If you haven’t yet watched The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 Finale, make sure to check it out Friday night. Spike TV is re-running the show on Friday night. It’s the best free MMA show I’ve seen.

We have the full play by play recap on the site if you want to read it.

Also, and I know this isn’t MMA, but it relates to the big picture of MMA as a sport, and it’s always what it will be compared to, but I also did live play by play for the excellent Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton fight, on my personal blog.

Lastly, we have a poll on the home page. Vote on who you think will win the 12/29 rubber match between Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Click here to vote (it’s underneath the calendar).

News and notes from around the MMA world …

- The TUF finale drew a 1.8 rating, which is the second lowest rating a finale has ever done, but it’s in the same ballpark as the others.

- Dave Meltzer says that Paulo Fihlo might be the best middleweight going.

- Cub Swanson thinks that Jens Pulver might’ve faked his injury.

- Sean Sherk was stripped of his lightweight belt for failing a steroid test, but Dana White says that he’s the number one contender.

- Sherk also thinks that BJ Penn is a punk. Penn also avoided jail time for an altercation from two years ago.

- Strikeforce announced that Bob Sapp is headlining their February show in Seattle.

- Rachelle Leah is featured in Complex magazine.

Talking Points

This Wednesday is the next WEC show which is a good opportunity to see Urijah Faber fight on television. He’s the WEC’s champ at 145 pounds, and is the face of the WEC. He faces Jeff Curran in a title defense. Also, Paulo Fihlo faces Chael Sonnen, who said that he ran with a picture of Fihlo in his shoe so he could step on his face. And for those who want to see a familiar face, Jens Pulver has his first WEC fight, taking on Cub Swanson.

I have enjoyed the WEC shows that I’ve been able to watch. It’s feels like UFC Jr., which I don’t see as a negative. It features smaller fighters and a smaller cage, which usually means faster and more exciting fights. Also, most of the guys are hungry, trying to make names for themselves, on the lesser known brand. These guys usually bring it.

MMAjunkie.com has a preview of the show.

If you want to contact me (I’d love to hear feedback), click here.

Thanks for reading,

Garrett M. Gonzales
MMA.Consumerhelpweb.com

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Labels: B.J. Penn, Bob Sapp, Dave Meltzer, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Jens Pulver, Paulo Filho, Rachelle Leah, Ricky Hatton, Sean Sherk, Strikeforce, The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, Urijah Faber

After just watching Ricky Hatton vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Mayweather won by knockout in the 10th), I’m ready to see more great fighting tonight.

Two questions should be answered tonight.

1. Is Roger Huerta the real deal?
2. Can Tommy Speer go with Mac Danzig?

The first fight tonight is a rematch of the best fight of the season between Dan Barrera and Ben Saunders.

Barrera tried hard to get a takedown, but Saunders was able to get high on his back and try for an arm bar. He tried to roll through, but Barrera ended up on top and the round ended there.

Barrera finally gets the takedown and ends up on top again. He’s not doing much. They get stood up and Saunders misses a huge knee. Barrera’s on top again until they get stood up and Saunders threw a high kick that landed. Best shot of the night.

Saunders controlled the entire round. He even had a figure four leg lock around Barrera’s midsection. Very easy win for Saunders, but also a very boring fight.

Winner: Ben Saunders by way of unanimous decision.

George Sotiropoulous vs. Billy Miles is next.

Miles comes out quickly with punches and shoots in, but Sotiropoulous gets a guillotine in and stuffs the takedown. He gets Miles’ back trying to set him up for the choke. He finally gets it and Miles taps.

Winner: George Sotiropoulous by way of first round submission.

Richie Hightower fights Troy “Rude Boy” Mandaloniz next.

They are both throwing big out of the gate. Both guys are swinging hard. Rude Boy throws a huge right that buckles Hightower. Hightower is throwing nice shots as well, but Rude Boy’s shots are cleaner and harder. Rude Boy throws a left that knocks Hightower down and he follows it up and the referee stops the fight.

Winner: Troy Mandaloniz by way of first round TKO.

It’s War Machine (Jon Koppenhaver) vs. J-Rock (Jared Rollins) next.

J-Rock takes him down right away. War Machine gets in the butterfly guard, kicks J-Rock off, and then takes J-Rock down. Both guys are working hard from their positions. J-Rock is throwing elbows from the bottom. These guys are having an elbowing contest. J-Rock is busted wide open.

