Easye1982
06-16-2007, 11:20 AM
Refresh your browser often, UFC 72 from the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The opening bouts are scheduled to start shortly after 10am PT / 1pm ET. The live pay-per-view starts at Noon PT / 3pm ET.
Quick Results:
MW: Rich Franklin defeats Yushin Okami via unanimous decision
LH: Forrest Griffin defeats Hector Ramirez via unanimous decision
MW: Jason MacDonald defeats Rory Singer via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 3:18
LW: Tyson Griffin defeats Clay Guida via split decision.
MW: Ed Herman defeats Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 2, 2:25
WW: Marcus Davis defeats Jason Tan via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:15
HW: Eddie Sanchez def. Colin Robinson via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 0:29
WW: Dustin Hazelett def. Steve Lynch via submission (D’Arce choke/Anaconda choke) — Round 1, 2:50
Full Results:
1:48 p.m. — The first fight is underway.
WELTERWEIGHT
Dustin Hazelett vs Steve Lynch Round 1: Hazelett gets the better of the exchanges before taking Lynch to the canvas, dropping some shots from the top, and sinking in a choke that forces the local fighter to tap. Dustin Hazelett defeats Steve Lynch via submission from a D’Arce/Anaconda choke (Round 1, 2:50)
HEAVYWEIGHT
Eddie Sanchez vs Colin Robinson, Round 1: Both guys come out swinging and content to keep the fight standing. Robinson eventually gets Sanchez to the ground and unloads brutal ground and pound while working from the top. Sanchez eventually reverses the position and unload his own assault.
Eddie Sanchez vs Colin Robinson, Round 2: Sanchez continues were he left off and unloads on a gassed Robinson before the ref jumps in. Eddie Sanchez defeats Colin Robinson via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 0:32
WELTERWEIGHT
Marcus Davis vs Jason Tan, Round 1: Marcus Davis, who had strung together a series of submission wins, reverts to his skills as a professional boxer and puts together a solid combination that drops Jason Tan. Davis rains down some additional shots before the fight is stopped. Marcus Davis defeats Jason Tan via TKO (Round 1, 1:15).
2:58 p.m. — The pay-per-view broadcast is about to begin, and it looks like Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith will be the first televised bout.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Ed Herman vs Scott Smith, Round 1: Herman looks for the quick takedown and gets it. Smith is pushes into the side of the cage, and Herman starts to work the body. He follows it up with some elbows and then postures up and rains down a big right. Smith gives up his back and is able to get to his feet. Herman pushes him to the fence and delivers some knees from the clench. Smith grabs a guillotine, and Herms slams him to the mat. Herman gets out of the choke and takes top position with three minutes to go. Herman continues to drop elbows, but Smith is doing a decent job tangling him up. Herman sneaks through a big elbow and opens a gusher on Smith’s nose. It looks really bad. Herb Dean calls a timeout for the doctor to look at the cut. Dean puts them back on the ground for a restart. Smith lands some short elbows from the bottom, but they’re not doing much damage. Herman misses on a big elbow, and Smith is able to get out and to his feet. Both guys go for a leglock, but neither can sink it in. Herman eventually takes Smith back and locks in a choke, but Smith sneaks out right before the round ends.
Ed Herman vs Scott Smith, Round 2: Herman goes for another early takedown, but Smith stuff it and grabs a guillotine choke. It’s not in tight, but Herman goes for the takedown and gives Smith solid leverage. Herman’s squinting and turning red, but he eventually pops out and is back in top position. Back to ground and pound, and Herman’s dropping some big elbows again. Herman misses on an elbow and tries to get up but gives up his back. Herman quickly sinks in the choke. Ed Herman defeats Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) in Round 2, 2:25.
LIGHTWEIGHT
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 1: Both fighters dance around to start the fight, and they tie up 45 seconds in. Guida presses the pace and puts Griffin into the side of the fence. Griffin shows great balance and won’t go down. He eventually grabs a guillotine choke and takes Guida to the canvas. Griffin has it in tight, but Guida slowly works out of it and sinks in his own guillotine Guida delivers some knee with Griffin pushed against the fence. Griffin takes Guida’s back, but Guida scrambles out and they’re back to their feet. Griffin has Guida pushes against the fence but is reversed. Both guys look knees and Griffin just missed on a potential TKO from a knee shot. Griffin unload on a big right, but Guida counters with a combination. Loud punches. Guida goes for the shoot but can’t get it. Guida lands on an uppercut and a left, and then follows it with a head kick. Guida lands with a right, and Griffin counters with a combination to end the round.
