MMA Viking is in Seattle for today’s UFC on Fox 5 featuring Alexander Gustafsson versus Mauricio Rua. The first fights start 22:30 Stockholm/Oslo/Copenhagen time & 23:30 Helsinki, with main card at 2:00 / 3:00.
Live Coverage
There seems to be a bit of confusion whether or not the fights start at 12:30 or 1:30 local time, but indeed they are starting at 1:30. It’s 1:27 now, and the hype music has started. Somehow the UFC has put MMAViking in the second row, so a tremendous view of the action.
I would expect more of a crowd for the first fight, but it seems only 25% full as fans are still coming in as the first bout approaches. Again, an overcast day in Seattle, as it has been over the last several days. Word on the street is Alex is relaxed today, and focused.
Jaser from Kimura.se is next to me, and Meddi from Orcbite is also here taking photos. Always nice to have a few familiar faces at events.
Play-by-Play & Results
We will provide full results here, with full play-by-play results and details for the Alexander Gustafsson versus Mauricio Shogun Rua fight.
Arianny Celeste is the only ring girl tonight. For the Fox card Jo Rogan and Mike Goldberg are announcing.
John Albert vs. Scott Jorgensen – A spirited fight with lots of back and forth action early on. Jorgensen in trouble toward the end of the first round with a triangle, but stays composed and takes top position. Jorgensen with a submission at the end of round 1, and Jo Warren is going nuts… yelling like the baddest man on earth. I think Warren is actually rockin’ a faux hawk. The crowd really enjoyed this bout, and came alive with the tremendous grappling action. Again – Jorgensen with the submission RnC victory at end of round 1.
Scott Jorgensen: “I knew he was going to go for the triangle but I thought I’d be faster getting out of it. He was able to get it sunk in but it wasn’t tight and I just had to weasel my way into the position we trained. I’m very hard to choke. When I reversed him and ended on his back I could feel him breaking under me. I heard the claps and I knew I only had ten seconds so I squeezed as hard as I could and hoped for the best. It worked out.”
After a long break, the fights are back on.
Dennis Siver vs. Nam Phan – Siver with a full attack of kicks and punches, and he tags Nam with big overhand rights. The right kick, then punch is working well for the German fighter. Big right hands, left kicks for Siver for the first two minutes. Phan looks composed in this one, but his face shows signs of blood. Siver also using a nice left jab to set up his attack.
Round 2 – And the two are at it again, now Phan is stepping forward. Big left hand by Siver early in the round. Siver, who is a huge 145lbs. is using his muscle here, and he takes it to the ground a couple minutes into the round and is landing some nice elbows from half guard. Big elbows from the top. Siver now takes full mount, and finishes round 2 strong. Phan’s nose looks bused up.
Dennis Siver “We analyzed all of Nam’s fights before entering the octagon tonight. We saw that he can’t handle much pressure so we planned to push the pace from the opening bell until the final seconds. We planned to take him down and try to hurt him with the spinning back kicks but they didn’t work as well as we thought they would. I want to prove that I’m the best fighter in the world at 145 pounds. I would like to fight another top contender and then fight for the title next year.”
Round 3 – Siver still has a pop in his step. And 30 seconds into the round, Siver with the take-down. Siver again using his elbows to damage the fighter from California. Siver dominates the round and fight, on his way to a unanimous decision. Officially – 30-24, 30-25 and 30-26 for Siver.
Marcus LeVesseur vs. Abel Trujillo – The two fighters come out quick, and LeVesseur shows his take-down skills with a double… but the bout is lowed as the two tie-up near the cage. Again LeVesseur looking for a take-down, and he tries to finish near the cage. Trujillo looking for his own offense with elbows and punches to the attacking opponent. Trujillo lands a nice knee as LeVesseur shoots in for a take-down, and hammers down elbows.
Round 2 – Trujillo looks to be close to a submission here as his headlock turns into a reverse choke with LeVesseur trying to sit-out to escape. LeVesseur gets out, and the two wing punches. LeVesseur trying to bring the fight to the ground with 2 minutes left, but Trujillo is making him pay and drives a kneed to the body as he covers up. More knees! LeVesseur is a lump against the cage, and taking more knees… and it is over. Wow, what a fight. Dana White will get out his Zuffa bonus check book for this one. TKO stoppage in round 2.
