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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC 124: ST. PIERRE VS. KOSCHECK
DECEMBER 11, 2010
LIVE FROM MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
Cue the gladiator intro released on YouTube this morning, and it's finally time for UFC 124! The final UFC pay-per-view event of 2010 is sending the organization out with a bang, as the anticipation couldn't be greater for tonight's main event between Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck.
Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the broadcast as always and discuss the main event before running down what else is on tap for tonight's event.
FIGHT ONE: THIAGO ALVES VS. JOHN HOWARD (WELTERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Howard said this is a caveman fight and it comes down to who hits harder. Alves said "let's put it to the test and see what you got" with Howard wanting to stand with him. Alves said the best version of himself will be seen tonight and he's going to punish John Howard.
ROUND ONE: Alves lands an inside leg kick in the center and then gets through with a nice right hand. He cracked Howard with a few more shots and Howard tried to shoot in. Alves held off the takedown attempt and came back forward with some offense. He grabbed a body lock and pulled off a nice throw into half guard. Alves off to a great start in this fight. Alves pinned Howard's arm and Howard tried to grab a leg lock. Alves bounced to his feet and Howard stood back up. Howard landed a leg kick. Alves landed an inside leg kick. Howard had a punch blocked but landed a kick to the body. Alves landed two punches flush to Howard. Howard landed a kick but ate another right. Alves again connected with the right. Alves landed a nice left as Howard tried to move in. Alves hurt Howard with a leg kick and came in with a big flurry, a knee to the face and another punch on the way out. Alves with another left hook. Alves with a counter left as Howard came in. Howard caught a kick to the body from Alves. He came in close and grabbed a clinch. Howard is just trying to slow things down and Alves got separation. Alves with another good leg kick. He moved in with a combo to a leg kick. Another right landed. Alves landed an inside leg kick. Howard landed a nice leg kick of his own. Alves with another huge leg kick and they swung wildly in a big exchange. Alves landed another big leg kick as the round ends. Fantastic round for Thiago Alves.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Thiago. Very close to a 10-8 with how often Alves was landing, but he needed a knockdown or more time in dominant position on the ground to get it there. He looks great right now though.
ROUND TWO: Alves landed a good inside leg kick to start the second. He got in with another while holding the center. Alves with another right. Alves landed a grazing low kick but Howard starts right back up. Alves with a two punch combo and Howard lands a leg kick to counter. Alves landed a good left jab. Howard with a leg kick. Howard threw a flurry of punches but many were blocked. Alves with a hard leg kick again and Howard is taking a lot of damage to his left leg. Alves landed a nice combination. Inside leg kick from Alves to the lead leg. He threw a high kick but it didn't get through. Alves shot in and pressed Howard to the cage. He picked him up and slammed him into half guard. Alves worked some short punches as he tried to pass, but Howard was doing a good job of keeping him stifled and he got back to full guard. Alves landed a big right. He postured up for a series of hammerfists and dropped back into guard. Alves continuing to stay busy as Howard is trying to work from his back. Alves ends the round in Howard's guard.
Penick's Analysis: 10-9 Alves. Another impressive round from Alves and he is firmly in control of this fight. The leg kicks to the lead leg are taking their toll on Howard.
ROUND THREE: Alves quickly gets two kicks in to the lead leg of Howard. He landed a combo. Howard landed a kick but Alves countered with a right. Another right leg kick. Howard walked Alves down and tried to shoot but Alves held him off on the cage. Howard landed a hard leg kick. Alves landed a kick to the body. Howard with another leg kick. Alves is content with his lead right now. Howard pressed in and Alves landed a nice counter left. Alves dropped HOward with a right, but Howard kicked him off and popped back to his feet and got into a clinch. Alves got separation. He landed a good leg kick and another combo. Howard landed another kick. Alves barely missed a superman punch. Another leg kick from Alves. Alves landed another two punch combo. Alves again with a combo ending in a leg kick. Alves landed another hard left. Hard body kick from Alves and another to the leg. Another leg kick. Another body kick. Alves landed a big combo. Howard tried to push in, Alves landed a nice knee and they unleashed punches at each other as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alves. Another excellent round for Alves. He slowed it down and didn't expose himself to any unnecessary damage, but it was still all him.
