UFC 161 Fighter Bonuses: James Krause Doubles Up on Post-Fight Awards

UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson took place on Saturday night at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It followed UFC on Fuel TV 10, which set a record for total number of fights finished by submission during one event, by tying the promotion’s record for most decisions in one night, at nine.

That made determining the customary post-fight bonuses a little easier on the UFC brass.

Opening the main card with a promised knockout finish, heavyweight Shawn Jordan took home a $50,000 bonus for his Knockout of the Night victory over Pat Barry. The two big men engaged from the opening bell and Jordan finished the fight 59 seconds later by stunning Barry with a series of uppercuts and finishing with a flurry of left hands once he hit the mat.

The Submission of the Night was another easy one to figure, as James Krause was the only fighter to win via submission.

It was Krause’s UFC debut, stepping in on short notice for Isaac Vallie-Flagge, but you’d never know it. He fought a battle-hardened Sam Stout on the Canadian’s home turf, but overcame Stouts brutal punching power late in the third round to finish the fight with a guillotine choke.

The Fight of the Night, as always, could have went anywhere along the card, but it was again Krause’s night as he and Stout also earned the Fight of the Night honors.

So James Krause, pending his drug test results, earned an additional $100,000 on top of his fight purse.

The UFC doled out $200,000 in UFC 161 post-fight awards bonuses. (Source)

Rashad Evans rallies to edge Dan Henderson at UFC 161

Saturday night’s UFC 161 headliner proved a tense, evenly matched clash of veteran fighters.

However, in what proved to be a deciding third round, Rashad Evans (18-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) took the striking edge and ultimately edged fellow ex-champion Dan Henderson (29-10 MMA, 6-4 UFC) via split decision.

The decision, which easily could have gone either way, seemingly caught Evans by surprise when the 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28 scores were read. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of knowing he won a round when he truly needed it.

“After getting dropped in the first round, I knew I won the second, but I needed to come out strong in the third,” said Evans, who entered the fight while coming off the first back-to-back losses of his career.

Despite Evans’ win, Henderson landed the first substantial blow of the fight. After an initial feeling-out process and the occasional firefight, Henderson caught his opponent with a stiff jab just as Evans was moving in. Evans hit the deck and ate some follow-up punches, but he quickly returned to his feet and shook off the cobwebs before the round ended.

Evans returned the favor in the second round with a powerful right hand, but Henderson answered with a solid knee that forced both fighters to reset. Evans, clearly the quicker fighter, remained the aggressor in the round, but with solid takedown defense and quick footwork, Henderson proved game for a late-round exchange of punches and elbows.

As a close contest entered the final frame, Evans knew he needed the final round. He quickly buckled Henderson with a quick flurry of blows but wisely reset once the veteran regained his wits. (Source)

Rashad Evans rallies to edge Dan Henderson at UFC 161

Saturday night’s UFC 161 headliner proved a tense, evenly matched clash of veteran fighters.

However, in what proved to be a deciding third round, Rashad Evans (18-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) took the striking edge and ultimately edged fellow ex-champion Dan Henderson (29-10 MMA, 6-4 UFC) via split decision.

The decision, which easily could have gone either way, seemingly caught Evans by surprise when the 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28 scores were read. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of knowing he won a round when he truly needed it.

“After getting dropped in the first round, I knew I won the second, but I needed to come out strong in the third,” said Evans, who entered the fight while coming off the first back-to-back losses of his career.

Despite Evans’ win, Henderson landed the first substantial blow of the fight. After an initial feeling-out process and the occasional firefight, Henderson caught his opponent with a stiff jab just as Evans was moving in. Evans hit the deck and ate some follow-up punches, but he quickly returned to his feet and shook off the cobwebs before the round ended.

Evans returned the favor in the second round with a powerful right hand, but Henderson answered with a solid knee that forced both fighters to reset. Evans, clearly the quicker fighter, remained the aggressor in the round, but with solid takedown defense and quick footwork, Henderson proved game for a late-round exchange of punches and elbows.

