"The fighting measure is the distance which a fighter keeps in relation to his opponent. It is such that he cannot be hit unless his opponent lunges fully at him." – Bruce Lee in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Will Chael Sonnen have the recipe to beat Anderson Silva? The talk is all over and it is time to back it all up. Here we go…
Sonnen comes out and looks ready, this is the most quiet he has been. The Spider comes out to mixed adoration in his BJJ Gi. I hope to see the best Anderson Silva to date. Steven Seagal is on scene for support!
Round 1
Chael goes in with a kick. He’s standing with the Spider. Chael rocks Anderson with an uppercut. Sonnen has got the Champ in trouble early! Holy smokes Anderson is letting Chael hit him with ones and twos. Chael is in top control with Anderson looking listless and hurt. The Republican is in control of this fight half way through the round. Anderson is taking shots from the top. Chael is engulfing the Spider solid ground and pound. Silva is taking some heavy shots. Anderson is back in full guard and is taking more shots from the standing Sonnen. Chael is in Anderson’s full guard at thirty seconds and is control until the bell.
Round 2
Good leg kick from Anderson that almost takes Chael down. Anderson on the bottom trying land elbows. Chael is leaving where he left off and controlling Anderson. Chael landing clapping hits on Anderson’s head, this is the brawl Chael wanted. Chael staying where he is most comfortable which is in Anderson’s guard. Anderson looks like he’s biding his time but he’s taking shots on the bottom. Chael’s face is feeling the elbows and is swelling but he’s getting some solid shots to Anderson’s head. This has become Chael’s ground war and Anderson, while never out of the game, is taking a beating. Thirty seconds left with Anderson almost pulling off a Kimura from the bottom. Chael is winning this so far.
Round 3
Anderson connects with a jab but Sonnen does not go down. Chael gets a desperate take down and Anderson is trying another Kimura from the bottom. The ground war continues. Sonnen’s ground and pound is wearing on the Champ but he continues to defend well. Two minutes left in the round and Chael continues his top dominance. Is Anderson just playing possum or is Chael slowly imposing his will? The round ends with Chael on top and winning the round.
Round 4comes
Anderson looks like the more tired fighter but he comes out firing. Chael chooses to stand with Anderson and almost gets knocked out. Sonnen is on the bottom for the first time but comes back to gain top position. Chael Sonnen is a bulldog! Three minutes left and Sonnen is again taking top position and keeping Anderson on his back. The ground and pound continues to work on Anderson and he seems to have no answer to Chael. Anderson is getting some elbows in bloodying Chael’s face but Sonnen continues with his game plan. Chael is cut badly but he might be the next Champion.
Round 5
Anderson is amped up but slips to the ground. Chael takes advantage and jumps on Anderson. Chael Sonnen is pulling off an upset as Anderson Silva cannot get off his back. The ground and pound continues into the half way point of the final round. Sonnen continues to be busy in top position and eats elbows from Anderson. Anderson gets Sonnen in a triangle and Sonnen seems to tap. Anderson Silva is the MAN!
Anderson Silva wins via submission. Now Anderson Silva can tell everyone to shut up! -CD
Thiago Alvez comes out looking like a pit. The American Top Team standout looks to avenge his loss to Fitch in 2006. Fitch looks like a crazed monkey coming into the ring…he’s like a miniature Forrest Griffin.
Round 1
Herb Dean is the ref. Thiago looks at ease in the stand up. Early takedown by Fitch. Looks to be the same game plan as the last time both fought. Fitch trying to get his hooks in. Thiago is taken down again and is expending energy defending Fitch’s wrestling. Position change with Thiago looking to deal some ground and pound. Thiago stands back up and both men looking to stay up. Failed takedown attempt by Fitch late in the round. Final seconds end with Thiago turtled under Fitch.
Round 2
Successful takedown by Fitch a minute into the round. Fitch has top control and exerts his own shots from the standing position. Fitch is controlling Thiago with superior wrestling. Half way through the round and Fitch is in total top control. Fitch isn’t giving any room for Thiago to get back up. Minute left in the round and Thiago reverses his position and takes it back to standing. Weak head kick from Fitch.
Round 3
Both men come out firing. Even exchanges and Fitch keeps it standing. Thiago needs to take this round and keep in standing. Two minutes in and Fitch is trying the take down. Fitch is successful and gets Thiago’s back in the process. Fitch is in control of the fight with Thiago pressed against the cage. Fitch is trying to finish the fight with a rear naked but Thiago is defending. Minute left in the round and Fitch is still trying to get the sub. Thiago rolls over and gets to top position with Fitch still controlling Thiago with a body triangle. Thiago gets free and the bell rings.
