Affliction Banned
Honda Center in Anaheim
July 19, 2008

Paul Buentello vs. Gary Goodridge

Round 1 - Some initial confusion, as Buentello and Goodridge both made appearances into the ring, and then were sent back to the dressing rooms. The action begins about 15 minutes past its scheduled time in a sparsely populated arena, as people are slowly filing into their seats. Few jabs, then stiff right from Buentello, followed by a second. Goodridge answers with a leg kick. Buentello lands three big uppercuts, as Goodridge is backed against the ropes. Goodridge circles off, and Buentello is in the corner, with the fighters clinched. They break, and return to the center of the ring. Uppercut by Buentello, then a missed knee. Moderate to slow pace from the sluggers. Goodridge lands a small leg kick. A body kick from Goodridge smacks through the arena, followed by a leg kick. Buentello throws a combo, but misses. More jabs by Buentello, leg kicks from Goodridge. Buentello clinches, lands uppercuts, body shots and elbows, then breaks the lock. More uppercuts and knees from Buentello, then Goodridge answers with an overhand right. More kicks land to the leg and body by Goodridge. Goodridge misses with a head kick. Buentello circles, and lands a spinning back kick. More uppercuts from Buentello that wobble Goodridge. Round closes, and MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9, Buentello.

Round 2 - Buentello throws a body kick, followed by a left. Goodridge still looking to work the leg kicks, while Buentello is content to clinch, and score up the middle, which he does immediately with more uppercuts and a few elbows. Backing away, Buentello lands a nice combo and a stiff right. Still a moderate pace, and Goodridge lands a few of those kicks, then swings wildly, missing. More jabs from Buentello, that are landing sharply. The fighters trade wild blows briefly, then Goodridge clinches, looks for a takedown, and eats another uppercut for the effort. Buentello pushes Goodridge into the corner, lands a few foot stomps, then backs away. Overhead right from Goodridge, followed by a second, then clinches. Goodridge again misses with a takedown, then backs away. Strange breaks from the clinches, as the fighters just push away from each other, not looking to throw. Stiff jab from Buentello, followed by a nice string of punches that weaken Goodridge. Buentello steals a close round at the end according to MMAjunkie.com, 10-9.

Round 3 - Water on the mat in Goodridge's corner delays the start of the round. Leg kicks by Goodridge. Buentello clinches, and throws a few inside punches, and a few soft knees. Very silent crowd, with a few scattered boos for the tepid pace. Buentello lands more shots inside, controlling Goodridge's head in a clinch before breaking. Jabs again from Buentello, and Goodridge tries a high kick. Goodridge misses with a big left. Flying knee to the body by Buentello. Buentello is stalking now, pushing the pace to a back-peddling Goodridge. The crows responds, but an immediate clinch slows the action again. A few traded shots, and a break. Goodridge looks to be fading, battered and winded, but stays in the pocket. Buentello misses with a big right. Stiff left from Buentello, and a flying knee. Buentello controls a Thai clinch in the corner, but the action is sparsa. With seconds remaining, Buentello pushes forward, and the round comes to a close. The crowd voices its approval of the effort. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9, and the fight 30-27 for Buentello.

Paul Buentello def. Gary Goodridge via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Vitor Belfort vs. Terry Martin

Round 1 - The arena has a substantially larger crowd at this time. Belfort receives a warm reception from those in attendance, though the commercial delay between the fighter introductions and start of the bout do not. Fighters move quickly forward, and Martin presses the pace with a few jabs. Belfort lands a nice kick, and chants of "Vitor" run through the crowd. Martin is stalking, but the action slows dramatically, and the chants turn to boos. Martin landing straight lefts before Belfort clinches, and ties Martin up in the corner. They break, and Martin stalks again, landing a stiff right punch. Brief flurry by both fighters. Martin continues to stalk, with Belfort defending, and moving away. Belfort moving away at every exchange, and landing single counters. A few single shots by both fighters, and the round closes. A close round, but MMAjunkie.com gives it Martin based on aggression, 10-9.

