This would be an excellent prop for anyone planning to teach classes on reffing MMA fights: what not to do. If the guy is flat on his back with his arms down, stop the other guy from hitting him anymore.

This is also an excellent reason for fighters not to participate in fights in states without sanctioning bodies.

I'm glad Pedro Rizzo walked out of the cage on his own power. Let's hope he doesn't suffer any ill effects from this unnecessary damage.

Photo, Video via Sherdog.com

Because sometimes an event comes along that is perfect for a liveblog on our unique platform we will be here covering Ultimate Chaos: Bob Sapp vs. Bobby Lashley starting with the PPV broadcast at 9:00pm ET.  So stop by and partake in the discussion during this unique MMA event.

Our one rule for tonight's event is this: DO NOT SHARE OR REQUEST ILLEGAL STREAMS!  I am not here to pass judgment on anyone for using a stream to watch the event but for liability reasons we can not allow sharing of illegal streams to happen on the site.  Any request for, or sharing of a stream will be met with a no questions asked ban.

With that said, get "cised" (as Luke would say) for what should be one of the more "interesting" events of the year.

The PPV broadcast has started!

Danny Abbadi vs. James Orso - Round 1 - This is a rematch of a fight Orso won by unanimous decision.  Some against the cage grappling and a low kick by Abbadi.  Orso with a nice right hand that lands flush.  Right hand by Orso and he follows behind into a double leg.  Danny has full guard.  Just a slow body attack on the ground by Orso.  Orso is able to posture up now and he lands a couple punches before standing up.  Orso dives right back into the guard.  The round ends and it was a boring 10-9 round for Orso.  Round 2 -High kick lands by Danny.  Some ugly striking and Orso gets a takedown into side control with a half-assed shot.  Abbadi has half guard and Orso lands an elbow to the back of the head.  Now as Abbadi moves up Orso tries to pull a guillotine but wasn't in a good position and Danny is able to get out.  This fight is...ugly.  They're back to standing and the round ends with Abbadi getting a takedown and laying on top.  10-9 Orso I guess.  Round 3 - Big right hand counter to a kick by Orso and Abbadi tries to say it didn't hurt him.  Orso with another attempt at a shot from his knees and Danny has a standing guillotine and he pulls guard.  It's a deep choke.  Orso survives and pops out.  Now Orso is just sitting on top delivering shots to the body while Abbadi sits with a closed guard presenting no threat.  Orso is trying to throw some shots as the fight ends and the announcers are really selling this fight as a gem (it wasn't).  10-9 Orso again for a 30-27 card.  Official Scorecards:  30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.  James Orso wins by unanimous decision.

John Harris vs. Brandon Harder - Round 1 -THey charge in and Harris lands some nice shots but gets a little too wild and Harder is able to clinch with him.  Harris is pumping the right hand and landing often.  Harder with a takedown attempt and Harris avoids.  Harder finally gets the takedown by Harris is able to stand back up. Harris with some more solid strikes and some knees from the clinch.  Now a big right by Harder and this is entertaining but REALLY ugly.  Flurry by Harder and Harris is buzzed (and gassed).  Harder is landing at will now and Harris is gassed and running around.  Now Harris with more knees from the clinch that land solid.  Takedown by Harris and Harder has a deep guillotine with an arm in.  Harris gets his head free. Harris with some huge shots from the top and then gets sloppy and Harder takes his back as the round ends.  10-9 Harris.  Ugly as hell but a blast to watch.  Round 2- Harder with a quick takedown.  Harris goes for an armbar but Harder gets out, they stand and Harris gets the takedown.  Harris gains full mount and is landing some shots from the top.  Clean elbows from the top by Harris now.  Harris has been on top for over a minute landing shots but gets sloppy and Harder escapes and gains a full mount of his own. Harder landing big shots now.  Sloppy blocking byt Harris and Harder grabs an arm triangle and Harris has to tap out.  Brandon Harder wins by submission (arm triangle), round 2.

