UFC 71 Final Card

[LWPD]

UFC 71 Final Card

Live Saturday May 26 2007 10 PM EST

UFC 71 Microsite & Trailer

Light Heavyweight Championship Bout
Chuck Liddell
Quinton Rampage Jackson

Welterweight Bout
Josh Burkman
Karo Parisyan

Middleweight Bout
Terry Martin
Ivan Salaverry

Light Heavyweight Bout
Keith Jardine
Houston Alexander

Middleweight Bout
Chris Leben
Kalib Starnes

Lightweight Bout
Din Thomas
Jeremy Stephens

Light Heavyweight Bout
James Irvin
Thiago Silva

Light Heavyweight Bout
Sean Salmon
Eric Schafer

Light Heavyweight Bout
Wilson Gouveia
Carmelo Marrero

[DUCE]

plus the UFC74 mongerings of St Pierre vs Koschek

Good to see Jardine but (w)Ho()uston Alexander(6-1 via sherdog)?

How much will the LHW divison shake up if Rampage wins? How fast will he get a rematch?

[hofclemens]

good to see Sean Salmon back on his feet after that brutal KO earlier this year

[LWPD]

UFC 71 Odds Snapshot

Courtesy of betonfighting.com

QUINTON JACKSON +150
CHUCK LIDDELL -180

JOSH BURKMANN +240
KARO PARISYAN -300

TERRY MARTIN +135
IVAN SALAVERRY -165

HOUSTON ALEXANDER +400
KEITH JARDINE -550

KALIB STARNES +205
CHRIS LEBEN -255

JAMES IRVIN +200
THIAGO SILVA -250

ALAN BELCHER +110
SEAN SALMON -140

JEREMY STEPHENS +300
DIN THOMAS -370

CARMELO MARRERO +210
WILSON GOUVEIA -260

LWPD (I question how much Chuck has recovered from his injuries...could be a real factor)

[Darth Turkish]

rampage by Rampage
karo by judo throw

[MikeMcKinney]

lwpd said:

UFC 71 Odds Snapshot

Courtesy of betonfighting.com

QUINTON JACKSON +150
[glow=yellow,2,300]CHUCK LIDDELL [/glow]-180

JOSH BURKMANN +240
[glow=yellow,2,300]KARO PARISYAN [/glow]-300

TERRY MARTIN +135
[glow=yellow,2,300]IVAN SALAVERRY [/glow]-165

HOUSTON ALEXANDER +400
[glow=yellow,2,300]KEITH JARDINE [/glow]-550

KALIB STARNES +205
[glow=yellow,2,300]CHRIS LEBEN [/glow]-255

JAMES IRVIN +200
[glow=yellow,2,300]THIAGO SILVA [/glow]-250

[glow=yellow,2,300]ALAN BELCHER [/glow]+110
SEAN SALMON -140

JEREMY STEPHENS +300
[glow=yellow,2,300]DIN THOMAS [/glow]-370

CARMELO MARRERO +210
[glow=yellow,2,300]WILSON GOUVEIA [/glow]-260

LWPD (I question how much Chuck has recovered from his injuries...could be a real factor)

my picks....

[LWPD]

Official UFC 71 Weigh In Video

Chuck Liddell (205) vs Quinton Jackson (205)

Josh Burkman (171) vs Karo Parisyan (170)

Houston Alexander (202) vs Keith Jardine (205)

Kalib Starnes (186) vs Chris Leben (185)

Terry Martin (186) vs Ivan Salaverry (184)

Thiago Silva (202) vs James Irvin (204)

Sean Salmon (205) vs Alan Belcher (205)

Jeremy Stephens (156) vs Din Thomas (155)

Carmelo Marrero (205) vs Wilson Gouveia (204)

Courtesy of Wrestling Observer

UFC line-up:

Dark matches

Carmello Marrero vs Wilson Gouveia (Marrero is your wrestler with limited striking and submissions. Gouveia is primarily a stand-up fighter)

Jeremy Stephens vs. Din Thomas (Thomas was from the last season of Ultimate Fighter and has been in and out of UFC for years. Well rounded good fighter but not a title contender)

Sean Salmon vs Eric Schafer (Schafer is good with submissions while Salmon is a strong wrestler best known for being on the wrong end of a highlight reel finish with Rashad Evans in his last fight)
Thiago Silva vs. James Irvin

Live

Chris Leben vs. Kalib Starnes (Leben prefers to stand, Starnes is good technically on the ground but has been an underachiever in UFC and came off as something of a crybaby on Ken Shamrock's team a few seasons ago)

