UFC 174 goes down live from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Prior to the main card action, MMASucka.com will bring you the “Preliminary Report.”
Keep it locked beginning at approximate 4:15pm PT/7:15pm ET.
Jason Saggo vs. Josh Shockley
Saggo had the crowd on his side from the get go and turned the fight into a ground battle almost immediately. Shockley got back to his feet with two minutes left in the round and clinched against the cage, but the Canadian was able to bring it back to the mat. Saggo landed a nice trip takedown and with 23-seconds left he took the back and dropped bombs on Shockley’s cranium. The referee was forced to stop the action with just seconds left and the crowd went berserk.
Jason Saggo def. Josh Shockley via TKO (Punches) at 4:57 of Round 1
Following the bout, Saggo spoke about his performance.
“He’s a taller guy so I really wanted to use my lower center of gravity to get under him and hip toss him. Once I got him to side control and started landing my shots I flattened him out and got my hooks in. The ref said there was ten seconds left so I just threw as many accurate punches as fast as I could, Bas Rutten style. I was just doing whatever I could to finish the fight. Dana White told us specifically in his pre-fight speech not to leave it in the hands of the judges and I was trying my best to keep that from happening. Luckily I was able to maintain my hundred percent finish rate in my UFC debut!”
***
Roland Delorme vs. Michinori Tanaka
For the first minute and a half of the fight there was a feeling out process with both fighters just bouncing around the center of the Octagon. Delorme was able to knock Tanaka to the mat and take his back very quickly. Tanaka worked his way out, but wound up in Delorme’s guard with the Canadian looking for submission after submission and continuously striking from the bottom. The round ended in that same position. Tanaka began round two much more aggressive and threw the first quick combination, which caused Delorme to throw out his hands and taunt the Japanese fighter. Tanaka used a slick trip takedown up against the cage and much like the first, rode out the top position for the remainder of the second as well. Tanaka clinched up on an exchange and was able to land a slick throw takedown. Delorme managed to take the top position for mere seconds, before Tanaka swept him back to his back. Delorme continued to work from the bottom, but it wasn’t enough to break Tanaka from his very aggressive top game.
Michinori Tanaka def. Roland Delorme via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Following the unanimous decision win Tanaka had the following to say about his performance.
“I felt great all week and I had a wonderful camp. I didn’t have nerves coming into my UFC debut which surprised me because I expected it to play a factor. If I had to grade my performance tonight I’d give myself a 20 out of 100. I don’t think I was aggressive enough. I should have definitely attacked more but I will work on those things and be back much better.”
***
Kajan Johnson vs. Tae Hyun Bang
The Korean enters the Octagon to some boos, while the hometown boy “Ragin” is greeted with a warm welcome. Johnson comes out and throws a jumping kick, which is followed by both fighters landing head shots. Johnson lands a big double leg takedown and lands in side control, with Bang holding on to a guillotine choke. The Korean utilized the choke to get back to the feet. Both fighters swing for the fences after standing and then separate. Johnson got dropped with a big shot, but clinched up as Bang swarmed. A scramble brought both fighters back to their feet. Bang continues to land as the round goes on and with a minute left, Johnson lands a big shot as well. With fourty-seconds left the crowd erupts as Johnson gets a trip takedown. The round ends with both men getting back to their feet and Johnson attempting a high kick. Big John McCarthy gets the second round of action underway and both men take to the middle of the Octagon. Bang is looking for the home run punch on every shot he is throwing. Johnson is able to get a big single leg takedown, but Bang sweeps to get on top. The two get back to their feet and Johnson lands a big double leg takedown against the cage. Bang is breathing extremely heavy as they get back to their feet. Bang throws a spinning back fist that Johnson ducks under and lands nothing but air. The round ends with Johnson looking much more fresh than Bang. The jab is continuously landing for Johnson and he is beginning to use it effectively. Johnson lands a high kick, but Bang lands a giant right hand that sends Johnson to the canvas and forces the referee to call a stoppage to the fight.
Tae Hyun Bang def. Kajan Johnson via Knockout (Punch) at 2:01 of Round 3
Following the knockout Bang had the following to say.
“My body felt very heavy and I didn’t give my best performance but I’m still happy that I was able to walk away with the finish. Next time I’ll show the fans just how good I can be in that Octagon.”
