UFC 76: The Day After

You know...I really love this site that I've found that provides videos of all the major fights on the UFC cards. Most of the time, I'm simply too lazy or cheap to seek out a Pay-per-view event - so I've very happy that someone out there is consistently providing torrents or online videos so I can "catch up".

Fight card (just the ones I felt like watching):

Diego Sanchez vs Jon Fitch
Forest Griffin vs Maurcia Rua
Chuck Liddell vs Keith Jardine

Diego Sanchez vs Jon Fitch
Diego Sanchez, winner of the UF Season 1 series, is fresh off a loss that marred his perfect 19-0 record. Known to be a little "peculiar" in his ways, Diego is a submission monster...if he takes to you the ground, the guy can slap a submission on you at a ridiculous speed. In fact, many thought he would be too tough to beat, that is until Koschek got in the ring with him and won the unanimous decision.

Jon Fitch has been on an unbeaten streak that's been peppered with impressive submissions. Though his background is wrestling, he's been rounding out his other skills quite well, and most of his fights have been fun to watch. He's also a training partner of Josh Koschek, so he's probably had a head start in research on Sanchez's fighting style. Both Sanchez and Fitch are gunning for their 20th win.

The video I have starts just after the 1st minute of the 2nd round. I have no idea why, but whatever.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Stuff to watch for:

• The crowd is not liking Sanchez at all. The guy is constantly peppered with boos whenever he's in control.
• The second round is a venerable bonanza of pretzel-like scrambling.
• Starting around 2:45 of the second round, Fitch tries for a rear naked choke which Sanchez reverses into a triangle.
  
• Fitch finishes out the second round with some heavy hammer fists to Sanchez's face
• Sanchez slaps on a guillotine at the 4:20 mark of the 3rd round. Fitch rides it out until Sanchez tires himself and then pulls out
• Sanchez tries for a kimora around the 2:45 of the 3rd. Fitch punches it off.
• 45 seconds left, Sanchez slaps on a triangle, Fitch gets out
• 15 seconds left, Sanchez goes for the triangle again, and again Fitch gets out
• Funny Quote of the Night: "Hey, just let me say something...you don't need to boo...you don't need to boo..." [Sanchez]
• Split decision for Jon Fitch.
  

Forest Griffin vs Maurcia Rua (Shogun)

Okay, so it's Forrest Griffin, the boy everyone loves to love, and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, the guy everyone was waiting to see in the UFC. Forrest has been diligently training in Randy Couture's camp to improve his ground skills, and hopefully his confidence. People have been dying to see Shogun in action ever since they've heard that he signed with the UFC.

Factoid: Randy Couture predicted Griffin (who will be in Griffin's corner for the fight) to upset Shogun in this match-up

VIEW VIDEO HERE

Randomness:

• For the first 1 and a half, Griffin is on his back - much improved ground guard and defense
• 1:50 into the first round, Griffin gets the takedown and Shogun's back momentarily
• Final seconds of the 1st round, Griffin regains top control and get a couple punches off before time expires
• 4:28 into the 2nd round, Griffin gets a guillotine attempt that Shogun pulls out of right away
• 2:45, Griffin stuffs Shogun's attempt at a takedown, and takes his back
• Around the 2:10 mark, Shogun looks completely gassed
• The last minute, Griffin pounces and proceeds to pound on a squirming, exhausted Shogun until the round expires
• Around the 4:30 mark, Griffin pulls an early triangle attempt
• Around the 27 second mark, Griffin gets Shogun's back and slaps on the rear naked choke.
  
• Win by submission for Forrest Griffin
  

Chuck Liddell vs Keith Jardine

We move on from the grapplers to the strikers. Both Liddell (vs. Ramapage Jackson) & Jardine (vs. Houston Alexander) are coming of humiliating defeats where both got knocked out. Both are looking to getting back to their winning ways and are notorious for their striking power. Many feel that Jardine is outclassed here, and seems he goes in as the underdog.

VIEW VIDEO HERE

This is a true strikers match - plus they go the distance, something Liddell hasn't done in a very long time. Jardine, despite (or because) of his spasmatic styles, manages some nice strikes, kicks, and a poke to Liddell's eye.

• Last 20 seconds, Liddell gets some nice trademarked overhand punches on Jardine who quickfoots it back.
  
• 4:25 of the 2nd round, Jardine lands a hard body kick to Liddell's left side.
  
• 4:15 of the 2nd round, Jardine lands a sharp punch to Liddell's face. He goes down, and Jardine pounces. Liddell scrambles immediately to his feet.
• Jardine throws a punch but slips. Liddell is on him and throws a punch/knee combo that leaves Jardine staggering around the ring
• End of the 2nd round, Liddell ends up going to the wrong corner. His left side looks like a piece or raw meat because of Jardine's kicks.
• Start of the 3rd round, Jardine is getting off a series of unanswered hard leg kicks.
  
• 3:47 of the 3rd round, Jardine get a leg kick, left hook combo
• Around 20 seconds left, Liddell tries to go for the finish, throwing some heavy combos, chasing Jardine around the ring.
• Classic "you feel embarassed for the guy" moment: Liddell raises his arms in victory when the round ends and some of the crowd boos.
• Split decision for Keith Jardine.