Tom Atencio vs. Randy Hedderick - Round 1 - Low kicks by Hedderick and Atencio throws punches to close the distance and has Randy pushed against the cage.  Big shots by Hedderick and Atencio is down!  Tom stands back up though.  Big shots by Randy again and Atencio is surviving and pushes Randy against the cage.  They separate and Tom is fully alert.  Low kick knocks Randy down but they're still standing.  Low kick as Atencio is throwing a spinning backfist and he is dropped.  Hedderick is in side control but Atencio gets to his knees and then stands up.  Atencio is landing punches but Randy doesn't even bother putting his hands up as he isn't getting hurt.  10-9 Hedderick. Round 2 -They're both throwing early here and now Atencio pushes him up against the cage and they're talking and laughing against the cage.  The ref separates them and Tom lands a leg kick.  High kick by Hedderick and Atencio catches it and sweeps the other leg.  Lands a few shots but Hedderick stands back up. Hedderick throwing bombs against and Atencio throwing leg kicks and landing a right of his own.  Takedown attempt by Randy and Tom sprawls.  Now Atencio has Randy's back and is landing shots to the body.  Tom tries to take the back and doesn't get his hooks in so he ends up on bottom.  Back to standing and Atencio takes his back standing and takes him down.  Hedderick is bleeding from the nose badly.  Big shots by Atencio as the round ends.  10-9 Atencio to even it up on my card.  Round 3- The fight is stopped prior to the start of the third round.  It looks like Hedderick may have a broken nose.  Tom Atencio wins by TKO (corner stoppage).

Brett Cooper vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf - Round 1- Not a ton of action early.  Cooper landing a few low kicks now.  Spiritwolf with a charge forward and they're locked up against the cage.  left hand by Spiritwolf and a right hand counter by Cooper.  Right hand lands for Waachiim now.  Huge right hand by Spiritwolf and Cooper is OUT COLD!  A few more shots for good measure and it's all over.  Cooper is up and stumbling around the cage.  Yikes, big KO.  Waachiim Spiritwolf wins by KO, round 1.

Chris Horodecki vs. William Sriyapai - Round 1 -Low kick by Sriyapai early.  Right hand by Horodecki and he gets behind and takes Sriyapai down.  Chris gets his hooks in and is working for the rear naked choke.  Chris still working strikes from the back and occasionally working for the choke.  Finally Horodecki is able to get the arm under the chin and Sriyapai has to tap out.  Chris Horodecki wins by submission (rear naked choke), round 1.

Mark Kergosien vs. Javier Vazquez - Round 1 - Vazquez grabs a quick guillotine,rolls to on top and Kergosien has to tap out.  That...was quick.  Real shame Din Thomas didn't make weight.  Javier Vazquez wins by submission (guillotine choke), round 1.

Colin Mckee vs. Lance Thompson - Round 1 -Takedown by Mckee but Thompson is able to stand back up with ease.  Finally Mckee gets the takedown and has back control but Thompson gets up and is on top.  Armbar attempt by Colin and Thompson passes to side control but Mckee stands up. Attempt to pull a guillotine by Mckee but he ends up on bottom.  Thompson tries to throw some shots but they stand up.  Now takedown by Mckee and he has the back.  Strikes by Colin and it looks like Thompson tapped out.  Colin Mckee wins by submission (strikes), round 1.

Gilbert Yvel vs. Pedro Rizzo- Round 1 -Yvel with a high kick early but it doesn't land.  Another kick attempt and Rizzo catches it and sweeps him down.  Rizzo is on top in Yvel's guard now.  Elbows by Rizzo are landing now.  Back to standing and big high kick by Yvel.  Rizzo drops and Yvel lands a flurry of HUGE shots on the prone Rizzo. YIKES!  Rizzo is in bad shape on the mat.  Yvel asks the crowd to be quiet while he checks on Rizzo.  Pedro is on the ground just kind of rolling around as they try and keep him still.  Scary stuff.  Gilbert Yvel wins by KO, round 1.

Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp - Round 1 - Heeere we go.  Let's see what happens.  Lashley with an immediate shot and into Sapp's half guard.  Lashley is throwing big shots now.  Sapp with a shin across chest from the bottom to defend.  Lashley is still landing shots and Sapp is defending somewhat decently.  The crowd is booing and now Lashley is throwing bombs again and Sapp taps out.  Okay then...Bobby Lashley wins by submission (strikes), round 1.

