ESPN MMA Live 55: UFC 98 & DREAM.9 Recaps

Widescreen
ESPN MMA Live Archive

 

Fox Fight Game: ‘Era of Machida’

Mike Straka talks to Mike Tyson at the beginning of the video. Funny enough, he says he likes the grappling more than the striking. Who would have guessed? Straka also mentions the passing of his daughter which happened just days after UFC 98. It’s an awful tragic story, and we wish Tyson our best.

Frankie Edgar talks about his big win after the jump.

 

Mark Coleman Believes He Can Exploit Lyoto Machida’s Weaknesses (Update)

Mark ColemanWhile the majority of us were watching Lyoto Machida’s performance against Rashad Evans in utter amazement last Saturday night, there was one fighter who claims he was busy identifying his weaknesses.

Rampage Jackson? Forrest Griffin? Shogun Rua? Randy Couture? Nope, nope, nope and nope. Mark Coleman.

Not only does Coleman think he has found the holes in Machida’s game, he also thinks he has the “perfect” style and skill set to exploit them.

I’ve been training hard with “the Cat” and I feel confident that I know what his weaknesses are, and how I can exploit them should we meet in the cage.

In my past fights I relied on my wrestling too much and it showed. Now I know that the key is good cardio and a sound stand up game, which I have now.  I don’t think Machida has faced a wrestler of my caliber before and I think stylistically I match up with him perfectly.

You know my cardio wasn’t up to scratch for that fight [against Shogun] and I believe it was an early stoppage but whatever,  I’m not one to make excuses. Ever since that fight me and Miller have been in the gym  working hard on it and I can keep going for 25 minutes if necessary.

You know, of all the potential title contenders in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, we should have known Mark Coleman was the perfect candidate to beat Lyoto Machida. Problem solved! Thank you Mark for pointing out the obvious.

Update: Coleman is denying he made the comments above. Sorry guys, striking out today.

 

UFC 98 ‘Evans vs Machida’ Fighter Payouts

MoneyThe NSAC has released the fighter payouts for UFC 98 “Evans vs. Machida.” Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional “locker room” bonuses, pay-per-view revenue sharing, or sponsorship money, which in many cases exceeds a fighter’s base pay. These numbers also do not account for taxes, insurance, and license fees.

The night’s biggest money winner was UFC veteran Matt Hughes who pulled in $200,000 for beating Matt Serra plus an additional $60,000 for Fight of the Night. New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida did quite well for himself raking in a total of $200,000 for winning the title and securing the KO of the Night. The man he beat, Rashad Evans, matched his pay also pocketing $200,000.

Payouts

Courtesy of MMA Weekly:

  • Lyoto Machida: $140,000 ($70k + $70k)
    Rashad Evans: $200,000
  • Matt Hughes: $200,000 ($100k + $100k)
    Matt Serra: $75,000
  • Drew McFedries: $34,000 ($17k + $17k)
    Xavier Foupa-Pokam: $6,000
  • Chael Sonnen: $50,000 ($25k + $25k)
    Dan Miller: $15,000
  • Frankie Edgar: $40,000 ($20k + $20k)
    Sean Sherk: $40,000
  • Brock Larson: $42,000 ($21k + $21k)
    Mike Pyle: $15,000
  • Tim Hague: $10,000 ($5k + $5k)
    Pat Barry: $7,000
  • Kyle Bradley: $8,000 ($4k + $4k)
    Phillipe Nover: $10,000
  • Krzysztof Soszynski : $16,000 ($8k + $8k)
    Andre Gusmao: $5,000
  • Yoshiyuki Yoshida: $16,000 ($8k + $8k)
    Brandon Wolff: $3,000
  • George Roop: $16,000 ($8k + $8k)
    Dave Kaplan: $8,000

Bonuses

$60,000 bonus to each fighter.

  • KO of the night – Lyoto Machida
  • Submission of the night – Brock Larson
  • Fight of the night – Matt Hughes and Matt Serra

Total Payout

A disclosed total of $1,196,000, including all bonuses, was paid out to the fighters.

 

Dana White’s UFC 98 Video Blog: Fight Night

You might want to go grab yourself a drink and something to eat because there’s 30 more minutes of footage after the jump.

 

Fox Fight Game Makes The Rounds At UFC 98

Mike Straka chats with Dana White, Randy Couture, Mike Tyson, BJ Penn and Matt Hughes at UFC 98 after the jump.

 

UFC 98 Pics & Gifs

Rashad Evans KO'd

Lyoto Machida Finishes Rashad Evans UFC 98This probably wasn’t the way Rashad figured he would be going to sleep last night.

MMA Fanhouse has the pictures (via FL). MMA-Core has the animated gifs. And the UG has my personal favorite…after the jump.

 

UFC 98 Post-Fight Interviews: Machida, Jackson, Hughes, Serra

Post-fight interviews with Greg Jackson, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra after the jump.

 

Sean Sherk Exits Octagon Then Building

Sean SherkSo, apparently right after Sean Sherk exited the Octagon after his loss to Frankie Edgar he immediately left the building without taking off his gloves, putting on a shirt, anything.

 

UFC 98 Post-Fight Press Conference Notes (Update – Video)

A few notes from the UFC 98 post-fight press conference:

  • Matt Hughes and Matt Serra win Fight of the Night, Lyoto Machida wins Knockout of the Night, Brock Larson wins Submission of the Night. Bonuses were $60,000.
  • Dana confirmed Rampage will get first crack at Machida’s title.
  • Matt Hughes still wants to fight. Not sure for how long, but doesn’t seem ready to retire.
  • Dana White was “blown away” by Frankie Edgar’s performance.
  • Dana said Rashad Evans is fine physically, but bummed out.
  • Machida credits his win to Machida karate. His plan now is to analyze the fight with his father and brothers and improve upon his mistakes (what mistakes?).
  • Someone asked if Machida would pursue a movie career on the side. Dana replied, “Oh god! Please say no.” Machida simply replied, “no.” Pretty funny, but probably had to be there.
  • Chael Sonnen thanks a reporter for asking him a question. He thought he’d be left out like he was picked last in kickball as a kid. He was glad to get job done against Miller.
  • Matt Serra not sure where he goes from here. Just wants to take some time off, relax and spend time with his family and new baby daughter. And eat pasta of course.
  • UFC returning to Southern California at the Staples Center on October 24. Didn’t specify what event number that would be. UFC 104?
  • Comparison drawn between the family aspect of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Machida Karate.

Update: Video via Cagewriter