Houston Alexander vs. Keith Jardine (Alexander is making his debut against Jardine, who they are pushing as a star off his knockout win over Forrest Griffin)

Karo Parisyan vs. Josh Burkman (On paper the best fight of the night. There will be sick judo displayed and lots of striking)

Terry Martin vs. Ivan Salaverry (Salaverry is considered a class above Martin, but Martin winning will put him seriously on the map)

Chuck Liddell vs. Quinton Jackson (The basic story is Jackson hammered Liddell in 2003 in Pride, but since then, Liddell's career has gone straight up, and Jackson's hasn't. If Jackson is at his best, he has faster hands and knockout power. Liddell is a higher food chain credentialed wrestler, but Jackson has more natural strength and good wrestling. In the last fight, when Jackson took Liddell down in the second round, Liddell couldn't get up. Jackson has a stylistic chance of winning but if you judge both on their fights since the start of 2006, Liddell has to be the favorite)

[DUCE]

Wilson Gouveia wins by submission at 3:06 over Carmelo Marrero

[DUCE]

Man that was vicious!!!

Rampage by KO 1st 1:53

[Darth Turkish]

Karo!!!!!

Rampage!!!

Awesomeness!!!!

[swarm]

Awesome show. I called Jackson winning and I'm glad Chuck is without the belt now...I hoping for a rematch so Rampage can whoop his arse again...

Houston Alexander looked great in there too...

Strong show.

[gatekeeper]

Yeah, Houston Alexander is awesome!

A shocking quick main event. Jackson looked good.

Liddell fought his "keep-away-and-wait-for-the-other-guy-to-make-a-mistake" style and it cost him.

The judges in the UFC are a little suspect IMO. One of them called the Karo Parysian fight 29-28. Parysian DOMINATED 90% of this fight.

They declared Kalib Starnes the winner and I thought he clearly lost. Even Starnes himself said he would've given the fight to Chris Leben.

Overall, it was a pretty entertaining card.

[hofclemens]

well it stinks for the UFC that they have to use the judges the NSAC assigns them I don't think any of the scoring tonite was awful. With so many close rounds it just so happens some of the time the judge gives the slight edge to one fighter in all 3 rounds making a relativly close fight seem like a white wash.

I said this about boxing and I'll say it about MMA, if you leave it up to the judges then prepare for anything.

[JMello]

You mean Chris Leben and I thought the judges were dead on. I could see Karo winning unanimously 30-27, but its Ok if one judge had sympathy on Berkman.

Alexander and Rampage made the night and I loved it.

[dukedave]

Judging was fine but what really rocked was the T-Shirts. Chucks was great but Karo's T-shirt was awesome. I'm not even a Karo fan but I got on and order that and two other Affliction T-shirts (one a Couture T- shirt).

[Darth Turkish]

gatekeeper said:

him.

The judges in the UFC are a little suspect IMO. One of them called the Karo Parysian fight 29-28. Parysian DOMINATED 90% of this fight.

They declared Kalib Starnes the winner and I thought he clearly lost. Even Starnes himself said he would've given the fight to Ben Leben.

1) the judges are assigned by the NSAC. They are mainly boxing judges, who may or may not have any real insight on
MMA. Plus, there is a jugde who Karo feels "is out to get him", and feels he should be "f%@#&*g shot". This is probably the same judge.

I am not surprised by Leben's decision loss. He was interviewed over the past week, stating the UFC was not treating him right, and he would go somewhere else where they would. If there has been one thing that has been suspect over the last few years in the UFC, judging is one of them Fights like Jardine- Bonnar are prime example, where Keith Jardine dominated rnds 2 and 3 and unded up losing a UD. I knew that for the Diego- Karo fight, if Karo did not finish, he was going to lose. And he did (not that I am arguing that point at all, though). So in light of the shaky judging and Leben's comments, that does not surprise me.

I would think that the fighters would realize this and really work to get a finish ( ::cough- Karo- cough:: )

I am curious, though, as we have a few new people posting in this partof the forum: How do you guys feel the UFC pay per views compare to WWE pay per views?

[Darth Turkish]

Damn, Karo can hit that damned harai goshi whenever he wants, can't he?

All I can say after that one on burkman: Ippon!
www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/ufc%2B71/video/x2398v_joshburkmanvskaroparisyan

[LWPD]

A solid show. It's hard to believe that Karo is only 24 years old. His stand up has really improved and his Judo from the clinch is on another level...which makes him a real crowd pleaser. Burkman is a good G & P style wrestler but he couldn't do anything to Karo once they hit the ground. I'd buy Karo/Hughes or Karo/Serra (and I'd lean toward Karo in the later).

