I found this fun gif at the super-skanky MMA-Core site (I'd link there but I don't want to expose the unthinking to the full on assault of spyware and got knows what else is on that site).

It highlights a trend I've been excited about over the last couple of years -- the successful, effective application of good judo technique in MMA.

Obviously Karo Parisyan was the pioneer of this but we're seeing it in more and more fights. Nate Diaz owes his victory over Josh Neer in part to the judo he busted out when Neer had double underhooks and was going for a takedown. His superior jiu jitsu iced his win, but without the ability to impose positional dominance, Diaz could have found himself eating some ground and pound.

Miura didn't beat Condit, but he came much closer than many expected and IMO its because he was able to disrupt Condit's momentum with a succession of judo moves that repeatedly put Condit on his ass.

I have to go walk the baby right now but I'm going to come back and attempt to name each of the techniques Miura uses in the gif seen here.  Here's a fun judo reference site if you want to take a shot.

 

via www.combatlifestyle.com

WEC Welterweight Champion drinks the lamest post-fight drink in world history: Pedialyte. View more WEC afterparty pics here.

MMAJunkie got the not-quite-Afflictionesque numbers from the NSAC:

Carlos Condit: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus)
def. Hiromitsu Miura: $5,000

Steve Cantwell: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Brian Stann: $11,000

Jamie Varner: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Marcus Hicks: $16,000

Brian Bowles: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Damacio Page: $6,000

Josh Grispi: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Micah Miller: $5,000

Brock Larson: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Carlo Prater: $7,000

Blas Avena: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Dave Terrel: $3,000

Shane Roller: $12,00O ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Todd Moore: $4000

Mike Budnik: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Greg McIntyre: $2,000

Scott Jorgensen: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Kenji Osawa: $5,000

I sure hope they took care of Miura on the back end for giving Condit his toughest test yet.

UPDATE: Bonus figures are out now too, with two "fights of the night."

WEC 35 Fights of the Night:
Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura
Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks

WEC 35 Knockout of the Night:
Brock Larson

WEC 35 Submission of the Night:
Brian Bowles

Each fighter earning a bonus received $7,500 in addition to the fight purse in the individual bout agreements.

Check back here tonight at BloodyElbow.com for live blogging and results for all the night's action. Be sure to chime in and offer your thoughts as THREE titles are up grabs on just one night.

The event has officially started (although the fights won't air until 9 p.m. EST), so click here to get all the undercard results live.

I'll rejoin the party at 9 p.m. to give you all the details.

UPDATE: Ok, we're minutes away and I'm cised. Let's get ready to go to battle.

Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page

Round 1 - Fighters touch gloves. They exchange immediately. Page slips and Bowles is on top in Page's guard. Bowles working above average ground and pound, but not trying to pass guard. Bowls working a guillotine, but now Page is on top. Page backs up and the fighters are now on their feet. A big right lands from Bowles. Bowles hunts for a takedown, but Page whizzers hard and stuffs it. Page tries for a double leg slam off of a single, but Bowles locks in a guillotine. Page taps.

Official time is 3:30 of the first round. Fantastic win for Bowles. He's now defeated a number of quality of opponents, but more importantly, opponents who differ in style. I'm very impressed with this kid. Plus I'm from Georgia, so, I've got that going for me.

Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks

Round 1 - Fighters clinch against the fence after Varner stuffs a takedown. Varner shakes off a few takedown attempts and a guillotine attempt.  Varner lands two monstrous knees that rock Hicks badly. Varner smells blood and pounces. Hicks is taking a TON of abuse but won't go down. Two more knees from Varner followed by a right hand does the trick.

Referee Steve Mazagatti stops the fight. HUGE HUGE win for Varner.

Official time is 2:08 of the very first round.

Brian Stann vs. Steve Cantwell

Round 1 - Fighters touch gloves. Cantwell looks to be working the outside game. Mir is correct when he says Cantwell isn't working angles. He's coming in straight and staying in the pocket a long time. Cantwell looking to land the left hook. Big exchange with Cantwell getting the better of it, but Stann is clearly the harder puncher. Fighters clinched along the fence. Cantwell connects with a superman punch and a few more strikes. Fighters clinch against the fence again. Cantwell slips and Stann lands some big punches on top. Cantwell gets back to his feet.

BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 Cantwell.

Round 2 - Stann lands an unintentional groin strike to start the round. Cantwell lands a huge body shot. Fighters clinch against the fence and break again. Cantwell attempts outside trip but is stuffed. Cantwell unloading on Stann against the fence with a diverse arsenal of strikes. Cantwell stops Stann with a fantastic display of hitting high, low, kicks, punches, and most notably, smart location.

Official time is 4:01 of round two via TKO.

Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura

Round 1 - Fighters key off each others kicks to land crosses. Miura tries a osoto gari, but Condit stuffs it. Miura lands harai ogoshi and lands in side control. Miura backs up and Condit returns to his feet. Miura lands brilliant foot sweep, but Condit gets back to his feet and lands a heavy right. Right hand from Condit lands and he moves right to knee on belly. Miura caught in a semi-crucifix with Condit's right leg. Condit tries to hit a far side armbar, but it was slow and telegraphed. Miura lands another throw.

Extremely close round, but BloodyElbow.com scores it 10-9 Condit.

Round 2 - Condit lands a push kick and a left hook. Miura slips and Condit is on top. Miura lands an up kick.  Miura puts Condit in butterfly guard. Condit tries a cartwheel pass and lands in half guard. Miura attempts a sweep, but Condit lands in full mount. Condit attempts the armbar, but Miura pulls his elbow below Condit's hips to avoid the submission. Miura attempts another throw, but slips. Condit on top in Miura's full guard.

BloodyElbow.com scores the second round 10-9 Condit.

Round 3 - Condit attempts the shot, but hits the peak out to take the back. Condit tries to land an outside trip, but misses. Condit bullies Miura into the cage and takes the mount after a failed guillotine attempt. Miura hits a reversal and lands in Condit's full guard. Miura landing GNP, but Condit gets to his feet and lands a monster knee. Condit on top and passes to mount. Miura gives his back and Condit works for the RNC.

BloodyElbow.com scores the third round 10-9 Condit.

Round 4 - Miura lands a left with better hand speed. Condit bullies Miura into the cage and works from top. Miura hits a sweep and works from on top. Condit grabs an ankle, but its loose. Both fighters exchange and Condit just drags Miura to the floor and ends up in mount. Miura just powers him over into a reversal and works from on top with heavy punches. Condit pushes Miura off and gets back to his feet where he lands a big knee. Condit lands on Miura on top to his side - putting his weight on him - and punches until the referee stops the fight.

Official time is 4:43 of the fourth round. Fantastic fight and great night of action.

BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions for WEC 35: "Condit vs. Miura"

August 3^rd, 2008
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

MAIN CARD

Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura

Luke Thomas: Miura is very durable and actually has legitimate offensive skills. I just don’t see them as enough to stop the very underrated Condit. Condit via unanimous decision.

Kid Nate: Miura could be a bad matchup for Condit. He's coming down from middleweight and managed to survive three rounds against Mayhem without being submitted. I expect Condit to do enough to get the nod, but he'll need to be careful about being on his back too much, the judges might not like that. Condit by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: Condit is the more complete fighter and in this fight it is going to be pretty painfully obvious.  Condit by submission round 2.

Michael Rome: Condit via submission, round 3.

Nick Thomas: Condit has the edge in stand up, wrestling and conditioning. At some point this fight will end up on the ground and from there Condit wins by submission.

Chris Nelson: The champ retains the belt, but Miura won't be the cakewalk some are predicting or the +425 line would have you believe. Carlos can grind this out on the ground, but I say the Japanese fighter's submission defense makes for five frustrating rounds. Condit via decision.

Mike Fagan: This may end up being close, but I'll go with Condit by submission, round 3.

Brian Stann vs. Steve Cantwell

Luke Thomas: These two actually have a similar style and Stann leaves his chin in the air a little too much for my comfort when he exchanges. Ultimately, though, Stann is a little less reckless than Cantwell. Stann, via TKO, round 2.

Kid Nate: I don't really even consider this major league MMA. Stann by KO.

Brent Brookhouse: Doesn't it seem like every single WEC light heavyweight bout is between two guys who've barely ever been past one round?  Cantwell is the better technical striker, Stann is the more powerful guy.  I think looking at their first fight you can see ways where Cantwell can win this fight...mainly working behind a strong jab and leg kicks.  I'm going to take Cantwell even though I've been getting my butt handed to me picking upsets as of late.  This is based more on style than any sort of gut feeling which is more than I can say for some of my other recent failed picks..  Cantwell by decision.

Michael Rome: Seriously?  Stann via KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Stann has already beaten Cantwell, he'll do it again. Stann by quick TKO.

Chris Nelson: And you thought Silva vs. Eilers was an uncompelling title fight. Stann via TKO, round 1.

Mike Fagan: He already did it once, don't see why now will be any different.  Stann by KO, round 1.

Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks

Luke Thomas: Varner is a national collegiate boxing champion, an All-American wrestler and won the no-gi Mundials last year as a purple belt. He’s also a top-notch athlete. I also think Sergio Gomez proved Hicks can be busted up on the feet over the course of a round. Hicks has a fight-ending guillotine, but I think Varner’s ready for him. Varner, by TKO, round 3.

