MMA Fighting: All Posts by Ray Hui

Strikeforce Undercard Live Blog: Kaufman vs. Davis, Couture vs. Heun, More

2012-03-04T00:58:32Z

This is the Strikeforce live blog for all four preliminary bouts on tonight's Strikeforce card from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The undercard features Sarah Kaufman taking on Alexis Davis to determine who will next challenge for the Strikeforce 135-pound title against the winner of Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey.

Check out the live blog below.

More Coverage: Tate vs. Rousey Results | Latest Strikeforce News

Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis

Davis makes her way down the ramp to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck." The former champ Kaufman walks out to "I Wanna Destroy You" by The Soft Boys.

Round 1: They fearlessly throw leather and Kaufman wins the exchange with a straight left. Kaufman lands on rights and lefts and Davis' face is already in a mess 90 seconds into this action-packed fight. Davis lands a head kick that doesn't bother Kaufman. Kaufman clinches, pushing Davis against the fence. They trade punches in tie-up and when they separate, the referee calls for a pause to have Davis examined. Davis has a nasty cut above her left eye but she's allowed to continue. Kaufman lands at will with punches, completely outboxing Davis. After a battle for position in clinch, Davis begins to land punches of her own, and elbows. Both ladies are covered in blood. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Kaufman.

Round 2: Kaufman methodically picks at Davis. In clinch, Davis exchanges knees to thigh with Kaufman. Kaufman pumps out her jab and Davis is doing a better job defending herself. Davis' best offense is in tieup, landing elbows. Kaufman wins the final exchange to close a taxing and grueling second round. MMA Fighting scores the second 10-9 for Kaufman.

Round 3: They go right at it and Davis counters with a knee in clinch. Kaufman catches Davis' kicks. Davis takes advantage of clinch by landing knees to the body. Kaufman continues to land jabs and straight rights. Davis brings the fight to the ground for the first time with a little over three minutes left in the fight. Davis lands punches in side control. Davis looks for an armbar but Kaufman steps over and is now in top. But Davis sweeps and she's in side mount again with 90 seconds left. Davis tries for Kaufman's back. Kaufman turns to put Davis in her halfguard. Davis continues to stay busy with punches, but she needs a finish. Kaufman holds on. MMA Fighting scores the third 10-9 for Davis and the fight 29-28 in favor of Kaufman in an awesome, awesome fight.

Kaufman wins by majority decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-29)

Roger Bowling vs. Brandon Saling

Saling, sporting a Chuck Liddell look, makes his Strikeforce debut entering to "Walk Hard." Bowling walks out to "I Put It On For My City" by Young Jeezy.

Round 1: Bowling attacks with a leg kick that's almost caught. Bowling aims for the head this time and Saling counters with punches. Bowling and Saling exchange punches and it's Saling who arguably wins the trade. Fun slugfest. They trade wildly again and Bowling falls to the floor. He pops back up and takes down Saling. Bowling tries for an armbar, but loses the hold. Back up, Saling unloads on Bowling. Bowling grabs the Muay Thai clinch and lands knees to slow down Saling. Bowling scores his second takedown. Bowling lands left punches in crucifix/side control. With Saling stuck, Bowling bloodies him up with left elbows. Bowling takes full mount with six seconds left. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Bowling.

Round 2: Bowling immediately scores the takedown and works the ground and pound. Bowling beats up Saling with right hands while trapping Saling's arms. Dominant second round and the referee stops the fight.

Bowling wins via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 1:15

Caros Fodor vs. Pat Healy

Healy is out first, entering to "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube. The undefeated Fodor out of AMC Pankration walks out to "Welcome to Jamrock" by Damien Marley.

Round 1: Healy soon attempts the takedown by clinching with Fodor. When they separate, Fodor lands a left and then rocks Healy with a right. Fodor takes Healy down with 2:53 into Healy's halfguard. Fodor throws punches and elbows as he tries to pass. Healy is bleeding from his nose. Healy escapes and trips Fodor for the takedown into Fodor's closed guard. Healy actively throws punches to try to win back the round. Fodor with wrist control and tries to trip Healy. Healy doesn't fall for it and continues to push forward. Healy's strong finish made this round close, but I give it to Fodor, still. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Fodor.

Round 2: Healy lands on punch combinations. Healy finds his range and proceeds to work for a takedown in clinch. Healy switches to a single-leg and he's working hard for it. Healy finally sits Fodor on his butt with a double and Healy advances to Fodor's halfguard. Healy passes to side mount and rains down left hands. Fodor escapes to halfguard. Healy gets in position for an arm-triangle. Healy passes to side control again with just over 30 seconds left. Healy takes full mount and drops punches and elbows. Fodor escapes to halfguard, but Healy is still able to score with strikes. MMA Fighting scores the second round 10-9 for Healy.

