UFC 96 Hangover

Some thoughts while I recover from my UFC 96 hangover

- For once everything went according to plan. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson defeated Keith Jardine and will face UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at UFC 98. Wait, what? I thought everything went according to plan? Well it sort of did. Jackson's victory over Jardine assurd him a title shot, but the big news of the weekend was of course Frank Mir's injury. So Mir vs. Lesnar II is out of UFC 98, instead we get Evans vs Jackson. Not a bad trade off. Plus the Mir Lesnar fight may now be part of UFC 100, making that card truly stacked. Dana White, Joe Silva and all the people at the UFC can chalk this up as a win.

- So why I am not writing about the fights? Well it is an awful story that revolves around the UFC not selling out Nationwide Arena meaning there was a blackout. Or so I was told at several bars. Once I finally found a place that had it --imagining running around the Arena district trying to a find a television through the crowds of the Arnold Classic, and the first evening of seventy degree weather-- it was too late. Making the evening a giant buzz kill. But I did meet up with Ryan of fightlinker after the fights and had a fun time watching drunk girls fall over.

- Who gets a title shot first, Shane Carwin or Cain Velasquez? 

- Is it just me or has there been a bad run of officiating? Few of us got to see the Aaron Riley fight but apparently the stoppage was a bad joke. As long as the referees don't turn into NBA refs MMA will be fine. 

- The Watchmen is a decent flick. 

Sorry there isn't more news, but the evening was kind of a massive bust on my part. 

Official Results below

Main Event

Quinton Jackson def. Keith Jardine via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

Televised Card

- Shane Carwin def. Gabriel Gonzaga via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 1:09.

- Matt Brown def. Pete Sell via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.

- Matt Hamill def. Mark Munoz via knockout (head kick) - Round 1, 3:53.

- Gray Maynard def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Under Card

- Tamdan McCrory def. Ryan Madigan via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:35.

- Kendall Grove def. Jason Day via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.

- Jason Brilz def. Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

- Brandon Vera def. Michael Patt via TKO (leg kicks) - Round, 1:27.

- Shane Nelson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:44.