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Tag: Luke Rockhold

  • UFC 199 live results: Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping, Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

    Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 from The Forum in Inglewood, California, just outside of Los Angeles. The event is headlined by two title fights involving two heated rivalries. UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold makes his first title defense against Michael Bisping, who gets his first title shot after almost ten years of fighting for the UFC after he replaced Chris Weidman in the bout. In the co-main event, it is UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz making his first defense since regaining the championship when he defends against long-time rival Urijah Faber, who looks to finally capture UFC gold. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

    UFC 199 Observer Picks & Preview
    UFC 199 DFS Playbook

    This weekend we’ll be doing polls on this show, as well as Monday and Tuesday’s New Japan show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle and best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- POLO REYES (5-2, 1-0 UFC) VS. DONG HYUN “MAESTRO” KIM (13-7-3, 0-1 UFC)

    First round:  The place is pretty empty starting out the show.  I wonder what the odds are of having two Dong Hyun Kim’s in the same promotion.   Both coming out swinging.   Kim hurt him.  Both landing big shots.  Kim now working for a takedown.  Torres  powered Kim down and now punching on the ground.  Hard knee by Torres and he’s landing big punches.  Kim up  and landed a left.  Head kick by Reyes.  Reyes dropped him with a left.  Mexico chants.  Knee by Reyes.  Knee by Reyes.  Trading punches some more.  Knee by Kim.  Another knee by Kim.  Left by Reyes.  Spin kick by Reyes.  Kim got a takedown into side control. Reyes back up.  Kim with punches and knees.  Reyes back.  10-9 Reyes.  This was a round of the year candidate.  Just incedible.

    Second round:   Kim landing jabs.  Reyes in with punches.  Spin kick by Reyes missed.  Both back swinging.  Both are continuing to land solid shots.  Head kick by Reyes.  Kim hurt him with a left.  Reyes with knees.  Both landing big shots.  Knee and left by Kim.  Reyes landed solid shots.  Defense does not exist in this world.  Hard left by Kim.  Reyes with a big right.  Reyes now has him hurt.  Kim trying for a takedown and got him down.  Kim got his back.  Reyes back up.  Knee by Reyes.  Kim bleeding from the nose and mouth.  Reyes bleeding as well.  Kim tried for a takedown and pretty much went down almost due to exhaustion and Reyes ended on top.  Reyes 20-18.

    Third round:  The doctor is checking on Kim.  Elbow by Reyes.  Reyes dropped him and ref Mike Beltran stopped the fight.  A right staggered him and a second right as Kim was falling finished it.  Beltran jumped in after one more punch on the ground. 

    Joe Rogan just called this one of the most entertaining fights he’s ever seen in his life.  It was incredible.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- KEVIN CASEY (9-4 2 NC, 1-1 2 NC UFC) VS. ELVIS MUTAPCIC (15-4, 0-1 UFC)

    First round:  Casey’s father-in-law was Muhammad Ali.  Body kick by  Casey.  Mutapcic landing body kicks.  Casey with an uppercut.   Casey with a body kick.  Casey took him down.  Casey landing body shots from the top.  Casey with more body punches from the top.  Casey moved to side control.  Casey got behind him in a scramble.  Mutapcic back to his feet.  Mutapcic with a flying knee.  Casey 10-9

    Second round:   Casey winged a few punches.  Hard body kick by Mutapcic.  Casey with a takedown but Mutapcic right back up and landed punches and knees.  Casey with another takedown into full mount.  Elbows by Casey.  Mutapcic rolled out of it and back to his feet.  Mutapcic throwing elbows.  Hard knees by Mutapcic.  Mutapcic with a lot of knees.  Mutapcic landing knees and threw an elbow late.  Close round.  10-9 Casey       

    Third round:  Head kick by Mutapcic and jumping knee and more elbows.   Casey with a right.  Casey poked him in the eye.  Mutapcic kicked him in the jaw.  Mutapcic kicked to the body.  Knee by Mutapcic.  Casey went for a takedown but Mutapcic landed on top in the mount.  Mutapcic landing a lot of elbows at the end.  Almost a 10-8 round but I’d go 10-9 Mutapcic so 29-28 Casey.  But the second round could easily go to Mutapcic and he could take it, or you could go 10-8 and have it a draw.

    Scores:  29-28 Mutapcic 29-28 Casey 28-28 draw.  You can’t fault the judges on any of those scores.

    Mutapcic said he wanted to dedicate the fight to Ali.  Casey kind of said the same thing. 

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- JONATHAN WILSON (7-0, 1-0 UFC) VS. LUIS HENRIQUE DA SILVA (10-0, 0-0 UFC)

    First round:    Low kick by Da Silva.  Wilson with uppercuts.  Trading kicks.  Hard body kick by Da Siva.  Both landing.  Hard knee by Da Silva.  Da Silva  with an uppercut and a knee.  Another uppercut by Da Silva.  Body shot by Wilson.  Wilson with a left.  Another body kick by Da Silva.  Elbow by Wilson and a right .  Wilson landing hard shots.  Wilson now landing hard shots.  Knees by Da Silva.  Da Silva 10-9

    Second round:   Da Silva landing knees.  Da Silva with knees and a lot punches.  Takedown by Wilson.  Wilson landing lard lefts and rights  and dropped Da Silva with a left.  Wilson is on top.  Wilson with lefts on the ground.  Da Silva reversed to the top into full mount.  Da Silva landing hard punches and elbows.  Da Silva with a lot of punches.  He kept landing punches until ref Mike Beltran waved it off.  This was  a really good fight. 

    WELTERWEIGHTS- SEAN STRICKLAND (17-1, 4-1) VS. TOM BREESE (10-0)

    First round:  Hard body kick by Breese.  Another body kick by Breese.  They are trading low kicks.  Some booing because it’s starting slow.  Breese moving forward and landed a left.  Body kick by Strickland.   Breese with more body kicks.  10-9 Breese

    Second round:   Body kick by Strickland.  Nice right by Strickland.  Breese coming back.  Low kick by Strickland.  Crowd booing and restless.  Strickland landing punches.  Body kick by Strickland.   Strickland’s round 19-19.  Crowd booed both guys when the round was over

    Third round:  Nothing much to this fight.  Fans booing loudly now.  Takedown by Breese with one minute left but Strickland right back up.  He tried another takedown but Strickland blocked it.  Strickland got a takedown and landed punches when it was over.  I Gave it to Strickland so he won 29-28.  Crowd booed this finish heavily.

    Scores:  29-28 Breese 29-28 Strickland 29-28 Strickland.  Crowd heavily booed the decision but .  Strickland apologized for the fight and said Breese kept backing up.

