UFC 113 in Bell Centre, Montreal

Being in Toronto and with the most recent Ultimate Fighting Champion event (UFC 113: Machida vs Shogun 2) taking place in Montreal, it would only make sense to take this opportunity to attend one of my favourite sporting event.  And thanks to my brother and sister, as an early Birthday present I was soon off to Montreal and to see the UFC live both for the very first time ever! 

I arrived in Montreal on Friday, May 7th and checked-in at my pre-booked accommodation wonderfully named The Lovely Celebrities Hotel. 

Looks like I have Marilyn Monroe watching over me...! 

As nice and cozy this little hotel was, I can't imagine any actual celebritiesstaying here any time soon..... 

Once I had my stuff dropped off at the hotel, I was on my way to the Bell Centre where the weigh-ins (and the event itself) for UFC 113 will be taking place.

It was a very surreal moment just sitting in the audience awaiting the fighters take the stage to hit the weighing scale, as I have witness these moments many a times on screen but the atmoshpere being there live was just unreal (and this was only the weigh-ins mind you!  Not even the fights themselves!!!  ).

The main event was the highly anticipated rematch between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto "The Dragon"Machida and the challenger, Mauricio  "Shogun" Rua.  Their first bout back in October 2009 on UFC 104 ended with a controversial decision, the judges unanimously favouring Machida over the five rounds of action allowing him retain the title.  Majority of the audience (UFC president, Dana White included) thought differently as Shogun Rua landed his trademark lethal kicks to Machida's legs and body, and had him in trouble for much of the fight.  I saw this UFC 104 while I was still in Hong Kong last year, and although I am a huge Lyoto Machida fan, I really too had thought he would have lost the belt there and then.....  Both fighters meeting again in UFC 113 will have a lot to prove and certainly not gonna leave it to the judges again this time round.....

After the weigh-ins I ventured over to HMV Megastore right in the heart of downtown Montreal where a couple of UFC fighters were doing a signing for fans.  The fighters present were Pat Barry, Kurt "Batman"Pellegrino, and Dan "The Outlaw"Hardy.  There was a huge line up to see these guys, which just shows what a massive following this sport has in Canada.

I got to meet the hard hitting fighter from Nottingham, UK, Dan Hardy and received a signed photo from him too.  To be honest, he wouldn't have been my favourite fighter but he is a real talent and entertainer in the Octagon, and survived a grueling 5 rounds against (my favourite UFC star) Canada's own, George St-Pierre.  So real respect for him there.  I think he was pretty impressed when I told him (semi-truth.... ) that I came all the way from Ireland to be here in Montreal! 

The evening of Saturday, May 8th....  It's all about to begin...... 

As I am no celebrity nor VIP, the mid-range seats was best I could afford but still offered a decent view of the Octagon.  And whenever the fights takes to the mat or cage, the big screen motionors above and that surrounds the arena gives a clear view of the action so you're never missing anything! 

The legendary voice of the Octagon, Bruce Buffer get's the show on the road!!! 

SPOILERS ALERT: For those reading that are not aware of the UFC 113 results, the following contains some spoilers to the event.....  I am not going to go through the whole entire event as there were 11 fights in total, but instead I'll just give a general run down through it all.

It certainly wasn't much of a night for the Canadian fighters and their supporters, majority of them (the fighters that is) overwhelmed by their 'foreign' opponents.  Much to the dismay of the audience in attendance of course, which resulted to many boos and profanities most of the time....  Jonny Hendricks(above, right hand side of screen in white t-shirt) wasone of the Americans who was on the receiving end of such jeers from the crowd in Montreal, throughout and after his hard fought decision victory over Canada's TJ Grant.

Now one man I knew I was supporting for sure would be Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis!  Originally from Maine, USA but with Irish heritage, Davis is always an entertaining fighter that puts on a great show.  And with a nickname like that, what's not to love about this guy...! 

The crowd was against the Irish-American from the get-go as he was facing Montreal's veteran fighter, Jonathan Goulet.  The boos and jeers soon turned to applauds of respect when The Irish Hand Grenade ended the fight in the 2nd round in spectacular fashion with a right hook and left uppercut gaining him a TKO victory over the hometown man.

Once the six preliminary bouts on the card had wrapped up, we were onto the main fight card live broadcast on Pay Per View.....

Patrice Cote of Montreal was making his comeback (since his fight over 18 months ago against Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva - an accidental injury to his knee mid-way through the fight prematurally ended his shot at the title) against tough man, Alan Blecher.  Both guys are real brawlers and possesses serious KO power, and this was makings of an all out stand-up war.

The fight was really going at a blistering pace, both fighters landing some good shots but it was Blecher that threw some of the more impressive painful looking kicks to Cote's body.  It all but ended in the 2nd round when Blecher put Cote on the mat (landing face first which more than likely caused his dazed state) and finished the Canadian with a choke hold.  Again, much to the annoyance of majority of the crowd.....

