UFC 74 Re-cap

Joker · 08-27-2007, 01:18 PM

The first bout that was aired was Kendal Grove vs. Patrick Cote :

This fight was one of the un-expected upsets that happen in true MMA fashion. Kendal Grove the former Ultimate Fighter contestant was by all accounts the favored in this fight. His one on one time spent with Randy Couture and his previous training spent inside the Ortiz camp made him a pretty dangerous bad ass. What started off as a slow assessment of each others skills ended when a clean right hand punch was thrown viciously into the face of Kendal Grove. That single hit lodged Grove from his position and floored him. Once on his back it was over as the quick moving Cote leaped on top of his prey and pounded out the rest of the fight on Grove's face. The fight was stopped in the first round with only 25 seconds to go.

Winner Patrick Cote

Next match was Huerta vs. Crane

Huerta was my odds on favorite as I've seen both his groundwork and stand up improve over his last three fights. Huerta also has an uncanny ability to work his way out of bad situations. Several times he's found himself in situations that leave him open to arm bars, traingle chokes or even guilletien, but through quick sudden burst of speed and positioning he turns the tables around on his opponents. His opponent this night was a world-class jujitus champion known for his submission technique. The fight was taken to the floor pretty early on and led to the night’s biggest delights. Ever the keen warrior taking notice of his surroundings, Huerta was on his bottom with his back exposed to Crane who was in perfect position for a rear naked choke, when Huerta used the big screen monitor displaying the action to the fans to gauge the position of his opponents head behind him. While visibly watching the big screen infront of him Huerta fired off elbow after elbow nailing the bewildered Crane in the head, which darted from right to left. In the end it took three rounds for Huerta to tire out his opponent and finish him off from a mounted position dropping bombs on his face and forcing a stop to the fight.

Winner is Huerta

The third fight was George St. Pier vs. Josh Koscheck

Koscheck tried to check St-Pierre’s durability early on in the first round with a heavy overhand right, but GSP maneuvered past each attempt and instead took the former All-American wrestler down to the mat with the crowd chanting “GSP, GSP”. Both fighters worked their strikes on the mat with respect to their position on the floor, St-Pierre holding the edge due to his positioning of full mount, which he improved with 2:40 left by pushing his foe towards the fence. Koscheck worked his way from the Octagon fencing, but St-Pierre still wouldn’t let him up until a scramble with under two minutes left saw Koscheck rise up and put his opponent on his back. With the tables turned, Koscheck pounded away when able, not doing any serious damage, but still scoring points.

St-Pierre came out throwing punches and kicks early in the second, but soon after he got another takedown and tried to secure Koscheck’s arm. The Fresno resident easily broke free, but St-Pierre was not easily discouraged as he tried again to submit Koscheck. Again, ‘Kos’ escaped, but St-Pierre was not giving up his side control position, adding forearms and punches to his arsenal. With two minutes remaining, Koscheck found some light and tried to get away, but St-Pierre refused to yield as he worked for Koscheck’s right arm in what was becoming a possible 10-8 round due to the Montreal native’s dominance.

Winner George St. Pier

The final fight was the title fight Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Couture dictated the pace of the fight from the outset, opened up a deep cut on Gonzaga's nose in the first round and pummeled the Brazilian challenger with strikes that ended the fight at 1:37 of the third round.

It was a thorough effort for Couture in his first title defense since coming out of retirement in March to reclaim the belt by beating 31-year-old Tim Sylvia. The fight was nearly stopped in the second when Gonzaga told the referee he was having trouble seeing due to excessive blood from the cut. The fight continued into the third before Couture overwhelmed Gonzaga with a flurry he couldn't defend.

Winner Couture!!

Any comments on the fight or prelim fights? As I didn't get a chance to see any of them but noticed how the matt was bloodied up nice and good before the first fight they aired.