WINNER: Alves via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
POST FIGHT: Alves said he worked really hard to get there tonight, as did his entire camp. He thanked his trainers and sponsors. Alves gave Howard credit for being a tough opponent.
STAR RATING: (***) That was an excellent fight, mostly for Alves in one of the most impressive performances of his career. He looked rejuvenated, and dominated every exchange in what was simply a perfect fight for him. That was a great start to the show.
FIGHT TWO: JOE STEVENSON VS. MAC DANZIG (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Danzig said if Stevenson fights with any intensity he'll finish him because that's what he's looking for. Danzig said he feels he's better in the areas that count. Stevenson said this fight won't go to a decision and it will be fight of the night.
ROUND ONE: Both fighters hopped around the center and Stevenson engaged first with a right. Danzig landed a good straight kick. Stevenson landed an overhand right. They traded inside leg kicks. Stevenson landed a good jab. He got in a good punch to the body. Dznaig landed a knee in a brief clinch. Stevenson landed the overhand right and had Danzig backing up. Danzig then landed a huge left hook that knocked Stevenson down as he was coming forward. Danzig then landed a hammerfist on the ground and it's all over. That was a huge, huge, huge win for Danzig. Replay showed a perfectly timed left hook to the jaw as Stevenson pressed in.
WINNER: Danzig via TKO at 1:54 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Danzig said he's been landing that punch for years and years without knowing how to put power into it, but he's now starting to. He said he knew Stevenson would walk into that after watching tape, and said the key is hitting the jaw.
STAR RATING: (**+) Awesome, perfectly timed punch to get the much needed win for Danzig. He gets to keep his job and will get another featured fight his next time out after that.
FIGHT THREE: JIM MILLER VS. CHARLES OLIVEIRA (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Miller said he's going to go out and do the same thing he always does and make his opponent look bad. He said the hype will die down on Oliveira after this fight. Oliveira said he wants to be the first to tap Miller out. Oliveira said all he's thinking about is a victory. Miller said he's going to make Oliveira quit.
ROUND ONE: Oliveira threw a head kick early that Miller blocked. Oliveira dropped for a single leg but Miller stepped out of it. Oliveira threw another high kick but Miller blocked it again. He shot in and took Oliveira down but Oliveira held onto his neck. He then went for an arm but Miller got out and into Oliveira's guard. Oliveira landed a couple of elbows from the bottom and he's very active off his back thus far. He tried to go for an arm and then a triangle but Miller got out. He went for a lef and tripped Miller up but then Miller grabbed a knee bar and forced the tap! That was outstanding! On the replay it was actually Miller who dropped down to lock on the knee bar. Oliveira threw a few punches to the body before being forced to tap.
WINNER: Miller via submission (knee bar) at 1:59 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Miller said people underestimated him coming in, and while Oliveira is an up and comer he feels he's one of the best in the world. He told Joe Silva and Dana White he wants his shot. He's certainly got a case for it.
STAR RATING: (***+) Oliveira was constantly active from his back, but you don't get much better than that sub from Miller. With six wins in a row, Miller deserves a shot at the Lightweight Championship, especially when his only career losses came against the two guys that are fighting for that title on January 1.
PRELIM FIGHT A: MATT RIDDLE VS. SEAN PIERSON (WELTERWEIGHT)
Pierson walked Riddle down and landed a number of good punches against the cage. They got into the clinch and Pierson landed some big knees to the body. He separated with a big combo, then landed another right. Riddle's getting lit up here. Riddle tried to throw a jumping knee and Pierson dropped him with a right as he came down. Pierson went for a choke but let it go in the sprawl. Riddle worked to his feet with Pierson on his back but Pierson dropped him down. Riddle tried to get a triangle from the bottom but Pierson popped out into side control and delivered some knees to the body.Riddle rolled to a knee and Pierson took his back with both hooks in. Riddle got to his feet but Pierson stayed on his back and landed some elbows. Riddle tried to roll over but Pierson brought him down. Riddle got out and they both popped up to their feet. Pierson with another right and a left. Pierson landed a right hook. Riddle tried to press forward as the round was closing but couldn't land anything.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Pierson. The knockdown and overall domination put Pierson way up to start here.