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- COLE MILLER (21-9 1 NC, 10-7 1 NC UFC) VS. ALEX CACERES (11-8 1 NC, 6-6 1 NC UFC)

    First round:   Caceres dropped him with a left right away.  Miller right back up.  Miller hip tossed him down.  Miller dragged him down a second time.  Caceres  reversed to the top.  Caceres let him back up.  Body kick by Caceres.  Head kick by Caceres.  Caceres with punches.  Spinning backfist by Caceres.  Caceres landed a hard left.  Caceres took him down.  Caceres  let him up.  Body kick by Caceres.  Punches and a head kick by Caceres.  Miller tried a takedown, Caceres ended up on top and let him up.  10-9 Caceres.

    Second round:  Jumping kick by  Caceres.  Caceres landing several punches.  Miller with a head kick.  Caceres hurt him with a left and landed several more punches.  Caceres threw him down.  Caceres threw him down a second time.  Miller back up.  Body kick by Caceres.  Caceres landing a lot of punches.  Caceres threw him down a third time.   Caceres continuing to land.  He landed a left and a high kick and then a right.  Good right by Miller.  Caceres 20-18.

    Third round:  Caceres did a marital arts pose to stat the round which popped the crowd. Cesares back landing punches.   Left and a takedown by Caceres.  Head kick by Caceres.  Miller with a takedown.  Miller working for an armbar.  Caceres out into side control.  Great sequence.  Crowd went bananas as he escaped.  Leroy chants.  Caceres threw him down again.  Miller with a left.  Knee by Miller.  Caceres with punches and took him down again.  Miller reversed  to the top.  Miller now working for a choke with 25 seconds left.  Miller punching from back position but Miller needed a finish and didn’t get it.  Miller’s round 29-28 Caceres overall.

    Scores:  29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 Caceres.  Not sure about that 30-27 because Miller won that third round. 

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#6) JESSICA PENNE (12-3, 1-1 UFC) VS. JESSICA ANDRADE (13-5, 4-3 UFC)

    First round:  Andade came out strong landing a ton of punches.  Andarde in with another flurry.  Andrade firing away again.  Andade in with another flurry.  Adnrade  landing a ton of punches and Penne is in a lot of trouble.  Penne went down from punches just as the round ended.  10-8 Andrade for sure.

    Second round:  Andrade landed a ton of punches and Penne went down and Andrade let her back up.  Andrade killing her with punches.  It’s really time to stop this one.  Jason Herzog stopped it.

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#10) BENEIL DARIUSH (12-2, 6-2 UFC) VS. JAMES VICK (9-0, 5-0 UFC)

    First round:  Dariush got poked in the right eye.  Vick poked him in the right eye again.  Hard body kick by Dariush . Dariush decked him  and his pounding him on the ground.  Dariush with hard elbows on the ground.  Dariush with hard punches but Vick up.  Dariush with a right.  Vick with a body kick.  Dariush landed  a right and Vick lost his legs.  Dariush with punches and dropped him with a left and it’s over.  The place came unglued with that finish.

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#12) BRIAN ORTEGA (10-0 1 NC, 2-0 1 NC UFC) VS. CLAY GUIDA (32-16, 12-10 UFC)

    First round:  Guida dropped him with a left.  Guida chants even though Ortega is from Los Angeles.  Guida connected with a right.  Guida moving forward.  Loud Guida chants.  Guida landing lefts in a clinch.  Both trading now.  Guida landing a number of punches.  Guida even tried a head kick.  Body kick by Ortega.  10-9 Guida.

    Second round:  Guida went for a takedown but Ortega sprawled.  Body kick by Ortega.  Left by Ortega.  Guida tried a takedown but Ortega blocked it again.  Ortega with a right.  Spin kick by Ortega.  Ortega’s round so 19-19 after two.

    Third round:  Ortega with a jab.  Guida with a right.  Ortega landed some. Spin kick by Ortega.  Guida can’t get inside to land.  Knee by Ortega and another  knee.  Guida with left.  Ortega dropped him with a knee and it’s over.   

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#11) DUSTIN POIRIER (19-4, 11-3 UFC) VS. (#13) BOBBY GREEN (23-6, 4-1 UFC)

    First round:  Poirier with some low kicks.  Green landed some punches  and Poirier came back and decked Green.  Body kick by Poirier.  Left by Poirier.  Poirier landing big punches.  Another left landed by Poirier.  Poirier with another left.  Poirier decked him again with a left and after a few punches on the ground referee Jason Herzog stopped it. 

    They just aired a wonderful tribute to Muhammad Ali narrated by Dana White.  One of the best videos they’ve done, particuarly on such short notice.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- (#15) DAN HENDERSON (31-14, 8-8 UFC) VS. (#14 WW) HECTOR L

    First round:  This place will come unglued if Henderson wins.  Super loud Hendo chants.  Henderson clocked him and Lombard clocked him back and took  Henderson down into side control.  Lombard went for a straight armbar.  Henderson out.  Henderson back to his feet and the place exploded.  They were trading big shots and Lombard decked him.  Lombard is all over him and Henderson back up.  This fight is insane. Lombard took him down again and held him there until the end of the round.  Lombard 10-9.

    Second round:  Body kick by Lombard.  Both landed big shots.  Lombard landed a right after Henderson missed.  Crowd chanting for Henderson.  Henderson landed a head kick and a hard side elbow and Lombard went down hard.  After two more elbows on the ground it was over.  This place is going insane.  This was one of the loudest pops you’ll ever hear.  Lombard is still down.  1:27

    Lombard is now sitting up.  Henderson thanked the fans for their reaction.  The place is going so nuts for Henderson it isn’t funny.  All of his kids were at ringside for the first time.  He said he’s not sure what’s going to happen but that may have been the last fight of his career.

    Henderson’s kids were all in the ring with him after along with other family members.

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#4) MAX HOLLOWAY (15-3, 11-3 UFC) VS. (#5) RICARDO LAMAS (16-4, 7-2 UFC)

    First round:  Holloway landing some early.  Spin kick by Lamas landed short.  Holloway landed some punches.  Hollloway all over him with punches and a knee.  Lamas went for the takedown and Holloway blocked it.  Lamas short on a spin kick.  Body kick.  Lamas fighting for the takedown and couldn’t get it.  Holloway landed several punches and a spin kick.  Holloway 10-9.

    Second round:   Lamas threw a kick that was blocked.  Lamas with a low kick.  Both landing a lot of punches but Holloway getting the better of it.  Lamas now back with hard punches.  Lamas went for a takedown.  Holloway blocked and on top.  Holloway for a split second  had a dragon sleeper.  Holloway with a body kick as Lamas got up.  Lamas shot in and Holloway got a choke.  He didn’t have it fully in and let go.  Holloway threw punches from back position as the round ended.  Holloway 20-18

    Third round:  Holloway landing punches.  Lamas back with a kick.  Head kick by Lamas.  Holloway landing punches and kicks.  Spinning elbow by Lamas.  Both threw for all they were worth in the last ten seconds to elicit a standing ovation.  30-27 Holloway although the third round was closer than the first two.

