UFC 104 Live Coverage Thread

[Punisher]

UFC 104 Machida vs. Shogun
Live From Los Angeles, California
October 24th, 2009

Main Card

* Light Heavyweight bout: Brazil Lyoto Machida vs. Brazil Shogun Rua
* Heavyweight bout: United States Cain Velasquez vs. United States Ben Rothwell
* Lightweight bout: United States Joe Stevenson vs. United States Spencer Fisher
* Catchweight (176 lb) bout: United States Anthony Johnson vs. Japan Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* Catchweight (157 lb) bout: Brazil Gleison Tibau vs. United States Josh Neer

Spike TV card

* Light Heavyweight bout: United States Ryan Bader vs. United States Eric Schafer
* Heavyweight bout: Netherlands Antoni Hardonk vs. United States Patrick Barr

Preliminary card

* Middleweight bout: Japan Yushin Okami vs. United States Chael Sonnen
* Middleweight bout: United States Jorge Rivera vs. United States Rob Kimmons
* Light Heavyweight bout: United States Kyle Kingsbury vs. United States Razak Al-Hassan
* Heavyweight bout: Netherlands Stefan Struve vs. United States Chase Gormley

[Punisher]

Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley
Round 1

Struve throws low kicks in the opening 30 seconds before going up top. He misses with the head kick and Gormley takes the fight to the mat with a double-leg. Gormley lands some shots while standing in Struve’s guard. Struve goes for a leg lock and Gormley is content to sit back for one of his own. The two exchange submission attempts back-and-forth before Struve sweeps to top position. Struve unloads on Gormley as he hangs onto his left leg. Referee Jason Herzog is watching closely but doesn’t intervene. The fighters scramble on the mat until Struve, from top position, pulls Gormley into a triangle. Struve goes to his back and elicits the tapout at 4:04 of the first frame.

Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan
Round 1

Al-Hassan takes Kingsbury to the mat with a trip right off the bat. Taking top position he tries to secure a guillotine choke but cannot finish after falling to guard. Kingsbury moves one leg through on the way to mount but can’t pass all the way. Kingsbury is put back in guard and the pace slows. Referee Jason Herzog decides to stand the fight back up. Al-Hassan grazes Kingsbury with a head-kick and the fighters exchange punches as the round closes.

Round 2
The fighters clinch and Kingsbury takes al-Hassan to the mat. Al-Hassan immediately sweeps to the top and works for a guillotine choke. Kingsbury defends and stands back up. Kingsbury pins him against the cage but al-Hassan gets double underhooks and spins him against the fence. Kingsbury fights for one underhook and they separate. The clinch up again and trade turns putting the other against the cage. The pace is quite slow and neither fighter seems poised to take the advantage. Herzog separates them again. Kingsbury flurries with punches in the final 10 seconds, al-Hassan answers with a kick to the body.

Round 3
Kingsbury delivers a stiff left hand that is countered by a right from Al-Hassan, both fighters’ heads snap backwards. Kingsbury pushing the action now, charging forward while Al-Hassan circles and counters. Kingsbury leaps in with a right hands but Al-Hassan fights back, landing a solid left. From the clinch along the cage, Kingsbury tries to heed his corner’s instructions to take the fight to the mat. He locks up a single and trips Al-Hassan to the mat but he springs right back to his feet. The fighters fall back to the mat from the clinch and both scramble back to their feet once again. Kingsbury chases Al-Hassan right up to the bell but fails to land any significant shots before the horn ends the lackluster match.

Official scores are 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29. Kingsbury takes the split decision.

Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
Round 1
Kimmons punches his way inside on Rivera and changes levels for a takedown but Rivera grabs underhooks and thwarts him. Kimmons pushes Rivera back against the cage but Rivera escapes back to the center. Rivera lands a nice right hand lead and pushes Kimmons against the cage and scores with a nice uppercut. Rivera takes control in the middle of the cage, scoring with multiple punch combinations, landing big right after big right. Kimmons shows a solid chin but his only answer in the exchanges are flailing counters. Kimmons backs Rivera into the cage once again and takes him down with about 45 seconds left in the round. Rivera defends from his back but Kimmons finds some holes and lands his best shots of the round.

Round 2
Kimmons charges in again to begin round two, pushing Rivera against the cage. Rivera knees to the body as Kimmons shoots and drops him awkwardly to the mat. Kimmons pops right back up but Rivera lands an uppercut that hurts Kimmons who falls to his back. Rivera takes over from top position and punishes him with strikes. He is landing at will every time he sits up in his guard. Rivera is pounding away with just over a minute left in round two. Rivera stands up out of guard and leaps back in with more right hands. With 30 seconds left, Rivera lets Kimmons up. The fighters exchange from the clinch with Kimmons getting the better shots in the final seconds.