It’s the exact opposite of the first round. This time J-Rock is on top and throwing bombs. Both guys are bloody. J-Rock goes for a rear naked, but doesn’t get so just keeps throwing from the top. War Machine gets saved by the bell.

J-Rock shoots, but War Machine ends up on top. They get stood up and J-Rock starts rattling him with punches. War Machine is almost out, but he switches position on starts hammering J-Rock from the top and J-Rock goes out. Crazy, crazy fight.

Winner: Jon Koppenhaver by way of third round TKO.

The finals of the show are next. Tommy Speer vs. Mac Danzig. Danzig is much smaller, but looks like he’s in great shape.

It’s all Danzig. Speer tries for the takedown, but Danzig fights it, and then gets a single leg takedown of his own. He gets in the mount and starts hammering Speer. Speer turns over, giving up his back, and Danzig chokes him out.

Winner: Mac Danzig by way of first round submission.

With a lot of time left, they’re showing Matt Arroyo vs. John Kolsci from earlier in the show.

The story of the round was that Arroyo was putting on submissions, and Kolosci was getting out of them, until Arroyo put him in an arm bar and he finally tapped.

Winner: Matt Arroyo by way of first round submission.

Main event time. Roger Huerta vs. Clay Guida.

Very close first round. Guida was very active, getting takedowns and staying busy on the ground. Huerta hit a big leg kick and also was very active on the ground. Probably Guida’s round, but it was an excellent one.

Guida’s wrestling controlled the action, until Huerta started to rock Guida. As Guida went for the takedown, Huerta dropped to his knees to stuff it and Guida rocked him with a right hand. Huerta looked out. But he hung on and he was trading with Guida from the bottom position. Great round, but clearly Guida’s.

They announced that Forrest Griffin would be one of the coaches for a revamped The Ultimate Fighter show, which airs in April. And they also said that the other coach will be announced at tomorrow night’s Video Game Awards. The money is on Rampage Jackson.

This was a really good show and if you didn’t see it, catch the replay. You had a wicked brawl between War Machine and J-Rock. You had a fun one round slugfest between Richie Hightower and Rude Boy. Mac Danzig looked great on the big stage. And Roger Huerta wins an amazing fight to cap the night off. That Clay Guida is insane.

Labels: Clay Guida, Mac Danzig, Roger Huerta, The Ultimate Fighter, The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, TUF

Is Ricky Hatton, the British fighter, who has yet to really cross over in the US, good enough to beat Floyd “Money May” Mayweather Jr.? I don’t think so, but I haven’t seen enough of Hatton. I don’t think many have. I have to go with Mayweather, simply until he loses.

Here’s the rundown.

• Tom Jones and Tyrese Gibson sing the National Anthems. One of these two is not like the other. Black Ty? Really?
• Hatton just got a huge ovation.
• Did Michael Buffer just call him “Pretty Boy” Floyd aka “Money” Mayweather?
• Who has two nicknames?

Round One

• Hatton caught Mayweather off balanced with a jab and Mayweather stumbled backwards.
• Mayweather tried to slip in a punch and then cover up, which is pretty much what he did the entire round.
• Hatton stalked Mayweather the entire round and it looks like Hatton is going to try to rough him up.

Round Two

• Hatton is just trying to be more active, hunting down Mayweather.
• They had to be pulled into the middle twice for not listening to the referee.
• Hatton is landing the bigger punches, but I’m not sure that he isn’t going to tire himself out.

Round Three

• Mayweather’s hands have been low the entire fight.
• Mayweather isn’t throwing any combinations.
• Hatton keeps complaining to the referee for Mayweather fighting dirty, but the reality is, they both are doing it.
• This is Mayweather’s best round, and he might actually steal this one.
• I have it 2-1 Hatton.

Continue Reading »

News and notes from around the MMA world …

We have a poll on the home page. Vote on who you think will win the 12/29 rubber match between Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Click here to vote (it’s underneath the calendar).

- Todd Martin has part two on his reflection with Dana White.

- CBS Sportsline predicts the winners for tomorrow night’s TUF finale.

- Dave Meltzer profiles Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta.

- ESPN’s Page 2 has a long piece on Huerta as well.

- Kevin Iole discusses Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer.

- Big John McCarthy is going to retire after refereeing his final match on Saturday.