ROUND TWO: Riddle pressed in to start the round but Pierson connected on some big shots and peppered him against the cage. Pierson stuffed a takedown attempt and nearly got Riddle's back, but Riddle scrambled and they both stood up. Pierson slowed down a bit. He landed a leg kick. He landed another nice right on Riddle. The jabs are definitely landing from Pierson. Riddle is trying to come forward as Pierson has gotten a bit tired. Riddle landed a left. Pierson landed a jab and a hard left hook and then another jab. Riddle connected as they exchanged punches. Riddle tried to wind up a big winding right but missed. Riddle connected on a big combination and grabbed for a guillotine as he got in close. He dropped down but didn't have it connected. Pierson landed a right. Riddle pressed in and Pierson ran out of the way. Pierson shot in but Riddle held it off and wound up on top. Pierson grabbed his lag and tried to get a better position, but Riddle scrambled and got into his butterfly guard. They exchanged punches as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pierson. He tired out at the end of the round, but he did enough in the first three minutes of the round to negate what Riddle accomplished in the final minutes.
ROUND THREE: Pierson landed the jab to start the round. They exchanged punches. Pierson connected on a few jabs. Riddle popped in with a nice right and Pierson countered with a good short combo. Riddle landed a leg kick. Pierson landed one of his own. Pierson landed a series of hard jabs as Riddle tried to close the distance. Pierson with another combo. Pierson continues to beat Riddle to the punch. They exchange jabs. Riddle walks in swinging but keeps getting hit with punches. Pierson with some more jabs. He landed a good left. Riddle got in close again. Pierson has a bad cut under his right eye. Pierson with another combination as Riddle missed punches. The crowd cheers for both as the round has two minutes left. Pierson lands another nice combo. Pierson with a leg kick. Pierson with a few counter punches as Riddle continues to throw punches. Pierson making effective use of the jab. Riddle shot in for a single leg and Pierson sprawled. Pierson rolled Riddle and stayed on top in the sprawl. Riddle popped out and came forward and both fighters unleashed flurries. Pierson shot one last time and was sprawled as the round ended and the crowd erupted for the action. Good fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pierson. Riddle was moving forward and throwing a lot, but Pierson was getting the better of the exchanges and actually landing a lot of his punches. Fun, sloppy fight, though.
WINNER: Pierson via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
STAR RATING: (***) That was really sloppy at times, but a hell of a lot of fun. Riddle got his ass kicked in the first round, but came back and had a stronger second round. He simply couldn't connect on a lot of his punches and found himself out-struck by a very game Pierson. Good fight.
FIGHT FOUR: STEFAN STRUVE VS. SEAN MCCORKLE (HEAVYWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Struve said he is ready for this fight and wants to hurt McCorkle. McCorkle said he wants to shock the world a second time, and said he'll beat Struve in under three minutes. He said he wants to be the first person to submit Struve. Struve said he's going to look for the knockout and said he'll get it.
ROUND ONE: Struve tried to walk McCorkle down early. He landed an overhand right but McCorkle dropped under and picked him up for a big slam into half guard. McCorkle went for the kimura on Struve against the corner. Struve's in a bad spot here with his arm behind his back. Struve scrambled nicely and got out, but McCorkle got into side control. Struve tried to scramble again and Got guard back. McCorkle landed a few big elbows from the guard. Struve tried to throw his legs up for an armbar. McCorkle got out back into Struve's guard. Struve threw up some punches from the bottom. Struve landed a few elbows as well. Struve tried to isolate McCorkle's left arm and he reversed him into the mount. He landed some big punches. Struve landed a bunch of punches and the fight was stopped. That was a great sweep from Struve into the mount.
WINNER: Struve via TKO at 3:55 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Struve said the job is all in the Octagon. He told the crowd to give it up for McCorkle. Struve said he wasn't worried on the ground early and "you saw why."
STAR RATING: (**) The middle stretch of that fight was a little ugly, but Struve's sweep into the mount was excellent and he got another finish under his belt. At only 22 he's still got a long career ahead of him.
PRELIM FIGHT B: MARK BOCEK VS. DUSTIN HAZELETT (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Bocek got in close, clinched and tripped Hazelett up to bring him to the ground. Bocek tried to pass and Hazelett kept him in butterfly guard. He went for rubber guard but Bocek got out and into side control. Hazelett got half guard back. Bocek landed some good elbows. Hazelett got to his knees and Bocek sprawled. Bocek got to side control but Hazelett got out. Bocek passed to the mount and set up a triangle from the mount and rolled over. He landed some elbows and pushed Hazelett's arm over and wrenched the triangle even further to force the tap. Just beautiful work from Mark Bocek there.
