All Brawl and NO STALL
This UFC event held the key to building a solid fan base in Britain, which is a country rife with rabid and knowledgeable fight fans, and by all accounts the door is now unlocked. The future of MMA in Britain was shackled to this event, and a failure at the hall could have been seen by the public as nothing less then a failure for mixed martial arts everywhere. 16 fighters had the weight of the London Public on their shoulders and disappointing the fans was not an option. In the world famous words of Emeril Legasse the fighters "Kicked it up a notch" and the UFC 38 proved to be an exciting night for MMA fans around the world. The rundown of the fights that would shake the foundation of the very Royal Albert Hall they were fighting in, went down like this.

Carlos Newton Vs Matt Hughes
This was the fight that MMA fans were waiting for. In what turned out to be a tight chess match, the controversy was eradicated and the true number one welterweight champion in the world was crowned, again. This time there would be no controversy, no uncertainty, just… checkmate. It started slowly with both fighters looking tentative and unwilling to make the first mistake. Surprisingly, Newton actually went for the first takedown but Hughes used his balance and strength to muscle his way to the top position and worked his way into the fence. Newton then maneuvered himself around the fence and snuck off with one of Hughes arms, almost taking the armbar! Hughes to his credit was able to stay calm and roll out of the armbar and into the safety of the ever-familiar top position. Hughes stayed patient, working slowly and methodically, utilizing short punches, sprinkled with shoulder strikes all the while keeping tight position for control, for most of the first stanza.

The second round started quickly with Hughes going straight for the takedown, and straight into side control. From there he stayed super tight giving Newton no room to maneuver, and cutting off all avenues of escape. With the exception of a scramble here and there, Hughes was working his position before his attacks, being careful not to make any mistakes or leave any stone unturned. Matt used Control to drop tight forearm strikes onto Newton’s face opening a small cut underneath Newton’s left eye, and even showed off a wrestling Pin on Newton to keep Newton on his back. Hughes had Newton in trouble near the end of the round, trapping one arm and dropping nice forearms onto his unprotected face, but the bell sounded and ended round two.

Hughes shot out with a high kick but Newton ducked and caught him with a solid right hand, Hughes would not panic and retaliated with a strong drive for the takedown, and went right back to the control game. He put Newton in the cradle position and threw heavy knees into his back and ribs, not giving Newton a bubble to breathe with. Hughes controlled from within the guard and once more dropped elbows and forearms again and again. He was then able to capture the mount position with almost two minutes left in the round, and proceeded to fire off thudding punches onto Newton’s head and the end looked near for Newton. Inexplicably Hughes went for the armbar from the mount and gave Newton the opportunity to escape and put Matt on his back for the first time in the fight. Newton then scrambled and took Hughes back, but could muster no offence there with time slipping away, and the horn sounded to end the round.

Newton just did not look like himself from this point on, looking weary and wobbly to start the round he conceded the double leg almost uncontested, and Newton was in Trouble. Hughes took side control and went to a position reminiscent of Ivan Salaverry Vs Seminov, using his right leg to control Newton’s left arm and his left arm to trap his right arm. Hughes used his free right arm to punch down and with no answers for the punishment it truly was checkmate for Matt Hughes. Hughes wins ref stoppage due to strikes round four.

Frank Mir Vs Ian Freeman
Mir entered the Octagon for the third time with two impressive wins in the Octagon with a combined time of 1 minute and 51 seconds, under his belt. Many people felt that his fight with Freeman would be nothing more than short pit stop on his meteoric rise into the heavens of the UFC. The short Pit stop ended up being a careening halt for the up and coming Jiu Jitsu specialist, as Freeman hijacked the space shuttle and shot off on his own. For Mir this fight was his first in the UFC not in his Native Las Vegas and for Freeman the first in time in the Octagon with the home crowd behind him, Ian would not disappoint. Just as the bell sounded Freeman tagged Mir with a solid right hand, but Mir seemed unfazed and surprisingly came out kicking, going high, low and to the midsection with left and right kicks to start the round. Ian took a couple solid blows to the head but was never in any real danger, until Mir decided he wanted to take the fight to the mat.
Mir shot and went to guard but Ian defended the submissions well and landed nice shots from the guard against the fence. After a flurry on the ground It went to the standing clinch with Ian landing numerous uppercuts that stung Mir forcing a retreat and another attempt for the takedown. His takedown was successful, even securing the mount, but that would prove to be the last bit of success that Mir could muster on this night. Freeman stood up with Mir draped all over him and worked his way out of trouble, Mir kept coming with the heel hook attempts, but Freeman would use his balance to base himself and punish Mir’s face for every second he attempted the submissions. From here on out Freeman controlled the fight with Mir’s submission attempts now looking slow and lethargic. Freeman dropped heavy leather onto Mir every time he attempted to take a breath. Freeman worked from the side mount from there and dropped unanswered Punches and forearms until McCarthy called a halt to call for the stand up. Mir was almost unable to stand, and as he got up to walk to his corner he stumbled and could not get up. His bloody face told the story of the fight and this story would not have a happy ending for the game Mir. In the biggest Upset of the night, and to the approval of the vibrant crowd, Ian freeman takes the win and works himself into a thin Heavyweight Picture. Freeman via ref stoppage due to punishment round 1.

