Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker appeared with the Japanese Dream promoter. They both said they would like to continue to share fighters and to co-promote events. Scott Coker reiterated his interest in Shinya Aoki vs. Josh Thomson or Gilbert Melendez and Melvin Manhoef vs. Robbie Lawler.
Mousasi said he felt pressure performing in the US for the first time but his hard training paid off. He said he wanted to keep the fight standing but was ready to take the fight down if necessary. Mousasi said he wants to fight at 205 for 2-3 years, and then eventually move to heavyweight.
Melendez said he had to make some minor adjustments for Ishida from Josh Thomson, but that he felt very well prepared and the fight went as he expected.
Werdum said he felt too big in his last fight, and he trained to get smaller and quicker for this fight. He said he needs 7 days rest, and then he's ready for another fight. Werdum said he thought it was an awesome idea to focus on Cris Cyborg and Gina Carano, and that Cyborg looked great. Gilbert Melendez reiterated that sentiment and said the women attracted new fans bringing the other fighters added attention.
Scott Coker said he is confident Nick Diaz will be back shortly, hopefully before the end of the year. He said they will make Diaz vs. Hieron.
Cyborg said Carano was tough but she was ready for everything. She said she is aware of Erin Toughill and thinks she's a tough fighter, but said she'll fight Toughill like any other fighter. Cyborg said the fans were on Gina's side but she didn't feel alone because she had God and her team on her side. She said Carano can keep the title of the face of women's MMA because she has the 145 pound women's title.
Scott Coker said there will be tournaments on their challengers series to build fighters for more high profile fights or possible title shots.
That's it for the evening. Good night.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg
Round 1. Chants for “Gina” as the round begins. She gets a big time superstar reaction. Cyborg moves in with furious punches. Carano clinches and gains top position. Cyborg looks for a heel hook. Carano avoids that. Cyborg gains back and hammers the side of Carano’s head with punches. Carano stands back up. They trade, with Cyborg throwing bombs. They go to the ground, and Carano gains mount. She throws down from mount and the crowd explodes. Cyborg gets up and they clinch. Carano opens up with punches and Cyborg looks more tired. Cyborg fires back with a low kick and straight right, however. They are engaging in the standup with Cyborg moving forward and Carano countering. Cyborg lands a series of nice hooks. Carano fires back with some of her own. This is just a war. They clinch and Cyborg scores the takedown. Cyborg looks for the Americana and it looks like Carano might tap but Carano powers out. Cyborg lands some vicious punches at the end of the round and Carano is just hanging on at the end. The fight is stopped at the close of the round and Cyborg is the winner. That’s as exciting of a round of MMA as you’re ever going to see.
Sorry for the weird fonts from time to time tonight. Internet connection is really bad here.
Winner: Cris Cyborg, Round 1, TKO.
Official attendance: 13, 524.
Some fans didn't like the stoppage since it came at 4:59 of the first round, but if anything, it was late. Most of the crowd cheers Cyborg, and rightfully so given her performance.Sorry for the weird fonts from time to time tonight. Internet connection is really bad here.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Postfight Press Conference
Stay tuned for information on the press conference in a few minutes.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral
This fight was originally supposed to take place on August 1's Affliction Trilogy card. That show was cancelled, and the fight ended up being moved to Strikeforce. That move was not without controversy, as UFC accused Mousasi's manager from M1 Global of misrepresenting the offer they made him. That's a very serious breach of the manager's fiduciary duty if true.
Mousasi is one of the top 3 or so most accomplished MMA fighters never to have fought in the US. Babalu is a former UFC LHW title contender and a very dangerous ground fighter.
