Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" Results
by Robert Sargent
Putting on what was arguably the best second event from any MMA promotion to date, Affliction put its biggest stars in the spotlight at "Day of Reckoning," where WAMMA Unified Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko knocked out Andrei Arlovski.
Also on the stacked card, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett dominated Gilbert Yvel, while ex-UFC stars met when Vitor Belfort quickly knocked out Matt Lindland.
WAMMA Unified Heavyweight Championship
"The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko vs Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski
Though Arlovski's speed clearly posed some early challenges for Emelianenko, he countered a kick-punch combination and a flying knee from Arlovski by drilling him with an overhand right that sent him crashing to the mat.Arlovski clipped Emelianenko with a quick one-two combination early in round one, then followed up with a leg kick and a hook. Emelianenko used his superior head movement to evade further danger, but Arlovski landed more kicks. Both missed with overhand rights, and Emelianenko followed up with a left hook to the body. The fighters clinched in the corner, with Arlovski trying unsuccessfully for a takedown, and were separated after a moment of inactivity. Arlovski landed a leg kick and a quick combination. He followed up with two more punches, then a quick one-two and a push kick to the body. However, as Emelianenko bounced off of the ropes, he threw a huge overhand right that connected squarely on Arlovski's jaw, just as Arlovski flew through the air for a flying knee attempt. Arlovski crashed to the mat, unconscious, and just like that, the fight was over.
Though Arlovski looked very impressive up until the ill-advised flying knee attempt, one mental mistake was all that Emelianenko needed, as he took advantage of the perfect time to counter and ended Arlovski's title bid with a single punch.
Winner: Fedor Emelianenko by KO (Punch) at 3:12 of round one. He improves to 29-1-0, 1 NC and remains the WAMMA Unified Heavyweight Champion.
"The Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett vs Gilbert "The Hurricane" Yvel
Using a smart game plan, Barnett took the fight to the ground and kept it there throughout the three-round bout, where a very game Yvel fought well from his back but eventually succumbed to strikes late in round three.Barnett initially looked to strike, but ate a pair of kicks from Yvel. Barnett caught Yvel's leg and took him down, as Yvel fired away with punches. Barnett moved to half-guard and unleashed a barrage of punches and elbows, then continued to punish Yvel with more strikes. He looked for a Kimura on Yvel's left arm, but could not secure the submission. Barnett landed more strikes and passed to side-control, then looked to mount. Yvel regained half-guard and fought off another Kimura attempt. Barnett managed to pass to mount, where he teed off with big punches and elbows from the top. Yvel, to his credit, landed some hard punches from the bottom and rolled to his side to defend as many strikes from Barnett as possible. Yvel survived until the bell, but round one was all Barnett. 10-8 Barnett.
Yvel landed a couple of hard strikes to begin round two, but was promptly thrown to the mat again and Barnett picked up where round one left off. From side-control, Barnett landed elbows and looked to pass to mount. He tried for another Kimura attempt on Yvel's left arm, but Yvel once again defended well. Barnett eventually passed to mount and landed punches from the top, but Yvel actually got the better of many of the striking exchanges by landing punches and elbows from bottom position. Barnett's nose began to bleed more profusely, and he was choking on his own blood. However, he continued the punishment of Yvel as the round wore on. Barnett briefly looked for an arm-triangle choke at one point, but gave it up and landed strikes from the top. Yvel landed at least a dozen solid strikes from the bottom in the final minute, and even swept Barnett before the bell. 10-9 Barnett.
Round three was more of the same, with Yvel landing a quick combination and Barnett taking the fight to the mat. He quickly moved to mount once again, where he landed strikes from the top. Yvel landed elbows and short punches from the bottom, but Barnett's strikes were clearly the more damaging. Barnett postured up and began to throw harder punches, as Yvel tried to flail and land strikes of his own. Eventually, after a series of about 15 solid punches from Barnett, Yvel rolled to one side, then the other and finally tapped out to avoid further punishment. Not the prettiest win for Barnett, but a solid one that puts him next in line to face his close friend, Fedor Emelianenko.
Winner: Josh Barnett by Submission (Punches) at 2:54 of round three. He improves to 24-5-0.
Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort vs Matt "The Law" Lindland
Showcasing the speed and accuracy that had made him a star as a heavyweight in the UFC over 10 years earlier, Belfort's new home in the middleweight division seems to be a perfect fit, as he quickly and violently knocked out Lindland.The fighters circled each other for the first 30 seconds, with each looking for an opening. Belfort found it with a quick one-two that dropped Lindland to the canvas. Belfort immediately pounced and threw five punches to the downed Lindland. Two of them landed flush, knocking Lindland out cold. Belfort stopped punching even before the referee stepped in, as he could see that Lindland was out. What followed was a scary scene, as Lindland's leg first convulsed uncontrollably and he then spent 2-3 minutes attempting to stand up while still barely conscious. Eventually, he came to and remained sitting for a moment, then got up and walked out under his own power.
