UFC Fight Night 33: Fight Card

The UFC is rolling full steam ahead with another big show airing on Fox Sports 1 this Friday night live from Brisbane, Queensland in Australia.  Let’s hope these fights don’t make it to decision.

Main card airing on Fox Sports 1 @ 9PM/6PM ET/PT

Mark ‘Super Samoan’ Hunt (9-8-0) vs Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva (18-5-0)

Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua (21-8-0) vs James Te Huna (18-6-0)

Ryan ‘Darth’ Bader (16-4-0) vs Anthony ‘The Hippo’ Perosh (14-7-0)

Pat ‘HD’ Barry (8-6-0) vs Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei (19-3-0)

Dylan ‘The Villain’ Andrews (18-5-0) vs Clint ‘Headbussa’ Hester (8-3-0)

Julie ‘Fireball’ Kedzie (16-12-0) vs Bethe ‘Pitbull’ Correia (6-0-0)

Prelims Airing live on Fox Sports 2 @ 7PM/4PM ET/PT

Takeya Mizugaki (18-7-2) vs Nam Phan (18-12-0)

Nick ‘The Promise’ Ring (13-2-0) vs Caio ‘Hellboy’ Magalhaes (6-1-0)

Richie ‘ Vas’ Vaculik (9-1-0) vs Justin ‘Tank’ Scoggins (5-0-0)

Bruno ‘Carioca’ Santos (13-0-0) vs Krzysztof Jotko (13-0-0)

Online Prelims airing @ 6:30PM/3:30PM ETPT

Ben ‘Manima’ Wall (6-0-1) vs Alex ‘The Dominican’ Garcia (10-1-0)

UFC 167: Main Card Poll

Dana White stated his curiosity, in the post fight press conference, as to how people would vote in a poll about the results of UFC 167’s main event.  The MMA Beatdown has decided to see what those results would be and here’s your poll.

UFC 167: Post Fight Press Conference

Here are all the highlights from the post fight press conference posted by the UFC.  Check out all the controversy left in the aftermath of UFC 167.

UFC 167: GSP vs Johny Hendricks: Results

UFC 167 Pay-Per-View

Georges St-Pierre def. Johny Hendricks, by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) – In a fight believed by many to be one of the worst decisions in UFC history, GSP squeaks by on the judges scorecards to earn the win.  This fight was truly a one-sided onslaught of the champion by the #1 contender Hendricks.  More than once Johny Hendricks had the champion badly hurt and the post fight interview (with Georges mangled face) tells the tale.  Immediately following the fight GSP talked about taking a temporary leave from the sport, due to personal reasons, which had many fans scratching their heads.

Rashad Evans def. Chael Sonnen, by TKO (Round 1, 4:05) – This was fight that truly showed a hungry Rashad Evans.  The former light-heavyweight champion had the pedal to the floor in this fight and showed that Rashad still has the ability to make another run for the title, and possibly that Sonnen should step back down to the 185lb division.

Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald, by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – The judges got this one right as Robbie Lawler did not fall complacent to the methodical Rory MacDonald.  This was a great fight and a true test for Rory MacDonald who must now reassess his fight plan when taking on an opponent who refuses to slow the action.

Tyron Woodley def. Josh Koscheck, by KO (Round 1, 4:38) – Woodley looked very impressive when he dispatched Koscheck in the first round with a big right hook that found its mark on the jaw of Josh.  Woodley has a promising career ahead of him if he can match his performance at UFC 167.

Ali Bagautinov def. Tim Elliott, by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) – This fight was a standup striking match in which Tim Elliot continued to stalk Bagautinov but simply got out pointed by the busy hands of Ali.

Fox Sports 1 – Prelims

Donald Cerrone def. Evan Dunham, by submission (Round 2, 3:49) – It was good to see the Cowboy back on the rise with his second round submission win over a dangerous opponent.

Thales Leites def. Ed Herman, by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rick Story def. Brian Ebersole, by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Erik Perez def. Edwin Figueroa, by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Facebook – Prelims

Jason High def. Anthony Lapsley, by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sergio Pettis def. Will Campuzano, by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Gian Villante def. Cody Donovan, by TKO (Round 2, 1:22)

Ronda Rousey Comments on Frank Mir’s Armbars and More

One of the fastest rising stars in MMA gives her thoughts on former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir’s armbars.

UFC Drops Lavar Johnson after 9 Month Suspension

Lavar Johnson tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone and epitestosterone following his UFC 157 loss to Brendan Schaub, according to the California State Athletic Commission.  It appeared that even when receiving the benefit of modern medical advances Johnson was still no match for Schuab’s determined takedown advances.

The California State Athletic Commission believed that a 9 month layoff would be adequate punishment for Lavar Johnson but Dana White and the UFC decided they would no longer require the talents of Mr Lavar Johnson.

Johnson could not have had worse timing for this event.  The UFC has recently announced serious cutbacks from its enormous, current roster.  Add that fact to the fact that Lavar Johnson is 2-4 from his last 6 fights and that makes for one very expendable MMA fighter.

Perhaps Lavar will find success in another venue and make his comeback into the UFC but for now we wish him luck at his new endeavors.

TUF 18 Coaches Announced

Season 18 of the Ultimate Fighter is already getting its ducks in a row with the announcement of the new coaches.  For Season 18 Ronda Rousey will coach opposite the winner of Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano, scheduled to take place April 13th.

Not only will this be the first ever Ultimate Fighter with female coaches but this year is also a first in TUF history with female competitors in the 135lb divisions.  Dana White also declared there would be males competing in the 135lb division as well.  Will the UFC use the same house it always has for both genders?  Open tryouts for the show begin April 15.

Rousey and Tate faced each other earlier last year when Rousey submitted Tate via (you guessed it) first round armbar to win the Strikeforce championship for Rousey.