Jack cut a heel promo on the crowd before the match started where he called himself “The Dragon Slayer”. Midway through, Drago appeared on one of the corner platforms wearing a dragon skull and taunting Jack with nunchucks. Finish saw Drago come down and try to spit mist at Jack, but ended up hitting PJ which led to a rollup.
King Cuerno defeated Killshot
They messed up a move on the apron but it didn’t take much away from the match. Cuerno kept beating on Killshot afterwards until Fenix came out for the save
Chavo Guerrero, Mr Cisco, & Cortez Castro defeated El Texano Jr in a gauntlet match
Cisco is eliminated within 10 seconds after a kick to the face, Castro put up more of a fight in that it took just 2 minutes to beat him. Most of the match was Chavo/Texano with Cortez using Texano’s rope to trip him and hold his feet down for the cover
Johnny Mundo defeated Cage
A woman came out to distract Cage but I could not identify her (Blonde hair, similar attire to Asuka). After the match, both of them beat down and taunted Cage. Good match
Wednesday, March 2nd:
Cobra ??? (Last name sounded like Moon) defeated Sexy Star via submission
Cobra made her debut and looked to be Cheerleader Melissa under a blue snakeskin bodysuit (If it helps, she had a tiki tattoo on the back of her neck). The Mack came out to cheer Sexy on and Marty the Moth was in the stands near the end to distract Sexy. Cobra won with a rear naked choke and did some hissing towards Marty, clearly some type of relationship between them.
Prince Puma vs Pentagon Jr went to a no contest
Nice back & forth matchup until Mil Muertes ran 5 minutes into the match and beat both of them out. Mil left both laying with a double flatliner
Fenix defeated King Cuerno in a ladder match to regain the Gift of the Gods title
Awesome ladder match which saw them fight in the stands and in the floor seats. Match ended with Fenix giving Cuerno a top-rope hurricanrana through a table, then grabbing the title. The tapings ended with a staredown between Mil Muertes from his throne and Fenix on the ladder.
Here are night two results of the World Tag League, held Saturday in Toyohashi:
Mascara Dorada, Yohei Komatsu and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Sho Tanaka, Kushida and Tiger Mask. Kushida and Mascara Dorada had some good back and forth. In the entire year Dorada has been here I’m stunned they never had a singles match outside of the Best of the Super Juniors, which felt way too short. Seemed like such a natural program. As for the match, it was the usual solid bout you’d see in any house show prelim match. Dorada pinned Tanaka with the Dorada Screwdriver.
The Addiction defeated Jay White and Katsuyori Shibata. This was a strange pairing. Of course, Shibata was here for the hot tag once the heels were finished taking out White. White did the corner dropkick and Shibata tried for the penalty kick but was taken out to the apron. White was laid out with a high flow, then Kazarian pinned him after they hit Rehab.
The Kingdom and Gedo defeated Cody Hall, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson. They’re still doing the gimmick where Anderson is infatuated with Maria. That was fun when they feuded months ago, but now it just feels stale and redundant, especially when you remember they did the blow off where Anderson laid out Maria anyway. So this was just a match until they built up to a spot Basically just a back and forth match. They built up a spot where Anderson chased Maria into the ring while Hall had Bennett in the Razor’s Edge but Taven came back and made the save for her. With him out of the way, Bennett then pinned Hall after a spike piledriver.
Evil and Tetsuya Naito defeated Captain New Japan and Hirooki Goto. Not that interesting. Hirooki Goto worked a lot of the match, then tagged in CNJ who did his usual shtick. Bushi grabbed him by the leg as he hit the ropes. Naito gave him an enzuigiri then Evil pinned him with an STO.
A Block: Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi vs. Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe
This was actually very good in places, especially whenever Honma and Nagata were in the ring. They have terrific chemistry and the crowd ate up their back and forth. Nakanishi was his usual immobile self and at one point even tripped getting into the ring. People laughed at him and it was kinda sad. Honma at one point kicked out of a head chop off the top rope/kick to the back of the head by Nagata in a cool spot. Nagata eventually pinned Honma after a backdrop hold.