Din Thomas surprised me. Salaverry/Martin was pure filler...neither belong on a main card UFC. I'm not a Starnes Fan by any means but he did earn the decision on Octagon Control and he did more damage throughout. He does have a slick inner thigh kick.

Houston Alexander was without question the Vegas pick of the night. My friend had five on him at +390. Vicious upper cuts from the clinch.

Chuck Liddell is a great fighter. He's proven to be a tremendous draw who has helped to take the sport into the mainstream. At age 37 the rock star lifestyle he's been living is not a good mix. He went for a body shot and Rampage just caught him. No shame in losing and there's money for both men in a rematch...and that's what it's all about.

Rampage has the potential to be an awesome front man if marketed right. He has tremendous charisma and can help take MMA to another level of popularity. He's very media friendly and makes for an attractive guest on the promotional circuit. Hopefully good times ahead for everyone!

Chuck Liddell vs Quinton Jackson

Keith Jardine vs Alexander Houston

Karo Parisyan vs Josh Burkman

Courtesy of Wrestling Observer

Wilson Gouveia b Carmello Marrero via guillotine after knocking him down with a series of low kicks and overwhelming him with punches on the ground.

Din Thomas vs. Jeremy Stephens is next.

Thomas scored a double leg and maneuvered his way into side mount. He got his back and went for a choke. He threw a few punches to loosen him up. Stephens was fighting the choke.
Stephens reversed at the end of the round and tried some bombs from the top. Crowd went wild for his comeback but still
Thomas' round.

Thomas with inside leg kicks. All standing early. Stephens back with leg kicks and scored with a right. Thomas shot, but Stephens ended up on top. Thomas went for an armbar from the bottom. Stephens powerbombed him hard but Thomas held on and ref John McCarthy stopped it.

Thomas did a funny interview. He did pro wrestler speak saying he was going to break the arm and take it home with him. Then he said, "All you boxers talking shit, if you want to fight, I'm the motherfucker to fight."

Alan Belcher vs. Sean Salmon is next.

Salmon went for a takedown and Belcher jumped up in the koala position and grabbed a guillotine. Salmon slammed him down hard in a spinebuster like move. Belcher held on, squeezed harder and got the tap in 53 seconds.

Thiago Silva vs. James Irvin is next.

Irvin put him down with a low kick. Silva maneuvered out of trouble. Irvin tried a guillotine. Silva took him down and Irvin's knee went out. It's the right knee and he's in a lot of pain. That may have been the knee he screwed up in San Jose in the Bobby Southworth fight. It bent horribly on the takedown. This will look nasty on the TV show if it's shown. Time was 1:06. People weren't happy with the short fight. Lots of medical attention surrounding Irvin.

No great matches on the undercard. PPV starts at 10 p.m. with Chris Leben vs. Kalib Starnes.

No update on Irvin's condition but he was in great pain backstage. We'll have an update on him after the show.

The poll results of UFC viewers on who will win the main event is 64-36 in favor of Liddell.

Chris Leben vs. Kalib Starnes is up now.

Crowd is real hot for this one because they know both guys and Leben has a real charisma. Leben connected with some punches and knees. Starnes is back with some good kicks. Leben is chasing and throwing but most is blocked and Leben is tiring. Good exchanges. Starnes finally took Leben down olate in the round and starting with rib punching. Starnjs really teed off on Leben at the end of the round. I'd give it to Starnes. Crowd enjoyed this one.

Between rounds they showed Jackson and Liddell on the screen. They booed Jackson heavily.

Starnes rocked Leben with a punch and took him down. He ocdked him several more times before Leben got up. Starnes is using greater skill, evading Leben's wild swings. Leben caught him with a kick to the body. Hard low kick by Starnes but Leben back with punches. Good jab by Starnes. Both guys are really tired at this point. Leben with a good low kick. Leben rocking Starnes now late in the round. Leben's comeback late made it close but I'd give the round to Starnes.

Leben more aggressive and connected more with punches and kicks. He got on top and did some ground and pound. Then got up. Threw a good punch on the ground and went on top again. Stanres reversed midway through the round. Leben more active on the bbottom. Starnes rocked the hell out of Leben with an elbow. Now making a small comeback. Leben is still busier from the bottom. Starnes with a good punch. Leben keeps punching from the bottom but no power in the punches. Starnes with a few punches connecting late that were effecitve at the bell. Another hard round to judge. Both men hugged. Fans gave the fight a standing ovation. I have it 29-28 for Starnes but rounds two and three are close.
29-28, 30-27 and 29-28 for Starnes. People definitely wanted Starnes to win.

