the heavyweights and big title fights. I personally think Mario Yamasaki is a really great ref but is probably not big enough too pull Tim Sylvia off another HW.
Evan Tanner Talks UFC Return
An MMAjunkie.com Interview
December 10, 2007
After a year of speculation — after all the rumors, and inside sources, and supposed booked fights — former UFC middleweight contender Evan Tanner is officially back.
For a year and a half, the former UFC middleweight champion has been sitting on the sidelines. While the time away allowed him to work through some personal problems, the 36-year-old acknowledged that he needed a break from the sport. After 10 years of competing professionally (including nine in the UFC) he needed to regroup. He needed to refocus. Tanner needed “to catch his breath,” as he told us.
He’s back in the organization, but as we learned in our discussion with the fan favorite, that’s the easy part. When you have four possible opponents — for possible opponents who all declined the fight — you realize comebacks aren’t as simple as you sometimes imagine. But he knows one brave soul will step up sooner or later.
Now, opting out of the traditional fighter-sponsorship model, Tanner wants another shot at the title. He admits that current UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva has looked nearly unbeatable. He praises him as a great champ. But — and don’t ask him why — just thinks he has Silva’s number.
We recently spoke to Tanner about his return, his blueprint for a return to the title picture, and why he wants to bring fans along for the ride.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you tell me about the deal you signed with the UFC?
EVAN TANNER: It was a contract for four fights. That’s what I got.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Did it replace an existing deal?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t want to go into details about all that. Let’s just say that I’ve always been on good terms with the UFC. I took a little time off, but I never technically left the UFC. I didn’t sit out on bad terms or anything. I had been fighting consistently for 10 years, and I had been with the UFC for nine of those years, so wanted to take some time off, catch my breath, and deal with some things in my personal life.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: And there were no problem with the UFC?
EVAN TANNER: I always kept in contact with them. Then, at one point, I was ready to get back in there, and they were ready to have me.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Were there any hiccups or problems during that process?
EVAN TANNER: The UFC has always been great to work with. So, no.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you tell me exactly how it all came together? Did you call up Dana White and say you wanted to return?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t want really went to get into all the details. It just all worked out. I guess I was ready to get a fight again. And, however you want to say it, they were ready to get some new blood in there — well, some old blood back in there — and spice up the middleweight division. It worked out well for the both of us. They needed some 185-pounders that were ready to go.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Have you, in fact, been booked for an upcoming event?
EVAN TANNER: They have a date in which they want me to fight, but they haven’t — but they’re having a problem finding an opponent. There’s the contract, which says I’m obligated to fight a certain amount of times in a certain amount of time. But then there’s the bout sheet — the idea of the fight. Until that’s signed, everything is up in the air. Right now they have a date in mind but no an opponent.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you say the date?
EVAN TANNER: No, I think legally or whatever I’m not allowed to disclose that info. I’m sure the UFC wanted to announce it when it becomes official, so I don’t want to mention it.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: But you said they’re having a hard time finding an opponent?
EVAN TANNER: Yes, they’ve offered the fight to four guys — four guys who have made a name for themselves in the division. Those four guys have all turned it down, so they’re still looking.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: A lot of people are saying the UFC’s middleweight division is very thin. What’s your assessment?
EVAN TANNER: No, I don’t really know. That’s the talk I hear, “The division is thin; the division is weak.” I don’t know. I just want to get in there and fight.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: I know you’ve probably been asked this a lot, but how do you think you match up with current middleweight champ Anderson Silva?
EVAN TANNER: I don’t know what it is. I just feel I have his number. He has far better skills — striking, you know. He’s done great and has been a great champion and has some great title defenses. But for some reason, I feel I have his number. I’d like to win some fights and get back into contention and earn the chance to prove it. But you never know what’s going to happen with (Dan) Henderson (at UFC 82). He could be the one holding the belt before I work my way back into contention. Anderson’s going to have a really tough fight with him.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: So what’s the game plan? Two or three wins, and you’re ready for a title shot?
EVAN TANNER: I think it’s a matter — it’s just my opinion, I have no way to know or say — it has to do with winning fights. My position is strong if I win fights and win them decisively. I just can’t eek out decisions. It might take just two. If I can win two fights and just smash my opponents, I’ll be right there, yeah.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: On your official website, you explained your reasoning for having fans sponsor you rather than going the traditional-sponsor route, so we won’t go into that. But what’s the reaction been thus far?
EVAN TANNER: Man, there’s been a tremendous response. I’ve been surprised. I sat out a year and a half. I haven’t fought in a year and a half. There’s been a lot of speculation about my return, but that’s all it ever was. I announced my new four-fight deal, and there’s still people saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Despite not having a fight signed and a fight announced, I still have gotten a great response. I think once we pick a fighter to be an opponent and the UFC announces a date, I think things will take off even further. I’m glad to have fans who wanted to be a part of it.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you think it’ll be enough? Will you get the total sponsorship you need to train and cover your living expenses?
EVAN TANNER: It should be. If things are done right, that is. I’m not trying to cash in on the fans. I’ve been doing this for 10 years and paying my dues. It’s my livelihood. It’s a business. I can make money with sponsors, or I can include the fans. I need to make money and pay the bills. I think I’ve earned the right to. But I’m not trying to get rich off the fans. For what they give and what they’re getting, I want them to be happy. I want it to be a mutually beneficial exchange. But in following this path, I don’t know the potential or how far it goes. With sponsors, you’re guaranteed so much (money). I could be giving up a lot of money — hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the deal maybe. I’m willing to let that go in the end. When I’m on my deathbed, I’ll know I stood by my principles and stood up for something I believe in.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: At any point during your recent time away from the UFC, did you consider your fighting career over?