Abel Trujillo – “It was a roller coaster the last couple days not knowing if I would get an opponent. Once I found out there was a replacement I was very happy. I’m glad Marcus stepped in and took the fight. I knew I had to defend the takedown to win the fight. I was able to dominate every position and do exactly what we planned. It’s sort of surreal. This was my dream and I’m thankful to be here.”
Daron Cruickshank vs. Henry Martinez – Martinez looking for a take-down early, but the two swing and swing and someone is going down or this will be fight of the night (or night). Neither man is backing down, and Cruickshank is landing huge blows, even trying a spinning backfist in the middle of a barrage. A kick to the liver and Martinez is hunched over ready to be put out of his misery, but Martinez somehow stumbles forward and throws some haymakers after taking more punches. The crowd is buzzing after 3 and a half minutes of crazy action. Cruickshank has a cut on his forehead, and looks a bit like Frankenstein as he stumbles his way forward. A spinning kick to the knee by Cruickshank, and a HUGE headkick by Cruickshank which would pu the lights out on any human but Martinez is still standing. This is nuts! Round one is over.
Round 2 – Martinez goes back to his wrestling with a take-dwoon attempt, but Cruickshank defends well. The two again stand straight up and are looking to exchange. Both fighters look a bit wined, but they don’t know how to move backward. Martinez comes lunging in with straight punch combinations.
WOW. Right head kick and it is over. Cruickshank blasts Martinez with a right headkick kill shot. Immediately knowing it won him the fight, Cruickshank raises his hands in victory and lands a backflip. Cruickshank wins by KO in round 2.
Cruickshank – “I saw in his previous fights that he was susceptible to body kicks and I thought if I landed them that I’d be able to stop him. My favorite fights are the ones where guys come right at me and that’s what Martinez did. He’s a super tough guy and he was able to endure a lot. Your next fight is always your most important and I’m looking forward to whatever that will be.”
Ramsey Nijem vs. Joe Proctor – Not sure how this fight can surpass the energy of the last bout, but here we go. And the the first minute is slow, but the two come out in a flurry just over a minute. A flying high kick from Nijem and he has Proctor hurt. Proctor drops down and Nijem takes his back, and looks for submission opportunities, but none there. Proctor gets out, and the two sing punches. Proctor lands, and moves in for a guillotine, but can’t get it as he pushes Nijem on his back for the first time. Interesting round one as the two have their moments.
Round 2 – Not too much significant in the first two minutes, until Proctor pops Nijem with a right hand. Nijem gets the fight to the ground, where he looks for punches. Proctor again looking for a guillotine, which turns into a front choke. It’s not tight enough, and eventually Nijem gets back on top. Close round.
Round 3 – Nijem looks to want to take control, and he does by bringing the fight to the ground. Proctor looking for a kimura, then transitions to an armbar, but Nijem makes him pay with punches from the top as he escapes. 30 seconds left, and these two let it all hang out throwing punces and kicks. Decision coming up soon. Both guys look confident. Joe Louzon is in the corner of Proctor, but he doesn’t bring any luck as Nijem gets the unanimous decision.
Raphael Assuncao vs. Mike Easton – Easton enters the cage first, and he is wearing purple tights. The two are feeling out the distance, putting out leg kicks and moving their heads. Nothing significant one minute in. Nice left head kick attempt by Assuncao. Easton looking to end his combinations with a big punch, but nothing lands. You can feel the power, and it seems like time to someone connects and goes down. Spinning back kick from Assuncao this time, but it doesn’t get through. Easton fends off a takedown with one minute to go. The crowd booed as this one comes to the end.
Round 2 – Easton is poked in the eye two minutes in, but Assuncao gives him space since the referee didn’t step in. Both fighters are waiting for something, but the crowd doesn’t like to wait. The distance between the two is much closer, and it seems that someone could land one here soon. A knee to the groin from Assuncao, and the Hulk is not happy. Easton goes for a takedown, but doesn’t get it. Round two comes to the end, and again the crowd isn’t happy.
Round 3 – The two exchange punches. Good left kick from Assuncao. Neither fighter can generate too much offense, but they both seem to be trying. Easton is moving forward, but can’t generate his game plan. No real damage. The card goes to a decision.
Assuncao wins by unanimous decision, but not sure either fighter will take a step forward in their popularity in this one.