B Block: AJ Styles and Yujiro Takahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan
A good match. Not a lot to it, just some back and forth. AJ worked hard whenever he was in the ring with either member of Tencozy. At one point he was going for the Styles Clash on Tenzan but countered with the 3D. They eventually score the win, pinning Yujiro after a lariat by Kojima.
A Block: Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi Hashi vs. Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga
Another solid match, but not a ton to it either. Okada worked a lot of the match against both Fale and Tonga. They were going for a double move when Yoshi Hashi made a comeback, and together they took out Fale and Tonga. With Fale distracted on the outside, Okada pins Tonga after a rainmaker.
Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Juice Robinson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano
Decent house show main event, nothing more or less. It was basically a match where everyone got their spots in, looked good, and left the crowd happy. Elgin and Ishii worked a lot of the watch together, which the crowd was super into. Robinson and Nakamura worked against one another two; went pretty well with Robinson holding his own. Nakamura got the win for his team, winning after a big splash by Ishii followed the boma ye on Robinson.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back tonight to talk all the major stories from the weekend: Survivor Series and ISIS, what the company is saying about it, preview of the PPV with predictions on all the matches, La Sombra to WWE, TNA to POP TV, UFC results from Saturday night, Bellator notes and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
For those attending Survivor Series tomorrow in Atlanta, there will be extensive security at the show even though Federal, state and local law enforcement authorities have stated that there is no specific or credible information regarding a threat.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open one hour earlier than originally scheduled, at 6 p.m., so there can be more security precautions at the door.
Fans are encouraged to use MARTA, which is the local public transportation, to attend the event. Due to security concerns, the arena will not allow any bags to enter the building.
Earlier today a publication called the International Business Times cited the online group known as Anonymous as discovering the Philips Arena and Sunday’s Survivor Series as one of several possible worldwide ISIS threats that day.
UFC’s debut in Monterrey, Mexico airs live on UFC Fight Pass and Fox Sports 1. The Fight Pass Prelims are at 6:45 p.m. ET including the TUF Latin America 2 finals, the FS1 prelims are at 8:00 p.m. ET with Erik Perez vs. Taylor Lapilus as the featured fight, and the main card is at 10:00 p.m. with a man-event of Kelvin Gastelum vs. Neil Magny, co-main of Ricardo Lamas vs. Diego Sanchez, and a strong #3 fight in Jussier Formiga vs. Henry Cejudo. Formiga-Cejudo appears to be for a flyweight title shot, while Sanchez is making his featherweight debut (he’s rehydrated to over 171 pounds) and Gastelum is returning to welterweight.
We’ll be doing polls this weekend on only the Survivor Series.
We’ll be looking for reports on Saturday’s NXT show in Fort Pierce, FL.
We have one of the biggest issues of the year, with such a huge news week this past week. We look at exactly what went into Holly Holm’s victory over Ronda Rousey, a story on the life and times of Nick Bockwinkel, the Reid Flair angle and build to Survivor Series, Destination America dropping wrestling, and the 104-year-old attendance record being broken, as well as the story behind the firing of Billy Gunn, an update on The Rock at WrestleMania, La Sombra to WWE, the AAA world title gets decided and a lot more are headline stories in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now.
If you have an interest in history, this is a huge issue, as well as a perspective on what happened in the most talked about UFC fight in history.
We look at the fight, the background of Holly Holm, what is going on in Rousey’s life, what led to the upset, thoughts on a rematch, what it means for business, the early business notes on the fight including where PPV may come in, previous fights like this, and what happened after the fight. We look at UFC’s biggest upsets, the gambling perspective, rematch odds, business notes and match-by-match coverage with poll results.
The life and times of Nick Bockwinkel is one of the best bios we’ve done, with comments from people whose careers he has touched, my own personal thoughts on Bockwinkel, what current WWE superstar had his career path changed greatly because of a suggestion by Bockwinkel to an independent promoter, a look at his life, his career, some of his most famous matches, his career title history, the controversy over Hulk Hogan not getting the AWA title, his place in the business when it changed and life after wrestling.
We also look at the Reid Fliehr angle, how it was set up, comments by Ric Flair, how ESPN got exposed in its wrestling coverage, the Owen Hart DVD and more.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
One person in WWE asked us to alert readers to rely on mainstream news sources like CNN or the local Atlanta news for updates on the ISIS/WWE story. WWE.com will also be posting any updates on the official website.