WINNER: Bocek via submission (triangle choke) at 2:33 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Bocek said Hazelett's a tough guy. Bocek said he's got the best jiu jitsu in the lightweight division, and wants a fight with George Sotiropoulos in Toronto.
STAR RATING: (**+) That was just beautiful technique from Bocek, and right now it's between him and Jim Miller for "Submission of the Night."
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: GEORGES ST. PIERRE VS. JOSH KOSCHECK (WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
PRE FIGHT: We've heard all the talking, but they go inside the numbers prior to the fight with St. Pierre at a near 90% level in his takedown defense and over 80% in his takedown offense. Koscheck is at about 57% in both categories. The boos from the crowd are nearly deafening when Koscheck's face hit the screen. As he entered the arena it got louder. Crazy reaction, but expected. GSP gets the hero's welcome, and it's finally time for this bout.
ROUND ONE: GSP lands an early jab and a leg kick. He stalked Koscheck down and landed a jab and then shot in and took Koscheck down quickly. Koscheck walked back up the cage and got separation. GSP landed a few more jabs. Inside leg kick from St. Pierre. He landed a two punch combo and another hard jab. Josh threw a right and St. Pierre shot in. Koscheck held it off. St. Pierre with a leg kick and a jab. Koscheck tried to stalk St. Pierre down but GSP pushed back with the inside leg kick. St. Pierre tagged Koscheck with a jab. He shot in but Koscheck stuffed it and landed a knee. Koscheck's got a mouse under his right eye starting. Koscheck tried to press in and St. Pierre landed another hard jab. Another one landed. GSP landed a straight right. St. Pierre threw a high kick that was partially blocked. Koscheck threw a winging right but it hit St. PIerre in the arm. GSP with an inside leg kick. Another jab and Koscheck missed the counter. St. Pierre landed the jab again and then he got out of the way of the counter. St. Pierre's busting up the right side of Koscheck's face. Koscheck pressed in and shot and St. Pierre stuffed it. Koscheck continued to work for the single leg and GSP successfully held it off on the cage. Koscheck is trying really hard for the takedown and finally completes it with 15 seconds left. He doesn't do anything but rest in GSP's guard as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. He is landing the jab really well and out-striking Koscheck here. That late takedown did nothing for Koscheck.
ROUND TWO: GSP came forward and walked Koscheck down and the eye is swelling badly. St. Pierre landed the inside leg kick. He got in with the super man jab. Inside leg kick. Another jab. St. Pierre with a few more jabs. He threw a high kick that was partially blocked. Another jab right to the eye. Inside leg kick and another jab. Koscheck threw a right that was blocked. GSP landed more jabs and a hard outside leg kick. A loud "F*** you Koscheck" chant erupts. St. Pierre landed a kick slightly low but taunted Koscheck when Koscheck tried to get a stop in the action. St. Pierre landed a nice combination. GSP iwth another superman punch. Inside leg kick again. He landed a hard body kick and a big two punch combo on Koscheck. He got in with another combination. He landed an inside leg kick, a super man punch and then a big combo. Koscheck landed an uppercut but ate a big counter from GSP. GSP popped in with the jab again. GSP with a high kick to the body. St. Pierre pressed in with a short combo as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. He's lighting Koscheck up with the jab and completely out-striking him. This is all GSP right now.
ROUND THREE: GSP with another jab and he landed an overhand right as Koscheck tried to pop in. Inside leg kick from GSP and a high kick. Jab again from GSP. St. Pierre pressed Koscheck to the cage. He shot in but Koscheck held him off and they clinched on the cage. GSP landed some knees on the inside. Koscheck got a body lock and turned him around but St. Pierre quickly regained position on the cage and delivered some more knees. Koscheck landed a forearm. St. PIerre dropped down but Koscheck held the takedown off. They finally separated. GSP landed a kick to the body. He landed a jab. GSP got the clinch again and pressed Koscheck to the cage. GSP let go and backed off. He landed a hard inside leg kick and a big jab. Again GSP with the jab. He landed a two punch combo. Koscheck threw a high kick that missed and got boos from the crowd. GSP popped in with a punch and a kick and then landed another hard right. The jab landed again. Another jab from St. Pierre. Koscheck came in again and ate another punch. GSP landed a leg kick as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. Koscheck has offered nothing so far, and he continues to get out-struck by GSP in this fight, and he was controlled on the cage.
