“UFC 101: Declaration” is took place Saturday night, Aug. 8, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa. PRO MMA (promma.info) provided live round by round results and updates on all the action.
Anderson “The Spider” Silva reminded people why he is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world by stopping Forrest Griffin with a first round KO and B.J. Penn proved once and for all the 155 lbs. weight class belongs to him without question.
UFC 101 Quick Results:
Jesse Lennox def. Danillo Villefort by TKO (cut) rd3
George Sotiroupoulos def. Goerge Roop by submission (kimura) rd2
Matt Riddle def. Dan Cramer by unanimous decision
Alessio Sakara def. Thales Leites by split decision
John Howard def. Tamdan McCrory by split decision
Kurt Pellegrino def. Josh Neer by unanimous decison
Ricardo Almeida def. Kendall Grove by unanimous decision
Johny Hendricks def. Amir Sadollah by TKO rd1
Aaron Riley def. Shane Nelson by unanimous decision
Anderson Silva def. Forrest Griffin by KO punch rd1
B.J. Penn def. Kenny Florian by submission (RNC) rd4
UFC 101 Round-by-Round:
Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort
Round 1 – Good first round for Villefort – Lennox definitely still in the fight though.
Round 2 – Lennox gets back in the fight in round two, drops Villefort. Looks dead even heading into the final frame.
Round 3 – Villefort got cut when they were on the ground grappling. Clash of heads. 3:37 of the third round was official time. Jesse Lennox def. Danillo Villefort by TKO (cut) in round 3 (3:37).
George Sotiropoulos vs. George Roop
Round 1 – Outstanding first round. Sotiropolous went for several subs but Roop fought ’em off. I have Sotiropolous 10-9.
Round 2 – Sotiropoulos wins by submission in second with neat kimura. Good fight. George Sotiropoulos defeats George Roop by submission (kimura) in round 2 (1:59).
Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer
Round 1 – Good first round in Cramer-Riddle. Very even, tough to score. I have Riddle 10-9, but it could easily be Cramer.
Round 2 – Riddle wins round 2 10-9. He totally kicked butt. I have him 20-18 at this stage. Cramer looks like a beaten fighter now.
Round 3 – Cramer hung in until the end but got the crap beaten out of him. I have it 30-27 for Riddle. Good job by Riddle. Matt Riddle defeats Dan Cramer by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27).
Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara
Round 1 – Tough first round to score…Leites can’t get Sakara down, and Sakara isn’t letting his hands go.
Round 2 – Leites starting to break Sakara down on the ground.
Round 3 – Kevin Iole says, “Maybe it wasn’t Anderson Silva’s fault AFTER ALL. This fight totally sucks.” Referee talks to Leites and Sakara and tells them to fight. Iole’s final comment on this fight via Twitter: “Both of these guys should be dropped by UFC, if you ask me. Neither tried to win. Awful (expletive) fight.” Alessio Sakara defeats Thales Leites by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30).
Tamdan McCrory vs. John Howard
Round 1 – Close first round. Slight edge to McCrory.
Round 2 – Howard nearly got a guillotine, but McCrory slipped out. I’ll give second round to Howard. I have it 19-19 going into the third.
Round 3 – Big slam by John Howard. Third round 90 seconds in, not a lot of action. Two minutes to go and fight is up for grabs. Right there, another slam by Howard. Fight didn’t live up to my expectations. I give Howard 10-9 third round (very close) and have it 29-28 for Howard. John Howard defeats Tamdan McCrory by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29).
Special thanks to Kevin Iole who helped us out by Twittering the preliminary bouts.
Main Card
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Josh Neer
Round 1 – Neer is stalking and tags Kurt. Head kick by Neer. Body shot by Kurt. Kurt picks him up high and slams him like a pro wrestler. Elbows from the bottom by Neer. Kurt still in Neer’s guard wit ground and pound attempts. Neer being active off his back and locks an armbar but Kurt slams his way out.Neer seems comfortable on the bottom and looking for various submissions. That round has to go to Kurt Pellegrino 10-9.
Round 2 – Nice leg kick by Neer. Couple of shots from Neer and another leg kick. Pellegrino fires back with a combo and tags Neer in the jaw. Pellegrino gets a single leg takedown and lands some elbows on Neer’s noggin. Neer fires back from the bottom with elbows. Neer looks for an armbar, then a triangle, but no dice. Pellegrino still on top and gets full mount with a minute left. Neer gives up his back and Pellegrino locks in the hooks. Have to give that round to Pellegrino also 10-9.