Round 2 - Martin again moving forward, pawing with jabs. Belfort again backs away. Nice body kick by Belfort, but Martin pushes forward again. Belfort lands a punch then kick, becoming more active. Martin grabs the leg, and scores a takedown, working from Belfort's guard. Slow action on the ground, Martin stands up. Flying knee caught Martin, and Belfort pounces. Martin wobbly, and a right uppercut and stiff left straight drops Martin into a seated position against the ropes, out cold. The crowd erupts instantly.

Vitor Belfort def. Terry Martin via KO (strikes) -- Round 2, 3:12.

Beginning of pay-per-view broadcast.

Emcee Michael Buffer starts the evening's official festivities with his trademark "Let's get ready to rumble" intro, and the action moves quickly to Megadeth performing "Symphony of Destruction" on the concert stage at the end of the arena. The fighters begin to make their way on to the stage, and line up along the ramp leading to the ring, while the evening's first bout fighters are in the ring already, bouncing aggressively to the guitars.

Mike Pyle vs. J.J. Ambrose

Round 1 - Ambrose charges Pyle, and a clinch in the corner quickly. Ambrose ties Pyle up along the ropes, and both fighters work for control. Pyle earns takedown, and moves quickly from side mount to full mount. Ambrose eats a punch, and gives up his back. Pyle locks in the hooks, and throws punches. Pyle flattens Ambrose, and Ambrose rolls. Pyle tries a side choke, but Ambrose escapes and roles. Pyle tries a rear naked choke, but can't quite get it in. Pyle throws more punches while Ambrose defends the submission. Pyle locks in the choke with a quick move, and Ambrose taps.

Mike Pyle def. J.J. Ambrose via submission (rear naked choke) -- Round 1, 2:51.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Edwin Dewees

Round 1 - Dewees opens up cautiously, moving away from Nogueira while landing several kicks. Nogueira remains patient, looking for openings. Dewees continues to land kicks at the legs and body of Nogueira, but nothing too firm. Dewees continues to move around while Nogueira remains patient. A clinch, and Dewees is backed into a corner. Dewees grabs both ropes, and lunges with a front kick. Nogueira backs away, but is beginning to become a bit more aggressive. Nogueira lands a few solid punches, and Dewees moves away. Dewees continues to look for kicks, but Nogueira is moving forward. A clinch, and a strong knee, followed by a huge left hook drop Dewees. Nogueira pounces, landing heavy shots, and referee Herb Dean is forced to halt the action.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Edwin Dewees via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:06.

Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Nascimento

Round 1 - Nascimento dropped early, and Lindland pounces. Lindland locks in a choke from the top, and holds the position. Nascimento remains calm, but Lindland continues to cinch it in. Lindland decides to give up the position, standing briefly, before moving back on top of Nascimento. Several hard shots from Lindland, and Nascimento grabs him to hold close and defend. Lindland postures up from inside the guard, and throws heavy hands. Lindland stands, and comes in with a heavy punch, then moves to side control. Steady pace from Lindland, absolutely dominating positioning. Lindland stands, and throws a few punches, trading with Nascimento. A few traded blows, and the round comes to an end. MMAjunkie.com gives to Lindland, 10-9.

Round 2 - Starting again on the feet, Lindland trades, then closes the distance and clinches. Nascimento lands a big elbow, and is battling back. A nice combination from Nascimento moves Lindland into a corner. Lindland answers with an uppercut. A clinch, and heavy elbows from both fighters. Nascimento pulls guard, as the fight moves to the ground. Lindland lands short elbows from the top, while Nascimento looks for a leg, Lindland postures up a bit, landing punches. Fighters are tied up a bit in the corner, but referee Josh Rosenthal allows them to remain in the position. Lindland again lands some big blows from the top, punches and elbows. Any momentum Nascimento had has dropped. Vintage Lindland, dominating from top, controlling position and ground and pounding. Nascimento ducks his head out of the ring, and Rosenthal issues a warning, while leaving the fighters in the position. The round ends, and MMAjunkie.com again gives it to Lindland, 10-9.

