Ovince St. Preux vs Gian Villante

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Lot off fighters sponsored by Salesforce.com tonight. I fucking hate Salesforce. Ovince St. Preaux vs Gian Villante up next, live updates after the jump:

Sheila Gaff vs Sara McMann

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Sara McMann is an Olympic wrestler. Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff is a vicious striker.

Oh Christ. What the fuck is ring announcer Bruce Buffer wearing? A red tux?

We went from UFC boss Dana White saying women’s MMA was never going to happen, to having a women’s fight on pretty much every card. Now that’s progress. It doesn’t hurt that there hasn’t been a bad women’s fight yet.

Round 1: Gaff runs forward. McMann immediately takes Gaff down with a double. McMann working the body from inside the guard. Those punches look pretty vicious. The ref stands them up.

McMann punches Gaff in the face and ties her up. Gaff is landing knees to the body, but McMann gets a single leg and is in side control. She’s lighting up Gaff’s face with both arms trapped; the ref ends it.

McMann by TKO.

Brian Caraway vs Johnny Bedford

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Hopefully Miesha Tate doesn’t tell her husband Brian Caraway that he’s winning the fight against Johnny Bedford while he’s losing, like she did last time when he failed to push the action and lost a decision. Live updates after the jump:

UFC 159: Facebook Prelims Recap

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Steve Siler won a pretty clear unanimous 29-28 decision against Kurt Holobaugh, who made quite a puddle of blood in the octagon during the first round.

Cody McKenzie was all over Leonard Garcia in the first two rounds, and pretty much had a hold on Garcia’s neck the whole time. Garcia threw his trademark wild haymakers in the third round, but was too tired and arguably outstruck by McKenzie.

If Leonard Garcia isn’t cut from the UFC after this fight, I’ll be shocked. This matchup seemed tailor-made for him. McKenzie won the decision by scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28. I gave all three rounds to Cody.

Weekend Preview: Danny Garcia vs Zab Judah, Sergio Martinez vs Martin Murray

Photo by Stephanie Trapp for Showtime

by Gautham Nagesh

Boxing has enjoyed an excellent run of late, and it should continue this weekend. Unfortunately the powers that be chose to counter-program each other as per usual, so we have two premium cable shows on Saturday but nothing on TV on Friday. Saturday night is also the regional championships of the Washington-area Golden Gloves tournament, which I’m hoping to cover live, and UFC 159 headlined by Jon Jones-Chael Sonnen from Newark.

Top billing for our fans goes to the Golden Boy show at Barclays in Brooklyn headlined by Danny Garcia vs Zab Judah at junior welterweight. The stacked card will air on Showtime and include Peter Quillen vs. Fernando Guerrero and a tape-delayed broadcast from Sheffield, England of Amir Khan vs. Julio Diaz. Sarah Deming will be in the crowd at Barclays to bring you her take on the action, which should set the stage for some mega-fights later this year.

Garcia is the top-ranked fighter at 140 lbs., yet many believe Judah is still dangerous enough to put a scare in the Puerto Rican American from Philly. I’m not one of them. Garcia may be a tad slow, but he has handled everyone placed in front of them. Judah has all the speed and power in the world, but no heart. When the going gets tough, our bet is that Zab checks out, probably around the 8th after a taste of Garcia’s vaunted left hook.

Tyson Fury Exposed Before Stopping Steve Cunningham

Photo by Rich Graessle for Main Events

by Sarah Deming

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Beware of British imports. Whether it’s an undefeated heavyweight or a jar of Marmite, if it comes across the Atlantic, it usually stinks. The latest suspect offering is Tyson Fury, a 6’9”, 254-pound heavyweight with the oily demeanor of a used car salesman.

Fury’s first American test came Saturday afternoon against Steve “USS” Cunningham here at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. On paper this seemed like a safe bet for the Brit, who went in with a six-inch and 45-pound advantage over Cunningham, a slick Philadelphian that saw his prime at cruiserweight. I prayed Cunningham would prove me wrong, as I had developed a powerful loathing for Fury at the pre-fight press conference.

Why does Fury behave so obnoxiously? Naazim Richardson, Cunningham’s legendary trainer, said Fury trash talks less for his opponent’s benefit than to convince himself of his own legitimacy.

“Sometimes you whistle through the cemetery,” said the boxing sage.

Last year, Naazim received a call from the Fury camp about training their fighter, but refused. He said, apropos of the skill disparity between the two: “Anyone can move like a boxer. But if you have to stop to throw a punch, you’re not a boxer.”

Canelo vs Austin Trout Marred By Open Scoring

Photos by Tom Casino for SHOWTIME

by Gautham Nagesh

On Saturday night, unbeaten junior middleweights Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Austin Trout fought for 12 close, thrilling rounds in San Antonio. Two young lions in their prime came together to unify their belts and determine the division’s top contender to challenge Floyd Mayweather. The fight started slowly, but steadily built toward what should have been a nail-biting conclusion in the championship rounds.