- Matt Hughes’ book is scheduled to come out right after the New Year.

- Rich Franklin signs a new deal and has prospects for an upcoming match.

- Mac Danzig wants to drop down to lightweight after the TUF finale.

- Is Matt Hughes a tough coach? (Should that’ve been retorical?)

Talking Points

There are two big questions that will hopefully be answered tomorrow night at The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 Finale.

1. Is Roger Huerta the real deal?

I think that as long as Huerta doesn’t get dominated tomorrow night by Clay Guida, he’s going to come out looking strong. Guida is going to get a great fight out of him. As long as Huerta can keep pace, or at least come close to keeping pace with Guida, I think the fans are going to have more respect for him, win or lose, than ever. And he does have a strong chance to win. Guida has fallen short a couple times this year in close fights. He lost a close decision to Tyson Griffin in a match of the year candidate just recently. Because most of his fights go to decision, it leaves it in the hands of the judges, and if that’s the case, anyone can win. As long as Huerta doesn’t get knocked out, I think he’ll be able to prove that he’s the real deal.

2. Can Mac Danzig hold off Tommy Speer?

I’d like to think so. Speer definitely seems like he has a great upside. Now I sound like Mel Kuiper Jr. But really, he seems like he has all the tools, and just needs the training and knowledge to be a real deal in this sport. But in this type of fight, where the level of importance is higher, where you go from fighting in the gym to fighting in front of actual fans, where there is money on the line, I go with the experience and the guy who has actually fought with this heavy pressure before. Speer wasn’t expected to be where he’s at. But right out of the gate, Danzig was pegged as the winner. He pegged himself. He constantly said that he was the best guy in the house, and up until now, he’s proved it. He’s had the pressure all along.

I think Danzig will win the match, and probably for at least two rounds, it will be very competitive, but I think Danzig has more tricks and more ways to win. He also is comfortable with his boxing and will probably be able to avoid many of those heavy right hands and actually be able to counter them.

I think Guida and Huerta is almost too close to call, but I think it goes to a decision. I see Danzig outlasting Speer, probably stopping him in the third.

If you want to contact me (I’d love to hear feedback), click here.

Thanks for reading,

Garrett M. Gonzales
MMA.Consumerhelpweb.com

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Labels: Big John McCarthy, Clay Guida, Dana White, Dave Meltzer, Mac Danzig, Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin, Roger Huerta, The Ultimate Fighter, The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, Tommy Speer

Mac Danzig is now in the semi-finals after beating John Kolosci pretty decisively. The show starts with a recap of the fight and Danzig is put over by the rest of the guys like a monster.

Kolosci says that when you win, it’s the highest of highs and when you lose, the lowest of lows. Kolosci looks like he was hit by a truck. His way of dealing with it was to get drunk. He and War Machine decided to throw the foosball table into the pool. What is it with drunk people and trying to throw things in the pool? He then decided to ram his head into a tree. That kind of behavior sure does show fighters in a great light.

Richie Hightower and Matt Aroyo don’t want to train with Matt Hughes. Dana White says he can’t make them, but Hughes will still corner them. Serra tells Troy Mandaloniz that he doesn’t want to corner against his own fighter. He can’t give instructions on how to beat one of his own guys. Mandaloniz sees it as him possibly being by himself, since Hughes will definitely corner his opponent.

Arroyo says he’s better than Mandaloniz on the ground. Mandaloniz says that he thinks that Serra might want Arroyo and George Sotiropoulos to win because they are jui jitsu guys, rather than him and Hightower.

Danzig says he wishes Hightower trained with them because he wanted to spar with him and beat him up a bit. Hughes says it’s their loss. Hughes says that he finds it unprofessional for Serra to not corner against his own guys.

White gathers all the guys together and takes them to the Red Rock bowling alley. White says that this is the coach’s challenge and the winner of the bowling game between Serra and Hughes takes the $10,000 prize, and wins his team $15,000. White says Hughes should know how to bowl because he lives in Illinois, and what else would he do other than bowl? Chicago is in Illinois and it’s one of the best cities in America. Hughes tries to get the team money doubled and White says that if Hughes can throw a strike on the next practice throw, that he’ll do just that. And you know he did just that.

