UFC 98 Results & Recap
by Robert Sargent
Though the grudge match between former UFC Welterweight Champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra definitely did not live up to the massive hype, UFC 98 was otherwise a solid event and ended with a bang when Lyoto Machida knocked out Rashad Evans.
The main card featured a pair of excellent 15-minute wars, as Chael Sonnen used impressive ground-and-pound to dominate Dan Miller, while Frankie Edgar defeated Sean Sherk.
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida vs "Sugar" Rashad Evans
Following a very lengthy stalemate in round one, Machida dropped Evans with a kick, punch combination, but could not finish the champion off. Come round two, however, Machida turned off Evans's lights off with a vicious series of punches against the cage that left Evans in a contorted and unconscious heap.Literally nothing happened for the first minute and 50 seconds of the fight, as both fighters cautiously circled and maintained defensive postures. Evans finally landed one jab, then went back to circling and dancing. Machida countered with a head kick that backed Evans to the cage. Evans rushed forward with a hilariously wild combination of punches that missed horribly. Machida landed another solid kick to the body, then tried for a combination and a leg sweep. Evans avoided the trip, then tried to find his range with jabs. Machida landed a quick combination and followed it up with a body kick and a punch that dropped Evans. Machida swarmed and tried to finish the fight with some big punches, but Evans survived. The fight returned to the feet and Machida landed a two-kick combination to the legs and head. 10-9 Machida.
Round two began tentatively, just as the first had, as both went back into a rhythm of counters. A loud chant of "Machida!" broke out in the crowd. Machida scored with a body kick and looked for a takedown, but Evans backed into the cage and circled free. Machida landed a leg kick and rushed in with a quick combination, but he was met with a fast flurry of punches from Evans. Though Evans finally landed some strikes, they evidently had no effect on Machida. More kicks landed for Machida and he began to press the action a bit. Evans landed a body kick, but could not follow up. Machida rocked Evans with a left cross, then dropped him with a left hook. Evans desperately tried to hang on as Machida teed off with punches. Evans stood and backed up to the cage, where he ate more big punches and a kick from Machida. After one more trio of huge punches, Evans collapsed backwards against the cage and remained in a contorted ball of unconsciousness.
Having finally ascended to the top of the division, the question now remains as to whether anyone can dethrone Machida from his perch. Former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was thought to be the next in line, but is evidently returning to coaching in the upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. If Machida is not part of the show, it seems likely that his first challenger would be Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Regardless, an incredible win for Machida, who has earned himself legions of fans.
Winner: Lyoto Machida by KO (Punches) at 3:56 of round two. He improves to 15-0-0 and becomes the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Matt Hughes vs Matt "The Terror" Serra
Short of an action-packed few minutes in round one after Hughes was nearly knocked out by an accidental head butt and a looping hook from Serra, this fight played out largely as expected, with Hughes scoring takedowns in rounds two and three and proceeding to do just enough to eek out a debatable decision victory.The fighters circled each other and threw jabs and short punches for the opening 45 seconds until an inadvertent clash of heads left Hughes on Dream Street. Serra, who was not fazed by the head butt, dropped Hughes with a looping right hook behind the ear. Hughes managed to get back to his feet, but was extremely wobbly and ate some big punches from Serra. Hughes stumbled across the cage and shot for a desperation takedown, which he briefly got. The fighters clinched against the cage and Hughes had time to recover. After an exchange of knees, the fighters separated and both landed quick strikes. Hughes clinched and scored a takedown. He quickly took Serra's back and looked for a rear naked choke, but a scramble saw the fight return to the feet. Serra chased Hughes down, but was unable to land anything solid. 10-9 Serra.
Serra looked to land quick combinations early in round one, but only managed to score with a left hook. Hughes clinched and took Serra down. He passed to half-guard and landed some short punches from the top. Hughes postured up and landed some decent punches to the face of Serra, but it really became evident that his dominant ground-and-pound from years passed was long gone, as Hughes never had Serra in any danger. Serra mockingly rolled his eyes as Hughes landed a few more weak punches. The final minute saw Hughes throw short strikes from the top until the fight was stood up with ten seconds left. Serra landed a lunging kick, but the bell sounded. 10-9 Hughes.
