UFC 100 Results & Recap
by Robert Sargent
The Ultimate Fighting Championship's prized UFC 100 card will sure to have people talking in the weeks ahead, though not necessarily for the best reasons. A great night of fights was marred by Brock Lesnar returning to his WWE "bad guy" roots.
After destroying Frank Mir, Lesnar's post-fight antics overshadowed the event and he was later forced to apologise for his making a mockery of a major UFC sponsor.
UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir
Showing vast improvement over their first meeting, Lesnar took the fight to the ground and stayed calm as he controlled the action with short but powerful punches in round one, then finished Mir with some vicious strikes against the cage in the second round.Mir, with left knee bandaged heavily, looked to strike early on and the two fighters exchanged leg kicks and short hooks. Lesnar clinched and looked for a takedown, but Mir rolled for a kneebar. Lesnar avoided danger and stayed in Mir's half-guard. Lesnar landed short punches and elbows, then trapped Mir's head in a modified headlock. He isolated Mir's arms and landed powerful right hands directly to the face of Mir. This continued for nearly the entire duration of the round, as Lesnar alternated between body punches and hard shots to the head. Mir's face was badly swollen, but he held on and survived more short punches and hammerfists in the final minute. 10-9 Lesnar.
Mir looked to score with a quick combination and a leg kick in round two, but Lesnar threw him to the mat. Mir stood up and pressed forward with punches and an elbow, then landed a solid knee to the body and drilled Lesnar with a jumping knee to the face. However, Mir fell down in the process and Lesnar went back to working from the top. Lesnar pressed Mir against the cage and landed hammerfists and short punches, then teed off with a series of 15 hard right hands that forced the referee to rescue Mir.
After the fight was stopped, Lesnar then made a fool of himself by taunting Mir, flipping off the fans in attendance, making a mockery of major UFC sponsor Bud Light (which earned him an earful from Dana White in the dressing room) and further acting like a "heel" (bad guy) from professional wrestling. While entertainment value and selling fights is good, this is not pro wrestling and these antics are the exact opposite of what the sport needs if it is to be taken seriously.
Winner: Brock Lesnar by KO (Punches) at 1:47 of round two. He improves to 4-1-0 and is now the UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Champion.
UFC Welterweight Championship
Georges "Rush" St. Pierre vs Thiago "Pitbull" Alves
Persevering through a pulled or torn groin muscle in the fourth round, St. Pierre dominated this fight with takedowns and impressive ground and pound, and prevented Alves from landing the devastating strikes that he needed. In the end, St. Pierre racked up another lopsided Unanimous Decision, but Alves showed his heart and determination and never once seemed to fatigue during the marathon battle.The fighters exchanged quick leg kicks and punches in the opening 30 seconds, and Alves followed up with a head kick and a hard leg kick. The kick immediately created a welt on St. Pierre's leg, but St. Pierre took Alves down. Alves tried to squirm free, but St. Pierre kept him down and landed strikes from the top. Alves worked his way up, but St. Pierre scored another takedown and took Alves's back. He looked for a rear naked choke, but Alves rolled over and stood up. Alves landed a nice combination, but St. Pierre countered with a flurry and a leg kick. St. Pierre scored with a Superman Punch, leg kick combo, then more quick strikes as his reach advantage became evident. St. Pierre landed a one-two and tried for a takedown, but Alves defended and pushed forward with punches. He landed a series of punches and a body kick, but St. Pierre took him down. Alves, bleeding slightly from above the right eye, got back to his feet before the bell. 10-9 St. Pierre.
St. Pierre opened round two with another Superman Punch and leg kicks. The Superman Punch, leg kick combo landed again for St. Pierre and he scored a takedown. St. Pierre looked to set up a Kimura from half-guard, but passed to mount instead. Alves quickly regained guard, but St. Pierre landed three punches that bloodied Alves's nose. More strikes landed for St. Pierre as he looked to wear down Alves. St. Pierre worked to pass Alves's guard and landed punches and elbows at every opportunity. He postured up and landed two hard punches, then passed to half-guard. With 40 seconds left, Alves spun and stood up, and the fighters clinched against the cage. Alves landed a knee and a few glancing punches before the end of the round. 10-9 St. Pierre.
It should be noted that St. Pierre's trainer, Greg Jackson, has the funniest (and also most calming and helpful) messages of anyone in between rounds. Alves came out aggressively in round three and landed four solid punches, but St. Pierre fired back with punches and kicks of his own. He tried for a takedown, but Alves defended. Alves tried to set up power punches, but missed with a big uppercut. The fighters exchanged punches and St. Pierre scored a takedown. St. Pierre landed small punches from half-guard, but Alves muscled his way back up and pressed forward with strikes. A quick exchange of punches ended with a front kick from St. Pierre. Kicks were exchanged and St. Pierre dropped Alves with a one-two. He swarmed Alves and looked for the finish, but Alves weathered the storm. 10-9 St. Pierre.