Today on "MMA Nation" we'll be joined by "the veteran voice of the Octagon" Bruce Buffer. We'll talk to Buffer about his new Internet radio show on Sherdog.com, his alleged fight with Frank Trigg in an elevator, UFC 100 and more.

We'll also talk the Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp "Ultimate Chaos" event, the new UFC magazine, a recap of last weekend's TUF 9 Finale, this terribly tragic news and more.

"MMA Nation" airs every Saturday 7:00pm EST to 9:00pm EST on 106.7 WJFK. To listen live over the Internet, go to WJFK's website and click "Listen Live".

I'm also now on Twitter: @mmanation.

"MMA Nation" is also available by podcast on iTunes.

Number to call: 800-636-1067

Email here.

Talk to you then.

Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp coverage

UFC 100 coverage

The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale coverage

Todd Jackson thinks he can:

Affliction has that name recognition, and the fans know they carry many talented fighters. On the other hand, one has to wonder how, when time marches on, will they continue to produce high profile fighters.

One would have to imagine continually absorbing fighters who have vacated the UFC is not going to work forever. With the inclusion of fighters like Babalu, Tim Sylvia, and Andre Arlovksi, it has worked so far. Still, Affliction must separate itself in its own right from the UFC and its fighters.

That being said, they may learn a thing or two from the practices of the UFC.

This means cultivating up-and-coming fighters who have both the talent and potential star power to help Affliction stand on its own. This is not to say they are not currently pursuing this angle-only to say there is a viable option just waiting to be picked up by a top shelf promotion.

That option is Bobby Lashley.

What the UFC has done so successfully with Brock Lesnar is not out of the realm of possibility for an alliance between Lashley and Affliction.

This has the potential to become the catalyst for Affliction-strengthening its presence and prolonging its tenure in this game. Lashley has that star power to attract cross-over fans from the world of professional wrestling.

No, no it doesn't.

He's got one sort of valid point here, Affliction is doing nothing to build new fighters, they're just burning t-shirt cash on fighters who made their names in PRIDE and the UFC.

But for the rest of it, I'm afraid Jackson is making a mistake I made about a year ago when I first heard Lashley was coming from WWE to MMA: assuming that Lashley is popular enough with the wrestling audience to inspire a crossover of fans to MMA. Brock Lesnar did it, but the problem is Lashley is not Lesnar.

For one thing, he's not quite the athlete Lesnar is. Lesnar was the 2000 NCAA national champion as a heavyweight. Lashley was the NAIA national in 1997 and 1998 at  177 pounds. I'm not making light of Lashley's accomplishments, winning the NAIA national championship is a serious accomplishment but winning the NCAA's is a much bigger accomplishment.

Also Lashley is not naturally as big and strong as Lesnar. He's very big and strong but Lesnar cuts weight to make 265, Lashley weighs in around 255 and has bulked up enormously since his college wrestling days. Lesnar has put on muscle as well, but proportionally much less.

Then there's the evidence of their MMA fights. Let's face it, Brock Lesnar is a freaking prodigy and Lashley isn't. Lashley is a serious prospect, but that's all he is. In his third MMA fight, Lesnar was sending Heath Herring ass-over-feet across the ring with one punch. In his second MMA fight, Lashley struggled to win a decision over an overweight light heavyweight in Jason Guida.

Even in pro-wrestling, Lesnar outshone Lashley, winning the marquee WWE belt twice and had periods as both one of the top heroes and one of the top heels in the game. Lashley only held the second-tier ECW belt and never really got over with pro wrestling fans.

This doesn't mean I'm not following Lashley's career with interest, but he's just a prospect with an unusually high profile. And compared to guys like Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal or Ben Askren or Jake Rosholt or Satoshi Ishii, he's older. At 32 he's as old as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira or Wanderlei Silva. Sure he's younger than Shane Carwin, so I wouldn't say he's too old to make an impact or even to win a major title, but I would say his window to do it is much shorter than the younger prospects.

That's the Lashley side of things, as far as Affliction, I think its too late for anything to save that promotion.

