UFC 76 "Knockout" Play-by-Play
Sep 22, 2007
Sherdog.com reports from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. with
live play-by-play of UFC 76, which is headlined by former light
heavyweight champion Chuck
Liddell (Pictures) versus Keith Jardine (Pictures).
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
Live Results Here.
Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Round 1
Back and fourth battle in the opening period. Wiman shot in and was stuffed by Omigawa, who kicked the American's legs out from underneath him. Omigawa then pulled guard with a guillotine with an arm inside, which he held on to for about two minutes. Wiman escaped the position and scored big with shots from inside the Japanese fighter's guard. Sherdog.com sees the first 10-9 for Matt Wiman.
Round 2
Omigawa put it on Wiman in the first 60 seconds of the second round with a few sloppy haymakers that found their target. Wiman recovered and took the battle to the floor with a well-executed takedown, and quickly took Omigawa's back. After unsuccessfully looking for a rear-naked choke, Wiman stood up and pounded Omigawa on the feet. Near the end of the stage, Wiman connected with a crisp straight left, right head kick combo. 10-9 for Wiman.
Round 3
The final period is all Wiman. The American came out with a front kick followed by a flurry of punches that had Omigawa reeling. Wiman then scored a takedown, where he again moved to the back to look for a rear-naked choke. Omiagwa then was able to display good leg work in getting his guard back, but he ate more shots for his effort. After the bell sounded, it was a good minute before the Japanese fighter was able to pull himself off the floor and get to his stool. 10-9 for Wiman. The judges score the bout 30-27 and 29-28 (twice) for Matt Wiman in an early candidate for fight of the night.
Scott Junk (Pictures) vs. Christian Wellisch (Pictures)
Round 1
Lots of standup work in the early going, with Junk getting the better of the exchanges. Wellisch landed a solid knee before dropping levels and scoring with a single-leg takedown against the fence. Wellisch then dropped back for a heel hook on Junk's left leg, which forced the octagon newcomer to submit at 3:19 of the first.
Diego Saraiva (Pictures) vs. Jeremy Stephens (Pictures)
Round 1
Saraiva immediately pulled guard at the beginning of the fight, and quickly swept Stephens to his back. Saraiva punched the face before moving to Stephen's back, where he looked for a rear-naked choke. Stephens reversed the position, but was promptly caught in a triangle-choke. Stephens slammed his way out of the hold twice, and then finished the round landing punches in Saraiv's guard. 10-9 for Diego Saraiva.
Round 2
Stephens connected with a solid right hand and a kick to the body before Saraiva again pulled guard. Stephens Worked from the top position with punches and a few elbows mixed in. With a minute left in the frame, the referee separated the fighters and restarted the action to standing. Saraiva then pulled guard and looked for a leg lock, but Stephens had none of it. 10-9 for Jeremy Stephens.
Round 3
Stephens slammed Saraiva to the canvas and worked the entire final round from his opponent's guard. Stephens connected with elbows and punches to the head and the occasional digging body shot. With ten seconds remaining, Stephens stood up and fired hard punches downward on Saraiva. 10-9 for Jeremy Stephens. All three judges agree and score the contest 30-27 for Stephens.
Anthony Johnson vs. Rich Clementi (Pictures)
Round 1
Johnson started by charging Clementi, but nothing landed. Clementi then landed a hard inside low kick that seemed to hurt his opponent. Johnson fired back with a one-two which crashed Clementi to the canvas. Clementi rallied and scored a single-leg takedown, but Johnson used a Kimura hold to reverse the position and eventually get back to his feet. 10-9 for Anthony Johnson.
Round 2
Johnson again attacked at the sound of the bell, in which Clementi countered by pulling guard. From here, Clementi wiggled his way to Johnson's back and secured a rear-naked choke at 3:05 of the the second round.
Thiago Tavares (Pictures) vs. Tyson Griffin (Pictures)
Round 1
The first minute plays out like a kickboxing match, with both fighters looking to strike from the outside. Griffin scored a takedown at the 3:30 mark and scored with a big right hand from his opponent's guard. Tavares looked for a leg submission, which Tyson easily hopped out of. Tavares briefly took Griffin's back, but the American had none of it and quickly escaped. An elbow, a huge right hand to the head and body shots landed for Griffin in the final minute of the round. Good action in the first, 10-9 for Tyson Griffin.
