UFC OPEN WEIGHT TOURNAMENT

Many of you will be following this on the 606 message board but I'm going to repost here:

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the 2009 UFC Open Weight Tournament!!!

32 warriors stepped forward to take part in this inaugral event and the draw was made just this very evening in Paddyjock's front room!! (By the way I really did have a draw much to the amusment of the wife)

Each weekday there will be a fight with the winner being determined by a vote from the 606 members. 606 members will vote on the winner and the method of winning for each fight until only 2 warriors remain to fight for the 2009 UFC 606 Open Weight Championship!!!

Introducing the fighters (in order of fights)

Chuck Liddell (21-7-0) v Gabriel Gonzaga (10-4-0)
Cain Valasquez (6-0-0) v Matt Serra (16-6-0)
Michael Bisping (18-2-0) v Thiago Silva (13-1-0)
Shane Carwin (11-0-0) v Nate Marquardt (31-8-2)
GSP (19-2-0) v Yuhin Okami (24-4-0)
Anderson Silva (24-4-0) v Forrest Griffin (16-5-0)
Mike Swick (14-2-0) v Jon Jones (8-0-0)
Randy Couture (16-9-0) v Shogun Rua (18-3-0)
Matt Hughes (44-7-0) v Quinton Rampage Jackson (30-7-0)
Mirko Cro-Cop (25-6-2) v Rousimar Palhares (18-2-0)
Thiago Alves (22-5-0) v Diego Sanchez (23-2-0)
Vitor Belfort (12-5-0) v Demian Maia (11-0-0)
Stephan Bonnar (14-6-0) v Dan Henderson (25-7-0)
BJ Penn (13-5-1) v Rich Franklin (27-4-0)
Frank Trigg (19-6-0) v Lyoto Machida (15-0-0)
Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) v Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1-0)

As you can see some good fights came out in the draw with ficton immitating life as Anderson Silva drew Forrest Griffin!! that fight will be decided before we vote so I'm moving it to the 1st fight!!

You'll notice some big fighters are missing (Lesnar) but I wanted to keep it interesting!!

All fights are 5 rounds with UFC standard rules. Each day I will post the fight of the day and each 606 member should vote on a winner and method of victory. Feel free to provide a commentary on how you saw the match go!

Its all just a bit of fun and hopefully we'll get some entertainment out of it!!

Let battle commence!!

The 2009 606 Open Weight Tournament starts with the UFC middleweight Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva taking on TUF winner Forrest Griffin. Griffin is the naturally bigger man but as they step into the octagon Silva doesn't look fazed by the size difference despite Griffin having about 10-15 pounds on the middleweight champion.

The first round starts at a frantic pace with Forrest really pushing forward. Silva though looks comfortable and is backing off and using his reach. Forrest however lands a booming right and Silva wobbles. Forrest siezes the advantage and Silva pulls guard. Forrest is trying to G'n'P but Silva is doing well to avoid the damage. All of a sudden Silva throws his long legs up and locks in a triangle. Forrest looks in trouble but manages to hold out for the bell. A close round!!

Forrest immediately takes the centre of the octagon at the start of the 2nd while Silva is circling. Forrest moves forward with a flurry but Silva avoids and lands a huge uppercut on Griffin's chin. Griffin rocks backwards and as he bounces back off the cage Silva lands a sweet spinning back fist. Griffin is hurt badly and falls back against the cage. Silva doesn't need to be asked twice and pounces on the former LHW Champ. The ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight.

Anderson Silva wins via TKO at 0.53 of Round 2

Silva advances to Round 2

The 2nd fight of the 606 Open weight tournament features a hall of famer in Chuck Liddell and someone many see as a future Heavyweight Champion in Gabriel Gonzaga.

Gonzaga simply looks evil as the ref gives them both final instructions. Gonzaga tries to go nose to nose with Chuck but Chuck's podge manages to keep him some distance away.

Round 1 starts with both fighters trying to claim the centre of the octagon. Gonzaga is throwing out his jab and Chuck is moving and countering well. Gonzaga throws a vicious head kick that skims Liddell's nose. Liddell smiles at him but not sure if its bravado or he realises that was close!! Gonzaga goes for the take down but Chuck stuffs it well and they clinch against the cage. Gonzaga with big knees and a tsunami rolls across Chuck's belly.
The end of the round and Chuck looks gassed.

