The UFC Results

Is it really a surprise? I ask this questions honestly. Seeing Sean Sherk I would never have said straight out that he was a steroid user. He is ripped and he has incredible cardio but you would think that a guy that talks so much about supporting his family would never risk such a thing. I also wonder why he has never come up positive in the past. Sean Sherk performed exactly the same as he did against Kenny “Let Go” Florian, and has been an incredibly strong fighter his whole career, so, why now?

I think injury may have played a factor this time. Sean Sherk had gotten surgery on his shoulder not too long ago. Who knows how that affected him and his training. His shoulder was hurt before his fight against Florian, but I have seen personally with friends who have played collegiate level sports that their play can be seriously affected by surgery. Maybe since Sherk was such a training freak that he started to get worried when he wasn’t seeing the same results as in the past. We may never know, but it is clear that Sherk had twice the allowed limit of Nandrolone in his system. He simply broke the rules and should be punished.

Steve Sievert over at Brawl Sports wrote an interesting list of reactions the UFC should have in response to this scandal:

1. Strip Sherk of the title immediately. Both his “A” and “B” samples tested positive. There’s no ambiguity here … no cloak-and-dagger mystery that has mired the Floyd Landis debacle in cycling. I don’t see any need to wait for Sherk to appeal to pull the belt. This is too dark of a black eye.

3. Schedule BJ Penn versus Spencer Fisher for UFC 76. The bout would be for the vacant lightweight title and could potentially be one hell of a fight. Both fighters are deserving of the shot. Let’s just hope they can pass a drug test.

I really enjoy reading Sievert’s columns because is usually right on with his commentary. There is no doubt that Sherk should be stripped of his title. He enhanced his performance with an illegal substance and in any sport whatever is won while using that substance is stripped. The fine is a bit subjective to me but it would definitely bring home the point that the UFC is not messing around. His third point is the best. As of right now the only fight that has been discussed as a main even for UFC 76 is Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardin, which would be a total joke of a main event. If a light weight title fight between BJ Penn and Spencer Fisher happened then things would get a whole lot more interesting.

In fact, BJ Penn has already commented on the whole steroid debacle and his yearning to be the light weight champion:

Watch the BJ Penn interview

Hopefully fighters will get the point now, DON’T USE STEROIDS! It’s wrong and illegal and hurts the image of the sport that we all enjoy.

Popularity: 88% [?]

Mirko Cro Cop, who suffered a horrible KO loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70, is ready to fight. He is going to face Cheick Congo of France. This is going to be a great fight since both of these fighters are kick boxers that love to strike.

A great thing about Mirko Cro Cop is his humility. He is a very confident fighter, and initially said he didn’t need to train in an octagon, but since his loss to Gonzaga he has installed a cage and is training with it. That change in training shows that he can admit when he is wrong and is willing to change to make up for his past mistakes. Gabriel Gonzaga soundly beat Cro Cop but the next time they face off against each other Mirko will be a different fighter.

Watch the Mirko Cro Cop vs. Gabriel Gonzaga video here

The fact that Mirko Cro Cop is going to be a new fighter poses a large problem for Cheick Congo. In MMA, Cro Cop doesn’t lose back to back. In 2005 Cro Cop lost a decision to Fedor Emelianenko but won his next fight against Josh Barnett. Those are two enormously talented fighters in back to back fights, most fighters would have taken a “get back on your feet fight”, but Cro Cop came out against one of the best and won. Cheick Congo isn’t one of the best MMA fighters in the UFC but he is a very good kick boxer. So this will be a very good come back fight and a defining challenge for Cro Cop. In addition, the internet rumor mill churned up that Cro Cop is apparently asking for a rematch against Noguiera. That would be an amazing fight and is a testament to Cro Cop’s will as a fighter to fight the best and be the best.

Cro Cop’s upcoming fight is going to be huge and if you are fight fan you better start getting pumped now because I think a Frenchman is going to be on the receiving end of a left high kick to the face. Watch for Cro Cop in September at UFC 75 on Spike TV; it’s going to be free!

Here is a clip of Cro Cop against Nogueira. Great fight, I really hope to see a rematch!

Watch this Mirko Cro Cop vs. Minotauro Noguiera video on youtube

Popularity: 83% [?]