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 2: Griffin lands some punches early in the round, and Guida shoots for a takedown, but Griffin’s stellar balance keeps him upright. Griffin has Guida against the fence and starts throwing some bombs. It’s obvious Griffin is looking for the uppercut. Guida glances Griffin with a high kick and then shoots. He gets Griffin down and then tries to take his back. Griffin reverses out of it and has Guida’s back but can’t get in his hooks. Guida locks in a leg, but Griffin pounds away on Guida’s kidneys. They separate, but Griffin gives up his back, and Guida locks in his hooks and looks for the rear naked choke. Griffin waits patiently and then lunges forward and drops Guida on his head to temporarily break the choke. Guida continues to work the choke from an awkward position and throws some rabbit punches while Griffin is tied up. An easy 19-19 score after Round 2.
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 3: They stay on their feet to start the round, and Griffin lands a big knee and hard body kick. Guida has a shoot stuffed, and Griffin responds with another right. Guida shoots again, but Griffin keeps scrambling. Guida rolls and takes Griffin’s back, but Griffin’s sitting on top of his against the fence. It’ll be hard to do anything from there. Griffin lands some brutal hammer fists, and Guida delivers his own — and then connects on a backfist before take a traditional sidemount position. Both fighters continue to roll and jockey for position, but Guida works it into full mount. Griffin lands some elbows from the bottom, and Guida follows with some body shots. Guida then connects on some punches from the top. Guida’s now in sidemount and delivers some knees to the body. Thirty seconds to go, and Griffin tries to get to his feet. Guida keeps him down, though, and then delivers a big knee to the body before the fight ends. The scores are 29-28 (Griffin), 29-28 (Guida) and 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Tyson Griffin. The crowd boos the decision.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jason MacDonald vs Rory Singer, Round 1: Singer looks much bigger than his opponent. MacDonald lands an inside leg kick and gets underhooks looking for the takedown. Singer’s pushed against the fence, and MacDonald lands some footstomps. Singer shows some great balance and won’t go down. Singer eventually tries to trip MacDonald and goes for the takedown himself. Singer delivers a solid combination of punches, but it gives MacDonald an opportunity to take him down. MacDonald now works from the top, but Singer is keeping him tied up. Singer lands a solid upkick and then launches MacDonald off of him and Singer gets back to his feet. MacDonald grabs a leg and goes for the takedown. Back to their feet, and Singer follows some knees with a solid combination. Singer jumps into full mount before getting MacDonald’s back. MacDonald rolls out, and there’s some blood coming from the top of his head. Singer’s holding MacDonald in full guard and then works it into a triangle choke. But the bell will end the submission attempt.
Jason MacDonald vs Rory Singer, Round 2: MacDonald lands an inside leg kick, and just like the first round, shoots for a takdown. This time he gets it, and he’s in Singer’s guard. Singer stays busy from the bottom trying to get out and uses his long leg kicks to try to create distance. MacDonald softens him up with some body punches, and the crowd grows a little restless. Singer keeps MacDonald tied up, though, and is avoiding a lot of damage. MacDonald passes into side guard and then jumps into full mount and rains down some punches. Singer could be in trouble. MacDonald continues to drop punches and follows it with some elbows. Singer’s pushed against the cage and can’t get free. The ref finally steps in and stops it. Jason MacDonald defeats Rory Singer via TKO (from strikes) — Round 2, 3:18.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 1: The fight starts with “Forrest! Forrest!” chants, and the fighters enter the center of the Octagon. Griffin works some leg kicks, and Ramirez shoots for a takedown. Ramirez takes the top position. Back to their feet, and Ramirez is looking a little tentative. Griffin lands a body kick and then another couple leg kicks. Griffin throws some looping punches, and Ramirez counters with an uppercut. Ramirez puts together a solid combination, and Griffin has a small cut under his eye. Griffin lands a body kick and jab, and he goes back to leg kicks. He misses on a high kick, and Ramirez counters with some jabs. Griffin throws another flurry of kicks and throws a big overhand right. He continues with the kick-punch combinations. Griffin’s breathing heavily but is getting the better of the standup. Griffin finishes the round with some leg kicks.
