Rolles Gracie vs. Joey Beltran

This is the first member of the Gracie family to fight for Zuffa since Royce’s fight with Matt Hughes in 2006. Gracie has both Renzo Gracie and Greg Jackson in his corner. Gracie bulled him into the cage. Leg trip takedown and he’s almost immediately in full mount. Beltran turned his back. I think he realized he was in with aGracie and rolled to his back. Beltran reversed him while Gracie was too high in mount throwing punches. Gracie has him tied up in guard until Beltran got to his feet. Good right by Gracie and now he’s got him back against the cage. Another good right by Gracie. Again back against the cage. . Gracie flat footed stand-up, ducked low for a takedown he didn’t get. Beltran hit him with a punch. Gracie’s arms are tried. Trading punches , Beltran getting the better of it. Beltran was pounding him on the ground as the round ended. Close round but I’d go 10-9 Beltran.

Gracie went for a takedown, Beltran sprawled and is punching the body and head on the ground. Gracie is turning his head now. He went for a takedown and is getting pounded. Beltran got up and told him to get up. Gracie getting booed now after he went for a takedown with no set up from too far out that he didn’t have a prayer of getting. Gracie tried another takedown, Beltran sprawled and is beating the hell out of him with and referee Herb Dean stopped. Gracie was wanting out the entire second round.

Chris Tuchscherer vs. Tim Hague

Expect Hague, from Edmonton, to get the Canadian babyface pop. No Brock Lesnar is Tuchscherer’s corner. Hague got a big pop as expected. Tuchscherer got him against the cage and went low for a takedown and Hague stayed up. Tuchshcerer working hard while Hague blocking. Hague escaped the position and wants to box. Tuchscherer’s stand-up looks technically. He moved forward with punches. Hage now has him against the cage. Hague kneed him low. Tuchscherer got booed because the knee didn’t appear to land to the groin but just near the groin. Tuchscherer back with punches and a low kick. Tuchscherer and his lousy standup keeps landing. Hague finally threw a low kick. Left and uppercut by Tuchscherer. Now he’s got Hague agaisnt the cage. Hague has a guillotine but Tuschshcerer powered out. Tuchshcerer now just holding him against the cage. This is a patient crowd. Knee by Tuchshcerer and after a separation, Tuchscherer put him against the cage again. 10-9 Tuchscherer.

Hague threw a sloppy overhand right that hurt but Tuchscherer went low for a takedown and slammed Hague down hard. Tuchscherer threw a few punches until Hague got up. Tuchscherer with a nasty knee and a punch. Hague looks tired. He’s breathing heavy. Hague taking deep breaths. Hague went for a flying knee, but it didn’t land. Both guys tired now. Don’t see this making television. Now Hague trying to come back at the end of the round. Tuchscherer 20-18

Hague is unloading with punches against the cage. He’s firing body punches. He threw windmill punch. Tuchscherer went for a takedown but Hague actually took him down and got side control. Hague now has his back. Hague had his back and punching. Tuchsherer turned. Elbow from the top by Hague. Hague has his back again. Tuchsherer has a cut on the top of his head. Hague throwing more punches. Hague has a bloody nose. He’s got Tuchscherer back too high. Tuchscherer escaped but Hague back on top firing punches. He thought about a Kimura but gave it up. Hague clearly won this round. He won this round by more margin than Tuchscherer won the first two, but it doesn’t work that way on the scorecards. I don’t think it was a 10-8, so it’s 29-28 for Tuchscherer, but with a 10-8 could be a draw. However, Hague was the guy who won the fight.

29-28, 29-28, 28-28 for Tuchshcerer. Crowd expectedly booing like crazy, but this was a problem with the current scoring system where the guy who gets beat up can lose.

First two fights were not pretty.