Is Hughes finished? Can an old dog learn new tricks? We shall see….Ricardo Ameida enters the Octagon with Renzo Gracie in his corner. The UFC Hall of Fame fighter Matt Hughes comes in and looks ready to take out Renzo’s student.
Round 1
Touch gloves. Almeida moving like his feet are on hot coals. Nothing much going on in the first minute. Both fighters not known for their stand up but they keep in standing with sporadic hooks and jabs in the first half. Hughes trying to get a hold…Hughes buckles Almeida with a left hood and goes in for the kill. Matt Hughes powers out a choke and wins via submission. Hughes showed why he is a legend!
Round 2
Round 3
Hughes wins by submission in 3:15 of the first round.
Big Country Roy Nelson looks relaxed coming into the Octagon. He is one fat dude but we all know how lethal Big Country can be. Junior dos Santos comes out to the Rocky theme and looks scary focused. Four inch reach advantage for dos Santos. Here we go…
Round 1:
Dos Santos is taking advantage of his reach keeping Nelson at bay. Nelson pushes dos Santos on the fence. Nelson eats a knee for his efforts. Nelson gets hurt with a right hand by dos Santos. Cigano connects with uppercuts and hooks. Unchecked uppercuts are destroying Nelson. Knees to the head unanswered by Nelson. Big Country can take punishment! Cigano is picking Nelson apart with his boxing skills. 30 seconds left in the first with dos Santos connecting and Big Country moving forward.
Round 2
Big Country is breathing hard and dos Santos looks relaxed. Dos Santos’ knees and punches keeping Big Country on the outside. Take downs are non existant and you have to wonder if Nelson’s time is up. Dos Santos is still connecting with stiff jabs. Dos Santos has incredible take down defense with Nelson doing his best to take the fight to the ground. Both fighters look tired with dos Santos connecting with single uppercuts. Big Country is looking for the one shot knockout. Final take down attempt by Nelson failed.
Round 3.
Big Country is still in the game. Dos Santos using his jabs and kicks to keep Neslon away. Big Country is taking dos Santo’s boxing arsenal but is proving his heart. Cigano gets a take down but it goes straight back up. Nelson continues eating fists but continues to fight. Cigano is doing a great job of mixing up his attacks with kicks, punches and knees. Roy Nelson is on the defense and is just trying to make it to the bell. He’s looking to still drop the hammer on dos Santos. Awesome heart showed by Big Country but dos Santos wins the day.
I’ve been anticipating this fight for months. Finally we will see if Chael Sonnen’s wrestling is as good as his trash talking. There is no doubt of Anderson Silva’s greatness but which Silva will show up tonight? Will The Spider come out and technically embarrass Sonnen like he did to James Irvin and Forrest Griffin or will he dance around the Octagon…bored and uninterested?
CD’s Prediction: Silva in the second round via submission…much like his victory over Hendo.
Other fight I really want to see:
The main card is just as exciting as main event. Junior Dos Santos and “Big Country” Nelson will meet and should determine the fighter in line for the Heavy Weight Title. This should be a standing war with a slight speed advantage going to Dos Santos. Big Country should have a slight advantage on the ground from the top position…but not by much.
CD’s Prediction: Cigano by KO in the first. I’m just saying.
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Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Silat are only a few of the arts Guro Dan Inosanto has studied and mastered in his 74 years of life. Guro to some and Sifu to others, Dan Inosanto is an encyclopedia of martial arts knowledge and skill. While best known for being Bruce Lee’s student and friend, Guro Inosanto has become a living legend through his teachings and his constant search of knowledge in the arts.
The Fighting Measure crew has had the honor of meeting Guro Inosanto while training at his academy in Marina Del Rey. His skills are unquestionable but what inspired me the most was his kindness and constitution. At 72 years of age (at the time) he was still explosive!
Fighting Measure wishes our hero, Guro Dan Inosanto, a healthy and happy birthday. We look forward to many more training seminars in the years to come. We are certainly blessed.
37 years after his death, Bruce Lee’s legacy still lives on. The Fighting Measure team is proud to be a little part of his legacy as we strive to carry on the Bruce Lee fighting spirit. Bruce Lee Forever!
We here at Fighting Measure have been on a little break, but now it’s time to get to work. The crew has been busy with boxing matches, Filipino martial arts, and thinking about martial arts! We are working on a new logo for Fighting Measure and also making plans to expand Fighting Measure beyond this blog site….so stay tuned…
