Hotel Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas Hotels

INTRO: I'm a casual MMA fan who's going through the history of the UFC to get a better understanding and appreciation for the sport and hopefully learn some by sharing my thoughts on these events. After each match there will be a TL;DR and at the bottom will be a quick rundown on my thoughts on the events and questions I had, so you can skip the PBP and in-fight thoughts and hit the SparkNotes easily.
UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin (Fight Night 14)
When: July 19, 2008
Where: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Card
Jesse Taylor V CB Dollaway
Anthony Johnson V Kevin Burns
Cain Velasquez V Jake O'Brien
Hermes Franca V Frankie Edgar
Brandon Vera V Reese Andy
Brodie Farber V Rory Markham (Prelim fight shown during the show)
Anderson Silva V James Irvin
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So normally I wouldn't do a main post about a Fight Night, however, this is an exception. Silva main eventing and some other big names in Edgar, Cain, Vera, Rumble Johnson and Franca gave this event a PPV feel. According to wiki this event was put together quickly to compete with the first Affliction show so that explains some of the big names.
Silva on a Fight Night card, what? It seems like it’s going to be Silva moving up to 205. Also TUF dumbass, Jesse Taylor, is on this card. Anthony Johnson, Cain Velasquez, Frankie Edgar, Hermes Franca, and Brandon Vera are all on this card. Damn, this looks like a legit card, especially for free TV.
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Jesse Taylor V CB Dollaway
Taylor looks to redeem himself after getting himself kicked out of the finals of the TUF. Dollaway looks to prove he deserved the spot in the final he got.
Rd 1. Taylor shoots and is stuffed but forces Dollaway against the fence and throws some rabbit punches. Dollaway is able to trip him but Taylor scrambles into top position. Dollaway cage walks up and gets a better position. Dollaway throws an illegal knee and it’s reset, only a warning, Taylor didn’t even know why I was stopped. Taylor shoots again and is blocked and Dollaway is able to mount and get his back. Taylor is able to turn into him and get the better position and then gets a takedown. Taylor throws some decent punches and then Taylor stands and when he goes for a punch Dollaway scrambles and dodges and is able to get the better position. Dollaway gets a Peruvian necktie and makes him tap.
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TL;DR Taylor tries to use his wrestling but Dollaway gets a Peruvian necktie in for the tap, pretty cool because that's a move they showed him working on in TUF
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Anthony Johnson V Kevin Burns
Rd 1. They both come out with leg kicks and punches that miss. Burns puts on the pressure and Johnson clinches and they trade knees. Goldberg gives a Cung Lee shoutout, and I don’t believe he’s been to the UFC yet. They swing and Burns gets the better of that exchange. Johnson hits a leg kick and Burns hits a punch. Johnson hits a kick to the groin and we pause. Johnson gets a poke to the eye and ducks and gets a big takedown. Little rabbit punches from both before Johnson lands a nice forearm. Burns is staying active and Johnson starts answering but Burns is avoiding most. It’s stood up and Johnson attempts a head kick and then they trade shots and tie up with Burns ends the round with a knee. Burns is cut over the eye. That’s a tough round to judge it was really even with the takedown. I’m going 10-10.
Rd 2. Johnson hits a body kick and another kick that Burns leans into and wobbles him. Johnson follows it up with two flying knees, the second of which Burns uses to tie up and recover. Johnson comes out of the tie-up with a big elbow. They trade shots again. Leg kick from Johnson and follows it up with a hook. Looked like another eye poke from Burns that Johnson shakes off and another, and another, at least from Johnson’s reactions. Johnson follows up with a combo and Mazzagatti finally gives a warning. Johnson hits a shot and Burns replies with a head kick that hits. Johnson hits a takedown. Johnson is hitting a couple of shots. They’re stood up and Mazzagatti gives another warning to Burns about the jabs with the fingers open. Leg kick from burns and takedown from Johnson as the round ends. 10-9 Johnson.
Rd 3. Burns starts with a leg kick and Johnson responds in kind. Another leg kick followed by body kick from Burns. They’re trading shots and kicks and Johnson times Burns kicks to get a takedown. Not much happening and they’re stood up. Another takedown from Johnson. Both throwing occasional rabbit punches but not much going on and they’re stood up again. Johnson hits a good combo and Burns pokes him badly in the eye and Johnson goes down. That looks bad on the replay. The eye is closed, man 1 or 2 times I get but that’s 5 times in one fight. Burns gets a TKO win. I’m really surprised that’s not a DQ win. Huh I guess I’d like to know more on why. Burns says that he’s broken his hand 3 times in 16 months so he can’t throw a closed fist so has to throw a palm strike. Rogan says he’s surprised it’s not a DQ win and Johnson is getting the cheers and Burns the boos. I’m surprised Johnson isn’t more peeved.
