(Photo courtesy of BAMMA)
—MAIN CARD—
Middleweight Championship bout
“Kong” Tom Watson vs. “Ninja” Murilo Rua: Watson via TKO (Head Kick), Round 3, 2:06
Frank Trigg vs. John Phillips: Trigg via TKO (Elbows), Round 1, 2:41
Ivan Salaverry vs. Matt Ewin: Ewin via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Hello, Icemigos. I hope your Thanksgiving was pleasant. I apologize for not enriching your life with a column last week but due to the holiday and the fact that nothing really happened in MMA, I decided to take a well-earned break. I trust that with the love and support of your family and friends and the knowledge that a new column would be coming your way via the magic of the interwebs, you were able to soldier on and get through that trying time. Well, rejoice, dear friends, because I’m back. Continue reading »
TUF 12 semi-finalist Nam Phan was on the losing side of a highly contested Split Decision in last night's live finale. The judges' decision puts the Nevada State Athletic Commission under fire yet again for its continuous poor officiating. (Photo courtesy of Spike TV)
The UFC ended its twelfth season of The Ultimate Fighter last night at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card was a fairly exciting night of lengthy bouts, most of which delivered for the entire 15 minutes. The card also featured the reemergence of two of MMA’s most heated issues. The first was the rhino in the sports living room: poor judging. The judges assigned by the NSAC were so horribly unqualified that it was borderline felonious. One decision was so ridiculous that in the following bout Joe Rogan stated that one of the fighters had easily won the round but, “If these are the same judges from the last bout the winner may be a mouse over in the corner or the lady selling beer”. Continue reading »
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—PRELIMS—
Rich Attonito vs. Dave Branch: Branch via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Fredson Paixao vs. Pablo Garza: Garza via KO (Knee), Round 1, 0:51
Will Campuzano vs. Nick Pace: Pace via Submission (Arm/Leg Triangle, “The Pace”) Round 3, 4:27
Sako Chivitchian vs. Kyle Watson: Kyle Watson via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Tyler Toner vs. Ian Loveland: Loveland via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Cody McKenzie vs. Aaron Wilkinson: McKenzie via Submission (Guillotine), Round 1, 2:03
—MAIN CARD—
Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia: Garcia via Split Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Johny Hendricks vs. Rick Story: Story via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Kendall Grove vs. Demian Maia: Maia via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac: Stephan Bonnar via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Jonathan Brookins vs. Michael Johnson: Brookins via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00
—BONUSES and AWARDS—
Submission of the Night: Cody McKenzie wins $30,000
Knockout of the Night: Pablo Garza wins $30,000
Fight of the Night: Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia win $30,000 each
“The Ultimate Fighter”: Jonathan Brookins wins three-fight, six digit contract with the UFC
The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 cast. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—PRELIMS—
Rich Attonito: 185lbs.
Dave Branch: 185lbs.
Fredson Paixao: 145lbs.
Pablo Garza: 146lbs.
Will Campuzano: 136lbs.
Nick Pace: 138lbs.*
Sako Chivitchian: 156lbs.
Kyle Watson: 156lbs.
Tyler Toner: 146lbs.
Ian Loveland: 145lbs.
Cody McKenzie: 154lbs.
Aaron Wilkinson: 155lbs.
—MAIN CARD—
Nam Phan: 146lbs.
Leonard Garcia: 145lbs.
Johny Hendricks: 171lbs.
Rick Story: 170lbs.
Kendall Grove: 186lbs.
Demian Maia: 186lbs.
Stephan Bonnar: 205lbs.
Igor Pokrajac: 205lbs.
Jonathan Brookins: 154lbs.
Michael Johnson: 156lbs.
*Nick Pace decided not to cut the additional 2lbs. and thus forfeits 20% of his fight purse.
So, it’s been a pretty slow week in MMA. Really the only thing to discuss is the latest episode of The Ultimate Fighter. Thursday I was on “TUF Crap” radio show with Mitch Ciccarelli (@mitchciccarelli on Twitter) and discussed the episode. You can listen to it here if you missed it. Thanks to Mitch for that. His lovely co-host Erin McDougall (@theEMexperience on Twitter) was off getting ready for a fight –which she won! Congrats, Erin! So, it’s time for me to get creative.
This week’s Spilled Bag of Fights will be a recap of the last episode of TUF – in play form with all the dialogue in antiquated Shakespearean/Victorian style. What?! Don’t worry. You’ll love it. Continue reading »