Our own David Bixenspan has a rundown and analysis of the new details in the police report about the Hulk Hogan sex DVD theft. The report adds in a lot of details that weren’t previously known about the theft of the videos and FBI involvement.
The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast talks to Zack Gowan. Gowan on being in WWE when he was young and green: I was just incredibly nervous and I wanted to perform. Looking back it’s really insane to think how much trust they had in me to perform what they asked me to perform considering I had no experience on television and had less than a year of wrestling and we were doing this angle that was never ever seen so there was no template to follow. We were literally flying by the seed of our pants and trying to come up with it on the fly. Looking back I have a greater appreciation for it now, because when you are in the middle of the hurricane you can’t appreciate how powerful it is. For me it’s the same thing with my WWE career and to be sharing the space with not only these wrestling legends but cultural legends of Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon is a guy I put up there with Walt Disney.
MMA
In case you missed it, former UFC fighter Brian Foster won the WSOF 8 man one night tournament to earn a lightweight title shot. He beat Joao Zeferino in the finals after submitting to him in just over a minute in the first round. If that sounds absurd…..it was. The final was actually one hell of a dramatic fight, though.
Speaking of WSOF, Paul Gift at Bloody Elbow has an excellent story detailing some of the struggles of the organization dating back years and how they almost had to cancel an event at the last minute.
One FC also ran a show earlier today and in the main event, Marat Gafurov unified the Featherweight title, beating interim champion Narantungalag Jadambaa in the fourth round by submission. They also have a new flyweight champion as unbeaten Kairat Akhmetov beat Adrian Moraes via split decision ton win that belt
Holly Holm was making appearances all over the place in the last couple of days. Among other things, she was a guest on the Dan Patrick Show on NBC Sports Network, syndicated afternoon talk show The Talk, Inside MMA on AXS TV and the 90 minute weigh-ins special yesterday afternoon. She came off very likeable in all her appearances and repeated over and over again that while she would be willing to wait until UFC 200 to face Ronda Rousey in a rematch if that’s what she was asked to do, she’d prefer to fight earlier than that.
Another fight has been added to the loaded Fight Night in Boston on January 17th as Featherweights Dennis Bermudez and Maximo Blanco square off in what will likely be a preliminary bout. The show will air on Fox Sports 1 and is headlined by a Bantamweight title fight between TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz.
MISC
While ROH was in Nashville, ROH Champion Jay Lethal did a local interview about race and wrestling, and enjoying being the champ.
Eric Young did an interview with Busted Open Radio talking about TNA’s move to Pop and how he likes Nickelback. Yep.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 78: Magny vs. Gastelum from Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight bout as 13th-ranked Neil Magny takes on 15th-ranked and former “TUF” winner Kelvin Gastelum. Also on the card, in the co-main event, it is a featherweight bout as former title challenger Ricardo Lamas welcomes original “TUF” winner, Diego Sanchez, back to the Octagon in another new weight class, and flyweights Jussier Formiga and Henry Cejudo square off in a potential title eliminator bout. The action kicks off with preliminary card fights at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass. The action moves over to FS1 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary fights before the main card kicks off at 10 PM eastern time.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- VALMIR LAZARO (13-3, 1-1 UFC) VS. MICHEL PRAZERES (18-2, 2-2 UFC)
First round: Mini-Brock Gary Copeland as referee tonight. Lazaro with a low kick. Low kick back by Prezeres. Now Lazaro with a low kick. Left by Prezeres. Good low kick by Lazaro. Lazaro landing jabs. Another jab by Lazaro. Lazaro continues to jab. Right by Prezeres. Good right by Prezeres. He tried to follow with a takedown and got him down. . But Lazaro right back up. No damage was done on the ground. Prezeres went for another takedown and Lazaro easily evaded it. Prezeres with a right and left. Low kick by Lazaro. Lazaro 10-9 good round.
Second round: Body kick by Prezeres. Prezeres went for a takedown but Lazaro landed on top. Copeland ordered a standup. Prezeres landed a right. He shot for a takedown but and got him down but Lazaro was right back up. Lazaro landing jabs again. Prezeres took him down but Lazaro right back up. Close round, 20-18 Lazaro.
