Evan Tanner v. Yushin Okami: UFC 82

Mark Coleman talks to Joe Rogan and announces that he'll be fighting Brock Lesnar in 5 months. Coleman was at one point one of the baddest SOB's on earth but why do I get a "Apollo Creed v. Ivan Drago" vibe here? And for that matter how come we couldn't spare a few minutes on the actual PPV to give Coleman his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Evan Tanner v. Yushin Okami is next. Contrast of styles with the sometimes dull Okami against the always exciting Tanner. Yushin "Thunder" Okami not to be confused with Jushin "Thunder" Liger enters the ring to what sounds like a hip hop sample of Earth, Wind and Fire's "Getaway". The original would have been much cooler IMO. Fitch is going to be tough to beat in the ring entrance music derby tonight with his Johnny Cash ring entrance. Okami despite not being the flashiest fighter is a badass and is an extremely well conditioned guy.

Evan Tanner heads to the ring with a credible entry into the ring entrance music derby with Jimi Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower". I almost expected to see Nick Diaz run in from the crowd when Jimi sings the "dig my herb" line. Goldberg reminds us of the great story that Tanner taught himself grappling off of instructional tapes. For that reason, he's also a black belt in Tai-Bo. Just kidding about the Tai Bo thing. Bruce Buffer gives the intros and we're ready to go to work....

Round 1 underway--the Blogger interface is being brutally slow tonight so I apologize for any delay in getting this up. I really wish some big company with resources would buy Blogger so this sort of thing wouldn't happen. Fitch lands a punch as the two guys circle each other but not much happening at. Hopefully they'll air the Arlovksi fight from earlier tonight which was pretty entertaining. Tanner catches Okami with a left right before eating a straight left to the button. Tanner shows he's a tough SOB by shaking out the cobwebs in a matter of seconds and trying for a takedown. Tanner now has Okami against the fence and appears to be trying to figure out what to do next. Tanner appears to be cut, but as Rogan points out he's something of a bleeder. Not much happening now as the two fighters roll around the fence like a couple of winos fighting in a vacant lot. Okami finally rolls off the fence and we're back to standup. Again, the bloodthirsty toothless meth addicts start to boo since no one has had a bone broken yet. Not that Las Vegas doesn't get its share of bloodthirsty white trash, but on balance the crowds there are much more educated about the sport and what's going on. Again a tough round to score--I'll give it to Okami for that nice straight left and controlling tempo. Round 1 goes 10-9 Okami...

Round 2 starts with the fighters circling each other...Okami is definitely the more precise striker. Goldberg talks about Okami wanting to fight Silva and Joe Rogan finally deals with what every hardcore fan knows--Okami beat Silva by DQ at a Rumble on the Rock show in early 2006. Not much action, but Okami definitely controlling tempo and striking more effectively. Out of nowhere Okami nails Tanner with a knee to the noggin--Tanner is out before he hits the ground and the ref correctly jumps in before he can absorb much more damage. YUSHIN OKAMI D. EVAN TANNER BY TKO

Cameras show Batista in the crowd--I thought the meth addicts would pop for a WWE rassler' but there was primarily indifference with a smattering of boos. I guess Batista must be a heel currently in the WWE.