By Wade Keller, MMATorch Supervising Editor KELLER'S UFC 128 BLOG
NEWARK, N.J.
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW 1 -- BRENDAN SCHAUB vs. MIRKO CRO COP
-It would be a wonderful story for Mirko Cro Cop to re-enter the UFC Heavyweight Title picture, but it'd also be one of the bigger surprises of the years.
-During Brendan Schaub's ring entrance, Joe Rogan spotted Ice T in the background and sounded surprised to see him. Doesn't he get a list of celebrities given Octagon-side comp tickets?
-No "Wild Boys" for Cro Cop?!?! Rogan noted it right away, asking, "Where is the Duran Duran music?" Duran Duran has a new CD coming out this month. They're still around doing sold out concerts and producing new CDs, but they're off many people's radar, especially in the U.S.
-For anyone who gets made fun of for not being able to grow full beards or thick beards, there's a lot of bare patches on Cro Cop's 5 o'clock shadow where there's facial hair, so you can be a badass without the manly Grizzly Adams facial hair. Just trying to make some people feel better.
-Rogan says that Cro Cop doesn't need the money, but doesn't want to leave MMA as anything but a winner. He wondered why he hasn't achieved success in UFC like he had in Pride.
-When Cro Cop dreamed of perhaps some day fighting in the U.S. as late as 2011, did he imagine he'd be fighting in the opening match on PPV?
-Crowd boos Schaub and cheers Cro Cop.
-Round one Schaub is aggressive in round one. Looks good. Takes Cro Cop down. Cro Cop reversed Schaub on the ground, but doesn't land much of anything? Cro Cop breaths heavily after round one? Rogan suggests Cro Cop should consider fighting at 205 since he walks around in the 220s, the same everyday weight that Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture did. There's some intriguing match-ups at 205 for Cro Cop if he wants them, but speed and youth seems to work more against him at 205 than 220+?
-Round two the crowd popped for Cro Cop landing his high round kick to the side of Schaub's head, but it wasn't KO power. Cro Cop gets warned by the ref for an upkick when Schaub (barely) still had one knee down as he was standing against the cage. Cro Cop claimed Schaub hit him in the back of the head, but the ref explained it wasn't targeted, meaning Cro Cop turned his head into the punch? At 3:30 Schaub bleeds badly from his nose after several minutes exchanging strikes in a tight clinch against the cage? Schaub gets point taken away for punch to the back of Cro Cop's head; the ref warned him in round one. Cro Cop caught Schaub with another high kick, but again not with KO power? Cro Cop lands an elbow as the round ends? Rogan thinks Schaub may have a broken nose, noting he's breathing through his mouth? Good round, at worst for Cro Cop 9-9, but perhaps 10-8 thanks to two kicks landing, a nasty pointed elbow to bust his nose, and a fair number of strikes otherwise?
-Round three Cro Cop kicks Schaub low. The crowd boos. Are they booing Schaub complaining or Cro Cop for doing it? Not sure why they booed either way. Cro Cop moved in to apologize profusely. We get the obligatory discussion between Rogan and Goldberg about getting kicked in the cup (or hit with a hockey puck)? With well under a minute left, Schaub took a punch right behind his left ear and crashed hard to the mat and landed on his head with a thud. Schaub got in one more strike on the mat before the ref could rush in. Cro Cop bounced up as quickly as he could, but was wobbly? The crowd goes silent for the finish?
-Does anyone seem more emotionally hurt by losing than Cro Cop? He had hugs and congrats for Schaub afterward, but he looked welled up with the realization that he just isn't going to get to a main event title shot anymore. Schaub tells Cro Cop that he's the reason he got into MMA?
-Rogan interviewed Dana White who announced that UFC PPVs will start an hour earlier starting in Toronto. He said they did polling on that. It makes sense given that main events are ending around 1 a.m. on the East Coast. "I don't want to fall asleep during the main event, either," said Rogan with a chuckle.
2 -- DAN MILLER vs. NATE MARQUARDT
-Storyline is Miller replacing Yoshihiro Akiyama on less than one-week's notice due to the Earthquake in Japan. Rogan said Miller will answer a 3 a.m. call to fight Gozilla in one hour. It's especially nice because it's his home state.
-Marquardt comes out to "Eminence Front" by The Who, one of the most enduring entrance songs and bumper music for decades.
-Not a particularly strong ovation for Whippany, New Jersey's own Miller.
-The woman chomping gum behind Maquardt during his ring intro could have been one of the sisters in "The Fighter."
