Heavy MMA’s Matt Brown and Ryan Loco are live and on the scene here in beautiful Montreal, Quebec for UFC 113: Machida vs. Rua II. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida will attempt to defend his light heavyweight championship for a second time after defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via a very controversial decision at UFC 104.
The co-main event of the night features Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley. The two welterweights will be fighting for a coaching spot on The Ultimate Fighter 12, as well as the next title shot against Georges St. Pierre.
The rest of the televised card has Sam Stout taking on Jeremy Stephens, Patrick Cote returning to action to face Alan Belcher, and former NFL player Matt Mitrione throwing some hands with the one and only Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson.
We’re live with play by play and commentary by Ryan Loco at 7:20 EST.
Undercard Fights
Fight 1: John Salter vs. Jason MacDonald
Round 1: Early into the first round, Jason MacDonald is forced to verbally submit due to a broken ankle. John Salter def. Jason MacDonald via TKO at 2:42 of round 1.
The Loco Take: Jason MacDonald came out to “Run This Town”, and while it is great, Jose Aldo officially put his stamp on it when he came out to it IN Sacramento against Urijah Faber. It’s easy to run a town when you are from there. But when you are the outsider and you want to run a town, you better bring it. Aldo did, so he wins. Sorry J-Mac, the song apparently didn’t work. After a takedown by Salter, J-Mac can’t continue due to an ankle injury, much like Duane Ludwig on the UFC on VS card. Salter jumped around like he knocked MacDonald out cold. I’m not a big fan of that. I’m also not a big fan of having my ankle snapped behind my own backside. I guess I’m weird like that.
Fight 2: Mike Guymon vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Round 1: Lots of problems with the internet folks, but I think we’ve got it figured out now. The first round was highlighted with lots of grappling from both men. There were a couple of stalemates and standups.
Round 2: Lots more ground game from both fighters. Guymon worked two different guillotines and nearly sunk in a rear naked choke, but Yoshida escaped and nearly got an armbar of his own.
Round 3: Guymon takes the role of aggressor. Lands an early combination left to the head, right to the body. He again gains position on the ground and works several submission attempts wit Yoshida able to escape each time. Guymon pins Yoshida against the cage and lands 6 unanswered back elbows that land flush on the head. The fight ends with Guymon in mount dropping punches. Mike Guymon def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
The Loco Take: You know how Germans love David Hasselfhoff? (they really do, google it) Well, Canadians love Yoshida apparently. Maybe he was born in Canada and just never told anyone. Or we all thought he was lying. Unfortunately, being the chosen son of Canada isn’t working so far, as Yoshida (fake Canadian) ends up with a similar fate as his Canadian cousin Jason MacDonald and gets the loss. Guymon controlled him for most of the 3 rounds, even got to a point where he was sitting on him and dropping elbows. It’s never easy to see a grown man cry (which is why I don’t own a mirror), but Guymon was crying tears of joy with Rogan. Nothing wrong with that.
Fight 3: Joey Beltran vs. Tim Hague
Round 1: Hague comes out instantly looking to get Beltran to the ground. Beltran is throwing some big shots early, possibly trying to test Hague’s chin after his last outing (a 7 second loss to Todd Duffee). Beltran finally gets through with a hard left,right combo at the 2:45 mark. Beltran is pressing the action, throwing several more combos, landing a few shots, and ending the flurry with an uppercut. Hague is in defense mode and tries to take Beltran down again, but is stuffed. Hague is now bleeding from the nose after a straight right from Beltran. Hague lands a clean left that straightens Beltran up. As the round closes, both fighters are standing toe to toe throwing bombs.
Round 2: Fighters touch gloves to start. Hague catches Beltran with a clean right that backs him up. He presses and the fighters end up against the cage. A brief clinch and Beltran rolls out. The action moves back to the center with both fighters throwing big big flurries. Unlike the first round, Hague seems to be getting the better of the exchanges with more strikes getting through cleanly. The pace slows a tad at the 2:30 mark, both guys take a brief breather. Hague is using a good left hook that keeps finding the spot. The punches are still flying, but they are far less crisp than before. The round ends like the first with the fighters standing in the center trading.