Quick punches and kicks were exchanged in the opening minute of round three and Hughes clinched against the cage. He took Serra down, but this time Serra immediately went for submissions. He tried for an omoplata shoulder lock, then transitioned to a gogoplata. Hughes managed to pull his arm free and Serra went for an omoplata on his other arm. Serra switched to a triangle choke, but Hughes escaped. The fight was stood up and Serra pushed forward with one-twos. He rushed in and the fighters clinched, but it was Serra who scored the takedown. He stood up and landed some big strikes from the top as Hughes looked to scramble back to his feet. Serra attempted a Kimura just before the bell rang. 10-9 Serra.
In the end, all three judges gave the final round to Hughes, even though he was unable to do anything at all with his takedown. Serra, on the other hand, attempted half a dozen submissions and landed some decent strikes when he took Hughes down. Questionable scoring aside, this lacklustre fight reaffirmed that Hughes has no chance of ever reclaiming the title that he once held for so long, and his requested rematch with Thiago Alves is laughable, at best.
Winner: Matt Hughes by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 43-7-0.
Drew "The Massacre" McFedries vs Xavier "Professor X" Foupa-Pokam
As expected, this fight ended very quickly after Foupa-Pokam foolishly tried to strike with McFedries and soon found himself being rescued by the referee.McFedries tagged Foupa-Pokam with a one-two combination, then floored him with a big right hook. He blasted Foupa-Pokam with more punches on the ground, then rocked him again as he stood up. Foupa-Pokam stumbled into the cage and was met with two more looping hooks that dropped him again. Referee Yves Lavigne rushed in to stop the fight as Foupa-Pokam desperately clung onto McFedries's leg. Nice win for McFedries, but this should never have been a main card bout to begin with. Enough of this foolishness, please.
Winner: Drew McFedries by TKO (Punches) at 0:36 of round one. He improves to 8-5-0.
Chael Sonnen vs Dan Miller
Displaying textbook wrestling and solid ground and pound, Sonnen escaped a tight guillotine choke early in round one and proceeded to batter Miller with strikes from the top for the remainder of the three-round fight.Both fighters opened up with quick kicks and punches to begin the fight, and Sonnen shot in for a takedown. He was trapped in a guillotine choke, however, and seemed perilously close to being submitted. Sonnen perservered and somehow escaped the choke. He landed short elbows from the top, then stood up and rained down some huge punches. More solid elbows landed for Sonnen and he mixed in punches to the body. Miller attempted to roll for a kneebar, but Sonnen had none of it. He stacked Miller against the cage and landed more strikes, then defended a second kneebar from Miller. From side-control, Sonnen scored with more elbows. Miller regained guard, but Sonnen was relentless with punishment from the top. He stood up once more and drilled Miller with two big shots. Sonnen postured up and landed more strikes in the final 30 seconds to take the lopsided round. 10-9 Sonnen.
Sonnen caught a kick from Miller in round two and tried for a takedown, but Miller sprawled and briefly locked on a guillotine choke. He let it go and stood up, then landed strikes in a clinch. Another clinch followed, and Sonnen picked Miller up and slammed him to the mat. Once again, Miller tried for a guillotine choke, but Sonnen broke free. Sonnen stood up and landed two punches, then dove back into a battered Miller's guard. Short elbows and hammerfists scored for Sonnen, as he continued to dominate Miller. Sonnen landed more small strikes, but Miller tried for an armbar. Sonnen escaped danger and went back to striking from the top. The final minute saw Sonnen land more punches, while Miller had no answers. 10-9 Sonnen.
Miller began round three with kicks to the body and head, then backed Sonnen up with a hard combination of punches. Sonnen held strong and shot for a takedown, then slammed Miller to the mat. Miller attempted to use rubber guard to prevent Sonnen from doing damage, but Sonnen powered free and punched from the top. Solid elbows landed for Sonnen, but his main offence remained in quick punches. Sonnen stood up and tried to pass Miller's guard, but could not. He stood up again and landed a diving punch. Sonnen passed to half-guard and tried to move to mount, but Miller regained guard. In the final minute, Miller tried desperately to roll for a last-ditch kneebar, but Sonnen easily evaded it and punished him with more strikes. Complete domination. 10-9 Sonnen.
Winner: Chael Sonnen by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 23-10-1.