-Round one: Miller relentlessly worked to get Nate down and finally did at 1:20. Rogan said Nate had to work on that after the Chael Sonnen fight where he was taken down with ease? Near guillotine by Miller, but Nate has a good defense spinning to his left and powering out? Nate gives Miller a nice pat on the chest after the horn to signal good sportsmanship for a well fought back and forth first round?
-Round two: Nate lands some punches and kicks, but Miller takes him down near 2:00? Apple laptops outnumbering other brands in media row at Octagon side? At 4:00 Miller applies a guillotine and appears close to having it cinched on. Rogan, ambiguously, announces, "He's out!" Does he mean Nate slipped out or Nate's gone to sleep? Luckily he's not doing radio? Another nice battle that wasn't particularly crowd-pleasing due to so much ground work late. It seems Mike Goldberg won't be able to resist his first reference to "classy" or "class" tonight before this one is over?
-Round three: Nate lands a solid right and a high left kick to the chin early in the round, but Miller seems unfazed. Miller swinging back and engaging Nate with stand-up. Miller bleeding from his left eye, but nothing severe. Nate targets the cut with a right jab? Marquardt throws elbows while in full guard at the end of the fight, and it may give him a decisive win on points. Marquardt again helps Miller up to his feet. Goldberg resists calling him "classy." Rogan impressed with Nate's improved stand-up?
Decision: Marquardt via unanimous decision 30-27. Respectable showing for Miller on less than one week's notice.
-They showed DeMarco Murray, a top 2011 NFL draft prospect, in the crowd.
-We get our first UFC plug for a Strikeforce event on Showtime. UFC does nothing else to put that in context. No announcement or explanation or anything during the PPV. They assume their fans know, but it's just strange they acquire a company, plug it's event, and don't give any background on that story. I wonder how many out of the loop did a major double-take on that? Not many are that out of the news loop, but you know there are a few. Hearing Goldberg say "Strikeforce" was odd, sort of like the first time Vince McMahon said "WCW" during Raw.
3 -- JIM MILLER vs. KAMAL SHALORUS
-Silence for Shalorus's entrance. It's his UFC debut after four fights in WEC.
-Round one features aggressive start from both. Miller gets better of him with some strikes. Shalorus ends up on top at 4:00 in full guard. Rogan impressed by Shalorus's ability to absorb some big shots in that round?
-Round two: At 2:00 Miller suddenly got Shalorus's back. Impressive quickness there. He tries to get a clear path to a choke as Shalorus defends. That's how it ends. Miller's corner tells him to use the jab in round three.
-Round three: At 2:00 Miller moves in and finishes Shalorus with a great uppercut, knee as a follow up and then barrage of punches with Shalorus staring down at the mat on his hands and knees. Ref steps in and a very bloodied Shalorus looks up and doesn't protest the call. He took a lot of punishment in those closing seconds, but didn't go out? The camera caught a few media member staring down at their laptops during those pivotal closing seconds. There's always the replay on the big screens, I suppose?
-In post-fight interview, Miller said, "Kamal is tough as a coffin." Miller says after seven in a row he's ready for a title shot in the toughest division in UFC. They showed Frankie Edgar in the front row right afterward.
4 -- URIJAH FABER vs. EDDIE WINELAND
-This is Faber's debut for UFC. He's fighting at 135, a weight Rogan touts as Faber's more natural weight.
-Rogan said he interviewed Urijah Faber for "UFC Ultimate Insider." Hey, that's the DVD series I hosted a few years ago. Google it and my name. Can they do that? Rogan said Faber is dedicated and motivated. He learned in his interview with him that he wakes up every day to signs on his wall with his goals for the day and week and life. He said he's very motivated and organized.
-Faber seems hyped up for his UFC debut. The crowd remains largely dead or terribly mic'd.
-Round one starts with a stalemate as they lock up and go for takedowns. Wineland leverages Faber against the cage, but can't get him down. Wineland's cormer tells him to protect his neck in case Faber goes for an early guillotine. Faber has that suddenness that few others have? Faber eats a punch from behind as he spun around. At 1:15 they square off mid-ring again. Faber goes for another takedown, but just as it appeared he had him down, Wineland shifts and stays on his feet. Impressive. Faber continues to try to throw him down and Wineland's feet are stuck to the mat? Wineland takes Faber down, but only briefly? At 2:30 they end up back center ring, Faber with a new respect for Wineland's skillet? Several more stuffs by Wineland, and each time he appears to gain new confidence? Winelan sneaks in a right at 4:30 that lands. Faber picks up the striking in the closing seconds,m but Wineland hangs right there with him. Fun first round. Fight's on?
