Fightin' Words

By Joe Fernandez

With Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's knee injury and more recently Chuck Liddell's torn hamstring, the UFC has decided to shake up its lineup for UFC 85 in London.

Looking at the reality of having a Rashad Evans vs. James Irvin main event, the UFC has announced that former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes will fight Thiago Alves in the final matchup of the O2 Arena card.

According to the UFC, the event can be seen live at 3 p.m. on June 7 in the U.S on pay-per view. With already a couple of changes to the main event, no titles on the line and rising UFC PPV prices, the UFC should consider giving this fight away for free on SpikeTV to the loyal fans that spend nearly $500 a year on their pay-per view shows.

By the way, this is not a good fight for Hughes, who is coming off a devastating loss to UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Alves is hungry and confident after knocking out perpetual welterweight contender Karo Parisyan. I see Alves winning by KO/TKO.

Even though he had a great showing in his middleweight debut at UFC 83 against Charles McCarthy, England's Michael Bisping has a quick turnaround when he fights iron-chinned Chris Leben less than two months after his last fight. Look for Leben, who has two consecutive knock outs, to KO the crowd favorite in the second round.

Fightin' Words readers: Do you think that this card should be seen for free on SpikeTV, or do you feel it deserves to be on pay-per view?

By Joe Fernandez

Running on a Bally's treadmill or having the chance to train with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling and Muay Thai kickboxing champions -- The choice is yours.

Former UFC champion Randy Couture is coming to Long Island and he's bringing a gym with him.

The MMA legend is opening a brand new Xtreme Couture MMA & Fitness center in Centereach on May 18. Couture, who owns five other Xtreme Couture gyms across the U.S., will run a seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. The 6,000 square foot facility is slated to have a boxing ring, an octagonal cage, mats, and an area for weight training and cardio equipment.

Some of the coaches listed on the site include Port Jefferson product and Suffolk wrestling champion Kurt Wagner, ISKA world kickboxing champion Ken Hewski and strength and conditioning coach Jay Evers. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors will include Grand Master Francisco Mansur and Jeff Sanford from Kioto Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, an academy with locations all around Long Island.

The gym is located at 2120-A Middle Country Road, Centereach, NY 11720. For more information, visit Xtreme Couture MMA -- New York.

By Joe Fernandez

According to the UFC, former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell has withdrawn from his June 7 fight against Rashad Evans at UFC 85 because of a torn right hamstring he suffered during training last week.

No replacement has yet been named for the London card. The 38-year-old Liddell (21-5) earned a unanimous decision win against Wanderlei Silva in his last bout at UFC 79 in December.

Liddell was originally slated to fight Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, but the former Pride star ruptured the ACL in his left knee for a second time and was forced to withdraw from the card. With most of the major light heavyweights either locked into another fight or injured, Liddell, a major name and star in the sport, will not be easy to replace.

Apologies for the technical glitch with the video the last time we posted the Matt Serra-Georges St. Pierre post-fight press conference. But we learned about it on Sunday's drive home from Montreal, and well, that's not exactly a short drive down the street and the wireless router doesn't fit in the lighter.

But alas, here's the video again and you should be able to view all three minutes and 15 seconds of it this time. If not, call your local cable provider.

Here is some post-fight video of an interview we had with Matt Serra after his fight with Georges St. Pierre at UFC 83 in Montreal. Enjoy.

Hey. Check out my fight story from Montreal as Georges St. Pierre TKO'd UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

Thanks for reading.

-- Joe

By Joe Fernandez

No surprises here.

Montreal's Georges St. Pierre entered the Octagon receiving unending love from the sold-out crowd of 22,000-plus and UFC welterweight champion came out to the Octagon cascaded by boos.

First round has to go to St. Pierre. He had two big takedowns against the champ, which ignited this crowd. Then the interim champion punched away inside Serra's guard. The welterweight champion survived but has a big bruise on his right eye.

Second round: This is the St. Pierre that is unstoppable. This is the St. Pierre that is the new welterweight champion. After taking down and pounding away on Serra's face and body, referee Yves Lavigne jumped in and stopped the fight with 17 seconds left in the second round as St. Pierre wins back the title.

I've never heard a crowd get this loud in my life.

Stay tuned for the fight story and the quotes.

By Joe Fernandez

First round went to Travis Lutter as Rich Franklin escaped a first-round armbar attempt, but couldn't stop the takedown. But Franklin was able to stuff the shot in the second and keep the fight on the feet. He picked apart his gassed opponent and eventually knocked Lutter down to the mat and earned the second-round TKO.