Round 1. Mousasi is pacing down Babalu. Babalu clinches, but Mousasi throws Babalu down and gains side control. That’s a very surprising development. Mousasi throws down furious punches and knocks Babalu out 1 minute into the fight. The camera catches Babalu staring blankly perfectly. Mousasi is the new Strikeforce 205 pound champion. Now that’s the way you make a first impression.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi, Round 1, KO.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida
This is a rematch of a fight in Japan. Ishida won the decision in that bout, although I had Melendez winning. It was a close fight. Melendez is the big crowd favorite here, with the crowd booing Ishida.
Round 1. Ishida shoots early but Melendez easily sprawls. Ishida lands a straight left and throws a high kick that’s blocked. Ishida shoots and Melendez defends easily. This crowd is quick to boo. Melendez moves in with some loopy punches that are defended by Ishida. Melendez looks very confident. Melendez catches Ishida with a punch moving in. Ishida grabs a single leg. Melendez defends very well but Ishida eventually gets him down in the corner of the cage and grabs his back. Melendez reverses out and takes Ishida down to big cheers. Ishida tries to lock up a guillotine but doesn’t come close. Melendez isn’t able to do anything with top position as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Melendez.
Round 2. Melendez moves in looking to establish the jab. Ishida shoots. Melendez blocks and moves him against the cage. Melendez lands some punches and Ishida is bleeding from the ear. He hits some quality punches on Ishida near the cage and Ishida makes a desperation shot. Melendez blocks and takes down Ishida, but Ishida stands back up. Melendez throws a nice series of knees to the body. Melendez with some nice hooks that again look to have Ishida in trouble, but Ishida fires back. Ishida throws a high kick that’s blocked and Melendez fires down a punch as the round comes to a close. Melendez looks tremendous here. 10-9 Melendez, 20-18 Melendez.
Round 3. The crowd chants for Gilbert as the round begins. Melendez throws a series of left/right combinations but isn't able to do damage. However, he does land a hook that drops Ishida and he moves with a flurry on the ground trying to end the fight. Ishida is fine and Melendez slows down the attack. Melendez mounts and fires a series of punches until Herb Dean steps in and stops the fight. The crowd explodes. Great performance by Melendez, who is a tremendous fighter and doesn't perhaps get the credit he deserves for that.
Winner: Gilbert Melendez, Round 3, TKO.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Kyle
Nick Diaz is heavily featured in the pre-show video package. The crowd reacts big to the Cyborg-Carano fight, with Carano getting heavy cheers and Cyborg getting heavy boos.
Werdum is a highly respected BJJ expert and one of the top heayvweight fighters in the world. Kyle is a controversial heavyweight striker who has been charged with an assortment of rules violations over the years. Werdum looks in much better shape than he did for his last fight in the UFC, a loss to Junior Dos Santos.
Round 1. Yuji Shimada is the referee. He does the old rules introduction like in Pride, “no attack groin.” Kyle comes swinging heavy early. He catches a Werdum low kick and looks to land a punch but can’t. Kyle with a left/right combination that looks to give Werdum trouble, but Werdum takes him down. Kyle goes for an armbar but Werdum spins out. They stand back up, and Werdum locks in a guillotine for the submission. This was a good win for Werdum. Kyle showed enough to look dangerous but Werdum finished him quickly anyway with a nice submission.
Winner: Fabricio Werdum, Round 1, Guillotine choke submission.
In a post-fight interview, Werdum gets a positive reaction by saying he lives in America and loves America. References to Fedor Emelianenko get little reaction from the live crowd. Randy Couture is interviewed backstage about training Gina Carano.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Lavar Johnson Doing Alright
Lavar Johnson, a Strikeforce fighter who was shot in a random shooting in July, is here at the show, looking fine and saying that he's doing well.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor
Round 1. Taylor goes for the takedown at the opening. Hieron brushed him aside. Taylor again goes for the takedown. Hieron sprawls nicely and takes top position. Hieron is inactive from the top, but does land a few blows. Hieron thinks about a guillotine but lets it go. The fight is stood up with 30 seconds left in the round, but nothing much happens at the close. 10-9 Hieron.
