Although Emelianenko would end the fight within the first round the win would not come easily, as for most of the round Arlovski would use his speed to land punches and kicks on the WAMMA HW champion. Using his experience though Emelianenko would be patient and as Arlovski would launch a flying knee, he would land an overhand right that would send the former UFC champ crashing to mat forcing Big John to stop the fight.
In the post fight press conference when asked if he felt he was in any danger from Arlovski at any point in the fight, Emelianenko would comment that he felt comfortable with where he was in the fight and was in no danger. On the other hand Arlovski would show frustration with himself commenting on how he shouldn’t have gone for anything flashy and stuck to the game plan.
In a fight that would most likely secure Emelianenko’s next opponent the always charismatic Josh Barnett would dominate an iron willed Gilbert Yvel with positional dominance and ground and pound.
Feeling his power on the feet Barnett would waste no time and score the takedown early and put the Holland kickboxer down on the mat. Once on his back Yvel would make a valiant effort which included landing shots and bucking up but the experienced Barnett would not falter and after taking shots for over two rounds a tired Yvel would finally tap out.
Later that night a humble Barnett would comment several times on Yvel’s toughness and punching power that gave him hell throughout the fight.
One question is always asked when ever Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort’s name is brought up, is the old Vitor back? Well judging by Saturday’s performance I think everyone came to the same conclusion, yes he is back and hungry as ever.
Belfort would waste no time Saturday night as he would need only 0:37 seconds to KO top ten ranked Matt Lindland. Using his speed Belfort would circle out and land a straight left that would floor his opponent and as Lindland would land on his back Belfort would go in for the kill using short punches that would force the ref to call the fight.
Saturday night Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou would seem to fade away just as fast as he exploded onto the MMA scene.
Facing the always tough submission specialist in Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Sokoujou would start strong with strikes being able to keep his opponent at bay but as he would seem to tire he would find himself in Sobral’s world. Showing patience, Sobral would get the take down and work for the submission eventually catching Sokoujou in an anaconda style choke that would send the team Quest fighter back to the drawing board.
In a dominating performance Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello would silence the hype surrounding the man billed as “Baby Fedor” Kirill Sidelnekov.
Using the jab Buentello would set up right hands and kicks all night to the face and body of his Russian opponent. Sidelnekov would have no answer for Texan’s game plan and as the fight wore on his face would prove it. In the third the doctor would see enough and call the fight giving Buentello the TKO victory.
Finally on the card Dan Lauzon would show a lot heart as he would have to endure three vicious low blows that his opponent Bobby Green would land throughout the fight. Low blows aside Green would keep the pressure on early with punches and kicks that would put Lauzon on the defense, but as Lauzon would weather the storm he would find himself on Green’s back and in great position. Not wasting any time he would sink in the choke that would force the TFA veteran to tap.