Round 3 - Lindland stalking, as Nascimento moves away. Nascimento again lands a few elbows from the clinch. Nascimento now moving away from Lindland. Lindland lands punches, backing Nascimento into a corner, but moves back. Both fighters winded, but Lindland more active. Few tired punches land from Lindland, and the arms of both fighters look very weary. Lindland catches Nascimento with a few straight punches. Very weary fighters in the ring. Lindland shoots, Nascimento defends, and Lindland backs away. Very slow pace. Lindland pushes Nascimento into the ropes, and both fighters tumble out of the ring. Nascimento is very slow to come back in. Lindland again stalking, and landing a few weary, though solid, punches. A clinch, and a little inside striking and the fight ends. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9, and the fight 30-27 for Lindland.

Matt Lindland def. Fabio Nascimento via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).

Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson make their entrance to ringside, and receive an ovation with chants of "Tito" from the surrounding crowd.

Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead

Round 1 - Sobral clinches, and lands a knee. Whitehead backs away. Sobral lands a few leg kicks, and Whitehead clinches. Sobral backed into corner. Few inside shots, but Whitehead moves away. Sobral missed with kicks, another clinch, then away again quickly. Whitehead lands a few solid shots, but Sobral answers with kicks to the leg. Whitehead clinches, pushing Sobral against the ropes. Whitehead moves Sobral into the corner, and the slow pace has the crowd upset. The fighters sperate, and trade a few shots in the center of the ring. Whitehead lands a jab, and chants of "Babalu" erupt. Whitehead again clinches, but backs away. Sobral moves in, quickly to the ground, then back up. No real offense by either fighter, and MMAjunkie.com sees it 10-10.

Round 2 - Whitehead moves forward more aggressively to open, then clinches and again moves Sobral into a corner. Tied up, Sobral can do little, but Whitehead backs away. Whitehead stalking, but Sobral countering the few punches thrown. Whitehead shoots in, Sobral ties up briefly, but Whitehead eventually earns the takedown. Whitehead works from Sobral's guard, but the fighters are against the ropes, and restart further away. Sobral looks for an arm from bottom, then the shoulder, but Whitehead escapes. Back on the feet, another clinch, and Sobral lands a few knees. Whitehead again clinches. Very slow, predictable pace, and little real offense of any kind. Very close round, but Sobral had the submission attempts, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to "Babalu," 10-9.

Round 3 - A shot by Whitehead, and the fighters fall through the ropes as Sobral was trying a guillotine choke. After restart a few shots in the center, then a clinch and back apart. Whitehead again shoots in and pushes the pair through the ropes. An issue with the ropes causes a brief stoppage. On the restart, Whitehead shoots in, but gets caught by Sobral in a choke. Tense moment, but Whitehead escapes. Only briefly, as Sobral goes for an omoplata. Locked in, but Whitehead fights through. Action slows, and the fight is stood up. Chants of "Babalu" rise through this now-full arena. Slow action at end. Sobral lands, shoots in, and the referee holds the ropes to prevent anothrer exit. Whitehead sprawls, and the round comes to an end. MMAjunkie.com score the round 10-9 for Sobral, and the fight 30-28.

Renato "Babalu" Sobral def. Mike Whitehead via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Mark Hominick vs. Savant Young

Round 1 - Leg kick from Young, then a body shot. Hominick answers with a combo. Both fighters look very quick. Hominick pushing forward, and utilizing his reach advantage early. Hominick misses with a kick, Young misses with a combo. Hominick just misses a strong shot, then clinches. Hominick backs away, and has Young backed into a corner. Hominick's reach is the difference in this mostly-boxing match so far. Young evades, but again finds himself cornered. Young throws counters, but Hominick covers and retreats. Solid body shot from Young, but Hominick answers with a jab. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9 for Hominick.

Round 2 - Same style to start the second. Young looking to land, but Hominick moves away. Hominick moves forward, landing jabs from the outside, but doing very little damage. Finally a clinch, and the fight is on the mat. Hominick uses a closed guard, then tries a sweep that nearly lands, but moves back to guard. Hominick tries a triangle that appears close, but Young lifts Hominick and slams him to escape. Young works from Hominick's guard, and lands a few crisp punches, but Hominick works a triangle, then arm bar, then triangle. Young defends well, but Hominick persists and secures a very-tight arm bar forcing the tap.