Round 2. Taylor shoots. Hieron threatens with a guillotine and uses the hold to secure mount. Hieron takes Taylor's back and tries to lock in a rear naked choke. Taylor avoids but Hieron moves into an arm triangle. Taylor escapes that as well. Hieron takes top position but isn’t able to do much so the fight is stood up. Taylor again looks for a takedown. Hieron again blocks and again takes top position. The fight is stood up. Taylor swings wildly but doesn’t land anything. Taylor shoots but again Hieron effectively sprawls. 10-9 Hieron. Taylor’s going to need a miracle in round 3 because it doesn’t appear he can knock out or submit Hieron and he’s down 20-18.
Round 3. Hieron shoots and Taylor blocks. He throws a body kick as Hieron moves out. Taylor looks very tired. Taylor shoots wildly for a takedown but Hieron avoids. Taylor goes for another takedown and finally gets it with three minutes left in the round. Hieron however stands back up. Taylor moves in with a knee and shoots again. Hieron lands a straight right and gets top position. The fight is stood up with a minute left. Nothing really happens and the crowd loudly boos. Closest round of the fight, I still give it to Hieron narrowly. 10-9 Hieron, 30-27 Hieron.
Winner: Jay Hieron, Unanimous 30-27 decision.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty
Round 1. Cook moves in with punches. Lighty with a high kick that knocks Cook down and follows with punches that rock Cook further. Lighty follows with kicks and punches from a standing position and Cook appears to still be dazed. Lighty throws a body punch, Cook just buckles and clutches his rib cage and the fight is stopped. Exciting brief fight.
Winner: Scott Lighty, Round 1, TKO.
Cung Le, Bas Rutten, Royce Gracie and Brett Rogers are among those in the front row taking pictures with fans.
Winner: Scott Lighty, Round 1, TKO.
Cung Le, Bas Rutten, Royce Gracie and Brett Rogers are among those in the front row taking pictures with fans.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
David Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox
Wilcox is an AKA product perhaps best known for a quick submission loss to Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Playboy Mansion last year. Josh Koscheck is in his corner. Douglas is a Cesar Gracie fighter who had a controversial and exciting fight with Malaipet on Showtime last year. Nate Diaz is in his corner.
Round 1. Wilcox goes for a takedown but Douglas gets back up. Douglas lands a series of nasty hooks, but Wilcox has an incredible chin as he is able to survive despite being cracked a number of times. Wilcox takes Douglas down and mounts him. He throws down a series of punches from mount. Wilcox controlled the round but I give it to Douglas because he was really close to finishing the fight and just clocked Wilcox. 10-9 Douglas.
Round 2. Douglas swings wildly and Wilcox takes him down. Wilcox passes guard and gets mount in a hurry. He postures up and opens up with punches. Douglas is just holding on and defending, but to his credit he has been able to avoid taking too much damage. The crowd is even yelling for the fight to be stood up even though Wilcox has mount. Dominant round for Wilcox. 10-9 Wilcox, 19-19.
Round 3. Wilcox moves in with punches and then goes for the takedown. The crowd loudly boos. Wilcox takes mount and throws down his best punches of the fight. Douglas is in bad shape. Wilcox keeps the pressure on. Douglas tries to stand and Wilcox transitions into a choke for the submission.
Winner: Justin Wilcox, Round 3, Submission.
Round 1. Wilcox goes for a takedown but Douglas gets back up. Douglas lands a series of nasty hooks, but Wilcox has an incredible chin as he is able to survive despite being cracked a number of times. Wilcox takes Douglas down and mounts him. He throws down a series of punches from mount. Wilcox controlled the round but I give it to Douglas because he was really close to finishing the fight and just clocked Wilcox. 10-9 Douglas.
Round 2. Douglas swings wildly and Wilcox takes him down. Wilcox passes guard and gets mount in a hurry. He postures up and opens up with punches. Douglas is just holding on and defending, but to his credit he has been able to avoid taking too much damage. The crowd is even yelling for the fight to be stood up even though Wilcox has mount. Dominant round for Wilcox. 10-9 Wilcox, 19-19.