Alves's face was swollen badly as the fight entered round four, and St. Pierre once again took him to the ground with an early takedown. St. Pierre worked from half-guard and landed short punches and elbows, but Alves scrambled and gave up his back. St. Pierre tried for an armbar, but gave up position and wound up on the bottom for the first time in the fight. Alves immediately looked to land some big punches from the top, but St. Pierre used butterfly guard to prevent him from posturing up. Alves continued to strike, however, and racked up points with more punches. St. Pierre got back to his feet and Alves remained the aggressor. He landed a knee to the body as St. Pierre clinched. St. Pierre caught a kick from Alves and scored a takedown, then landed knees to Alves's ribs. He took Alves's back and tried to secure a rear naked choke, but Alves fought it off. 10-9 St. Pierre.
In between rounds, St. Pierre commented to his cornermen that he had pulled his groin while he was working from his back. Trainer Greg Jackson replied with, "I don't care. I don't care, Georges. Hey, look at me. This is where champions are made. Do you understand me? Nothing matters now. Hit him with your groin!" Absolutely priceless.
Round five began with an exchange of leg kicks and quick punching combinations. Alves looked to set up big punches, but St. Pierre circled away. Alves landed a hard body kick, but St. Pierre scored a takedown. Alves worked back to his feet and the two traded knees in a clinch. Both landed punches and Alves once again looked to set up a big strike. St. Pierre scored another takedown and worked from half-guard, but Alves got to his feet. That didn't last long, however, as St. Pierre took him down again. The final minute saw St. Pierre maintain control on the ground as he landed short punches and prevented Alves from getting up. 10-9 St. Pierre.
Though Alves may have come up short in this fight, he put on a solid showing in defeat and will no doubt come back stronger than ever. Aside from St. Pierre, there are very few competitors in the UFC's welterweight division who have any chance against Alves. Having said that, this was a tremendous victory for St. Pierre and he has all but run out of challengers for his title. With the winner of the Martin Kampmann vs Mike Swick fight receiving the next shot, that pretty much sums up how few threats there are to St. Pierre's crown.
Winner: Georges St. Pierre by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44) after five rounds. He improves to 19-2-0 and remains the UFC Welterweight Champion.
Dan "Hendo" Henderson vs Michael "The Count" Bisping
Bisping's pre-fight trash talk and claims that he would become the first man to knock Henderson out seemed to accomplish nothing besides making Henderson train harder, as he dominated Bisping for over eight minutes before brutally knocking him out with a right hook and a vicious follow-up forearm strike on the ground. Bisping was out cold for quite some time.Bisping looked tentative early on and kept circling directly into Henderson's powerful right hand. Henderson pushed the pace and looked to land a knockout punch, but Bisping backed away. Henderson scored with three rights that had Bisping backpedalling across the cage. He rushed in and threw more big punches, but Bisping survived and circled free. Henderson landed more punches and an elbow over the top. Bisping finally began to find his range and stayed on the outside with quick strikes, but Henderson remained the aggressor. The two exchanged single punches for two minutes as Henderson stalked Bisping around the cage. Bisping landed a body kick and two quick punches, but Henderson countered with an overhand right and clinched. He landed knees to the body and avoided a takedown attempt from Bisping that was so bad that the crowd booed and Henderson laughed. Henderson connected with a right hook before the bell as a fatigued Bisping looked dejected. 10-9 Henderson.
Round two began with quick punches and leg kicks from Bisping, but Henderson continued to walk him down as he looked to set up a big punch. Henderson landed a combination and Bisping replied with jabs and a leg kick. Henderson scored with two huge overhand rights that bounced Bisping's head off of the cage, but Bisping stayed on his feet and backed away. An uppercut landed for Henderson and he followed up with a leg kick and a jab. Henderson landed more quick strikes and just missed with a huge looping right. Both fighters landed jabs and Bisping scored with a combination. Henderson rushed forward with big rights that backed Bisping up, and Bisping continued to circle directly into the right hand of Henderson. Seconds later, this cost him dearly as Henderson blasted him with a massive right hook. Bisping was unconscious before he even hit the mat and Henderson dove in with one of the most brutal forearm smashes in MMA history to punctuate the knockout.
It was quite some time before Bisping regained consciousness, but this emphatic victory must put Henderson firmly in line for another crack at Anderson Silva. It had been a while since fans had witnessed the vicious punching power that Henderson possesses, but this fight ensured that they will never forget it.