Yves Edwards vs. Jeremy Stephens – Rage Against the Machine blasts through Seattle’s Key Arena as Jeremy Stephens comes out to the cage. The two are mixing it up early. Edwards tries for a takedown, after a brief exchange. Stephens stands straight up as he looks for both head kicks and punches, even a flying knee. Edwards knocks Stephens down and finishes with a right counter punch! Edwards follows Stephens to the ground and uses punches, and a couple elbows to force a stoppage to this one. Stephens doesn’t know what happens and fights to get up , while Edwards looks as cool as ice after the stoppage. The two former training partners embrace. Stephens still looks a little dazed as they announce the winner. 1:55 in the first round by KO for Yves Edwards.
Matt Brown vs. Mike Swick – Brown enters first, again rockin’ some Rage Against the Machine. “We are live” yells Bruce Buffer. Nice combo for brown early, Brown again knocks Sick off balance with punches. Brown looks in control of this one, and tries for a submission. “A front rear naked choke” say Jaser from Kimura.se…. I’ll have Joona from MMAViking.com update this when he watches in the morning… but Swick is out, and on top. Brown locks on a triangle, and pulls down on the head, but Swick crosses his legs to help nullify the submisssion, and the two end up on the feet.
Round 2 – Brown seems to be the quicker fo the two, and he leads with punches. An elbow and a knee from the Ohio fighter. Brown delivers! Big one two punch, and Swick is out. KO for Brown in round 2.
B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald – “It’s all about the small man beating the big man” says Penn in the preview. The crowd is going nuts for this bout. MacDonald is the first one to come in, and the crowd is mixed of booeing and cheering. Interesting dynamic here. Wow it is loud in here!!! Penn on his way in, and it is thunderous. BJ has no shirt and strolls in looking ready.
Round 1 – BJ looks for an early take-down, but MacDonald defents well. MacDonald is the more effective of the two, and is starting to land leg kicks. Penn counters, and uses his jab for offense a couple minutes into the bout. Af left hand by Penn and the crowd is going crazy. Penn tries to get the bout to the mat, but MacDonald fights his way out of it. Two minutes left, MacDonald tries another headkick, but misses. The Canadian looking for body puches, and even a takedown, but Penn defends well.Penn is hurt bad, and stumbling. penn fights back, and MacDonald is looking for the kill. 20 seconds left, and a big right elbow from MacDonald. MacDonald wins round 1.
Round 2 – The crowd cheers BJ, BJ, BJ. And Penn moves forward, but MacDonald reach and elbows are doing their job… and he tags the Hawaiin. Penn moves away, but taking a lot of damage. MacDonald looking for upkicks. Penn presses a bit, and lands a right hand. Big right for Penn. MacDonald comes back with a combo. Two minutes in, and BJ still has some energy. Left kick from MacDonald, and Penn is hurt… covering up. Right kick from MacDonald, and a body punch and knee…. Penn is hurt bad, but fights back. Penn is a punching bag. Just over a minute in the round, and it is all MacDonald. Penn lands a right, and the two exchange jabs. Takedown from MacDonald with 40 seconds in the round. Penn is slow to get up.
Round 3 – Penn looking for offense early, and grabs a hold of a single and looking to finish, but MacDonald makes him pay. MacDonald goes for a reverse kick, but falls down. Two minutes into the round, and the Canadian is looking fresh. MacDonald tags Penn and again taking control o fthe Octagon with punches and kicks, a short superman punch. Penn is tired, and MacDonald showboats with a little shuffle of his feet… the crowd does not like this. Penn lands a jab, and Rory lunges in to clinch. One minute left, and a head kick from MacDonald who is bouncing around on his toes. Another sfuffle of the feet, and MacDonald coasts his way to victory. 30-26, 30-26, and 30-27 for MacDonald the winner.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Alexander Gustafsson
This play-by-play is from Sherdog.com.
Round 1
Dan Miragliotta is the man in charge of tonight’s light heavyweight co-main event. Rua opens up with leg kicks while Gustafsson tries to split the Brazilian’s guard with a murderous uppercut. Gustafsson knocks Rua down and tries to swarm on the former champion, but Rua rolls for a leglock which looks deep for a moment. Gustafsson extracts his leg and scrambles to his feet, where he’s shoved into the cage by Rua. Controlling Gustafsson’s back while standing, Rua drills the Swede with knees to the thighs before dropping for another heel hook attempt. This one doesn’t come close, and Gustafsson floors Rua with a takedown a few seconds later. Rua hops back up and turns the tables with a double-leg of his own. Gustafsson scoots backward toward the fence with Rua in his guard, using the fence to work back to his feet. Rua stays glued to his man with a bodylock which he turns into back control. Gustafsson twists free and they’re back to striking with two minutes left in the first round. Gustafsson pushes Rua away with a kick to the gut, takes a leg kick in return. Rua comes inside and Gustafsson goes low for a takedown attempt. They wind up clinching on the fence, Gustafsson on the outside, Rua kneeing his legs from the fence.