EVAN TANNER: I just wanted to take some time off. There was no thought or intention of retiring. I wanted some time off. The way I see it, I didn’t envision or shape my career like a lot of people have. Some fighters get that one shot and feel they have to go crazy and make the most of it right away. Me, I know I’m in it for the long haul. I fight at my own pace. I accept fights and do things at my pace. If I’m taking time off — I’m not really worried or missing out on that opportunity window. I’m in it for the long haul. I was just taking a break and catching my breath. That’s what was going on on my side.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: How often did you get the question, “When are you coming back?“
EVAN TANNER: I pretty much avoided — OK, I got it a lot I guess. As usual, when I’m not fighting or training, though, I don’t pay much attention to the sport. I don’t get the latest news and don’t watch on TV or the shows. I like to compete, but I don’t like to watch the sport. It’s been like that with all the sports I competed in. During my time off, I was doing my own things and adventures and stuff. I was totally separated from the fight world. I wasn’t training or anything, so I wasn’t associating with fighters. In that environment, I wasn’t exposed to that many fans. I got the question, but it wasn’t all the time.
MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you know when you will, in fact, retire? Is there a certain accomplishment that could signify the end?
EVAN TANNER: That goes into my usual response: I play it by ear. I go day by day and wait and see. I have no ultimate goal or number of fights or achievement in the fight game I have in mind before I’m done. As long as I feel like a young man with a spring in my step and being competitive, I’ll keep going. We’ll go day by day for now.
http://mmajunkie.com/2007/12/10/evan-tanner-talks-ufc-return-an-mmajunkiecom-interview/#comment-94864
agreed, releash, he's the best. that's a good question about the HW matches. i hadn't really thought about that. i guess it's up to the athletic commissions. maybe herb dean will see more work?...which could cause problems because it seems like every second or third fight he does, something very odd happens.
I hope Herb Dean doesn't become the go to ref for HW and light HW. you are right about strange things happening during his fights. he's made several controversial calls, although I can't recall any flat out bad calls off the top of my head. I hadn't thought about the fact that the athletic commission is the one who determines who refs the fights, not the UFC.
just a few examples of herb's bad luck and / or indecision.
also, there was the mess that was the frank shamrock vs. renzo gracie match where herb actually had to get on the mic and explain what happened.
sometimes it's not even his fault, the strange situations just seem to follow him around.
i'm not sure what they'll do, but i guess we'll find out in the next few months, eh?
12/10/2007
There’s only one Big John McCarthy
By Thomas Gerbasi
It was the perfect going away gift for a referee. Saturday’s lightweight war between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida. But like all great ‘third men’, John McCarthy – who retired as an active referee following last weekend’s main event - was noticeable by being barely noticeable, making all the right moves and all the right calls, a fitting end to a 13 year journey that saw McCarthy become as much a part of the UFC as the great fighters who have graced its Octagon.
And as I told him Saturday, there will always be just one Big John McCarthy.
A part of the UFC since its second show in 1994, McCarthy, with his trademark ‘Let’s get it on”, was the sole arbiter in the early days of a sport with little in the way of rules or regulation. Yet by UFC 3, McCarthy was given more responsibility in terms of being able to stop fights and protect the fighters, and as the years went on, he was known as not only a stern taskmaster when it came to enforcing the ever increasing list of rules which governed competition, but as a compassionate one who put fighter safety paramount over everything else.
Eventually, McCarthy became more than just a referee, as he was deeply involved with the training of future officials and as an ambassador of the sport to regulators, the media, and the fans.
But when it came down to it for McCarthy, through 535 bouts, it was all about the fights, and for the fighters, having John McCarthy referee your match was a sign that you made it to the big time. As Guida said after his gallant loss to Huerta, “He’s somebody this sport won’t soon forget. It was an honor to have that guy shake my hand and say ‘Let’s get it on’ one last time. You can’t put a price on something like that. It was awesome.”
John McCarthy stayed the course. He survived the sport’s ‘dark ages’ and was able to witness the explosion of the sport in the mainstream. It was something he knew would happen eventually, as he said in a 2005 UFC.com interview.
“I believe the UFC is only going to get bigger and better,” said McCarthy. “The sport of MMA is growing at a phenomenal rate right now and the popularity is only going to grow. Boxing is great, but it
is the sport of our fathers, while mixed martial arts is the sport of the new generation. Kids of today like the extreme sports; anything that goes faster, flies higher, hits harder or has more risks is what ignites the interest of today’s young man or woman. The sport of Mixed Martial Arts delivers those types of things in the fighting arena. It is not just about who punches the hardest, but who has the most overall fighting skill. Fighting is not just about punches. That is only one aspect of fighting and that is not enough. Real fighting encompasses all ranges of fighting. The ability to punch, kick, elbow, throw, take down, control and submit your opponent is what makes MMA so exciting. As a referee in the sport I am lucky to be a part of this evolution. I have been blessed by all of the experiences I have been through because of this sport. I have been there from the beginning; I have taken part in the changes and growth of the sport, being there in the beginning with the good times and then into the bad times and now back. I cannot say that I would not have changed a thing, because that is not true. I would have changed the bad times if I could and trust me I tried. But in the end it has all been an incredible experience and adventure that I will remember forever.”
Same here. Good luck Big John, and thanks for the memories.
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9114
“I was hurt. He rocked me, man. I was slightly knocked out but I knew what was going on. I just heard this ringing, and it was the weirdest thing, all I saw was all this hair, I didn’t know if it was a human being or a lion attacking me, then after about 10 seconds I was like ‘Hey Clay’ and it was back on.”
he was seeing lions?!
hahahah ... I found this hysterical