I was there live and had a great time. Zuffa really put on a good show and the fighters all had heart.
Genki vs Brown
More than 1/2 the building was empty for this fight. I was like WTF. Genki got a great pop anyway for whoever was in attendance. He was very calm and composed throughout the fight. Brown looked great but just got overzealous with his GnP and got caught. On a side note, Brown was wearing a kick ass Sudo shirt after hs fight. Anyone know where I can get one?
Shipp vs Wiezxxxx
Looked like a b/c level fight. Both guys were in terrible shape but fought their hearts out.
Mike Mak Kyle vs Wes Sims:
Props to Sims for taking this fight on short notice. I spoke with Mark and Sims before his fight as they were near where I was sitting. Both are really nice guys. Sims was really cool. All the fans loved him. He came out and interacted with everyone before and after his fight. Having said that he took a real beating. Sims got mad props even after he lost and Kyle got the boos.
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler
Wow the shit talking was present in this fight. Nick was smack talking Lawler the whole fight telling him not to run away. Both got rocked in the 1st round and the whole crowd went nuts when lawler did that flurry at the 4minute mark and capped it with a flying knee. I can't believe Lawler went down on that shot. Everyone in the building was stunned because from our persepective it looked like a 'weak' shot and Lawler fell like it was a temple shot.
Andrei vs Cabbage
Andrei was warming up near us and that boy is huge. He was so relaxed and was just chilling and signing autographs. I met Cabbage at the weigh ins. He's a big boy too but has chicken legs. He is very humble in person as compared to his in-ring persona. I thought the fight was stopped a tad early, but the fight probably would have ended the same 10 secs later. Andrei looked awesome with his combos.
Yves vs Hermes
Great fight. Watching it live t could have gone either way. In Pride yeah Franca probably would have won, but Yves showed great composure and was still aggressive on the ground. Boos were loud when the decision was announced.
Lytle vs Tiki
Tilo looked good in the early going. Lytle wasn't using his boxing to slip and get inside. Got the choke ala Gracie-Shamrock. i have no idea was 2nd last? Kinda of a mood killer and many people went to get beers/take a piss during the fight.
Tito and Chuck
Chuck was relaxed at the weigh-ins and Tito was super serious. At both the weigh-ins and from where I was sitting at the fight it was a pro-Chuck crowd. Tito got booed when he entered and when the fan threw his beanie back in the crowd cheered. It was so loud in the Mandalay I couldn't even hear my buddy beside me. I watched the PPV and you can't even tell it's that loud. Tito was trying to be aggressive like rampage/Couture but his punches weren't committed. His 2 shots on Chuck were 1/2 assed and he didn't set them up. Chuck was just pacing himself and gauging the distance. The last flurry Chuck did at the end of the 1st round had the building in a frenzy. Tito was so emotional at the end of the 1st round and was bitching to his corner. 2nd round started, building still loud as hell. Tito looked scared and in defensive mode. Chuck just poured it on and looked great with his final combo to KO Tito. The whole building erupted, no asses were in the seats. Everyone was jumping and cheering it was crazy.
Props to Tito for standing. Stupid crowd was booing Tito during his post-fight interview.
Other notes:
Bas Rutten was there drunk as a mofo, hanging out rapping with Rampage and interacting with the fans. He was having a great time. The chicks loved him
Hung out with Chris Brennan at the beer line for a brief moment. Cool guy. Erica Montoya is pretty hot too.
Met Randy and K. Shammy at the autograph signing session. Chatted with Randy for a bit b/c he will be coming to Toronto to train with us. Gave me his number to pass on to Shawn about the scheduling conflict so glad it was resolved...really cool and super nice guy. Very sincere.
Walking to the weigh ins some big black dude taps me on the shoulder and says 'nice shirt'. i was wearing my WAND tank top and it was Mr Rampage who tapped me. He was nice enough to pose for a pic with me, but was threatening to rip my shirt off. he caught me off guard but just smiled and said "just playin', know what 'm sayin" in his ghetto thug accent.
Ate breakfast beside Genki. Didn't say much because of the language barrier but said good luck. Forgot to ask him for a shirt...fcuk.
Some boxers were there hanging out near us: Vargas and Judah. Vargas was walknig around like he was the shit.
Ricco was there with some hot chicks. I think Arnold has some video of it at MMARingreport.com.
The UFC ring girls are gorgeous. Much better looking in person than on TV.
S'bout it for now...I'll post more when I remember more. I highly encourage MMA fans to go to a UFC at least once and experience it live. It's just mayhem.
Any questions just ask.
Later.
"the fighters all had heart"
i don't think tito showed any heart whatsoever
He fought an emotional fight. He said he was going to stand and he did. Stupid yes, but he kept to his word.
sounds like a really cool trip tho
Yeah it was much better than I could have imagined. Arnold Sushi-Boy is a luck bastid. I wish I could go all the time.
tito tried 2 takedowns... he stood but that was his only choice. even if he had hit a takedown chuck would have stood right back up like he did in the first 2 rounds vs randy. tito knew he had no choice and it looked like he just kind of gave up after getting tagged a couple times. watch the vid in slow mo, his legs buckle before the KO shot. he didn't want to be there.
Yeah I'll have to watch the PPV again. You're probably right. IMO Tito looked scared since the staredown at the last UFC. He looked scared at the weigh-ins. I give him credit for standing though. And credit to Chuck, because when he hit Tito it was hard as hell. U can see the sweat fly live. (same with Arlovski and Cabbage).
One day I will go to a UFC event! Just you all wait and see!
Hi Dougie,
Yes every MMA fan must be able to make it to one UFC event. I hear Pride is even crazier.
BTW, everything you said about Randy Couture is so true. He is a really sincere, nice, down to earth individual. Classy soft spoken guy.