The main event is up next.

By Joe Fernandez

Boring first round. Starnes was back-pedaling like a free safety covering a post pattern. Quarry landed some kicks to the left leg of Starnes, but that's it. Just like I said in my pre-fight predictions, I was wondering why this fight was getting such good play. It's two fights away from the main event. I know Starnes is from Canada but come on.

Second round: Like Maverick in the second act of "Top Gun," Starnes just won't engage. This fight is actually spawning "GSP" and "Boring" jeers from the sold-out crowd. They're standing there jabbing, while Quarry throws an occasional kick to Starnes' left leg. To the third round...

Third round: The last 24 seconds of this fight were the best. Quarry, chasing his middleweight opponent around the Octagon, began to mock Starnes by jogging after him. Starnes in turn gave Quarry the middle finger. By the end of the fight, Quarry actually won over the Canadian crowd and after he earned the unanimous decision victory, delivered a wonderful monologue from "Rocky IV," in which Rocky Balboa addresses the Soviet crowd -- hysterical.

By Joe Fernandez

The lightning knees didn't seem to bother Charles McCarthy at the beginning of the round, but they finally got to the Florida native as Michael Bisping earns the TKO victory at the end of Round 1.

Bisping, making his UFC debut at 185 pounds, looked to be in the best shape of his UFC career. Bisping escaped an armbar attempt by McCarthy, got to his feet and at one point landed eight consecutive knees on McCarthy. As the round ended, so did the fight as McCarthy, lying in the Octagon couldn't continue.

By Joe Fernandez

There is not even any sort of split in the loyalty of this crowd -- at least you can't hear anything else but a pro-Canada cheer.

Bocek, a Toronto native, worked the ground game for most of the first. Herman defended well, but it looks like Bocek's round.

Second round: Danzig earned a back mount halfway through the round, but Bocek, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, escaped. The two traded strikes after that, and Bocek ended the round attempting a heel hook on Danzig.

Third round: With three minutes left in the round, Danzig pulled Bocek's head down and landed a BIG knee on Bocek, which opened up a big cut above his left eye. After the doctor checked the cut, Bocek was allowed to continue. As the round went on, the cut continued to bleed as Danzig got the submission victory by rear naked choke.

By Joe Fernandez

Let me throw this out there -- The video montage the UFC plays right before the main card is THE BEST VIDEO MONTAGE around.

It's set to The Who's "Baba O'Riley" and it's only for the in-house crowd. Full of knockouts, submissions, hard rights, takedowns and spinning kicks -- it ends with highlights from the legendary Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar match. Brilliant!

They're about to bring out Mac Danzig and Mark Bocek for the first fight. Every time they show Serra then St. Pierre on the big screen the boos turn to cheers on a dime.

By Joe Fernandez

This should be intereresting. Two Canadian fighters. Where will the crowd's loyalty land? So far by the introductions it's MacDonald.

I don't know how MacDonald has a shoulder left right now.

After a failed guillotine choke by MacDonald, Doerksen passed his guard, earned side control and pulled off a NASTY kimura (shoulder lock). MacDonald's left arm was bent completely under himself for at least a minute.

Second round: What a comeback. MacDonald got side control and elbowed Doerksen until Referee Steve Mazzagatti jumped in -- or appeared to jump in. There was a misunderstanding as MacDonald relented on his attack when Mazzagatti got close to the fighters. When MacDonald saw that Mazzagatti wasn't stopping the fighter, he landed a few more punches for the stoppage win.

We're about to go live at 10 p.m. Stay tuned for more updates.

By Joe Fernandez

SPOILERS INCLUDED

Day, an Alberta, Canada native has entered the Octagon. And here comes Alan Belcher coming out to Devo -- yep, Devo. A cover of The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." Wow.

Belcher coming out in shorts only a fighter can wear. They're like if a Muay Thai fighter was wearing a kilt. Belcher earns side control early, but now Day, from guard, is holding Belcher in place with his leg locked around Belcher's shoulder and is punching him.

Now standing up, Day hit Belcher with a bevy of unanswered punches and earned the first-round TKO win.

After the fight, Day stood in the middle of the Octagon and with his hands summoned his fellow Canadians to their feet, and they obliged.

By Joe Fernandez

SPOILERS INCLUDED

MONTREAL -- Before Demian Maia entered the Octagon, they played a Matt Serra promo and this place was filled with boos.

Ed Herman is on his way in and this one is about to start.