Round 3: The crowd is loving the action and cheer as the round begins. Hague goes back to his original goal and shoots for a takedown. He gets Beltran to the ground, but only for a second and the fighters stand and trade again at the 4 minute mark. Beltran mixes in a couple of inside leg kicks to throw Hague off. Hague gets a hold of Beltran, picks him up and gets the slam, Rampage style, but without as much authority. Beltran makes he way back to his feet and both fighters show signs of being spent. Both breathing heavily from their mouths. Hague lands another good left that energizes the crowd. Hague gets another takedown at the 1:40 mark and secures mount at the 1:15 mark. Hague begins landing shots and somehow Beltran reverses and lands a few shots from the top of his own. The round ends on the feet the exact way the first two rounds did. The fighters embrace and the crowd gives it up for a heck of a fight. Joey Beltran def. Tim Hague via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
The Loco Take: Joey is “representing for all the gangstas all across the world”, according to the Snoop D O double G, so it’s nice to know he is representing for me, since, well…I’m a gangsta. And he’s wearing Mexico shorts in Canada. That’s pretty gangsta by itself. A French journalist turned to me and said, “This looks like a street fight.” To which I replied, “You mean a hockey fight?” And then we both laughed and drank maple syrup. But he was right, the fight started off slowly, but turned into a slugfest. Looks like everyone wants to be the Korean Zombie and Leonard Garcia. However, when dealing with heavyweights, the gas tank starts to be a factor. But gosh darn it, it was entertaining. Joey Beltran gets to be Leonard Garcia in this one, and receives the W by unanimous decision.
Fight 4: TJ Grant vs. Johny Hendricks
Round 1: The fight gets to the ground early. The crowd is hugely biased for Grant, the Canadian. Chants of “TJ” come early and often. Grant is throwing several punches and kicks and one kick finds the groin of Hendricks, hard. Hendricks takes about 3 minutes and is able to go again. The fighters touch gloves and the action resumes. Grant gets a clinch and attempts several knees that are mostly blocked by Hendricks. At the 1:110 mark Grant lands a sharp left and follows with a right. He closes the distance and again gets the clinch. Hendricks attempts a single leg and Grant tries to fight it off but Hendricks eventually drags him to the ground. Grant makes it back to his feet with 18 seconds left in the round and lands 6-7 crisp strikes to close out the round.
Round 2: Hendricks paws the jab to start and then lands a good straight left. Grant counters, but is taken down by Hendricks at the 3:55 mark. Grant throws a triangle attempt but Hendricks quickly pulls out. Hendricks is not able to land any big strikes while Grant is down and the fight resumes on the feet at 3:05. Grant continues to press forward and seems very confident with his strikes. Hendricks is able to push him up against the cage and stalls the action for about 30 seconds. Grant lands a kick at 1:50, but as he closes the distance to attack, Hendricks dumps him with a big takedown. Grant keeps an active guard, again attempting subs, this time an armbar. Hendricks backs off and the fight resumes on the feet with 45 seconds left. The chants of “TJ” begin again with 20 seconds left. Hendricks throws a couple weak punches as the round ends.
Round 3: The fighters touch gloves to begin the last frame and the action resumes. As the fighters begin to trade, Grant again lands a low blow. The ref is forced to take a huge point away from Grant as the fight might be tied at a round apiece. Grant presses forward again, but is caught by Hendricks, who lifts him to shoulder level and gets a slam. Like before, Hendricks is unable to get much done on the ground and backs off and lets Grant back to his feet. Hendricks leans Grant against the cage for nearly 30 seconds and drags him to the ground. With 1:20 left, Hendricks really lands his first ground damage of the match, connecting on a couple short left hands. As Grant makes it back to his feet, Hendricks again grabs a hold and is able to dump him with a double leg. Hendricks lands a couple hammer fists as the round ends. Both fighters jump to the feet and raise their hands as if they won. Johny Hendricks def. TJ Grant via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
The Loco Take: TJ Grant reminds me of one of the bad guys in Mad Max. I say that in the nicest way possible, since Mad Max is an awesome movie. But even a Mad Max villain wouldn’t have kicked Johnny Hendricks in the groin as hard as TJ did, though. Bad form! And in true Beyond Thunderdome fashion, TJ did it again! Luckily for Johnny Hendricks, they don’t score groin shots. He gets the majority decision after a solid display during all 3 rounds. Unluckily for Canada, no one from their hood has won yet on this card.