Round 2
A flying knee connected for the Brazilian. Griffin landed a right hand before dropping to his back. Tavares, working from half-guard, quickly passed to the mount and then Griffin's back. Griffin stood up, with Tavares still latched on, and defended the rear-naked choke attempt. Showing excellent poise, Griffin then escaped and took top position on the ground. Tavares had a near catch with a textbook armbar, but Griffin again escaped danger. Tavares moved again to Griffin's back, and was slammed to the canvas by Griffin from behind. The slam caused a large mouse to form under Tavares' left eye. 10-9 for the Brazilian.
Round 3
Knees to the body from the clinch landed for Tavares. The Brazilian then tripped Griffin to the floor and worked for an omaplata, but Griffin escaped. Tavares then ate a vicious elbow before taking the fight to the mat with a well-executed single-leg. Again Tavares moved to the American's back, but just like the times before, Griffin escaped without any harm. Right before the horn sounded, Tavares looked for a leg lock. Very entertaining, close bout. 10-9 for Tavares. The judges score it 29-28 (twice) and 30-27, all for Tyson Griffin.
Kazuhiro Nakamura (Pictures) vs. Ryoto Machida (Pictures)
Round 1
The elusive Machida got the fight started with a crushing kick to the body. And then another. Nakamura attempted a judo throw but Machida sensed it coming and took the top position. Nakamura escaped to his feet and sampled a hard low kick for his effort. The pace slowed to a crawl after Nakamura flopped to the canvas. 10-9 for Ryoto Machida.
Round 2
Machida opened the second with a straight left that knocked Nakamura to the floor. Machida, after taking the mount position, landed a crushing elbow before moving to Nakamura's back where he unsuccessfully went for a rear-naked choke. Nakamura escaped but gave up mount shortly after. A scramble allowed Nakamura to rise to his feet. Machida offered a right hand and a knee to the body before Nakamura mounted his first real offense in the bout, a single-leg trip. 10-9 for Machida.
Round 3
Nakamura swings wildly with punches and a jumping kick before setting up a takedown. Machida quickly got to his feet and pushed his opponent against the fencing. Making it look easy, Machida threw Nakamura to the canvas and worked briefly before standing back up. With two minutes remaining in the bout, a straight left from Machida bloodies Nakamura's mouth. The fighters traded punches and knees from the clinch for the rest of the fight, with Machida getting the best out of the exchanges, save for a Nakamura elbow. Sherdog.com saw it 30-27 for Machida. All three judges agree. Mchida takes the nod, 30-27 on all cards.
Diego Sanchez (Pictures) vs. Jon Fitch (Pictures)
Round 1
Diego sprinted out with a right hand and tried a single-leg, which Fitch stuffed. The crowd grew impatient as the fighters leaned against the cage for the next two minutes. Fitch pushed off and landed a right hand before Diego took him down. Fitch stood back up and returned the favor with a single-leg of his own. From the bottom, Sanchez went for an armbar but he couldn't secure position. Stuffed against the fencing, Diego went for the other arm but Fitch defended. Close round. 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 2
Fitch sprawled on a Sanchez single-leg and drug him to the mat. Diego rose to his feet and tackled Fitch immediately. A scramble ensued, and Fitch took Sanchez's back with double hooks. Sanchez escaped but was slammed back to the canvas. Fitch scored with right hands to the body from his opponent's guard and landed a hard right handed hammer fist to Sanchez's jaw as the "TUF" veteran went for an armbar. 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 3
Sanchez pulls guard with a tight guillotine, which sends the crowd into a frenzy. Fitch patiently fought the hold and escaped. Sanchez, from his back in full guard, then worked for a Kimura on Fitch's right arm. For the text three minutes, Fitch held Sanchez tightly to the canvas and struck with his left hand. Sanchez locked on a deep triangle in the final minute but Fitch gamely escaped. Close round. Sherdog.com gives the frame to Sanchez on the strength of two close submissions. Jon Fitch takes a split decision, 30-27 and 29-28. One judge saw it 29-28 for Sanchez.
Mauricio Rua (Pictures) vs. Forrest Griffin (Pictures)
Round 1
Rua swings with an overhand right before dropping levels for a single-leg. Forrest stuffed it and punched the Brazilian as he turtled up to avoid punishment. Forrest, after letting Rua back to his feet, was quickly taken down with a single-leg takedown. Forrest works to his feet and cracks Rua before getting a takedown of his own. Forrest again let Rua up. A left hand to the chin buckled Rua's legs. "Shogun" was able to pick up another takedown before the end of the round. 10-9 for Griffin.
