Being an MMA fan is expensive. Particularly being an UFC fan. These past two days I attended the UFC Fan Expo at Earls Court and UFC 120 at the o2. Both were phenomenal experiences that I enjoyed immensely but I dread to look at my bank balance. A full report on both after the jump.
The first UFC Fan Expo took place the weekend of UFC 100 and was such a great success that the UFC put together three more. The forth and latest was Fan Expo UK. The UFC bought over a bevy of big names despite the great cost to fly them over. Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Frankie Edgar and others were all on hand to shake hands and take pics.
Ten minutes after arriving, I received an early indication on what kind of event this would be. Kendall Grove and Junior Dos Santos were walking on the show floor like any other attendee. Throughout the whole two days, what resonated with me the most is how personable and level-headed MMA fighters are.
Rashad Evan's Q&A
I attended all four Q&A sessions at the Expo commencing with a talk by UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer followed by commenter’s Joe Rogan & Mike Goldberg, UFC President Dana White and finally former champ Rashad Evans. Bruce Buffer is a super cool guy in person. Before this my opinion of Buffer was one of an overexposed goofball. After speaking with fans for over an hour, I have a new found respect for the man. Highlight was a hilarious story about a brawl between Frank Trigg and himself in an elevator
A blooper-reel of Rogan and Goldberg screwing up was broadcast on the big screen ahead of their arrival. It was both funny and surreal. Joe Rogan got into a hilarious argument with a fan if Chael Sonnen using steroids was worse then Paul Daley’s sucker puncher after the Koscheck fight. The fans argument was that steroids were worse because Sonnen could’ve used that extra power to KILL Anderson Silva. Paul Daley’s name popped up on all four Q&A’s. Us Brits are loyal that’s for sure.
Before UFC President Dana White came out, a fantastically put together video package on White was played. UFC really need to show great video packages like these on their broadcasts. Dana White is just as cool as everyone says. He granted some kid his request to sit with the Octagon Girls, He allowed a woman and her boyfriend to sit with him during the main event and a particular unappreciative woman VIP access to the Expo on Sunday. Afterwards an extremely shameless woman practically begged White for all sorts (Ringside seats, VIP access etc). I’m proud to say that I got a chorus of boos started against her.
The Weigh-ins occurred a short while after. The crowd popped huge for who you expected (John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Michael Bisping). The crowd booed Hathaway and Hardy’s respective opponents Mike Pyle and Carlos Condit (because there not from here!) When Akiyama came out he got NOTHING. Not even a smattering boo’s. Fans didn’t seem to know who he was. Akiyamas second was Caol Uno. I overheard a fan asking “Is that Mr. Miyagi with him?”
It was 17.00 when the Rashad Evans Q&A started and by this point, I was exhausted plus all the seats were taken convincing to me to just stick around for 5 minutes but Rashad was so damn entertaining and insightful that I stuck around for the whole hour. His Rampage and Mike Tyson impressions were particully entertaining.
In addition, I met Miguel Torres, referee Dan Miragliotta, Ed Soares and bought two BJ Penn shirts from his mum. The queues were gi-normous. For the big stars like Randy Couture and Wanderlei Silva, it’s justifiable. But waiting two hours for Matt Mitrione?! Frankie Edgar and Marcus Davis stayed after their allotted time to sign autographs. Edgar had to be grabbed like a little kid by security and carried to the back. That was pretty funny to witness. Best Lightweight in the world! And that was the Fan Expo. A fantastic time, well worth £20. If you’re a MMA fan in the London area, be sure to check it out the next time it rolls around.
Onto the actual event; UFC 120. Main event was Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping against ‘Sexyama’ (his new official nickname) Yoshihiro Akiyama. Being a huge Sexyama fan I was hoping for an upset victory for the Japanese fighter. It was very unlikely to happen and on the night it didn’t but regardless both fighters put on a great show for the fans.
I missed the first fight of the night between James McSwenney and debuting Brazilian Fabio Maldonado due to someone’s bright idea to close off the Blackwall Tunnel which is one of only two routes to the O2 Arena. Maldonado won via TKO in Round 3 while I was stuck in traffic. I arrived to the arena during Round 3 of Spencer Fisher’s eventual decision victory over Kurt Warburton. Not much to say about this other then Fisher looks unrecognisable bald.
Paul ‘Sassangle’ Sass got a huge ovation when he walked out despite never having fought in the UFC (but hey, he’s from here). Sass fought Canadian Mark Holst. Sassangle is undefeated and didn’t fail to justife the hype behind him. Sass got a triangle (or should that be a Sassangle?) for the tapout win.