Third round: Lazaro’s corner told him it was 1-1, which is probably a good thing to tell him because it could be and he can’t think he’s got it won. They hugged before the round started. Low kick by Lazaro. Nice left by Prezeres. Missed on a huge right. Prezeres missing punches. Left by Prezeres. Prezers moving in for a takedown. Prezeres got him down but Lazaro right back up. Lazaro ended up blocking a takedown and landing on top. The ref ordered a standup with 37 seconds left. Prezeres missed another takedown. Lazaro’s round I’ve got 30-27.
Scores: 29-28 Prezeres 29-28 Lazaro 29-28 Prezeres. Prezeres very lucky. Bad call.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- CESAR ARZAMENDIA (7-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. POLO REYES (3-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Arzamendia from Paraguay, Reyes from Mexico. They are both of TUF Latin America. Both swinging. Low kick by Arzamendia. Knees by Arzamendia. Arzamendia claimed there was a low blow. Armzamendia took him down but Reyes right back up. Another takedown by Arzamendia. Another takedown by Arzamendia. Reyes back up. Spin kick to the body by Reyes. Crowd pretty hot for this with a Mexican in the match. A double leg takedown by Arzamendia. Left by Reyes knocked him out. He broke a clinch and landed a left to the jaw for the knockout. 3:42
WELTERWEIGHTS- VERNON RAMOS (3-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. ALVARO HERRERA (8-3, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Ramos from Panama, Herrera from Guadalajara. Both off TUF Latin America. Herrera landed punches right away and it was over. Left, a right uppercut and another right behind the ear and it’s over as Ramos face planted. :30
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
FEATHERWEIGHTS- GABRIEL BENITEZ (18-4, 2-0 UFC) VS. ANDRE FILI (14-3, 2-2 UFC)
First round: Benitez the crowd favorite from Tijuana. Benitez known for ridiculous kicks. Benitez landing low kicks. Left by Benitez. Fili with a body kick. Fili with a low kick. High kick by Fili. Fili with a takedown. Head kick by Fili and he finished him with a flurry of punches to the chagrin of the crowd. It was pair of right high kicks and a series of punches before Benitez could recover, he went down and it was stopped.
BANTAMWEIGHTS- SCOTT JORGENSEN (15-11, 4-7 UFC) VS. ALEJANDRO PEREZ (15-6, 1-1 UFC)
First round: Perez with a low kick. Perez with another low kick. Jorgensen tried for a akedown but Perez threw him off. Jorgensen landed a right. Jorgensen took him down. Perez back up. Another takedown by Jorgensen. Perez back up again. Right by Jorgensen. High kick by Jorgensen missed. Jorgensen with a right. Low kick by Perez. Low kick by Jorgensen. Good low kick by Perez. Jorgensn is hurt and may not be able to continue. Perez 10-9.
Second round: Jorgensen came out but can barely walk. He fell down, this fight needs to be stopped. He got up. Low kick by Perez. Perez kicking the right leg, which is the good leg. Perez continues to kick the right leg. Jorgensen’s calf has a huge bruise. Perez with a body kick. Perez with more kicks to the right leg. Right and left by Jorgensen. Perez with a body shot. Perez swept his leg but Jorgensen got back up. Body kick by Perez. It’s kind of amazing the fight is still going. Jorgensen just collapsed, his leg gave out and he tapped.
First round: Fabinski took him right down. Fabinski with punches and elbows from the top. Mario Yamasaki stood them up. I have no idea why since Fabinski was busy from the top. Fabinski then took him right down again. Fabinski landing elbows. Urbina tred a triangle but Fabinski out of it easily. 10-9 Fabinski
Second round: Urbina with a knee and Fabinski took him down. Another takedown by Fabinski. He’s moved to side control. Urbina reversed and throwing punches but Fabinski back up. Both trading punches. Urbina missed a high kick. Urbina bleeding from the left eye. They stopped the fight for the doctor to check the cut. The cut is on the eye lid. The doctor allowed it to continue. Another takedown by Fabinski. Fabinski ‘s round 20-18.