Photo via Combatlifestyle.com:

Main Card Bouts:
• Bobby Lashley (255.4) vs. Bob Sapp (322.2)
• Pedro Rizzo (243.6) vs. Gilbert Yvel (237)
• Din Thomas (146.6) vs. Javier Vazquez (144.8)
• Chris Horodecki (155) vs. William Sriyapai (154.8)
• Brett Cooper (169.2) vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf (168.4)
• Tom Atencio (160.4) vs. Randy Hedderick (159)

Preliminary Bouts:
• Danny Abbadi (174.6) vs. James Orso (173.2)
• Eric Bradley (170.4) vs. Kelly Leo (168.4)
• Colin McKee (174.2) vs. Lance Thompson (172)
• Eric Graham (159) vs. Drew Wallace (159)
• Greg Maher (265.2) vs. Rocky Overstreet (253.4)

HT: MMAMania.com

Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp coverage

In great shape: (Bob Sapp, John Harris, John Brown, Mo Smith and John Dixson)

Bob Sapp has been over to my gym Dixson's Dungeon in Biloxi getting ready for his fight at Ultimate Chaos this weekend. His trainer for this fight is none other than Maurice Smith. Both of these guys are hilarious to be around. Great dudes, both of them.

-- John Harris on the UG

Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp coverage

Are up:

Bobby Lashley (3-0) -550 vs. Bob Sapp (10-4-1) +400


Pedro Rizzo (16-8) -145 vs. Gilbert Yvel (35-13-1) +115


Din Thomas (24-8) -240 vs. Javier Vazquez (12-2) +190


Chris Horodecki (12-1) -600 vs. William Sriyapai (12-4) +450


Tom Atencio (1-0) -160 vs. Randy Hedderick (1-0) +130


Brett Cooper (9-4) -370 vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf (5-4) +300


Danny Abbadi (3-4) vs. James Orso (4-2) [not up yet]

Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp coverage - Saturday, June 27th @ 9 PM ET on PPV for $29

This Saturday, June 27th @ 9 PM ET - on PPV for $29:

Bobby Lashley (3-0) vs. Bob Sapp (10-4-1)
Gilbert Yvel (35-13-1) vs. Pedro Rizzo (16-8)
Din Thomas (24-8) vs. Javier Vazquez (12-2)
Chris Horodecki (12-1) vs. William Sriyapai (12-4)
Tom Atencio (1-0) vs. Randy Hedderick (1-0)
Brett Cooper (9-4) vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf (5-4)
Danny Abbadi (3-4) vs. James Orso (4-2)

HT: Theultimatechaos.com

Continue reading this post »

BE community member Jonathan Snowden has an interesting piece at the Fight Network arguing that the good old spectacle is alive and well in today's MMA scene on BOTH sides of the Pacific:

It started as a spectacle, a gladiator contest in an octagon that promoters considered surrounding with a shark-filled moat rather than a steel-mesh fence. The first Ultimate Fighting Championship began with Gerard Gordeau kicking Teila Tuli's teeth across the arena and ended with the very same Dutchman trying to bite Royce Gracie's ear, Tyson style. In those early days, the event thrived on being a freakshow. With no television coverage and no online audience to cater to, the UFC counted on newspaper articles to spread the word. The early UFC had no intention of being a sport. They were a spectacle- and they loved it.

Eventually, attitudes had to change. The negative news stories were doing more than spreading the word. They were also attracting attention from politicians and cable company brass, attention that nearly killed the promotion. The UFC started to clean up its act, instituting additional weight classes, rules changes, and safety precautions. By the time the company got the stamp of approval from New Jersey it was a bonafide sport. Until now. The freakshow, the spectacle, is back. And not just in Japan. It's invading America too-and even the UFC isn't immune. Want proof? Just take a look at Tim Sylvia getting creamed in just under 10 seconds, falling to the brick-like hands of 48-year old boxer Ray Mercer. Here are two other recent train wrecks, and two still to come.

1. Kyle Maynard makes his MMA debut
2. Jose Canseco makes his MMA debut
3. Bobby Lashley vs Bob Sapp
4. Kimbo Slice on the Ultimate Fighter

I'd actually argue that spectacle has been a constant element of the MMA promotional mix, especially in the UFC. Let's not forget the key UFC matches of the Zuffa era:

1. Ken Shamrock vs Tito Ortiz 1 UFC 40 - Vendetta 11/22/2002 -- A lifesaver for the struggling Zuffa. Massively increased PPV buys. Got Tito Ortiz over with the original UFC audience which had tuned out.
   