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TL;DR A pretty even battle for the most part, I had Johnson just ahead. Multiple eyepokes from Burns and he only receives a warning until he hits one in the 3rd that drops Johnson and gets the very controversial TKO win
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Cain Velasquez V Jake O’Brien
So this is actually a rematch as the two wrestled against each other in college, they didn’t mention who won but that’s a neat little anecdote.
Rd 1. They come in swinging and O’Brien tries a takedown that Velasquez is able to turn into him being on top. They scramble and battle for position and Velasquez is able to get to side control and hit some good GnP. O’Brien is trying to move but is taking a lot of shots, a lot of shots. After about a minute of just straight punch after punch with both arms trapped Yamasaki calls it.
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TL;DR Velasquez gets top position and goes to town for the dominant TKO win
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Hermes Franca V Frankie Edgar
Rd 1. Franca comes with a kick that Edgar takes him down from. Some GnP from Edgar. Good elbow from Edgar, but Franca rolls into an armbar and after a struggle, Edgar gets it out and is back into Franca’s guard. As Edgar goes to stand Franca hit’s an upkick and then a knee when they’re standing. Edgar hits a combo and then dodges a blow and gets another takedown. Edgar is landing some GnP as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Edgar.
Rd 2. Franca starts with a leg kick and Edgar throws one of his own. Another leg kick from Franca and Edgar hits a nice combo. Edgar gets a takedown and hits some more GnP. Edgar gets some more nice shots in. Franca throws some rabbit punches but Edgar hits some more shots. Edgar tries to pass but can’t so he sticks to throwing elbows. Edgar gets the back but Franca is able to roll back into guard. Franca is able to scramble and stand up and Edgar hits a combo, Franca tries to respond but is taken down again as the round ends. 10-9 Edgar maybe a 10-8.
Rd 3. Franca comes in and hits an uppercut, Edgar hits a shot and then Franca hits a big knee. Edgar comes in and takes a knee but gets a takedown. Franca scrambles and is able to get up. Edgar ducks a punch and gets another takedown. Franca is more active looking for subs but can’t so scrambles up but Edgar stays close and gets him back down. They’re back up but Edgar keeps him in control and takes him down again. Both are throwing shots but Edgar is hitting more and doing more damage. Franca gets to butterfly guard and tries to sweep but Edgar rolls and it’s right back to guard. They stand back up and Franca comes in and hits some good shots and a knee that busts Edgar open but he’s able to get a takedown to finish the match. Franca almost steals the round but Edgar takes it for me 10-9.
Decision I got it 30-27 Edgar. Judges go 30-27 Edgar by unanimous decision
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TL;DR Edgar is able to constantly get Franca down and throw some GnP while avoiding submissions and too much damage. Franca is a little better in the stand up but Edgar's takedowns are too much to overcome as Frankie gets the 30-27 unanimous decision in a good fight
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Brandon Vera V Reese Andy
Rd 1. Vera kicks off with a couple of big kicks. Andy ducks a punch and gets a takedown, but Vera is able to scramble and they’re tied up against the fence. Vera hits a nice knee in the clinch. Andy throws a couple leg kicks and ducks Vera’s kick attempt. Vera lands a kick after Andy misses one of his own. Vera stuffs a takedown attempt but Andy does get a knee out of it. The size and reach difference is having a real effect as Andy is not able to get his strikes to hit. They tie up against the fence and Andy keeps kneeing the inside leg, but Vera gets a big takedown and into side control. Nothing really being thrown on the ground by Vera and Andy scrambles up. Vera just misses a head kick. Andy shoots but is stuffed and the round ends. 10-9 Vera.
Rd 2. Vera starts with a leg kick and then they exchange knees in a tie-up. Vera gets another takedown and has the back against the cage, then it switches to half-guard. Andy scrambles up, Reese tries to throw but when he gets inside Vera controls him. Good shot from Reese that Vera replies with a shot of his own. They clinch against the fence and as they separate Vera hits a nice head kick. Vera is just trying to counter punch but not much happens and Vera lands a nice leg kick as the round ends. 10-9 Vera.