Round 2
Rua, now sporting a large knot on the left side of his forehead, came out swinging and got hit with a body shot before tackling Griffin. Rua opened up a cut above Griffin's right eye with an elbow from guard. Now back on their feet, Rua looked fatigued as he breathed with his mouth open. Griffin drug Rua to the canvas and delivered some right hands from half-guard, while the Brazilian elbowed from the bottom. Griffin moved to the crucifix position and punished Rua for the final 45 seconds of the round. 10-9 for Griffin.
Round 3
Rua rushed out and got a takedown to start the final period. The Brazilian offers little except a few elbows. Griffin then sunk a deep omaplata that rolled Rua over. From the top, Griffin peppered "Shogun" with lefts and rights. The controlling "TUF" champion dominated from the top and back with punches before sinking his arm under Rua's chin. Rua tapped due to a rear-naked choke at 4:45 of the third.
Chuck Liddell (Pictures) vs. Keith Jardine (Pictures)
Round 1
Jardine gets the bout started with a leg kick and a right hand. Jardine has found his range early as he connects with two more right hands. Liddell then stood in the pocket and blasted Jardine with a right hand. Jardine, now bleeding, goes back to the legs and followed with a body kick. Liddell rushed forward and landed with a right. Jardine, looking tired already, retreated as Liddell landed again. Close round, 10-9 for Liddell for the right hands that connected solidly.
Round 2
About 45 seconds into the second, Jardine dropped Liddell with a crushing right hand. Liddell quickly got to his feet but got cracked with a hard body kick. Another right hand smacked Chuck in the mouth. Jardine found a rhythm as he jabbed and kicked at Liddell's legs. Liddell rallied and rushed forward with a hard shot that hurt Jardine. Liddell finished strong but it was not enough to take the round. 10-9 for Jardine.
Round 3
Jardine went right back to Liddell's legs to kickoff the final period. Jardine absolutely tees off on Liddell's legs and body with right legged kicks. Jardine then mixed in left straights for good measure. Jardine taunted Liddell as he stood in the pocket and crushes Chuck's ribs with another kick to the body, followed by a right hand shortly after. Liddell got busy in the final minute but it was not enough to take the stanza. 29-28 for Jardine on the Sherdog.com scorecard. The judges see it 29-28 (twice) for Jardine and 29-28 for Liddell. Keith Jardine takes the split decision.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Michihiro Omigawa
(Pictures) vs. Matt Wiman (Pictures)
Round 1
Back and fourth battle in the opening period. Wiman shot in and was stuffed by Omigawa, who kicked the American's legs out from underneath him. Omigawa then pulled guard with a guillotine with an arm inside, which he held on to for about two minutes. Wiman escaped the position and scored big with shots from inside the Japanese fighter's guard. Sherdog.com sees the first 10-9 for Matt Wiman.
Round 2
Omigawa put it on Wiman in the first 60 seconds of the second round with a few sloppy haymakers that found their target. Wiman recovered and took the battle to the floor with a well-executed takedown, and quickly took Omigawa's back. After unsuccessfully looking for a rear-naked choke, Wiman stood up and pounded Omigawa on the feet. Near the end of the stage, Wiman connected with a crisp straight left, right head kick combo. 10-9 for Wiman.
Round 3
The final period is all Wiman. The American came out with a front kick followed by a flurry of punches that had Omigawa reeling. Wiman then scored a takedown, where he again moved to the back to look for a rear-naked choke. Omiagwa then was able to display good leg work in getting his guard back, but he ate more shots for his effort. After the bell sounded, it was a good minute before the Japanese fighter was able to pull himself off the floor and get to his stool. 10-9 for Wiman. The judges score the bout 30-27 and 29-28 (twice) for Matt Wiman in an early candidate for fight of the night.
Scott Junk (Pictures) vs. Christian Wellisch (Pictures)
Round 1
Lots of standup work in the early going, with Junk getting the better of the exchanges. Wellisch landed a solid knee before dropping levels and scoring with a single-leg takedown against the fence. Wellisch then dropped back for a heel hook on Junk's left leg, which forced the octagon newcomer to submit at 3:19 of the first.
Diego Saraiva (Pictures) vs. Jeremy Stephens (Pictures)
Round 1
Saraiva immediately pulled guard at the beginning of the fight, and quickly swept Stephens to his back. Saraiva punched the face before moving to Stephen's back, where he looked for a rear-naked choke. Stephens reversed the position, but was promptly caught in a triangle-choke. Stephens slammed his way out of the hold twice, and then finished the round landing punches in Saraiv's guard. 10-9 for Diego Saraiva.