Third round: The cut was caused by a head–butt. Urbina throwing punches and went for a guillotine. Fabinski took him down again. Urbina trying to use the guillotine to sweep. Urbina has his legs tied up as well. Fabinski escaped and on top. Fabinski with some punches. Now Urbina trying for a Kimura. Boring round. Urbina tried to sweep but Fabinski blocked it and remained on top. Fabinski has his back. Urbina landing elbows as Fabinski tried for takedown. Urbina throwing punches. Urbina’s round so 29-28 FAbinski.
Scores: 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 for Fabinski
BANTAMWEIGHTS- ERIK PEREZ (14-6, 4-2 UFC) VS. TAYLOR LAPILUS (10-1, 2-0 UFC)
First round: Perez is a big favorite since he’s from Monterrey. Crowd going crazy for him. Lapilus with a body kick. Nice left by Lapilus. Knee to the body by Lapilus. Low kick by Lapilus. Body kick by Lapilus. Fans were booing. Low kick by Lapilus. Lapilus with a body kick. Low kick by Lapilus. Perez landed a right. Perez had a leg but couldn’t take him down. Perez landed a series of punches late. Perez landed another combo. Perez picked him up at the buzzer, so the slam didn’t count. Lapilus 10-9
Second round: Lapilus landed some punches and Perez back with a right. Lapilus working for a guillotine. Perez escaped and on top. Crowd popped big for that. Perez is landing shots to the body from the top. Perez with lots of body shots. Perez with body shots and elbows. Perez’s round so 19-19 after two.
Third round: Crowd real hot knowing it’s even. Loud “Mexico” chants. Head kick by Perez. Lapilus went for a takedown. Perez defending well. Perez has him against the fence. Perez took him down. Both scrambling and Perez standing . Left and knee by Lapilus. Perez in with a right. Left by Lapilus. Perez with another takedown. Perez not doing much but staying on top. Perez with body shots now. Perez elbowing the thigh. Perez is mostly holding him down. Perez with some elbows. Perez with body shots. Perez should win 29-28, really that’s the only score possible.
Scores: Perez is wearing a mask. All three have is 29-28 Perez.
First round: Body kick by Silva. Escuedero with a body kick. Left by Silva. Body kick by Escudero and one back by Silva Silva land a series of punches. Head kick by Sivla. Escudero worked for a takedown but didn’t get it. Escudero in with a punch. Nice right by Escudero and moved in for a takedown attempt. Silva landed a nice left at the end of the round. 10-9 Sivla
Second round: Nice hook kick by Silva but didn’t land solid. Front kick by Silva. Body kick by Silva. Escudero got the takedown. Escudero took him down again. Silva got to his feet. Escudero’s round so 19-19 after two.
Third round: Body kick by Silva. Escudero land some punches. Left by Silva. Silva landed jabs. Escudero trying for a takedown but Silva defended well. Silva landing punches. Escuerdo tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Sivla again blocking the takedown. Right and left by Silva. Silva got his back on the ground. Silva 29-28.
Scores: All three have it 29-28 Silva. Really the only score possible. Some boos since Escudero was the crowd favorite.
TUF: LATIN AMERICA 2 LIGHTWEIGHT FINALS- HORACIO GUTIERREZ (2-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. ENRIQUE BARZOLA (10-2-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Gutierrez is from Guadalajara so that makes him the favorite. This is the final of the current TUF Latin America season. Low kick by Gutierrez. Another low kick by Gutierrez. Low kick by Gutierrez. Beautiful back suplex by Barzola. Barzola has his back. Another takedown by Barzola. Gutierrez up and Barzola tripped him back down. Barzola with a hard punch on the ground. 10-9 Barzola.
Second round: Takedown right away by Barzola. Gutierrez bleeding. Barzola bleeding as well. Barzola with some elbows. Some elbows to the body and head. 10-8 round, 20-17 Barzola.
Third round: Barzola with another takedown. Barzola with elbows to the head and punches to the body. More elbows by Barzola. Another 10-8 round for Barzola, 30-25.
Scores: 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 for Barzola.