Rd 3. Andy hits a nice shot and Vera hits a good kick. Andy hits a jab and gets him tied up against the fence. Andy lands a nice punch in the clinch and Vera responds with a knee. They’re broken up and reset. Andy throws jabs and then Vera counter punches and they tie up again. Vera tries a takedown but can’t get it. Andy hits a solid punch, Vera hits a knee and Vera gets a muay tie clinch and lands a knee. They separate and Andy lands a jab and they tie up against the fence again. Andy tries to push but Vera uses his size to stop him. Vera stuffs a takedown and ties him up landing a knee and they’re tied up to end the fight. Boring. I’m giving that round to Andy 10-9 purely for being more aggressive.
Decision 29-28 Vera for me. Judges go 30-27, 29-28, and 30-27 Vera. Yeah the third round Vera hit more shots but barely and he wouldn’t throw. Vera says the weight cut seemed to affect him a good bit. 1st round was decent but the other 2 rounds were really boring.
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TL;DR Fun first round that Vera is able to win with some solid shots and takedown defense. In the 2nd they start slowing down and Vera gets a couple takedowns and some shots. In the 3rd Vera completely back off throwing and hits a couple counters but is really not doing anything. He gets the decision victory in a pretty poor showing
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Brodie Farber V Rory Markham
In 19 bouts Markham has never been in a decision, so hopefully this is a banger.
Rd 1. Both coming out swinging going for the knockout. Farber hits some good shots and Markham counters. Farber lands some good shots and has Markham on the ropes and holy shit Markham just hit a huge head kick that drops Barber. Markham looked like he was on the ropes and Barber is chasing him and then he goes for a punch drops his hands and gets absolutely rocked. He was out 5 feet from the ground.
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TL;DR They come out swanging and banging and then Markham hits a huge head kick that KOs Barber. What a kick!
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Anderson Silva V James Irvin
Non-title bout as Silva steps up to the Light Heavyweight division. Rogan made sure to emphasize the artist part of mixed martial artist and I think that’s a great description, he really is so elegant and precise he’s like a ballerina against a twerking teenager.
Rd 1. Silva starts with a couple leg kicks and comes inside with a punch. Irvin tries a kick that Silva kicks and hits a huge punch that drops Irvin and hits the few shots before it’s stopped and it’s done just like that. Damn, that is a huge cut on Irvin’s face.
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TL;DR Silva catches Irvin's kick and drops Irvin and ends it quickly
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RECAP
2.5/5 The good fights were short and sweet and nothing really competitive. The Vera fight was garbage but overall an enjoyable event. (FOTN Franca V Edgar)
TayloDollaway, Dollaway getting the peruvian necktie was really cool since they made a point on TUF of him learning that technique. Johnson/Burns this was a solid fight but the eyepoke ending and Mazzagati's refusal to take a point early really left a sour taste about it. Velasquez/O'Brien was just domination from Cain. Franca/Edgar, Edgar is able to takedown Franca and control and land some shots, Franca swings for the fences in the standup but it's not enough in a good fight. Vera/Andy was a really boring fight, Vera says the weightcut really affected him but he was able to beat a very outmatched opponent. FarbeMarkham quick but Markham's head kick holy shit what a highlight. Silva/Irvin, Silva just drops Irvin after catching a kick that was pretty much that whole fight.
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QUESTIONS
Was the UFC really worried about Affliction or was it just pettiness that they put this show to directly compete with them?
Is there a good explanation on why Burns eyepokes didn't result in a DQ win for Johnson? Rogan was convinced it would be and I thought it should have been too.
On that, Johnson does appeal it but loses the appeal, are there many examples of fights being appealed successfully?
Do referees face any consequences for poor decisions? So Lavigne and the Benavidez double KO, it's actually at least the 2nd time he does that and we'll get to the first as it's coming in the next few events, is it just media scrutiny and on to the next?
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EVENT RANKINGS
I'm not comparing this to any PPV, I do have a list of my Fight Night rankings to, if anyone is interested I'll post them. But like I said there's really no rhyme or a ton of thought to the rankings. It's just how I feel right after the event, I'll probably remove it completely or just list like the current event and the one above and below it.
NEXT: Wednesday, December 12th UFC 87: Seek and Destroy

