UFC 144 proudly returns to the Land of the Rising Sun with its event at former Pride stomping grounds Saitama Super Arena. The preliminary card is underway on Facebook, followed by the FX network (or Sportsnet in Canada).
UFC 144 preliminary card report
Tiequan Zhang vs. Issei Tamura
The evening began with a little Asian on Asian violence as China’s Zhang takes on Japan’s Tamura. The two came out of their corners swinging, with Tamura blasting Zhang with right hands to knock him to the mat. Tamura followed up with consistent ground and pound to earn the first round.The second round began the same as the first as both men came out swinging and Tamura again scored with a massive right hand to win by KO at 0:32 of round 2.
After the fight, a jubilant Tamura said: ““Happy from the bottom of my heart to win, very special to fight in front of Japanese crowd. He (Tiequan) was good at takedowns, choking and striking. Of course I would love to get back to that dream stage. ”
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Mizugaki walked out to Linkin Park and received a hero’s welcome in his home country. The first round saw an extended feeling-out situation on the feet before Mizugaki took Cariaso to the mat. Mizugaki had top position for the rest of the round, but Cariaso appeared to be doing more from the bottom.
The two spent the majority of the second round trying to wear each other down amidst some striking exchanges before Mizugaki again took Cariaso to the floor and proceeded to score with some ground and pound. Cariaso swept Mizugaki, who rolled out and returned the fight to the feet to end the round.
Cariaso attempted to push the pace in the third round, but failed to land many damaging blows. Cariaso slipped on a kick and Mizugaki again was able to control from top position.
The judges scorecards are read as a 29-28 unanimous decision victory for Cariaso, in announcement that drew boos from the Japanese crowd.
Post-fight, the victorious Cariaso said: ““I feel awesome, tough fight against a game opponent. I felt like I controlled the ground game and was most aggressive. Hopefully I won a few more fans here in Japan. I’m a stand up fighter and right off the bat I was using my boxing game. I may drop to the 125 division, whatever the UFC wants me to do I’m here for them.”
A dejected Mizugaki added: “I feel like my victory was stolen. I was on the top position for a long time and there was some good pounding. I can’t find a reason why I lost the fight.”
Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Fukuda immediately takes Cantwell down and works ground and pound from the top. Cantwell was able to get back to his feet and landed a hard knee. Cantwell stuffed another takedown attempt but it was Fukuda pushing forwards. Cantwell landed some kicks to end the first round.
The second round began with Fukuda taking down Cantwell, who counters with a guillotine choke. Fukuda escapes and the fight goes back to the feet. Fukuda dominated the stand-up until an accidental low blow that gives Cantwell a chance to recover. Cantwell snuck in a takedown to end the round.
The third round saw Fukuda land more shots on the feet before taking Cantwell down. The fight went back to the feet with two minutes left and Fukuda continued to pick Cantwell apart. The horn saved Cantwell from any further punishment but Fukuda is victorious with a unanimous decision victory.
After the fight, the victorious Fukuda stated: “Steve was very strong and I knew that before fight. I was very nervous, but I believed in myself and am very happy that I won the fight. I plan was to take him down more, but he had a very strong base. I was in a car accident the last time so I had to take a break, but it was worth the wait and I would like to thank the UFC for giving me this opportunity. I would like to fight again soon.”
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Yamamoto came out swinging and looked determined to put the Brit away, but Lee was able to cover up and weather the storm. Lee landed a huge knee which slowed Yamamoto’s attack considerably. Lee landed again, which forced the fight to the ground where Lee locked in a triangle then switched to an armbar which forced the Japanese legend to tap out at 4:29 of the first round.
An excited Lee stated after the fight: “One of the best feelings in the world. It’s crazy, I can’t believe it. I knew he had pressure on him because he’s fighting in Japan and this is his home crowd, I had the same kind of environment before so I know how he felt and I took advantage of that. I thought the Japanese crowd would be quieter like in Pride but they were amazing, cheered for everything. My plan was to feel him out and wear him down, go blow for blow with him and that’s what happened.”
Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Gomi came out in his unorthodox stance and ate some straight punches up the middle from Mitsuoka. Gomi was successful in scoring with some knees while looking to land a big KO punch. Mitsuoka is content to land smaller but more consistent punches. Mitsuoka caught Gomi with a big right hand that send the former Pride lightweight champion to the mat. Mitsuoka locked in a mounted traingle and Gomi was saved by the horn.
The second round opened with Gomi throwing more punches and putting heat on Mitsuoka. Gomi continued to up the pressure as Mitsuoka appeared to fade. Mitsuoka attempted a single-leg takedown that backfired as Gomi was able to take the back and land some vicious ground and pound for a TKO stoppage at 2:21 of round two with an incredible comeback victory.