Winner: Vitor Belfort by KO (Punches) at 0:35 of round one. He improves to 18-8-0.
Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs "The African Assassin" Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Once again faltering when the fight hit the ground, Sokoudjou's lack of submission defence was the story of this bout, as he was caught in a Brabo Choke in round two and forced to submit.Both fighters landed solid punches and leg kicks in an early exchange, and Sobral looked to take the fight to the mat. Sokoudjou defended a takedown, then reversed another, and the fighters got back to their feet. After a period of inactivity in a clinch, they separated and both threw kicks. Sokoudjou's kick landed, but Sobral went for a takedown, which prompted Sokoudjou to dive through the ropes. Sobral scored a takedown seconds later, but Sokoudjou reversed and took top position, where he rained down elbows as Sobral attempted submissions. Big punches landed for Sokoudjou as Sobral got back to his feet, and he briefly tossed Sobral to the mat. The fighters clinched against the ropes and Sobral landed knees to the leg. Sobral landed a kick before the bell, but round one went to Sokoudjou. 10-9 Sokoudjou.
Sobral came forward with an overhand right to begin round two, but was countered by an uppercut from Sokoudjou. Sobral landed a quick combination and Sokoudjou answered with a leg kick. Sobral scored a takedown and began mauling Sokoudjou with a lengthy series of big punches from the top. Sokoudjou held on, but Sobral looked for an Anaconda Choke. He was unsuccessful and the fight was moved to the middle of the ring. Sobral fell into Sokoudjou's half-guard and looked briefly for a kneebar, then went back to punches and elbows. He then locked on a D'Arce Choke and looked to roll backward to secure an Anaconda Choke, but Sokoudjou rolled the other way. Sobral kept hold of the choke and transitioned into a Brabo Choke, which elicited a quick submission from Sokoudjou.
After exploding onto the scene with his quick knockouts of top-10 light heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona, Sokoudjou's lack of ground game has proved to be his downfall, as his record has dropped to 5-4 and it is unlikely that he'll receive another high-profile fight anytime soon.
Winner: Renato Sobral by Submission (Brabo Choke) at 2:37 of round two. He improves to 32-7-0.
Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello vs Kirill "Baby Fedor" Sidelnikov
Though he put up an impressive showing early on and showed tremendous heart in enduring a beating from Buentello, it was clear that Sidelnikov has quite a ways to go before he can live up to his moniker, as Buentello used the young Russian as a punching bag in rounds two and three en route to a doctor stoppage.Both fighters threw huge punches early in round one, with Buentello - who appeared to be in much better shape than in some other recent fights - landing the crisper shots. Sidelnikov landed a left hook and clinched, then landed short punches as Buentello scored with knees to the body. The fighters traded strikes in another exchange, then clinched once again. A punch from Buentello opened a cut below Sidelnikov's left eye and caused it to swell. A head kick partially landed for Buentello, and he began to find a home for his left jab. The fighters clinched a third time and both landed punches before separating. Buentello landed a quick combination and the fighters clinched in the corner once more. Both landed right hands just before the bell. 10-9 Buentello.
Buentello landed a jab early in round two and Sidelnikov briefly slipped after throwing a leg kick. Rights to the head and body landed for Buentello, as he began to take a decided advantage in the exchanges. Buentello scored with another overhand right, but appeared to do more damage to his own hand than to Sidelnikov. Buentello landed jabs to the head and body, but Sidelnikov rocked him with an overhand right. Buentello quickly recovered, however, and a wild exchange ensued in the corner. After a lengthy clinch, the fighters separated and Sidelnikov shot in on Buentello from about six feet away. Buentello easily avoided the takedown and drilled Sidelnikov with a three-punch combo that sent the Russian back. Buentello landed left jabs at will, but Sidelnikov gamely fired back with punches and kicks. Buentello landed more stiff jabs before the bell. 10-9 Buentello.
Sidelnikov pressed forward with punches and a leg kick in round three, but Buentello continued to snap his head back with left jabs. More jabs landed for Buentello, then a big right uppercut. Sidelnikov scored with kicks to the leg and body, then a follow-up jab to the midsection, but Buentello fired back with more big punches that spun Sidelnikov around. Sidelnikov came forward with three huge, looping punches, but none found their mark and he ate a right cross for his efforts. Buentello briefly took his back and had a choke, but let it go and stood up. A hard jab from Buentello sent Sidelnikov stumbling backwards. Buentello knocked Sidelnikov down with a leg kick, and time was briefly called for Sidelnikov to retrieve his mouthpiece. Buentello continued to dominate the striking exchanges.
