Ricardo Almeida

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Ricardo Almeida talks to Graciemag.com:

When you fight you have to not only be physically prepared, but mentally prepared to deal with this type of change of tides when it happens. Sometimes you are doing well in a fight, a knee gets through in the thai clinch, you land and the guy starts hitting you and a bunch of things happen. At that moment [the armbar], I was pressing him up against the fencing, so he used the fencing to spin and pull me into the armbar. That armbar was fully sunk. I felt I wouldn’t be able to get out and kind of waited for my arm to pop and get loose so I could try and get out. But he ended up adjusting the grip on my wrist and it loosened a bit, so I managed to pull out my elbow and spin over. I think the fight was a good one. I kept my cool the whole time, knowing what I had to do to win one round at a time.

I have to say, I saw where Almeida's elbow was positioned and thought it was all over.  However, being the accomplished grappler that Almeida is, he managed to stay calm and get through the tough spot.  I guess the legend of Gracie's refusing to tap continues with Almeida, who got his blackbelt from Renzo Gracie.  Almeida will now go down to the welterweight division and try to make an impact against a division full of  wrestlers and grapplers.  How do you like his chances?

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

UFC MW Champ Anderson Silva

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That's the word according to the man himself while speaking to portal das lutas:

There’s no point in even asking. Of course I would never face Lyoto. We have a code of honor and, besides being friends, we’re like brothers. It will never happen.

Of course, UFC president Dana White thinks he can make the fight happen and Silva has repeatedly stating he wants to fight the best.  So I suppose something is going to have to give at some point.  Then again, if Shogun Rua is able to defeat Lyoto Machida at UFC 104 it'll be a non issue at that point. 

Silva also spoke on people criticizing his last two performances and why he's glad they did:

I’d like to make it clear that I respect everyone. I’d like to apologize if, at some point, I was disrespectful to someone. I look to do my job and people criticize it. And they should criticize, because that’s how we become determined to fight better. That’s why I thank everyone and have great affection for everyone who’s keeping up with my career. We’re always struggling and it’s hard to be in the situation we’re in, people wanting things of us, with our personal problems, problems with the team, injuries, folks end up getting hurt… There’s a lot involved in getting ready for a challenge. But, thank God, we’re able to overcome the obstacles and come up with the results. Once again I’d like to say sorry to everyone who’s misunderstood me and I believe I would not have made it to this point without having been humble and if I’d been disrespectful to others. I’d like to end my career like this, respecting everyone else and with everyone respecting me.

So with that said, do you think Dana White can make a fight between Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida happen?

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

HT: GracieMag for the translation

UFC Lightweight Kenny Florian

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The Boston Herald:

"My goal wasn’t to go out there and say, ‘Hey, look Kenny Florian went longer than anybody else did with B.J. Penn at 155 (pounds) and he was in the best shape of his life,’ " Florian said. "It’s a disappointment and it’s a failure because I didn’t win the fight. The way I’m feeling right now, it’s a tough pill to swallow."

"The goal was to keep it close the whole time," Florian said. "I definitely thought I won the first round (and) I thought I won the third. I know one judge had me winning all three rounds and I think another judge had me winning 2-1. The goal was to try to get him to the fifth round and drown him. I couldn’t afford to make mistakes at that point."

"I really believed that it was going to come down to the wrestling and whoever got on top of who was going to win the fight," Florian said. "I think that was the key for both of us, and B.J. was able to do it. I made the first big mistake and I knew whoever made the first big mistake was probably going to lose the fight and that’s what happened. At the highest levels you can’t afford those kinds of mistakes."

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

Forrest Griffin

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I feel like I've already written what I'm about to write one time before, in regards to Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida.  However, it's pretty much the same question that has to be asked in regards to Forrest Griffin's game plan to beat Anderson Silva at UFC 101.  What was his game plan?  The entire fight only last a hair over 3 minutes, and half of that was both fighters feeling one another out with lots of movement and little action.  I wrote that I thought Griffin should use his size to pin Silva up against the cage and trip him down to the mat and work from that position. 

I know hindsight is 20/20, but surely Griffin knew that he couldn't stand and trade with Silva?  He didn't even attempt to take Silva down.  He may have been trying to set up his take downs with strikes?  Ok, well none of your strikes are landing, and most of his are so that game plan should have been tossed instead of becoming more aggressive with strikes against one of the best counter-punchers ever.  Fighters like Anderson Silva, George St. Pierre, Lyoto Machida, and Fedor Emelianenko will only be defeated will sound game planning, luck, and/or a little of both.

