Hughes gets an incredible reaction from the fans. Lytle almost has a guillotine choke, but Hughes has the arm in to block. Crowd is booing, but they explode when Hughes gets his head out. They stay in the guard for a while and Lytle tries another guillotine. Hughes get side control and delivers some elbows. Lytle wraps his legs around Hughes' head, but Hughes almost gets an armbar before the round expires.
Round two
They start out in the guard. Lytle tries the guillotine again, but Hughes escapes and gets side control. Hughes delivers punches and elbows and then takes the mount. Lytle is bleeding quite a bit here. Lytle counters and gets side control, but Hughes counters and takes side control.
Round three
Hughes gets side control again and fights for the arm. There's really nothing happening here. Crowd is really pissed; this is not the return I had envisioned for Hughes. Hughes wins by decision, but that was one boring fight.
Rich (Ace) Franklin vs. Jason (The Athlete) MacDonald
Speaking of unthreatening monikers; what kind of nickname is “The Athlete” anyways? When there are UFC fighters known as “The Serial Killer,” “The Iceman” and “The Pit Bull;” do you really want to just boast your athletic ability?
I guess it could carry a kind of sarcastic tone to it. If that’s the case, MacDonald should probably wear a tight pink T-shirt down to the octagon that cuts off above his bellybutton and reads, “I’m an athlete!” Only then will he truly anger all those around him.
MacDonald did look impressive in his last two UFC matches, though. So I expect this to be a good fight. Apparently the winner gets a shot at Anderson Silva.
Round one
Franklin gets a great response; even Anderson Silva is on his feet! MacDonald tries to take him down, but Franklin gives him a knee for his trouble. MacDonald tries again, but they stay locked to the fence. MacDonald is holding onto Franklin, keeping him close. They step back and Franklin nails some punches. Franklin knocks MacDonald down and almost TKOs him, but they get back to their feet. MacDonald takes hims down, but Franklin counters and the round expires.
Round two
MacDonald grabs the leg, but fails to take Franklin down. He tries it again and fails. MacDonald tries a triangle choke, but Franklin counters and gets side control. Franklin gets the mount and starts raining down on MacDonald and Franklin gets the TKO win! All right, I'm one for three!
Drew McFedries vs. Martin (The Hitman) Kampmann
Round one
McFedries connects right off the bat; those sound stiff. McFedries knock Kampmann down and almost gets the TKO, but they stand up. They exchange some shots, but Kampmann is getting ruined here. Kampmann gets a nice takedown and takes the side mount. Kampmann delivers some elbows to the head and knees to the body. Kampmann gets the arm-triangle and it's over!
UFC Heavyweight title
Tim (The Maine-iac) Sylvia vs. Randy (The Natural) Couture
You know, you go through life making fun of those sappy love songs you hear on the radio, never really caring about the messages contained within. So imagine my shock when, in the weeks leading up to Couture’s title shot, I found myself listening to nothing but Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.”
Those songs finally make sense!
Round one
Couture rocks Sylvia with a right and sends him to the mat! Holy crap! Couture fights for a rear-naked choke, but that's easier said than done. Did Joe Rogan just say, "tough balls?" I believe he did. Nothing else really happens and the round expires. First round goes to Couture.
Round two
They stand up for a bit, but wind up on the fence. Couture grabs the leg, takes Sylvia down, but ends up in the guard. Couture stands up and tries to deliver shots, but gets stuck in the guard again. McCarthy stands them up and the crowd boos. Couture takes him down as the round expires. Another round for Couture.
Round three
They box for a little bit; Sylvia is having trouble landing his shots. Couture is landing some nice punches and the crowd chants "Randy." Couture just keeps nailing Sylvia and the round expires. That's three rounds for Couture, but he's looking tired.
Round four
Couture takes Sylvia down, but gets stuck in the guard. Couture keeps nailing good shots from the guard; Sylvia's reach advantage has meant nothing here. They stand up; Couture takes him down and gets side control. Couture takes the full mount, but Sylvia counters and gets control of Couture's head. We have another round for Couture; this is incredible.
Round five
Sylvia needs something big here to retain his title. Couture takes him down and they're in the half-guard. Sylvia tries a leglock, but Couture counters and gets side control. Couture keeps delivering knees and elbows and then takes the mount. Sylvia tries to stand up, but Couture takes him down again! Sylvia's eye is completely swollen! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1; NEW CHAMPION! COUTURE WINS!
Couture: "Not bad for an old man." I end the night at one for five, but I don't care; that was incredible.
That's it for "UFC 68: The Uprising;" join me April 7 for "UFC 69: Shootout."
