Hi UFC fans. Here now is the
UFC 101 Play By Play of the Main Card fights.
Lightweight: Josh Neer vs Kurt PellegrinoRound 1:
Both men come out swinging which is no surprise as Neer didn’t touch gloves until the very last minute. Big slam from Pellegrino who works to half guard and postures up for the big shot that doesn’t come. The crowd starts into a “Let’s Go Kurt” chant and Neer has the wrist of Pellegrino. Tight grip forces a slam from Kurt who moves into half guard once Neer lets go. Wrist control by Neer from the bottom, Pellegrino slips free and is back into open guard. Neer tries to push the upper body of Kurt over to his right to halt his momentum, but Kurt takes half guard for his efforts. One leg caught in a tight half guard and Pellegrino gets two elbows into the face of Josh Neer before the round ends.
Round 2:
Strong exchange from Kurt Pellegrino and Neer is down on the mat. Josh manages to get a hold of the wrist and Kurt is working to get out of the half guard and into mount, if possible. Neer works two strong submission attempts from the down position, first an armbar and then a triangle that Kurt avoids. Pellegrino gets the mount and the crowd shows their appreciation. Neer rolls to his right, giving up his back to Kurt who tries to sink the rear naked choke. Neer ends up on top of Pellegrino with his back down as the round comes to an end.
Round 3:
Neer presses in for a shot. Pellegrino drops his hands to tempt Neer in and gets a left mid kick for his efforts. Kurt with a double leg takedown and he’s into the guard of Josh Neer. Neer works from his back for a sub and/or wrist control, but Kurt is able to squirm free and strike the downed opponent with a swift backfist. Neer on his left side and Pellegrino works him back to his back. Josh hits two left elbows to the side of Kurt’s head. Kurt leaning in from a standing position and trying to open a striking situation, but one doesn’t present itself. Crowd boos as Kurt is drawn back into Josh’s closed guard. Josh tries for a triangle that Kurt slips out of. Kurt takes half guard on Josh’s right, and can’t quite get the other leg down to grab the mount. Still in half guard, Pellegrino pushes through for a mount, taking a risk for an armbar that doesn’t work. Neer gives him two rights to the fface for his efforts. Pellegrino is rocked with short back elbows against the cage and is down to his knees as the round comes to a close.
Kurt Pellegrino wins by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) vs Josh Neer
Middleweight: Kendall Grove vs Ricardo AlmeidaRound 1:
Almeida presses early and after and missed exchange, Kendall is backed against the cage. Almeida working for the takedown, Kendall offers up a fist to the far ear. Dirty boxing by both fighters before Kendall reverses posture. Back into the center of the octagon, Almeida pursues with a right hook. Knee/kick is half caught by Ricardo and he walks Kendall to the cage. Almeida has the leg for a moment before Kendall slips away. Trip takedown by Ricardo is applauded by the crowd and Ricardo stand high in Kendall’s guard. Almeida offers a leg kick on his opponent before diving through and missing with a big punch. Kendall out the back door as Almeida hits him with big punches. Almeida scoops Kendall up and walks him across the Octagon, taking half guard to end round one.
Round 2:
Another takedown by Almeida. Kendall in a half butterfly guard as Ricardo pushes him toward the cage. Kendall gets a tight armbar that Ricardo Almeida spins out. Kendall working hard from the bottom with long elbows while posturing up for a submission. Kendall moves into the same position in hopes of getting something here in the middle of the round. Body triangle and elbows from Kendall force Ricardo in tighter. Ricardo moves as if he is going to slam Kendall again and he gets him to open his guard. Ricardo pops back to his feet momentarily before he aims a straight left that glances Grove and impacts on the mat. Kendall begins to roll for an leglock, but Almeida stops him and takes half guard. Ricardo takes side control and hits Kendall with several big shots forcing Grove back to his feet. Both fighters are standing, with Almeida backing Kendall against the cage. Kendall with a short uppercut that staggers Ricarda bit, but he continues to drive through for a double leg takedown. Ricardo drags Kendall to his back to end the round.
Round 3:
Kendall misses with a right cross. Inside leg kick from Almeida, followed by an outside leg kick. Kendall coutners with a mid kick that is caught and he is driven across the ring for the takedown. Grove and Almeida are back on their feet with Ricardo pressing against the cage. Kendall gets separation and misses with a big cross, Almeida goes for the flying sub, Grove drops the fist and elbow instead before standing up. Both fighters in the center of the cage, Ricardo with underhooks and Kendall foot stomps against the cage to make him release. With half the round to go, Almeida shoots in and lifts Kendall up and across the ring. Closed guard from Grove and he eats short body shots as a result. Almeida postures up and Kendall teases an omaplata. Short elbow from Grove and closed guard. Kendall appeared to be taking the right wrist before a quick butterfly that gets him back to his feet. Almeida shoots for a final takedown and Grove hammers at him with back fists as the fights closes.
Ricardo Almeida wins by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) vs Kendall Grove
Welterweight: Amir Sadollah vs Johny HendricksRound 1:
Hendricks is the spitting image of Andrei Arlovski with that beard. Two young, undefeated fighters with much to prove and we get a stoppage by referee Mirgliotta after 10-11 unprotected shots to a stunned Amir. Sadollah is caught with a big left uppercut as he presses the action. Hendricks pounces in the corner and the crowd is still booing after seeing all the replays.