DATE: Saturday March 28, 2015
LOCATION: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
TELEVISION: Showtime (US) Boxnation (UK) Televisa (Mexico)
TIME: 7:00 PM PDT, 10:00 PM EDT, 2:00 PM GMT

JHONNY GONZALEZ VS GARY RUSSELL JR

12 rounds

WBC world featherweight title

Jhonny Gonzalez	vs	Gary Russell Jr
57(48)-8	RECORD	25(14)-1
33	AGE	26
125 lbs	WEIGHT	125.8 lbs
5’6 1/2”	HEIGHT	5’5”
69”	REACH	64”
Mexico City, Mexico	HOMETOWN	Capitol Heights, Maryland
5(3)-0	LAST 5	4(1)-1
+150	MONEYLINE	-190
WBC	TITLES	none

JERMELL CHARLO VS VANES MARTIROSYAN

10 rounds

junior middleweight division

Jermell Charlo	vs	Vanes Martirosyan
25(11)-0	RECORD	35(21)-1-1
24	AGE	28
154.8 lbs	WEIGHT	153 lbs
5’11”	HEIGHT	6’0”
73”	REACH	73”
Houston, Texas	HOMETOWN	Glendale, California
5(1)-0	LAST 5	3(1)-1-1
-275	MONEYLINE	+215

J’LEON LOVE VS SCOTT SIGMON

8 rounds

super middleweight division

J’Leon Love	vs	Scott Sigmon
18(10)-1	RECORD	24(13)-6-1
27	AGE	28
168 lbs	WEIGHT	164 lbs

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Jhonny Gonzalez vs Gary Russell Jr

Round 1
Let's see if Gonzalez looks to step up that left hook that knocked Mares out. Russell very fast but he's getting blocked. A left from Russell. A jab by Russell. Another jab by Russell. Russell's rear hand can't reach Gonzalez. Gonzalez is moving nicely around the ring and studying Russell. Gonzalez hasn't really thrown any punches. Russell with a left hook and Gonzalez takes a step back. Russell with a right hook and a left to the body. Russell throws a hard right hook. Gonzalez with a straight right. They trade body jabs. Left hook by Russell. Russell digs a body shot.

Russell 10-9

Round 2
Gonzalez called a pendejo by Beristain. Gonzalez putting pressure on now but Russell using his jab and speed to keep Gonzalez from getting in. Gonzalez with a jab. A right hand over the top by Gonzalez on the chin. Gonzalez may have round some openings that he liked as he just misses a left hook. A 1-2 from Gonzalez. Russell with a couple of body shots. Russell flashing out his quick jab. Russell active with his left hand that's finding the mark but not doing much damage.

Russell 10-9, 20-18 Russell

Round 3
Gonzalez flashing his jab now. Gonzalez looks like he's sparring right now. He's not throwing his punches with a ton of force. Russell with a left. Another left. Another left for Russell. Gonzalez looks very slow. Russell with a left and right. Gonzalez might be hurt but he starts digging some hard body shots. Russell settles down after Gonzalez opened up. Gonzalez more active but he's just missing his shots. Sometimes he's too close when he's throwing those punches. Russell with a couple of hooks. A big left and right hook by Russell and down goes Gonzalez!!!! Gonzalez is up and says he's good. The mouthpiece fell out and Weeks shoves it back in his mouth.

Russell 10-8, 30-26 Russell

Round 4
A left straight by Russell. Gonzalez si hurt. Legs aren't there and and down goes Gonzalez again. He's allowed to continue and down goes Gonzalez again and Tony Weeks jumps in to stop this fight.

Official Ruling: Gary Russell Jr by TKO4

Date: August 30, 2014
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada / Argentina / Oxnard, California, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Sleeptrain Arena, Sacramento, California
Time: 7:00 PM PDT, 10:00 PM EDT, 3:00 AM BST
TV: Showtime (US) Fox Sports 1 (US)

FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS MARCOS MAIDANA

12 rounds

welterweight and junior middleweight titles

weekly reader challenge belt not at stake

J'LEON LOVE VS ROGELIO MEDINA

12 rounds

super middleweight division

J'Leon Love	vs	Rogelio Medina
18(10)-0	RECORD	32(26)-6
26	AGE	25
167.5 lbs	WEIGHT	168.8 lbs

BADOU JACK VS JASON ESCALERA

10 rounds

super middleweight division

Badou Jack	vs	Jason Escalera
16(11)-1-1	RECORD	15(12)-2-1
30	AGE	29
169.5 lbs	WEIGHT	169.3 lbs

TJ DILLASHAW VS JOE SOTO

12 rounds

bantamweight division

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1. Private Island, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives.
2. The Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson, Geneva.
3. Grand Penthouse at The Mark Hotel, New York City.
4. Delana Hilltop Estate, Laucala Island, Fiji.
5. Ty Warner Penthouse Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, New York City.
6. The Royal Villa, Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens.
7. Penthouse Suite at Grand Hyatt Cannes (Hôtel Martinez), Cannes.
8. The Shahi Mahal Suite at the Raj Palace Hotel, India.
9. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas.
10. Royal Suite at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris.
11. Presidential Suite at St Regis, New York.
12. The Royal Suite at St. Regis Saadiyat Island, United Arab Emirates.
13. Amanyara Villa at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos.
14. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas.

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