Winner: Kenny Florian - TKO - Round 1

The fighters come out and Alvin Robinson comes out fast. Robinson lands an awesome arm throw. They get back to their feet and Kenny Florian tosses Alvin Robinson. The ref strangely stands them up quickly. Robinson closes quickly and lands a good strike that may have staggered him but Florian recovers quickly and trips Robinson. Florian mounts and starts to throw elbows. Robinson bucks Florian but is quickly smothered again and is mounted almost immediately. Robinson pushes him off again and they get to their feet. Robinson closes on Florian but Florian pushes back and takes down Alvin Robinson. Florian mounts again and rains down elbows and punches. Robinson tries to tap but keeps getting punished until the ref stops the fight.

Popularity: 54% [?]

Winner: Anderson Silva - TKO - Round 1

Both fighters come out feeling each other out. Marquardt throws an early leg kick. Marquardt tries to push and throws a jumping knee and Marquardt catches him and takes him to the ground. Marquardt moves him to half guard. Anderson Silva is guarding well from his back. Marquardt tried to pass but it let Anderson Silva get full guard. Silva gets high and almost gets a triangle. They separate and Anderson tries to hit Marquardt coming in with an up kick. Marquardt gets on top again. Andesron pushes him off and catches Marquardt with an up kick coming in again. Marquardt is all right and gets on top but the ref stands them up. Silva comes out with a head kick, Marquardt blocks, then Silva attacks with a hard straight left that forces Nathan Marquardt to try and take Silva down. Anderson Silva defends and then reverses beautifully. Anderson Silva stands above Marquardt and lands a huge right hand that dazes Marquardt. Anderson Silva lands four more punches and John Macarthy calls the fight. Anderson Silva wins by TKO.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Winner: Neither fighter won, it was ruled a draw.

Ortiz opens the round with a head kick then takes Rashad down easily. Rashad is trying to climb the fence but Ortiz sucks him in. Evans continues to try and get up. Rashad walks up the fence and they clinch on the fence. They separate and Rashad starts throwing wildly at the air hoping that Tito walks into his punches. Rashad looks jumpy and Ortiz pursues. They both move to the center of the octagon and Tito lands two good leg kicks in a row. Tito goes for a take down and follow with a knee, possibly to the groin. They clinch and they both show off their wrestling and Rashad gets behind Ortiz and pushes him to the fence and has under hooks. Tito manages to reverse and they finish the round in the clinch.

Rashad comes out light on his feet moving his hands around. Tito throws a high kick. They exchange and Ortiz lands a good jab. Rashad attempts a take down but Ortiz defends easily. They circle a bit and exchange. Rashad tries to pin Ortiz against the fence. Tito gets a thai clinch but doesn’t utilize it. Rashad separates and almost lands an elbow. Rashad tries to clinch against the fence again but couldn’t capitalize. They come back to the center of the ocatagon and Rashad tries to shoot and Tito defends. They come apart and Tito goes for the take down and gets it. Rashad Evans tries to climb the fence again and does. Rashad tries to counter and take Ortiz to the mat. He does manage to get Ortiz down and Tito Ortiz looses a point in the process for holding the fence. Once on the ground Tito gets Rashad in a guillotine but the round ends before Tito Ortiz can finish.

They start the round slow. After a minute Ortiz lands a glancing head kick. Ortiz takes him down and is trying to suck Rashad back in so he can posture and begin the ground and pound. Ortiz mounts for a moment and then Rashad Evans gets up and Ortiz throws some knees. Ortiz goes for the take down again and they end up in the clinch against the cage. Rashad Evans defends well. The ref pulls them apart and Tito immediately goes for a head kick. Neither fighter throws many punches. Tito looks tired but Rashad Evans doesn’t pursue. Tito throws a body kick and then tries to shoot. Rashad Evans sprawls and reverses and takes Tito Ortiz down with ten seconds left in the fight.

Popularity: 87% [?]

Winner: Sean Sherk - Decision

Hermes starts the fight with a large knee, and Sherk gets a hold of Hermes and throws a huge slam but Franca pulls him into a deep guillotine. Sherk holds strong and gets out. Sherk applies the pressure and moves to mount. Sherk is starting to work for an arm triangle but it lets Hermes escape to side control. Hermes pushes off the cage and moves to the guard. Sherk stands up and almost gets caught in an arm bar. They move to the north/south position. Sherk picks Franca’s ankle and stays on top of Franca. Sherk then moves again into mount but doesn’t deliver any serious damage. Hermes Franca escapes out the back door and then goes for a leg lock and lost his position and now has Sherk in Franca’s guard again. Franca isn’t showing any damage and the round ends.