    Scores:   All three had it 30-27 for Holloway.  

    Holloway asked for a $50,000 check for best fight.  He’s not getting it.  He also asked for a title shot.

    UFC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) DOMINICK CRUZ (21-1, 4-0 UFC) VS. (#2) URIJAH FABER (33-8, 9-4 UFC)

    They just showed the UFC 200 commercial.  They spent huge on it.  Brock Lesnar was in the tail end of the commercial.

    UFC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:  (C) DOMINICK CRUZ (21-1, 4-0 UFC) VS. (#2) URIJAH FABER (33-8, 9-4 UFC)

    First round:  Cruz booed a lot.  Analysts are not getting over with this audience.  Faber chants.  Faber threw a knee and Cruz took him down.  Faber scrambled  but Cruz up and got behind him.  Cruz took him down  and Faber scrambled.  As he got up, Cruz hit him.  Body kick by Cruz.  Faber moved in and slammed Cruz but Cruz reversed to the top immediately.  Faber out and landed a left.  Faber landed a right.  Cruz with a low kick.  Cruz went for a takedown and didn’t get it.  Cruz landed few shots  Cruz 10-9.

    Second round:    Cruz dropped him with a left.  Faber back up.  Cruz missed a kick and Faber is  in trouble.  Knee by Cruz.  Cruz landing jabs.  The crowd is turning toward Cruz.  Cruz with a low kick.  Another low kick by Cruz.  Back to chants for Faber.  Cruz landed a left.  Cruz with a left.  Low kick by Cruz.  Faber missed a big shot.  Faber with a right.  Head kick by Cruz.  Cruz landed a body shot.  Cruz 20-18.

    Third round:  Cruz with a low kick.  Cruz slipped  and Faber landed a punch but Cruz hurt him with a counter.  Cruz landed a good left.  Cruz landed more shots.  Low kick by Cruz.  Left by Cruz.  Cruz went for a takedown and didn’t get it. Cruz went for another takedown and didn’t get it.  Cruz missing a lot but Faber couldn’t land.  Cruz said something to him after the round and Faber shoved him.  Cruz 30-27.

    Fourth round:  Faber missed on punches.  Cruz with a left.  Faber clipped him with a punch.  Cruz with a left.  Both are missing a lot now.  Cruz dropped him with a left and landed a head kick.  Faber back up.  Cruz with a right.  Now crowd chanting for Cruz.  Faber with a right.  Both missing  more.  Cruz 40-36.

    Fifth round:  Cruz landed two head kicks.  Cruz landed punches as Faber moved in.  Cruz with lefts.   Cruz took him down as Faber went for a big shot.  Body kick by Cruz as Faber got up.  Cruz with another takedown.  He moved into side control.  Faber back up.  Faber tried the guillotine but he’s not getting that tonight.  Cruz 50-45. 

    They did have a short sorta hug after.

    Scores:  50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 Cruz  

    Cruz again said ring rust wasn’t real.

    Faber was booed after and said he can’t say anything other then pushing that Cruz had power but nothing like Cody Garbrandt.  He priased Cruz’s wrestling.  By the time Faber was done fans wer cheering him.  He said he wants to be at the top, he wasn’t at the top tonight and talked about supporting Gardbrandt and his guys.

    WWE has already starting promoting Lesnar at UFC 200.

    UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) LUKE ROCKHOLD (15-2, 5-1 UFC) VS. (#4) MICHAEL BISPING (28-7, 18-7 UFC)

    First round:  Bisping got a mixed reaction.  He doesn’t have that veteran sympathy thing going for him.  Rockhold also got a mixed reaction.  And he’s from California.  Both were mouthing off before it started.  Rockhold with a push kick.  Bisping landed a punch to the face.  Bisping with a low kick.  USA chant.  Rockhold with a left and Bisping back.  Body kick by Rockhold.  Bisping with  a body kick.  Bisping landing more.  Low kick by Roickhold.  Rockhold landing body kicks now.  Bisping dropped him with a left and dropped him a second time with a left and landed two punches on the ground and it was stopped.  This was very much like the GSP vs. Serra fight.    3:36

    Bisping’s family is in the ring celebrating with him.  Bisping said I have to be humble, thanked everyone for being here.  I stated fighting when I came out of my mother.    Priased his wife and parents.  I’m an average guy  this is my dream, two weeks notice, two hours two minutes I’ll fight anyone.  Thanked people in the UK. 

    Rockhold was booed.  Congratulations to Michael, he caught me.  I took it for granted.  Admitted he was overconfident.  I didn’t fight my fight.  He’s a tough guy and he’s a warrior.

  • Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold confirmed for June’s UFC 199

    Less than 24 hours after losing their title challenger for middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199, UFC found someone to fill in — someone that has been fighting his entire professional career to get a title opportunity.

    Michael Bisping, the sometimes controversial British star, got the nod Wednesday and will get his first UFC title shot on June 4th, facing Rockhold for the second time in a memorable career in less than three weeks time. Chris Weidman was supposed to face Rockhold in a rematch, but had to pull out with herniated discs in his back.

    UFC president Dana White announced the news on ESPN, adding that Jacare Souza was their first option. However, Souza is looking at meniscus surgery after his recent quick victory over Vitor Belfort Saturday in Brazil. Fomer top contender Yoel Romero was also not in consideration as he is still on suspension after testing positive for a banned supplement.

    The 37-year-old (28-7) has won three straight and is coming off the most notable win of his career in February, a decision victory over Anderson Silva. He faced Rockhold in November 2014 and lost via second round submission. Just a week ago, he was filming on the set of the new ‘XXX’ action movie, so he hasn’t been in the gym training for a fight. However, given the opportunity, it’s safe to assume he’ll be as ready as possible in a few weeks.

    Given the other options, the fight is, ahem, best for business given the vitriol between the two and that Bisping knows how to sell a fight.

  • Chris Weidman out of UFC 199 due to injury; possible replacements

    When it was announced that Chris Weidman was going to rematch UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at June’s UFC 199, there were many among the MMA fanbase who groaned due to a) the way the first fight ended and b) rematch fatigue.

    Haters of the Weidman/Rockhold rematch got their wish Tuesday as the former UFC middleweight champion had to withdraw from the event due to an undisclosed injury — widely speculated on Twitter today and confirmed by both Jeremy Botter and Ariel Helwani a short time ago.

