Jason, aka dadrrtywhyteboi, and I are back to talk UFC 128. But before we get into the upcoming show, we talk about the UFC purchase of Strikeforce and what it could mean down the line.

We talk about the two Facebook fights, the two SpikeTV fights and all of the five PPV fights, including the main event which is Shogun Rua vs. Jon Jones. We are split on our prediction for that fight.

There’s some background noise in the audio as this is our first show off of Blog Talk Radio. I hope to improve on the audio quality by our next show.

Check it out!

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I would suggest that you watch Ariel Helwani’s interview with Dana White about the UFC’s purchase of Strikeforce. It’s a historic interview and White tries to answer as much as he can.

However, if you want the quick and dirty, I took notes and here they are:

- The biggest reason for the purchase is that the UFC wants more fights and need more fights. And Strikeforce has a following.

- The deal happened quickly. When Helwani asked if it was less than six months, White acted like it took a really short amount of time.

- Strikeforce will run as business as usual. All of the current contracts will be honored. White stressed this over and over again.

- Scott Coker is staying on and is running Strikeforce like he has been running them.

- There may be some UFC accents on the show behind the scenes and on the actual product, but it’s still a Strikeforce/Showtime product.

- Scott Coker will continue to run the company and maintain the relationship with the Showtime guys, who Dana admitted, that he didn’t have a good relationship with.

- Fedor will continue to fight on Showtime and on Strikeforce. They didn’t do the deal to make superfights or do the Super Bowl of MMA.

- He thinks the Showtime deal has two years left on it. Once contracts expire, the UFC can go after the Strikeforce guys and Strikeforce can go after UFC guys.

- There will be synergy between companies when it comes to advertising and social media.

- They also now have the fight library.

- UFC could now come to San Jose. Previously, because the same company that owns the HP Pavilion (in San Jose), owned Strikeforce, the UFC could not come to San Jose.

The actual match card for this show is pretty underwhelming. Once Meisha Tate had to pull out of her woman’s title match with Marloes Coenen, it left the show without a true semi-main event even though Liz Carmouche took the call, and it’s not like that one was selling many tickets with the original match-up. The card is banking on Dan Henderson and how much he means to MMA today.

I will admit that when my expectations are low, I am usually surprised. I hope that’s the case here.

1. Billy Evangelista vs. Jorge Masvidal

Masvidal utilized his left jab to pretty much hit Evangelista at will. He’s using his reach advantage and straight up stance to hit the smaller Evangelista. And when they clinch, he’s able to utilize his knees. Evangelista got a takedown and tried to rough him up against the cage, but lost the round.

Masvidal is pretty confident and maybe too confident. After winning the round, he started to run a bit and also started showboating. He landed the best shot, which was a lead straight right thrown at the same time that Evangelista threw a leg kick.

Masvidal is right out of reach for Evangelista. He’s going to win the decision. He was able to hit Evangelista when he wanted to, though he stayed away for the most part. Evangelista flurried at the end, but it was too little too late. The crowd was pretty unhappy with the lack of action in the third round.

Winner: Jorge Masvidal by way of unanimous decision

2. Melvin Manhoef vs. Tim Kennedy

Manhoef stuffed a couple of takedowns and landed a nasty leg kick. But it wasn’t too long before he was on his back and choked out. Fairly easy win for Kennedy.

Winner: Tim Kennedy by way of 1st round submission

3. Liz Carmouche vs. Marloes Coenen
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They’re doing Pride style introductions for all the combatants in the Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Let’s get into it.

1. Ray Sefo vs. Valentijn Overeem

Overeem tried to start on the feet, but Sefo was getting the better of him so Overeem went for the takedown and immediately grabbed his neck, cranked it and Sefo tapped.

Winner: Valentin Overeem by way of 1st round submission

2. Gian Villante vs. Chad Griggs

These guys just let their hands go and didn’t really care if they were going to get tired. Griggs was getting the better of it for most of it. Villante tried to turn it into a wrestling match, but he couldn’t close quickly enough without getting hit and he was wobbly early. He threw a wide high kick that cut Griggs’ ear up. Griggs threw two right hands that dropped Villante and Villante didn’t get back up after the second one. Fun, though entirely sloppy fight.

Winner: Chad Griggs by way of 1st round TKO

3. Lavar Johnson vs. Shane Del Rosario
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The preview for this should’ve been a bit longer, but oh well.

Showtime Sports has put together a short video to show what Fedor has been up to.