Mark Hominick def. Savant Young via submission (arm bar) -- Round 2, 4:25.

Emcee Michael Buffer announces another performance from Megadeth. A mostly warm reception comes from the large crowd on hand.

Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo

Round 1 - Barnett lands an early jab but eats a stiff right moments later. The pace slows as each fighter avoids his opponent's advances. Rizzo slips through a few jabs before returning a few of his own. Barnett then lands a leg kick and ducks out of Rizzo's counter-punch. The pace is slow and cautious midway through the round. Barnett breaks a lull in the action with a front kick to the body, but eats a few jabs afterward. With a minute to go, Barnett shoots in, but Rizzo easily sidesteps it. Rizzo lands a soft jab, but Barnett counters with a punch-leg kick combination and follows with a body kick. The action stalls as the fighters clinch against the ropes before the round ends. An otherwise upbeat crowd boos the round. Little action, little damage, though MMAjunkie.com gives a close round to Barnett, 10-9

Round 2 - A slow start again as the fighters keep their distance before trading front kicks that only partially connect. Rizzo sneaks in a combination and sidesteps a power shot. Barnett now looks anxious and when the opportunity arises, lunges in with a big left hook that catches Rizzo flush on the chin. Rizzo instantly drops to the canvas, and the bout is halted.

Josh Barnett def. Pedro Rizzo via KO (punch) -- Round 2, 1:44.

Andrei Arlovksi vs. Ben Rothwell

Round 1 - Rothwell lands a 1-2, but Arlovski answers with a leg kick. Arlovski lands another strong leg kick, and moves to clinch. Rothwell lands a big right, and another clinch. Arlovski pushes Rothwell into the corner, then lands a right and moves away. Rothwell moves forward, but gets caught. Another clinch, and Rothwell throws a few inside knees. Arlovski scores a trip, and winds up on top. Arlovski drops for a leg lock, and is close to the heel hook, but Rothwell rolls out and stands. Arlovski dances a bit, but Rothwell charges in. Arlovski catches Rothwell with a right hook. Rothwell dazed, but fights back. Arlovski lands another right, and looks much quicker than the fairly flat-footed Rothwell. A clinch ends the round, and MMAjunkie.com scores 10-9 for Arlovski.

Round 2 - Arlovski works the legs again, then an overhand right. Rothwell moves forward with punches, but Arlovski evades and comes back with a stunning series of punches. Rothwell lasts, and charges. Back to the mat, and Arlovski works from Rothwell's closed guard. The fighters are repositioned away from the ropes, and Arlovski postures and lands a few punches. Arloski again looks for a leg lock, but Rothwell rolls easily out and winds up on top. Rothwell is cut, but lands a few solid blows while on top. Arlovski works to control Rothwell, and the fighters must again be moved away from the ropes. Rothwell is working from top, and Arlovski sems content to ride out the round. The referee thinks differently, and stands the fight. Arlovski moves forward again with huge shots, including a head kick and bruising knee. Rothwell lasts until the bell, and the crowd lets out its loudest cheers of the night. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9 for Arlovski.

Round 3 - Slower pace initially. Arlovski moves back and lands a huge right, dropping Rothwell. The crowd voices its pleasure as Rothwell stays prone on the mat.

Andrei Arlovksi def. Ben Rothwell via KO (strikes) -- Round 3, 1:13.

Emcee Michael Buffer runs down a list of attending stars at tonight's event. The loudest voices of approval come for ex-UFC fighters Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. Megadeth comes to the stage for their final performance of the evening.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia

Round 1 - The atmosphere is absolutely electric, as almost every fan in the building is on their feet. Emcee Michael Buffer whips the alreeady excited crowd into a frenzy. Neither fighter makes eye contact during the pre-fight routine. The opening bell sounds, the fighters touch gloves, and we are underway. Sylvia immediately stalks Emelianenko and throws a punch. Emelianenko evades, and a barrage of counters follow that drop Sylvia. Emelianenko pounces, immediately moves to Sylvia's back, locks in the rear naked choke, and the fight is over.

Fedor Emelianenko def. Tim Sylvia via submission (rear naked choke) -- Round 1, 0:36.