    The Los Angeles, CA, show still has plenty of interesting fights (bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz vs. Uriah Faber, Dan Henderson vs. Hector Lombard, BJ Penn vs. Cole Miller, and more, but you know UFC would love to keep the other California kid on that show. 

    Two possible replacements: Jacare Souza who ran through Vitor Belfort this past Saturday at UFC 198 in less than a round, and Michael Bisping who already tweeted that he wants the opportunity. Bisping faced Rockhold in November 2014, a fight Rockhold won via second round submission. Bisping is coming off a unanimous decision over Anderson Silva earlier this year.

    For a name that casual MMA fans know and for the story of him getting his first-ever UFC title shot, Bisping would be the call but from the sporting aspect, Souza has done more than enough to earn the shot. However, the short turnaround to June 4th might not be in the cards. However, given the ease of his fight last Saturday, he may just be up for it.

    *****

    Additionally, UFC confirmed that welterweight champion Robbie Lawler’s next title defense will indeed be against Tyron Woodley (he of the long, long layoff) on July 30th in Atlanta.

  • UFC 194 Las Vegas live results: Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The biggest UFC event of 2015 is headlined by two title fights, two of the most intriguing fights of the year, and possibly the best main/co-main combination the UFC has ever put together. UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo takes on Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor to unify the titles in the main event, and UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman defends against Luke Rockhold. Follow along with our live coverage beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action. We are looking for your thoughts on the show, so send us a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave Meltzer.

    UFC 194 Weigh-In Results
    UFC 194 5 Storylines To Watch
    UFC 194 DFS Playbook
    UFC 194 Our Picks & Preview

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    WELTERWEIGHTS- COURT MCGEE (16-4, 5-3 UFC) VS. MARCIO ALEXANDRE JR. (11-2, 0-2 UFC)

    First round:  Former TUF winner in the first of 13 matches.  That’s how you know a show is loaded.  Body kick by McGee.  Left by Alexandre.  Body kick by Alexandre landed.  McGee gave him an accidental low blow.  That was a kick straight through the uprights.  Alexandre grabbed a guillotine and pulled guard.  McGee out and threw punches.  Close round 10-9 Alexandre.

    Second round:  Body kick by Alexandre and McGee with a low kick.  McGee pushed him into the fence.  McGee with a body kick.  They were in a clinch against the fence and noting has been happening.  McGee throwing knees to the thigh.  They were separated with 50 seconds left.  Body shot by McGee.  High kick by Alexandre blocked.  Left by Alexandre.  Spin kick by McGee barely grazed  him.  McGee’s round so 19-19 going into the third.

    Third round:  McGee took him down.  Trading body kicks.  McGee trying for a takedown but doesn’t have it.  McGee can’t take him down but he’s working for it.  McGee finally picked him up low and slammed him and is busy from the top.  McGee working the body.  McGee pounded him out late in the round.  29-28 McGee.  First and second rounds were close however, third was the only decisive round.

    Scores:  30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for McGee      

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOHN MAKDESSI (13-4, 6-4 UFC) VS. YANCY MEDEIROS (11-3 1 NC, 2-3 1 NC UFC)

    First round:  Makdessi connecting on low kicks.  Medeiros with a  solid low kick.  Makdessi with a low kick.  Left and right by Medeiros.  Spin kick by Makdessi.  Close round.  Makdessi 10-9.

    Second round:  Makdessi with a  body kick.  Left uppercut by Medeiros.  Head kick by Makdessi.  This fight is more like technical sparring than a fight.  Nice spin kick by Makdessi  just as I wrote that.  Left to the body by Makedessi.  Low kick,but most blows  don’t have a lot of force.  Medeiros with a body kick and and a nice right.  Side kick by Makedessi.  Body shts and side kick by Makedessi.  Medeiros went for a takedown but couldn’t get it.  Spin kick to the body Medeiros.  Left by Medeiros.  Medeiros with  a right.  Another close round.  Medeiros’ round so 19-19 going into the third.

    Third round:  Medeiros with aleft.  Medeiros landing jabs.  Right by Medeiros.  Another jab by Medeiros.  Makdessi back with a low kick.  Medeiros with a right. Spin kick to the body by Makdessi.  Body kick by Medeiros but he was momentarily tripped.  Low kick by Makdessi.  Medeiros  landing the jab.  Right by Makdessi.  Makdessi with a side kick.  Big right by Makdessi .  Makdessi landing shots but Medeiros knocked him down.  Very close, Medeiros was winning the round early, Makdesssi was really coming on late but that knockdown may have been the difference.  All three rounds close.  Medeiros 29-28.

    Scores:   29-28 Medeiros 29-28 Makdessi 29-28 Medeiros

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOE PROCTOR (11-3, 4-2 UFC) VS. MAGOMED MUSTAFAEV (12-1, 1-0 UFC)

    Magomed Mustafaev (12-1) vs. Joe Proctor (11-3), lw

    First round:  Mustafaev moving forward.  Proctor with a low kick.  Proctor in with punches.  Mustafaev with punches.  Body kick by Mustafaev.  Body kick and punches by Mustafaev.  Hard knees by Mustafaev.  Hard knees by Mustafaev and another knee put him down and its’ over.  Proctor’s a tough guy so Mustafaev is clearly legit.  1:54

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- LEONARDO SANTOS (14-3-1, 3-0-1 UFC) VS. KEVIN LEE (11-1, 4-1 UFC)

    First round:  Hard body kick by Alves, Knee to the body by Alves.   Covington took him down.  Alves grabbed a guillotine, Covington power bombed him, in, but Alves held on and Covington tapped out.

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#5) TECIA TORRES (6-0, 2-0 UFC) VS. JOCELYN JONES-LYBARGER (6-1, 0-0 UFC)

    First round:    Huge size difference here.  Lybarger much taller and larger.  Torres landed some punches.   Nice combo by Torres.  Left to the jaw by Jones.  Right by Jones.  Torres now landed.  Torres trying for a takedown.    Torres 10-9.

    Second round:  Crowd starting to boo as Jones has Torres pressed against the fence.  Now Torres reversed the position.  Body kick by Jones.  She’s again pressing Torres against the fence.  Torres landing punches.  Joes went for a takedown but Torres landed on top and is throwing punches on the ground. Now she’s landing elbows.  Torres landing hard punches from the top late in the round. Crowd gave Torres a big hand.  20-18 Torres.

    Third round:   Torres landed some punches.  Body kick by Jones as she moved in.  Nice right hook by Torres.  Torres  now landing several punches.  She’s turning it on.  Torres with hard punches.  Now Jones landed a solid right.  Head kick by Torres.  Crowd really liked this fight.  They raised each others’ arms when it was over.  The crowd took to Torres.  Torres 30-27.  Pretty much has to be that score unless you do a 10-8 second round which is possible.