Round 2
Rua is charging on Gustafsson, trying to attack with punches, but the taller man is backpedaling, moving out of the way of the ex-champ’s strikes. Gustafsson digs an underhook with his left arm and punches with his right before being broken up by the ref. Rua goes to the body with a punch, comes inside for a takedown and gets whizzered away. Gustafsson hits a takedown and works from Rua’s open guard. Gustafsson stands and bombs back down with a hard left hand before allowing Rua back to his feet. Rua rocks Gustafsson’s head back with a left hand. Gustafsson ducks under a right and plows Rua to the ground again. Rua back to his feet but still trapped against the fence, eating right hands from Gustafsson. Another takedown by the Swede with a minute to go and Rua scrambles up again, only to be met by a big knee to the face. Gustafsson blasts Rua’s body with an uppercut and lands a knee in the clinch. With a bloodied face, Rua spends the final 15 seconds circling the outside, avoiding Gustafsson save for a leg kick.
Round 3
Rua clips Gustafsson with a hard right hand, but Gustafsson keeps coming to thump Shogun with an uppercut. They’re in the whizzer again and Gustafsson hits a takedown, spending a moment in Rua’s open guard before standing back up. Gustafsson kicks at Rua’s liver, ducks a right hand. A jab from Gustafsson precedes a tie-up that doesn’t lead anywhere. He backs out, waits for Rua to throw and hits another takedown. Rua is banged up and looked tired as he closes his guard around the lanky youngster. Gustafsson stands, allows Rua back up and hurts him with a body blow. Rua tries to walk it off but Gustafsson presses in with uppercuts and a leaping knee. Rua back to circling the outside with his hands low and Gustafsson comes up the middle with a lead uppercut. Now it’s underhooks for Gustafsson as he bullies Rua against the fence again. Ref Miragliotta breaks them up with a minute to go and Rua tries to attack the body of Gustafsson with punches. Gustafsson replies with a front kick to the face after a stuffed takedown attempt. Rua is on the run and Gustafsson is walking him down, neither man throwing anything big at this late stage. Rua gets over-unders and pulls Gustafsson to the floor just before the horn.
Official result: Alexander Gustafsson def. Mauricio Rua via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00
Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz – The two clinch early, and Henderson is throwing knees to the body. Henderson seems to be the stronger fighter early. Henderson takes it to the ground, but Diaz is looking for an upkick. Diaz gets back to the feet toward the end of the round
Round 2 – The two are going back and forth. Henderson lands big three minutes in, and Diaz is hurt. Henderson moves on top and is landing big punches. Nate reverses, and the two flip around. Diaz backs down the champion late in teh round, and respect is not gained yet from the Stockton fighter.
Round 3 – Diaz is using his jab, marching down Henderson, but one minute in Henderson takes it to the ground, and Diaz is looking for a knee bar. Big kick by Henderson, and again he takes it to the ground. Diaz looking to throw up his legs. Henderson gets confident on top, and finds himself in trouble, and the two grapple for toe-holds. The two role around, with Henderson taking Diaz back.
BIG right hand and Diaz goes down. The crowd is going crazy! Henderson won’t be able to finish, but he tries with a kick to the body at the end of the round.
Round 4 – Diaz comes out strong, but Henderson with a takedown early. Again Henderson takes Diaz to the mat, and now takes back, and looks for punches. Bendo on top and raining down punches, and he is in total control until the end of the round.
Round 5 – Henderson gets the crowd going. Again Henderson gets the fight to the ground with a slam, and he is raining down punches, and looking to take the back of Diaz who is not giving up. Again more of the same with scrambles, but Henerson on top… but coming out if this tie-up, Henderson lands a big head-kick. Diaz walks down Henerrdon with 18 seconds to go, but not enough. Diaz acknowledges the win, and pats down Henderson.
Henderson wins by unanimous decision.