TUF: LATIN AMERICA 2 WELTERWEIGHT FINALS- ERICK MONTANO (6-3, 0-0 UFC) VS. ENRIQUE MARIN (8-2, 0-0 UFC)
First round: This is the TUF Latin America finals in the welterweight division. Montano is from Mexico City, so he’s the crowd favorite. Montano with a body kick and Marin back with some punches. Nice left by Marin. Montano took him down and Marin reversed to the top. Side kick by Montano. Montano went for a takedown but blocked. Marin moved in and landed. Marin 10-9.
Second round: Both swinging. Nice takedown by Marin. Marin moved to side control. Body kick by Montano. Montano throwing kicks. Marin went for a takedown but Montano blocked it. Montano landing punches and kicks. Close round but I’ve got 20-18 Marin.
Third round: They hugged before the third round. These two were best friends on the show. Montano with a high kick. Montano landed a right and a side kick. Montano with a body kick. Marin pushed him against the fence. He’s just holding him against the cage but doing nothing. Body kick by Montano. Right by Montano. Marin with punches and body kick. Bodykick by Montano. Montano took him down. Crowd booed both guys. Montano’s round so I’ve got 29-28 Marin. Could go the other way. Pretty uneventful fight.
Scores: 29-28 Marin 29-28 Montano 29-28 Montano
FLYWEIGHTS- (#3) JUSSIER FORMIGA (18-3, 4-2 UFC) VS. (#5) HENRY CEJUDO (9-0, 3-0 UFC)
First round: Cejudo landing punches. Left and right by Cejudo. Left by Formiga. Formiga landed a right. Trading knees. Trading more knees from the clinch. Formiga landed a right. Hard right by Cejudo. Cejudo took him down late. 10-9 Cejudo
Second round: Right by Cejudo. Both traded knees from the clinch. Nice right by Cejudo. Formiga with a right. Good low kick by Formiga. Knee by Cejudo. Left by Formiga. Nice elbow and uppercut by Cejudo. They traded knees. Formiga with a jab. Body kick by Cejudo. Very close round, Cejudo 20-18.
Third round: High kick by Cejudo. High slam by Cejudo. Formiga back up. Knee and elbow by Cejudo. Low kick by Formiga. Cejudo pushed him against the fence. Elbow from the clinch by Cejudo and a right. Cejudo 30-27. Fans booed a little. Not a good fight at all, Cejudo did nothing to make you excited about a fight with Demetrious Johnson.
Scores: 30-27 Cejudo 29-28 Formiga 30-27 Cejudo. Formiga winning would have been a robbery.
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#4) RICARDO LAMAS (15-4, 6-2 UFC) VS. DIEGO SANCHEZ (25-7, 14-7 UFC)
First round: Sanchez in with punches. Nice spin kick by Lamas. Hard body kick by Lamas. Sanchez started punching back. Hard body kick by Sanchez. Lamas missed a spin kick. Side kick by Lamas. Sanchez missed a punh. Lamas with takedown and got his back. Lamas got his back and throwing knees. Lamas has his back and Sanchez escaped and is up. Elbow by Sanchdz. 10-9 Lamas.
Second round: Nice left hook by Sanchez. Lamas took him down. Lamas hurt him with a low kick. Lamas landing big punches and low kicks. Sanchez is in trouble. Another low kick. Lamas with a punch. Lamas with a takedown. Nice switch by Sanchez. Lamas reversed and got his back. Nice reverse by Sanchez. Really good wrestling here. Sanchez bleeding for the right eye. Lamas got his back. Sanchez escaped and up. Low kick and punches by Lamas. Left by Lamas. Lamas 20-18.
Third round: Sanchez with a knee. Low kick by Lamas. Spin kick by Lamas and Lamas lost his balance. Low kick by Lamas . Sanchez is hurt. Fans chanting for Sanchez. Spinning elbow by Lamas busted Sanchez up. Lamas slipped but got up. Sanchez bleeding badly from the right eye. Left jab by Lamas. Left jab by Lamas. Lamas with a head kick but didn’t really land. Sanchez with a left hook. Spin kick by Sanchez missed. Good fight. 30-27 Lamas.
Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Lamas.