Winner: Dan Henderson by KO (Punch) at 3:18 of round two. He improves to 25-7-0.
Jon Fitch vs Paulo Thiago
Originally set to take place prior to the Henderson vs Bisping bout, this fight was instead delayed until after the main event, but that didn't stop Fitch from grinding out a hard-fought Unanimous Decision over the previously unbeaten Thiago.Fitch pressed forward early in round one with punches and a variety of kicks, then scored a takedown. Thiago immediately trapped him in an arm-in guillotine choke. Fitch tried to punch Thiago's ribs to escape, but Thiago maintained the choke. Thiago switched to a D'Arce Choke and looked to roll into an Anaconda Choke, but Fitch held onto his legs and kept him in place. With two minutes left in the round, Fitch managed to escape the choke and tried to move to mount. Fitch scrambled and attempted to take Thiago's back, but Thiago reversed with an ankle pick. Fitch landed short elbows and stood up, but Thiago dragged him to the mat before the bell. 10-9 Thiago.
Fitch threw a head kick early in round two and scored with a hard right cross. He took Thiago down and landed small strikes from the top. Fitch tried to move to mount, but Thiago used a guillotine choke to keep him in place. Thiago stood up and Fitch took his back. Thiago looked for a kneebar and then tried for a takedown, but Fitch defended and landed knees. Fitch scored a body-lock takedown and took Thiago's back again. Thiago fought off rear naked choke attempts, but Fitch maintained back control all the way until the bell. 10-9 Fitch.
Fitch landed a combination early in the final round and tried for a head kick. Thiago looked to counter with an uppercut, but Fitch took him down. Fitch landed punches from the top and Thiago tried to set up a Kimura, but Fitch took his back. Fitch transitioned to mount and looked for an arm-triangle choke, then took Thiago's back again as Thiago stood up. Thiago dropped backwards with a slam, but Fitch stayed on his back. Thiago rolled over and landed punches from the top, then tried for an Anaconda Choke. As in round one, Fitch held onto Thiago's legs to prevent him from rolling, then escaped the choke. From the top, Fitch landed punches and Thiago countered with upkicks and a kneebar attempt. Fitch easily escaped and took Thiago's back again. Fitch landed punches and tried for a rear naked choke. Thiago fought it off for nearly a minute, but Fitch sunk in the choke with mere seconds left. The bell sounded and potentially saved Thiago, but the fight went to Fitch. 10-9 Fitch.
Winner: Jon Fitch by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 19-3-0, 1 NC.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Alan "The Talent" Belcher
Trading strikes for most of the fight with Belcher, Akiyama defeated Belcher at his own game, but suffered a fractured orbital bone in the process. The Split Decision was controversial, and some even felt that Belcher should have won, but it seemed to be clear that Akiyama had won at least two rounds of the fight.Belcher opened up round one with leg kicks and a right cross, and Akiyama countered with a quick head kick. The two exchanged kicks and Akiyama landed a stiff jab. Akiyama landed a head kick and Belcher replied with a kick to the groin, and time was called. The fight soon resumed and Belcher looked to land combinations. Hard punches were exchanged and both landed leg kicks. Akiyama landed a nice one-two and caught a kick from Belcher. He drilled Belcher with a body kick and a right cross. Belcher briefly dropped Akiyama with a left hook, but Akiyama immediately got up and the fighters clinched against the cage. Akiyama punched free and landed a pair of one-twos, then scored with a leg kick, right cross combination. Belcher landed a hard leg kick, but ate a Superman Punch and a quick flurry from Akiyama. A big uppercut and more punches landed for Akiyama, but Belcher countered with a right hook. Akiyama caught a kick from Belcher and punched him to the mat. Belcher looked for an omoplata, but Akiyama landed punches until the bell. 10-9 Akiyama.
Belcher landed a body kick to begin round two, but was promptly taken down. Akiyama landed strikes, but Belcher swept. He tried for a heel hook, but Akiyama used the opportunity to take top position. From side-control, Akiyama landed short elbows until Belcher regained guard. Akiyama postured up and landed punches and elbows. More punches landed for Akiyama and he passed to half-guard, then looked to set up a Brabo Choke. He let it go and the fight returned to the feet. Akiyama landed a right cross and an uppercut, and Belcher replied with kicks. Belcher landed jabs and some hard leg kicks. Both fighters scored with punches and Belcher landed three more leg kicks. 10-9 Akiyama.