This one is a grappling match early as Maia, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, almost catches Herman in an oma plata (an exotic-looking shoulder lock) and a heel hook. But Herman escapes...to the second round.

Second round: Wow. Maia goes for a triangle choke off his back, Herman gets around his guard, Maia gets Herman back in guard and catches him with a tight triangle. Herman rolls as Maia takes the choke to mount position and rains down punches. Herman goes out from a combination of punches and the choke -- but really the choke.

Maia's jiu-jitsu is on another planet. Herman is a very good grappler and Maia still put on a clinic.

Maia got the crowd in his corner by hoisting a Montreal Canadiens jersey with his name on it up in the air. Then they showed St. Pierre dressing for the fight and the crowd REALLY got loud. Great atmosphere. Great fights so far. Make sure you don't miss that Maia triangle.

By Joe Fernandez

SPOILERS INCLUDED

MONTREAL -- This place is about to get loud again as Rich Clementi faces Canadian Sam Stout.

I think this one will end with a BIG knockout. Two good punchers here.

Wow. Bold move. Clementi coming to the Octagon to the Eurythmic's "Here comes the rain again." I think that might be the first time a UFC fighter has come out to an Annie Lennox song.

Stout's ovation was so loud. I can't even imagine what St. Pierre's will be like.

Clementi has taken Stout to the ground early. He had his back, but as soon as Stout peeled Clementi's arm away from the choke, the crowd erupted. Stout worked his way out the jam, but was taken down again. A clear 10-9 round for Clementi, maybe even a 10-8, but no one ever really gives out a 10-8.

Second round: In a round that was pretty much all on the feet, Stout should have shined -- but he didn't. But neither did Clementi in the even round. Not as much excitement as the first.

Third round: A stand-up round, both fighters landed some shots in the third round. Stout landed a big right at the 2:14 mark that got the crowd going. This was definitely better than the second round with both of the fighters smelling a win by taking the round.

This one goes to the cards as Rich Clementi earns the split decision, which didn't sit well with the crowd. Clementi earned the win, but tonight, if you're not the Canadian fighter you're getting booed.

By Joe Fernandez

SPOILERS INCLUDED

MONTREAL -- Velasquez came out with a big left hook and knocked down Morris. Velasquez followed him down, transitioned from mount to Morris back, still raining down punches.

Morris took a lot of damage as Velasquez pummeled him from side control and earned the first-round referee stoppage win.

By Joe Fernandez

SPOILERS INCLUDED.

MONTREAL -- Ok...I'm Octagonside at UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2.

First match up, Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. hometown fighter Jonathan Goulet. Goulet was landing some great knees and strikes in the first round but KH knocked him down and looked for the finish, but Goulet survived the round.

In the second round, Goulet chased a dazed Hironaka around the Octagon and eventually put him away with a big right hand KO at 2:07 of the second round. It was a great comeback.

7:42: Half the seats are just being filled and I can't BELIEVE how loud this crowd is -- Unbelievable. When Goulet was knocked down, the crowd started chanting his name furiously. When he actually scored the knockout it was like U2 was singing "When the streets have no name" at Madison Square Garden.

By Joe Fernandez

MONTREAL -- So "rue" means "street." Got it.

I've been walking around Montreal, trying to get the vibe of the city before tonight's UFC card at the Bell Center. Beautiful women line the streets and cafes as shop owners ask groups of guys in UFC t-shirts who is going to win the fight between welterweight champion Matt Serra and hometown hero and interim champ Georges St. Pierre.

It's my first time in this lovely city -- imagine certain parts of Manhattan with a quarter of the traffic. Even though it's no problem getting around town, Montreal is still buzzing this weekend.

Last night, down Montreal's famed Crescent Street or "Rue Crescent" it looked like Los Angeles' Sunset Strip on a Saturday night -- with cars rolling down the jammed block, blasting their stereos while club-hoppers and diners ducked in and out of the collection of trendy joints.

People wearing their favorite fighters names on their chests -- Affliction t-shirts, MMA gear and lots of people you wouldn't want to mess with. But start talking fighters with these men and those scowls go to smiles and the educated mixed martial arts follower comes out.

Going to head to the fights later on today. I will be posting updates live from the Bell Center as they happen -- at least I will try my best to. There's always a lot going on at a live UFC show and it's tough to report the action if my face is buried in a laptop. Thanks for reading.

`A Bientot.

-- Joe

By Joe Fernandez

Can Matt Serra shock the mixed martial arts world again?

