Why am I up at 6AM to watch UFC? I’m not exactly sure. This is the first ever UFC event in China and while Cung Le isn’t Chinese, I guess he is the closest thing the UFC has to someone who channels Bruce Lee’s spirit.
1. Jeff Hougland vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Mizugaki escaped a submission attempt and ended up in the top position and was throwing wicked shots from the top, going for broke. Easily his round.
It was a very similar round to the first. It lasted on the feet longer and Mizugaki threw a nice right hand that seemed to stagger Hougland, but he may also have been playing possum because after looking like he was hurt, he came right back with a right hand of his own. Round was to Mizugaki again.
Mizugaki couldn’t put him away, but he dominated round. He busted Hougland open with an elbow from the top and continued to pound away. Mizugaki should win this unanimously.
Winner: Takeya Mizugaki by unanimous decision
One judge gave it to him 30-25. If you were a generous judge, I could see that. But Hougland wasn’t even close to being stopped.
2. Jon Tuck vs. Tiequan Zhang
The first round was excellent. Tuck secured an arm bar and rolled with it. Zhang rolled with him and then locked his legs over Tucks’ heads for an inverted triangle. Tuck didn’t have the arm anymore, but Zhang’s legs weren’t locked. Tuck then went for a rear naked choke. Tuck wins the first.
Zhang was doing well on the feet, but when they went back to the ground, it was all Tuck. Zhang looks tired too. Tuck had his back late in the round. My good friend Young Randall would do the dance of joy knowing Tuck’s nickname is Super Saiyan.
Tuck stayed away and played defense for the round and Zhang was winning on the feet. I have Tuck winning the first two rounds, but we’ve seen crazy scoring before. Should be Tuck’s fight.
Winner: Jon Tuck by way of unanimous decision
The scores were 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.
3. Mac Danzig vs. Takanori Gomi
Nice back and forth first round. Gomi got a nice takedown, but Danzig just looks a bit stronger and confident with his punches. It’s close, but I’d give it to Danzig.
The second round was Danzig’s. He was able to get a takedown and had Gomi in a guillotine, which wasn’t close to finishing Gomi. Gomi is being patient, but needs to pick it up.
Gomi landed a nice right that put Danzig on his rear end to start the round. Danzig tried a heel hook from the bottom, but Gomi grabbed his leg and put on what Kenny Florian described as a figure four foot lock. It looked similar to a Bret Hart Sharpshooter, or Edge’s submission move, the Edgecator (I had to look that one up. I’m not that big of a wrestling nerd.). They ended the round on their feet throwing one shot at the time, but neither could put together any combinations. I have Danzig winning 2-1.
Winner: Takanori Gomi by split decision
I would really like to know which other round Gomi was given. This show is in desperate need of a stoppage.
4. Paulo Thiago vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Kim worked Thiago’s back the entire round and secured a rear naked choke at the end of the round. If not for the bell, Kim may have finished him.
It ain’t pretty, but it’s effective. Kim worked the entire round and finally secured a D’Arce choke at the end of the round. Thiago might’ve been saved by the bell again.
Thiago had every right to just give up here, but he didn’t. Kim sat on his upper back, throwing annoying, but effective shots. He then got the top position and dropped some double axe handles on Thiago. That might’ve been my favorite part of the fight.
Winner: Dong Hyun Kim by way of unanimous decision
5. Stanislav Nedkov vs. Thiago Silva
Fairly close first round, but at least both of these dudes came out swinging. There’s a knockout bonus to be had!
Nedkov took a shot to the balls o start the round. And he threw a shot that nearly took Silva’s head off to end the round. This fight is probably 1-1.
Nedkov looks tired. Silva got a nice takedown and roughed him up on the ground. He secured a head and arm choke and it was over. We finally got a finish!
Winner: Thiago Silva by way of 3rd round submission
6. Cung Le vs. Rich Franklin
Just as I was about to write things like Cung Le looks terribly out of shape and I hope he doesn’t get killed, he throws a lead right hook and puts Rich Franklin’s lights out. Franklin went down like Chuck Liddell did in his last few fights. Scary.
Winner: Cung Le by 1st round TKO