As a close contest entered the final frame, Evans knew he needed the final round. He quickly buckled Henderson with a quick flurry of blows but wisely reset once the veteran regained his wits. (Source)

UFC 161 Results: Ryan Jimmo Disappointed at Lackluster Performance, but Needed a Win

Headed into their showdown at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday night, UFC light heavyweights Igor Pokrajac and Ryan Jimmo were both coming off disappointing showings in their previous outings.

Jimmo lost to James Te Huna at UFC on Fuel TV 7, while Pokrajac scored a unanimous decision victory over Joey Beltran at UFC on Fuel TV 6.  Pokrajac’s victory, however, was later ruled a no-contest after it was revealed that he tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone in a pre-fight drug screening.

In front of a packed house at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, both Jimmo and Pokrajac battled for promotional relevancy in what was a rather lackluster affair.

Round one saw Pokrajac pressure the native Canadian in the opening seconds.  Jimmo, sensing the pressure, immediately clinched with the 34-year-old Croatian and began to apply an effective “dirty boxing” attack that set the pace for the majority of the round.  Late in the opening stanza, Pokrajac landed what would become the most significant strike of the fight, when he connected with a heavy overhand right that had Jimmo wobbled.  The Canadian recovered, however, and it was on to round two.

The second stanza set the pace for the remainder of the fight.  Any pressure Pokrajac seemed to muster in round one was gone. Jimmo earned an early takedown and it was all ground control thereafter.  It wasn’t the most exciting round, but it lead to the fight-clinching third and final frame.

When the fight wrapped, Jimmo had earned a unanimous decision victory, but not without a hint of displeasure.  Normally all smiles, “The Big Deal” was apologetic to the hometown faithful.

“Igor, the fans, Dana White, Joe Silva, I’m very sorry about the not such a great fight,” said the upset 31-year-old.

Jimmo is well aware that Saturday’s outing was less than pleasing to a paying audience.

“It just seems like I’m not able to finish on a regular basis now,” he stated.

Although displeased with his performance, Jimmo made no excuses as to why the fight played out the way it did.  He was coming off a brutal loss – a loss that came after 17-consecutive wins – and this fight was all about getting his career back on the right track.

“I was coming off a loss and I fought conservatively,” he said matter-of-factly. “I did get my name back in the ‘W’ column, though.” (Source)

UFC 161 Results: Ryan Jimmo Disappointed at Lackluster Performance, but Needed a Win

Headed into their showdown at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday night, UFC light heavyweights Igor Pokrajac and Ryan Jimmo were both coming off disappointing showings in their previous outings.

Jimmo lost to James Te Huna at UFC on Fuel TV 7, while Pokrajac scored a unanimous decision victory over Joey Beltran at UFC on Fuel TV 6.  Pokrajac’s victory, however, was later ruled a no-contest after it was revealed that he tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone in a pre-fight drug screening.

In front of a packed house at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, both Jimmo and Pokrajac battled for promotional relevancy in what was a rather lackluster affair.

Round one saw Pokrajac pressure the native Canadian in the opening seconds.  Jimmo, sensing the pressure, immediately clinched with the 34-year-old Croatian and began to apply an effective “dirty boxing” attack that set the pace for the majority of the round.  Late in the opening stanza, Pokrajac landed what would become the most significant strike of the fight, when he connected with a heavy overhand right that had Jimmo wobbled.  The Canadian recovered, however, and it was on to round two.

The second stanza set the pace for the remainder of the fight.  Any pressure Pokrajac seemed to muster in round one was gone. Jimmo earned an early takedown and it was all ground control thereafter.  It wasn’t the most exciting round, but it lead to the fight-clinching third and final frame.

When the fight wrapped, Jimmo had earned a unanimous decision victory, but not without a hint of displeasure.  Normally all smiles, “The Big Deal” was apologetic to the hometown faithful.

“Igor, the fans, Dana White, Joe Silva, I’m very sorry about the not such a great fight,” said the upset 31-year-old.

Jimmo is well aware that Saturday’s outing was less than pleasing to a paying audience.

“It just seems like I’m not able to finish on a regular basis now,” he stated.

Although displeased with his performance, Jimmo made no excuses as to why the fight played out the way it did.  He was coming off a brutal loss – a loss that came after 17-consecutive wins – and this fight was all about getting his career back on the right track.