Fight 5: Jonathan Goulet vs. Marcus Davis
Round 1: Marcus Davis gets no love in the intros. Brief feeling out period and then Goulet lands a kick at 4:35 and then a quick takedown. The momentum of the takedown rolls him over and Davis is able to get back to his feet. Davis lands a hard left that stuns Goulet. Goulet again tries to work a takedown but gets caught in a guillotine. Davis locks it in and clamps it down for a solid 35 seconds, but Goulet is able to fight his way out. The crowd cheers loudly for their Canadian. Goulet works another takedown and nearly gets caught around the neck again. As Davis throws a kick, Goulet catches it and drags him to the ground. Davis working an active guard and throws an armbar attempt that Goulet slips out of quickly and lands a right in return. Davis spends the rest of the round fighting off his back as Goulet works some mild ground and pound.
Round 2: As the fighters exchange, Davis clips Goulet in the temple with a right that drops him. Davis pounces and lands a couple solid shots before Goulet is able to collect himself. The fight is back on the feet at 3:42 when Davis lands a huge right,left combo that drops Goulet again. Two hammer fists and the ref moves in and calls it off. Marcus Davis def. Jonathan Goulet via TKO at 1:23 of round 2
The Loco Take: Damn it, Goulet is called the Road Warrior and I already blew my Mad Max reference on TJ Grant. I blew it. Goulet proves he has the heart of a Canadian by not succumbing to guillotine in the first round. Unfortunately, the second round started and Davis caught him with a solid uppercut. Davis gets the tko win, and the chances for Canada to get a W here are slipping away. Much like in the Summer Olympics! (Wow, that was a low blow. But since I’m a Canadiens fan now, I’m allowed to make fun of my people.)
Fight 6: Tom Lawlor vs. Joe Doerksen
Round 1: Crowd gives Doerksen, the Canadain a big pop. The fighters touch gloves and we’re on our way. Lawlor presses, closes the distance and clinches early. Lawlor fighting southpaw, Doerksen traditional. Both fighters land a couple jabs, but no big shots through the first 90 seconds. At 3:10, Lawlor lands a big left that drops Doerksen, he makes it back to his feet but eats five more clean shots. He retreats, but Lawlor close the distance and lands at least a dozen more unanswered shots. Amazingly, Doerksen doesn’t go down and actually attempts to counter. At the 1:26 mark, Doerksen looks to have regained his composure and is throwing offensive shots. He clips Lawlor at the 40 second mark as Lawlor shoots for a takedown. Round ends with little action.
Round 2: Doerksen throws a head kick to start the round that Lawlor is able to block. A brief flurry has both fighters land a couple of punches. Doerksen seems to be more comfortable now than earlier. Lawlor looks to have slowed a tad as he threw several more punches than Doerksen in the first round. Doerksen again throws a head kick that is caught by Lawlor. Lawlor looks to take the fight to the ground and Doerksen takes his back and sinks in a rear naked choke that forces Lawlor to tap. Joe Doerksen def. Tom Lawlor via rear naked choke submission at 2:10 of round 2
The Loco Take: I think there is something in the Constitution that states wearing the flag as a cape while coming out to James Brown is somehow against the law. But I am certainly not telling Tom Lawlor that. I’m also not telling James Brown that. (Mostly because I think I can’t, isn’t he in jail? Maybe I’ll pass the word to Lawrence Taylor and he can tell him for me.) And just like in Rocky 4, the American loses to the Canadian. Doerksen secured the rear naked choke victory in rd 2, finally putting Canada on the board. The clean sweep is no more, looks like I can go home now. Oh, alright, I’ll stay for the main card.