Phil Davis vs. Brian Stann

Former NCAA champion vs. Iranian war hero. Davis’ nickname is Mr. Wonderful, which tells you who his favorite wrestler was. Davis tried to take him down but just bulled him into the cage. Stann with a knee when Davis went for a takedown. Stann escaped being caught in the corner. Front kick by Davis. Looked nice but not really effective. Davis’ stand-up is really green. He’s really light on his feet. Davis has the perfect body for the sport and athleticism but he’s probably 18 months early for UFC. His stand-up isn’t there at all right now. Davis got the takedown with 1:50 left. He’s in side control. Davis now has Stann’s back. He’s just riding him like it’s a wrestling match. Stann tried to get up and he leg tripped him down. Davis throwing a few punches from the top. He’s got Stann’s back. He’s flattened Stann and throwing punches. Davis hurting him with punches. 10-9 by Davis and you could make a case for 10-8, although not the way fights are judged now. Davis is really an awesome wrestler, power and technique.

Another front kick by Davis. Davis with a punch which was really just a set up for his teakedown, which he got. He’s got full mount. Now he’s got Sann’s back and throwing punhces. Sann turned to his back. He’s takingmor epunches. The deal with Davsi is he’s a wresetlr who when he gets you down, you’re not getting up. More punches from the top. He’s not thrownig punches that will put Stann away but he’s keeping bosy with punches and beatign Stann up. This is some of the best wrestling in UFC in a long time. Now knees to the ribs. Crowd is even into it even through it’s just Davis controlling him on the ground against the fence. He has him cradled and throwing punches. Has to be a 10-8 rounhd so 20-17 for Davis.

Some “Let’s go Brian” chants. Big double-leg and slam by Davis. He’s got Stann’s back. No submissions at all. Just punches. Now he’s got side control. Stann can’t escape. Full mount by Davis. Davis with a few body punches but mostly just keeping control. He’s got Stann’s back. On top with more punches. He tried an armbar at the horn. Has to be another 10-8 for Davis, so I’d have it 30-25.

Scores were 30-27, 30-26 and 30-26. How round three is a 10-9 is beyond me. Both judges who ruled 30-26 had a 10-8 second round. One judge even had second 10-9.

They didn’t announce scores because they are running late. We’ll get them later. Most crowds would not have had the patience for this fight but no boos at all here. We still don’t have a fight that should air later on TV yet.

Rob Emerson vs Phillipe Nover

They’re running so late they didn’t even get musical ring entrances. Nover missed a kick and fell down and then while he was getting up caught a punch. Emerson with a hip toss takedown. Nover up. Emerson went for a takedown, Nover reversed in mid-air and grabbed a guillotine. Emerson escaped. Emerson going for a takedown while Nover trying a guillotine but not close. Emerson on top but doing no damage. Good knee by Emerson and another good knee. Nover up and back with a knee standing. Very close round. Really should be 10-10, very slight edge to Emerson.

Takedown attempt by Nover but Emerson on top throwing punches. Some good action as Nover used his legs to defend Emerson going to the ground, but Emerson now on the ground in side control. Nover has a bloody nose. Nover up but taken down again. Emerson’s round so 20-19 Emerson at this point.

Nover kicked Emerson right in the groin. Emerson trying for a bodylock takedown. Nover using the fence to keep himself up. Knees by Nover. Emerson got the takedown. Nover up and has a guillotine. Emerson out. Nover now on top with punches. Hard knee by Nover. Body kick by Nover. Emerson missed a body kick. Knee by Nover. Emerson tried a takedown but Nover spraweld. , Emerson kept at it and got him down. Nover very close in the third so I’ve got 29-29, but it’s close enough in rounds one and three to go either way.

Emerson got a unanimous decision. Again scores not announced.

Melvin Guillard vs. Ronny Torres opens the Spike show

Torres with a takedown. Torres controlled him for three minutes. Guillard had some elbows late on top but Torres mostly controlled him to win the round 10-9

Ice got spilled all over Torres corner and it took them a while to clean it up. They traded knees and Torres went for a takedown. At one point Torres had Guillard up on his shoulder. Too bad Hawk wasn’t there to deliver the clothesline. Torres had him up and tried a takedown but Guillard slipped away. Guillard with a punch. As Torres went for a takedown, Guillard cracked him with a knee. Torres’ nose looks puffy. Some blood coming out. Guillard with a punch to the nose. Guillard close so 19-19

Torres going for a takedown and not getting it. Torres with a takedown. Guillard up. He hit a body kick. Torres back with punches. Good straight right by Guillard. Torres went for a taekdown but Guillard defending and throwing elbows but Torres kept driving and put him down. Torres with a hard slam and Guillard reversed on top and punching at the bell. Very close round. I’d got Torres so 29-28 in his favor.