Round 2 starts and Chuck doesn't look quite so up for it. Gonzaga smells blood and immmediately gets the take down. Gonzaga is in half guard and looking for the Kimura. The ref is telling them to work and eventually stands them up. The weight of Gonzaga on top of Chuck has taken all the wind from his sails. Chuck throws a desperate right hook which Gonzaga dodges before a huge left head kick catches Liddell on his right ear and helps him on the way to the canvas.

Chuck lies prone on the floor while Gonzaga simply walks out of the Octagon refusing to speak to Joe Rogan.

Thats a real message to the rest of the competitors in this tournament!!

Gabriel Gonzaga defs Chuck Liddell via KO at 2.12mins of the 2nd round.

Joe Rogan is watching through his fingers as this mismatched fight starts.

At the start of the round Serra runs straight at Valasguez and jumps into a flying armbar!! Unbelievably he gets it and takes Cain down. Valasquez size and strength is too much though and he rolls into full mount on Serra. Valasquez starts to unload and Serra is defenseless.

The ref jumps in and this one is all over already!!

(Thank God as I've just nipped back from the pub to write this!!)

Cain Valasquez wins via TKO at 38 seconds of round 1.

Bisping and Silva face off across the octagon. The 606 experts are split Half are expecting it to go the distance but the other half are backing Silva's KO power.

The fight starts with both fighters circling each other in the centre of the Octagon. Its clear Bisping is going to try and use the stick and move technique he employeed so well against Leben. Thiago Silva on the other hand is swinging for the fences. Bisping's footwork is impressive though and manages to stay on the outside effectively counter punching. Silva throws a right left combo followed by a head kick that catches Bisping and drops him to one knee. Silva swarms all over him getting in the top position in full mount. A vicious elbow opens up Bisping and the ref has seen enough!!

It is allllll over!!

Thiago Silva defeats Michael Bisping via TKO at 3.17 of round 1.

One of the pre tournament favourites the undefeated Shane Carwin is up against Middleweight contender Nate Marquardt.

Marquardt has packed on the weight for this fight and looks in great shape despite weighing over 20lbs heavier than his normal fighting weight. Carwin however still looks like a monster in comparison as they face off across the octagon.

Big John McCarthy is the guest referee for this one and gets it under way.

Both men meet in the middle and it takes Carwin seconds to get Nate down. Carwin is working to side control but Nate does some great work of his back with a couple of triangle attempts but Carwin's sheer strength is too much for him. Carwin is throwing down some serious leather and Nate's face is marking up badly. Its not looking great for Marquardt when all of a sudden he throws up a triangle and catches Carwin....

That triangle is in deep and Nate grabs the back of Carwin's head to get it deeper. Carwin stands up and slams Nate onto the canvas. Nate lets go of the triangle and Carwin is throwing bombs. Big John jumps in quickly and Nate is prone on the canvas.

Replays show that Nate was out cold from Carwin's slam and the 3 punches landed afterwards were unnecessary but you can't really blame Carwin as it took the replay for us to all see it was the slam that out him out.

Shane Carwin defeats Nate Marquardt via KO at 4.12 of round 1

Both fighters look ready for a war in this eagarly awaited matchup

Round 1 starts with both fighters looking to find each others range. Okami is getting the better of the standup and GSP goes for a take down. He gets a single leg but Okami manages to get his back on the cage and hits GSP with a few good shots before GSP lets it go. Nice jabs from Okami but GSP catches a leg kick and takes Okami down. Nice work on his back from Okami to get back to his feet fairly quickly. End of the 1st and Okami doesn't looked phased by the welterweight champ. And why should he?

Round 2 stars with more of the same. Neither fighter is looking to commit too much at this stage. GSP is working the inside leg kicks and Okami's left leg is developing a nice welt. Okami pushes Gsp against the cage but GSP manages to reverse it and get the take down. GSP spends the next 3 minutes on top but doesn't really inflict a lot of damage. The end of the round and that was clearly in GSP's favour.