***
Yves Jabouin vs. Mike Easton
A low blow stops the action early. Both fighters swinging hard and fast to kick off the first round. After several sections of big punches and kicks, Jabouin takes the fight to the mat. Easton lands a takedown and works for a shoulder lock, which lets Jabouin get back to the feet. Three to one in favour of takedowns for Jabouin would solidify the first round for him. Jabouin landing crisp clean strikes, but Easton continues to move forward. Easton looks to have a takedown all sealed up, but Jabouin utilizes a front headlock to take the top position on the ground. Jabouin lands numerous punches and kicks to both the head and body. He uses Easton’s takedown attempt against him and winds up in half guard on top. With 40-seconds left in the round, the referee stands the two up. Easton throwing caution to the wind and Jabouin is returning the favor. The Tristar fighter lands a big spinning back kick to the ribs to end the round. No loss for speed in the third round, with both fighters swinging as constantly as ever. After about a minute and a half against the cage, Jabouin lands a well timed double leg takedown on the break. Easton used a kimura from the bottom to sweep Jabouin and winds up in side control. The fight ends with Jabouin on his back and Easton in his full guard.
Yves Jabouin def. Mike Easton via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Both Jabouin and Easton spoke about their performances after leaving the cage.
Yves Jabouin:
“It was a tough fight and I expected Mike Easton to live up to his name. He was nothing short of the Hulk out there tonight. All of his power comes at a cost though and he was definitely slower than me in the exchanges and scrambles. Speed overcomes in most cases. I worked very hard on my wrestling because that’s his strong suit and I think I surprised him with my own takedowns. Not a lot of people can take Mike down so that’s something I was proud of tonight. I’m the type of guy who takes his career one fight at a time but I think I defeated one of the very best tonight so I’m looking forward to whatever the UFC has in store for me next.”
Mike Easton:
“That was a good hard fight and I’m always happy when I’m able to go out there and compete for the UFC fans. I learned a lot in this one but I wanted to win so badly. I got poked in the eye in the first round. That’s the second fight in a row where that has happened. Unfortunately, my vision didn’t start clearing up until late in the second round. Again, it’s a tough loss but it’s always a pleasure to go out there and do what I love to do. Hopefully in the future they’ll figure out a better way to control the eye pokes so we can compete at our best.”
***
Elizabeth Phillips vs. Valerie Letourneau
Phillips immediately pushing forward with punches and then clinches up against the cage. Both women trade head kicks that don’t do any damage. A big combination lands for Phillips, that caused Letourneau to grab her eye and Phillips came in for another one-two. The two are standing toe-to-toe just trading shot for shot. Letourneau now has a big goose egg under her left eye and on her left forehead. Letourneau lands a huge head kick with about 10-seconds left and Phillips pushes forward with a flurry. The crowd goes wild to start round two. Phillips again opens up with punches and throws a front kick, but just misses. With two and a half minutes left in the second, the two again throw down in the middle of the Octagon. Letourneau is beginning to land the better of the two and lands a well placed knee. Phillips looks to clinch right at the start of the third, but Letourneau wants nothing to do with it and shoves her off. Letourneau looks to be the fresher of the two midway through round three, but Phillips is able to push her up against the cage and clinch. The two break from the clinch and again just stand and trade. The fight ends with both women throwing head shot after head shot.
Valerie Letourneau def. Elizabeth Phillips via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Letourneau was very excited about her performance.
“I’m very happy and excited but I want to do much better next time. I think I broke my orbital at the beginning of the fight and it affected my ability to see but I gave it everything I had. It’s a dream come true to fight and win in the UFC. It means everything to me and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.”
***
Daniel Sarafian vs. Kiichi Kunomoto
Kunomoto opens up with a couple nice leg kicks and Sarafian looks for the big knockout punch right away. Kunomoto gets tagged as he comes in for a takedown, but clinches up against the cage and eventually gets the trip takedown. On a scramble Kunomoto takes Sarafian’s back and sinks in a deep rear-naked choke to force the tap.
Kiichi Kunomoto def. Daniel Sarafian via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:52 of Round 1
Both fighters spoke after the fight.
Kiichi Kunimoto:
“I am very pleased with how the fight went. I was considered a big underdog but I never felt that way. I always was confident in my abilities. I know some people had questions about me, especially with how my last fight played out, but hopefully I answered those questions tonight.”
Daniel Sarafian:
“He caught me in a bad position. I made mistakes but I will be back better. Congrats to Kiichi.”