WELTERWEIGHTS- (#13) NEIL MAGNY (16-4, 9-3 UFC) VS. (#15) KELVIN GASTELUM (11-1, 6-1 UFC)
First round: Low kick by Gastelum. Low kick by Gastelum. Nice high kick and punches by Gastelum. Nice takedown by Magny and has his back. Gastelum back up. Nice throw but Magny reversed to the top. Magny has his back and working for a choke. Gastelum out of trouble. Magny with elbows to the body. Gastelum up. Right by Gastelum Magny 10-9.
Second round: Magny landing punches and a front kick. Body kick by Gastelum Front kicks by Magny. Body kick by Gastelum. Magny back with punches moving in. Low kick by Gastelum Gastelum landed several punches . Magny now back with punches. This is a good fight. Magny got him down. Gasteljum tried to reverse it but got blocked. Magny threw him down and got his back. Another takedown by Magny. Magny 20-18.
Third round: Magnyu landed a right and moved in. Magny with more punches moving in. Magny took him down. Magny tried for a takedown but it was blocked. Magny got him down again. Gastelum right back up. Gastelum got his back. Magny took him down. Gastelum rolled to the top. Magny 30-27.
Fourth round: Magny with punches. Gastelum decked him with a right, landed punches , has his back. Gastelum in side control. Gasetlum with an elbow. Gastelum back to side control. Gastelum got his back. Gastelum dropped him a second time with a left hook. Magny tried a triangle but Gastelum cleared it. Magny back up. Magny looked at the clock. Magny with a takedown. Gastelum up. Magny has his back. Gastelum 10-8, 38-37 for MAgny
Fifth round: Magny landed a right and hurt him. Big takedown by Gastelum into side control. Magny back up. Magny landing punches. Magny tried a takedown but it was blocked. Gastelum landing punches. Gastelum landing more punches. Body kick by Gastelum Another body kick by Gastelum. Magny with a right. Magny took him down and has his back Gastelum reversed to the top. Gastelum landing punches from the top. Great fight. Gastelum’s round. I have it a 47-47 draw.
As word of a possible target from ISIS started circulating Saturday morning, WWE is undeterred about putting on Survivor Series Sunday in Atlanta, GA.
A publication called the International Business Times cited the online group known as Anonymous as discovering the Philips Arena and Sunday’s Survivor Series as one of several possible worldwide ISIS threats that day.
PW Insider posted a short statement WWE made to them regarding the possiblity of postponing the event: “WWE Survivor Series is currently scheduled as planned while we investigate the matter with federal, state and local authorities.”
Local FBI authorities told an Atlanta TV station that they are taking the threat seriously, but do not have “specific or credible information of an attack at this time.” Local reporter Mark Winne has been tweeting updates today.
As of now, the event is scheduled as planned with the finals of the WWE World title tournament featuring Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio and Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens in the semifinals.
After the events of last week’s UFC 193, it’s hard to think anything on this show will top what we saw in the main event. The TUF Latin America finals show does feature some interesting names and, on paper at least, has “fun card!’ potential, especially the top three fights.
Our panel:
– Jack Encarnacao (98-39 | .715): Sherdog Rewind host, The Lapsed Fan podcast co-chair
– Josh Nason (81-56 | .591): Wrestling Observer digital media and content guy, WON Twitter enabler
*****
> Neil Magny (16-4) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (11-1) Welterweights
This is a much-different fight than the one we originally had with Gastelum and Matt Brown, out to due to an injury. However, while Magny doesn’t have marquee value, he is a surprise story at 170 pounds, having won eight of his last nine. After a Demien Maia loss derailed a seven-fight win streak, he looked great in beating Erick Silva via decision earlier this year. He’s a solid fighter and a live dog in this one.
The big story here is Gastelum who did make weight (hooray!) and could be the next big force at welterweight if he can keep making weight and keep winning. The good news is the 24-year-old has youth on his side, and has plenty of time to work things out. This is his first true fight at 170 in a year as he missed weight against Tyron Woodley (loss) and fought at 185 against Nate Marquardt (win).
> Ricardo Lamas (15-4) vs. Diego Sanchez (25-7) Featherweights
The 33-year-old Lamas is coming off a first-round TKO defeat at the hands of Chad Mendes, snapping a two-fight win streak. He’s caught in a tough position — not good enough to beat the top stars but good enough to beat the rest of the top 10. A winner of six of his last eight, he is a big favorite going into this interesting co-main event.