    Scores:   All three have it 30-27 for Torres.

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#4) URIJAH FABER (32-8, 8-4 UFC) VS. (#13) FRANKIE SAENZ (11-2, 3-0 UFC)

    First round:  Trading low kicks.  Faber out fast, landed a right and took him down.  Faber tried another takedown but Saenz ended up on top.  Faber threw a right but it was blocked.  Seanz missed pnches.  Faber ducked for a takedown but Saenz out of the way.  Faber with a left and low kick.  Saenz back with an elbow and Faber with an elbow.  Seanz with a low kick.  Faber wih a knee.  Faber failed on a takedown attempt but back up. Saenz landed good shots.  Body kick by Saenz.  Faber failed on a takedown attempt. But he hit an elbow.  Saenz missed a knee.  Body kick by Saenz.  Faber 10-9.

    Second round:   Body kick by Faber.  Faber landing a ton of elbow and has Saenz in trouble.  He’s hurting him with elbows.  Saenz surviving some huge right and left elbows.  Faber with a hip toss into side control.  Saenz reversed to the top.  This is a great fight.  Crowd gave both a huge  hand.  Saenz swept his leg and Faber went down.  Body kick and punch by  Saenz.  Saenz with a punch and low kick.  Right by Saenz.  Low kick by Saenz and another.  Faber  went for a takedown but Saenz blocked.  Faber 20-18 because of the opening flurry but it was Saenz the last half of the round.

    Third round:  God low kick by Saenz.  Body kick by Faber.  Body kick by Saenz.  Left and right by Faber.  Knee by Saenz and another knee.  Saenz going for a takedown.  Faber blocking.  Trading knees from a clinch.  Elbow by Faber.  Faber with a punch but Saenz fired back.  Saenz with a  right.  Low kick by Saenz.  Big right by Faber.  Left by  Faber.  Body kick by Saenz.  Faber took him down.    Saenz back up.  Another takedown by Faber.  Crowd gave both a big hand.  Really good fight.  Close round but I gave it to Saenz, 29-28 Faber.

    Scores:  29-28, 29-28 30-27 Faber.  Everyone cheered the decision.  I thought they’d boo it just because of how much heart Saenz showed.

    Faber said he was going after the belt because at the end of the story the good guy wins and that’s me.  Rogan said you mean against TJ Dillashaw and Faber said Dillashaw or Dominick Cruz.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#5) MAX HOLLOWAY (14-3, 10-3 UFC) VS. (#8) JEREMY STEPHENS (24-11, 11-10 UFC)

    First round:  Both missing punches.  Super hot crowd anyway.  Slow open.  Both continue to miss punches.  Holloway landed a punch.  Stephens with a low kick.  Holloway with a body kick.  Body kick by Holloway.  Stephens with a low kick.  Holloway missed a punch and Stephens got behind him momentarily.   Very close because little happened.  Holloway 10-9.

    Second round:  Holloway tried a spin kick to the body but Stephens blocked it.  Crowd is quiet.  Stephens going for a takedown.  Body punch and uppercut by Stephens. Low kick by Stephens.  Holloway with a right.  Stephens landed a right.  Right by Holloway.  Stephens again working for a takedown and can’t get it.  Low kick by Stephens.  Very close round again.  Stephens, so 19-19 after two.

    Third round:  Holloway took him down.  Holloway got behind him, throwing punches and working for a choke.  Stephens out of trouble but Holloway is on top.  Holloway with an elbow.  He got Stephens’ back again and is working for a choke.  Stephens back up.  Stephens landed  some punches.  Low kick by Stephens.  Holloway with a left.  Stephens landed two punches and went for a takedown .  Holloway blocking.  Spinning elbow by Holloway.  Holloway got the takedown.  Stephens swinging wildly  but mostly missing.  Both threw at the fight ended.  Holloway 29-28, but this is another close one.

    Scores 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 for Holloway

    Holloway challenged McGregor  at Croke Park and challenged Aldo as well.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- (#6) DEMIAN MAIA (21-6, 15-6 UFC) VS. (#12) GUNNAR NELSON (14-1-1, 5-1 UFC)

    First round:  Nelson got the takedown.  Maia back up.  Everyone wanted a Tokoro match on the ground here.  Maia went for a takedown  and Nelson tried to get his neck.  Nelson now on top after a Maia takedown attempt.  Crowd going crazy for Nelson.  He trains in Ireland so he’s honorary Irish.  Maia has his back.  Maia throwing punches.  Maia moved to mount and is punching him.  Maia got his back.  Maia punching hard from back position as the Brazilians chanted “You’re gonna die.”  Maia punching from back position.  He’s got Nelson is a body triangle.  Maia working for an armbar.  Nelson escaped and on top.  The place went nuts for that reversal.  The place is going crazy for a grappling match.  It’s awesome.  Maia 10-9.

    Second round:   Both landed punches.  Maia with a takedown and Nelson reversed .  Maia now behind him.  Maia has his back again.  Maia is in the piggy back position with a body triangle.  Maia throwing punches from that position.  Nelson reversed to the top.  Maia reversed to the top.  Maia landing elbows.  Maia 20-18.

    Third round:  Maia took him down monentarily.  Nelson trying for a guillotine.   Maia out of it.  Maia with punches and elbows from the top.  Maia with elbows.  Maia is working for a choke but he can’t get the arm under the chin.  Maia gave it up to throw punches.  Nelson reversed to the top with 15 seconds left.  The crowd liked it and the two guys hugged.  Maia easily 30-27.

    Scores:   30-26, 30-25 and 30-25.

    Maia challenged the Lawler vs. Condit winner. 

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- (#2) RONALDO SOUZA (22-3 1 NC, 5-0 UFC) VS. (#3) YOEL ROMERO (10-1, 6-0 UFC)

    First round:    Romero came into the ring and did a roundoff.  He’s an athlete at a completely different level from almost anyone in this sport and a lot of others.  Traded body kicks.  Nice right by Souza.  Souza moving forward.  Body kick by Souza.  Left to the body by Souza.  Romero threw a kick but it was checked.  Romero landed  a hard left.  Spinning  punch by Romero decked Souza.  Romero throwing punches from the top.  Romero starting to land good punches on the ground.  He’s really weary, however.  Romero with punches and elbows.  Romero just got out of trouble and more punches. Romero with hard elbows.  Souza went for an armbar.  Romero  got out and got his back and punching.  10-8 Romero

    Second round:  Body kick by Romero.  Left by Romero.  Souza went for a takedown.  Romero totally holding onto the fence but Souza got him down and  Romero reversed.  The ref should have called a penalty point for that one.  It was too long and too flagrant.  Body shot by Souza.  Body kick by Romero.  Body kick by Souza.  Souza landed a right.  Romero looks shaky.  Body kick by Romero.  Body kick by Souza.  Body kick by Romero.  Souza’s round 19-18 Romero after two.