-Round two: At 1:20 Faber takes Wineland down finally with a leg sweep. He leverages Wineland's shoulders down while in full guard and drops a couple pointed elbows. Faber goes for some big swings late in the round, but Wineland adequately avoids being battered too badly, although he absorbs a big elbow late. Wineland frustrated by second half of the round for sure.
-Round three: Near 3:00 Faber scores with a big right. Wineland appears hurt and trying to hide it. Faber senses he rocked him, but Wineland buys time. Faber goes for another takedown that could help secure a win on points. After resisting for several seconds, Faber takes him down at 3:45. He chest-drove him back-first to the mat hard and then exploded with his signature elbow, but doesn't land. Wineland holds on to avoid damage, but doesn't appear to have an avenue to a win unless Faber makes a mistake? After the horn, the fighters hug and the crowd seems relatively pleased?
-Decision: Unanimous win 29-28 for Faber.
-Afterward Faber said he really likes Wineland as a person and said it was a great fight. He was surprised by his clinching early. He said he got a sense of how fast and powerful he was early in the fight and that dictated his strategy as the fight progressed. He called out Dominic Cruz. He said he needs to hide his wife and kids, but did so with a smile and tongue in cheek. He sent love back home to his family.
-They showed Kevin James (actor/comedian) in the front row.
5 -- SHOGUN RUA vs. JON "BONES" JONES -- UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship (205 lbs.)
-Rogan continues to stress the amazing story that Jones has been training in MMA only three rounds. He says we've never seen Jones hit, tried, or in trouble, so it's a big unknown against a calm veteran like Rua.
-Big ovation for Rochester, N.Y.'s Jones. Rogan says, "The It-Factor Meter just broke." He said people are excited about his potential than anyone he's seen in 10 years. He says he's a natural talent, great athlete, great reach, fantastic throws, creative and original, makes up moves as he fights, great wrestling base (which is the best base to have coming into MMA), intelligent, and articulate (there's that word that got V.P. Joe Biden into trouble). Goldberg says Jones has kept everything in perspective throughout his rise in MMA. Goldberg says he would be the youngest champion in UFC history at age 23 if he wins. Rogan compares him to Mike Tyson getting similar hype as a younger fighter headed into his first title fight. Jones is facing a better champion than Tyson did, points out Rogan.
-Rogan says Rua is a savage, very good off his back, great transitions into leglocks, and a wealth of experience in big fights in the U.S. and Japan. He says he won the Middleweight Grand Prix in Pride in Japan at age 23, the same age as Jones now. Rogan notes that Rua is only 29. That's two years younger than "California Kid" Urijah Faber
-This is fun. Who the hell knows what's going to happen here. This feeling is similar to the first Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort fight where you just can't predict it and it's an amazing test for a relative kid against a grizzled veteran champ who's still in his prime. No eyelid tears in round one in this one, please.
-Can UFC call any of their champions Undisputed anymore now that they own Strikeforce?
-Staredown includes handshake, although Shogun reached first and Jones didn't notice right away.
-Round one opens with big flying knee for Jones. Shogun avoids it. Shogun close in on a Jones spin back kick attempt. Jones slams Rua to the mat with his arms. Shogun comfortable on the mat, but he's getting a taste of how special Jones is early. Can he counter this unorthodox attempt and exploit his inexperience? If you're heart isn't pumping out of your chest at this point, you're not an MMA fan. Some Lesnar-Mir I flashbacks here early with Jones shoving Shogun against the fence. Rua no answers yet as Jones even tries to cover his mouth to slow his breathing. Jones throws elbows to his ribs and uses his length and leverage and wrestling skills to just smother Rua. A loud "USA" chant breaks out. Rua gies up his back and Jones lands some punches and kicks. Rua looks dazed and nearly out of it early. Jones backs off to assess and Rua moves to center ring at 3:30. Rua is in trouble. Wow. Jones lands another knee. Rua looks half asleep. Eats another right to the face and a low sidekick to the leg. Jones looks 100 percent fresh as Rua tries to assess what's going on and what kind of Superman he's facing. Jones goes for a reverse spin elbow, but Rua closes the length. Jones avoids a takedown and ends up on top to close the round. He throws a headbutt to Rua's sternum in the closing seconds. 10-8?