08-27-2007, 01:18 PM	#1
Joker Lord of Vampires / God of Vengeance Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The Planet of Eternal Darkness Gender: Posts: 10,474 Thanks: 2,708 Thanked 406 Times in 263 Posts Blog Entries: 6 Points: 2,583.73 Bank: 36,521.88 Total Points: 39,105.61 Donate	UFC 74 Re-cap The first bout that was aired was Kendal Grove vs. Patrick Cote : This fight was one of the un-expected upsets that happen in true MMA fashion. Kendal Grove the former Ultimate Fighter contestant was by all accounts the favored in this fight. His one on one time spent with Randy Couture and his previous training spent inside the Ortiz camp made him a pretty dangerous bad ass. What started off as a slow assessment of each others skills ended when a clean right hand punch was thrown viciously into the face of Kendal Grove. That single hit lodged Grove from his position and floored him. Once on his back it was over as the quick moving Cote leaped on top of his prey and pounded out the rest of the fight on Grove's face. The fight was stopped in the first round with only 25 seconds to go. Winner Patrick Cote Next match was Huerta vs. Crane Huerta was my odds on favorite as I've seen both his groundwork and stand up improve over his last three fights. Huerta also has an uncanny ability to work his way out of bad situations. Several times he's found himself in situations that leave him open to arm bars, traingle chokes or even guilletien, but through quick sudden burst of speed and positioning he turns the tables around on his opponents. His opponent this night was a world-class jujitus champion known for his submission technique. The fight was taken to the floor pretty early on and led to the night’s biggest delights. Ever the keen warrior taking notice of his surroundings, Huerta was on his bottom with his back exposed to Crane who was in perfect position for a rear naked choke, when Huerta used the big screen monitor displaying the action to the fans to gauge the position of his opponents head behind him. While visibly watching the big screen infront of him Huerta fired off elbow after elbow nailing the bewildered Crane in the head, which darted from right to left. In the end it took three rounds for Huerta to tire out his opponent and finish him off from a mounted position dropping bombs on his face and forcing a stop to the fight. Winner is Huerta The third fight was George St. Pier vs. Josh Koscheck Koscheck tried to check St-Pierre’s durability early on in the first round with a heavy overhand right, but GSP maneuvered past each attempt and instead took the former All-American wrestler down to the mat with the crowd chanting “GSP, GSP”. Both fighters worked their strikes on the mat with respect to their position on the floor, St-Pierre holding the edge due to his positioning of full mount, which he improved with 2:40 left by pushing his foe towards the fence. Koscheck worked his way from the Octagon fencing, but St-Pierre still wouldn’t let him up until a scramble with under two minutes left saw Koscheck rise up and put his opponent on his back. With the tables turned, Koscheck pounded away when able, not doing any serious damage, but still scoring points. St-Pierre came out throwing punches and kicks early in the second, but soon after he got another takedown and tried to secure Koscheck’s arm. The Fresno resident easily broke free, but St-Pierre was not easily discouraged as he tried again to submit Koscheck. Again, ‘Kos’ escaped, but St-Pierre was not giving up his side control position, adding forearms and punches to his arsenal. With two minutes remaining, Koscheck found some light and tried to get away, but St-Pierre refused to yield as he worked for Koscheck’s right arm in what was becoming a possible 10-8 round due to the Montreal native’s dominance. Winner George St. Pier The final fight was the title fight Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga Couture dictated the pace of the fight from the outset, opened up a deep cut on Gonzaga's nose in the first round and pummeled the Brazilian challenger with strikes that ended the fight at 1:37 of the third round. It was a thorough effort for Couture in his first title defense since coming out of retirement in March to reclaim the belt by beating 31-year-old Tim Sylvia. The fight was nearly stopped in the second when Gonzaga told the referee he was having trouble seeing due to excessive blood from the cut. The fight continued into the third before Couture overwhelmed Gonzaga with a flurry he couldn't defend. Winner Couture!! Any comments on the fight or prelim fights? As I didn't get a chance to see any of them but noticed how the matt was bloodied up nice and good before the first fight they aired.