“I was coming off a loss and I fought conservatively,” he said matter-of-factly. “I did get my name back in the ‘W’ column, though.” (Source)

UFC 161: What We Learned from Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan

Nobody has ever questioned Pat Barry's ability to draw a crowd or connect with fans, but nobody knows if he's capable of putting together a winning streak.

With some fearsome knockout power and an underrated level of ground savvy, Barry has the tools to stick around in the UFC. That said, his willingness to go off-script to bang with fellow strikers and give his opponents the occasional hug has threatened to get him punted from the promotion a couple of times now, and a matchup with a hulking Shawn Jordan at UFC 161 wasn't doing him any favors.

When the bell rang on Saturday night, Jordan ended up landing a pair of huge uppercuts to set up a quick, efficient knockout victory. So what did we learn from this annihilation?

Shawn Jordan Might Be Somebody to Watch

While Barry isn't the most technically marvelous striker in the heavyweight division, he is no slouch, either. Jordan, a wrestler by trade, still found a way to punch off Barry's face in less than a minute.

In the heavyweight division, any fighter can give us a shocking knockout, but Jordan still made a strong statement with this KO. While people shouldn't go nuts and declare Jordan a title contender, this victory adds a bit more weight to his 4-2 UFC record.

Again, don't go nuts, but next time Jordan enters the Octagon, you might want to keep a closer eye on him than you may have before.

Pat Barry's Chin Is Questionable

Again, this is the heavyweight division. Any declaration on somebody's ability to take a punch needs to be prefaced with that.

Still, Barry owns a 5-6 UFC record, with three of those losses coming from knockouts and the rest coming by submission. Furthermore, at least one of those submission losses was set up by strikes, when he lost to Mirko Filipovic at UFC 115. As a guy who gives up a size and reach advantage to almost every other heavyweight, Barry needs to be able to eat a punch or two.

Barry may be content remaining a fan favorite, but he is going to have a lot of trouble remaining relevant in the UFC's heavyweight division.

Pat Barry Should Be a Light Heavyweight

I know this comes up a lot.

Seriously, though, Barry has crazy knockout power and explosiveness. He just doesn't have the chin and size to last in the heavyweight division.

I don't know if he can make it down to 205 pounds, but I do know that he is going to remain on the short list of fighters who might be potentially cut as long as he keeps getting knocked out. He should consider dropping down to light heavyweight to extend his UFC career.

The Heavyweight Division Is a Matchmaking Dream

For the first time in a while, the UFC has a few relevant fighters looking to climb the rankings in the heavyweight division. In addition to Jordan, there are several recently imported European prospects such as Daniel Omielanczuk and Nikita Krylov, Australian veteran Soa Palelei, and Americans Brendan Schaub and Todd Duffee.

Throwing those fighters into the cage against one another and seeing who emerges will yield at least one legitimate Top-10 fighter.

These up-and-coming fighters make the UFC's heavyweight division more interesting now than it has been for a long time. Watch how things pan out between all these fighters. (Source)

UFC 161 Prelims: Jake Shields Traps Tyron Woodley in Clinch, Takes Split Decision

Jake Shields lured Tyron Woodley into his trap.

Kicks, knees and a relentless clinch game pushed the former Shooto, Strikeforce and EliteXC champion to a split decision over Woodley at UFC 161 “Evans vs. Henderson” on Saturday at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Two of the three judges scored it 29-28 for Shields (28-6-1, 3-2 UFC); a third cast a dissenting 30-27 vote for Woodley.

The 34-year-old Shields sucked the American Top Team export into his world over and over again, as he wore down the two-time NCAA All-American wrestler in the clinch. Woodley came through in spurts -- he landed a searing spinning back fist in the third round -- but never mounted a sustained offensive against the Cesar Gracie Fight Team representative.

Krause Guillotine Submits Stout

James Krause made a successful entry into the UFC’s lightweight division, coaxing a tapout from Sam Stout with a third-round guillotine choke in an undercard tilt at 155 pounds. Stout (19-9-1, 8-8 UFC) reluctantly conceded defeat 4:47 into round one, as he was submitted for the first time in nearly seven years.

