After The Bell: UFC 109:Relentless

Last night, after some B.S with the cable company, I had the chance to sit down and watch UFC 109. Before I get into the fights, I must say that the card was very good and a lot of the fights had surprising finishes. I also stand by the fact that UFC has the best event preparation in the game today. Strikeforce take notes.

I will give my thoughts on the main card since I did not get to watch the the prelims.

Matt Serra (16-6) v Frank Trigg (19-7)

Everyone I spoke to expected this fight to go the distance. But after the trash talking and the fact that this was a make or break fight for either one of these guys, you knew a lot was on the line. The fight started as you’d expect with Trigg keeping Serra away with punches and Serra working the body. Then the unexpected happened – not a miracle submission or a ground battle but a big right hand from Matt Serra that leveled Trigg. Serra capitalized on the K.O with a pounding and the ref stopped it.

Matt Serra is a favorite fighter of mine because he is tenacious and has a real “no quit” attitude that makes him fun to watch. It helps that he’s a fellow New Yorker, but let’s not let small details like location take away from the fact that he always entertains and surprises me.

Serra by K.O.

Dan Miller (11-2, 1NC) v Demian Maia (11-1)

Demian Maia came in to this fight with something to prove after his KO loss to Marquardt, and Dan Miller was a great opponent for him on his comeback trail.

First round was a healthy mix of standup from Miller with some takedown attempts from Maia. There was an inadvertent strike to the groin that Maia delivered, but the pace was solid and it was a great first round for both guys.

Second round had more striking from Maia, but nothing that really changed the tide of the fight. Miller continued working the striking game but couldn’t hit his stride which annoyed the crowd. Why does the crowd boo this really solid chess match? It boggles my fucking mind.

Third round had Maia really working on some takedowns. Miller continued to land solid shots and even cut Maia but it was not enough.

Maia wins by Decision

Brian Stann v Phil Davis

Phil Davis at first glance reminded me Jon “Bones” Jones due to his athleticism and explosiveness. Stann gave him some trouble in the first half of the round, but Davis woke up and put in some work in the second and  third rounds to take the fight via unanimous decision.

Davis by Decision

 

Paulo Thiago (12-1) v Mike Swick (14-3)

Swick was substituting for Josh Koscheck here and wanted to avenge the losses of fellow A.K.A members to Thiago. Swick and Thiago exchanged a bit in the first, but neither fighter displayed a clear advantage. The second round started fairly the same but Thiago dropped Swick with a left and applied a darce choke for submission victory.

Thiago by Submission (Darce Choke)

 

Chael Sonnen(25-10-1) v Nate Marquardt (32-8-2)

Chael Sonnen came into this fight with a great performance against Yushin Okami and Marquardt was expecting a title shot after this victory. Sonnen proved to be the spoiler and proceeded to use his superior wrestling to bully Marquardt for the entire fight.  Sonnen may have got himself into the title picture with these last two great performances.

Chael Sonnen by Decision

 

Mark Coleman (16-9) v Randy Couture (17-10)

Coleman gets props off the bat for coming out to Lil’ Wayne. Both of these legends have made some of  the greatest contributions to the sport of MMA, and at the end of the day their performances will something we can all remember. Couture came out and proceeded to bully Coleman into the fence in typical Couture fashion. Coleman had no answer for Randy’s offense and Randy easily took the first round. Couture came into the second round using the same game plan and scored a takedown and the submission victory via rear naked choke.

Randy Couture by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 

It wouldn’t be a post fight interview without some fireworks and those fireworks came in the form of the one and only Tito Ortiz who made some disparaging remarks to Coleman. I am sure whatever Tito said was far from cordial when it ends with Coleman saying “Fuck you, Tito” and “Anytime douchebag”. I am sure Dana saw some dollar signs with a potential Coleman v. Ortiz match.

Overall it was a solid card with some great fights. Randy Couture continues to improve with age and is a his best every time he fights. He is still dangerous at 205 lbs. and poses a threat in the division. Congrats to him and Coleman for going in there and putting on a great show. Nothing but respect for those two legends.