Eugene Jackson Vs Mark Weir
This fight was bitter, sweet. It was Sweet for the English fans, Sweet for Mark Weir but it was undoubtedly bitter for the classy Eugene Jackson. Jackson had come off a submission victory over Keith Rockel so he was looking to see his stock rise up a notch and into the thick of the middleweight division. To his chagrin Mark Weir, the only thing that stood in his way, was the bringer of bitter news. Mark Weir came out with the full force of the fans of the Albert Hall behind him, and it seemed to propel him to Victory. The Pressure of being on Home turf was a motivator for him, and that coupled with his talent was enough to get the job done. Weir came in starting quickly with a hook kick and followed with a right hand that must have brought the light switch with it, because as soon as it flicked Eugene Jackson, it was lights out. Weir knocked out Jackson at 10 seconds of the first round and took the title of fastest knockout in the history of the UFC. The lightening quick K.O was faster then B.J Penn dismantling of Caol Uno at UFC 34, which I believe was the previous mark for fastest knockout. This was great for the fans at the Hall who were looking forward to seeing action in the ring, and the hometown fighter succeeded at entertaining the fans. It was an Impressive debut for the first British fighter to win on British soil. Weir Via knockout at 0:10 of Round 1.

Genki "The Neo Samurai" Sudo Vs Leigh Remedios
In my only moment of boldness, In my UFC preview I picked this fight to be the fight of the night, although that statement was about all I got right, I feel confident that the statement rang true. Whether you agree with me or not, there is no doubt that everyone liked what they saw of the newest Japanese fighter to jump into the very loaded 155 division. Genki’s ring entrances have been known to entertain and this time was no different, as he came out in a samurai costume and round wicker farm hat, ( Think "Raiden" of the video game Mortal Kombat), and a red Japanese mask, all the while doing the "robot" as he walked into the ring!!! When the bell rang to start the fight, his showmanship shined once again as he tuned his back on Leigh, danced into him, came in spinning and did several high kicks that had little chance of landing, but was entertaining for the fans. Genki followed with a clinch and went for the first flying triangle I have ever seen attempted in a real fight. Although he didn’t pull it off, I think the fans will appreciate his willingness to take a chance on going for the finish. The first round was Genki’s round as he almost caught him in a "regular" triangle that Leigh did a good job of escaping. ( a regular Triangle will never look the same after seeing the now famous flying variety ) In round two Genki started again with the side steps, and the funny business, until he decided that he wanted to take him down. Sudo took the clinch and pulled off a beautiful belly to belly over throw into side mount, and the throw proved to be the beginning of the end for a Remedios. Sudo worked the position, and as Leigh tried to escape, Sudo spun around, took his back, and choked him out rear naked style, all before Leigh could say "Tapout of the night". Remedios had no choice but to tap. Sudo via submission round 2

Phillip Miller Vs James Zikic
This fight kicked off the PPV portion of the event and both newcomers to the Octagon showed tenacity, and stoic relentlessness as both fighters were looking to make an impression on the UFC Brass and the Loud English fight fans. Much of the first round was spent in the guard of James Zikic as Phillip Miller landed solid shots from the top position and worked the conservative ground and pound. The second round saw Miller work hard for the takedown but the good sprawl and balance of Zikic seemed to tire the Ted Williams product out and from there Zikic seemed to start to take it too the game Miller. The third round was a see saw, back and forth affair that saw Zikic slap on what seemed to be a tight Guillotine attempt, but Miller was able sneak his arm in to alleviate the pressure and get the trip to escape the submission attempt. Two arm-weary warriors stood off to punctuate the end the bout, and It seemed that Phillip Miller just did enough to squeek out the Victory. Miller wins by Decision after three hard fought rounds.

Elvis Sinosic Vs Renato "Babalu" Sobral
To everyone’s surprise, when Elvis entered the ring and removed his cloak, he revealed a Heath Herring-esque crazy new Hair do!! Dyed bright green with various shapes cut into the hair, the normally quite conservative Sinosic threw a curveball at the fans right from the get go. Hair or no hair, the curveball, coupled with an Iron heart, was not enough to secure victory against the always game, Renato "Babalu" Sobral. Sobral used his balanced takedowns and a steadfast ground and pound strategy, to grind his way to a bloody victory against a very tough Elvis Sinosic. Sinosic showed off an gargantuan heart, valiantly fighting back, despite taking numerous forearms and punches to the face from the guard, but his efforts were in vain. Sobral eventually opened a cut on what looked to be the same area as where Tito and Tanner elbowed him in previous fights and what seemed to be another cut on the other side of his head. There was nowhere for Elvis to go, and his formerly green hair was now stained a cruel scarlet red. With the exception of a wild spinning back fist to start round three, Babalu was methodical in his assault and took the decision after beating on Sinosic for most of the three rounds. Babalu Via Decision.

Evan Tanner Vs Chris Haseman
The Rings veteran, Chris Haseman, took this fight on short notice, replacing Vladamir Matyusheko after he received a nasty cut in preperation for this fight. Haseman came to England in shape, but was completely shut down in the Octagon. Gone was Haseman’s patented side kick as he was beat on the feet by Tanner. What started as a battle to see who would win the bout became a battle to see if Haseman could hold out until the final bell. Tanner routinely beat Haseman to the punch, controlled the pummeling and on top while on the ground, he punished Haseman with numerous punches and elbows to win the decision. Haseman proved he was tough by not tapping and hopefully he will get another shot for stepping up to the plate on such short notice. Evan Tanner via Decision.

All Brawl and No Stall!

The successful foray onto British soil was a good show for the fan that provided excitement, drama, and most importantly finality to the controversy that stained the first fight between Newton and Hughes. Hughes asserted his dominance, controlling almost the whole fight from the outset, and laid the controversy to sleep. Genki Sudo came onto the scene and entertained the crowd with interesting ring entrances, unorthodox style and the risk taking offence that the fans around the world are seeing in the octagon for the first time. The most important show the UFC has put on since the forgettable UFC 33 went off with a bang and I for one could hear the sighs of relief from the UFC brass from all the way here in Canada. With the first UFC in the UK in the books, UFC 39 around the corner, and UFC 40 on the Horizon, I am looking forward to seeing the UFC go around the world.