Goz Live From UFC 217 At Madison Square Garden
I'll be providing updates and more from tonight's UFC 217 card live from Madison Square Garden. On a personal note, I already made two mistakes. First thing is that I accidentally deleted my email off my phone. That is creating quite the obstacle to get some of my favorite pictures online. The second issue is I can't figure out how to put my media pass around my neck.... ya. After those issues are resolves all be sure to be providing you updates throughout the night.
8:03pm
Getting ready for Mickey Gall versus Randy Brown. Mickey Gall is a young fighter who has made his name for beating the likes of CM Punk and Sage Northcutt. A nice ovation from the MSG crowd.
8:14pm
I'll admit I underestimated Randy Brown. Brown out of Queens, NY had a ice crowd on his side too and really control the first round. Gall started bleeding during the end of Round 1 but still managed to get to Round 2.
Two minutes to go in Round 2 and a LET'S GO MICKEY chant breaks out at MSG.
8:21pm
Mickey Gall look like he slipped on the surface of the octagon. Randy Brown pounced on that opportunity. Gall is bleeding a lot from the top of his head. Through out this third and final round, Brown has almost never given up top position. The crowd wanted Gall to slip in a choke hold but he could not keep his grip.
8:30pm.
29-28 29-28 29-27 Randy Brown hands Mickey Gall his first career loss.
8:40pm
Stepping away from the media section for the next fight. Don't forget you can enjoy LSU-Alabama on 1045 The team tonight!
8:45pm
I'm back! We have former Ultimate Fighter winner Corey Anderson versus Ovince Saint Preux next inside the octagon. The winner of Round 1 was those fans who planned on napping before the long night. Not much action is being polite. Maybe I should have grabbed that hot dog and nachos.
8:54pm
GOOD NIGHT! Ovince Saint Preux KO's Corey Anderson with a vicious kick to the side of the head.
9:05pm
Here we go Mark Godbeer versus Walt Harris. Advantage Harris from the start with his walk out music as Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.
9:13pm
Count me as one of the people who thought Godbeer-Harris would not last into the second round. Despite my thoughts here we go with Round 2 after a fairly close Round 1.
Or do we? From my angle I didn't think the low blow had hurt Godbeer that much. Then he fell. and could not get back to his feet. Wow. A strange finish to that fight for sure. Godbeer declared winner by DQ.
9:32PM
Irish Joe Duffy versus James Vick before the PPV undercard gets underway. Last time an Irish fighter walked out in MSG it was a little louder (Conor McGregor UFC 205). James Vick gets some love from 1045 The Team as he comes out to one of the two opening theme songs for Levack and Goz.
Duffy versus Vick has been Ok. The crowd seems to be waiting for the PPV fights to get underway in less than fifteen minutes.
9:57pm
And then just like that BOOM! A right uppercut knock out victory in round two for James Vick. PPV gets underway at the top of the hour.
10:05pm
Remember for other updates make sure to follow me on Twitter @TomGozz. Just on the video board GSP gets a loud pop from the MSG crowd. Bisping gets booed like crazy. Man this is gonna be awesome #UFC217
10:12
A middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and UFC veteran Johny Hendricks gets the pay per view started. Costa may be one of the most in shape physical specimens I have ever seen at a live fight. My goodness he looks like a brick wall. No wonder he has been so highly regarded lately. Hendricks still holding his own through Round 1. The two UFC fights I have been to Miesha Tate retired and Rumble Johnson retired. I have a strange feeling Johny Hendricks is likely to announce his retirement tonight too.
10:29pm
Costa wins by knock out in Round 2. Seemed like a mismatch from the start. Hendricks just ran out of gas.
10:34pm
Walking Dead promo running at MSG. BAH GAWD THAT'S NEGAN'S MUSIC!
10:38pm.
Stephen "Wonder Boy" Thompson vs Jorge Masvidal up next. I was here last year when "Wonder Boy" had the fight of the night with Woodley last November. I'm definitely intrigued what his encore looks like tonight. As of I have been doing all night I love providing a music introduction update. Jack Black is one half of the band that sings Thompson's music.
Loudest ovation for the fight came at the end. Not really a stand out moment at all in three rounds. Wonder Boy Thompson's performance was underwhelming in comparison to the 2016 bout. Let's see how the judges score this one.
11:05pm
30-26 30-27 30-27 for Stephen "Wonder Boy" Thompson. In the post fight interview with Joe Rogan, Thompson said that he could have done better tonight but he is still gunning for Woodley's title.
11:16pm
Rose Namajuas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk with the UFC women's strawweight championship being defended next. If you missed here is Levack and Goz's interview with Joanna earlier this year. She helps us learn the right way to say Goz's last name and a special message for one of his friends back home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFnUX60o2Sk
11:26pm
A SHOCKER IN THE FIRST ROUND! Twice Rose Namajunas puts Joanna down with big punches and in the first round via knock out we have a new champion in the straw weight division.
11:29pm
Standing ovation from the crowd at MSG. Fans are excited for the win for Rose. "Confidence Composure Champion" Three words Rose said to Joe Rogan following her championship win.
11:42pm
Best promo video of the night by a mile goes to this TJ Dillashaw vs Cody Garbrandt. Here they come getting ready for title fight number two on the night .Bantamweight championship will be decided in a few minutes. Both fighters feeling each other out in Round 1.
12:00am (or 11:00pm)
It's Sunday! Or Saturday still? Well day light savings time is on the way. A big punch landed at the end of round 1 but Dillashaw heads to his corner after the bell.
12:01am
It's been the night of the big punch! Dillashaw connects in Round 2 with a big right hand. Puts Garbrandt down and doesn't let him. Ref steps in and stops it. After a less than flattering chant from MSG. Dillashaw is the new bantamweight champion.
12:15am
For the final fight of the night it's Michael Bisping defending his middleweight title against Georges St.Pierre in his first fight since 2013. St.Pierre has not lost in the octagon since 2007.
12:28am
GSP takes Bisping down to the canvs in round one. Loud ovation from the crowd. There have been so many fireworks at the end of round one like ever single fight tonight! Crowd loved the effort from the now no longer retired fighter. I was waiting for a "You Still Got it" chant.
12:35am
For newer UFC fans go back and look at the history of GSP fights before his retirement. Most had finished with a judge's decision. GSP just looking to win round by round tonight even if it's not the flashiest.
12:40am
Into Round 3 and from my angle I could not tell where GSP's big cut came from. He is bleeding a ton. Hopeful refs don't stop this bout.
12:41am
IT STOPS BECAUSE OF A CHOKE OUT! GSP claws back. Rear naked choke gives Georges St-Pierre the win. Thanks for hanging with me tonight. Talk to you Monday afternoon.