Main Card
Fight 7: Patrick Cote vs. Alan Belcher
Round 1: Cote immediately throws a right and Belcher throws a couple of body kicks, landing both. Belcher is fighting southpaw and one of the kicks lands below the belt. Belcher is steady working the kicks, going to the head, body, and legs. Cote flurries and might have snuck a quick left in through Belcher’s defense. Belcher continues with the kicks and has put a nice red spot on Cote’s stomach. As Belcher throws a right high kick, Cote catches and takes the fight to the ground. He grabs a hold of Belcher’s arm and works a kimura. He gets close, but Belcher is able to escape and he actually ends up on top. He works from side control, landing a couple of short elbows to Cote’s head. The round ends with Belcher on top. Cote’s face has opened up somewhere.
Round 2: The fight is stopped momentarily as the round opens as Belcher forgot his mouthpiece. Belcher is back to a traditional stance this round as Cote begins the aggressor. Now, Belcher works body punches and Cote throws a couple of kicks. At the 3:50 mark, Belcher misses a high kick and Cote lands a nice counter right that stuns Belcher. Belcher covers up and throws a flurry back at Cote doing little damage. Belcher goes for a knee and is caught by Cote who takes him down. Belcher scoots up against the cage. After a mild scramble, Belcher dumps Cote on his head and gets his back and sinks in a rear naked choke. Cote is forced to tap. Alan Belcher def. Patrick Cote via rear naked choke submission at 3:25 of round 2
The Loco Take: I was trying to focus on the walkouts of Cote and Belcher, but I saw Mickey Rourke. Hate to break it to you, but Mickey Rourke wins. He always does. However, the cheers for Cote brought me back to my senses. If GSP is the Batman in Montreal, then Cote is the Robin but with looser fitting pants. So if we’re keeping this going, then Belcher is the Joker, but with a worse Johnny Cash tattoo. Cote may now hold the record for the loudest cheer after a guard pass in UFC history. Now, if any of you read comic books (I don’t, because I’m super cool) the Joker killed Robin . Well, once again, life imitates comic books. Belcher weathers both some heavy hands and an irate Montreal crowd to defeat Cote by rear naked choke. (He also piledrived him right before that, so maybe that had something to do with it, I dunno, I don’t watch pro wrestling either. Because I’m super cool.)
PS. I love comic books and pro wrestling, don’t tell anyone.
Fight 8: Matt Mitrione vs. Kimbo Slice
Round 1: Mitrione southpaw, Kimbo traditional. Mitrione throws a head kick that misses. Kimbo catches another and goes for a takedown that finds Mitrione attempt a triangle. The never had good position and Kimbo gets out and is on top in side control. Now in half guard at the 3 minute mark. Kimbo throws a few rabbit punches to Mitrione’s ribcage. The fight makes it back to the feet at the 2:25 mark and surprisingly, Kimbo goes for a takedown and gets it. No real damage being done as Mitrione attempts another triangle, but didn’t have Kimbo’s arm in the right place. Mitrione lands a big left that drops Kimbo. He jumps on him and attempts an anaconda choke or a modified guillotine. He didn’t have it locked in properly either and Kimbo is able to make it to the bell.
Round 2: Mitrione lands a solid left to start the frame. Kimbo grabs him and pushes him against the cage. As they break, Mitrione throws a left that connects. The then starts to work the leg kicks and Kimbo is visibly bothered by them. Mitrione begins to take over and is landing everything he throws. Kimbo again grabs him and the fight ends up on the ground. Mitrione drops a knee to the body. Now 3 more. Kimbo looks tired and helpless now. Mitrione gets mount and is landing punches at will. Kimbo has no ground defense and is just attempting to block the punches with he forearms…doing a decent job. Mitrione works a kimura and then begins to drop more punches on Kimbo. Kimbo just covers up offering no defense at all. The ref jumps in an calls the fight. Matt Mitrione def. Kimbo Slice via TKO at 4:24 of round 2
The Loco Take: Apparently Kimbo is from Canada as well. Learn something new every day. The 305 that Kimbo reps must stand for the 305 different spots that sell poutine and smoked meat in Montreal. Canadian fans don’t like non-Canadians, and they don’t like people who fight Kimbo, as evidenced by the reception Mitrione received. First round saw Mitrione toss up 2 triangles and a head and arm choke, but Kimbo’s time at ATT, as well as his slams, got him out of the round. But in rd 2, it was shades of Aldo v Faber, as Mitrione chopped at Kimbo’s legs, took top control, and dropped down punches for the referee stoppage. PS. They still don’t like him in Canada. PPS. They still love Kimbo.
