UFC 84 Quick Recap

UFC 84: Ill Will

Quick Recap:

Shane Carwin vs. Christian Wellisch

In the first fight of the night, UFC Heavyweight newcomer Shane Carwin (9-0) defeated UFC veteran Christian Wellisch (8-4) via KO 44 seconds into the first round. The impressive Carwin has finished each of his 9 opponents in the first round.

Jason Tan vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Korean Dong Hyun Kim (10-1-1) came into his UFC debut 10-0-1 in his last eleven fights. Kim quickly took the action to England born Jason Tan (5-3). Kim used an array of skills, including several beautiful Judo Throws to control the fight from the start. In the third round, Kim followed a hip throw with brutal elbows from the ground and pound position to finish the fight 25 seconds into the third round.

Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Jon Koppenhaver

Japanese “Zenko” Yoshida (10-2), also making his UFC debut, made quick work of former The Ultimate Fighter contestant Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver (5-2-0). Yoshida quickly used a judo throw from the clinch and caught War Machine in a guillotine on the scramble. Yoshida transitioned to an Anaconda Choke and finished the fight 56 seconds into the first. The choke came so quickly that Koppenhaver didn't have time to tap. Referee Herb Dean did a good job recognizing that Koppenhaver was out and ended the match swiftly.

Rich Clementi vs. Terry Etim

In one of only two matches on the card to go to a decision, former star of The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback, Rich Clementi (32-12) won a unanimous decision over Liverpool's Terry Etim (10-2). Clementi spent most of the match inside of Etim's guard, almost succumbing to a Guillotine Choke in the second. But Clementi's ground game was too much for Etim, and he took the decision 29-28 on a three judge's cards.

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura

In a battle between two contenders, and former Pride FC fighters, on the fringes of the UFC Light Heavyweight division, “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou (5-2) stopped Japan's Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-8). Sokoudjou landed a stiff straight right that collapsed Nakamura just before the bell in the first round. In a scene reminiscent of “Cro Cop” vs Gonzaga, Nakamura caught his ankle and knee under him as he fell and was unable to answer the bell for the second round.

Ivan Salaverry vs. Rousimar Palhares

Middleweight Rousimar Palhares (8-1) thrilled the crowd in his UFC debut with a quick submission victory over UFC veteran, and Pankration fighter, Ivan Salaverry (12-7). Palhares took Salaverry down early in the first round and transitioned to the mount and eventually took Salaverry's back. Palhares fought for the rear naked choke and forced Salaverry to try and turn in and escape. Palhares quickly locked up Salaverry's arm for an arm bar to end the fight 2:36 into the first.

Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes

Undefeated Brazilian Thiago Silva (13-0) made quick work of another UFC newcomer and countryman Antonio “Samuray” Mendes (14-2). Mendes stunned Silva with an early left head kick. Later in round 1, Mendes failed an attempted judo throw and ended up on the bottom. Silva quickly took the mount and forced Mendes to Tapout from strikes at 2:24 of the first.

Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida

Rising through the ranks of the UFC LHW division, Lyoto Machida (13-0) marked another notch on his belt against former UFC Champion, and MMA legend, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-6). Machida used his Karate influenced style to pick and choose his strikes while backing out of Ortiz's range. A frustrated Ortiz was unable to push the pace and eventually caught a strong knee to the body from Machida in the third. With the fight finally on the ground, Machida barely escaped both a triangle choke and an arm bar from inside Ortiz's guard. After three rounds, Machida took the unanimous decision 30-27 on all three scorecards.

Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic

Undefeated Croatian BJJ artist Goran Reljic (8-0) made his UFC debut against Brazilian Wilson Gouveia (10-5) in the most back and forth fight of the night. Reljic controlled the first round, landing punches and kicks, until Gouveia nailed Reljic with a strong right to the body. Gouveia took control of the final moments of the round, but Reljic jumped guard and persevered. Reljic was again floored by a combo from Gouveia to start the second, but Reljic eventually gained his feet and floored Gouveia with a left. Reljic pounced and Herb Dean stepped in at 3:15 of the second.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine

On a three fight losing streak, nobody was more determined to win at UFC 84 than “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1). And Silva showed the shocked crowd why he earned his nickname with a 36 second KO of “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine” (13-4-1). Silva caught Jardine with a right hook to the top of the head and followed with a barrage of punches that floored Jardine. Silva did not stop his striking. He caught Jardine with one hand around the throat and Knocked-Out Jardine.

UFC LW Championship:

BJ Penn © vs. Sean Sherk

In the highly anticipated Lightweight Championship fight, Champion BJ Penn (13-4-1) out struck former champion Sean Sherk (32-3-1), and won the fight via TKO after three rounds. The two fighters boxed for three rounds inside the Octagon. Penn cut and bruised Sherk's face with a conga line of jabs. Sherk's crisp combos could not connect enough to phase Penn. With time running out in the third, Sherk was backed into the cage by an uppercut. Sherk went low and caught a flying knee/thigh to the face. Penn followed up with strikes and sent Sherk flat to the mat. Penn continued to work through the bell. The fight was stopped before round four, and BJ Penn defended his 155-pound title.