Some fights are hard to score in any country. The UFC’s first Japanese card in over a decade was filled with flash knockouts, a manic comeback, and of course the standard amount of controversy. The lightweight title changed hands as Benson Henderson was awarded a decision over Champ Frankie Edgar after their five-round clash at Saitama Super Arena. Hatsu Hioki and Anthony Pettis all but locked up No.1 Contender spots in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, respectively. Mark Hunt knocked the sauvignon blanc out of Cheick Congo, and 4 to 1 underdog Tim Boetsch got destroyed for two rounds before KO-ing one of the best middleweights in the world, Yushin Okami. Here is my analysis of the seven main-card fights: Continue reading →

The last time the UFC was in Japan Chuck Liddell was fighting middleweight. In the eleven years since UFC 29, the UFC- and MMA in general- has undergone a renaissance, becoming a big player in the sports and entertainment worlds. And although no Japanese fighter has reached superstar status here in the States- and most have fallen short of the expectations set by hardcore fans- Japanese fans remain loyal. And, like the UFC’s Brazilian cards, Dana White and Joe Silva have sent over a card stacked with local favorites. Here’s my preview of the pay-per-view section of the card: Continue reading →