Round 2
Stephens connected with a solid right hand and a kick to the body before Saraiva again pulled guard. Stephens Worked from the top position with punches and a few elbows mixed in. With a minute left in the frame, the referee separated the fighters and restarted the action to standing. Saraiva then pulled guard and looked for a leg lock, but Stephens had none of it. 10-9 for Jeremy Stephens.
Round 3
Stephens slammed Saraiva to the canvas and worked the entire final round from his opponent's guard. Stephens connected with elbows and punches to the head and the occasional digging body shot. With ten seconds remaining, Stephens stood up and fired hard punches downward on Saraiva. 10-9 for Jeremy Stephens. All three judges agree and score the contest 30-27 for Stephens.
Anthony Johnson vs. Rich Clementi (Pictures)
Round 1
Johnson started by charging Clementi, but nothing landed. Clementi then landed a hard inside low kick that seemed to hurt his opponent. Johnson fired back with a one-two which crashed Clementi to the canvas. Clementi rallied and scored a single-leg takedown, but Johnson used a Kimura hold to reverse the position and eventually get back to his feet. 10-9 for Anthony Johnson.
Round 2
Johnson again attacked at the sound of the bell, in which Clementi countered by pulling guard. From here, Clementi wiggled his way to Johnson's back and secured a rear-naked choke at 3:05 of the the second round.
Thiago Tavares (Pictures) vs. Tyson Griffin (Pictures)
Round 1
The first minute plays out like a kickboxing match, with both fighters looking to strike from the outside. Griffin scored a takedown at the 3:30 mark and scored with a big right hand from his opponent's guard. Tavares looked for a leg submission, which Tyson easily hopped out of. Tavares briefly took Griffin's back, but the American had none of it and quickly escaped. An elbow, a huge right hand to the head and body shots landed for Griffin in the final minute of the round. Good action in the first, 10-9 for Tyson Griffin.
Round 2
A flying knee connected for the Brazilian. Griffin landed a right hand before dropping to his back. Tavares, working from half-guard, quickly passed to the mount and then Griffin's back. Griffin stood up, with Tavares still latched on, and defended the rear-naked choke attempt. Showing excellent poise, Griffin then escaped and took top position on the ground. Tavares had a near catch with a textbook armbar, but Griffin again escaped danger. Tavares moved again to Griffin's back, and was slammed to the canvas by Griffin from behind. The slam caused a large mouse to form under Tavares' left eye. 10-9 for the Brazilian.
Round 3
Knees to the body from the clinch landed for Tavares. The Brazilian then tripped Griffin to the floor and worked for an omaplata, but Griffin escaped. Tavares then ate a vicious elbow before taking the fight to the mat with a well-executed single-leg. Again Tavares moved to the American's back, but just like the times before, Griffin escaped without any harm. Right before the horn sounded, Tavares looked for a leg lock. Very entertaining, close bout. 10-9 for Tavares. The judges score it 29-28 (twice) and 30-27, all for Tyson Griffin.
Kazuhiro Nakamura (Pictures) vs. Ryoto Machida (Pictures)
Round 1
The elusive Machida got the fight started with a crushing kick to the body. And then another. Nakamura attempted a judo throw but Machida sensed it coming and took the top position. Nakamura escaped to his feet and sampled a hard low kick for his effort. The pace slowed to a crawl after Nakamura flopped to the canvas. 10-9 for Ryoto Machida.
Round 2
Machida opened the second with a straight left that knocked Nakamura to the floor. Machida, after taking the mount position, landed a crushing elbow before moving to Nakamura's back where he unsuccessfully went for a rear-naked choke. Nakamura escaped but gave up mount shortly after. A scramble allowed Nakamura to rise to his feet. Machida offered a right hand and a knee to the body before Nakamura mounted his first real offense in the bout, a single-leg trip. 10-9 for Machida.
Round 3
Nakamura swings wildly with punches and a jumping kick before setting up a takedown. Machida quickly got to his feet and pushed his opponent against the fencing. Making it look easy, Machida threw Nakamura to the canvas and worked briefly before standing back up. With two minutes remaining in the bout, a straight left from Machida bloodies Nakamura's mouth. The fighters traded punches and knees from the clinch for the rest of the fight, with Machida getting the best out of the exchanges, save for a Nakamura elbow. Sherdog.com saw it 30-27 for Machida. All three judges agree. Mchida takes the nod, 30-27 on all cards.