Franca opens with a leg kick then Sherk shoots and eats a huge knee. Sean Sherk is rocked but pushes forward somehow and is almost caught in another guillotine. Sherk goes to mount and then Hermes reverses and ends up in Sherk’s guard and gets ready to work. Hermes tries to posture and Sherk kicks Hermes Franca off of him. They move back to the north/south again. Sherk starts to use his wrestling to control Hermes, Franca rolls, and Sherk is in Franca’s half guard. Sherk lands a good elbow and shortly moves into half guard. Sherk tries to pin down Franca but he reverses. Sherk goes into attack mode again and ends up in another guillotine.

Hermes tries for a huge uppercut as Sherk comes in but misses. Sherk locks in a body lock and slams him. Sherk takes half guard and throws weak punches. Sherk goes for a north/south choke on Hermes but Franca rolls out. Sherk ends up back in Franca’s guard and he passes at will. It turns into a wrestling match. Franca manages to stand up but Sherk takes him down immediately. Sherk gets side control and then goes for an arm lock but Hermes Franca rolls out. The round ends and Sean Sherk has won all three rounds easily.

The round begins and Sherk eats another huge knee but Sherk takes Hermes down. Hermes holds him in his full guard and manages to squeeze his way out and gets to his feet. They go to the ground again and Hermes gets up. They strike for a bit and then Sherk goes for the take down again. He locks on Franca and slams him to the ground. They scramble and Franca gets to his feet. They strike for a short time then Sherk takes him down again. Sherk lands forgettable strikes and then Franca gets up only for Sherk to take him down.

Sherk looks incredibly fresh and lands a leg kick. Hermes misses a knee and gets taken down. Sherk finally tries to do something on the ground and postures. Hermes tries for an arm bar but Sherk gets out and gets caught with an up kick. Sherk smothers Franca on the ground and then mounts again. Hermes rolls and Sherk tries for his back and Hermes stands for a second and Sherk takes him down. Hermes attempts a knee bar and Sherk avoids. They grapple again and Hermes almost gets another knee bar and Sherk avoids. The round ends in the same unexciting fashion and Sherk undoubtedly wins the fight.

Popularity: 60% [?]

Winner: Minotauro Nogueira - Decision

The round starts and within the first 15 seconds, Nogueira takes Herring to the mat. Nogueira already has side control and is starting to work. Herring is trying to pull Nogueira into his half guard and manages to squirm to his feet. They get to the center of the octagon and exchange. Nogueira’s hands look good and doesn’t back away from Herring’s strikes. Nogueira stalks Herring and lands a goods straight and staggers Herring off balance. Herring is fine and Nogueira continues to stalk. Herring attempts another high kick. Herring is starting to get overwhelmed and Nogueira almost gets Herring’s back. Nogueira lets him go and they center again. They exchange and then Herring lands a huge kick to Nogueira’s head. Nogueira is hurt but Herring backs off and stands then makes Nogueira stand. Nogueira is incredibly rocked but manages to stay alive and the round ends.

They come back to center of the octagon in the beginning of the second round and Nogueira isn’t stalking anymore. He is more cautious and is still really wobbly. Herring works the high kick again. A minute passes and Nogueira is coming around again. The pace is picked up by Nogueira and Herring may have missed his opportunity. Herring throws another high kick. Nogeiura dodges a high kick and takes Herring down. Nogueira mounts and begins to take Herring’s back. Herring is trying to slide out the back door but manages to roll on top of Nogueira and then escape his guard and stands. Herring doesn’t look crisp and Nogueira pushes on. Herring lands a good leg kick but doesn’t follow with anything. Herring throws another leg kick but Nogueira returns with a punch combo. Herring keeps on throwing single strikes then Nogueira gets another take down as the round ends.

Nogueira comes out with a good combination. Herring changes his stance and starts to have a cocky attitude. Herring lands another good leg kick but again doesn’t follow. Nogueira walks up to Herring and takes him down. Herring gives up his back and tries to roll but gives up his back. Nogueira tries to lock in a rear naked choke but Herring manuevers and escapes into Nogueira’s guard. Noguiera then works an arm lock but Herring explodes out and Nogueira doesn’t waste any time to pounce. Herring again moves quick and gets to his feet. Herring eats a couple more jabs then gets in a quick clinch. They separate and exchange. Nogueira continues to pursue and Herring keeps eating strikes. Herring drops his hands hoping for a home run. As time dwindles it is clear that Nogueira has won the last two rounds and the fight.

Popularity: 54% [?]

If this Tito Ortiz shows up to fight at UFC 73 Rashad Evans is going home a loser.

Watch the video on youtube

Popularity: 55% [?]