MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis

Well, this will be the first time I’ve ever done one of these “live blog” events here at MMA HQ, so we’ll see how it goes. So if you guys like it, let me know; if its garbage, let me know that too.

Let’s get the night started.

9:00 - I’m already sick of Mike Goldberg and his crappy died hair and stupid commentary

9:05 - Nate “Rock” Quarry is giving his intro interview and feeding us the same lines he did before his fight with Franklin. Wonder if he forgot about that fight yet?

9:07 - The technical issues have started early tonight as Joe Rogan is clearly trying to explain to us Nate Quarry’s spinal fusion surgery - except we get no audio from the commentators. Instead we are treated to some kind of Steve Vai like guitar riff. Even the “tale of the tape” segment is sans audio. Way to go Spike/Zuffa.

Nate Quarry vs Pete Sell

Quarry looks in pretty good shape, better than I remember. But then again, when you have close to 2 years off you have no excuse not to be in good shape.

9:10 - Since Goldie and Rogan’s mics still aren’t working we get to listen to Matt Serra yell instructions to “Draggggooo”. Reminds me of the whole TUF Season 5.

9:13 - Both fighters look pretty sloppy but it’s actually makine for a pretty exciting, fast-paced fight. Drago is “sloppy boxing” while Quarry is trying to work the clinch game.

9:15 - End of round 1 and I’d probably give the round to Sell, 10-9. Drago seemed to land more power shots and control the fight event though he was in trouble in Quarry’s clinch. Really I’d like to score it 9-9 and dock Sell a point for being sponsored by CondomDepot.com and having that plastered across his butt. Kind of ironic…

9:17 - Unfortunately, Goldie and Rogan’s microphones are back on. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

9:21 - End of round 2. Pretty boring round. I’d give it to Sell 10-9 for being more active and knocking Quarry down with a solid right hand. Even though Quarry ended the round with some solid leg kicks, I think Sell easily won the round.

9:23 - Ok, that was one of the weirder ends to a fight that I’ve seen. Drago clearly was dazed and knocked out but Quarry just looked at him and didn’t try to finish. Yamasaki let it continue so Quarry landed another shot that Sell saw coming and didn’t even try to move away from. I guess that’s what you deserve for that CondomDepot crap. Don’t bring that weak junk into the octagon. Quarry wins by KO in round 3.

9:26 - It seems that maybe Quarry should be the one that should be sporting the CondomDepot.com butt wipe on the shorts with the way he is groping Joe Rogan.

9:29 - We see the first of what I’m predicting will be 8 UFC 76 previews during the 2 hour show.

9:31 - They just showed the “Junior Assuncao” standing in the drizzle picture and it kind of looked like he had down syndrome. Anyone else think that??? Those horse teeth he has are crazy.

Nate Diaz vs Junior Assuncao

9:36 - Assuncao’s body just looks so much bigger than Diaz. More like a welterweight vs a lightweight.

9:39 - Diaz looks determined to land a kimura on Assuncao. Already had a few decents attempts at it and even took Assuncao down with a very “Karo Parisyan” like sweep.

9:41 - If you live BJJ and grappling then you are enjoying this fight so far. And just as I’m typing this, Diaz landed several shots that dropped Junior. Diaz submits Junior via guillotine in the first round. Nice showing by Diaz.

9:46 - All right, we get it already; Nick is Nate Diaz’s little brother. We realize that already. I was hoping we could see some of the undercard fights like the Alves-Hironaka or the Gray Maynard fight since they ended early but I’m sure we probably aren’t going to considering they are going to make us sit through interviews with Chuck Liddell and Forest Griffin.

9:51 - I just got up and got an ice cream sandwich from my freezer. Not really related to the UFC but if this is “live blogging” I might as well go all the way, right?

9:54 - Man, the UFC is really coming off pretty amateurish tonight with the technical issues. The “remote” feed gave Rogan some problems, but now he is feeding Liddell some canned questions and Liddell is obliging with some canned responses. Man this is really embarrassing. Rogan is doing his best but these “glitches” are getting ridiculous.

Terry Martin vs Chris Leben

10:02 - “I’m going to hurt this guy… seriously” - Terry Martin about Chris Leben (by the way, I believe Martin)

10:06 - Looks like Leben has finally learned his lesson and is keeping his chin down. Guess he finally realized that getting clipped and knocked out isn’t that fun.

10:10 - End of round one. Pretty close round that I’d probably score 9-9. Leben was more active and looked crisper and tried to work some submissions from his back. Martin had two nice take downs but didn’t do anything with them. Leben would have won 10-9 if he hadn’t lost a point for grabbing the fence to prevent getting body slammed by Martin.

10:15 - Chris Leben has a very good game plan for this fight and is continuously circling left to avoid Martin’s heavy right hand. After being taken to the ground again, Leben came very close to sinking in a triangle choke submission. Martin was saved by the bell before Leben could lock it in tight enough.

10:19 - End of the second round. Giving that round to Leben 10-9.

10:21 - Both fighters look pretty gassed early in round three, but Martin is definitely throwing some nice heavy strikes that are landing.

10:24 - Another very weird ending. Terry Martin landed a few bombs and it looked like Leben was one or two punches from being KO’d standing. Next thing you know, Martin is lying on the mat and the fight is over. Leben wins by KO in round three via sweeping hook to the chin.

10:27 - Looks like Leben belongs to the CondomDepot.com fan club as well. I guess all losers hang together after all…

10:32 - Surprisingly that was only the second UFC 76 preview commercial we’ve seen all night. Guess my prediction was a little off.

10:37 - Joe Rogan just called Kenny Florian vs Din Thomas as “dream matchup.” I guess Rogan and I have much different dreams when it comes to MMA matchups.

10:41 - Din Thomas looks focused and locked in the zone knowing how important this fight is in terms of hoping for a future title shot.

10:46 - Even though I know he has an accent, everytime I hear Mario Yamasaki talk it catches me off guard when I hear his accent.

10:47 - Florian lands a big kick to Din Thomas’ junk (or “package” as Rogan calls it). Rogan goes on to say that he likes to hear the sound of Din’s cup cracking from the kick, continuing the nights CondomDepot theme.

10:49 - Best moment of the night so far: someone in the crowd yells out “Put him in a body bag” that is heard clearly over the broadcast. Gotta love the Karate Kid quotes no matter when or where you hear them.

10:51 - Surprised this fight hasn’t been stopped yet. Thomas is laying in the “turtle” position on the ground while Florian lands about 893 punches. At one point, Florian looks at Mario and motions with his hand as if to say “why haven’t you stopped this yet.” Thomas is clearly hurt and allows Florian to take his back and ultimately sink in a rear naked choke. Florian wins by submission in round 1.

10:53 - Looks like Din Thomas might have blown his ACL while shooting in on Florian and that is why he was unable to get defend against Florian’s attacks on the ground. Took a few minutes for Thomas to get up and he is being helped up and out of the cage by his team without putting any pressure on his left leg.

10:59 - Well, the Fight Night is officially over. Some decent fights but nothing outstanding. Sounds like undercard fights were a little more exciting but, of course, we didn’t get to see any of them. For those of you sticking around for the premier of The Ultimate Fighter season 6, enjoy yourself. I’m going to DVR it and catch it tomorrow.