Fight 9: Sam Stout vs. Jeremy Stephens
Round 1: Stout gets the huge pop from the home country. Touch of gloves and we’re off. Stout attempts a punch/kick combo and Stephens catches it and they end up on the ground. Yes, this fight on the ground. But they’re quickly back up and displaying some very quick hands. Stephens lands a huge right that backs Stout up. Stout retaliates with a big leg kick to Stephens lead leg. Both fighters doing a great job of mixing up their strikes. Stephens again lands a solid right that stuns Stout and bloodies his nose. Every time Stout lands anything, Stephens is quickly there with a counter. Stout gets inside and lands a nice uppercut. The pace slows considerably at the 1 minute mark of the round. Stephens takes to throwing some kicks now. Stout seems to be bleeding from both nostrils as the round ends.
Round 2: Fighters tap gloves and Stout starts with an outside leg kick. Stephens has been there with the looping right all night and it lands again. Stout moves forward and is caught off balance and goes down to a glancing right…more of a slip. Back on the feet at 3:15 mark. Both still throwing lots of punches, but speed and accuracy is down a good bit from the early going. Most of Stout’s shots seem to be getting blocked while Stephens continues to slip in some stiff jabs. Stephens again counters and the left/right lands. Round ends with little action.
Round 3: A brief stop in action as Stephens gets caught with an accidental kick to the groin as the round opens. Stephens far more crisp and accurate with his strikes. Both fighters have a bit of blood on their faces at the 3:30 mark. Lots of punches being thrown, but little to none of them are landing cleanly and doing any real damage. Stout clips Stephens and hurts him. He pounces and rocks him badly. Stephens hits the ground and Stout follows. He attempts some ground and pound with punches and elbows, but can’t finish. Stephens recovers and Stout backs off to get the fight back on the feet at the 1 minute mark. Though brief, Stephens scores a takedown with about 15 seconds left. The fight ends on the feet with no punches being thrown. Jeremy Stephens def. Sam Stout via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
The Loco Take: See, now with the way this crowd is acting towards non-Canadians and still cheering, I’m not sure that Stout is from Canada. Maybe he’s from Detroit and they cheer him anyways. Just like I thought, I checked and he’s from London. And yet the crowd cheers him anyways…weird. (I was just told that there is a London in Canada. Riiiiiiiight. And there’s a Kansas City in Kansas AND Missouri. Pfffffft, please.) “Hands of Stone” Stout must also have a head of stone, as Jeremy landed some big shots in rd 1 and Sam kept coming. Read that sentence again, but now use rd 2 instead. Now read that sentence again, but use rd 3 instead, and also throw Jeremy’s name in there as well. I appreciate you guys doing all the work for me. Stephens gets the split decision victory.
Fight 10: Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck
Round 1: Daley comes out with a flying knee that misses. Daley stalking, Koscheck getting the distance. Koscheck shoots gets daily to the ground at the 4:03 mark. Daley nearly works his way back up and then Koscheck slams him again. Daley mounting a decent defense on the ground, not allowing Koscheck to do any damage for the first two minutes the fight is on the ground. Koscheck works for the back and gets it with 1: 30 left in the round. He has one hook in and is working for naked that he nearly secures, but Daley scrambles and throws a knee at Koschecks head while he is on the ground. The knee appears to only glance or even miss, but Koshceck lays out on the canvas. As the replay is shown, the crowd begins a “bs” chant and then moves to a “f you Koscheck”. The round ends with Koscheck attempting a single leg.