White thinks that Hughes goldbricked him and is really a good bowler. Serra’s first ball is right in the gutter. He knocks down 9 pins with his second throw. White says that Serra throws the ball very slowly, and Hughes throws it extremely hard. Arroyo starts to give Serra some pointers and Serra starts bowling better. Serra needs a strike or a spare to win the match in the 10th frame. He gets 9 pins on the first throw and picks up the spare on the second throw, winning the money for him, and his team. Hughes left the scene and says that he just hates losing. Serra says when he beats Hughes’ ass in the cage, he’ll be upset about that too.

On the night before the fight, Hightower and Mandaloniz don’t show up for training. Sotiropoulos tells Serra that it’s because Mandaloniz thinks Serra is playing favorites.

Arroyo says if he makes one mistake, he could end up knocked out. War Machine, Dorian Price, and Kolosci are going to corner Mandaloniz. Arroyo is taller by about three inches and has the reach advantage.

Round One

Arroyo hits a high kick that he’s not able to snap, but it still connects. He then takes him down and is immediately in side control. He grabs and arm bar and taps him out. That was fast.

Winner: Matt Arroyo by first round submission.

Hughes says that Serra could’ve helped Mandaloniz since he’s a ground specialist. White says that how Mandaloniz could be a friend of B.J. Penn and have zero ground game is beyond him. Serra says he was happy for Arroyo but was really upset for Mandaloniz. Mandaloniz says that Serra is a great guy and he’s not upset at him.

We’re going to have a second fight. It’s Sotiropoulos versus Hightower. Serra puts Sotiropoulos over big. Hightower thinks he was put with Sotiropoulos to give Sotiropoulos an easy win. He says they are sadly mistaken. Serra says Hightower is a positive guy and will fight it like he has nothing to lose. He calls him a sleeper. Even with the build up, this has all the makings of a quick win for Sotiropoulos.

Hughes tells Hightower that he’s fighting for himself and only himself. Hightower shaved his head for the fight, which isn’t a better look, but at least he doesn’t have pink hair. Sotiropoulos has a small reach and height advantage.

Round One

Hightower looks very awkward in there. Sotiropoulos gets him up against the fence, but Hightower fights out of it. Hightower lands a right hand, but it doesn’t connect fully. Hightower throws a weak kick and Sotiropoulos catches his leg and takes him down. He’s in Hightower’s half guard and eventually gets into side control. Sotiropoulos is trying to set up a kimura. He mounts him in the reverse position and gets him in a kimura and all Hightower does is scream. Herb Dean stops the fight.

Winner: George Sotiropoulos by way of first round submission.

Hightower tells Sotiropoulos that his confidence is boosted because he fought such a good fighter and says he believes he’s a UFC fighter.

Next week: The last quarterfinals fight is between Ben Saunders and Tommy Speer. Also, it looks like Team Serra plays a prank that goes way out of control and J-Rock and War Machine get into it.

Labels: The Ultimate Fighter, The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, TUF

This is the go home show before the big finale this weekend. Clay Guida fights Roger Huerta in the main event of that show. But, the winners of the semi-finals match-ups will also face off. Based on last week’s show, we have a huge knockout and a swerve in the match-ups. Someone isn’t going to be fighting for some reason and there will be an alternate.

The two scheduled match-ups are Mac Danzig vs. Matt Arroyo and George Sotiropoulos vs. Tommy Speer. Matt Hughes says that definitely the toughest guys are in the semi-finals and that the most mentally tough guys will move on. Danzig says Arroyo is right after Sotiropoulous as far as the best guys in the house after him. He says that nothing will stop him from winning. Arroyo says Danzig will be a big challenge for him. Arroyo was sparring with Richie Hightower and they went to the ground and Arroyo came up lame with hurt ribs. After a trip to the doctor, it’s confirmed that he has a small crack in one of his ribs and deep bruising. Arroyo says that if he doesn’t fight, people will call him a wuss.

