Welcome to tonight's ongoing real time coverage of UFC Fight Night on Spike TV. You may need to hit "refresh" from time to time to see the latest update.

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Tonight's tribute to the military was live from Hangar 1 South at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. 

Mike Goldberg introduced the show, saying the Marines consider themselves the mixed martial artists of the military.  This was a night to say thank you to the military, said Goldberg, so UFC had packed up its octagon and brought it to the 3,500 enthusiastic Marines in the audience.

Goldberg and Joe Rogan welcomed viewers to the show and said former Marine, Shonie Carter, would be featured in the first match.

(Commercial break)

The show was airing live on the Armed Forces Network, and fans in Iraq were shown enjoying the show.

Bruce Buffer started his fight announcement with a hearty “Semper Fi.”

(1)  Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis vs. Shonie “Mr. International” Carter.   Davis had the reach advantage; but Carter had the experience.  Davis appeared to get booed when he was announced.  Shonie, the former Marine, got a good pop from the crowd.  Big John McCarthy was the referee.  Rogan noted that in Carter’s bio, he’d listed himself as “sexy as hell.”  It should be noted that while Shonie is known for his fashion statements, he was wearing simple white shorts with advertising on them tonight.  Davis got Carter’s back early and Shonie was in trouble.  Davis kept the body triangle on Carter.  Shonie rolled over and gained control.  The crowd cheered.  Shonie rained elbows on Davis as Round 1 came to an end. 

Round 2 started with the two standing and throwing, with Davis landing some good punches.  Shonie’s technique was sloppy and the announcers noted that he seemed gassed.  The Marines chanted encouragement to him, although Shonie remained wobbly.  The second round belonged to Davis.

Round 3 was a continuation of the second round, and the decision would rest with the judges’ scorecards.

(Commercial break)

Bruce Buffer announced that Marcus Davis had won by unanimous decision.  In his post-fight interview, Davis told Joe Rogan that Carter had been a tricky opponent.  Davis sincerely thanked the Marines—whether they cheered him or booed him.  Of course, that got him a cheer.

(Commercial break)

(2)  Karo Parisyan vs. Drew Fickett.  Karo had the reach advantage in this match.  The referee was Steve Mazzagatti.  (Even the time clock had a sponsor tonight—“Rocky Balboa.”)  Karo was on the receiving end of a nut shot, and he was given as much time as he needed to recover.  The fight resumed and the fists were flying.   Fickett tried his best for a take-down, but that wasn’t happening.

  
Round 2 saw Karo get the take-down.  Elbow from below by Fickett and both were bleeding.  Karo had a bad cut under his eye and the referee asked the doctor to look at it.  It was deemed okay, and the match resumed.  Karo was trying to impose his will on Fickett.  Both were a bloody mess, and Karo’s white shorts were stained pink.  The round ended in a slugfest.  Great round!

At Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, the crowd was loud, proud and enthusiastic, even at 5:00 in the morning.

The third round started with stand up.  Fickett succeeded with a take-down, but they returned to their feet quickly.  Karo knocked Fickett down as the seconds ticked down to end the round, and the decision would rest with the judges again.

This was clearly the best fight so far. 

Bruce Buffer announced that Karo Parysan had won by unanimous decision. 

(3)  Josh Koscheck vs. Jeff Joslin.    Koscheck had the reach advantage.  The referee was Herb Dean.  They danced around a bit before Koscheck went for a take-down and had Joslin against the fence.  They returned to their feet, but Koscheck returned the action to the mat.  

Round 2 started with punches and leg kicks.  It went to the mat and the referee stood them up.  Another take-down by Koscheck.  Rogan said Koscheck was a better wrestler than Matt Hughes, with no disrespect meant to Hughes. 

(Commercial break)

R. Lee Emery was shown in the audience.

Round 3 saw Koscheck back on top and throwing punches.  The crowd was chanting something that was bleeped, as acknowledged by Rogan.  With less than a minute to go in the round, they stood up again.  Joslin would have to “swing for the fences,” observed Goldberg. 

(Commercial break)

Bruce Buffer announced that Josh Koscheck had won by unanimous decision.

(Commercial break)

(4)  Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Riggs.  Although the shorter of the two, Sanchez had the reach advantage.  The referee was Big John McCarthy.  They touched gloves and came out swinging.  Rogan said that Riggs had started out as a 300 pound heavyweight and pared down.  Sanchez got Riggs right on the button and he went down; Sanchez pounced.  The referee stopped the fight at 1 minute 45 seconds of the first round.   

(Commercial break)

Bruce Buffer made the official announcement that Diego Sanchez had won the fight.

In his post-fight interview, Diego thanked everyone on his team and sounded much more modest than usual.  He’s obviously been working on his interview skills, as well as his MMA skills.  He thanked the troops and gave the marines a big Boo Rah.

Thus ended another enjoyable UFC Fight Night.  Funny how time flies when you’re enjoying something.  (I only hope the time on WWE’s three-hour show Monday night will fly as quickly.)

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