If he does, he'll do it in front of a sold-out crowd at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada against hometown fighter Georges St. Pierre.

Serra's TKO win over St. Pierre last April secured the Long Island native the UFC welterweight championship and a bagload of money to whomever bet on the 14-1 underdog.

Now they'll do it again. Can the former security guard from East Meadow follow up on his Rocky-esque triumph, or will the Montreal native take the title in front of his home crowd?

By Joe Fernandez

I was at the IFL event last week in New Jersey and I saw former UFC champion Randy Couture cornering IFL welterweight champ and Long Island native Jay Hieron.

Couture took some time for an interview with Fightin' Words -- enjoy.

Here's some video from the "Redbelt" premiere. Enjoy.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

I spoke to Matt Serra's kickboxing coach Ray Longo a few weeks ago right before I interviewed the UFC welterweight champion.

Longo discusses what Serra needs to do against Georges St. Pierre for their April 19th fight in Montreal.

Fightin' Words' readers, check back soon for my preview of UFC 83. Thanks again for reading.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

After Jay Hieron successfully defended his IFL welterweight title Friday night at The Izod Center in New Jersey, I went backstage to get an interview with the Long Island native.

Check it out.

By the way...coming home from the event at one in the morning, I stopped at a nearby 7-11. Starving, I went with a Doritos/Smartfood popcorn/Hot Fries mix for the long ride home. I'm telling ya...it hit the spot.

The brave soul in line in front of me went with one of those big hot dogs that looks like it has been there since mixed martial artists fought with shoes on. Remember those days? Wow. Bold maneuver at that hour.

Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

IFL Welterweight champion Jay Hieron took the center of the ring against Mark Miller Friday night at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. In front of thousands of fans and at least 50 friends and family, the Long Island native and Freeport product was a long way away from when his life was at a dangerous crossroads.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Ok -- It's the main event. Mark Miller vs. IFL Welterweight champion and Freeport native Jay Hieron.

Wow. Hieron landed a big right hand early, took Miller down and began punching him from inside Miller's own guard. As Hieron's punches began to land more flush, the ref jumped in at 2:10 of the first round and stopped the fight as Hieron successfully defends his title.

I'm going to interview Hieron and write a longer story...more to come.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

This one didn't last long as IFL Featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano connected on a big looping right, which sent Shad Lierley to the canvas unconscious 37 seconds into the first round. For the 37 seconds we saw him, Fabiano looked explosive. High energy and plenty of talent.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

First belt is on the line -- Jamal Patterson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko for the light heavyweight championship.

Patterson, the defending champ, landed some good power punches and even at one point had VM's right leg in his hand as he was punching the native of Belarus.

The second round belonged to Matyushenko. He landed a barrage of punches from side control and eventually got the referee stoppage due to strikes with under a minute left in the round.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Delson Heleno spent most of the first round either trying to pass or past Brad Blackburn's guard. Heleno was dropping down some punches from side control, while Renzo Gracie shouted instructions in Portuguese. I'll tell ya, if a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion is on top of you, reigning down punches while his coach is telling him what to do in a language other than your own -- that has to be scary.

To the third...

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Jim Miller nearly submitted Bart Palaszewski in the first round with a deep D'Arce choke, but Palaszewski escaped to his feet.

Miller, a Renzo Gracie team member, is taking his coach's advice. Sitting literally four feet behind Gracie, you get to see how great of a coach he is. He's got the experience and he knows how to relay that to his fighters as Miller is getting the better part of the ground game and the fight.

Miller took BP's back very acrobatically. He had his back nearly the entire third round and almost choked him out, but BP got back to his feet. But Miller, who was relentless, earned the unanimous decision victory.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Ok. They've moved up the Chris Horodecki/Nate Lamotte match. It's about to begin. Former, even though he was never beaten for it, UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture is in Horodecki's corner.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

By the way, the main card can be seen live at 8:30 p.m. on HDNet. We're just waiting for the medical staff to come back to the ring after tending to Dias. I'll keep you posted on him.

Emyr Bussade and Jesse Lennox were sent back to the dressing room. We're almost live though...

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Sorry for the delay...the internet connection is a bit slow here and every photographer on the eastern seaboard is on this side of the ring.

Having some trouble seeing the fighters. Looks like this one is going the cards.

OH MY GOD! L.C. Davis, with a few seconds left in the round, connected on a kick to Rafael Dias' head. Dias went down and out. Ref jumped in and Davis is celebrating.

