UFC 98: Lyoto Machida Wins Battle of the Undefeated

Lyoto Machida (Photo: sportsnet.ca)

UFC 98 – Las Vegas, Nev. - MGM Grand Garden Arena – May 23, 2009

Lyoto Machida captured the UFC light heavyweight title, handing Rashad Evans his first career loss at UFC 98.

Machida, a former sumo and karate champion, used a right-left combination to knock “Suga” out and claim the title.

In a battle of former welterweight champions, Matt Hughes won a narrow but unanimous decision over Matt Serra. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Hughes.

Drew McFedries beat Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO in 37 seconds. Chael Sonnen beat Dan Miller by unanimous decision, as Miller also landed in the loss column for the first time.

UFC 97: Anderson Silva Rewrites the UFC Record Book

Anderson Silva (Photo: ibtimes.co.uk)

UFC 97: Redemption: Montreal, Quebec, Canada – Bell Centre – April 18, 2009

Anderson Silva and UFC enjoyed a record-breaking night at UFC 97 in Montreal.

Silva retained his UFC middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Thales Leites. The fans booed the action (or lack thereof), but Silva had two records to take home along with his championship belt.

“The Spider” set a new record with nine consecutive wins in the Octagon. He also tied a record with his fifth straight successful title defense.

UFC broke its attendance record with a crowd of 21,451, drawing 61 more fans than one year earlier at UFC 83. That show also took place in Montreal.

Chuck Liddell’s return was spoiled by Mauricio Rua. “Shogun” dropped Liddell with a left hook and finished him with a series of rights at 4:28.

UFC Fight Night 18: Martin Kampmann Scores a Hit

Martin Kampmann (Photo: mmafighting.com)

UFC Fight Night 18: Condit v. Kampmann – Nashville, Tenn. – April 1, 2009

Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann broke Carlos Condit’s eight-fight winning streak in the main event of UFC Fight Night 18.

Condit had built his reputation in the WEC as its welterweight champion. He was coming off three successful title defenses and made his UFC debut here in the main event.

Kampmann, a Danish fighter who had won six of his previous seven bouts, used several submission attempts to score a split decision with scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28.

“Carlos is a really tough man,” Kampmann said. “That was a war.”

This show served as the lead-in for Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter, which had a USA vs. UK theme. The coaches were Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping.

UFC 96: Rampage Jackson Called Out by the Champ

Rampage Jackson (Photo: blacksportsonline.com)

UFC 96: Jackson v. Jardine – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena – March 7, 2009

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson picked up his 30^th career win by defeating Keith Jardine in the main event of UFC 96.

Rampage didn’t have to ask for a UFC light heavyweight title shot, as champion Rashad “Suga” Evans challenged him after the bout.

Shane Carwin (11-0) knocked out Gabriel Gonzaga in 69 seconds, but he would have to wait another year to get a shot at heavyweight gold in the UFC.