UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben Televised Recap

The show is on tape delay tonight but our recap is still LIVE as it airs for the first time on SpikeTV, so hit F5 or refresh for updates as often as you like!

We are ON THE AIR~! Brandon Vera is saying that winning isn't everything. That's good because he hasn't done a lot of it lately. "You're gonna see someone even more vicious than I was when I first came on the scene." Jardine encourages him to bring it and be as nasty as he wants to be. Leben professes he will knockdown anybody with a punch no matter what their record is. Bisping: "He's got this little fancy he's going to come out in front of my hometown. Unfortunately for him this isn't a movie. There's no way he's going to knock me out in front of my family." It's time, IT'S TIME, for UFC 89!

Mike Goldberg says everybody in the building tonight is ready to cheer on Michael 'The Count' Bisping, the face of MMA in the UK, and puts him over as being more dangerous since he dropped down a weight division. WHOA~! Joe Rogan looks like a lumberjack! Dude hasn't seen a razor in quite a while. Rogan puts over Leben's newfound focus and discipline when it comes to alcohol, and notes he went toe to toe with Anderson Silva. Goldberg throws to a clip of Keith Jardine and Rogan describes him as "very awkward and giving trouble to everyone." Rogan says Vera was great early in his UFC career but has had a lot of problems of late. Goldberg describes it as a night to remember and we run down the card. Paul Taylor v. Chris Lytle, Sokoudjou vs. Luiz Cane, and the first fight of the night will be Paul Kelly v. Marcus Davis - coming up after these commercial messages!

* Paul Kelly v. 'Irish Hand Greande' Marcus Davis

Goldberg describes Davis as an honorary citizen of UK due to his great fights there, but notes that Kelly has had Fight of the Night honors once already and is looking to step up to greater competition than he has ever faced before. If you hadn't guessed that this was on tape delay, Kelly and Davis are already in the ring with no walk down to the cage or entrance music when Buffer makes introductions. Here we go! Kelly is in the white trunks, Davis is in red and black. Kelly appears to have something on his left leg or knee and Davis is definitely targetting that spot with kicks. 90 seconds in though this is kind of slow, both men circling and not landing much, but amazingly the crowd has yet to take a crap on the lack of action. Jab, faint, punch, counterpunch. Three minutes gone by and I hear a few boo birds here and there. Davis finally takes Kelly to the ground and passes to side control with just a minute left, and Kelly manages to buck him off and get back to his feet. R1 ends with more trading but neither man apparently winded or too badly hurt.

We're back for round two! Apparently Davis' corner was giving him props for being "much more technical" than his opponent in R1. Kelly seems to be a little more aggressive in the first 90 seconds, coming forward with several flurries yet Davis seems to be ducking or avoiding most blows. Kelly shoots in at just under two minutes in and gets a takedown. Davis responds by wrapping an arm around Kelly's neck for his trouble and Kelly is in deep trouble. IT IS ALL OVER~! Marcus Davis wins via guillotine choke. The official decision is coming on Spike after these commercial messages.

The official time is 2:16 of round two for the winner via tapout to a guillotine THE IRISH HAND GRENADE: MARCUS DAVIS. Davis describes Kelly as dangerous and aggressive but he knew to take opportunities where he could and not make stupid mistakes. He puts over Dr. Frank Styles for getting rid of his scar tissue, and this was the first time he wasn't cut before training due to his surgery and collagen. "I don't care if you cheer for me or cheer for him, I made a friend here tonight. I hope to see everybody in Ireland. UFC, Dana, please send me to Ireland!" We go to a promo for UFC 90 - Anderson Silva v. Patrick Cote and commercial, then come back to Birmingham for our next fight.

* Paul Taylor v. Chris 'Lights Out' Lytle

Goldberg calls them two of the classiest fighters outside of the Octagon, but inside it Lytle is a killer and Taylor is relentless. Taylor calls himself more aggressive and more technical, but Goldberg notes Lytle has gotten everything he wants out of fighting other than a title shot. "I've got got land that punch first, I can't let him dictate the pace." Goldberg calls Taylor "a bonafide action hero" and puts over his performance in winning at UFC 85. "I need to throw my hands, keep my chin down, I need to be the more technical fighter and not quit." Time to get it on inside the Octagon! Buffer introduces three rounds in the welterweight division. Lytle is in the blue corner and hails from Indianapolis. Taylor is in the red corner and hails from Walsall, England which draws a big pop from the crowd. The ref in charge is Kevin Mulhall. Here we go!