Round 3. Wilcox moves in with punches and then goes for the takedown. The crowd loudly boos. Wilcox takes mount and throws down his best punches of the fight. Douglas is in bad shape. Wilcox keeps the pressure on. Douglas tries to stand and Wilcox transitions into a choke for the submission.
Winner: Justin Wilcox, Round 3, Submission.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
James Terry vs. Zac Bucia
Terry comes out to "Smooth Criminal." It's greeted more warmly than "Beat It" was in Philadelphia last week. Imagine, San Jose fans being more tranquil than those in Philly. Big John McCarthy is the referee.
Round 1. Bucia swings and misses with a big high kick. Terry lands a big high kick and folows with rapid fire punches on the ground until McCarthy stops the fight. Impressive finish.
Winner: James Terry, Round 1, TKO.
Round 1. Bucia swings and misses with a big high kick. Terry lands a big high kick and folows with rapid fire punches on the ground until McCarthy stops the fight. Impressive finish.
Winner: James Terry, Round 1, TKO.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Alex Trevino vs. Isaiah Hill
Round 1. Hill has tattoos all across his chest that looks like scripture. Hill with a nice low kick early. Hill throws a superman punch but misses. Hill with the takedown. Trevino reverses and takes top position. Trevino sinks in a guillotine that looks pretty tight but Hill is able to get out and transition into taking Trevino's back. He looks to sink in an RNC. Trevino gets out but Hill mounts him and tries to throw down some punches. Trevino gets up his leg and goes for a heel hook but can't get it. Trevino then moves for a keylock and scores the submission. Hill's arm is hurt. Fun action fight.
Winner: Alex Trevino, Round 1, Submission.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
EA Sports MMA Press Conference
EA Sports held a press conference earlier today to discuss their upcoming EA Sports MMA video game. Randy Couture was there and discussed the game as well. They said that the game is in its second year of development and is scheduled to ship in 2010. They have playable code at this point, but are still working on the motion capture and many other gameplay related issues. Couture said he isn't a gamer, and that his son used to beat him at GoldenEye (an old game for the Nintendo 64 system). EA said that their discussions with UFC about the game took place over 2 years ago and now there are different people in charge at EA. They said there will be no quota for the number of fighters but they are looking to capture many geographical areas. They believe the game can help to get the sport larger. They will alternate the MMA game with their Fight Night boxing series, releasing each title once every two years. They haven't decided on whether the fights will take place in a ring, cage or both. Fedor Emelianenko is not confirmed as the cover athlete, and they haven't decided on that yet. Jay Hieron, Gegard Mousasi and Babalu Sobral are in the game.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Strikeforce Live Blogging Tonight
We're here live in San Jose for Strikeforce's Carano vs. Cyborg event. Fights are supposed to begin in five minutes or so.
Gina Carano vs. Cris "Cyborg" Santos
Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi
Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida
Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Kyle
Jesse Taylor vs. Jay Hieron
Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty
David Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox
James Terry vs. Zac Bucia
Alex Trevino vs. Isaiah Hill
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Post Fight Press Conference
17,411 announced attendance. $3.55M gate.
Dana White again put over Anderson Silva as the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Dana explained Forrest leaving by saying Forrest is emotional and that he hasn't seen Forrest since.
Anderson said Forrest came to fight while Thales Leites didn't, and that was the difference in the two fights.
B.J. said his gameplan was to take away Florian's kicks and go elbow for elbow.
Anderson asked about Roy Jones Jr gives a knowing shrug. Dana White says he doesn't want that fight to be made. He says he doesn't see the point.
Dana said Anderson's next fight will be against Dan Henderson.
Submission of the night BJ Penn. KO of the night Anderson Silva. Fight of the night Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva. $60,000 bonuses.