Diego Sanchez (Pictures) vs. Jon Fitch (Pictures)
Round 1
Diego sprinted out with a right hand and tried a single-leg, which Fitch stuffed. The crowd grew impatient as the fighters leaned against the cage for the next two minutes. Fitch pushed off and landed a right hand before Diego took him down. Fitch stood back up and returned the favor with a single-leg of his own. From the bottom, Sanchez went for an armbar but he couldn't secure position. Stuffed against the fencing, Diego went for the other arm but Fitch defended. Close round. 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 2
Fitch sprawled on a Sanchez single-leg and drug him to the mat. Diego rose to his feet and tackled Fitch immediately. A scramble ensued, and Fitch took Sanchez's back with double hooks. Sanchez escaped but was slammed back to the canvas. Fitch scored with right hands to the body from his opponent's guard and landed a hard right handed hammer fist to Sanchez's jaw as the "TUF" veteran went for an armbar. 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 3
Sanchez pulls guard with a tight guillotine, which sends the crowd into a frenzy. Fitch patiently fought the hold and escaped. Sanchez, from his back in full guard, then worked for a Kimura on Fitch's right arm. For the text three minutes, Fitch held Sanchez tightly to the canvas and struck with his left hand. Sanchez locked on a deep triangle in the final minute but Fitch gamely escaped. Close round. Sherdog.com gives the frame to Sanchez on the strength of two close submissions. Jon Fitch takes a split decision, 30-27 and 29-28. One judge saw it 29-28 for Sanchez.
Mauricio Rua (Pictures) vs. Forrest Griffin (Pictures)
Round 1
Rua swings with an overhand right before dropping levels for a single-leg. Forrest stuffed it and punched the Brazilian as he turtled up to avoid punishment. Forrest, after letting Rua back to his feet, was quickly taken down with a single-leg takedown. Forrest works to his feet and cracks Rua before getting a takedown of his own. Forrest again let Rua up. A left hand to the chin buckled Rua's legs. "Shogun" was able to pick up another takedown before the end of the round. 10-9 for Griffin.
Round 2
Rua, now sporting a large knot on the left side of his forehead, came out swinging and got hit with a body shot before tackling Griffin. Rua opened up a cut above Griffin's right eye with an elbow from guard. Now back on their feet, Rua looked fatigued as he breathed with his mouth open. Griffin drug Rua to the canvas and delivered some right hands from half-guard, while the Brazilian elbowed from the bottom. Griffin moved to the crucifix position and punished Rua for the final 45 seconds of the round. 10-9 for Griffin.
Round 3
Rua rushed out and got a takedown to start the final period. The Brazilian offers little except a few elbows. Griffin then sunk a deep omaplata that rolled Rua over. From the top, Griffin peppered "Shogun" with lefts and rights. The controlling "TUF" champion dominated from the top and back with punches before sinking his arm under Rua's chin. Rua tapped due to a rear-naked choke at 4:45 of the third.
Chuck Liddell (Pictures) vs. Keith Jardine (Pictures)
Round 1
Jardine gets the bout started with a leg kick and a right hand. Jardine has found his range early as he connects with two more right hands. Liddell then stood in the pocket and blasted Jardine with a right hand. Jardine, now bleeding, goes back to the legs and followed with a body kick. Liddell rushed forward and landed with a right. Jardine, looking tired already, retreated as Liddell landed again. Close round, 10-9 for Liddell for the right hands that connected solidly.
Round 2
About 45 seconds into the second, Jardine dropped Liddell with a crushing right hand. Liddell quickly got to his feet but got cracked with a hard body kick. Another right hand smacked Chuck in the mouth. Jardine found a rhythm as he jabbed and kicked at Liddell's legs. Liddell rallied and rushed forward with a hard shot that hurt Jardine. Liddell finished strong but it was not enough to take the round. 10-9 for Jardine.
Round 3
Jardine went right back to Liddell's legs to kickoff the final period. Jardine absolutely tees off on Liddell's legs and body with right legged kicks. Jardine then mixed in left straights for good measure. Jardine taunted Liddell as he stood in the pocket and crushes Chuck's ribs with another kick to the body, followed by a right hand shortly after. Liddell got busy in the final minute but it was not enough to take the stanza. 29-28 for Jardine on the Sherdog.com scorecard. The judges see it 29-28 (twice) for Jardine and 29-28 for Liddell. Keith Jardine takes the split decision.
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