Round 3: Healy appears more comfortable on his feet. Fodor finds angles to connect on punches of his own. Healy drives in for the takedown and Fodor is on his back within the first minute of this final round. Healy advances to full mount with 3:44 left to work. Fodor escapes to halfguard. Healy peppers away with left hands. Healy attempts the arm-triangle choke again, but he needs to pass to side. Fodor escapes and in a last-ditch effort, looks for a heel hook. Healy calmly escapes and quickly secures an arm-triangle choke for the submission to hand Fodor his first career loss.

Healy wins by submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 3, 3:35

Ryan Couture vs. Conor Heun

Heun of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu has rubber guard specialist Eddie Bravo in his corner. Meanwhile, Ryan has his father UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture in his corner.

Round 1: Heun claims center of the cage as Couture pumps out jabs to measure the distance. Heun appears to be aiming for a counter power left hook. They clinch at 3:27 and battle for position. Couture lands a nice knee in clinch. Heun tries a right elbow as he pushes Couture off. Couture is winning on strikes, landing a straight right and also a kick to the body. Heun scores the takedown at 1:38. Couture immediately throws his right leg across for a triangle choke and Heun defends with a slam. Couture looks for the omoplata and ends up back on his feet. Heun scores a second takedown and moves into Couture's halfguard. Heun tries for a choke that lifts the two back to a stand up fight. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Couture.

Round 2: Heun has a cut under his left eye. Heun comes out more aggressive throwing jabs and lead hooks. Heun tries a spinning heel kick that looks cool, but doesn't do much damage. Couture, who has the reach advantage, finds a home again with his straight right. Heun goes for an ankle pick, but Couture escapes. Heun scores a big takedown at 3:18 and Couture hips out right away for a kimura to attack Heun's left shoulder. Heun drops elbows and punches to Couture's ribs as he tries to pass into side control. Couture releases the kimura and switches to a triangle/armbar. Heun escapes and applies a choke, standing. Couture dumps Heun on the floor and takes Heun's back with 1:22 left in the round. Couture is too high up and he slides off. Back to clinch and Heun pulls rubber guard. The round ends with Heun trying to pull Couture into his rubber guard. MMA Fighting scores the second round 10-9 for Couture.

Round 3: Heun looks weary and Couture hits him with a straight right. Couture closes the distance and takes down Heun. Heun digs for kimura, giving Couture a taste of his own medicine. However, Couture climbs to full mount at 3:20. Heun walks the fence, but Couture turns with him to stay on top. Couture takes Heun's back and flattens him out. Couture finishes with unanswered punches for the referee stoppage.

Couture wins via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 2:52

UFC on FX 2 Bonuses: Johnson vs. McCall Draw Takes Fight of Night

2012-03-03T05:09:24Z

Martin Kampmann, Demetrious Johnson, Ian McCall and Joseph Benavidez were each awarded $50,000 bonuses by the UFC following their performances Friday at UFC on FX 2 in Sydney, Australia.

In the Fight of the Night, Johnson and McCall battled three rounds to a controversial finish. Johnson was announced during the event as the winner by majority decision, but UFC president Dana White revealed at the post-fight press conference that the fight was actually a majority draw. The commission miscalculated the score and should have called for the extra sudden victory fourth round. To resolve this error, Johnson and McCall will rematch at a later date to determine an opponent for Benavidez to crown the first-ever UFC flyweight champion. In the mean time, both earned a win bonus and the Fight of the Night bonus.

Benavidez earned Knockout of the Night with his TKO over Yasuhiro Urushitani at 11 seconds of the second round. Benavidez countered a Urushitani kick with a right hand that dropped the Shooto champion. Benavidez finished on the ground with punches to earn himself at shot at the title.

Kampmann won Submission of the Night for his come-from-behind win over Thiago Alves. Trailing on the scorecards, Kampmann needed a finish in the third round to secure the win. Late in the fight, Alves looked to clinch the fight with a takedown. However, Kampmann reversed Alves to latch on a mounted guillotine, forcing the tapout with 48 seconds left in the fight.

According to White, UFC on FX 2 registered the highest gate for a Fight Night event with $2.3 million on an attendance of 14,537.

Tate vs. Rousey Weigh-In Highlights

2012-03-03T00:44:09Z

All 18 Strikeforce fighters took to the scale Friday afternoon to make official their fights for Saturday's Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey event in Columbus, Ohio.

Watch highlights from the entire weigh-ins in the video below.

Tate vs. Rousey Weigh-In Video

2012-03-02T23:04:56Z

Champion Miesha Tate and challenger Ronda Rousey both made weight Friday afternoon for their Strikeforce championship bout taking place Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio.

The two ladies stepped on the scale at 134.5 pounds and then proceeded to butt heads during the staredown. Watch how it went down in the video below.

Translator Mizuka Koike Talks UFC 144, Fluffy Afro Pen

2012-03-01T19:37:24Z

Who says you need a pair of gloves to impress inside the Octagon?

A fluffy rainbow pen works too.