-Between rounds Rua looks like he just went through a five round fight. Jones looks like he just did ten jumping jacks before the opening bell. Rua's corner looks nervous, which can't help Rua's confidence. Rua just taking deep breaths, but he looks mentally scared. Jones is going to win this fight. If the betting windows are still open, bet the house. I'm already fantasizing about Jones vs. Anderson Silva. Okay, I should wait until this is over.
-Round two Jones continues to land front thrust kicks, elbows, punches, anything he wants. Rogan says Rua looks slow and exhausted. Jones almost sees like he's just picking his spots with zee fear, but just enough respect to not blow it. This is resembling Faber-Aldo now. Jones gets Rua down mid-round and in full mount tries to block Rua's nose and mouth. Jones just holds Rua down for the rest of the round, making sure Rua knows he's boss, but not letting Rua counter with anything threatening from underneath. He ends by going for a leglock and sitting on his chest and swinging around with a fist to the face. Will this be Silva-Sonnen? If so, it'd be an even bigger comeback story given Jones's dominance through two.
-Between rounds, Jones's corner tells him to get into the zone because Rua is slowing down. Greg Jackson says he's winning and even if he's feeling tired, Rua is feeling way more tired.
-Round three features Rua aggressive out of the gate, but the reach disadvantage kills him. He goes for a leglock on a takedown, but Jones slips free and almost applies a kimura. Jones holds Rua on his back again and pelts him occasionally. Rua covers as Jones tees off. Rogan says he's never seen anything like this. Rua takes a brutal beating on the mat, stands up, backs up, looks completely defeated, Jones lands a couple punches, and Rua collapses. The ref steps in and Rogan said, "It wasn't even a struggle. Incredible. He is the present and he is the future and he might be the greatest talent that we've ever seen in the UFC." Bring out the Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods comparisons. That was one of those situations where you just have no idea who can come close to matching him. A star is born, for those who hadn't noticed yet. Rua still sitting in his corner gathering himself as Jones is announced as the winner.
-Jones kisses Rogan afterward and smiles wide. He says dreams can come true. Rogan said he just dominated one of the greatest light-heavyweights ever. Jones said he has a huge target on his back and he'll be ready to strike back at anyone who comes gunning for him. Rogan said he lived up to the fight and then surpassed it. Jones thanked a bunch of people, then closed with "my mother, my father, and most of all Jesus Christ." He plugged his afterparty which is for charity and he'll be giving away K-Swiss.
-Rogan interviews Rua. Great credit for Rua for staying for this. Rua says his strategy was to fight Jones wherever the fight went. "I have to congratulate him; he was better than me." Rua went over and congratulated Jones.
-Rashad Evans shows up in a suit. Rogan said it's a tricky situation because Jones took Evans's place, and Evans is his training partner. He asked Jones how he feels about Evans being next in line. Jones said this is his dream and he's going to do exactly what he has to do. Rogan invited Rashad, who was booed heavily. Rashad said it was a great fight and Jones did his thing. Rogan said they were saying just weeks ago saying they would never fight each other. Rashad said never say never. Rashad said Jones has the strap so he has to go after it. Rashad, after watching that fight, should have stood by the idea that he would never fight a friend like Jones. The odds for that fight will be astronomical against Evans. Evans looked fantastic in his early fights, but nothing close to Jones. Goldberg: "Welcome to the next generation."
-I think we've finally seen a Light-Heavyweight Champion who will make past his first title defense or two. This division hasn't had a dominant champ in a while. It's been a hot-potato belt. That seems to be ending. The guy who beats Jones might be someone we've never heard of, unless of course Anderson Silva decides to return to Light-Heavyweight. If GSP loses in Toronto, could the talk switch to Silva vs. Jones as the ultimate dream fight?
-Rogan says Jones gets better every day. "You cannot say enough good things about him," he said. Relentless, aggressive, intelligent, massive potential going forward even as the champion already. Rogan said he hasn't come close to tapping his full potential. Rogan said Rua may consider a drop to 185. "How is he ever going to beat that guy," says Rogan about a Rua rematch against Jones. Rogan said Rashad knows Jones from training with him so that makes it intriguing. He said if anyone has an answer to the puzzle Jones presents, it's Rashad. Goldberg says it's the start of the Jon Jones era, a "passing of the torch." Thanks for the plug. That fight made the Faber-Aldo fight seem sorta even. Wow. Just wow. He's the new top PPV draw as soon as the casual MMA fans get caught up.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Keller_s_Take_33/article_8803.shtml
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