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 2: Ramirez looks to set the pace and throws some big rights. They’re in the clench, and Griffin delivers some knees to the gut. Griffin continues to look for high kicks and then follows it with a right-left combination of punches. Ramirez looks like he’s waiting for a counter, but he’s not doing much striking. He finally connects on a right that temporarily stuns Griffin. The pace slows, and then Griffin unloads a combination of punches. Ramirez sneaks through a right, and then fakes a shoot. Griffin’s doing a great job cutting off the cage and is forced to cover up against the fence. Ramirez says he took a kick to the groin, and Herb Dean calls for a timeout. After a minute, Ramirez says he’s OK, and the fight continues. Griffin throws a high kick and follows it with a combination. Again, Griffin continues to kicking at his opponent’s legs, and Ramirez isn’t sure what to do. And so the round ends.
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 3: The final round starts, and both guys come out swinging. Griffin wisely throws some punches and circles out. Ramirez shoots in, gets Griffin against the fence, and takes Griffin down. Griffin gets back to his feet but eats some punches in the process. Griffin returns to leg kicks, then throws some combinations. Back to the kicks, and Griffin connects on a leg kick that nearly takes Ramirez’s legs out from under him. Ramirez isn’t nearly as light on his feet, and his right leg is a wreck. Griffin sneaks in an uppercut, and Ramirez is getting picked apart from the shots. Ramirez’s left eye is starting to swell, and while pushes into the fence, Ramirez gets teed off on. Superman punches glances Ramirez, and Griffin follows with a series of knees in the final minute. Back to the leg kicks, and he finished the fight with some looping overhand punches. The round ends, Forrest Griffin defeats Hector Ramirez via unanimous decision. (3x 30-27)
MAIN EVENT - MIDDLEWEIGHT
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 1: It’s a slow start as both fighters get comfortable. Franklin creates distance with a right jab. Okami looks to be waiting to counter, and at 1:30 in, there’s been little action. Okami lands a body kick, and Franklin counters with a solid right punch to the body. Franklin has Okami pushed into the fence, and Okami has double overhooks and is looking to take to it to the canvas. The crowd starts boo (cause they're idiots), and the ref separates them and returns them to the center of the Octagon, Franklin opens with a solid leg kick, and Okami sneaks through a right jab. Okami throws a leg kick and ducks out of an overhand left by Franklin. Franklin throws another leg kick as the round ends. By far the slowest first round of the night, each fighter showing a lot of respect for the other.
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 2: Like the first, it’s slow-going to start the round. Neither fighters seems willing to commit. Franklin lands a leg kick and follows it with a series of jabs that don’t land. Franklin lands another leg kick, and Okami counters with one of his head. There’s an accidental leg head bunt, but the fight continues. Okami finally gets double underhooks, and Franklin and reverses and gets them. They stalemate against the fence, and the ref returns them to the center of the Octagon. The crowd really starts to boo now (cause their drunk Irishmen), and Franklin moves forward and connects on a combination. Okami sticks Franklin with a right as Franklin lands a leg kick. Okami glances Franklin with a head kick but does no damage. With 30 seconds to go, Franklin starts to push the action but connects on only one right.
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 3: Okami really needs to mount an offense here. He’s only attempted one takedown, and as the round ends, he looks for a flying knee. Franklin easily avoided it. Franklin checks a body kick and lands a leg kick of his own. They clench in the center of the Octagon, and Okami gets the takedown and takes side control. Franklin’s keeping him tied up, but Okami gets into full mount. Franklin looks for the escape, but Okami reclaims the position. Okami throws a few small punches, but Franklin escapes and they’re back to their feet. Okami has a guillotine choke but can’t hold onto it, and he suplexes Okami to the ground. Okami gets grabs a kimura and pulls it to a sickening level. Franklin may be on the verge of tapping. Somehow, Franklin rolls out of it and escapes and looks to rain down punches from the top. Okami keeps him tied up but missed his golden opportunity to end it. The round ends, Rich Franlin defeats Yushin Okami via unanimous decision (3x 29-28).