But that wasn’t the only reason translator Mizuka Koike was an inescapable presence at last Saturday’s UFC 144 in Japan. Her cheery demeanor and solid translating skills caught the attention of the MMA media and fans.

Koike, who has since gained well over 2,000 followers, revealed Monday on The MMA Hour she was a last-minute addition to the UFC 144 show.

"In the very beginning they wanted a male translator to be in the Octagon with Joe Rogan," Koike told host Ariel Helwani.

Only after helping Rogan during the weigh-ins was she offered the position as the in-cage translator by the UFC’s Japanese partner Dentsu.

Born in Tokyo, Koike spent four years growing up in Hawaii, where she learned how to speak English and a little Hawaiian. As a day job, she’s a translator for ASN, a leading sports channel in Asia that carries all the major U.S. sports. Koike said she previously worked for DREAM and K-1 MAX, but never in front of a camera inside the ring.

At UFC 144, Koike diligently took notes with her rainbow afro pen during the post-fight interviews. In an aggressive testosterone-filled sport like MMA, something as unusual as a wacky pen stands out. But that wasn't the reason why she used her rainbow afro pen.

"This rainbow afro is not my primary pen. I have a frog with me all the time," Koike said. "Going into the Octagon I preferred this one. A frog looks silly. I don’t have a normal pen and the afro one was the only one I had."

For a translator, Koike has drawn an unusually high amount of attention from the MMA Internet community.

"I should have asked some people for a normal pen," she said, jokingly.

Tatsuya Kawajiri to Fight at ONE FC 3 on March 31

2012-02-27T14:59:35Z

Tatsuya Kawajiri will compete outside of Japan for only the second time of his career when he fights at ONE FC 3 on March 31 in Singapore.

ONE FC recently announced his participation on the card. Kawajiri's last appearance outside of Japan was a loss to Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley in April 2011.

The 33-year-old Kawajiri (30-7-2) has won his last three fights against Drew Fickett, Joachim Hansen and Kazuyuki Miyata. He made the drop to featherweight in September and is twice unbeaten in the division. Kawajiri appears on the ONE FC card courtesy of a talent exchange program between ONE FC and DREAM.

The two confirmed matchups on the ONE FC 3 card so far are Masakazu Imanari vs. Kevin Belingon and Eduard Folayang vs. Ole Laursen. Confirmed participants on the card include Ray Elbe, Eddie Ng, Zorobabel Moreira and Nicole Chua.

The previously slated main event with Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Melvin Manhoef is unlikely to happen. Sobral has since signed to fight Steve Bosse for Canada's Instinct promotion in May.

UFC 144 Bonuses: Edgar vs. Henderson Is Fight of Night

2012-02-26T07:07:19Z

Ben Henderson, Frankie Edgar, Anthony Pettis and Vaughan Lee received the UFC’s post-fight honors for their performances Saturday at UFC 144 in Japan.

The four will take home an extra $65,000 for their work at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.

The main event between Edgar and Henderson lived up to the hype with the two tireless lightweights pushing the pace through five close rounds. In the end, Henderson won unanimously on scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 to claim the 155-pound belt.

More Coverage: UFC 144 Results | Henderson Beats Edgar for Lightweight Title

On a card with a handful of devastating knockout finishes, final WEC champion Pettis took the Knockout of the Night nod with his head kick knockdown followed by punches to dispatch of Joe Lauzon in 81 seconds.

More importantly, Pettis could have a bigger prize heading his way thanks to the knockout win. Pettis could be next in line for a title shot against Henderson.

"I think he's going to get it," UFC president Dana White said at the post-fight presser.

In the only submission on the card, Lee tapped out Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto with an armbar with 31 seconds left in the first round. Lee, a fighter based out of England, earned his first UFC win and became the first man to submit Yamamoto in his 11-year career.

Note: Despite losing the decision, Takeya Mizugaki was paid his win bonus. UFC brass felt he deserved the win.

Dan Hardy to Meet Duane 'Bang' Ludwig at UFC 146

2012-02-22T19:55:07Z

In what will more than likely be a standup fight, Duane "Bang" Ludwig is slated to meet Dan Hardy at UFC 146 on May 26 in Las Vegas, the UFC confirmed Wednesday.

Two welterweights with weaknesses on the floor and a strong preference to keep the fight standing, Ludwig and Hardy are both looking to get back on the winning track after coming off submission losses to Josh Neer and Chris Lytle, respectively.

Ludwig was recently seen in a loss to Neer by guillotine choke at the UFC on FX event on Jan. 20, putting a stop to Ludwig's momentum after two straight wins and the recognition of holding the UFC's fastest knockout.

Hardy has not won a fight since November 2009 and is riding a four-fight losing streak. Despite the skid, he's kept his job due to his gameness as a fighter.

UFC 146 will likely be headlined by a heavyweight title bout between champion Junior dos Santos and challenger Alistair Overeem.