Late in round three, Buentello scored with more jabs and Sidelnikov's mouthpiece came out again. Referee "Big" John McCarthy called time and had the doctor check on Sidelnikov. The doctor quickly ruled that the fight should be stopped, and Buentello was awarded with a hard-fought and well-earned stoppage victory.
Winner: Paul Buentello by TKO (Doctor Stoppage - Cut) at 4:18 of round three. He improves to 27-10-0.
Dan "The Upgrade" Lauzon vs "King" Bobby Green
Green, taking the fight on extremely short notice after Chris Horodecki was forced to withdraw, landed a series of unintentional low blows in this fast-paced bout before being submitted with mere seconds left in round one.Green came out very aggressively with quick punches, but was stopped in his tracks by a right hook counter. Lauzon landed a left hook and looked for a takedown. Green defended, then landed punches and knees in a Thai clinch. A jumping knee landed for Green and he landed more kicks and knees to the body. Time was called for an accidental low kick from Green. Lauzon stayed down for quite some time, but got up and began to come forward with high kicks and a Superman Punch. He tried for a takedown and dragged Green to the mat. Green took top position and landed strikes, then picked Lauzon up and suplexed him backwards. He followed up with a knee strike to the face, and Lauzon quickly went for a triangle choke as the fight hit the mat.
Green escaped the choke and landed more strikes from the top. The fighters stood and Green landed punches and kicks in a Thai clinch, then dropped Lauzon with a knee to the groin. Time was called again, and action resumed. The fighters traded punches and Green landed yet another kick below the belt. This time, he was penalised two points for the foul, which once again appeared to be accidental. Green countered a guillotine choke attempt with a takedown, but Lauzon locked on a heel hook. Green somehow survived, but Lauzon took his back. He trapped Green's left arm with his leg, then locked on a rear naked choke from the side. Green initially held on, but tapped out with 10 seconds left in the round.
Winner: Dan Lauzon by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:50 of round one. He improves to 12-2-0.
Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira vs Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko
After a slow and bizarre first round where Matyushenko, notorious for his takedowns, made no effort to take the fight to the ground, Nogueira came on strong in round two and finished the fight with a vicious knee to avenge the first defeat of his career.Round one saw very little action, as Nogueira circled Matyushenko and landed jabs and short kicks, while wary of a takedown. Matyushenko did essentially nothing for the first three minutes, as he seemed content to throw very sparse strikes while Nogueira found his range. In the final 90 seconds of the round, Nogueira began to push the pace with kicks, knees and punches, which did enough to take the uneventful round but did little damage to Matyushenko. 10-9 Nogueira.
The second round also began slowly, but Matyushenko landed a series of strikes and made the bout competitive in the first minute. Both fighters landed punches, with Nogueira throwing kicks as well. Matyushenko caught Nogueira with a looping left hook to the temple that rocked him, and Nogueira had to backpedal to survive. Matyushenko turned up the pace and landed more punches, which cut Nogueira beside the right eye. Nogueira quickly recovered and the action slowed again. Both fighters landed punches and other weak strikes for the next two minutes, and Nogueira scored with two combinations with one minute remaining. He continued to push forward with knees and punches, then dropped Matyushenko with a knee from a Thai clinch with just over 30 seconds remaining. Matyushenko turtled and the referee stopped the fight.
Winner: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by TKO (Knee) at 4:25 of round two. He improves to 16-3-0.
Undercard Fights:
L.C. Davis defeated Bao Quach by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. Both fighters nearly ended the fight with guillotine chokes in round one, but Quach - who took the fight on short notice - also threw in armbar and rear naked choke attempts, in addition to badly cutting Davis. However, Davis came back strong in the second and third rounds and controlled position on the ground and bloodied Quach, and he was awarded with a hard-fought decision victory in the close and competitive fight. Davis improves to 13-1-0 with the win.Albert Rios defeated Antonio "El Tigre" Duarte by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. Rios was dropped by a huge punch in round one and looked like he might not survive the round when Duarte locked on a guillotine choke immediately after. Rios held strong, however, and dominated the latter two rounds by battering and bloodying his highly-touted opponent, and he was rewarded with a victory on the scorecards. Rios improves to 11-3-0 with the win.
Brett Cooper defeated Patrick Speight by KO (Punch) at 4:03 of round two. Both fighters dominated portions of the opening round, with each scoring with punches and kicks. Cooper pushed the pace in round two and began to pick Speight apart with accurate striking and a takedown. Once the action returned to the feet, Cooper wasted no time in blasting Speight with a right cross and a huge uppercut, which sent Speight crashing to the canvas. Cooper improves to 8-4-0 with the win.
With a surprisingly competitive main event and a host of exciting feature bouts, "Day of Reckoning" was a stellar second event for Affliction, but Tito Ortiz's mind-numbingly bad post-fight interviews and the atrocious backstage commentary from Sirius Radio personalities must definitely be eliminated from future broadcasts.