Round 2: Low kick by Koscheck and then an instant shot attempt. He completes the takedown at the 4:35 mark. In side control, Koscheck does little damage for the first minute on the ground. Now in half guard and is fighting for mount, but Daley defends well. Kosheck fighting hard on the ground to improve position and makes it to Daley’s back again. Lands some clean lefts while working for a rear naked. The round ends that way.
Round 3: Daley needs a stoppage to win this. He comes out swinging, mixing up body shots and left hooks. Koscheck playing it safe for the first minute and then shoots at the 3:55 mark. Switches from a double to single, then back to a double and completes the takedown at 3:30. The crowd again begins “f you Koscheck”. He is easily the biggest “heel” in MMA. Koscheck secures mount at the 2:15 mark, but Daley holds him down and Koscheck is unable to do any real damage. Koscheck continues to ride Daley, in complete control of the fight, though doing minimal damage. As the round ticks down under 30 seconds the crowd begins to “boo” again. The fight ends with Koscheck in total control. As the fight ends, Daley throws a total cheap shot like a complete idiot. Josh Koscheck def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The Loco Take: Daley wants to stand and bang with Koscheck. Koscheck wants to take Daley down and ground and pound him. Unless he doesn’t. Josh Koscheck can single handedly decide if he wants to win or potentially lose this fight. Why a man would decide to lose a fight, especially if his other choice is winning the fight, is beyond me. I’d understand if the options were lose the fight or lose your hand. But they aren’t, not even Montreal is that savage. However, the winner of this fight gets to fight GSP, who never ever ever loses. So in essence, Koscheck can decide if he wants to win and then lose in the future, or lose once, and then make it so Daley loses in the future. Is Kos that evil? Dun Dun Dun….I guess not, as he gets the decision victory and the right to lose to GSP after they coach on The Ultimate Fighter. (As an fyi, almost every morning I wake up and I thank Earth that I am not Josh Koscheck. After the fake head explosion due to a barely grazing Daley knee, as well as the subsequent chants of “F**K YOU KOSCHECK!” at a deafening level, I am VERY glad I’m not Koscheck. I’d take his win bonus though)
PS. I’m glad again I’m not Kos, after the Daley suckerpunch. Hot damn!
Fight 11: Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Shogun Rua
Round 1: Shogun comes out the aggressor, throwing a leg kick and a running flurry of punches. Machida retreating as Shogun pushes the fight. Shogun gets in range and looks to attempt a takedown, but Machida actually ends up on top. The fight gets back to the feet at the 3 minute mark. Shogun clips Machida a couple of times and looks to have Machida a bit confused. Machida takes Shogun down again in defense. Back on the feet with Shogun pressing the action again. He lands a hard overhand right that drops Machida. He jumps on top into mount. Machida cannot defend and Shogun finishes the fight with authority. Mauricio Shogun Rua def. Lyoto Machida via KO at 3:35 of round 1
The Loco Take: Ok, I don’t know much…but I know for a FACT that neither of these guys are from Canada…I think. As long as there isn’t a Rio De Janeiro, Canada, I’m good. Another thing I know for sure, Brazilians love techno music. As much as the Germans love David Hasselhoff. I told you to google that. And you can also google “NEW” Light Heavyweight Champion, because before I could even start typing about the first round, Shogun knocked Lyoto out and took his belt. Hats off to Shogun, there is no controversy in this one. The only controversy after hearing this crowd may be if Shogun wants to move here permanently. They love him.
Quick Results
Prelim Card:
– John Salter def. Jason MacDonald via TKO at 2:42 of round 1
– Mike Guymon def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
– Joey Beltran def. Tim Hague via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
– Johny Hendricks def. TJ Grant via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
– Marcus Davis def. Jonathan Goulet via TKO at 1:23 of round 2
– Joe Doerksen def. Tom Lawlor via rear naked choke submission at 2:10 of round 2
Main Card:
– Alan Belcher def. Patrick Cote via rear naked choke submission at 3:25 of round 2
– Matt Mitrione def. Kimbo Slice via TKO at 4:24 of round 2
– Jeremy Stephens def. Sam Stout via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
– Josh Koscheck def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
– Mauricio Shogun Rua def. Lyoto Machida via KO at 3:35 of round 1