This is scary right now though. Doctors JUMPED in the ring, the backboard is in. They're carrying Dias out of the ring, thankfully he's moving his arm and the crowd has given him a big hand. That knockout was loud. The crowd, which is still filing in, is turned around and watching the big screen replay of the KO. I just hope Dias is OK.

I can understand Davis being excited about his highlight-reel victory, but it's too much now. He should've gone over and checked on Dias, showed some better sportsmanship. I'll let you know something when I know something on Dias' health.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

The announcer has announced and the fighters are set to fight. So here we go...

First fight up -- Alex Schoenauer vs. Brendan Barrett at Light heavyweight

Barrett came out with a shot and took down Schoenauer, who kept looking for submissions off his back. Schoenauer was almost out on his feet for a second, but the round ended with Schoenauer attempting an ankle lock.

To the second round.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

I'm here at The Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey for tonight's IFL event. As always, I spent more time on the Cross Bronx than I wanted to. It's like 4.5 miles of a continual smack in the mouth that Expressway.

Anyway...

It's 6:43 p.m., I just had some ziti in the press lounge and I'm ready to go. So far it's quiet. The lights are on and some fighters were just warming up in the ring. Freeport's Jay Hieron finished his warm-ups and just chilled in the ring, sitting against the bottom rope with his earphones.

As far as the ziti goes, that was OK. It's not mom's pasta, but hey, I'll take it. Anyway, back to the event. The IFL crew is handling their last minute preparations. I just spoke to MMA legend and IFL announcer Bas Rutten. He told me he was training EliteXC's Kimbo Slice and said "yes" when I asked him if Slice had a chance of being in the upper-echelon someday.

More to come...

Check out our new Mixed Martial Arts fan forum on newsday.com.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Fighting became a necessity for Long Island native Jay Hieron.

"That's how I started fighting," Hieron said. "I was the kid getting picked on, getting chased home from school, getting my lunch money taken."

Now it's Hieron (14-4-1, 6-2 IFL) who is chasing people -- this time around a ring. The Freeport product is the International Fight League welterweight champion. He will defend his belt this Friday against Mark Miller (8-2, 2-1) at The Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

All fighters made weight for UFC Fight Night that will take place on Wednesday.

This will be a very tough fight for Kenny Florian, but I think he will outpoint Joe Lauzon in the main event. Imagine a Roger Huerta vs. Florian fight for the right to take on the lightweight champ? I didn't hear anything about that, but still, that could be a fun one.

My surprise of the night would be Tim Boetsch knocking out Matt Hamill. Boetsch dismantled David Heath in his last fight, which was his UFC debut.

I think the measuring stick in the welterweight division is Karo Parisyan. Want to know how good you really are...fight Parisyan. This is the match that Thiago Alves would have to win to be considered a title contender. Alves has won five UFC matches in a row, most recently a TKO win (cut) against MMA veteran Chris Lytle. If Parisyan wins, get this guy a title shot. And I say it all the time, Parisyan is good for at least three highlight reel judo throws a fight. Don't blink.

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Nate Diaz has the potential to be a great grappler's match.

The Houston Alexander/James Irvin match will end with a big knockout. Alexander will leave with his hand raised, unless Irvin can take him to the ground. Alexander better have been working his ground game since he was pounded out by Thiago Silva in his last fight.

Best match we probably won't see: Got a good feeling about that George Sotiropoulos/Roman Mitichyan fight. Both won via submission in their first UFC matches. I think Sotiropoulos wins by submission in the third round.

Fightin' Words readers: Which match do you think will be the best?

Check out Katie Strang's story on TUF 7 coach Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who wasn't exactly thrilled to be a coach on the show.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

When he starts rolling, so do the cameras and tape recorders.

UFC Welterweight champion and East Meadow native Matt Serra was at Manhattan's Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on Friday. A place that the 33-year-old knows well. It is where the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt began his training. It was this gym he would come to after working the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift as a security guard for Estee Lauder on Long Island.

Serra is jovial when he recounts that experience. In fact, he is jovial when he recounts many of his experiences to the media. It is that attitude that enabled the Long Islander to stay loose within the Octagon and defeat heavy-favorite Georges St. Pierre for the title at UFC 69 last April. St. Pierre may and does have all the mixed martial arts talent to be the greatest fighter pound-for-pound, but Serra is a gamer -- he's clutch. His jaw and spirit have been hardened by the same neighborhood where his thick accent comes from. He's a tough New Yorker that defied the odds and shocked the mixed martial arts world.

But Serra and St. Pierre are going to do it again -- one April later -- for the same belt.