CRY ME A REMATCH

Belly aches, chin music and sore eyes are words I use to summarize UFC 106. Belly Ache’s because fighters continue to complain about the judging, chin music from fighters wanting the first title shot, and sore eyes from the use of open fingered MMA gloves.

Light heavyweight twin “Little Dog” Rogerio Noguiera of Brazil stalked fellow countryman Luiz Cane around the cage playing a game of punch-out. Rogerio put Cane on unsteady legs with precision combinations that set up a big right hand knockout. Rogerio’s brother big “Nog” Noguiera and Middleweight champ Anderson Silva celebrated the KO victory cageside.

Yet another Brazilian, Paulo Thiago continues to impress with his toughness and cage savy. Thiago hit Jakob Volkman with bombs from every angle that put the European on his back all three rounds. Volkman gets credit for coming to fight with a strong ground game and a couple of times had Thiago in dangerous submission situations. But Thiago came through and continued to unload on on the dazed and weary Volkman only missing a KO for the victory. Look for a Thiago in a bigger mathchup in 2010.

Koscheck-Johnson started standing with fireworks coming from the fist of both fighters. Johnson landed thunderous leg kicks and sharp jabs while Koscheck scored with a heavy overhand right. Then round 1 took a bizarre twist when Johnson kneed a downed Koscheck—foul! First it was thought Koscheck took a knee to the eye but replays showed otherwise. The referee huddled with Koscheck, then the doctor came into the cage…was the fight being stopped? It was complete confusion for 5, min no one knew if Koscheck could continue, or Johnson might be DQ’ed. The ref seemed to argue with the doctor and then suddenly the fight was on again. After a brief exchange standing, Koscheck took Anthony Johnson down, controlled him and took his back near the end of the round.

Round 2 brought more mischief with Koscheck poking Johnson in the eye not once but twice. Anthony Johnson had major eye surgery resulting from an eye poke in another fight. Things finally settled down and Koscheck used good combinations up top to set up a takedown along the cage. With time running out in the second Koscheck secures a rear naked choke finishing Anthony Johnson. Let me just say, I spar with open fingered gloves and have never poked anyone in the eye. MMA fighters need to make up their minds to punch not paw at face height. In his post fight interview Josh Koscheck calls Dan Hardy a pretender not contender.


Tito-Forrest 2 capped the night. Tito Ortiz revived his prefight entrance carrying the American and Mexican flag…already sporting a black-eye? True to predictions the fight started standing both men trading hard shots, Griffin mixing in the leg kicks. And then cue Tito, after seeing Griffin’s striking up close Ortiz moved in and scored a classic take down. On the mat he worked Griffin over with ground and pound controlling him tough wrestling. Round 2, Griffin picks up the pace a bit jabbing and scoring, but then gets bull rushed flat on the mat. Ortiz rains down elbows this time cutting Forrest on the forehead.


Forrest has a rock solid sprawl so I was surprised to see him cave easily to the take down. Round 3 was crucial round for both fighters. Griffin’s corner implored him to stop throwing kicks or risk the takedown. Forrest unloaded the arsenal with combos, Tito stood like a zombie. Twice Ortiz moved in for the take down everyone expected but Griffin easily pushed him away. Midway through the round Tito appeared too tired to even counter punch and Forrest completely dominated. Still, I had Forrest behind 10-9, 10-8, in rounds one and two. What do you know? A judge gave Forrest one of the first two rounds and the third. Forrest Griffin wins via split decision. No one in the Mandalay Event center really complained, Ortiz inexplicably blew the third round.

Post fight interview Forrest is humble, Tito grumbled. He compliments Forrest then launches into a laundry list of his current injuries-excuses. The crowd boos and Tito starts preaching about the rigors of being a fighter. So, what’s going on here, is Tito Ortiz healthy or not? What’s with the claims of a new back injury, and possibly a skull fracture? Just my opinion but perhaps he should settle down with Jenna J. and they can both reminisce over old conquests without the risk. MMA is not a pursuit that improves your health. Griffin reaffirmed Tito’s gripe on training and injuries then calls for a Griffin-Ortiz 3? I still see Forrest in the trees after this win. I am not convinced that he is a strong contender. Something is amiss with his fight game, a result of book deals, marriage?


Jdon Howard