TOMMY "BEE" BOTTONE and John Gilliam with Kids at Hauppauge Junior high school

St. Pierre, Liddell win at UFC 79!

Sunday, December 30 2007

Albert Howell and David Hudson at the Octagon;
photos by Chris Cozzone

In the main event of Saturday night's UFC 79: NEMESIS from the Mandalay Bay Event Center, Georges St. Pierre closed the book on one of the greatest trilogies in UFC history, submitting 9-time champion Matt Hughes in the second round. In the opening round Hughes looked focused on the takedown but found no success. After defending a takedown, St. Pierre took Hughes to the mat and quickly took him to the fence. The round ended with St. Pierre landing hard shots from the mount. The second round began much like the first with St. Pierre stuffing a takedown and scoring one of his own. As St. Pierre worked from the top, a visibly frustrated Hughes rolled to his stomach to avoid punishment. After escaping the position, it appeared as though Hughes had turned the tide in the fight until Georges St. Pierre exploded with a incredibly hard throw. From that position, Pierre locked in an armbar, forcing Hughes to verbally submit at 4:54.

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Finally answering the question that has haunted UFC fans over for six years - "Who wins when the two most dominant light heavyweights in MMA history clash?" - Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell was awarded a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over nemesis, former Pride champ Wanderlai "The Axe Murder" Silva. In the first round, the fighters exchanged with Liddell's straight punches finding the mark more often. In the second, Liddell continued to land, bloodying Silva badly. In the third, the fighters exchanged liberally and for the first time in nearly five years, Liddell secured an unexpected takedown to seal the deal. Though the bout was action packed there was no doubt who was the victor. The judges scorecards were announced as 30-27 twice and 29-28.

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In a slow paced battle of heavyweights, Eddie Sanchez battered UFC newcomer Soa Palelai for three brutal rounds until referee Mario Yamasaki mercifully halted the contest at 3:24 of the third round. Sanchez was awarded his third UFC victory via TKO. Making his case as a contender for the UFC light heavy title, Brazil's Lyoto Machida dominated Camaroon's Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou long enough to secure an arm triangle at 4:20 of the second round. In his 51st MMA bout, Rich Clementi submitted Melvin Guillard with a tight rear naked choke at 4:40 of the opening round.

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In non-televised fights: James Irvin won by DQ over Luis Arthur Cane; Manny Gamburyan submitted Nate Mohr with a heel hook at 1:31 of the 1st; Dean Lister won by unanimous decision over Jordan Radev, with scores of 30-27 x 3; Roan Carneiro scored a second round TKO over veteran Tony Desouza at 3:30; and lightweight Mark Bocek won a three-round unanimous decision over Doug Evans, scores of 29-28 x 3.
*Full report and photogallery to follow*

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