Johny Hendricks wins by TKO vs Amir Sadollah
Joe Rogan hops into the octagon and defends what might be seen as a questionable stoppage. Hendricks stood his ground and landed the three lefts that grounded Amir, credit to the kid for being so accurate under pressure
Light Heavyweight: Anderson Silva vs Forrest GriffinRound 1:
Huge introduction, damn near deafening, for Forrest during the intros. Everyone is on their feet. Split crowd for Anderson – totally deaf now, btw. I couldn’t even hear the ref speak to the fighters. Griffin and Silva circle as both know the power and skill of their respective opponent. I predict leg kicks and jabs for a bit. Forrest appears to be the heavier fighter, but Anderson shows his speed by partially catching a mid-kick that causes a short scramble. Deflected head kick by Silva. Good head movement by Silva, and there’s a big slip by Forrest near the cage. Silva is just toying with the slower Griffin. Silva’s proving too fast early on with tremendous head movement and isn’t even keeping his hands up. The Spider ducks two huge shots from Silva takes Forrest out with his hands raised in a bizarre sort of defense and this fight is over. Forrest Griffin stormed out of the Octagon, ran straight to the locker room seconds after losing at TKO to Anderson Silva at UFC 101!
Light Heavyweight: Anderson Silva wins by TKO vs Forrest Griffin R1
Lightweight Championship: BJ Penn vs Kenny FlorianRound 1:
Huge ovation for BJ while Bruce Buffer goes through the intros. After the lukewarm reception for Penn at the weigh-in, one doesn’t know what to expect, however, this should be a phenomenal treat. First strike to Florian who gets the push kick. BJ qith a short right hook to stagger Kenny, but he circles away and the fighters take the center of the cage. The big ovation for Penn begins as Kenny circles and shoots in to grab underhooks. Dirty boxing gets bodyshots for both men. It’s obvious that while Kenny made references to wanting to end this fight early, he wants to press Penn into later rounds and challenge the motor. Right uppercut gets Kenny backing away and we’re tied up in the cage. BJ lets Kenny off the cage after 6-7 knees to the inside of his thigh against the cage. Kenny fights for a takedown that isn’t going to happen and the crowd shows appreciation for a solid four minutes. Florian is the aggressor and shoots for a takedown, getting Penn against the cage door. Kenny misses a huge hook, BJ counters with a flying knee to end the round.
Round 2:
Florian looks confident after a strong opening round. BJ takes a deep inside leg kick and waits for an opening to strike. Florian shoots and drives Penn to the cage wall, leaning his body weight on him. Both fighters circle and look for an opening; Kenny seems content to press for takedowns and get the advantage by working against the cage. Penn is waiting for his opening and, to his credit, seems patient and relaxed. Halfway through the second round, BJ looks up at the clock as Kenny lets himgo. An accidental shot to the back of the head (as Florian turns his body to scramble away) draws admonishment from Kenny, but he resumes his tactic, one that looks partially derived from Georges St. Pierre’s idea in his last fight with BJ: wear him out. A good exchange has BJ working off the cage wall. Both fighters back to the center and Florian misses with three kicks. BJ takes an inside leg kick while looking for the big shot.
Round 3:
Kenny Florian is trying a similar strategy to GSP, holding BJ Penn and trying to wear down his arms. Problem is Florian isn't as effective. Florian starts out pursuing Penn very early in the first. BJ moves well and at his angles to open yp for his big shot. Kenny, instead of taking this fight to the mat, presses the action to the outer walls and looks to sweep. Florian takes a leg and attempts to get BJ off his feet, but he’s eating a lot of face shots in the process. Kenny drives his shoulders into BJ’s mid-section. Big elbow to the face of Penn as Florian lets him out and Penn is pursuing, missing an uppercut before the combatants end back in the center of the cage. Kenny shoots, takes a single leg in the center of the octagon and walks Penn to the cage. BJ has recognized the game plan and is exploding faster into his opportunities to attack. Back into the cage, Kenny eats a back elbow to the side of the head from BJ. BJ sweeps Kenny to his knees and Kenny scrambles to his feet as BJ misses with two big punches. Kenny goes for two Superman punches that barely miss.
Round 4:
Kenny leads with an open hand that BJ finally presses away and hits a punch that shifts him into the cage. After another missed cross, Florian pushes Penn into the cage, releasing him to land an elbow. BJ grabs a double leg and hoists Florian into the air with a big slam and promptly begins to work in the half guard. Short elbows from BJ as Kenny rolls to his right side to prevent the mount that Penn is working for. Good guard defense stops BJ from a full mount and Penn almost secures the position with just over 2 minutes to go in the round. Seconds later, BJ takes the mount, then Kenny’s back and is working for the rear naked. Kenny rolls away to his back again and BJ continues to alternate between rear naked choke and mount attempts. Kenny fights off three attempts to sink the hold before Penn locks it deep for the submission victory.
Lightweight Championship: BJ Penn wins by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) vs Kenny Florian R4