All three judges have it 29-28 for Guillard. It was close enough that I can see it but the crowd mostly surprised. A decent amount of booing but nowhere near the booing of the Tuchscherer. Judges gave rounds two and three to Guillard.

Base Pay for the main bouts in thousands, base and win bonus

Sonnen 32+32

Marquardt 45+45

Thiago 15+15

Swick 43+43

Miller 15+15

Maia 31+31

Trigg 30+30

Serra 75+75

Coleman 60+60

Couture 250+0 (PPV points)

Justin Buchholz vs. Mac Danzig

Danzig in with punches and a low kick. Buchholz back with kicks that were blocked. Danzig with a low kick. Hard low kick by Buchholz. Danzig tried a takedown but didn’t get it. Low kick by Danzig. Buchholz dropped him to a knee wth a punch. Knee by Buchholz. High kick to the shoulder. Buccholz slipped an uppercut in. Danzig back with a few including a low kick. Buchholz landing a flurry and a low kick. Danzig now back. Danzig with knees and Buchholz with punches while in a clinch. Good right by Danzig. Knees by Danzig. Very close round. Danzig’s technique looked crisper but Buchholz had the knockdown so 10-9 for Buchholz.

Danzig in, going for a takedown. Right by Danzig. Right hook by Dnazig. Takedown by Danzig. Danzig back with punches. Danzig with a full mount. Danzig has Buccholz’ back going for a choke but Bucholz escaped. Buchholz on top with punches as Danzig went for a triangle. Buccholz with punches while Danzig with elbows from his back. Danzig with Mongolian punches and then reversed into mount and was pounding Buchholz at the end of the round. Danzig’s round so 19-19.

Danzig took Buchholz down to start the round. Knee by Danzig. Buchholz back up. Danzig with two jabs that landed. Danzig tried a judo throw which didn’t work at all, and he ended up on his back. Buchholz needs to do damage from here but he’s just holding on while Danzig punches him. Herb Dean ordered a stand-up. Danzig in with punches and a high kick. Buchholz with a punch. Knee by Danzig and a takedown. Danzig pounding him and has his back. Danzig wanting a choke but Buchholz turned. More punches by Danzig and an elbow fro the top. Danzig pounding him and going for a choke again with seconds left. Danzig gave it up for more pounding. Easily Danzig’s ground. Should be either 29-28 (my score) or could be 30-27.

Uneventful undercard.

All three have it 29-28 for Danzig.

Frank Trigg vs. Matt Serra

Trigg looks a lot older with hair. He’s in very good condition, though. Serra out to the theme from Rocky I. Place is about 95% full right now. Renzo Gracie is in Serra’s corner. Serra got the biggest pop so far. And he’s not even Canadian. Trigg connecting with punches as Seerra tried to get in. Good body punch by Serra and low kick. Kick by Serra. Serra in with body punches. Serra knocked Trigg down with a right to the jaw and finished him with three punches on the ground. Trigg’s head was bouncing off the mat at the end. He was out on the first punch on the ground.

Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller

Maia going for a takedown against the cage. Miller blocking. High kick by Maia. Maia ducked for a takedown and Miller kicked him in the head. Body kick by Maia and going for a takedown and he got Miller down. Miller defending and back up. Maia with an Arena Mexico knee causing Steve Mazzagatti to give Miller time to recover. Maia had Miller down but Miller back up. Good left by Maia. Maia’s round 10-9

Good left by Maia. Mostly ancding around. Crowd getting restless. Maia hit a left. . Maia hit another left. Miller back with a punch. Miller gto one in. Kick by Miller. Nobody really landed anything of significance. Dull round the crowd booed. Really a 10-10 round but Maia perhaps a slight edge.

Miller coming in aggressively. Miller connected with a punch and Maia went down. Maia up and took Miller down. Maia with punches, not hard on the ground. Miller backup. Maia went for a takedown, Miller sprawled. Maia got a second takedown attempt and put Miller down. Maia throwing punches from the top but crowd booing this fight heavy. Time running out. Maia’s round so I’ve got 30-28 for Maia.

Could be 30-27 or 29-28. 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for Maia.

Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago

High kick by Thiago. Thiago with a low kick and a flurry. Swick moved in with a punch. Swick got the takedown with 30 seconds left. Swick may have won with the takedown but at this point I think they should start giving negative points.

Low kick by Thiago. Swick throwing some lefts. Good right by Swick Traded and Thaigo nailed Swick with a left hook that put him down hard. The most excitement so far as Swick went down and Thiago choked him out cold with a D’arce choke. Great finish.

Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen

This is for a middleweight title shot. Marquardt out with punches and a knee. Sonnen has Marquardt against the cage. Hard punch by Marquardt and Sonnen took him down right into a guillotine. Sonnen out. Sonnen nailing Marquardt with a punch and now elbows and body punches. Marquardt up and flying knee by Marquardt but Sonnen took him down. Sonnen with punches and short forearm. Brutal elbwo by Sonnnen and another ,now firign punches. Body and head punches by Sonnne. Sonnen pounded him until the end of the round. 10-9 Sonnen. Mar-9so. auaredt against the caber

Another takedown by Sonnen. Marquardt thinkingKimura from the bottom. Sonnen with elbows to the ribs. He’s taken Marquardt out of his game. Hard falkling punch. Marquardt is buted up. A lot of blood. Sonnen beatign o him. Marquardt is trying for a kneebar. But he didn’t get it. Sonnen is bleeding real bad from an elbow from the bottom right to the eye. Marquardt with a nasty elbow backwards, and now some others. What a great tactic. This is a great fight. Sonnen throwing elbow after elbow to the body. He’s throwing punches. Marquardt finally up. But Sonnen with a knee and takedown. Hard elbows on the ground by Sonnen. Sonnen keeps throwing punches on the ground. Huge reaction to this round. Standing ovation. Partially because thre’s been not much to cheer about so far. Even with the elbows and blood, I’ve got it 10-8 Sonnen so 20-17.

Maruqardt went for a takedown and didn’t get it. Sonnen then took him down again. Body and head punches by Sonnen. The body punches Sonnen is throwing are hard. Sonnen behind him and took him down again. Sonnen back on top for 2:50 left. Sonnen continues to punch, now using his left to the head. Another takedown by Sonnen. Marquardt with a guillotine. Sonnen broke it. Place is going nuts live, because they sensed that asa possible finish and Sonnen got out. Marquardt got a reversal on the ground with 52 seconds left. But he has to finish in 38 seconds. Marquardt with punches on the ground but time is running out. Sonnen’s round 10-9. Place going crazy. It’s a great fight, but because of the undercard, people are reacting like almost a match of the year. This may have saved the show.

30-27, 30-27 and 30-27 for Sonnen

Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman

Oh Dear God, it’s “Stranglehold,” Randy Von Erich hits the ring with 300 of his future wives in attendance. Speaking of Kerry Von Erich, he was the object of discussion at a press conference today with Urijah Faber. For the record, he truly believes I’m the first person in his life say he looks like Kerry Von Erich. And he doesn’t know who Kerry Von Erich is, but when I said it, all sorts of people jumped up and said, “Yeah, he does.”

People cheered Coleman pretty loud, obviously not as loud as Couture. Trading punches. Couture quicker and landed a good one. Sort of low kick attempt by Coleman. Loud “Randy” chant. Trading punches and Coleman got some in. Good left jab by Couture. Two hard punches by Couture and a knee. He has Coleman against the fence. Couture doing dirty boxing. Good uppercut by Couture. Another good uppercut by Couture. Elbow by Couture. Couture got a few more uppercuts and a right cross in. Coleman starting to tire. Good uppercut by Couture.. More dirty boxing by Couture. More punches by Couture. Coleman is cut to the side of the left eye. Couture 10-9. Coleman looks totally dejected.

Couture punching and he’s taken Coleman down and is pounding on him. Coleman turned his back. Couture’s got the choke. He’s got the choke. Coleman went out and it was stopped.

Coleman said he’s tough. He’s got a hell of a cut under his right eye. He doesn’t want to quit. Coleman said “Fuck you Tito.” He cut a promo on Tito. What a smart guy to pick up on that to try and get one more match.

“He’s a great fighter. One of the best of all-time. He beat me to the punch. I was a little slow tonight.”

Wrestling Observer