Lytle and Taylor are swinging from the fences right from the start. Lytle lands an uppercut 30 seconds in, avoids kicks and comes in with body shots. They clinch up against the fence and Taylor tries to spin to a better position. Mulhall warns them to keep busy at about 80 seconds in. Lytle tries to throw Paul Taylor to the ground but Taylor pops right back up. Krunch: "Those trunks of Taylor's scream fuck me up the ass but make sure you buy a prophylactic from Condom Depot first!" Indeed. Harry the Homo Parrot says "BRRACK, CONDOMDEPOT.COM, NO BUYS!" The clinch along the cage is getting a little boring with 75 seconds left, thankfully they break apart and Taylor tries a spinning kick. It misses by a mile but I appreciate the effort. All of the action so far in this fight was in the first minute or so. Lytle is exerting Octagon control though by pushing Taylor around the cage at will. Taylor does land one good right hand on Lytle right before time expires in R1.

Lytle and Taylor are once again swinging for the fences as round two gets underway. Taylor would appear to be getting the worst of any exchange from my vantage point but of course I'm not a judge at ringside. Lytle takes him down about 45 seconds in and works for position. Taylor briefly reverses but Lytle gets control back and tries to work his way into a guillotine, softening up Taylor with kicks in the process. 95 seconds in they both get to their feet and break apart. Taylor nearly gets Lytle to the ground with a leg trip takedown but Lytle pops back up immediately. Lytle pushes Taylor up against the fence halfway in and tries to work him over with strikes and knees. Anytime Taylor reverses position, Lytle gets him right back up on the fence. The ref calls for time as Taylor accidentally hit a shot to the groin with about 1:17 left to go. Lytle mans up and says he's ready to continue and the two touch gloves. Taylor makes a takedown attempt 25 seconds left but is unsuccessful and the two finish in standup as time in R2 expires.

We come back from commercial with R3 virtually in progress, at least a half second into the third round. Lytle is going bombs away up against the cage 45 seconds in, landing bombs as he pushes Taylor into the fence. Taylor's corner is screaming at him to create space, and he tries a foot stomp. No dice. Taylor's looking gassed, he's probably having a hard time breathing from those nasty body shots. Give him credit though, he's weathered the storm each time Lytle has tried to finish him off. Lytle misses with a big looping overhand punch and Rogan says he too may be gassed from expending so much energy in the attempts. As if to prove the point Taylor easily ducks a big right hand attempt. Lytle keeps coming forward though, and if dominating where the fight goes really counts for anything he'll get a unanimous decision from the judges. 2:10 left. Lytle wants and gets a double leg takedown with 80 seconds remaining. Taylor gets back up with 50 seconds. Up, down, up, down. Taylor lands a nice right with 20 left and seems to stagger him a little but can't knock him off his feet as we go to commercial break.

Here's Bruce Buffer with the official announcement. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE GO TO THE JUDGES FOR A DECISION - 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 FOR THE WINNER BY UNANIMOUS DECISION: CHRIS 'LIGHTS OUT' LYTLE. The crowd boos the announcement but there's no way that this wasn't the correct decision. Lytle does put over Taylor as a standup guy and a great fighter in his post-fight promo, then says everybody needs to do what they can to keep Firehouse Station something or other open. Whatever.

We go to a video package with Anderson Silva being interviewed by Joe Rogan. Through a translator Silva says Cote will be a great opponent, and it's a bit early to say he's pound for pound best in the world, but maybe someday when his career is over they may all think so. Silva notes James Irvin was a great fighter and it was a great experience to ply his trade at 205. Rogan says he looks forward to seeing him at UFC 90 and in english Silva responds "Thank you! Bye! See you!" We go to Michael Bisping warming up backstage, while his opponent Leben stares off into space. Sokoudjou v. Cane is up after this break!

* Sokoudjou v. Luiz Cane

Cane fights out of Sao Paulo, Brazil in the blue corner and Sokoudjou fights out of Temecula, California in the red corner. Our referee in charge is Marc Goddard. Here we go!

Cane's trunks are purple and black, whereas Sokoudjou's are bright red. Rogan and Goldberg put over how thick and muscular Sok's legs are. Not much happens for the first minute. Sok appears to have a brace or bandages on his right knee. Cane is being chased as we cross the first minute but stops back up in the second and is looking for a shot. Cane lands a nice kick to the right leg just before the two minute mark. Both fighters seem to be cautious about picking their spots. Sok comes forward with strikes but can't seem to land a big combo . Sok spins around on his leg at 2:15 left to go. Body shot, big right hand, but Cane is staying "in the pocket" as Rogan says himself. Sok definitely seems to be maturing as a fighter, not over-eager to get a quick finish any more. content to find a winner strategy. Rogan says he may be getting a little taxed from the energy he's exerted so far in R1. Cane lands a knee as if to prove the point. 10 seconds gone by at the end of the round, all circling and nothing landing. We go to break.