Round 3
Rivera knocks Kimmons to the mat with a barrage of punches just 10 seconds into the final round. Rivera settles into his guard and pounds away with right hands as referee Herzog watches intently. Kimmons’ face is covered in blood and Herzog calls for the doctor. After a cursory look, Kimmons takes up his position on the mat and Rivera continues the assault. Herzog deems he has had enough and steps in at 1:53 to give Rivera the win by TKO
More to come.... continue refreshing all night long!!


Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
Round 1
Okami pistons the jab from his southpaw stance, snapping Sonnen’s head back before the wrestler shoots in. Okami staves him off for a moment but Sonnen gets him to the mat from the clinch along the cage. Okami struggles back to his feet but Sonnen grabs a body clinch from the rear and slams him to the mat. Okami back up for a second but back he goes, courtesy of Sonnen. Sonnen takes his back and attempts a rear naked choke but Okami defends and gets back to his feet with Sonnen holding onto a rear body lock. Sonnen jumps onto Okami’s back and begins working the rear naked again but Okami escapes. In the center of the cage, Sonnen hits another takedown but can’t keep Okami down. The fighters exchange big lefts, Sonnen first and Okami with a counter as the round closes.

Round 2
Okami scores with punches as round two gets underway. Sonnen shoots as Okami is throwing a kick and he is stopped in his tracks. Okami tries to get away from Sonnen’s grasp but he clings to his shorts and legs from behind. Sonnen is taking control of the fight, surprisingly, on the feet. He is backing Okami up and landing a lead left hook over and over. Okami has no answer and seems preoccupied with defending the takedown.

Round 3
Sonnen is back at it in the third, stalking Okami on the feet to set up his shot. He drops for the takedown but Okami defends with underhooks. Sonnen is undeterred and press forward on the feet. The two southpaws circle in the center of the cage but Sonnen is much more active. Okami, possibly sensing a little urgency begins to push forward but Sonnen stuffs him up against the cage and plants him to the canvas. Okami turtles and Sonnen takes his back. Okami wriggles back to his feet with Sonnen in tow, holding his waist in a body lock. Sonnen pushes him to the mat and Okami, on his side, locks up a Kimura. Sonnen defends will and Okami lets the hold go. He gets back to his feet but can’t shake Sonnen.

Sonnen takes a unanimous decision on the official cards with scores of 30-27 across the board.

Antoni Hardonk vs. Patrick Barry
Round 1
Barry and Hardonk trade low kicks through the opening minute of combat. Both fighters connected clean. Hardonk lands a stinging kick to Barry’s left leg, which forces the American to switch to Southpaw. Hardonk accidentally pokes Barry in the eye and time is called. Hardonk continues to attack the legs of his opponent, whether Barry fights as a left hander or from the orthodox stance. Hardonk slips throwing a kick and Barry takes advantage. Barry hops on top into side control, where he punches from the top and controls position. Hardonk gets back to his feet and is clipped by a Barry right hook. Both of Barry’s legs are bruised up from the low kicks. Hardonk stays with his low kick game plan and it’s working as he frustrates Barry in the final seconds of the round.

Round 2
Barry’s right eye is swollen from the first-round eye poke, but it doesn’t affect him early as he scores with several right-hook leads to the head of Hardonk. Barry’s confidence is at an all-time high as he starts to land at will. Hardonk, frustrated from the assault, attempts a rare takedown. Barry stuffs it easily. Hardonk steps forward in the pocket and is hit with a jab on the top of the head. He stumbles from the blow and Barry pounces with a savage right hand to the fallen fighter. Barry raises his arms before referee Josh Rosenthal takes action at 2:30 of round two. Impressive performance from Patrick Barry.

Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer
Round 1
Bader sneaks in a right hook on the heels of his jab. Schafer doubles up on his jab, but he can’t follow up with meaningful punches. Bader is swinging for the fences from the outside, and he’s grazing punches on both sides of his opponent’s face. Bader connects with a hard right hand that puts Schafer down. Bader swarms with leather as Schafer holds on. Bader absolutely tees off with his right hand, but Schafer survives. Scahfer then gets busy with an offensive guard, where he works omaplata and kimura attempts. Bader’s defense is solid. The horn ends a solid first frame.

