The MMA Update for June 4th, 2007
Written by Chris Howie
Intro
So, the weekend is over and with it the K-1/EliteXC and WEC shows are over as well. Both shows had their highs and lows and at the end of the day weren't bad overall. Lets get to the updates and see what happened.
K-1/EliteXC Dynamite USA Results
-Gesias Calvancanti def. Nam Phan via TKO (strikes) at 0:26 of Round 1.
-Katsuhiko Nagata def. Isaiah Hill via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) after 3 Rounds.
-Jonathan Wiezorek def. Tim Persey via TKO (strikes) at 0:50 of Round 2.
-Jake Shields def. Ido Pariente via Submission (rear naked choke) at 2:06 of Round 1.
-Bernard Ackah def. Johnnie Morton via KO (punch) at 0:38 of Round 1.
-Mighty Mo def. Ruben Villareal via KO (punches) in Round 1.
-Yoon Dong Sik def. Melvin Manhoef via Submission (armbar) in Round 1.
-Hideo Tokoro def. Brad Pickett via Submission (armbar) in Round 1.
-Royce Gracie def. Kazushi Sakuraba via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after 3 Rounds.
-Brock Lesnar def. Min Soo Kim via Submission (strikes) in Round 1.
Now this show wasn't that bad at all. A lot of people have had varying opinions but I think it was fairly decent. My one complaint would have to be the LONG and drawn out time in between fights along with ten minutes for EACH fighter to get down to the ring. I wanted to pull my f***ing hair out waiting for fights to start. Once they finally did start the fights were overall worth a watch. Jake Shields made quick work of his opponent showcasing his ground game, the Gracie vs. Sakuraba rematch had its' high and low points but if nothing else was good for nostalgia reasons. Fans who have not seen their first fight may not appreciate this one as much but it's still a good watch. Lesnar came in and kicked the shit out of his opponent in what was a completely one-sided affair and did nothing to really show how good Lesnar really can be. I look forward to seeing him in there against some stiffer competition.
The entertainment value of this show really wasn't all that great. It was boring at time and when fights actually did happen some were nothing special at all. Here's hoping that K-1's next venture into the U.S. market goes a little better.
WEC 28: WrekCage Results
-Jeff Bedard def. Mike French via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Brian Bowles def. Charlie Valencia via Submission (rear naked choke) at 2:50 of Round 2.
-Cub Swanson def. Micah Miller via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds.
-John Alessio def. Alex Serdyukov via Submission (guillotine choke) at 1:17 of Round 1.
-Brock Larson def. Kevin Knabjan via TKO (strikes) at 0:27 of Round 1.
-Brian Stann def. Craig Zellner via TKO (strikes) at 4:57 of Round 1.
-Alex Karalexis def. Josh Smith via Majority Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Rani Yahya def. Mark Hominick via Submission (rear naked choke) at 1:19 of Round 1.
-Urijah Faber def. Chance Farrar via Submission (rear naked choke) at 3:19 of Round 1.
I was lucky enough last night to be channel surfing when I got in and noticed that this show was on TSN in Canada. “f***ing sweet”, I thought to myself. Start to finish this was a good show. The fights entertained and the production was really well done. Frank Mir on commentary really added to the show because he brings a good knowledge of the sport to the table. I really enjoyed the Karalexis and Smith fight. Those two gave it their all from bell to bell and Karalexis earned the deserved decision despite his face being pretty beat up. Urijah Faber continues to show why he owns the North American featherweight division. This guy has been on a 15 fight win streak and shows time and time again why he is the man. Overall this show did not have the name value of a Royce Gracie or a Sakuraba but was much more entertaining than the K-1 show.
Evan Tanner to Make Return to UFC in September?
According to the Chute Boxe USA website this is in fact the case. If it is true than I really look forward to see Evan get back in the Octagon and make a run for the Middleweight title. Evan has always been one of the best middleweights and always puts on a good show. With him training with Chute Boxe his Thai skills could become polished enough to become a champ again.
Chuck Liddell Confirms Next Fight to be with Wanderlei Silva
I'm not surprised about this. Over the weekend Liddell confirmed his next fight would be against the Axe Murderer. No matter what anyone said I assumed that with his loss to Rampage the UFC brass was going to make this fight happened. Sure Wanderlei has lost his last two fights and has said that he plans on taking the rest of 2007 off but EVERYONE and their dog has been waiting for this fight for a long, long time and I don't care what Wanderlei says, if this fight is to happen in 2007 he'll be in the gym getting ready. No date has been announced for it but I doubt it will be in 2008, if I had to guess I'd say it happens in the fall or at the end of the year.
Rumored Frank Mir vs. Tim Sylvia Match for UFC 74 Off the Card
According to Sam Caplan over at www.fiveouncesofpain.com this fight has been removed from the card. NSAC executive director Keith Kizer apparently had no intentions of approving this fight to happen. Since Mir was KO'd early in his last fight at UFC 65 against Brandon Vera, Kizer wants to see his next fight be against someone who isn't the caliber of Tim “The Maineac” Sylvia. THE CALIBER OF SYLVIA. WHAT…..THE….f***?!
Mir has beaten Tim before and in the process of winning, broke the then Heavyweight champion's arm. Mir would away walk from the fight with the championship. A motorcycle accident would cause Mir to give up the title and sideline him for a year and a half and since his return he has been a shadow of his former self. I can see the NSAC's reasoning but I do believe that Mir is worthy enough to be in the Octagon with the the big man. Both fighters have something to prove and Sylvia has wanted a rematch with Mir ever since their first fight.
MMANews.com's Weekly Awards
Fighter of the Week – Urijah Faber – Faber had another big win against Chance Farrer this week to extend his win streak to 15 and his record now stands at 19-1.
Fight of the Week – Alex Karalexis vs. Josh Smith – This was a great fight from bell to bell with some serious action throughout. Worth checking out If you get a chance.
f*** You of the Week – Dennis Rodman, f*** you. Why in the name of Christ do you think you could come into MMA?
Best Bang For Your Buck – WEC 28 – This was free. lol. But if was worth the time to sit down and watch. At 35 bucks the K-1 show wasn't worth the money but WEC was definitely the show of the weekend. And again, It was freeeeee.
Outro
Well, that's it for today. Remember to check back tomorrow for the Tuesday edition. I still haven't recieved any questions in the mail bag so no mail bag questions today. Send any questions to [email protected] and hopefully I can get some and have them for tomorrow.
Also, make sure to check in tomorrow for exclusive interviews with Rory “Outburst” Singer, Strikeforce Middleweight Cung Le and whoever Scott from the forums comes up with this week.
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