Anderson said Lyoto Machida is his friend and brother and there is no way that fight will ever happen.
Dana said Diego Sanchez is the next opponent for B.J. Penn in all likelihood.
B.J. said that J.D. (his brother) suggested he take down Florian in the fourth round and so he went ahead and did that to finish him.
Dana White said that Thales Leites is fine with UFC in spite of the performance. He also said that he thought the Hendricks/Sadollah stoppage was a bad one.
B.J. said he was surprised that Florian tried to push him against the cage and wrestle with him because that isn't really Florian's game, but that he knew Florian trained with GSP and that's evidently what he decided. B.J. said he didn't think this was a good strategy.
Ed Soares said a fan flipped off Anderson Silva after the fight and threw something at Silva and that's why Soares went after the fan.
Anderson Silva said he knows some people are going to diminish Griffin after the fight but that he's a good opponent who came to fight and should be given credit.
Almeida said he felt too light and a size difference and that he got tired, but he showed wrestling that he hasn't shown before and he's happy with his performance. He said he might want to fight at 170 pounds.
Pellegrino said Neer kept calling him names throughout the fight and that at one point he slapped Neer in response to an insult.
Dana specifically said Tito Ortiz will be fighting Mark Coleman, a fight that had been mentioned before.
Dana said they may have another show in October not on PPV, so that's clearly teasing a network TV deal. Just from a scheduling standpoint that may not be a good idea as they already have a very heavy fight schedule October through January.
Dana said they are looking at running their first Boston show in Fenway Park.
Dana said, in response to a story about merging UFC and WEC, that he simply said that he has thought about it, nothing more.
Dana White again put over Anderson Silva as the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Dana explained Forrest leaving by saying Forrest is emotional and that he hasn't seen Forrest since.
Anderson said Forrest came to fight while Thales Leites didn't, and that was the difference in the two fights.
B.J. said his gameplan was to take away Florian's kicks and go elbow for elbow.
Anderson asked about Roy Jones Jr gives a knowing shrug. Dana White says he doesn't want that fight to be made. He says he doesn't see the point.
Dana said Anderson's next fight will be against Dan Henderson.
Submission of the night BJ Penn. KO of the night Anderson Silva. Fight of the night Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva. $60,000 bonuses.
Anderson said Lyoto Machida is his friend and brother and there is no way that fight will ever happen.
Dana said Diego Sanchez is the next opponent for B.J. Penn in all likelihood.
B.J. said that J.D. (his brother) suggested he take down Florian in the fourth round and so he went ahead and did that to finish him.
Dana White said that Thales Leites is fine with UFC in spite of the performance. He also said that he thought the Hendricks/Sadollah stoppage was a bad one.
B.J. said he was surprised that Florian tried to push him against the cage and wrestle with him because that isn't really Florian's game, but that he knew Florian trained with GSP and that's evidently what he decided. B.J. said he didn't think this was a good strategy.
Ed Soares said a fan flipped off Anderson Silva after the fight and threw something at Silva and that's why Soares went after the fan.
Anderson Silva said he knows some people are going to diminish Griffin after the fight but that he's a good opponent who came to fight and should be given credit.
Almeida said he felt too light and a size difference and that he got tired, but he showed wrestling that he hasn't shown before and he's happy with his performance. He said he might want to fight at 170 pounds.
Pellegrino said Neer kept calling him names throughout the fight and that at one point he slapped Neer in response to an insult.
Dana specifically said Tito Ortiz will be fighting Mark Coleman, a fight that had been mentioned before.
Dana said they may have another show in October not on PPV, so that's clearly teasing a network TV deal. Just from a scheduling standpoint that may not be a good idea as they already have a very heavy fight schedule October through January.
Dana said they are looking at running their first Boston show in Fenway Park.
Dana said, in response to a story about merging UFC and WEC, that he simply said that he has thought about it, nothing more.
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