Frankie "The Answer" Edgar vs "The Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk
Engaging in a kickboxing battle for much of the 15-minute duration, Edgar's varied striking and technical boxing won out over Sherk's predictable looping punches, and a distraught Sherk ran directly out of the building - while still wearing his ring gear - after the judges' scores were read.Edgar opened the fight with a quick head kick and used impressive agility and movement to avoid punches from Sherk. The fighters traded one-twos and Edgar landed another quick combination. After a brief clinch, the fight returned to a kickboxing battle, with both fighters scoring. Edgar strung together a four-punch combo that backed Sherk up. Another combination of four lightning-fast punches scored for Edgar. Sherk stalked Edgar, but Edgar used a leg kick and amazing head movement to evade an overhand right from Sherk. Quick strikes were exchanged in a clinch and Edgar caught a kick from Sherk. He threw Sherk to the mat and used a front choke to keep Sherk in place. Sherk battled back to his feet and landed a one-two, and the fighters exchanged combinations. Sherk pressed the action, but Edgar's quickness allowed him to avoid damage. Sherk scored with a right hook and Edgar countered with a stiff leg kick and two quick flurries. Good round. 10-9 Edgar.
Edgar landed a nice uppercut early in round two, but Sherk fired back a series of quick combinations. Edgar looked to clinch for a takedown, but Sherk shrugged him off and landed two punches. A solid body kick landed for Edgar, as he began to take control of the action again. Sherk attempted wild flurries, but Edgar backed away. Edgar clinched again, then landed a knee to the body that briefly dropped Sherk. As Sherk pressed forward with punches, Edgar began to target the body. He landed a one-two and followed with a body kick. Sherk continued to throw dozens of punches, but his one-dimensional offence became predictable and Edgar began scoring with kicks and counterpunches. Edgar threw quick flurries of punches, then backed away. He landed a four-punch combo that staggered Sherk briefly, but Sherk gamely fired back with a lengthy combination of his own. Edgar tried for a takedown late in the round, but Sherk stuffed it. An exchange ended the round. 10-9 Edgar.
Sherk began round three with some solid punches, then finally scored a takedown. He couldn't hold Edgar down for long, however, and the fight returned to the feet. Bleeding from above the left eye, Sherk continued to try to push the pace, but Edgar wore him down with quick punches and a variety of kicks. Edgar scored with two brief flurries, then attempted a head kick. Sherk stuffed a takedown and landed a knee in a clinch. Sherk then tried for a takedown, but Edgar punched his way free with ease. Both fighters landed solid combinations and Sherk tried to follow up with a looping overhand right. Edgar drilled him with a right cross, then a three-punch combo. A right hook scored for Edgar, but Sherk landed a one-two in reply. Sherk shot in for a takedown with ten seconds to go, but Edgar sprawled and locked on a guillotine choke. The bell sounded to end the fight. 10-9 Edgar.
With the convincing win over the former UFC Lightweight Champion, Edgar takes a giant step towards future title contention, while a dejected Sherk literally ran out of the building and onto the Las Vegas streets while still wearing his ring attire. Sad times there.
Winner: Frankie Edgar by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 10-1-0.
Brock Larson vs Mike "Quicksand" Pyle
Surviving an onslaught of submission attempts in the opening minute, Larson used his size and strength advantage to power free and moved to half-guard, where he secured an arm-triangle choke that forced Pyle, an ultra-late replacement for the fight, to submit.The fighters circled each other for the first minute of the fight as Pyle looked to find his range with leg kicks. Larson rushed in for a takedown against the cage and got it. Pyle attempted a guillotine, then tried for an omoplata and immediately switched to a kneebar. Pyle looked for a toe hold and a heel hook, but Larson powered out and took his back. Pyle rolled and tried for a triangle choke, but Larson landed two hard punches from guard. Pyle scored with upkicks from the bottom and Larson dove into his guard again. Larson used a D'Arce Choke to push Pyle to his back, then let it go as Pyle once again attempted a leg submission. From half-guard, Larson locked on an arm-triangle choke and passed to side-control. Pyle tried to squirm free, but Larson's power was too much and Pyle was forced to submit.
A big victory for Larson, but huge credit must be given to Pyle for taking such a difficult fight on literally one day's notice. Despite the loss, Pyle's submission game remains among the best of anyone at the welterweight level and he will be around for a long time to come.
Winner: Brock Larson by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 3:06 of round one. He improves to 26-2-0.
Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague vs Pat "HD" Barry
Rocking Hague with kicks early in the fight, Barry's inexperience showed when he gave up a desperation takedown to a dazed Hague and found himself pinned under the Canadian giant's weight. As Barry tried to get back to his feet, he was quickly trapped in a guillotine choke and was forced to submit.Hague opened the fight with two hard lunging left hooks, but Barry countered with a one-two. Barry attempted a left head kick, but missed. He followed with a right head kick soon after, however, and it landed flush on the jaw. Barry landed two more punches and Hague staggered backwards. In all sorts of trouble, Hague covered up to defend follow-up kicks and punches from Barry, then scored a desperation takedown. Hague worked from side-control until Barry gave up his back. Barry tried to reverse position with a sweep, but Hague secured a guillotine choke and rolled over. With nowhere to go, Barry tapped out.
An emotional Hague endeared himself to the crowd after the fight, as he told Joe Rogan, "Pat's a tough guy, hit me with a straight left. Busted my nose, I think, but it's all good. I'm ready to drink some beers." Hilarious post-fight comments from a cool guy, and a huge win to top it off.
Winner: Tim Hague by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42 of round one. He improves to 10-1-0.
"The Polish Experiment" Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao
Picking up his third straight UFC victory, Soszynski surprisingly got the better of the striking wars with Gusmao in the early goings, then knocked Gusmao out cold with a flurry of punches midway through round one.Soszynski countered a leg kick from Gusmao with a right cross, then pressed Gusmao against the cage. The fighters traded strikes and time was briefly called after an accidental low blow from Gusmao. Action resumed and Soszynski landed two more solid right crosses. Gusmao tripped him to the mat with a leg kick, then followed up with a volley of punches and kicks in close. Soszynski circled away, and this time it was him who landed a kick that strayed low. After the restart, Soszynski pressed forward with punches. Gusmao landed kicks to the legs and body, then attempted a head kick. Soszynski rocked Gusmao with a one-two, which set off a wild punching exchange. Seconds later, Soszynski landed two more punches that backed Gusmao up against the cage, and he finished the fight with a vicious right cross. Gusmao crumpled to the mat, unconscious.
Yet another big win for Soszynski, who is rapidly making a name for himself with dominant stoppage victories.
Winner: Krzysztof Soszynski by KO (Punches) at 3:16 of round one. He improves to 18-8-1.
Undercard Fights:
Kyle Bradley defeated "The Filipino Assassin" Phillipe Nover by TKO (Punches) at 1:03 of round one. The fight was shrouded in controversy, as Bradley threw Nover to the mat and landed a big right hand early on. Nover rolled over as Bradley landed more punches, then dove forward to grab Bradley's leg. Referee Yves Lavigne, much like in the disastrous Matt Brown vs Pete Sell fight at UFC 96, initially stepped in to stop the fight, then backed away and allowed Bradley to land two more punches. Lavigne then waved off the fight as Nover, unfazed, rolled over and got back to his feet. Replays then showed that Nover was perfectly fine at all times. A second huge mistake from an otherwise excellent official, in Lavigne. Regardless, the decision stands. Bradley improves to 14-6-0, 1 NC with the win.Yoshiyuki "Zenko" Yoshida defeated Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24 of round one. After locking on a standing guillotine choke, Yoshida dragged Wolff to the mat and rolled into mount, where Wolff tapped out to the choke. Referee Steve Mazzagatti did not see the initial tap, so Yoshida rolled Wolff over and Wolff quickly tapped out a second time. This time, it ended the fight. Yoshida, who has begun training with Greg Jackson's academy in New Mexico to broaden his already immense skills, looked incredibly impressive in this fight. Yoshida improves to 11-3-0 with the win.
George Roop defeated "Diamond" David Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) after three rounds. This highly competitive, back-and-forth battle could have gone to either fighter, as all three rounds were extremely close. Kaplan began to tire badly in the final round, but seemed to have done just enough with takedowns and ground and pound in the latter two rounds to take the fight. The judges disagreed, with two awarding all three razor-thin rounds to Roop, who takes the decision. Roop improves to 9-4-0 with the win.
With the highlight-reel knockout of Rashad Evans, new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida sent the fans into a frenzy at UFC 98, and the big question now is whether anyone can take Machida's title away.