Actual quote at Krunch's Casa: "Somebody finish this fight so I can finish my beer." Cane hits an accidental groin shot shortly into R2 and Sok winces moments later. Rogan seems to enjoy it and Goldberg says "You're not normal you know that don't you!" We restart with about 30 seconds gone by. Sok lands a big bodykick and tries to come forward again. To Cane's credit he is not running away or avoiding Sok, even if he is getting hurt by the occasional power shot or strike. Honestly as much as I like Sok I can literally see tens of thousands of people channel surfing, frustrated by one long fight with no finish and another seemingly headed in the same direction. Rogan can't make up his mind whether eating Sok's punches is dangerous or impressive on Cane's part. Cane comes forward with a knee and lefts and Sok is backed up to the cage fence. It doesn't last, the two circle, and the most audible boos of the night come with 1:20 left in the round. LUIZ CANE EXPLODES ON SOK! He knocks him down and starts pouring lefts down the pipe, Sok tries to defend, but with under 50 seconds left IT IS ALL OVER~! We IMMEDIATELY and I mean 0.0 seconds later go to commercial. Decision follows after this break.

Rogan and Goldberg argue about whether or not it should have been stopped sooner, and it was a knee that set up the big finish. Here's Bruce Buffer! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN REFEREE MARC GODDARD STOPS THE CONTEST 4:15 INTO R2 FOR THE WINNER VIA TKO: LUIZ CANE! I can't pick 'em all. Lumberjack Rogan goes to interview Cane and he turns to the translator. The only thing Cane says I understood is "muay thai." Transalator says this was his game and strategy and he knew Sok hit hard and he was prepared for it. Mercifully the interview ends there because the back and forth between all three was taking FOREVER.

Goldberg previews both UFC 90 and the UFC 91 fight card headlined by Couture v. Lesnar before we go to another Cote v. Silva promo. We get an uncharismatic interview with Patrick Cote and a note that Jardine v. Vera is up next!

* Brandon 'The Truth' Vera v. Keith 'The Dean of Mean' Jardine

Our referee in charge is Kevin Mulhall. Gross - Jardine was playing with his nipples during the introductions from Bruce Buffer. Joe Rogan even claims it's supposed to bring you luck. Jardine gets a single leg takedown right away. Action stalls out there 50 seconds in and somehow Jardine got a big cut on the top of his head. He's bleeding all over Vera's back like crazy. Vera had an arm trapped but finally let go of it. Jardine startings coming over the top with elbows 1:40 into the round and may be trying to give Vera an equal gash in the top of his own head. Considering both are shaved almost cue ball bald that wouldn't be hard to do. Jardine just keeps spraying blood everywhere as his corner encourages him to keep laying in that elbow. Vera seems poised though and isn't getting rattled, blocking more than he's getting hit. The ref gets tired of it and stands them up at 1:50 to go. Vera lands a big body kick at 1:10 but can't follow up. Goldberg notes Vera would love to clinch and land some muay thai knees. Jardine with a left to the head and a side leg kick. Vera catches Jardine! Jardine catches Vera! Neither one can be put away. Vera is put down on his knees and he's eating big shots as the round expires.

Annnd we're back for R2! Vera comes forward and eats a combo for his trouble. Jardine has a visible blob of goo on the top of his head to keep his cut from bleeding, but if the doctor and the ref allowed it that's their business. Goldberg actually has to shill TNA live in HD next Thursday - I feel sorry for him. Vera stuffs a takedown. Jardine his a trademark inside leg kick but then allows himself to be taken down by Vera. Vera tries to stack him up against the fence for knees to the body but Jardine gets away. Rogan speculates on whether or not Jardine has a gimp knee. Goldberg: "He looks tired and hurt but he's (usually) not tired and not hurt." Vera's nose may have gotten tagged - he keeps touching it periodically. 90 seconds left and Vera goes for a high kick. Jardine's cut is bleeding again as he comes forward looking for a hook and a right combo. Another kick and Vera blocks it. This is one of the most patient polite UFC crowds I've ever heard - they almost never boo anything. On the other hand they're awfully quiet a lot of the time too. 20 seconds left. Jardine comes forward throwing bombs and Vera just ducks under at the last second. Jardine comes forward with one last punch before time expires.

