Maiju Kujala vs. Miesha Tate opens the women's 135 pound weight class tournament. Kujala is 4-1, from Finland, faces Tate, from the Seattle area with a 9-2 record. These first round matches are two three minute rounds.
Kujala was able to stop takedown attempts early. Little happened until Tate got the takedown with 1:15 left and got side control. Kujala was going for a choke from the bottom and the referee stood them up. That was crazy. Still Tate did enough to win the round 10-9.
Mauro Ranallo is going off on judging and officiating now.
Tate landed a left. Tate is landing more strikes even though Kujala is supposed to be the striker. Traded punches. Kujala throwing punches off the clinch while Tate clinches and is going for the takedown. High kick by Tate but didn't land solid. Kujala blocked the takedown. Tate with some knees up close. Tate got the takedown with 39 seconds left. That may be the move that decides this match. The round was close but even if you have it even, Tate should win the overall, but I'd go 20-18 for Tate.
All three judges have it for Tate.
Hitomi Akano (15-7) vs. Carina Damm (15-3) in the other semifinal
Akano was the undersized Japanese woman who got brutalized by Cris Cyborg in San Jose. Damm is in her first fight since testing positive for steroids. Akano sings her own entrance music. A regular Shawn Michaels.
Damm got behind her and got her down. Akano revsered on the ground but Damm rolled with her and remains on top. Stand-up ordered and then Akano used a headlock takeover. The referee told the fighters ten seconds left int he round and Akano thought the the round was over and let go of a footlock attempt. Close round by I'd go 10-9 for Damm.
Akano got the takedown, thre a few punches and Damm reversed and got on top as Akano tried an uma plata. Akano went for a triangle and got the submission from the bottom. 1:48 second round.
So Akano vs. Tate meet later tonight in the championship match. Akano was a college friend of Megumi Fujii, who later talked her into training in MMA because she saw her after college and said she had gotten too heavy and she should train. Akano said she will submit Tate in the championship match.
Sarah Kaufman picked Akano because she thought Tate got tired in the second round, which she did.
Ryan Couture vs. Lucas Stark
Couture said that he knows his pro debut shouldn't be on national television. Both in their first match. Stark connected with a right. Couture clinching, threw a knee and got the takedown. Front headlock by Couture and threw knees. Stark did a cool fireman's carry takedown, but as soon as they landed Couture used a triangle from the bottom immediately to get the tap. The last 20 seconds were excellent. 1:15
Colleen Schneider (2-1) vs. Liz Carmouche (3-0).
This was the tournament reserve match that took place right before the live show started. They are showing this to give the women more time to rest for the next fight. Schneider is trained by Gilbert Melendez.
Both in a clinch. Carmouche got the takedown. Schneider got back up. Carmouche got a second takedown. A few body punches from the top. Carmouche continued to work the body until time ran out. She has to win the round simply because Schneider did nothing on offense.
Schneider got a punch in but Carmouche right back. Now Schneider tried a takedown but didn't get it. Schneider missed some kick attempts. Schneider got a takedown at the end of the round. I'd give Schneider the round so on points it's 19-19, but since the judges have to pick a winner, it should go to Carmouche.
All three judges went for Carmouche.
Hitomi Akano vs. Miesha Tate
Nice kick to the body by Akano. Tate with a front kick. Body kick by Akano. Now in a clinch. USA chant. Tate got the takedown. Akano trying a footlock. Tate escaped and on top. Tate throwing a few punches late in the round from the top. Tough to judge. I'd go Akano 10-9 for the submission attempt.
Good punch by Tate. Tate got another takedown. Tate remained in control. Crowd booing as not much damage a Tate just kept her back position. She's trying to get a choke but not close. Tate's round so we're even 19-19 going into the third round.
Traded body kicks and Tate got another takedown. Tate is workign for a choke but Akano is blocking it well. Tate is squeezing but it's more of a chinlock. Tate is keeping her back. Now Tate workgin with an armbar but Akano escaped. Tate punching from back position as time is running down. Tate has won the round for sure and should get the decision 29-28.
They didn't announce the scores, just Tate via unanimous decision.
They interviewed Sarah Kaufman again. Kaufman said she'd love to know the date of her fight with Marloes Coenen, which is the fight before the bout with Tate.
Joe Riggs (32-11) vs. Louis Taylor (6-1)
Local crowd heavily for Riggs. Both cautious early. Riggs got a momentary takedown. Now in a clinch and Taylor tried a takedown but didn't get it. Takedown by Taylor. Taylor did no damage and backed off letting Riggs up. Riggs landed a left. Both guys remain cautious. Taylor landed a punch and backed off before Riggs could respond, but Riggs used a low kick. Good left by Riggs. Another clinch. Very close round, but I'll go Taylor 10-9.
Announcers said Riggs won the round. Riggs landed a superman punch. Taylor threw some back but they were blocked. Low kick by Riggs but Taylor landed a left. Trading punches. Body punch by Taylor. Riggs back. Taylor missed a takedown attempt. A series of punches by Taylor. A few more punches off a break by Taylor. Taylor firing more punches but not landing. Taylor got a takedown with 92 seconds left. Taylor working the body but generally not doing much. Taylor throwing punches at the end of the round. This round is Taylor's so I have it 20-18.
Body kick by Riggs. Another slow start. Side kick by Taylor to the body. Riggs hurt him with a left. Taylor now going for the takedown. Riggs is on top, got a crucifix and landed a series of punches on the ground and it was stopped. Taylor has a bloody nose. 2:17 of the third round.
Riggs challenged Nick Diaz, saying he already beat his ass once (well, he did decision him years back ihn UFC). If not he'll fight at 185.
Credit: http://www.f4wonline.com
