“ …..ladies and gentlemen, this is Affliction M-1 Global DAY OF RECKONING!!! ”
– Michael Williams
Affliction’s Day Of Reckoning was a great event, and the main card all very good and excellent fights. This is my review.
Dan Lauzon vs. Bobby Green
A good fight from Bobby Green who came in as a last minute replacement for Chris Horosdecki. Aggressive striking and they were varied as well, there were punches, kicks and knees all mixed in the action. Green also made some surplexes, and withstood some of Lauzon’s early submission attempts (the triangle and the heel hook). Joe Lauzon on the other hand managed to help dup against Green’s striking, and won the fight in a big way when he submitted Green with that Rear Naked Choke, with just seconds left before the first round ended! The highlight of the fight has to be Lauzon’s Rear Naked Choke.
The bad point of the fight would be the 3 time stoppages due to the groin strikes from Bobby Green. Whether or not they were accidental or even intentional, for me, these stoppages perhaps brought down my fight rating for this fight (breaking the rhythm of the fight when it was going on a good attacking pace). With his victory, I believe that should Lauzon be in a future Affliction event, then he should have his scrapped bout with Horosdecki put on again. On a different note, I think that with his showing, Green should also be considered for other Lightweight matchups.My Fight Rating: 4 stars out of 5
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Paul Buentello vs. Kiril Sidellnikov This was a standup fight from start to it’s finish, and Paul Buentello was the better striker that made pin-point punches, hurting Kiril and was constantly in and out of the Russian’s range. Besides that, Buentello didn’t really got hurt in the fight. He truly fought according to his strengths and probable fight plan.
On a different note, one has to commend on Kiril’s chin, the guy just didn’t got dropped or go down! Real iron chin! The bad thing was that he didn’t or couldn’t do much against Buentello in the fight. Perhaps it’ll be best if Kiril would try the LHW division? My Fight Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Renato Sobral
In this fight, Sokoudjou had the better in the first round, whereas Babalu had the better in the second (and ultimately final) round. First round in my opinion was won by Sokoudjou. He had mounted Babalu at one point and dished out some ground and pound on the Brazilian. And he even tripped Babalu with his leg (Judo move I think). But I think that Babalu waited for his moment. He withstood against Sokoudjou’s attack in the first round, and in the second he stepped it up. He was able to mount and GNP’ed the Cameroonian, and as for the eventual submission, I believe that he waited for his moment and baited Sokoudjou into it.
In this fight, Sokoudjou had the better in the first round, whereas Babalu had the better in the second (and ultimately final) round. First round in my opinion was won by Sokoudjou. He had mounted Babalu at one point and dished out some ground and pound on the Brazilian. And he even tripped Babalu with his leg (Judo move I think). But I think that Babalu waited for his moment. He withstood against Sokoudjou’s attack in the first round, and in the second he stepped it up. He was able to mount and GNP’ed the Cameroonian, and as for the eventual submission, I believe that he waited for his moment and baited Sokoudjou into it.
The highlight of the fight is Babalu’s Anaconda Choke.
As for each fighter’s prospect after this event, Babalu gets another good victory on his record. As for Sokoudjou, it’s another disappointing show and loss. The Team Quest fighter needs to do some serious action in order to get back on the right track. If he keeps on losing, things are going to look bleak and he would be those ‘would have, could have, should have’ kind of fighter.My Fight Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
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Matt Lindland vs. Vitor Belfort
This was a quick fight! In fact, the quickest fight of the event! And a very food win for Vitor Belfort. Looking at how the fight went, on Lindland’s perspective, his left overhand had hit Vitor’s arm during their punching exchanges but he didn’t bring his right arm to block the incoming left hook from Belfort (that was the one that dropped the American). But it was the proceeding punches on Lindland’s head when he was on the ground that put Lindland out cold. The highlight of the fight was that hook from Vitor Belfort.
This was a quick fight! In fact, the quickest fight of the event! And a very food win for Vitor Belfort. Looking at how the fight went, on Lindland’s perspective, his left overhand had hit Vitor’s arm during their punching exchanges but he didn’t bring his right arm to block the incoming left hook from Belfort (that was the one that dropped the American). But it was the proceeding punches on Lindland’s head when he was on the ground that put Lindland out cold. The highlight of the fight was that hook from Vitor Belfort.
My Fight Rating: 4 stars out of 5***************************************************
Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel
Josh Barnett controlled the fight to his rhythm and pace, besides the obviously predicted domination in the ground game aspect. A good part from Barnett in his showing is that he always took down Yvel in each round. Especially in the second and third rounds he took down Yvel in the opening minute. The bad thing you can say about Barnett’s fight is that he didn’t manage or could not submit Yvel throughout the fight. There was that Kimura attempt that could not materialize. On Gilbert Yvel’s showing, the good thing to say is that he put up a good fight and resistance and did not give up whenever Barnett mounted and rained down punches on him in each round (until Yvel tapped in the end).
Josh Barnett controlled the fight to his rhythm and pace, besides the obviously predicted domination in the ground game aspect. A good part from Barnett in his showing is that he always took down Yvel in each round. Especially in the second and third rounds he took down Yvel in the opening minute. The bad thing you can say about Barnett’s fight is that he didn’t manage or could not submit Yvel throughout the fight. There was that Kimura attempt that could not materialize. On Gilbert Yvel’s showing, the good thing to say is that he put up a good fight and resistance and did not give up whenever Barnett mounted and rained down punches on him in each round (until Yvel tapped in the end).