GSP's corner are telling him he can take down Okami at will and to be fair he ain't going to win this on the feet by the looks of it. The 3rd starts and they are circling again both throwing good jabs. Okami goes for a takedown and GSP wasn't expecting it. Okami gets to half guard is is looking to throw elbows. Ohhh thats nasty as Okami opens up a cut on the bridge of GSP's nose. GSP gets hi back to full guard and has his feet up against the cage. Beautiful sweep from GSP and he ends up on top. He quickly moves to mount and is rainging down blows. Okami turtles up and GSP takes his back. He is flattening Okami out here and Okami is in trouble. GSP has him where he wants him but Okami is saved by the bell.

Into the championship rounds and Okami looks to be breathing heavier than GSP. Boom Gsp rocks Okami with a sweet right uppercut that rocks Okami backwards. Gsp immediately gets the take down but Okami pulls full guard. GSP is on top but he ref stands them back up for not working hard enough. good call. Okami throws a wild hook which GSP ducks and immediately gets another takedown. A vicious elbow explodes on Okamis nose and blood actually splatters across the camera lens. The end of the round and Okami needs something special in the last round to take the W.

The crowd are on their feet as both fighters touch gloves in the middle for the 5th and final round. Okami throws a head kick which catches GSP flush on the temple. GSP goes down and Okami jumps on him. the referee looks like he might stop this!! GSP manages to pull full guard and the ref steps back. Okami works to half guard as GSP looks to compose himself. Okami gets into side control but GSP looks to have got his sense back in check. All of a sudden Okami switches to the north south position and goes for an anaconda choke. Its hard to see how deep it is....GSP slips his neck out. Both fighters stand and the bell signals the end of a great fight. Both fighters embrace and this one is going to the judges.

Lets go to Bruce Buffer with the scores....

Judge Anfield scores the bout 49-46

Judge Rudeboy scores the bout 48-47

and Judge Chelsea scores the bout 49-46

All in the favour off and progressing to the 2nd round by Unanimous decision.....

George "Rush" St Pierre!!!

This one has kicked off late due to earlier technical difficulties but both fighters look ready to rumble now!!

Tough fight this for both fighters. And here we go!!

Swick comes out fast using his jab. Jones is moving well too and both fighters look to trade on the feet. Great overhand right from Swick but Jones takes it well. Some good in and out work from Swick. Jones is getting his leg kicks off now and that is keeping swick at bay. Spinning back fist from Jones just misses. End of the round and that has to have gone to Swick.

Round 2 starts with more of the same. These fighters are brawling. Beautiful left right combo from Jones and that has rocked Swick. Swick switches levels and goes in for the takedown. Oh my God!! Boom!! As Swick changes levels and goes for the double Jones with immaculate timing catches Swick with a knee. Its raining elbows from Jones and that my friends is all over!!

Impressive finish from Jones but most commentators felt he was losing the fight until that point!

Jon Jones defeats Mick Swick via TKO at 1.12 of round 2

The crowd are on their feet for this one as the former UFC Champion Randy "The Natural" Couture and the former PRIDE sensation Mauricio "Shogun" Rua enter the octagon.

Round one starts and Shogun is looking light on his feet. Couture is firing air shots as Shogun comes in and out with nice combinations. Randy clinches with Shogun and gets him up against the fence. Good wrist control by Couture who has all his body weight leaning on Shogun. I wonder if thats a tactic he is using to test Shogun's recently doubted stamina? But Shogun manages to spin off the cage and break free. Nice leg kicks from Shogun and at the moment Randy seems to be chasing shadows. End of the round and Shogun is a round up.

During the break Couture's corner are telling him he needs to get inside Shogun and I'd agree Shogun's Muai Thai is killing Randy at range.

The start of the secong and Shogun comes out on his toes. Nice front kick from Shogun takes Couture back a step or two. Couture with the double jab to get in close and ties Shogun up in the clinch. This is what Couture's corner wanted....but they didn't want that. Shogun explodes from the clinch with a vicious elbow that opens up Randy. Shogun now with the knees and Randy is all over the place. Herb Dean jumps in and this is all over!!

Mauricio Shogun Rua defeats Randy Couture via TKO (knees) at 2.09 of round 2.

Sorry its late guys - busy at work!!