2. Matt Hughes vs Royce Gracie UFC 60 - Hughes vs. Gracie 5/27/2006  -- Part 2 of Zuffa's plan to cannibalize the old school cred of SEG's original stars. Capitalized on the surprise success of TUF to really get the second generation of UFC stars over with old school fans who had drifted away.
   
3. Ken Shamrock vs Tito Ortiz 2 UFC 61 - Bitter Rivals 7/8/2006 -- An attempt to build up a card headlined by two heavyweights who just weren't doing it at the box office, Tim Sylva vs Andrei Arlovski. Sadly the Shamrock-Ortiz rematch was as big a bust as the main event, but was much faster than that 5 round snoozer.
   
4. Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir UFC 81 - Breaking Point 2/2/2008 -- It wasn't officially the headliner, but the marketing push was 100% behind a 1-0 fighter making his UFC debut. Lesnar succeeded in bringing his massive WWE audience to the UFC ppv. Mir succeeded in tapping him out.

One of the reasons that Dana White has been so successful as the head of the UFC has been his canny ability to get the mix of sport and spectacle just right.

I also think that the upcoming Gina Carano vs Christiane Cyborg Santos fight offers Strikeforce's Scott Coker a chance to engage in the kind of spectacle promoting that could get his promotion on CBS. Coker's had great luck pushing spectacles in the past: Frank Shamrock vs Cesar Gracie, Phil Baroni, Cung Le and Nick Diaz all spring to mind.

Poll

Where do you draw the line, how much spectacle is too much?

1%

Kimbo Slice on TUF, he hasn't earned it

38 votes

4%

Brock Lesnar's entire UFC career, keep the pro wrestlers out of MMA

82 votes

1%

Bobby Lashley vs Bob Sapp, one's unproven and the other is washed up

32 votes

50%

Kyle Maynard in MMA, please stop!

985 votes

39%

Hong Man Choi vs Jose Canseco

779 votes

2%

Women's MMA

49 votes

1965 votes | Poll has closed

A quick rundown of the bout announcements which slipped through the cracks this week...

- Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (16-3) will take on Golden Glory's Dion Staring (15-5) at Jungle Fight Ceará in Fortaleza, Brazil on May 9th, according to promoter Wallid Ismail. Nogueira is on a four-fight win streak, most recently KO'ing Vladimir Matyushenko at Affliction's "Day of Reckoning" show in January. The report from Tatame also states that "Lil Nog" is awaiting confirmation on his next fight for Affliction in August. (Tatame)

- Originally slated to face Torrance Taylor on May 16th, undefeated lightweight prospect Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (9-0) is now set to go against Colorado's Duane "Bang" Ludwig (18-8) in the main event of a June 19th Strikeforce event. This sounds like the foundation for an as-yet-unannounced second Stikeforce/Showtime ShoMMA card. (Five Ounces of Pain)

- According to The Northwest Indiana Times, a bantamweight bout between the Greg Jackson-trained Frank Gomez (6-1) and former WEC 135-pound champ Eddie Wineland (14-6-1) has been added to WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II on July 7th. (MMA Junkie)

- Also added to WEC 41: newly-signed Kyle Dietz (5-0) vs. Charlie Valencia (10-5). (MMA Junkie)

- Strikeforce announced a light heavyweight tilt between promotional veteran Anthony Ruiz (21-12) and ShoXC transfer Aaron Rosa (11-2) for their May 15th ShoMMA event, which is headlined by Billy Evangelista vs. Mike Aina. Also confirmed for the evening was the rumored 135-pound bout between Miesha Tate (5-1) and Kim Couture (1-1). (MMA Weekly)

- Fight Force International and Prize Fight Promotions have revealed the full card for the co-promoted June 26th "Ultimate Chaos" card in Biloxi, MS. Along with the previously announced Bobb Sapp/Bobby Lashley and Pedro Rizzo/Gilbert Yvel scraps, we now know that Affliction VP Tom Atencio (1-0) will square off against debuting pro and hometown favorite Randy Hedderick (6-3 amateur). The undercard also includes some fun fights like Din Thomas vs. Javier "Showtime" Vasquez, Chris Horodecki vs. William Sriyapai and Brett Cooper vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf. (Fight Force)