FIGHT PILGRIM.

UFC 138 Post Fight Press Conference – at a glance

UFC 138 was the highest grossing event in the history of the LG Arena – generating $1.5 million

10,823 were in attendance

Bonuses Awarded:

Terry Etim – Sub of the Night

For his 17 second stoppage of Edward Faaloloto

Che Mills – Knock Out of the Night

After TKOing Chris Cope in 40 seconds flat

Brad Pickett vs Renan Barao – Fight of the Night

Barão defeated Pickett via rear naked choke at 4:09 of round 1

Quotes etc. after the jump

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MARK MUNOZ // CHRIS LEBEN

Round 1

Munoz scores an early takedown. Did he ever really consider standing in the pocket with Leben? Chants of “Leben” but all the while Munoz controls the action as well as his opponent. The Crippler gets Munoz down to the mat but doesn’t succeed, or necessarily try to keep him down. But quickly slams his opponent for a second time.

Bombs away from both guys in the closing minute and both appear to have conceded some damage, telegraphing their punches and Leben already showing signs of his zombie-ish offense.

Round 2

More control from the Filipino Wrecking Machine for the first part of the round. Some threats from Leben of course but it all looked like it could be over when a time-out was called to inspect the gruesome cut over Leben’s left eye.

The doc let things slide until the end of the round, but boos rang out when the Crippler’s corner threw in the towel before the third – Leben complained that he was struggling to see clearly.

A disappointed and disrespectful crowd but the humble Munoz moves into real title contention and goes on record to say that he deserves to face the Spider. Questions will be asked later tonight at the post-fight press conference.

BRAD PICKETT // RENAN BARAO

A collective gasp was heard and felt across the LG Arena when everyone realised that Barao was out to put a hurting on “One Punch”. The onslaught didn’t let up and it wasn’t long before the Nova Uniao product landed a game-changing knee to Pickett’s temple. Swiftly following up with a slick combination, putting the Londoner down hard.

Brad defended the choke decently but there was just too long left in the round for Barao to do what he does best – submit.

Renan Barao wins by Rear Naked Choke at 4.09 in Round 1

THIAGO ALVES // PAPY ABEDI

Papy comes out with the Jon Jones crawl but quickly gets to his feet and enters into the predictable stand up war we were yearning for. The first decent kick-boxing exchange of the night.

Some quality back and forth action before Alves clearly put Abedi on queer street with a sweet right hand. The ref lurched in to call a stoppage but backed off when the Swede proved he could somehow put up a defence. Abedi showed heart but squirmed to give up his back, allowing the Pitbull to sink in a choke and earn the first submission win of his UFC career.

Alves by Rear Naked Choke at 3.32 in Round 1

ANTHONY PEROSH // CYRILLE DIABATTE

The Hippo vs The Snake. Australia vs France. Either way it sounds like a novelty match up, and that’s probably the most interesting thing worth mentioning before the outset of Round 2.

Rounds 1 & 2

A great deal of smother and cover from Perosh but both fighters seem to falter in imposing their gameplan for while – at least until Perosh secured mount in the second. Perosh landed some hefty and hard blows from back mount before slipping in the RNC.

Perosh defeats Diabate by tap out at 3.09 in Round 2.

TERRRY ETIM // EDWARD FAALOLOTO

5 and 2 and fighting out out Honolulu, the American invader was never going to get much of a warm welcome in Birmingham. And he came a heck of a long way for what went down tonight.

Round 1

Etim. Punch, kick, arm-in guillotine, out. That was easy.

Etim by guillotine choke at 17 seconds

JOHN MAGUIRE // JUSTIN “FAST EDDIE” EDWARDS

Round 1
How about a new record for fastest ever groin strike in the UFC? I think that just happened. Maguire looks relatively unphased however and took little time to recover. The Brit even wobbled Edwards before buckling completely himself. Surviving a blitz of hard strikes, Maguire covered up before prizing himself out of a tight guillotine.

The rapid first few minutes evolved into a more considered exchange, with each fighter seeking to dominate the other in the grappling department. Edwards surely takes the first with the knockdown and choke attempt

10-9 Edwards

Round 2

Maguire wore the more phased expression entering the second, with the American looking fresher, if only slightly.

Fast Eddy pushed the pace standing before Southpaw Brit took back control and a figure four body lock to boot. After a hard-fought and failed Rear Naked Choke attempt, the buzzer sounded as Maguire was poised to lock in an armbar.

10-9 Maguire

Round 3

Stalking one another in the opening moments of the third, it looked as though we would be treated to a stand up exchange. Maguire, however, worked his way into another body lock and tried once more to apply the RNC.

Edwards never looked to be down or out but it always seems Maguire was doing just enough. Plus – he looks just like Phil Baroni.

John “The One” Maguire earned a 30-27 scorecard from all 3 judges

PHIL DE FRIES // ROB BROUGHTON

Northern lad and no-nicknamed De Fries received a warm welcome as he entered the arena but was soon trumped by Liverpool’s Rob “The Bear” Broughton’s fan reaction. Fighting just marginally closer to home, Broughton has much to prove after his poor showing at high altitude against Travis Browne back in September.

Round 1

Tentative to engage on the outside, both Heavyweights spend a great deal of the first clinching up – attempting, at least, to inflict damage via dirty boxing in an ugly war of attrition. De Fries showed greater control, likely securing the round.

10-9 De Fries

Round 2

A more urgent Broughton entered the second with a more savvy gameplan, consistently working for subs and posing significant threats each time.

Not once but twice “The Bear” secured the crucifix position – the very same move that earned Nelson a swift win over Kimbo on TUF 10. But Broughton didn’t inflict enough damage to prompt Jim Rosenthal to stop the action.

Throw in a decent arm bar attempt and Broughton easily took the second.

10-9 Broughton

Round 3

A round apiece entering the final round, neither fighter hand enough in the tank to push the pace significantly. De Fries fought harder to take the fight to the mat and the four-striped purple belt looked busier during the final 5.

29-28 Unanimous Decision – PHIL DE FRIES

UFC 138 LIVE BLOG

Spoiler Alert

WiFi has just been fixed here in Birmingham so I’ll be uploading my take on the fights as they play out. Just wanted to let you guys know if you’re holding out for a tape delay.