Also 33, Sanchez’s fight mileage has taken more of a toll on his body than it has for Lamas. About to fight in his fourth weight class in a UFC career that started more than 10 years ago, he’s fought sparingly in the last five years with just six fights. This is the first time we’ve seen him this year due to recovery from a broken collarbone. Every fight could be his last, so enjoy him while you can.
> Jussier Formiga (18-3) vs. Henry Cejudo (9-0) Flyweights
Many people, including Caplan, believe this is THE fight to see on this show and it’s hard to disagree. Cejudo is the anointed next great challenger for Demetrious Johnson which, unfortunately, should be something we see in 2017 as opposed to 2016 as Cejudo is still baking as a UFC fighter. The undefeated double-Olympic gold medalist is 3-0 in the Octagon with three decision wins, but hasn’t had that singular UFC standout moment…yet.
The 30-year-old Formiga is a formidable test, a battle-tested veteran who has found his footing with three straight wins after a 1-2 start. Those three wins: Scott Jorgenson, Zach Makovsky, and Wilson Reis. If there’s anyone that can derail Cejudo on his way to the title, it’s Formiga, and it’s hard not to imagine him getting a title shot if he does.
> Efrain Escudero (24-9) vs. Leandro Silva (18-2-1-1) Lightweights
Now in his third Octagon stint, the past TUF winner has picked up two straight wins in 2015 and was last seen submitting Drew Dober in just 54 seconds. The 30-year-old Silva is in his second UFC stint is 2-1-1 in his last four — one of those who controversially “submitted” Dober earlier this year.
> Erik Perez (14-6) vs. Taylor Lapilus (10-1) Bantamweights
After three straight wins, Perez was once the rising prospect UFC was trying to push as a Mexican star. A loser of two of his last three, he finds himself in the middle of the division trying to find his place. The 23-year-old French Lapilus has won five straight, and will likely have emotion on his side as a Paris native. He’s 2-0 in the Octagon after making his UFC debut this year.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to talk about including interviews with both EL GUAPO BAS RUTTEN and EL GUAPO STEVE SIMS — separately, unfortunately, plus Charlotte Flair, WWE’s statement they issues yesterday and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night 78: Magny vs. Gastelum weigh-ins from Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico kicking off at 6 PM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday on FS1 at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 PM eastern time before moving over to FS1 at 8 PM eastern time. This will be the UFC’s debut in Monterrey, and the Octagon’s third overall trip to Mexico.
The event will be headlined by a five-round welterweight bout as Neil Magny fights for the fifth time in 2015, taking a short-notice bout as an injury replacement for Matt Brown, to take on Kelvin Gastelum, who makes his return to the welterweight division. Both men are competing in their first headline bout as UFC competitors. In the co-main event, it will be former featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas taking on the last man standing from the original “Ultimate Fighter”, Diego Sanchez, who moves down to 145 pounds, the fourth weight class he has competed in during his UFC career. Also on the card is a flyweight title eliminator as Jussier Formiga takes on Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, as well as the finals of this season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2”.
MAIN CARD (FS1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT): Neil Magny (171) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (171) Ricardo Lamas (146) vs. Diego Sanchez (145) Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Henry Cejudo (126) Erick Montano (169) vs. Enrique Marin (170) – TUF: Latin America 2 Welterweight Finals Horacio Gutierrez (154) vs. Enrique Barzola (155) – TUF: Latin America 2 Lightweight Finals Efrain Escudero (156) vs. Leandro Silva (155)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT): Erik Perez (136) vs. Taylor Lapilus (136) Hector Urbina (171) vs. Bartosz Fabinski (170) Scott Jorgensen (135.5) vs. Alejandro Perez (135.5) Gabriel Benitez (145) vs. Andre Fili (145)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT): Vernon Ramos (170) vs. Alvaro Herrera (171) Cesar Arzamendia (155) vs. Polo Reyes (155) Valmir Lazaro (156) vs. Michel Prazeres (155)
*Everyone made weight with no issues, including Gastelum and Cejudo, who have had previous issues, and Sanchez, who was moving down to featherweight for the first time.