Other good points to make on Gilbert’s fight is that in both first and second round he survived from Barnett’s punishment from the mount. And he even escape Barnett’s mount and then got to mount the American in the second round! Eventually though Yvel gave up the fight and I suppose the bad thing to say about Yvel in this fight is that he couldn’t keep the fight standing and try to fight the fight based on his strengths. Josh Barnett managed to execute his fight plan better than Yvel did with his. My Fight Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
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Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski
The Fight
Let me summarize the fight in my short opinions:- At first, it looked like Arlovski really dominated. He was seen as the one pushing the pace and Fedor looked as if he couldn’t do much against Arlovski (until the eventual KO). But if you were to watch this fight again and again, that does not look like the case. I’m sure some people would think of this regarding how the fight went. Neither fighter punished the other fighter. What I would agree though that Arlovski was winning the round (not winning the fight). If you want to see which fighters made the effective strikes, then Arlovski won this part as he threw the leg kicks that hit Fedor. The other ‘visible’ hits when Fedor kneed Arlovski in the clinch and I think that Arlovski did the same as well against the Russian. Nonetheless, it was a great quick fight, that makes up for my rating for this fight.Arlovski 
Arlovski showed he was the faster fighter, and he showed that he frustrated Fedor. Also pushed Fedor throughout and always tried to corner up Fedor towards and against the ropes. The negative part is that Arlovski didn’t really hurt Fedor (if you watch the fight again and again), and it seemed that his plan just seemed to be to only keep the fight standing and just box and throw in the occasional leg kicks to keep Fedor at bay and utilize his height advantage. One just have to wonder what would have happened if Fedor managed to throw him down to the ground? And of course that flying knee, just simply a big bad move on Arlovski’s part in the fight.
Arlovski showed he was the faster fighter, and he showed that he frustrated Fedor. Also pushed Fedor throughout and always tried to corner up Fedor towards and against the ropes. The negative part is that Arlovski didn’t really hurt Fedor (if you watch the fight again and again), and it seemed that his plan just seemed to be to only keep the fight standing and just box and throw in the occasional leg kicks to keep Fedor at bay and utilize his height advantage. One just have to wonder what would have happened if Fedor managed to throw him down to the ground? And of course that flying knee, just simply a big bad move on Arlovski’s part in the fight.
Fedor
Fedor emerged unscathed, and he finally gets a KO win in his career. That overhand was thrown at the right hand, and one has to say that was a great setup from Fedor. The bad thing to say about the Russian here is that as according to the commentators he seemed ‘flustered’ against Arlovski, as in a long time it was his opponent that was faster than him and pushed his pace (I didn’t think Fedor had the fight according to his own pace or rhythm). Besides, I think that Arlovski really pushed Fedor against the ropes at times.
Fedor emerged unscathed, and he finally gets a KO win in his career. That overhand was thrown at the right hand, and one has to say that was a great setup from Fedor. The bad thing to say about the Russian here is that as according to the commentators he seemed ‘flustered’ against Arlovski, as in a long time it was his opponent that was faster than him and pushed his pace (I didn’t think Fedor had the fight according to his own pace or rhythm). Besides, I think that Arlovski really pushed Fedor against the ropes at times.
Highlights
~ Image Source: www.sherdog.com ~My Fight Rating: 4 stars out of 5
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GoofsBobby Green chilin’ When Lauzon had time off for groin strikes, Bobby Green was enjoying himself in the limelight. The commentators said he even tried to chat up with De la Hoya. Talk about making use of free time, haha.
The guy holding the WAMMA Heavyweight belt upside down
The guy holding the WAMMA Heavyweight belt upside down
I don’t think he realized it when he held it. Tito’s ringside interviewing Tito when interviewing the fighters post fight seemed ‘shaken’. Some of the examples are like when he said “Matt the Law…….the Law Lindland…” and also when he interviewed Fedor. I think that his fight analysis with the other commentators were better and alright though.
Fedor motionless when asked “Any questions?” by McCarthy This was what I noticed before Arlovski and Fedor began their duel and Big John McCarthy went through the rules (before the fighter touched gloves). When McCarthy asked Arlovski if he got any questions, Arlovski just shook his head. When McCarthy asked Fedor afterwards, Fedor just remained motionless and just kept staring at the ground. What was additionally funny was that McCarthy quickly began the fight as Fedor didn’t respond at all, ha!
Fedor’s KO
De La Hoya looked impressed:
Whereas Trump looked motionless:
Jerry Millen celebrating (after Fedor’s win)
Must have been happy winning that bet against Roach.Scott Ferrall & Chuck Zito
These two were apparently two annoying goons doing backstage sort of interviews for the event. Ferrall had an annoying like voice (the first thing you’d notice about him), and Zito was Mafia look-alike (the first thing you’d notice about him). Not only these guys had their antics whenever the camera showed them, but these guys were biased as well in the Fedor-Arlovski fight.
Mousasi getting in the way
When Sean Wheelock, Jimmy Smith and Tito Ortiz were discussing about the Fedor-Arlovski fight (after it ended), there was this moment that Gegard Mousasi passed through directly in front of the camera (blocking their view). What was even funnier was that someone pushed back Mousasi, and Mousasi was like “……..what the…….ok……..” looking confused whilst staying silent, haha.
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Other things to sayJohn McCarthy refereeing
I never knew John McCarthy was back refereeing MMA.
Juanito Ibarra as cutman
It was weird seeing Ibarra working up as a cutman at Day Of Reckoning. What was funny was that he ended up being Belfort’s cutman! (Haha!).
I wonder whether they exchanged any discussion (although it looked as if Belfort didn’t say anything though).
I end this review with the animated GIF of Fedor's KO that's circulating around the forums and the 'Net:
~ Image source: http://i43.tinypic.com/8zkzm1.gif ~
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