Starnes praised Leben big-time for the fight. Starnes said he thought Leben should have won the decision. That's a first. Leben said screw judges, we had a great fight. Fans booed the hell out of Leben.

Keith Jardine vs. Houston "We have a problem" Alexander is up next.

Jardine dropped him right away. Alexander came right back and overwhelmed Jardine with punch after punch, some knees, particularly a devastating uppercut to the jaw. Jardine's knees buckled and after a few more punches, he was down, and Alexander just kept punching until it was stopped. Freaking spectacular. One of the best 48 second fights you'll ever see. Alexander came across like an instant superstar here. Alexander said he slipped and wasn't dropped.

Ivan Salaverry vs. Terry Martin is next.

Martin got behihnd Salaverry and threw a knee. He tried a high takedown but Salaverry blocked. Martin then slammed him on his left shoulder and the side of the head and after a few punches on the ground it was over.

Martin issued a challenge to Anderson Silva after it was over.

Karo Parisyan vs. Josh Burkman is next.

Burkman physically looks in incredible shape. It's not just cuts for show as he's one of the hardest trainers around. In round three, this could be a factor. Major in-ring staredown.

Wild swinging. Burkamn escaped a throw attempt. Parisyan got him down but Burkman was right up. Burkman tried a slam but Parisyan blocked. More wild swinging but missing. Trading leather some more. Parisyan tagged him. Burkman got the first strong takedown midway through the round. A few good punches on the ground and Parisyan got up. Parisyan back with punches and a great judo throw. Parisyan blocked a high slam. Huge ovation after the round. Damn hard to call. Maybe Parisyan slight.

Standing and trading with solid shots landed by both. Parisyan landed slightly more early but Burkamn landed the best shot. Parisyan teed off on him in the corner. Low kick by Parisyan. High kick by Parisyan. Parisyan outstriking him. He sprawled away from Burkman's takedown. Parisyan connjecting some more. Strong round for Parisyan as Burkman seemed out of synch in the second half of the round.

Burkman socred with a high forward slam. Parisyan came back with a judo throw. Parisyan connected with a punch to the head. He also hit a knee. Good match. I'd go with Parisyan in this round as well so 30-27, but first and third weren't dominant.

30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for Parisyan. He won the match on conditioning.. Parisyan asked for a title shot. He told Dana that he loved him and wants a title shot. He noted he has a dominant win over Matt Serra. Parisyan sung a song after the match and got booed.

We have an hour and 20 minutes left. They'll be showing the prelims for the next 20 minutes and Liddell-Jackson starts at 9 p.m. sharp.

The preliminary diagnosis of James Irvin is a partial ACL tear. At this point it looks like he won't need surgery although his knee will be in a brace for a while.

Place is buzzing huge for the main event. This time Jackson was booed a lot when he came out, unlike yesterday. Liddell got the Austin-level reaction, but after all the media this past week, you'd have to expect it.

They just showed Dan Henderson in the front row. For those keeping score, that's the post-match angle being teased. The Cowboy would be proud.

Both are waiting for the other to go first. Jackson is moving forward. Jackson put him down with a right to the jaw. By the third punch on the ground, Liddell was done and it was over in 1:53. I guess this is the week that UFC sucks and Pride was always the better organization.

Jackson said he and Chuck could do it again. Fans gave Liddell a huge reaction. Dan Henderson came to the ring with two belts. Henderson said he's friends with Jackson and Liddell but is willing to make money with his friends. Jackson tried to get Henderson to take his teeth out. The Henderson thing didn't work as well as it would have with Liddell winning, but such is reality.

[Knapik]

Rampage winning is a good thing... it gives us a rematch opportunity (which will be another huge payday for the UFC and the competitors involved); Rampage is a very marketable guy. Great personality, he's really outgoing and clever; Henderon gets the next shot (I believe) and Henderson winning gives us an 'ultimate champion' with him holding three of the world's most prestigous belts. Awesome!

[hofclemens]

I am curious, though, as we have a few new people posting in this partof the forum: How do you guys feel the UFC pay per views compare to WWE pay per views?
[/quote]

It used to be that if I had a choice between a UFC PPV and a WWE PPV I would go UFC all the time because there was so much wrestling on. With the explosion of MMA on TV now I am closer to picking the PPV that fits better into my scedule.

I'm trying to keep it to less then one PPV per month and with so much free stuff on TV in june (SNME, WEC, Ultimate Fight Night, TUF Finale, 3 Hour Raw) I don't think that will be a problem.