A replacement for the injured Isaac Vallie-Flagg, Krause (20-4, 1-0 UFC) established himself from the start. He controlled the standup exchanges with his length and kept the Canadian kickboxer at bay. The 27-year-old World Extreme Cagefighting veteran delivered the most decisive blow of the bout in the first round -- a head kick that left Stout with a nasty gash near his right eyebrow. The blood flowed, covering the right side of his face and staining Krause’s white shorts pink.

Stout turned the tide in round two, where he went to the body with great effect and bullied Krause to the ground with a takedown. Krause turned to leg kicks in the third round, mixed in a nice jab and countered a late takedown from Stout with the arm-in guillotine. The 29-year-old fought to free himself but ultimately succumbed to the choke.

Krause has won eight fights in a row, six of them finishes.

Pierson Survives Late Surge, Denies Robertson

Toronto’s Sean Pierson rode crisp counterpunching and a strong sprawl to a majority decision over Kenny Robertson in a preliminary welterweight clash. Two of the three judges saw it 29-29 for Pierson (14-6, 4-2 UFC); a third scored it a 28-28 draw.

Pierson was in command for much of the first two rounds, as he neutralized his opponent’s takedown game and racked up points on the feet with effective counters.

One strike altered the flow of the match at the outset of round three, as Robertson cracked the Canadian with an exquisite standing elbow and swarmed with punches for a potential finish. Pierson somehow weathered the assault, but Robertson transitioned to his back, fished for chokes and did enough damage to secure a 10-8 round on one of the scorecards.

A replacement for the injured T.J. Waldburger, Robertson (12-3, 1-3 UFC) has lost two of his last three fights.

Delorme Outgrapples, Outpoints Figueroa

Repeated takedowns, superior topside grappling and a steady diet of attempted submissions spurred “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 graduate Roland Delorme to a unanimous decision over Edwin Figueroa in an undercard clash at 135 pounds. Delorme (9-1, 3-0 UFC) swept the scorecards by identical 29-28 marks.

Figueroa (9-3, 2-3 UFC) had his moments, as he threatened the Canadian with a triangle choke in the second round and whacked him with some heavy ground-and-pound late in the third. However, the 28-year-old McKinney, Texas, native simply could not stay on his feet long enough to get his standup in gear. Delorme dragged him to the ground in all three rounds, transitioned to his back with surprising ease and compromised his guard with little resistance.

Clarke Snaps Losing Streak

Mitch Clarke threw the brakes on a two-fight losing streak, as he captured a unanimous decision over Tsunami Gym export John Maguire in a preliminary lightweight affair. All three cageside judges scored it the same: 29-28 for Clarke (10-2, 1-2 UFC).

Leg kicks and clinches were the Canadian’s weapons of choice, as he kept Maguire off stride for a majority of their 15-minute encounter. Maguire countered with takedowns and a handful of left hands but never completely turned the tide in his favor. Clarke closed with a flourish late in round three, sweeping into top position and delivering a stout standing-to-ground right hand.

Controversial Split Verdict Favors Jabouin

A series of sweeps, takedowns and occasional ground-and-pound led Tristar Gym representative Yves Jabouin to a controversial split decision over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 semifinalist Dustin Pague in an undercard scrap at 135 pounds. All three judges struck 29-28 scorecards, two of them siding with Jabouin (19-8, 4-2 UFC).

Pague (11-8, 1-4 UFC) seemed to do enough to win. The 25-year-old Virginian mounted Jabouin in all three rounds and threatened him with a relentless string of submissions from his back. Still, the judges honored the Haitian-born Canadian’s top game and his ability to wiggle free from danger.

Jabouin has won four of his past five bouts. (Source)

Boxing: Garcia earns TKO, but misses chance to win title

Mikey Garcia stopped Juan Manuel Lopez in the fourth round Saturday night, leaving the WBO featherweight title vacant after Garcia failed to make weight.

Garcia (32-0) weighed in at 128 pounds Friday, two over the featherweight limit. Lopez weighed in at 125½.

Lopez (33-3) would have regained the title with a win.

Garcia put Lopez on the ground with a strong left-handed blow 1:34 into the fourth round for his 27th career knockout.

Garcia won the title from Orlando Salido on a unanimous decision in New York on Jan. 19. The title reign, however, was short-lived after Garcia didn’t make weight.