    Third round:  Body kick by Souza.  Low kick by Souza.  Souza missed a kick.  Front kick and left by Romero.  Souza tried a takedown.  He couldn’t get it.  Hard left by Romero.  Body kick by Souza.  Souza landed some good shots.   He’s got Romero hurt and took him down.  Souza landign punches on the ground.  He’s working for ahead and arm choke.  Souza with some elbows and punches.  Romero back up.  Souza’s round so I’ve got 28-28, but if not a 10-8 first then it’s Souza’s fight.

    The two hugged after the match and both posed with a “Jesus”  flag.

    Scores:  29-27 Romero, 29-28 Souza 29-28 Romero.  I don’t agree with that decision in the sense Souza won rounds two and three.   

    UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) CHRIS WEIDMAN (13-0, 9-0 UFC) VS. (#1) LUKE ROCKHOLD (14-2, 4-1 UFC)

    First round:  Weidman got a huge positive reaction but no boos for Rockhold.  Crowd going nuts and stomping before the match even started.  Trading low kicks.  Chris jumped on his back right away and got in piggy back position.  Rockhold tried to throw him off but Weidman staying out of a bad position.  Rockhold has him against the cage.  Right by Weidman and he got the takedown.  Rockhold back  up.  Loud let’s go Weidman chant.  Elbow by Weidman.  Another takedown by Weidman.  Rockhold had a guillotine.  Weidman motioned like he’s got nothing on it.  Herb Dean called a standup.  Weird to stand up from there.  Hard body kick by Rockhold.  Weidman took him down.  Rockhold reversed and got another guillotine.  Close round.  Rockhold 10-9.

    Second round:  Rockhold landing punches.  Hard body kick by Rockhold. .  Weidman with a body kick.  Both missed punches.  Hard body kick by Weidmnan.  Head kick by Rockhold.  Low kick by Rockhold.  Weidnan went for a takedown but Rockhold blocked and landed a body kick.  Hard body kick by Rockhold. Weidman went for a takedown but Rockhold blocked and landed a body kick hard.  Hard body kick by Rockhold.  Another body kick by Rockhold.  Weidman missed a kick.  Rockhold with a right.  Left by Weidamn.  Hook kick by Rockhold just missed.  High kick by Rockhold. Big right by Rockhold.  Best punch of the fight.  Right by Rockhold.  Left by Rockhold.  Body shot by Rockhold.  Weidman with a right.  Body kick by Wiedman. Body kick by Rockhold. Weidman with low kicks.  Rockhold slipped a punch and landed a right.  Low kick by Rockhold.  Body kick by Weidman hurt him.  Rockhold with a left.  Rockhold 20-18.

    Third round:  Body kick by Weidman.  Body kick by Rockhold.  Body kick by Weidman.  Weidman wants a takedown.  Rockhold blocked him.  Two body kick by Weidmann.  Hard left by Weidman and he got the takedown.   Rockhold back up.  Rockhold with a left,  a body kick and a low kick.  Another left by Rockhold.  Body kick by Weidman.  Left and right by Rockhold.  Body kick by Weidman.  Another body kick by Weidman.  Both guys are really tired at this point, slower and more measured.  Hard kick by Weidman.  Weidman missed a wheel kick and Rockhold took him down and got his back.  Rockhold has full mount.  Rockhold punching  and elbows.  Rockhold landing a lot of punches now.  Weidman is in big trouble.   Rockhold dropping a ton of punches and elbows.  Rockhold is killing him with punches.  It really should have been stopped.  Rockhold 10-8 round for sure, I’ve got 30-26.  That should have been stopped and I don’t know if Weidman is getting up from that.

    Fourth round:  Weidman answered the bell.  Body kick by Rockhold.  He tried for a takedown but Weidman blocked it.  Rockhold got him down.  Weidman has several cuts.  Rockhold landing punches.  Rockhold on top throwing punches again.  Herb Dean stopped it and Rockhold is the new champion.  3:12

    Rogan with Luke Rockhold.  “It’s hard to describe.  I can’t believe this is real.”

    Rogan with Chris:  He says this was Luke’s night, at the end of the the day I’ve got a beautiful family, fans love me, I’ll be back.  He said the spin kick wasn’t the smartest move, I wanted to give everything I had, all I can do is work hard.   

    UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – (C) JOSE ALDO (25-1, 7-0 UFC) VS. (IC) CONOR MCGREGOR (18-2, 6-0 UFC)

    First round:  McGregor landed a left and side kick. McGregor knocked him out in seconds.  Aldo went for a left as did McGregor, McGregor landed perfectly on the jaw and Aldo went down.  Aldo is in tears.  :13

  • UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-ins from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will hit the scale at 6 PM eastern time. The card airs on Saturday with the main card on pay-per-view at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading over to FS1 on 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary bouts. This event concludes the biggest week in UFC history.

    The event will be headlined by two title bouts, and two of the biggest fights of the year. UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo will finally step foot inside the Octagon across from Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor in a bout that has been brewing for over a year. In the co-main event it will be UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman putting the title and his undefeated record on the line against the number one contender, Luke Rockhold. The main card also features a first in UFC history as every fighter on the main card has previously headlined a UFC event.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):
    Jose Aldo (145) vs. Conor McGregor (145) – UFC Featherweight Championship
    Chris Weidman (185) vs. Luke Rockhold (185) – UFC Middleweight Championship
    Ronaldo Souza (186) vs. Yoel Romero (185)
    Demian Maia (170) vs. Gunnar Nelson (170)
    Max Holloway (146) vs. Jeremy Stephens (145)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):
    Urijah Faber (136) vs. Frankie Saenz (135)
    Tecia Torres (116) vs. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (116)
    Warlley Alves (171) vs. Colby Covington (170)
    Leonardo Santos (156) vs. Kevin Lee (156)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT):
    Joe Proctor (155.5) vs. Magomed Mustafaev (155)
    John Makdessi (156) vs. Yancy Medeiros (155.5)
    Court McGee (170) vs. Marcio Alexandre Jr. (171)

    *Over 9,000 in attendance at the MGM Grand for the weigh-ins.
    *Loud reaction for Conor McGregor and loud boos for Jose Aldo. Dana White had to keep them apart at the staredown.
    *Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold had quite a bit of trash talk during their staredown.
    *Urijah Faber got a huge reaction from the crowd based on coaching opposite of Conor McGregor on the most recent season of TUF.