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

Forrest Griffin

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MMAWeekly with the news:

Reports surfaced on Sunday that Griffin had suffered a jaw injury and that was the reason for his hasty exit, but MMAWeekly.com was able to confirm with representatives from Zinkin Entertainment, Griffin's management group, that he is physically fine following the Saturday night fight.

Griffin suffered no broken jaw and he is physically okay, said the Zinkin representative, but emotionally he is definitely not dealing well with the loss

Wow.  I admit that I believed the reports of Forrest suffering an injury to his jaw after watching him run away from the cage like that.  Once he got caught with the final punch that put him down, Forrest waved to the referee that he was basically done.  The punch looked like a jab, and Forrest seemed coherent while on the mat.  Did Forrest Griffin basically just quit against Anderson Silva?

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

UFC Middleweight Champ Anderson Silva

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That seems like a real possibility according to what happened at the UFC post-fight press conference between Dana White, Ed Soares(Silva's Manager), and Anderson Silva according to Yahoo sports:

That Silva could move up a weight class and not just win, but destroy with power, was a game-changing and perhaps UFC-altering moment. That’s what Silva and his manager, Ed Soares, wanted to discuss with White.

With his arm wrapped around White’s shoulder, Soares leaned in and delivered a proposition. "Spider" Silva would move permanently to light heavyweight, even if it meant the unorthodox move of giving up his middleweight belt.

"I can do that," White smiled, a bit stunned at the offer. "I like that. We can do that."

Soares smiled and shook White’s hand.

"I can do that," White smiled, a bit stunned at the offer. "I like that. We can do that."

"I’d let him," White said later, sitting in his quiet dressing room. "We’d put [the middleweight title] up for grabs."

Silva’s next title defense was supposed to be against Dan Henderson, who Silva savagely choked out in March 2008.

"Who knows," White said, wheels already spinning. "We’ll see what happens. In the talks I’ve had with Anderson, he wants to take on the best in the world. He’s the most talented fighter in the world, the best pound for pound fighter and it’s a joke to say anyone else is. And he wants to continue to prove [it]."

White thought for a moment.

"He would jump in that mix [at the top of the light heavyweight division]," White said. "You’ve got Rashad [Evans], you’ve got Rampage [Jackson], [Lyoto] Machida is the champion. And Tito [Ortiz] is in the mix now."

However, before we get all giddy about a potential Lyoto Machida/Anderson Silva fight, Silva was quick to point out that he wouldn't fight Machida as he has said on many occasions.  However, Dana White said he would make that fight happen:

"I’ll make it happen," White said winking his eye. "It’s not even about money. It’s about proving you’re the best, it’s about securing your place in history. It’s about putting on a super fight that fans want to see.

"I’m all about making big fights that fans want to see."

I've been real vocal about Anderson Silva moving up to LHW ever since the Cote fight and last night's thrashing of the former UFC light heavyweight champion only strengthened that stance.  Silva has three fights left on his current contract, and he shouldn't be wasting those fights on fighters he has already beaten or guys that have absolutely no shot at winning. 

HT: sports.Yahoo.com

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

I must say I was looking forward to the event, most notably the main event and co-main event for the most part.  I thought  those two fights delivered, although my boy Kenny Florian let me down on my prediction but showed mad heart.  However, the other fights didn't really tickle my fancy if you will, in that there was nothing really memorable that happened I suppose.  Let's take a look at what we learned:

• Pellegrino/Neer-Why did Neer continue to try to catch Pellegrino with submissions instead of trying to get back up to his feet?  Pellegrino is a very accomplished grappler and the odds of him actually being caught in a submission are relatively low, excluding the fight with Nate Diaz.  Neer was very active from the bottom, but it takes more than that to win a fight on the judges score cards.  Kudos to Pellegrino for getting his first main card win in the UFC.  I thought Neer's size would make a difference but it was a non factor.
• Almeida/Grove-I was going to pick Grove in this fight until I found out about his rib injury.  I'm not sure if it played a part, but he couldn't do much about Almeida's relentless pursuit of take downs.  Grove did manage to land some decent strikes, and a very close armbar but that was about it.  This is a crushing loss to Grove, especially since Almeida will be moving down to the welterweight division.  If he can up his cardio, Almeida may be able to make some noise in the welterweight division.  I'd like to see him matched up against Sadollah.
• Hendricks/Sadollah-I picked Hendricks for the upset and he delivered, well delivered until the ref stopped the fight, but that's no fault of Hendricks.  I thought Hendrick's wrestling would be too much for Sadollah, but it never even got that far as Hendricks rocked Sadollah with dirty boxing upper cuts.  The pedigree of Hendrick's wrestling is enough for him to win fights at 170 alone, but he still needs to work on his stand up and tucking that chin.  I think he got clipped by Sadollah as he swung wildly right before they clinched and he started throwing those uppercuts.  Sadollah will be back and they may do a instant re-match just like they did for Riley/Nelson.  I guess we'll see.
• Riley/Nelson-This fight went just how I thought it would, because Nelson was just too small against Riley.  I picked Riley to win a decision because I knew Nelson was tough, but Riley should have been able to finish an exhausted Nelson in my opinion.  That was probably Nelson's last fight in the UFC, and Riley will continue to be a guy they use as a measuring stick for up and comer's more than likely.  A pretty one sided fight.
• Silva/Griffin-After Silva's performance against Griffin, I have absolutely NO interest in watching Henderson/Silva 2...but that's just me.  He absolutely worked Griffin who is the #4 LHW in the world.  Griffin sustained a dislocated jaw early in the fight and I think that's why that final punch did him in.  I think it was more so of Griffin knowing he was injured instead of the punch putting him down.  Which is why he immediately left the cage to go get evaluated by a doctor in the back.  He was also absent from the post fight conference.  Silva needs to stay at light heavyweight.  He has 3 fights left on his UFC contract.  Randy Couture, Rampage, and maybe Shogun would all be suitable opponents(since he has said he will not fight current LHW champ Lyoto Machida).  Are you interested in Hendo/Silva 2, and who do you want to see him fight next?
• Penn/Florian-I thought Florian was going to pull off the upset, but turns out he just wasn't able to perform as good as I thought he would.  He gave a valiant effort, but Penn was just too much and proved why he is the #1 lightweight in the world.  I guess Diego Sanchez is next, and while he has an interesting skillset, I wonder if he has a shot at dethroning the UFC lightweight champion?  That was Florian 2nd and likely last shot at winning a championship in the UFC, at least as long as BJ Penn is the champion.  I guess he'll be reduced to gatekeeper status even though he's one of the best lightweights in the world.  I'd like to see him face Frankie Edgar next with Edgar getting a title shot if he's able to pull out a win.

Give me your thoughts on the event overall, and who you would like to see matched up next?

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

Join Matt Bishop and Neil Wagner starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT for live coverage of UFC 101: Declaration, which is live from Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

In addition to discussing the fights, you can follow along with us as we provide play-by-play and live scoring of the fights.

And don't forget to join Lights Out Radio at 1:30 a.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT following the show for full analysis and discussion of the night's card.

The main card, play-by-play, scoring and discussion is after the jump.

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

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UFC lightweight world champion B.J. Penn (13-5-1)

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 The first round starts and they try to feel one another out.  Nothing really major happens in the first minute or so of the fight as they are both cautious.  Kenny Florian's corner is yelling out that BJ Penn is getting tired already.  Nothing really major is happening...Florian lands a good leg kick.  BJ Penn lands big knees at the end of the round and Florian avoids further damage.

The second round starts with Florian's corner yelling out instructions and Florian lands a good leg kick.  Florian going for take downs but Penn is having none of it.  Florian misses a nasty elbow, and Penn lands a punch in the back of Florian's head unintentionally.  Florian pressing Penn up against the cage, and Penn lands a uppercut.  Florian lands another leg kick.  The bell for the end of the round sounds.

The third round starts and Florian is pressing for the take down and lands some knees.  Florian landing some body shots and drops down for another take down up against the cage.  Florian seems to be imploring a strategy similar to GSP at UFC 94.  BJ Penn lands a good uppercut and Florian breaks free.  They exchange with both landing.  Florian lands a leg kick as his corner yells instructions.  Penn lands a knee and Florian presses Penn back up against the cage.  Penn switches...lands and Florian backs away.  Florian lands a superman punch and Penn lands as the bell sounds.

The fourth round starts and Florian comes forward and is tagged.  Penn lands an uppercut and gets a take down on Florian...looks to pass to Florian's half guard.  Penn is still in Florian's half guard but lands some shots on Florian.  Penn gains the mount position and takes Florian's back.  Penn looking for the RNC...Florian is trying to defend.  Florian taps and BJ Penn remains the UFC Lightweight champion. 

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

UFC middleweight world champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva (24-4)

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 The round starts and they are both trying to feel one another out.  Griffin pawing with the jab and leg kicks.  They continue to feel one another out, but about halfway thru the round Silva starts to be the aggressor.  Anderson Silva rocks Forrest Griffin as Griffin leaves his chin out there.  Griffin is showing mad heart and Silva continues to stalk Griffin with his hands down taunting Forrest Griffin.  He drops Griffin again while taunting him and allows Griffin to get up, and Griffin lands a shot.  However, Silva rocks him again and it's all over in the first round.  Silva TKO's Forrest Griffin. 

UFC 101: Declaration coverage