Round 3 – Couple of jabs from Neer. Body kick by Kurt. Another body kick by Kurt. Neer moving in with a body kick of his own. Tries another kick and Pellegrino shoots and gets another takedown. Pellegrino being active from the top with punches, elbows, and transition attempts. Neer holds Kurt’s wrist now and then and tries to avoid damage. They are talking to each other. Neer opens up his arms like “what’s up” but he is still on his back and clearly frustrated. One minute left and Kurt is still in control from the top. Kurt gets full mount again. Neer reverses with thirty seconds left. Pellegrino gets back to his feet. Big elbows by Neer. The bell sounds as Neer is pounding elbows on Kurt. Kurt raises up and he’s bloody. A little too late for Neer. Kurt Pellegrino defeats Josh Neer by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida
Round 1 – Almeida rushes in and clinches against the cage. Grove lands a couple of knees and defends the takedown. Grove still defending as Almeida has him against the cage. Kenny separates and they are in the center of the ring now. Big right hand by Almeida. Ricardo catches a kick but Grove fights him off. Almeida grabs a single but can’t get it. Finally Almeida gets the takedown. Elbows from the bottom by Kendall. Almeida in Kendall’s full guard. Kendall gets back to his feet. Kendall grabs the plum and lands a knee. Almeida picks him up high and puts him down hard. PRO MMA scores it 10-9 Almeida.
Round 2 – Right hand by Almeida connects. He grabs Grove and puts him on his back. Almeida in Kendall’s guard. Kendall catches an armbar and it is very close but Almeida rolls out of it. Almeida in Kendall’s guard again. Kendall attacking from the bottom with elbows. Kendall looks at a kimura briefly. Almeida postures up, goes back into Kendall’s guard, postures up and lands some big shots. Almeida gets side control and lands some big elbows. He’s getting very aggressive in his ground attack. Almeida is pounding hard, but Kendall gets up. Almedia has a body lock. Kendall gets underhooks and gets out. Uppercut by Kendall folllowed by a knee to Almeida’s chin. Almeid tries to pick him up and slam him and can’t get it, tries again and gets it. PRO MMA scores it 10-9 for Almeida.
Round 3 – Nice inside leg kick by Almeida, outside leg kick by Almeida. right hand by Almeida. Kendall throws a kick, Almeida catches it and puts him down. Grove stands up immediately. Clinched against the cage.They separate. Kendall lands a couple of punches. Almeida tries to pull guard but misses. Kendall makes him get up. Almeida with a leg kick. Right hand by Almeida. Clinched, knee by Grove. Two minutes left. Almeida gets another takedown. Almeida in Kendall’s guard throwing elbows. Kendall remaining active on the bottom. Elbow from Almeida. Kendall pushes Almeida off and gets up. Almeida lands a punch and clinches Kendall. PRO MMA scores that round 10-9 Almeida and scores the fight 30-27 Almeida. Ricardo Almeida defeats Kendall Grove by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks
Round 1 – Head kick blocked by Hendricks. Leg kick by Sadollah. Flurry of punches by Sadollah as he moves forward. Hendricks comes back forward. Hendricks starts firing uppercuts and a big left one drops Sadollah to his knees with what appears to be a flash KO. Rogan disagrees calls it very controversial. I can see an argument for it being stopped. Johny Hendricks defeats Amir Sadollah by TKO (punches) in round 1 (:29).
Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
Round 1 – Good left hand by Riley. They clinch. Big left by Riley connect and stuns Nelson. Leg kick by Nelson. Right hand by Nelson. Riley attacks and gets inside swings and elbow but misses. Nelson gets some distance to strike. Left hand lands by Nelson. Leg kick is caught by Nelson. Two minutes left in round. Riley lands a knee to the body and another. Riley lands an elbow. Riley catches a leg and throws a head kick. They clinch. Close round but PRO MMA scores it 10-9 for Aaron Riley.