  • UFC 194 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions

    The biggest show of the year ends the UFC’s biggest year on pay-per-view and marks the end of three straight nights of action in Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the UFC. UFC 194 takes place on Saturday night with two title fights headlining one of the deepest cards in company history. The main card comes your way on pay-per-view at 10 PM eastern time following preliminary card action starting at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading to FS1 at 8 PM eastern time.

    The most-anticipated fight in UFC featherweight history finally takes place in the main event as long-time UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo takes on his rival, Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor, in a fight that has been over a year in the making. In the co-main event, we have a second title fight as UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman puts his undefeated record on the line in his title defense against the rightful top contender, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold. Also on the card are numerous ranked fighters including Urijah Faber, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Max Holloway, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia, Jeremy Stephens and Yoel Romero. Let’s take a deeper look into this amazing card as we bring you five storylines to keep your eye on at UFC 194 on Saturday night.

    1. Can Conor McGregor dethrone Jose Aldo’s reign as the king of the featherweight division?

    The fight that has been over a year in the making is finally here after a big false start. The one that all of the fans have been talking about, waiting for, clamoring for. You can argue all you want about whether this is the biggest fight in UFC history, and while it may not be at the very top, it certainly is among the biggest fights in UFC history. It is definitely the biggest fight in the history of the featherweight division, a division that has been dominated since 2009 by UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Many have challenged Aldo, some have taken him to the limit, but 18 straight men have fallen victim to him one way or another. Nine straight of those fallen men have come in challenging him for the gold. Through it all, there has been one man wanting, willing, needing to take that championship away from Aldo for good, and he has gotten there by putting down 14 straight men who have been put in his path for gold. That man is Irish superstar Conor McGregor.

    After over a year of hype, these two men will finally step foot inside the Octagon across from each other on Saturday night in the UFC 194 main event. When Herb Dean says “let’s fight”, it will finally be on. They were supposed to meet at UFC 189 in July, but Aldo pulled out of the fight two weeks before due to a rib injury. It wasn’t the rib injury that kept him from actually fighting, but it would have likely prevented Aldo from making weight, thus forcing him to pull out. McGregor used this for more ammunition against Aldo, but he was still put with one final task laid out in front of him in the form of Chad Mendes on that July 11 night. No matter the circumstances surrounding how little preparation Mendes had, he still came to fight and controlled the first eight minutes of the fight. McGregor was in positions he had never been in, but he maintained his composure and still did fine work. Mendes gassed out in the second round, and McGregor felt that and finished him in the second round to win the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship.

    McGregor is going to have the size advantage over Aldo, with two inches in height and four inches in reach. Aldo is one of the absolute best fighters in the world and has been for a long, long time. He does only have three wins by finish since winning the championship, and one was due to his opponent blowing out his shoulder. He lands a lot of kicks, and he will look to exploit that against McGregor. McGregor will likely let him kick, allowing Aldo some confidence, all while trying to land a counterpunch. Aldo can get hit with counters, and McGregor has some of the best striking in the division. McGregor lands a lot of punches, but he does tend to eat a lot of punches as well. He has shown he has a chin, eating some big right hands from Mendes. Aldo’s ability to vary his strikes between his hands, kicks and knees will play a big factor. Aldo may also go for a takedown, and McGregor can be taken down. Both are effective on the ground.

    There is going to be a lot of emotion in this battle. It has been building for a long time. No matter what each may say, they are in the head of each other. Aldo may shrug it off, but he clearly gets more affected by things than McGregor does. There have been rumors that Aldo may be done after this fight, but he has denied that, though any time those talks creep in, you have to worry about mindset. If we are talking about what is best for business, obviously a McGregor win would be huge. He is a superstar whether you like him or not. Everyone has a differing opinion, but the people react to him like he is somebody. His antics, the mouth, the way he is has gotten him the attention, but his fighting has backed it up. It is his chance to put that gold around his waist for good. To do it, he is going to have to beat the best. As they say, to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.

    2. Is this just the first fight in what could be a heated rivalry between Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold?

    UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman is undefeated in his career, and he did something that Conor McGregor is attempting to do, and that is beat the long-time king of his division. Weidman scored a stunning knockout over Anderson Silva at UFC 162 in July 2013 to become the champion at 185 pounds. He defended the title over Silva in a rematch five months later, had a classic battle in winning a decision over Lyoto Machida in July 2014, and, most recently, scored a convincing stoppage of Vitor Belfort at UFC 187 in May. Injuries have slowed Weidman from being an active champion as this is only his seventh fight since the calendar turned to the year 2012. At 13-0, Weidman is on the way to being an all-time great, and all-time greats often have a defined career rival. Weidman may have found his in Luke Rockhold.

    Rockhold has earned his title opportunity on the heels of four straight stoppage wins, scoring wins over Machida, Michael Bisping, Tim Boetsch and Costas Philippou. He is a former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and has won 13 of his last 14 fights, with the lone blemish being to a TRT-ridden Belfort. He is the second best fighter at 185 pounds behind Weidman, and may be the man that can turn Weidman’s loss column from zero to one. These two are closely matched and extremely well-rounded. Weidman has a lot of power and can end a fight with one punch, and he has strong wrestling to back it up, with good top position and underrated submissions. Rockhold is a pressure fighter and moves well on his feet, has good takedown defense, and can fight on the ground and off of his back as well. Rockhold has better conditioning of the two.

    When it comes to that conditioning, Rockhold is a fighter that cuts a lot of weight. He is a huge middleweight. Weidman is a huge middleweight as well, but he approached this fight differently in being the lightest of his career. He weighed 192 pounds weeks away from the fight, and doesn’t have to do that huge cut he normally does. It should help his conditioning, and that is something that will be needed. Rockhold is going to push the pace with his aggressiveness, and it will be Weidman’s toughest fight to date. It will also be Rockhold’s toughest fight to date. These two men are so evenly matched that if they fought 20 times, they’d probably each win ten. Both have very few weaknesses. In what will likely be the first of many battles, I see Rockhold’s footwork and defense being the key difference in this one. It may get the best of Weidman this time, but they are on their way to being career rivals, and this likely won’t be the last time they fight.

    3. Who finds themselves as the next contender at 185 pounds when Ronaldo Souza and Yoel Romero square off?

    In a fight that has been brewing for quite some time, middleweights Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Yoel Romero will finally fight after seeing prior bookings between the two being cancelled twice due to injuries to both men. Since the two were originally scheduled to meet in February at UFC 184, they have each fought once. Souza scored a submission win over Chris Camozzi in April after Camozzi replaced Romero, who pulled out due to injury. Romero had the bigger win in scoring a super impressive knockout win over Lyoto Machida in June. Both have firmly established themselves as the top two men at 185 pounds behind Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold, and UFC 194 on Saturday night is being set up as a mini-tournament at middleweight, with the winner of both fights likely to square off next barring the need for a rematch between the Weidman and Rockhold winner.