Another big draw for tonight was this man, internet backstreet bare knuckle fighting sensation - Kimbo Slice!  Before his arrival to the UFC he had already a strong fan base, but after his stint in the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter Season 10: Heavyweights, he had since won many respect for his down-to-earth personality and hardwork ethics and attitude.  People witness the renowned street certified brawler transform into a legit mixed martial artist.

Kimbo was up against his fellow castmember and one considered the villian of The Ultimate Fighter series, Matt "Meathead"Mitrione.  Mitrione is a former NFL player who is relatively new to the MMA game, but has proved his fighting abilities and heavy hands with knock out power with victories over Kimbo's TUFteammates, Scott Junk and Marcus Jones.  Coming up against Kimbo though, Matt was still considered a huge underdog.....

Yet again, it was disappointment for many of the crowd in Montreal as Matt Mitrione put in a great performance having survived couple of slams by Kimbo Slice in the 1st round, he took the legs off the gassed and tired Kimbo before scoring a mount and eventually winning by a TKO referee stoppage.

Dana White later announced this was to be Kimbo Slice's last fight in the UFC.  As for Matt Mitrione, it looks like his career is just really getting started.....

Another Canada vs USA on the main card, Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout vs Jeremy Stephens.  These two lightweights were throwing it all out, gung-ho, giving a fast and furious three rounds of action.

No joy for the Canadians, as the American Stephens out-scores the Ontario man with a split decision victory.

Then there is the co-main event of the evening, a highly heated match up between champion trash talker, Josh Koscheck and heavy hitting Brit, Paul "Semtex"Daley.

There was a lot of trash talking between these two in the build up of the fight over the past month, and it had the makings of a classic match up.....

The audience couldn't have been more deceived.....    After all the B.S.-ing Koscheck announced that he was gonna do to Daley, instead he opted for the safer route and uses his wrestling skills to take the Muay Thai expert down and pinning him, but delivered little or no damage through the course of his dominance on the ground.....  The worst moment came towards the end of the 1st round, when Daley eventually broke free and rises with a knee towards the still down Koscheck.  Despite the knee only skimming Koscheck's HAIR, Kos reacts in theatricial fashion claiming to have been caught square and also some injury to his eye!!!     The instant replay repeated over and over on the big screens was comedy gold, and the fans that once were on Koscheck's side soon turned on him and during the remainder of this rather dull fight chants such as, "F@*k you, Koscheck!" could be heard ringing throughout the arena!!! 

Once the bell rang to finish up the third and final round of this boring bout, the drama was not yet over.....  As the frustrated Paul Daley took a rather bold and dumb move of approaching the unaware Koscheck and delivered a punch to his face before being pulled away by the referee, big man Dan Miragliotta!!!    Once parted, UFC president Dana White even had to step in the Octagon to have words with the hot-headed Daley.

(It was later announced Paul Daley as been axed from UFC for his actions.)

UFC host and comedian, Joe Rogan attends with the winner Josh Koscheck, but the jeers were so loud I actually didn't catch a word what was been said!!!  I learnt later that Koscheck was actually attempting to aggravate the audience more by claiming the Pittsburgh Penguins were gonna kick the Montreal Canadiens asses in the hockey game that very night (which they did.... ).

And finally, onto the main event of the evening.....

The light heavyweight title bout between the Champion, Lyoto "The Dragon"Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the the second time.

This was a fight were both Brazilian fighters must bring their A-game to prove who is really the champion and not leave it to the hands of the judges again.....

3 minutes and 35 seconds into the fight, all was answered.....

.....  Shogun Rua floors Lyoto Machida with a right hand, then follows up by mounting the Karate champion and pummeling him with heavy punches eventually earning a KO victory over his fellow Brazilian to be crowned the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Shogun Rua definitely put on a great performance - a real aggressive and high pace style (much like in his old PRIDE days) that the usually elusive counter-striker, Machida couldn't seem to keep up with.

As impressed I was with Rua's performance, I was equally devastated to see the once undefeated Machida go down like he did in this fight.  Even when Rua was crowned with his new belt, Machida was still being attended to on the canvas.... 

But kudos to Shogun Rua in finding his old form again from his PRIDE glory days, and now earning the UFC title what many thought he deserved in their first bout back in UFC 104.

END OF SPOILERS.............................................

Just one of the many familiar faces in attendance at the UFC 113 event in Montreal - Mr Mickey Rourke

These lovely ladies generated most of the cheers throughout the night!  Ring girls - Chandella and Arianny..... 

So it was a fantastic time in Montreal and at the UFC 113 event!  Thanks again my dear siblings for the wonderful experience! 

Peace & Best Wishes,

Alan