UFC 104: The Machida Error

(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

I arrived at Hooters last night excited not only for the UFC 104 pay-per-view, but also with the knowledge that I’d be covering the event in some fashion for my first Bleacher Report article this morning. However, by the time I got home, I felt more than a little embarrassed for the sport we all love.

I’m going to start with a few notes I took during the PPV, just to give you all a little insight on what I’m thinking while watching fights.

Anthony Johnson vs Yoshiyuki Yoshida

It’s disappointing seeing Rumble come in six pounds overweight, and I hope this is a wake-up call for him to move up a division or two. Ah, Arianny gave me a little wave, did you guys see that?

Well, I don’t even think Yoshida landed a shot here. Rumble ran up on him and took him out in about 40 seconds. No ground or pound required. Johnson looks impressive again, but the victory is no doubt tainted by the weight issue.

Joe Stevenson vs Spencer Fisher

Fisher looks a little out of shape for this one. Joe Daddy used some nice feints and switched stances against Spencer. Joe Daddy claimed the Bud Light logo on the mat, controlling the center of the octagon.

In the second round, Joe jumped into guard and tried to snatch a leg, but couldn’t quite get it. A bloody Fisher was then crucified and Stevenson hit over a dozen unanswered elbows to the head. Not too much to say about this one.

Joe Daddy looked excellent, and Fisher really didn’t look like he had much for him. Stevenson moves back towards the top of the lightweight division; Fisher heads back down a bit. All is pipe.

Yushin Okami vs Chael Sonnen

Okay, so I guess everyone can stop whining about Okami not getting PPV time. Sonnen looked real good in the first round, changing levels and demonstrating some crisp kickboxing.

Chael nearly pasted Okami, but to no avail. Those disappointed can get their share of dick when Michael Bisping annoys us all next month at UFC 105. Chael reminds me of the janitor on Scrubs. Nothing terribly exciting here, either.

Okami basically got manhandled and lost all 3 rounds, 30-27. Sonnen looked great and should be getting some bigger fights at middleweight, but what’s next for Okami?

I’m guessing some more preliminary fights, and unless he can string some more wins together or makes some kind of change, I don’t see him becoming a factor in this division. I just don’t.

Josh Neer vs Gleison Tibau

Goldberg theorizes this may become a barnburner. Okay, Tibau is a ridiculously massive lightweight. He does the ole “Matt Hughes” on Neer, who caught air several times in each round on his way to the mat. Tibau’s slams and successful takedowns were no doubt enough to take the catchweight fight 30-27.

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