Quick Results:
MW: Rich Franklin defeats Yushin Okami via unanimous decision
LH: Forrest Griffin defeats Hector Ramirez via unanimous decision
MW: Jason MacDonald defeats Rory Singer via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 3:18
LW: Tyson Griffin defeats Clay Guida via split decision.
MW: Ed Herman defeats Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 2, 2:25
WW: Marcus Davis defeats Jason Tan via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:15
HW: Eddie Sanchez def. Colin Robinson via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 0:29
WW: Dustin Hazelett def. Steve Lynch via submission (D’Arce choke/Anaconda choke) — Round 1, 2:50
Full Results:
1:48 p.m. — The first fight is underway.
WELTERWEIGHT
Dustin Hazelett vs Steve Lynch Round 1: Hazelett gets the better of the exchanges before taking Lynch to the canvas, dropping some shots from the top, and sinking in a choke that forces the local fighter to tap. Dustin Hazelett defeats Steve Lynch via submission from a D’Arce/Anaconda choke (Round 1, 2:50)
HEAVYWEIGHT
Eddie Sanchez vs Colin Robinson, Round 1: Both guys come out swinging and content to keep the fight standing. Robinson eventually gets Sanchez to the ground and unloads brutal ground and pound while working from the top. Sanchez eventually reverses the position and unload his own assault.
Eddie Sanchez vs Colin Robinson, Round 2: Sanchez continues were he left off and unloads on a gassed Robinson before the ref jumps in. Eddie Sanchez defeats Colin Robinson via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 0:32
WELTERWEIGHT
Marcus Davis vs Jason Tan, Round 1: Marcus Davis, who had strung together a series of submission wins, reverts to his skills as a professional boxer and puts together a solid combination that drops Jason Tan. Davis rains down some additional shots before the fight is stopped. Marcus Davis defeats Jason Tan via TKO (Round 1, 1:15).
2:58 p.m. — The pay-per-view broadcast is about to begin, and it looks like Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith will be the first televised bout.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Ed Herman vs Scott Smith, Round 1: Herman looks for the quick takedown and gets it. Smith is pushes into the side of the cage, and Herman starts to work the body. He follows it up with some elbows and then postures up and rains down a big right. Smith gives up his back and is able to get to his feet. Herman pushes him to the fence and delivers some knees from the clench. Smith grabs a guillotine, and Herms slams him to the mat. Herman gets out of the choke and takes top position with three minutes to go. Herman continues to drop elbows, but Smith is doing a decent job tangling him up. Herman sneaks through a big elbow and opens a gusher on Smith’s nose. It looks really bad. Herb Dean calls a timeout for the doctor to look at the cut. Dean puts them back on the ground for a restart. Smith lands some short elbows from the bottom, but they’re not doing much damage. Herman misses on a big elbow, and Smith is able to get out and to his feet. Both guys go for a leglock, but neither can sink it in. Herman eventually takes Smith back and locks in a choke, but Smith sneaks out right before the round ends.
Ed Herman vs Scott Smith, Round 2: Herman goes for another early takedown, but Smith stuff it and grabs a guillotine choke. It’s not in tight, but Herman goes for the takedown and gives Smith solid leverage. Herman’s squinting and turning red, but he eventually pops out and is back in top position. Back to ground and pound, and Herman’s dropping some big elbows again. Herman misses on an elbow and tries to get up but gives up his back. Herman quickly sinks in the choke. Ed Herman defeats Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) in Round 2, 2:25.
LIGHTWEIGHT
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 1: Both fighters dance around to start the fight, and they tie up 45 seconds in. Guida presses the pace and puts Griffin into the side of the fence. Griffin shows great balance and won’t go down. He eventually grabs a guillotine choke and takes Guida to the canvas. Griffin has it in tight, but Guida slowly works out of it and sinks in his own guillotine Guida delivers some knee with Griffin pushed against the fence. Griffin takes Guida’s back, but Guida scrambles out and they’re back to their feet. Griffin has Guida pushes against the fence but is reversed. Both guys look knees and Griffin just missed on a potential TKO from a knee shot. Griffin unload on a big right, but Guida counters with a combination. Loud punches. Guida goes for the shoot but can’t get it. Guida lands on an uppercut and a left, and then follows it with a head kick. Guida lands with a right, and Griffin counters with a combination to end the round.
