HELLA HOLLI MARTIN REPORTING LIVE FROM UFC 99 IN GERMANY

Posted on | June 13, 2009 | 1 Comment

UFC 99 REPORT AND PLAY BY PLAY

By: Holli Martin

Cologne’s real name is Köln. If you didn’t know better, you would think you were walking the streets of Manhattan. The fabulous shopping is dwarfed only by the colossal Köln cathedral, the largest in Germany. And, the only thing more impressive and historical than this ancient landmark is the first ever mainland Europe UFC right in this very town.

Most of the fans attending are American soldiers. They are easily detected by their American English and occasional obnoxious behavior. However, the Europeans are represented, as well. They can be spotted in brand new UFC t-shirts, metro-cut jeans, trendy hair cuts, and a near lack of typical pre-fight enthusiasm.

While the UFC hasn’t reached it’s peak of popularity with the Germans, the seats not filled by Americans were occupied by Brits, Irish, and Eastern Europeans. Nevertheless, a few progressive Germans were in attendance.

MAIN CARD:

Rich Franklin Vs. Wanderlei Silva

Round one was mostly a clinic in circling and respecting with just enough action to keep the fight moving. Although, Wanderlei Silva took the advantage by way of fan vote after he walked to the octagon to what must be the German national anthem: techno music.

The action picked up in the second with both fighters engaging in bouts of meaningful flurries. Franklin earned the fans’ respect after rocking the Brazilian twice, then getting the takedown before the bell.

Wandi rallied the spectators behind him by waving his arms to encourage their cheers in the third. His gesture was rewarded with a roar of foot stomps and applause. In return, Silva took it to Franklin, but the American scored another takedown. With Franklin pinned behind Silva against the cage, neither fighter wanted to leave it to the judges, choosing to have a war of elbows and punches before the fight ended. The judges had their say with the former middleweight champ RICH FRANKLIN taking the win by UD.

Despite the decision loss, the crowd sent a clear message to Dana white that they wanted to see the “ax murderer” again.

Cheick Kongo Vs. Cain Velasquez

In repayment for a flash knock out, Cain Velasquez all but pantsed Cheick Kongo in an effort to take the Frenchman to the mat. The rest of the round consisted of Velasquez laying heavy ground and pound on his opponent, adding a few knees to the ribs for good measure.

Velasquez was caught with another flash KO in the second, but the round ended in déjà vous fashion.

The Third round was more of the same with Velasquez taking the unanimous decision.

On the plus side for Kongo, he now knows he needs a better ground coach.

Mirko Cro Cop Vs. Mostapha Al Turk

After walking out to Duran Duran’s “Wild Boys,” like only a true bad ass could, Mirko Cro Cop stalked Mostapha Al Turk, waiting for just the right moment.

Before the halfway point in the round, Cro Cop staggered Al Turk with punches, backing him against the cage. In an exchange of strikes, the Croation unintentionally poked a finger into the Londoner’s eye, causing him to turn his back and cover his face. Mirko swooped in, pounding on al Turk until the fight was stopped.

A crowd full of Croatian flag, t-shirt wearing fans roared as their hero took the win, apologizing for the eye poke.

Editor’s Note (By: Rich Bergeron): Cro Cop looked much better in this one, landing some really crisp shots to take Al Turk out. A poke in the eye unfortunately went un-noticed by the ref before Mirko pounded Al Turk against the fence to finish it, but judging by the way Cro Cop was landing left hooks at will, it looked to be only a matter of time before Cro Cop won by other means if the poke was never a factor. Still, considering the amount of punches from Mirko that landed solidly, the damage on Al Turk’s face was minimal. Mirko said he is feeling much better since his surgery 5 months ago and was “satisfied” with his performance against Al Turk. I would rather see him matched against someone with a bigger name and a better record.

Mike Swick Vs. Ben Saunders

Ben Saunders made the first most of round one by charging at Mike Swick like a bully across a schoolyard, only to find himself on his back with Swick on top punching his face and attempting a Swickatine.

Round two saw a more even exchange until Swick threw a right hand, rocking his taller opponent. Seizing the opportunity, Swick went after Saunders, taking him to the ground and laying down 16 unanswered strikes before the beating was stopped, giving Swick the TKO victory.

SPENCER FISHER V. CAOL UNO

In polar opposition to Fisher’s usually exciting fights, tonight’s against Uno was a bit of snoozefest.

Evenly matched, each combatant canceled the other out with no clear front runner until Fisher knocked Uno to the mat in the third. Oddly, the Iowan didn’t capitalize.

Uno pinned Fisher at the close of the third, peppering him with punches and staying in brief control. Uno lost his hold just before the round ended. The judges apparently flipped a coin, awarding the win to Fisher by unanimous decision.

Editor’s note (By Rich Bergeron): Even though Joe Rogan seemed to think Uno’s last flurry of grounding and pounding might have won him the fight I think the fact that Fisher kept landing Muay Thai knees during clinches and landed the far better punches made all the difference.

Marcus Davis Vs. Dan Hardy

Davis kept the fight on the ground with the better BJJ skills in Round 1. Dan hardy connected once late in the first with a nice elbow, but Davis’s Jiu Jitsu was too dominant.

The second round saw Hardy dole out a flash knockout to the Irish hand grenade with a well-placed knee to the chin. Davis recovered immediately and nearly submitted the Brit. The round likely went to Hardy.

Both fighters came out strong in the third with Davis throwing an early overhand left, knocking down Hardy. Hardy opened a cut on Davis’ nose with a vicious elbow while both men were wrestling near the cage fence. When the ref stopped the fight to check on the cut, Davis looked wobbly standing up. Both went back to grappling near the fence until the ref stood them up for one last exchange. Nobody landed anything spectacular, so the fight went to the judges who arrived at a split decision win for hardy.

FINAL SCORE: 29-28 on all three cards, two for Hardy, one for Davis. Hardy wins and says the pre-fight stuff about Davis and his Irish Heritage being a “gimmick” was all psychological. Looks like it worked.

PRELIMINARIES:
Terry Etim Vs. Justin Buchholtz

After decidedly losing round one, round two found Terry Etim grinding off a machine gun like explosion of Muay Thai knees before submitting Justin Buchholtz with an impressive darse choke. Buchholtz who found his way into the second round for the first time in his ufc career, broke the Brit’s nose in round one with ground and pound punches but just couldn’t capitalize on the advantage it should have awarded him.

Paul Kelly Vs. Rolando Delgado

Despite his blackbelt from mcdojo, Delgado was not able to submit the Brit with the dizzying display of submission attempts which were clearly worked out in his garage.

After Three rounds, Paul Kelly took the decision win. It’s still a mystery why Kelly didn’t knock him out.

John Hathaway Vs. Rick Story

Excellent trade of strikes and sub attempts. The American Story showed the better ground skill but the Brit Hathaway took away the unanimous decision win.

Denis Stojnic Vs. Stefan Struve

Despite the copious amounts of blood pouring from Struve’s forehead caused by vicious strikes on the ground, courtesy of Stojnic, Struve pulled the W in the 3rd by rear naked choke.

Dennis Siver Vs. Dale Hartt

With all the national honor of an Olympian, Mannheim, Germany’s Dennis Siver powered his way through the first round. Despite a tough opponent in Dale Hartt, the German hooked a rear naked choke for win, drawing a roar of applause from local fans.

Paul Taylor Vs. Peter Sobotta

Newcomer Peter Sobotta’s kickboxing and BJJ were no match for England’s Paul Taylor. While Taylor couldn’t achieve a definitive ko or submission, he did walk away with his hand raised after a unanimous decision.

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