    Both men have some age on them, with Souza being 36 and Romero being 38, and this may be the last time either man has the chance to secure a title shot. They both have decorated backgrounds from where they came from. Souza is a world champion in jiu-jitsu, and Romero is an Olympic medalist in wrestling. Both men have muscular frames, though recent pictures have shown Souza has lost a little bit of size, whether it be due to drug testing or to the elimination of IV’s. When it comes to the fight, Romero is more explosive and has better movement on the feet. The grappling battle will probably be negated as both have strengths, but in the event it goes down, the submission game belongs to Souza. This is a big toss-up but I do see Romero’s power, his ability to pressure a fight and win in the clinch, where Souza struggles, being the different in edging a close decision.

    4. Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson have an interesting battle in front of them. Who takes it?

    A big way to tell how stacked this card is the placement of a welterweight bout between Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson. This could main event a lot of Fight Night cards but is finding itself on the biggest card of the year in what should be a very competitive grappling battle. Maia’s grappling credentials are well-known and he has won three straight fights heading into UFC 194 on Saturday. Nelson is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with a 14-1-1 record, and 13 wins by stoppage, with ten coming by submission. He is an excellent striker with a background in karate and is very adept at closing the distance. Training alongside Conor McGregor has him fully prepared for a striking battle, and his grappling experience has him primed for a ground battle.

    This is going to be an interesting battle between two grappling wizards. Maia is the better wrestler of the two, and Nelson is the better striker of the two. Maia works excellently from the top and Nelson works well both on top and bottom. Nelson has better ground-and-pound and is more aggressive than Maia when he has opponents on their backs. Nelson closes well on his feet and has some big power in his hands, but he does leave his hands down and opens himself up for counterstrikes. Maia is not someone who will knockout Nelson, but he will use his boxing to set up the trips and takedowns. This is a tough fight to call and an interesting one to boot. It could turn into a boring and methodical affair, though, and if one makes a mistake, the other will exploit it. I lean toward favoring Nelson due to his striking in what will be a close contest.

    5. Is this the best card of all time?

    UFC 194 is the card of the year, and it may very well be the best card of all time. All ten of the main card competitors are ranked inside the top 12 of their respective divisions, and we have a handful of ranked fighters competing on the preliminary card. Rounding out the main card is an excellent featherweight bout between Max Holloway and Jeremy Stephens. Holloway has been on quite the rise at 145 pounds, having won seven straight fights to make himself a legitmate title contender. He gets another tough opponent in Stephens, who has vicious knockout power and is coming off a knockout win over Dennis Bermudez in one of the best fights of 2015 at UFC 189 in July.

    Urijah Faber headlines the preliminary card, moving back down to 135 pounds and taking on Frankie Saenz, winner of seven straight fights. While not the highest-profile bout for Faber, he has two straight wins at 135 pounds, and finds himself on a collision course for a fight against former teammate T.J. Dillashaw. If Faber and Dillashaw both win their fights, that is expected to be the next title fight at 135 pounds. In women’s strawweight action, undefeated Tecia Torres takes on RFA champion Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, making her UFC debut on short notice as an injury replacement for Michelle Waterson. The card also features three former “TUF” winners. Warlley Alves puts his undefeated record on the line against another undefeated fighter, Colby Covington. Leonardo Santos takes on rising lightweight Kevin Lee, who has won four straight fights. Finally, Court McGee returns from a two-year layoff to take on Marcio Alexandre Jr. This is a deep card with a lot of fun fights on Saturday night.

    Full UFC 194 Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictions

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    UFC Featherweight Championship: (C) Jose Aldo vs. (IC) Conor McGregor
    Betting Odds:     Aldo (-105), McGregor (-115)
    Prediction: McGregor by knockout in round 3

    UFC Middleweight Championship: (C) Chris Weidman vs. (#1) Luke Rockhold
    Betting Odds:     Weidman (-135), Rockhold (+115)
    Prediction: Rockhold by decision

    Middleweights: (#2) Ronaldo Souza vs. (#3) Yoel Romero
    Betting Odds:     Souza (-150), Romero (+130)
    Prediction: Romero by decision

    Welterweights: (#6) Demian Maia vs. (#12) Gunnar Nelson
    Betting Odds:     Maia (-115), Nelson (-105)
    Prediction: Nelson by decision

    Featherweights: (#5) Max Holloway vs. (#8) Jeremy Stephens
    Betting Odds:     Holloway (-550), Stephens (+425)
    Prediction: Holloway by decision

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    Bantamweights: (#4) Urijah Faber vs. (#13) Frankie Saenz
    Betting Odds:     Faber (-750), Saena (+525)
    Prediction: Faber by submission in round 2

    Women’s Strawweights: (#5) Tecia Torres vs. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger
    Betting Odds:     Torres (-300), Jones-Lybarger (+250)
    Prediction: Torres by decision

    Welterweights: Warlley Alves vs. Colby Covington
    Betting Odds:     Alves (+100), Covington (-120)
    Prediction: Alves by decision

    Lightweights: Leonardo Santos vs. Kevin Lee
    Betting Odds:     Santos (+500), Lee (-700)
    Prediction: Lee by knockout in round 3

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    Lightweights: Joe Proctor vs. Magomed Mustafaev
    Betting Odds:     Proctor (+305), Mustafaev (-365)
    Prediction: Mustafaev by decision

    Lightweights: John Makdessi vs. Yancy Medeiros
    Betting Odds:     Makdessi (-165), Medeiros (+145)
    Prediction: Medeiros by decision

    Welterweights: Court McGee vs. Marcio Alexandre Jr.
    Betting Odds:     McGee (-175), Alexandre Jr. (+155)
    Prediction: McGee by submission in round 2

  • UFC 194 McGregor vs. Aldo conference call audio

    UFC 194 is shaping up to be a pretty bad-ass event and the build toward the biggest week in UFC history has officially begun.

    On Wednesday, the four combatants on the show were on a media call to help promote the fight and while there weren’t any major fireworks, there were a couple great quotes. 

    Enjoy an hour with featherweight champion Jose Aldo, interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor, middleweight champion Chris Weidman and #1 contender Luke Rockhold talk about their fights, their challengers, their feelings, inside jokes, training, and more. 

    Of note, McGregor is claiming he will beat Aldo for the 145-pound title and then will move onto face the winner of the December lightweight title bout with champion Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone to become a two-division champion. There was also a little bit of tension between Weidman and Rockhold, a criminally underappreciated bout between two studs in their prime.

    Enjoy!

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