Round 2 – Riley grazes a head kick. Knee to the head by Riley. Right hook tags Nelson. Body kick by Nelson. They clinch, Riley lands a knee to the body. Head kick stuns Nelson. They clinch and Riley gets the takedown. 1:45 left in the round with Riley in half guard. Riley lands a good elbow while on top. Nelson shoots but gets stuffed. Riley throws Nelson to the ground at the buzzer. PRO MMA scores it 10-9 Riley.
Round 3 – They clinch and exchange body shots. Riley looks much bigger than Nelson. Nelson is looking tired. Riley gets a takedown – Nelson sort of fell to the ground – and Riley is in Nelson’s full guard with about 2:30 left. Rogan said there a big fight in the crowd that probably half the people are watching. Riley lands some good elbows from the top. With a minute left Riley is still pounding from the top. Most of the fight Rogan has talked about how small Nelson is compared to Riley. PRO MMA scores the round 10-9 for Riley and the fight 30-27 for Riley. Aaron Riley defeats Shane Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin
Round 1 – Here we go. Forrest throws a head kick that is no where close. Silva is waiting. Leg kick is caught by Silva and follows with a punch. Inside leg kick by Forrest. Head kick blocked by Silva. Forrest gets caught with a left punch that drops him. Forrest gets up and gets hit with a right hook. Silva says lets go and stands right in front of Forrest he’s taunting Forrest. Forrest throws a shot and Silva just dodges the punches. Silva tries to help him up. He stands right in front of Forrest with his hands down. He lets Forrest throw his shots and just plays with him and dodges. Forrest comes running in swinging and Anderson Silva with his hands down throws one small jab and Forrest Griffin is out on his back. The most amazing amazing thing I’ve ever seen and one of the most embarrassing KO’s you will ever see. Anderson Silva defeats Forrest Griffin by KO (punch) in round 1 (3:20).
UFC Lightweight Title Fight – B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian
Round 1 – B.J. comes out and looks aggressive but the first kick is thrown by Kenny. B.J. catches Kenny’s leg on the next kick and trips him. Elbow by B.J. B.J. looks in great shape. Knee to the body by B.J. Elbow by Kenny. Head kick by Kenny is blocked. B.J. rushes in with a punch. They clinch. B.J. looks more solid than maybe ever. Kenny throws a head kick that is blocked again. Kenny clinches. Inside leg kick by Kenny. Florian uses a feint and rushes in. Elbow by B.J. Body shots by Kenny. Florian’s mouth is open. Kenny misses with a pinch and B.J. catches him with a punch. B.J. rushes in and lands a knee on Florian’s head. Bell sounds. Close round but PRO MMA scores it 10-9 for B.J. Penn.
Round 2 – Kenny looks more tentative than usual but lands a big inside leg kick. Florian clinches. Florian clinches again. Florian shoots in and grabs a single but lets it go. Dirty boxing by both. Knee by B.J. Superman punch by Kenny misses. Kenny shoots again and clinches. Rogan says this is wearing B.J. out. Uppercut by B.J. and then lands a left hook. Head kick by Kenny grazes. Leg kick by Florian. B.J. has slowed a bit. PRO MMA scores that round 10-9 Florian (although it could have gone either way).
Round 3 – Head kick blocked by B.J. Kenny is on the outside moving around B.J. He shoots in and clinches B.J. again against the cage. Dirty boxing by both guys. Uppercut by B.J. Kenny working over B.J.’s body. Florian is pushing Penn against the cage with his shoulder over and over ramming him into the cage. Uppercut by B.J. and Florian breaks away with an elbow. B.J. catches Kenny with a couple of big punches and Kenny stands strong. Leg kick Florian, then grabs a single and puts B.J.’s back against the cage again. Knee by B.J. Florian escapes. Florian pushes B.J. against the cage again. B.J. fires a flurry of punches and gets away. B.J. lands an uppercut.
Round 4 – Kenny attacks but gets caught with a punch. Kenny clinches and pushes him against the cage again. B.J. definitely has the punching power advantage. B.J. said enough is enough and double legs Kenny and slams him down. B.J. in half guard landing elbows and winning this round. 2:30 left. B.J. looking to pass. B.J. landing some big punches from the top. B.J. gets full mount. Kenny gives up his back. Kenny rolls to his back and repeats. B.J. sinks in the rear-naked choke and that’s it. Kenny taps. B.J. Penn defeats Kenny Florian by submission (rear-naked choke) in round 4 (3:54).