ROUND FOUR: The doctor's at cageside are looking intently at Koscheck's right eye and they looked like they might stop it. Thankfully they didn't. GSP landed a couple of lefts early. He landed the superman punch into the leg kick. Koscheck's got to be in desperation mode with that eye. GSP shot in and got the takedown and tried to take Koscheck's back. Koscheck scrambled and nearly grabbed a leg, but GSP got out and took his back standing and landed a couple of knees before Koscheck turned around. They were separated for inactivity with three minutes left in the round. GSP landed the jab as they re-engaged. GSP threw the high kick and it was blocked. St. Pierre again with the jab. Koscheck landed a jab. St. Pierre with the inside leg kick. GSP landed a nice counter left hook. Koscheck slipped but regained his footing. GSP landed the jab again. Koscheck tried to walk St. Pierre down but GSP came right back out and landed the hook. Double jab landed from St. Pierre. St. PIerre with the inside leg kick. St. Pierre with the jabs again. A big combo from St. PIerre. He lands another left hook. Koscheck throws a high kick at the air and the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. This is just a clinical dissection from St. Pierre. Koscheck hasn't done anything in this fight.
ROUND FIVE: St. Pierre came out with a couple of leg kicks and a few left hooks. Koscheck tried to shoot in but was shrugged off. Koscheck threw the overhand right. The crowd was off the charts in the arena. GSP with another jab and he backed Koscheck to the cage. GSP landed a hard inside leg kick and a left hook to the jaw. GSP landed a hard jab again. Another jab from GSP. He landed an inside leg kick that tripped Koscheck up and landed an overhand right. The crowd started chanting "na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye" to Koscheck. St. PIerre got in close and they clinched. Koscheck's face is a mess. They traded body punches in the clinch. St. Pierre then completed a takedown. Koscheck got up and was immediately taken down and GSP took his back but Koscheck stood up and turned around. St. Pierre landed a body punch as the clock ran down. St. Pierre landed the inside leg kick. The crowd started going crazy as the clock wound down. GSP walked Kos down and landed the jab. He landed a flurry as the round ended. They embraced after the fight and shared a conversation. Good show of sportsmanship there.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. This was a completely one-sided fight, but give credit for Koscheck for being a tough man to finish.
WINNER: St. Pierre via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
POST FIGHT: St. Pierre addressed the crowd in French before his post fight interview with Rogan. GSP said he knew Koscheck liked to throw his punch and circle, but he's a straight puncher. He said at the end he saw Koscheck's eye was closed and tried to throw in some hooks as well. He said he didn't accomplish his goal of finishing him tonight, but Koscheck is tough and great with takedown defense. He got the crowd to give Koscheck a round of applause and give him some respect for coming into Montreal for this fight. Koscheck was interviewed after. He said GSP was a true champion, he tried to do what he could to hype up the fight. He thanked Montreal for a great show and turned the crowd slightly more in his favor. He said he came in to keep the fight on the feet and then put him on his back. He said GSP had a great gameplan and showed why he's the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world.
STAR RATING: (****-) That was an absolute clinic from St. Pierre. Not only has his ground game been dominant, he once again showed that his striking game remains one of the best in the sport. He may not have gotten the finish tonight, but he battered the hell out of Koscheck's face throughout that fight and picked him apart standing. Koscheck's a tough, tough fighter, and proved he can take a beating tonight.
-Both Miller and Bocek took "Submission of the Night" tonight. Well deserved for both.
Thanks as always for joining us tonight, we'll have much more to follow up on this event throughout the week as we head into the final WEC fight card on Thursday and then it's off to UFC 125 on New Year's Day and a great new year of MMA action in the UFC in 2011.
Make sure to join MMATorch Columnists Rich Hansen and Shawn Ennis immediately after the fights tonight at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mmatorchBlogTalkRadio.com/MMATorch for an hour long post-show discussion on tonight's fights. They will be taking your calls on the fights throughout the hour at (646) 716-8090!
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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