In the best bout of the undercard; England’s Rob Broughton came from behind to defeat massive Brazilian Vinicius ‘The Spartan’ Queiroz. ‘The Spartan’ used his superior wrestling to take Broughton down for two rounds. In the third round Broughton opened up with some shots before he got Queiroz – who has an unusually long neck, A hindrance in MMA – in a guillotine. Quieroz got out of that but couldn’t escape Broughtons rear naked choke which he got and the victory at 1:43 of Round 3.
My view of the Octagan!
Last bout of the undercard pitted two European fighters as France’s Cyrille Diabate clashed with Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson. Diabate was coming off a KO win against former top contender Luiz Cane while Gustafsson last bout was a tapout loss. Surely Diabate gets the win here with ease…well…no. Gustaffson controlled the whole first round against ‘The Snake’ before putting away Diabate via rear naked choke. The crowd were appreciative of Gustafsson’s abilities who got the win at 2:41 of Round 2
Before the main card started a brilliant goosebump-inducing video montage of UFC moments to the sound of The Who’s track Baba O’Reilly was played on the big screens. I dare you not to get pumped after this seeing video live. I would give a link to the video but Youtube does not do it justice.
After the awe-inspring opening, the first main card bout was anything but awe-inspiring. Claude Patrick took Ultimate Fighter 9 winner James Wilks to the ground for three rounds. Patrick gets the win via decision. That’s enough about that.
Moving on, Cheick Kongo was heavily favoured against unbeaten rookie Travis Browne. Kongo was on route to win via decision being up two out of three rounds on the judges scorecards, had he not constantly grabbed Browne’s shorts in the third round. Because of that Kongo was deduced one point. Due to the point deduction the bout ended up being a Draw. The bout was nothing special, I was more thrilled to witness a rarely seen Draw.
Mike Pyle played up his heel role in the UK by coming out to Born in The USA. Instead of rapturous boo’s, The fans in attendance were bobbing their head along to the catchy tune (which despite the upbeat nature of the song is anti-American). John Hathaway received a huge ovation. Hathaway is the UK’s brightest prospect. Undefeated and after recently defeating former title challenger Diego Sanchez, the consensus was that Hathaway would run through the unheralded Pyle. Alas another Brit lost in deflating fashion. Pyle used his superior wrestling to control Hathaway and at one point in the second round, almost secured a triangle choke. Pyle picked up the win via points and handed Hathaway his first loss.
That disappointment was quickly forgotten about because up next was Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy. ’The Outlaw’ received a deafening reaction during his entrance. The crowd response was pretty close between all three of the top English fighters but I believe that Hardy edged both Hathaway and Bisping. Hardy was coming off a loss to Welterweight Champ Georges St.Pierre. Despite the loss , ‘The Outlaws’ profile has risen in his home country. So much so that Hardy is now appearing in TV ads for Argos! Hardy’s opponent Carlos Condit was an equally tough competitor. The last WEC Champ has only lost once in his last ten bouts and that was via a razor-thin spilt decision. Both Hardy and Condit are renowned for iron chins with neither have been knocked out. That’s why it was a great surprise to see Condit KO Hardy with a devastating left hand. The o2 Arena fell quite after the referee called off the bout at 4:27 of Round 1. This win was huge for Condit. He did something that GSP couldn’t do in five rounds. To Hardy’s credit he was gracious after the defeat apologizing to the fans. Hardy received respectful applause afterwards
Both men throw hooks...
Condit's lands crisper
The Brits had lost all three of their main card bouts. It was up to Michael Bisping to send the fans off happy which he did in a sterling war against Yoshihiro Akiyama. Sexyama came out to Time to Say Goodbye – his trademark entrance music which got a huge pop from the hardcore fans. I call the fight a “war” but really it was a one sided beat down by Bisping. To his credit, Akiyama didn’t quit. The man took everything Bisping dished out including a low blow so severe that Akiyama needed the full five minutes to recover. Whether or not Akiyama was simply ‘selling’ the blow is conjecture. The size difference between Akiyama and Bisping was obvious in person. Akiyama should certainly look into moving down to Welterweight. Akiyamas one-punch knockout power and judo ablity would be better suited to that division. Akiyama got one big shot in the last ten seconds which could’ve been decisive if it landed earlier. The judges’ scorecards were 30-27 all for Bisping. Akiyama picked up his second straight loss and his third straight Fight of The Night bonus. Regardless if he wins or loses Akiyama comes out to fight and entertain.
Akiyama connecting with one of his very few shots landed
After the show was over I got to take a pic with co-owner Lorenzo Ferritta who thanked me for coming out and got a pic with Ryan Bader outsidethe tube station. Yes, despite being a top 5 Light Heavyweight even Ryan Bader use public transport! To anyone wondering if they should go to an UFC event I categorically say YES. If your an MMA fan then seeing the UFC live is something you absolutely have to experience. You’d better start saving now.