R3 begins at 10:05 CST. Vera is looking better in this fight than either of his previous two, I'll say that much. Goldberg says Vera may actually be the bigger of the two in the Octagon tonight. Rogan: "Oh no doubt!" One minute in, nothing spectacular. Everytime Vera tries to come forward, Jardine makes him pay with a headshot or body kick. Vera keeps going for the inside leg kick though whenever he can get it in. Jardine comes forward at 2:50 left and Vera ducks. They're FINALLY starting to boo en masse in Birmingham, but then they may just be impatient to see Bisping v. Leben at this point. The boos are silenced as Jardine goes for the single leg takedown against the cage, but Vera refuses to submit. Jardine keeps punching him in the face from behind until they break apart. 90 seconds left. The boos keep creeping in here and there. Jardine circles, Vera backs away. Jardine narrowly misses tagging him. Rogan can't tell who is ahead on points and honestly I can't either at this point, although earlier I might have said Jardine. He unloads with a few more bombs right before time expires to more boos in Birmingham.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE GO TO THE JUDGES SCORECARDS - 29-28 VERA, 29-28 JARDINE, 29-28 FOR THE WINNER BY SPLIT DECISION: THE DEAN OF MEAN, KEITH JARDINE! Wow. I FUCKING CALLED IT. Jardine says people from England are the nicest fans in the world, and he thanks his training team and his coaches as being the best in the world, and gets a nice round of applause despite being booed when the decision was announced earlier. UFC All Access with Anderson Silva is coming up next week before UFC 90, but first we've got Bisping v. Leben in tonight's main event! Commercial.

* Michael 'The Count' Bisping v. Chris 'The Crippler' Leben

Fight introductions finally take place at 10:30 Central. Dan Miragliotta is our referee in charge. Leben seems calm and poised coming in on Bisping, even though he appears to give up a little bit of height and reach to the former 205 fighter. Leben keeps coming forward and Bisping finally clinches to avoid damage. Bisping catches him with a left around 90. Leben and Bisping end up along the fence 1:55 in and Bisping catches him with a knee. Lebencontinues to press and aim leg kicks at the body. Bisping tries to respond with a right as the crowd cheers him on. So far it's been as I predicted - almost entirely standup. Bisping lands a left head kick but Leben keeps on coming. Muay thai knee misses but Leben is bleeding out of the nose. 1:45 left. Bisping counters and moves whenever Leben presses forward, and Bisping hits a body kick before Leben presses him to the cage wall. 1:15. Leben lands a couple of big shots on the fence. Body kick by Bisping checked. Leben seems to be loading up the left for a big KO shot. Bisping responds with a couple of big rights. Leben misses with a huge overhand left and Bisping gets a takedown right as time expires.

Bisping lands the first left hook of R2. Leben hits a left hook but his nose is bleeding huge and it's getting hard for him to breath except from the mouth, which is a recipe to get your jaw cracked. Bisping keeps his hands up and looks to pick his spots. Leben comes forward with a knee and misses. Bisping crowd chants continue. Groin shot at 2L51 and Leben is sent to a neutral corner. Leben's shot comes as close to an intentional punt to the balls as anything has all night long. Ref restarts at 2:50 and both men touch gloves. When Leben charges forward again he nearly eats a jumping knee. Leben is definitely willing to engage, not avoiding or running from 'The Count' in any way or fashion. Bisping catches a leg kick and counters with a punch. Bisping may be anticipating that Leben will come forward regardless of the situation now. Leben's right cheek is bloody from something. Bisping just misses with a huge elbow and a big uppercut. Leben jabs and presses and backs Bisping up to the fence, and may have staggered him a little with a shot that comes with 10 left in R2. Commercial.

To be perfectly honest R3 was more of what we saw in R2 although Leben's face looks a little worse after the end of every round. Since it's 10:55 when this fight ends I imagine we aren't getting any bonus fights tonight, which is a damn shame since we really needed some. 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 UNI DECISION FOR MICHAEL 'THE COUNT' BISPING. Well that's that for a boring free numbered UFC on SpikeTV. Here are the undercard fights according to Sherdog.

Preliminary card

    * Welterweight bout: Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy

    Hardy defeated Gono via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

    * Heavyweight bout: Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain

    Carwin defeated Wain by TKO (Strikes) 1.31 of round 1.

    * Lightweight bout: Jess Liaudin vs. David Bielkheden

    Bielkheden defeated Liaudin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

    * Lightweight bout: Sam Stout vs. Terry Etim

    Etim defeated Stout via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

    * Lightweight bout: David Baron vs. Jim Miller

    Miller defeated Baron by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:19 of round 3.

    * Lightweight bout: Samy Schiavo vs. Per Eklund

    Eklund defeated Schiavo via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:47 of round 3.