Instead, the open scoring format rendered the final third of the fight meaningless. It also showed that Hall of Fame referee Stanley Christodoulous has no business judging prize fights. Christodoulou scored the first eight rounds for Canelo, a mystifying scorecard that proves he had no interest in accurately scoring what happened inside the ring. The South African referee and WBA official is blind, senile, or corrupt, any of which should disqualify him from judging another professional fight.

Sadly, the inexcusable scorecard aside, this fight should have birthed a new superstar at a moment when boxing desperately needs on. Canelo and Trout both showed tremendous class, fighting with the skill and strategy that befits a truly world-class bout. The unanimous decision for Canelo was probably the appropriate result, especially after he floored Trout with a one-two combination in the 7th round. But Trout deserved far more respect than he got from both Christodoulou and Oren Shellenberger, who scored it 116-111 for Canelo. Rey Danseco was closer to reality with his card of 115-112.

Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Round 1: Leg kick from Gilbert Melendez. Leg kick from Benson Henderson. Gilbert lands a right. Henderson lands a left on a Melendez leg kick. Gilbert catches a kick, pops Benson in the face and climbs into Benson’s guard. Benson is sitting up against the fence.

Henderson stands up and takes a knee to the face. Henderson throws a punch that goes over Gilbert’s curly head. Gilbert catches another kick and goes for a flying knee, but the champ grabs him and pushes him against the fence. Benson working the knees from the clinch. Melendez gets separation and lands a punch on the break.

Head kick from Benson blocked. Head kick from Benson misses. Henderson with a leg kick. Leg kick from Gilbert. Leg kick from Melendez. Body kick by Benson, Gilbert catches it and throws him down. Leg kick from Benson is checked. Benson comes in and Gilbert lands. Gilbert catches a kick and lands another right as the round ends.

10-9 Gilbert Melendez.

Daniel Cormier vs Frank Mir

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Daniel Cormier is actuallly older than Frank Mir. I always think of Mir as super old because he’s been in mixed martial arts for so long, but Cormier is a former Olympic wrestler, so he didn’t get into the sport until late. Can’t wait for this fight.

Announcer Joe Rogan keeps on talking about how good Mir’s conditioning is and how great he looks. He looks the same as always and when you’re as big as Mir, it’s probably hard to develop some cardio at age 33.

Apparently they now have a strawberry margarita Bud Light. Sounds delicious. Live updates after the jump:

Nate Diaz vs Josh Thompson

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Two of Cesar Gracie’s guys are fighting. Probably hard to find a corner man who isn’t completely baked. Nate Diaz is involved, so we’re obviously rooting for him. Josh Thompson is tough though, coming off a close decision loss against Gilbert Melendez that many thought that he won.

I’m thinking he won’t have trouble transitioning from a six-sided cage to an eight-sided cage. Clownass Beltran is the ref. Live updates after the jump:

Matt Brown vs. Jordan Mein

Round 1- Nice elbow from Mein. Big right from Mein. Pair of punches from Brown. Brown chasing Mein around the ring. Swarming. Matt Brown is all about coming forward. Big head kick from Matt Brown. Mein retreating. Upppercut from Matt Brown. Matt Brown coming foward with punches. Pair of punces from Mein. Brown doesn’t clinch. Left hand from Brown knocks down Mein briefly. Stop the fight so Mein can get his mouthguard. Left hook from Mein. Left from Brown. Mein’s face is fucked up. Matt Brown is cut on the eye. Big right hand from Brown. Brown wanted a brawl and he got it. Mein looks like he teed off on Brown, but Brown didn’t even notice it and grabs his head and lands a bunch of knees. Left hand from Jordan Mein. Finally gets Brown to retreat. Mein lands a bodypunch and Brown is hurt and he is on top of Brown and lands a few shots to Brown’s face. Brown breathing heavy. Brown sinks in a triangle tight with one minute left. Shit’s tight, but Mein gets out of it. Damn. NIce fight so far. Mein lets Brown stand up. Brown attacks. Big right and a pair of knees. Brown lands a standing elbow as the round ends.

Great first round to start off the fight. Wow. 10-9 Brown.

Round 2- Brown stalking. Right from Brown. Brown with knees to the face. Mein is busted open bad goes to the ground with Matt brown in side control; Matt Brown is unloading on Mein who is giving up his back. Savage beating on Mein. This fight needs to end. Another elbow to the side of the head. Brown is landing elbows to the body and Big John stops it. Wow!

Matt Brown by TKO. Don’t be against Matt Brown. He can always make it a brawl and he’s one of the best brawlers there is.

Chad Mendes vs Darren Elkins

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

West coast teams are well-represented tonight. I think Darren Elkins has the longest odds on the card. Elkins is actually pretty good, but it would take some balls to bet on him. Chad Mendes is a monster.

Round 1: Mendes with a good leg kick. Leg kick fromm Mendes. A lunging right from Mendes staggers Elkins. Another right from Mendes and Elkins is hurt. Mendes lands one more shot on the ground and Elkins is done for.

That was short. Mendes by KO at 1:08 of the first round.