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 2: Griffin lands some punches early in the round, and Guida shoots for a takedown, but Griffin’s stellar balance keeps him upright. Griffin has Guida against the fence and starts throwing some bombs. It’s obvious Griffin is looking for the uppercut. Guida glances Griffin with a high kick and then shoots. He gets Griffin down and then tries to take his back. Griffin reverses out of it and has Guida’s back but can’t get in his hooks. Guida locks in a leg, but Griffin pounds away on Guida’s kidneys. They separate, but Griffin gives up his back, and Guida locks in his hooks and looks for the rear naked choke. Griffin waits patiently and then lunges forward and drops Guida on his head to temporarily break the choke. Guida continues to work the choke from an awkward position and throws some rabbit punches while Griffin is tied up. An easy 19-19 score after Round 2.
Tyson Griffin vs Clay Guida, Round 3: They stay on their feet to start the round, and Griffin lands a big knee and hard body kick. Guida has a shoot stuffed, and Griffin responds with another right. Guida shoots again, but Griffin keeps scrambling. Guida rolls and takes Griffin’s back, but Griffin’s sitting on top of his against the fence. It’ll be hard to do anything from there. Griffin lands some brutal hammer fists, and Guida delivers his own — and then connects on a backfist before take a traditional sidemount position. Both fighters continue to roll and jockey for position, but Guida works it into full mount. Griffin lands some elbows from the bottom, and Guida follows with some body shots. Guida then connects on some punches from the top. Guida’s now in sidemount and delivers some knees to the body. Thirty seconds to go, and Griffin tries to get to his feet. Guida keeps him down, though, and then delivers a big knee to the body before the fight ends. The scores are 29-28 (Griffin), 29-28 (Guida) and 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Tyson Griffin. The crowd boos the decision.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jason MacDonald vs Rory Singer, Round 1: Singer looks much bigger than his opponent. MacDonald lands an inside leg kick and gets underhooks looking for the takedown. Singer’s pushed against the fence, and MacDonald lands some footstomps. Singer shows some great balance and won’t go down. Singer eventually tries to trip MacDonald and goes for the takedown himself. Singer delivers a solid combination of punches, but it gives MacDonald an opportunity to take him down. MacDonald now works from the top, but Singer is keeping him tied up. Singer lands a solid upkick and then launches MacDonald off of him and Singer gets back to his feet. MacDonald grabs a leg and goes for the takedown. Back to their feet, and Singer follows some knees with a solid combination. Singer jumps into full mount before getting MacDonald’s back. MacDonald rolls out, and there’s some blood coming from the top of his head. Singer’s holding MacDonald in full guard and then works it into a triangle choke. But the bell will end the submission attempt.
Jason MacDonald vs Rory Singer, Round 2: MacDonald lands an inside leg kick, and just like the first round, shoots for a takdown. This time he gets it, and he’s in Singer’s guard. Singer stays busy from the bottom trying to get out and uses his long leg kicks to try to create distance. MacDonald softens him up with some body punches, and the crowd grows a little restless. Singer keeps MacDonald tied up, though, and is avoiding a lot of damage. MacDonald passes into side guard and then jumps into full mount and rains down some punches. Singer could be in trouble. MacDonald continues to drop punches and follows it with some elbows. Singer’s pushed against the cage and can’t get free. The ref finally steps in and stops it. Jason MacDonald defeats Rory Singer via TKO (from strikes) — Round 2, 3:18.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 1: The fight starts with “Forrest! Forrest!” chants, and the fighters enter the center of the Octagon. Griffin works some leg kicks, and Ramirez shoots for a takedown. Ramirez takes the top position. Back to their feet, and Ramirez is looking a little tentative. Griffin lands a body kick and then another couple leg kicks. Griffin throws some looping punches, and Ramirez counters with an uppercut. Ramirez puts together a solid combination, and Griffin has a small cut under his eye. Griffin lands a body kick and jab, and he goes back to leg kicks. He misses on a high kick, and Ramirez counters with some jabs. Griffin throws another flurry of kicks and throws a big overhand right. He continues with the kick-punch combinations. Griffin’s breathing heavily but is getting the better of the standup. Griffin finishes the round with some leg kicks.