Matt Hughes (44-7-0) v Quinton Rampage Jackson (30-7-0)

Vote as usual....

I will collate the votes from here and 606 - please don't vote twice. Depending on where most of the votes are cast I might move the whole thing onto here and stop posting on 606.

Rampage ko rd 1

Good fight, Im a fan of both these guys. I have to go with Rampage, his size advantage would be too much, he would avoid the takedown, Keeping it on the feet.

Rampage KO Round 2 (Punches)

Rampage round 2 KO... and happy birthday for yesterday mate, Hope you had a good one! Hughes would do well at openweight because he would be 190lbs ish but Rampage is a big 'ol Light heavy... your probabally talking 235 at openweight (If griffin cuts from 240 I could see Rampage being close) I think Rampage is a big favorite to win this... I think he would KO some of the heavys in the tournament.... Ill be interested to see who he is matched up with once the dust from the 1st round settles.

Sorry guys but this tournament has been put on hold for this week due to other commitments.

I'll start up again next Monday.

Agree that Rampage woud have a decent size advantage, although maybe not as big as you'd immediately think. Really like both of them, but, gut feeling is that Rampage would be just that little bit too much.

Rampage 3rd rd KO.

Well folks the wait is over!! Welcome back to the Armbar Open Weight Tournament!!

Its time for the 9th fight in the first round of the tournament:

Matt Hughes (44-7-0) v Quinton Rampage Jackson (30-7-0)

The 2 time Welterweight Champion has a huge weight disadvantage in this one. Rampage howls into the Octagon at 220lbs dwarfing Hughes. Rogan sums it up when he says "I pity the fool!"

Round 1 : Rampage come out all guns blazing and has the right hand cocked and ready to unload. He is just plodding towards Hughes while Hughes seems light on his feet and using his jab well. Rampage is swinging for the fences but Hughes manages to avoid well. Rampage rocks Hughes with a right and Hughes is on the retreat. Rampage is throwing everything at Hughes but none of them are connecting. Hughes goes for a takedown but Rampage throws him off like the Faceman casting aside last nights conquest. Its not looking good for Hughes and there is blood coming down his face from a cut above the right eye.

Round 2: Hughes is moving well while Rampage is still throwing bombs although not connecting often. Hang on where did Hughes go? BOOM!! Rampage knocks Hughes into the middle of next week. Hughes threm a shot which Rampage countered and connected right on the button. Hughes is out before he hits the floor but Rampage is on top of him pummelling the head of Hughes before the ref can jump in. Hughes doesn't know what hit him and is unconcious for nearly a full minute.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson defeats Matt Hughes via devastating KO at 42 seconds of Round 2

BRING IT BACK, BRING IT BACK, BRING IT BACK

or i'll send the big man round!

If Paddy doesnt have time, im sure he wouldnt mind someone else continuing with this tourny.

Anfields5thKing wrote:BRING IT BACK, BRING IT BACK, BRING IT BACK

or i'll send the big man round!

Was that Tim in training for the Mercer fight?

Nah... too slim.

http://mmabay.co.uk/sylvia%20in%20japan.html

More talk of him fighting Choi... Choi is a shot figher but id expect him to be able to put a beating on Sylvia! If I was Big Tim id stop mentioning Overoid! Tim just doesnt learn.

Id like to see him in Strikeforce though. Did he get back down to 265lbs for his last fight?

RIP Tim Choi will give him a bad oul beating and Overeem will actually kill him

Tim Should have set his sights lower, Im sure Minowa would have leg locked the hell out of him if he want busy... Bob Sapp still doesnt have an oppnent. I think Timbo would be better to go after him.

I dont know guys, im thinking Timmeh would beat Choi who i dont rate as an MMA fighter at all, but i agree Overeem would kill him.

Maybe Overeem would tkae it easy on Timmeh and just choke his fat neck out with Guioltine.

Yeah Choi has been shit after that weight loss. I dont know what happened to him, he got surgery or something and looked ever shitter and slower since! Crazy to think he was kicking ass in K-1 not so long ago.

Anyone else really looking forward to the NYE event? Im hoping and praying that Minowa wins the Superhulk but Soko is one tough guy. He gave Mousasi some trouble and will probabally come in around 220lbs.