Francis Carmont vs. Lorenz “Leg Kicks” Larkin

Round 1- GSP in Francis Carmont’s corner. He’s a Canadian. We’re rooting for Team USA here. Lorenz Larkin. Carmont with a weak hook. Fighters trade kicks. Carmont lads punches. Larkin not really pushing the action so far other than some nice leg kicks. Carmont shoots for the double. Larkin switches to a single. Larkin goes down, but gets right back up. Lands some elbows to the head a la Travie Browne, while he is pushed up against the cage. Carmont grabs Larkin’s leg again and Larkin just hops around on one foot and punches him in the head. Carmont gives up, goes back for the double leg. Takes a few more elbows to the head. More elbows. Carmont ain’t doing shit. Fighters break up. Jab from Larkin. Leg kick from lLarkin. Foolish moustachio swings back and forth majestically. More kicks from Larkin.

10-9 Larkin

Round 2- Nice groin kick by Larkin. Big head kick from Larkin just misses. Spinning back kick from Larkin. Left hook from Larkin. Leg kick from Larkin. Spinning thigh kick from Larkin. Radical. Left hook from Larkin. Right from Larkin. Carmont shoots again. Larkin down for a second, then lands more elbows to the head. Nice takedown defense from Larkin thus far. Leg kick from Larkin. Another leg kick from Larkin.. Fuck yeah, more leg kicks. Nice right from Carmont. This just in, Larkin looks like Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Huge leg kick from Larkin. Spinning leg kick from Larkin. A veritable leg kick clinic. Carmont shoots, gets another elbow to the head. Gets the takedown. Larkin lands more elbows to the head as the round ends. Lovely.

10-9 Larkin. Round 3- Head kick from Larkin blocked. Dumbass Carmont shoots again and Larkin swings at him and falls down. Carmont is trying to jump on Larkin’s back. Grabs a leg and Larkin jumps out of it again. Carmont is just failing at takedowns and getting his legs kicked. Carmon shoots again. Gets the takedown finally, but ends up in a loose triangle. Gets out of it and is now on top of Larkin. Larkin knows he has this fight won and is just trying to hang on. For a guy who insisted on the takedown, Carmont isn’t doing shit on the ground. Larkin sinks in a kimura and Carmont has to roll out off it and now Larkin is on the top. Fighters stand. Nice kick to the body from Larkin. USA chants. This fight is locked up for Larkin. Pretty sweet flying kick from Larkin as the round ends.

10-9 Carmont

I’ve got it 29-28 Larkin.

Judges score it 29-28 for Francis Carmont. Eh. No points for stuffing takedowns I guess.

Myles Jury vs. Ramsey Nijem

Round 1- Jury lands a right. Left from Nijem. Body kick from Ramsey, but Myles takes him down and has his back and is going for an arm. Ramsey is able to get out of it and gets to his feet. Jury pushes him against the cage. Jury goes for a double leg. Puts Ramsey down and jumps on his back. Warned for striking the back of the head. No hooks in yet. Jury gets a body triangle, but Ramsey stand up and puts him on his back. Jury is now going for an armbar, but Ramsey is defending well. Ramsey powers out and is on top. Now Ramsey has the back. Myles turns over and now is on Ramsey’s back. Ramsey grabs a leg and Jury tries for a triangle from the back. Ramsey gets out of it and takes Myles’ back as the round ends. That’s a really tough round to score.

Jury 10-9

Round 2- Body kick for Jury. Ramsey coming forward punching. Ramsey gets poked. Myles gets in another kick before Big John stops it. Dirty. Crowd boos. Nijem comes forward and walks straight into a right and is out cold. Jury puts the nail in the coffin anyway with a ground strike as Big John dives in trying to stop it. Unnecessary.

Jury by KO 1:02 in the 2nd

Joesph Benavidez vs. Darren Uyenoyama

Round 1- Benavidez swarms and Darren goes to the grand, but pops back up. Kick to to the body from Darrne, but he goes down. Benavidez falls into Darren’s guard, but gets back out. does some butt kicks. Kicks Darren in his wiener Herb Dean stops it. Kick to the body by Benavidez. Benavidez is knocking Darren all over the ring. Big head kicck from Benavidez puts Darren on his ass. Darren pops back up and the fighters are clinched. Benavidez getsanother takedown and is in the open guard. Benavidez is bleeding from the eye. Darren is covered in his blood. Big kicks from Benavidez missing.

10-9 Benavidez

Round 2- Benavidez lands a punch. Leg kick. Darren is mounting no offense. Head kick from Benavdeaz blocked. Left sends Darren flying back. Big kick from Benavidez and Darren grabs him around the waist and takes his back. Darren falls down and eats a big right. Benavidez just standing back and throwing bombs. Jab lands for Benavidez. Two punches to the face from Benavidez. Leg kick from Joe. Left to the face scores. Pair of punches to the head land for Benavidez again. Benavidez scoring at will. Nice kidney punch from Benavidez. Another shot to the body from Benavidez. This time a right hook. Body kick to Darren’s midsection and he looks hurt. Benavidez lands a left hook to the body and Darren crumples to the ground in pain as Herb Dean ends it.

Benavidez by TKO