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 2: Ramirez looks to set the pace and throws some big rights. They’re in the clench, and Griffin delivers some knees to the gut. Griffin continues to look for high kicks and then follows it with a right-left combination of punches. Ramirez looks like he’s waiting for a counter, but he’s not doing much striking. He finally connects on a right that temporarily stuns Griffin. The pace slows, and then Griffin unloads a combination of punches. Ramirez sneaks through a right, and then fakes a shoot. Griffin’s doing a great job cutting off the cage and is forced to cover up against the fence. Ramirez says he took a kick to the groin, and Herb Dean calls for a timeout. After a minute, Ramirez says he’s OK, and the fight continues. Griffin throws a high kick and follows it with a combination. Again, Griffin continues to kicking at his opponent’s legs, and Ramirez isn’t sure what to do. And so the round ends.
Forrest Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, Round 3: The final round starts, and both guys come out swinging. Griffin wisely throws some punches and circles out. Ramirez shoots in, gets Griffin against the fence, and takes Griffin down. Griffin gets back to his feet but eats some punches in the process. Griffin returns to leg kicks, then throws some combinations. Back to the kicks, and Griffin connects on a leg kick that nearly takes Ramirez’s legs out from under him. Ramirez isn’t nearly as light on his feet, and his right leg is a wreck. Griffin sneaks in an uppercut, and Ramirez is getting picked apart from the shots. Ramirez’s left eye is starting to swell, and while pushes into the fence, Ramirez gets teed off on. Superman punches glances Ramirez, and Griffin follows with a series of knees in the final minute. Back to the leg kicks, and he finished the fight with some looping overhand punches. The round ends, Forrest Griffin defeats Hector Ramirez via unanimous decision. (3x 30-27)
MAIN EVENT - MIDDLEWEIGHT
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 1: It’s a slow start as both fighters get comfortable. Franklin creates distance with a right jab. Okami looks to be waiting to counter, and at 1:30 in, there’s been little action. Okami lands a body kick, and Franklin counters with a solid right punch to the body. Franklin has Okami pushed into the fence, and Okami has double overhooks and is looking to take to it to the canvas. The crowd starts boo (cause they're idiots), and the ref separates them and returns them to the center of the Octagon, Franklin opens with a solid leg kick, and Okami sneaks through a right jab. Okami throws a leg kick and ducks out of an overhand left by Franklin. Franklin throws another leg kick as the round ends. By far the slowest first round of the night, each fighter showing a lot of respect for the other.
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 2: Like the first, it’s slow-going to start the round. Neither fighters seems willing to commit. Franklin lands a leg kick and follows it with a series of jabs that don’t land. Franklin lands another leg kick, and Okami counters with one of his head. There’s an accidental leg head bunt, but the fight continues. Okami finally gets double underhooks, and Franklin and reverses and gets them. They stalemate against the fence, and the ref returns them to the center of the Octagon. The crowd really starts to boo now (cause their drunk Irishmen), and Franklin moves forward and connects on a combination. Okami sticks Franklin with a right as Franklin lands a leg kick. Okami glances Franklin with a head kick but does no damage. With 30 seconds to go, Franklin starts to push the action but connects on only one right.
Rich Franklin vs Yushin Okami, Round 3: Okami really needs to mount an offense here. He’s only attempted one takedown, and as the round ends, he looks for a flying knee. Franklin easily avoided it. Franklin checks a body kick and lands a leg kick of his own. They clench in the center of the Octagon, and Okami gets the takedown and takes side control. Franklin’s keeping him tied up, but Okami gets into full mount. Franklin looks for the escape, but Okami reclaims the position. Okami throws a few small punches, but Franklin escapes and they’re back to their feet. Okami has a guillotine choke but can’t hold onto it, and he suplexes Okami to the ground. Okami gets grabs a kimura and pulls it to a sickening level. Franklin may be on the verge of tapping. Somehow, Franklin rolls out of it and escapes and looks to rain down punches from the top. Okami keeps him tied up but missed his golden opportunity to end it. The round ends, Rich Franlin defeats Yushin Okami via unanimous decision (3x 29-28).