Matt Serra says that ribs are tricky. Arroyo tells him that it might not be a good idea that he fights. He talks to Dana White about it and White says that he will be giving up a lot by not fighting. He says that Arroyo doesn’t look like a quitter and he’s never been in this kind of situation before. Arroyo says it’s also that with being hurt, his confidence is shot, and without it, a fighter isn’t much. White thinks he gave it up way too easily, but then says, he might just be hurt. White talks to Serra about who he thinks should be a good replacement. He wants Ben Saunders, but Saunders isn’t healthy enough. They call in War Machine and War Machine basically says that he can go all out until he gases out, but that’s not what Serra wanted to hear. Rude Boy says he’s worried about a cut opening up, but doesn’t seem like he really wants Danzig, and also would have to cut a lot of weight. Hightower says he would have to cut a lot of weight as well, but when given the chance by White to accept the fight, he reluctantly accepts. I can’t believe all three guys weren’t begging to get at Danzig. This show is amazing for so many reasons. It’s like a career minor league baseball player being so nonchalant about having the opportunity to make it to the show. That would never happen. After he leaves, White tells Serra that Hightower wants nothing to do with Danzig. John Kolosci comes in and immediately says he wants Danzig again. Kolosci says it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and White gives it to him. While I highly doubt Kolosci beats Danzig, at least he showed the type of fire that every guy should’ve had. White says exactly the same thing.

Kolosci tells Danzig that they’re doing it again. Danzig says he has respect for him because he accepted and his teammates pussed out. But he’s also a bit upset that he has to beat him again, especially after decisively beating him the first time. Danzig says he doesn’t think Kolosci should be getting another shot. Kolosci says that we should expect an entirely different fight. Kolosci has a decided reach and height advantage, but he had that the last time too.

Round One

Kolosci shoots in and Danzig just throws him off. Kolosci is going for the home run kicks already. Kolosci looks very worried. Danzig is loose with tons of head movement. Danzig throws a kick and Kolosci catches it and tries to take him down, but Danzig throws punches on one leg and they clinch up against the fence. Danzig takes him down with a single leg. Kolosci tries for a guillotine, but Serra tells him that he needs to get back into guard if he doesn’t have it. Kolosci grabs an arm and Danzig is warned to not hit in the back of the head. Serra thinks he’s hitting him in the back of the head, but Hughes says it’s the ear. Danzig sinks in a rear naked choke and seconds later, Kolosci taps.

Winner: Mac Danzig by way of first round submission.

Danzig now fights in the finals on Sunday.

So I guess the big knockout comes in the next fight.

They just showed a commercial for the the finale, and it was all centered around Roger Huerta, and heavily skewed towards the Hispanic audience. They called him the Latino sensation.

Speer still has a knot on his forehead. Hughes says Team Serra doesn’t know about Tommy’s heavy right hand, which could be some nice foreshadowing. Sotiropoulous says he has more options than Speer and can beat him in more ways. White says that Sotiropoulous will be able to stuff his takedowns and his striking is better. Hughes says Speer’s strength should overcome. Serra says Sotiropoulous will outclass Speer. Sotiropoulous says Speer hasn’t finished anyone and he’s finished both his fights. They are both close to the same size, but Speer is definitely thicker.

Round One

Speer is measuring, trying to find a way in. He comes in and grabs Sotiropoulous, eats a few, and Sotiropoulous slips out. Speer hits a big right, but Sotiropoulous slides out of the clinch attempt. Speer throws a right hand and pokes Sotiropoulous right in the eye. The fight stops, but the doctor says Sotiropoulous is ok to continue. Sotiropoulous’ eye is very swollen. Speer is finding range with his punches now. Speer knocks him down with a right, and finishes him on the ground with right hands. Sotiropoulous was out.

Winner: Tommy Speer by way of first round TKO.

Sotiropoulous says his eye was blurry and he couldn’t see well. Hughes says the eye poke didn’t change the fight. Hughes tells his team that it’s not who wins in the beginning, it’s who wins in the end.

Speer takes a page out of pro wrestler, Buff Bagwell and poses in the middle of the ring. Hughes says you can’t pick a winner. White says that Serra was a phenomenal coach and corner man and also that Hughes did a great job.

According to the UFC website, this is the card for Sunday.

Roger Huerta vs. Clay Guida
Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer
J-Rock vs. War Machine
Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulous
Rude Boy vs. Richie Hightower
Roman Mitichyan (remember him?) vs. Dorian Price
Paul Georgieff vs. Jonathan Goulet (poor Georgieff)

What, no Joe Scarola? Really, where’s Arroyo, Saunders, and Barrera?

Actually, I just checked MMAJunkie.com and they have what seems to be a more updated card. According to them, Kolosci fights Arroyo and Saunders and Barrera will have a rematch of their really good first fight.

They also tease the Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre fight that takes place instead of Hughes/Serra on December 29th.

Labels: Dana White, Georges St. Pierre, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, The Ultimate Fighter, The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, TUF