Kid Nate: Hicks is a beast. Varner is tough and well rounded, but I think Hicks is just too much, too skilled, too powerful, too aggressive. Hicks by TKO in 2.

Brent Brookhouse: Varner is good and he has a lot of length on Hicks.  However, I love Hicks' style.  He has very good technical boxing but he lets it fly out the window a little too often, deciding instead to just sling looping punches.  But, he keeps a lot of power on his strikes.  He is also very strong and has very good BJJ.  What I really like is that he is flat out mean and there isn't a second in his fights that he isn't looking to finish.  Marcus Hicks by TKO round 3.

Michael Rome: Hicks via TKO, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Hicks has never fought anyone as talented as Varner and throw in Varner's reach advantage on top of that. It's going to be a rough night for Hicks. Varner by decision.

Chris Nelson: Varner via submission, round 2.

Mike Fagan: Hicks by submission, round 1.

Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page

Luke Thomas: This is a very competitive match-up and while Page has the more technical stand-up, Bowles is the more powerful puncher. On the floor Page is more well-rounded, but can be bullied. I expect Bowles to do just that. Bowles via unanimous decision.

Kid Nate: Bowles by  TKO.

Brent Brookhouse: Page has the better experience and that can carry him a long way.  Page by TKO round 2.

Michael Rome: Bowles via KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Both guys have solid stand up and this could do either way... but I'm picking Page by TKO.

Chris Nelson: Page via decision.

Mike Fagan: Bowles via TKO, round 2.

Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller

Luke Thomas: Micah Miller is incredibly talented and not only has a great chin standing, but has the jiu-jitsu and body type to make guard passing difficult. However, I doubt his finishing ability against top tier opponents. If Grispi is smart, he’ll keep this standing. This is a tough test for Grispi, but everyone and his brother swear by this kid. I’ll hitch my wagon this time. Grispi via split decision.

Kid Nate: Grispi is for real and matches up against Miller very well. Grispi by submission in 1.

Brent Brookhouse: Grispi is tough but I think the better camp will carry Miller to a win.  Micah Miller by decision.

Michael Rome: Grispi via submission, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Miller trains out of ATT and that's enough to convince me. Miller by decision.

Chris Nelson: Grispi via submission, round 1.

Mike Fagan: Grispi via submission, round 1.

Continue reading this post »

WEC Welterweight Championship
Carlos Condit (169.5) vs. Hiromitsu Miura (169)


Click here for the video.

Continue reading this post »

Are up:

Carlos Condit -575 Brian Stann -355 Jamie Varner -165 Brian Bowles -240 Micah Miller -205

Hiromitsu Miura +425 Steve Cantwell +285 Marcus Hicks +135 Damacio Page +190 Josh Grispi +165

Preliminary Bouts:

Brock Larson -315 Dave Terrel -165 Mike Budnik -200 Kenji Osawa -195

Carlo Prater +255 Blas Avena +135 Greg Mcintyre +160 Scott Jorgensen +155

Catch the fights Live, Aug 3 at 9:00 PM ET on Versus and the TSN.ca Alternate Feed.

The buzz behind this kid is tremendous and his WEC debut against Mark Hominick was impressive. I've still got some suspicions about him, but it's worth sharing with you folks how highly touted this kid has become. To wit:

Since Grispi’s mind-set changed, he has moved up the MMA ranks. The Boston native made his debut in the WEC -- an MMA organization owned by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC -- in February, submitting former UFC lightweight Mark Hominick in the first round.

Grispi will look to continue his win streak when he faces Micah Miller (9-1) Sunday in his second WEC fight. The event will be televised nationally on the Versus network.

"It’s huge. Any fight in the WEC is big," Grispi said. "They’re all top level competitors and I’m just happy to be in there fighting them and testing myself."

The fact that the 19-year-old is already fighting in an organization of the WEC’s caliber has led some to describe Grispi as a phenom, but he doesn’t put much stock into that talk. The main problem with the phenom label is that it tends to discount the six years Grispi has worked to hone his talent.

"He’s fanatical about getting better," Joe Lauzon, an established UFC fighter and occasional training partner, said of Grispi. "He was the kid that always said he wanted to get his standup better or his grappling better. I’d tell him if he wanted to get his standup better to go work the heavy bag for 45 minutes every night. And he did that. Most people brush it off but he actually went and hit that bag every night and killed it. The kid has a ridiculous work ethic."

Micah Miller is very durable, hard to put away and will provide an excellent test on the floor for Grispi. If Grispi can stop the talented Miller, then we may very well have the real deal on our hands.

And, by the way, yet another example of the WEC's amazing product.

You might expect him to take it easy.  You'd be wrong.

HT:  Mike Sawyer