Round 2
Bader is caught with a finger in the eye. Referee Josh Rosenthal gives Bader a short reprieve and the fight is back on. Schafer looks confident as he slugs Bader with a right hook. Bader’s pace has slowed after the draining first stanza. Bader is loading up on his right hand and he’s falling short. Schafer stays calm and connects with a jab and a short right. Bader lands a grazing-straight right to the ribs. Bader winds up with his right hand is hit by two clean counter rights. Bader lands a left hook and Schafer taunts him with a smile. Schafer gets sloppy and is hit with two right-hand leads. A minute remains in the round. Bader lands a right hand after two uninspiring jabs. Schafer stuffs a takedown and blasts Bader with a right hand. Schafer stops another shot and works a guillotine as the round closes.

Round 3
Schafer starts the round with a lazy jab and pays for it, as Bader connects with a right-handed haymaker. Schafer stumbles around the cage like a newborn deer taking its first steps before crashing to the canvas. Bader swarms with punches and elbows, but much like the first round, Schafer survives and stops Bader in his tracks with a solid guard. The fighters clash heads in the guard and Schafer is cut. The laceration is cleaned by a doctor and action resumes. Schafer finds a rhythm on the feet and pieces together a few clean right hands. Bader steps forward and snaps Schafer’s head back with a jab. Bader drops levels for a double-leg takedown, and he scores. Schafer attempts to defend the shot with a guillotine, but Bader easily passes to side control. Bader controls the final minute before giving up guard and an omaplata try at the bell.

Ryan Bader takes the unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-26.

Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Round 1
Johnson, a much larger opponent who failed to make weight on Friday, storms out and roughs Yoshida up with rights and lefts and to the chin. Yoshida is hurt and backing up with his hands down. Johnson lands a clean right cross directly on the chin and Yoshida goes to sleep. Referee Steve Mazzagatti halts the contest at just 0:41 of the first. Following the knockout, Johnson apologizes to the UFC for not making weight, which he says is a result of a knee injury.

Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Round 1
A one-two from Fisher ends a minute-long feeling-out process. Stevenson lands a left hand that opens up a small cut near the right temple on Fisher’s eyebrow. Stevenson switches levels for a takedown and Fisher defends beautifully. Fisher’s eye is bothering him as he blinks constantly, perhaps in an effort to prompt referee Herb Dean to separate the fighters, as Stevenson is controlling the clinch. Dean separates the fighters and Stevenson gets a takedown and half of Fisher’s back. Stevenson lands some right hands at the bell.

Round 2
Stevenson lands a hard right hand as Fisher starts the round aggressively. Fisher throws a kick to the body that is caught. Stevenson keeps a tight hold on the foot of Fisher and drags him to the canvas. Stevenson drops back for a heel hook, and Fisher defends. Stevenson gets back on top and briefly advances to mount before being put in half guard. Stevenson is teeing off with right elbows from half guard. Fisher is trapped against the fence and he’s taking a beating as Stevenson mixes in punches with the elbows. Stevenson moves to a crucifix and drops about 20 straight elbows that open up the face of Fisher. Dean steps in to save Fisher at 4:03 of the second.

Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
Round 1
Tibau grazes a fast-punching combination and then follows with a beautifully-executed knee-tap takedown. Tibau gets sloppy and allows his opponent to stand before scoring another forceful takedown. Neer hops back up and taken down for the third time. In what is becoming a pattern through the first three minutes of action, Tibau is unable to hold Neer to the floor. Neer stands and Tibau drops levels for a single. Tibau completes the takedown. Neer works a butterfly guard from his back, and eventually uses it to stand.

Round 2
The second stage begins as the first ended, as Tibau gets two quick takedowns, but is unable to do anything with the position. Tibau gets a third takedown, and this time he’s able to capitalize. Tibau moves to mount and then the back of Neer. Tibau transitions to a tight armbar, but Neer is game. Neer escapes and works briefly from the top before standing. Neer keeps Tibau at bay with lowkicks and punches for the duration of the round.

Round 3
Tibau rushes in and gets a quick single-leg. Neer defends from his guard and stands when Tibau gave space. For the first time in the fight, Neer shrugs off a Tibau takedown. He stuffs another. Tibau is fatigued and backing up with his hands down. Neer lands a right hand and is taken down. Neer elbows the head from an open guard. Tibau allows Neer to stand, and is hit with a low kick. Tibau scores yet another single. Neer checks the clock and gets to his feet. Tibau gets another clean takedown before time expires. The crowd boos both fighters.

Tibau takes a unanimous decision with official scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28.

Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
Round 1
Velasquez gets a single-leg takedown after landing a kick to the body. Rothwell stands and is taken back down. Velasquez punishes Rothwell with short punches and moves to north-south. Velasquez goes to side control, which allows Rothwell to escape to his feet. Velasquez takes him back down and dishes out a world of hurt with both elbows and hands. Velasquez moves effortlessly from mount to side control and beyond. Velasquez allows Rothwell to stand after a completely one-sided thrash fest.

Round 2
Velasquez snags a quick single and the beating commences. Velasquez’s right hand finds a home on the face of Rothwell. Velasquez pins Rothwell’s left arm against the cage and unloads with lefts to the head. While Rothwell frees his arm and stands to his feet, referee Steve Mazzagatti executes extremely poor judgment in calling the fight. An awful move to a fight that was growing more exciting by the minute. The official time is 0:58 of round two.

Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
Round 1
Rua leads with a body kick and jumps right into Machida’s clinch, taking several knees to the body in the process. Rua disengages and attempts to corner, but Machida escapes. Machida with kick to the body. Rua with inside leg kick. The two collide and Machida fires off a knee to the body before the two clinch against the cage. Action stalls. Rua with a swinging knee, then another. Machida breaks off the cage and escapes. Machida with kick to the body, eats a kick to the leg. Machida rushes in with knee and Rua catches him mid-air, pressing to the cage in the clinch. Rua working knees. Rua reels off a kick to the body after the two break off. Mahida starts bouncing but he looks a little tentative. The two trade leg kicks. Machida attempts to counter Rua’s leg kick with a punch, no dice. Rua lands a punch as Machida attempts his own. Machida chops at Rua’s leg as he advances. Round ends in a standoff.

Round 2
A lot of feints from both men as round gets started. Machida reels off front kick and takes a leg kick as he escapes. Machida switches stances and changes his mind. Rua chases in with a leg kick. Rua catches a left as he kicks. Machida with a kick to the body. Rua chases the champ down with a body kick. The two collide with kicks, and Machida reels off a knee as Shogun shoots. Machida stuffs it against the cage. Machida with leg kick. Rua nearly catches a leg as the two pass each other in center cage. Rua chases down a body kick. Machida with big kick to the body. Rua punches in and lands a body kick. Rua nearly meets a punch as e comes in with a head kick. Machida catches him mid-air with a left as he leaps in with a kick, but Shogun shrugs it off. Machida again attempts knee as Rua closes, but no dice. The two are locked up against cage. Rua works knees. Action stalls. Rua breaks off with a punch as the round ends.

Round 3
Rua chases in, but misses with punches as Machida escapes. Machida lands punch/kick combo and Rua repays with body kick of his own. Rua with body kick. Rua attempts lead left hook, nothing doing. A tactical battle, to be sure. Both fighters constantly sizing each other up. Machida goes with straight left but Rua’s guard is solid. Rua dives in for takedown and works a few knees before being pushed back. They trade leg kicks. And again. Rua catches a punch as he kicks again. Rua punches in and kicks to finish, but nothing’s really damaging the champ yet. The worst show of battle are their flanks, which are reddened from constant kicking. They finally corner each other and trade shots. Rua catches a few, but he also plasters the champ with a solid right that backs him away. Machida escapes and the two end the round in another staredown.

Round 4
More sparring as the round gets started with feints and the occasional leg kick from Rua. If ever there was a human chess match, this is it. Rua again nearly pays with his chin as he comes in with kick. Machida slips on the canvas and Rua charges in for a takedown. Machida applies the “Asian Dart” and rebuffs his foe. Rua comes in again with a kick, but this time applies a plumb after the inevitable counter from Machida. It isn’t held for long though, Machida is on his bicycle. Rua chases Machida around the cage with same attack as always. Machida shrugs it off and continues moving. Round ends in standoff.

Round 5
Machida checks a Rua kick to start off. Rua charges in with body kick. Machida returns with knee to body as Rua advances. Rua lands huge kick to Machida's body. Rua distracts with punches and gets another body kick. Rua with another body kick. Machida returns, but catches a kick to the leg. Rua charges in and meets air. The two lock up after doing the same dance they've been doing the entire fight. Ref Herb Dean separates them. Rua lands kick to body. Rua lands punch-elbow combination off a lock up, the most significant in the round. Machida is bringing the same weapons in each exchange—a straight left and left knee to the body. Rua has locked into these, though, and the results are less than exciting. Rua seems to have one attack that's working, and he's working it: kicks to the body and legs. Rua chases him down the two trade briefly before the round ends to the boos of the audience.

All three judges score it 48-47 Lyoto Machida….audience boos

[Kellie]

thanks for the coverage Chris