The final round began with more leg kicks from Belcher, and Akiyama replied with quick punches. Belcher targeted the left eye of Akiyama with jabs and Akiyama's eye continued to swell. The fighters exchanged punches and Akiyama scored with a nice combination. A big exchange followed, with both fighters landing cleanly. Belcher landed a hard kick to the body and Akiyama replied with a flurry. The fighters continued to trade punches as Akiyama's eye closed completely. Belcher landed an elbow over the top and a leg kick, but Akiyama answered with a spinning back kick to the ribs. Belcher attempted a head kick, but missed. Both fighters landed big punches and Akiyama rocked Belcher's head back with a right. Akiyama caught a kick from Belcher and dropped him with a right cross counter. Belcher rolled backwards and got to his feet. Akiyama beckoned Belcher to hit him, so Belcher replied by propelling himself off of the cage with a Superman Punch. Akiyama landed a left hook and Belcher replied with jabs and leg kicks. Belcher missed with a spinning back fist and was taken down, but got up quickly. Both landed big strikes in the final seconds. Very close round. 10-9 Akiyama.
The third round definitely could have gone either way, but Akiyama seemed to have done enough to take the first two rounds. The judges' scores were all over the place, with two scoring the fight for Akiyama and one for Belcher. Akiyama deservedly took the decision and this was not a "robbery" as some (including commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg) seem to believe.
Winner: Yoshihiro Akiyama by Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) after three rounds. He improves to 13-1-0, 2 NC.
Undercard Fights:
Mark "The Hammer" Coleman defeated "The American Psycho" Stephan Bonnar by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. What was most surprising about this fight was not that the aging Coleman won, but rather that he did so by winning the latter two rounds. Notorious for gassing out in nearly all fights that go longer than one round, Coleman's new training regimen paid dividends as he controlled Bonnar on the ground for most of this fight. Bonnar attempted numerous submissions throughout, and was the more active fighter in round one, but Coleman wore him out with ground and pound and impressive submission defence in the final minutes. The huge win keeps Coleman's storied career alive, and the fans in attendance were solidly behind him. Coleman improves to 16-9-0 with the win.Jim Miller defeated Mac Danzig by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. Miller badly cut Danzig with elbows in round one and that seemed to have a significant impact on the fight, as Danzig bled literally all over the mat. Danzig resorted to pulling guard in search of submissions, but Miller's control from the top and ground and pound were too much. Danzig's best chance came in the final moments of round two, as he secured a very tight guillotine choke that likely would have finished the fight, but time expired and Miller was saved by the bell. The final round was more of the same until Miller took Danzig's back with less than one minute to go, but the blood made it impossible for Miller to secure a choke and the fight went to the judges. Miller improves to 14-2-0 with the win.
Jon "Bones" Jones defeated "Irish" Jake O'Brien by Submission (Brabo Choke) at 2:43 of round two. The opening round was relatively inactive, as Jones looked to land flashy kicks and O'Brien tried unsuccessfully for takedowns. Jones landed the only meaningful strikes in the round, then attempted more unorthodoxed strikes in the second stanza. Jones rocked O'Brien with a spinning back elbow - the same strike that he nearly knocked Stephan Bonnar out with - and followed up with a guillotine choke soon after. Jones then switched the position of his hands and secured a Brabo Choke, which forced O'Brien to submit. Jones improves to 9-0-0 with the win.
Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim defeated TJ Grant by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) after three rounds. There would be no gifts from the judges for Grant in this fight, as his "active guard" was nowhere near enough to secure a victory. Kim spent most of this fight in top position on the ground, where he battered the head and face of Grant with elbows. Grant landed an illegal upkick in round two and was penalised one point, but the result of this one was academic. Kim did seem to fatigue in round three, but his cardio was at least improved from past fights and this was about as dominant of a decision as he could get. Kim improves to 12-0-1, 1 ND with the win.
"Filthy" Tom Lawlor defeated CB "The Doberman" Dollaway by Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 0:55 of round one. Dollaway missed with an early punch and shot in for a takedown, but Lawlor trapped him in a guillotine choke. Dollaway tried to escape, but was soon convulsing on the mat and then went limp. Lawlor shouted to the referee that Dollaway was out, and he was correct. The referee stopped the fight, giving Lawlor a huge win in his middleweight debut. Lawlor improves to 6-1-0, 1 NC with the win.
Shannon Gugerty defeated Matt "The Real One" Grice by Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:36 of round one. After a scramble in the early stages of the first round, Gugerty trapped Grice in a guillotine choke on the ground. Grice somehow managed to survive the choke and got back to his feet, but Gugerty maintained the hold and used it to drag Grice back down to the mat. This time, the choke was even deeper and Gugerty rolled Grice over. Grice's arm went limp and the referee stopped the fight. Gugerty improves to 12-3-0 with the win.
Though Brock Lesnar's post-fight comments and actions created a lot of controversy, the reality is that it only added more publicity to an already massively-hyped event, but the great fights on the card ensured that UFC 100 will be remembered for mostly the right reasons.