Garcia knocked Lopez down with a right cross in the second round.

Lopez appeared wobbly early in the fourth after Garcia landed a combination of punches.

Garcia finished him off with a powerful left cross. Lopez slowly got up and referee Rafael Ramos quickly called the match. (Source)

Rashad Evans Outpoints Dan Henderson; Stipe Miocic Tops Roy Nelson

Rashad Evans outpointed Dan Henderson in a split decision Saturday night in a heavyweight bout at UFC 161.

The 42-year-old Henderson connected with the first solid punches late in the first round, attacking so eagerly he could hardly keep his feet against the 33-year-old Evans.

“I said, ‘What hit me,’” said Evans, who approached Henderson with a lot more caution after that. “Only fools rush in with Dan Henderson.”

The second round opened with Evans trying to take down Henderson, but the veteran quickly got to his feet. Henderson was noticeably tired in the third.

“I have nobody to blame but myself,” he said. “In the third round I should have got a little more active.”

Evans improved to 13-3-1 in UFC and 23-3-1 overall in MMA. Henderson dropped to 6-4 in UFC and 29-10 overall.

Earlier, Steve Miocic unanimously outpointed Roy Nelson and Steve Miocic in another heavyweight bout,

Nelson’s looping rights found their mark a few times in the third and Miocic backed off a little to avoid getting caught when he already appeared ahead on the judges’ scorecards.

Miocic was asked by UFC President Dana White how he felt after the fight.

“I won right?” he said. “OK, then, I’m happy.”

Shawn Jordan stunned Pat Barry with a flurry of punches to end their heavyweight fight after 59 seconds. It started with an uppercut and the referee stopped it as Barry crouched, taking punch after punch.

In a UFC debut for both fighters, women’s heavyweight Alexis Davis unanimously outpointed Rosi Sexton in the first women’s UFC fight in Canada.

“It’s a whole new ballgame,” Davis said. “I can’t wait to fight again.” (Source)

Boxing champ in coma after knockout fight

Swedish female super featherweight boxing star Frida Wallberg has undergone surgery after sustaining a serious head injury in a 10-round world championship title fight against Australia’s Diana Prazak.

“Nobody wants to win this way,” said an upset Prazak after Saturday’s fight in Stockholm.

Wallberg was floored twice before being brought to the ringside corner with severe pains. She received oxygen as a shocked audience looked on, some in tears.

The 30-year-old boxer was then carried out on a stretcher and brought to the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.

She remained conscious throughout her ordeal but on Sunday she was in a medically-induced coma after undergoing surgery and was breathing with the help of a respirator.

Tabloid Aftonbladet reported that Wallberg suffered cerebral hemorrhage.

Saturday’s fight was the headliner event in the Golden Ring gala at Stockholm’s Waterfront Congress Centre. Wallberg was ahead on points after five rounds but Prazak floored her in the eighth. She was hurt but was allowed to continue before being floored for a second time, leading the referee to stop the fight.

“She is doing reasonably well considering the circumstances,” one of Wallberg’s hospital caretakers told news agency TT.

But late Saturday night, Wallberg’s trainer William Nguesseu, a former boxer who had to retire after a head injury, told Aftonbladet: “She is feeling bad. It is not good at all.”

Diana Prazak cheered when the referee blew the final whistle, not realizing that Wallberg was in a serious condition.

“This takes everything away from the victory. Everybody wants to win on a knockout but nobody wants to win this way. It doesn’t feel like I have won anything at all. I am praying for her,” said Prazak.

Previously, Wallberg had twice defended her WBC belt, which she first won in November 2010. Saturday’s devastating fight marked her first defeat ever as a professional. Before Saturday, she had achieved 11 straight wins.

The event has sparked controversy regarding the ringside doctor’s actions, with some accusing him of failing to help get Wallberg proper medical attention in time. It has also reignited a debate in Sweden about a ban on boxing.

Meanwhile, messages of support flowed in on Facebook from members of the public while fellow boxing professionals also sent greetings to Wallberg.

“It is so unbelievable. I really feel for her. Frida has been one of our big names within boxing,” rising boxing star Erik Skoglund told tabloid Expressen. (Source)