This has gone from a show with the UFC’s top draw, to an overlooked show that was overshadowed by the Randy Couture’s return and his upcoming fight with Brock Lesnar.
But it’s still Chuck Liddell and whenever Chuck fights, there’s excitement.
1. Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown
Matt’s nickname is Matt “The Immortal” Brown. He’s just waiting to be beat with that nickname. I guess “The Undefeated” Matt Brown was taken. Kim didn’t have a nickname unfortunately.
Kim got Brown’s back within the first 30 seconds of the fight and tried for the standing rear naked choke, but it was too early in the fight and Brown was too strong. Brown kept the pressure on him, but Kim was pretty savvy and has great body control.
The second round was pretty much all Matt Brown. He used his strength to control Kim, got him in a clinch, and then took him down and utilized his ground and pound.
Brown used his strength to push Kim around for much of the third, but Kim got him down and was throwing some vicious elbows, busting Brown open underneath his left eye to end the round.
Winner: Dong Hyun Kim by way of split decision
I told you that nickname was bad news.
2. Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt
Marquardt looks huge compared to Kampmann.
Marquardt was all over him from the start. He probably threw 50 punches to just a handful by Kampmann. Marquardt started the assault with a huge leg kick. He ended it with a a flurry against the cage before it was stopped.
Winner: Nate Marquardt by way of 1st round TKO.
3. Rousimar Palhares vs. Dan Henderson
Henderson stayed off the ground for nearly the entire round. He was getting the better of the striking and knocked Palhares down a couple times, but wouldn’t stay down with Palhares. Palhares took some good shots. Palhares tried for a leg lock right as the first round expired.
Palhares got a huge takedown and had Henderson in a heel hook, but Henderson got out of it. Henderson stuffed another takedown attempt and spent most of the rest of the round on top of Palhares.
Both guys were tired. Henderson kept it standing and Palhares seemed frustrated. Late in the round, Palhares got him down and locked onto his leg, but Henderson pulled it out. Palhares tried to bait him into coming onto the ground after getting hit with a right hand, but Henderson didn’t bite.
Winner: Dan Henderson by way of unanimous decision
4. Tim Boetsch vs. Michael Patt
Boetsch caught him with a straight right to the face and Patt went down. He followed it up with some ground and pound and it was over.
Winner: Tim Boetsch by way of 1st round TKO
5. Matt Hamill vs. Rich Franklin
Hamill caught Franklin early and cut him. Late in the round, Hamill got the takedown and started to pound on Franklin, but Franklin went for an armbar and then got up and hit a knee.
Very physical second round. Franklin’s cut is nasty. He hit Hamill with everything but the kitchen sink and Hamill kept coming. Franklin looks really strong. Franklin is trying to chop down the cherry tree.
Franklin kicked Hamill right to the ribs or the liver and Hamill went down like a sack of potatoes. He didn’t defend himself on the ground and the fight was stopped.
Winner: Rich Franklin by way of 3rd round TKO.
6. Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
Somewhere Liddell got hit underneath the eye and it’s cut. Evans stayed away from him the entire first round and the crowd was getting restless. Liddell pressed the action a bit, but Evans was keeping his distance. I have a bad feeling about this fight as far as the action is concerned.
Rashad Evans just shocked the world. He faked a left hand, threw an over the top right hand right when Chuck was throwing an uppercut and Chuck went out cold.
Winner: Rashad Evans by way of 2nd round TKO
7. Jason MacDonald vs. Jason Lambert
Lambert had a tight guillotine in and MacDonald held out for about 15 seconds until the end of the first round. Other than that, boring first round.
MacDonald caught him in a rear naked choke and body triangled him for the tap out.
Winner: Jason MacDonald by 2nd round submission
