Let's Get Ready To Rumble

The UFC returned this past Saturday night with Fight Night 17 from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa Florida. It was nice that it was a free TV event, due to there being so many Pay-per-views in the last month and a half. There were four fights on the main card, with some very exciting match-ups, and some great action.

Welterweight Fight: Luigi Fiorvanti (13-4) vs. Anthony Johnson (6-2)

Winner: Johnson TKO at 4:39 of Round 1

Thoughts: It was a slow start to the fight, with neither fighter engaging much. Johnson throughout the fight was using kicks to keep distance from his opponents. Johnson getting hit in the nuts was painful to watch, but it seemed to wake him up. A big right drops Luigi. Luigi shoots in, Johnson answers with a head kick, Johnson rushes in and finishes the fight. I really like Anthony Johnson and I hope he steps up his competition in the coming months. I really think he could be a force to recon with in the Welterweight Division since he is so young (24) and he is getting better with each fight.

Lightweight Fight: Josh Neer (24-7-1) vs. Mac Danzig (19-5-1)

Winner: Neer by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 3:36 in Round 2

Thoughts: The fans don’t like Neer. I mean, they really don’t like Neer. This fight was really exciting to watch as both fighters were mostly standing up, but when they went to the ground it was also entertaining. Neer was throwing vicious combos all night, which prevented Danzig from using head kicks. Danzig takes Neer to the ground in Round 1, but Neer almost finishes him off with a Triangle Choke. In Round 2 Neer stuffs a Danzig takedown and gets on top of the fighter. Big elbows by Neer which led to him taking side control. Danzig for some stupid reason gave Neer his back but couldn’t finish. Neer gets him into guard and eventually finishes him off with the choke.

Heavyweight Fight: Denis Stognic (12-1) vs. Cain Valesquez (4-0)

Winner: Valesquez by TKO 2:34 Round 2

Thoughts: Cain dominated this fight, utterly dominated it. Cain used big punches, knees and kicks to dismantle Stognic. Stognic somehow survived the first round which is a credit to how tough he is. I was really disappointed with the finish due to how anti-climactic it was. Cain was pounding Stognic and the ref came in, but it looked like he was stopping it, to have them back on their feet again, but he just ended it. Cain looked disappointed with the finish also. I think it’s time for Cain to step up his opponents. He could be a challenger to the champ, but he needs to step up and fight the big boys of the division. Future challengers could be Heath Herring, Cheick Kongo and Gabriel Gonzaga.

The Main Event:

Lightweight Fight: Jeremy Stephens (16-3) vs. Joe Lauzon (16-4)
Winner: Lauzon by Submission (Arm bar) at 4:43 of Round 2

Thoughts: I really like Joe Lauzon. Enjoyed him on his Season of Ultimate Fighter. Stephens stepped in for injured team mate Hermes Franca, and did a respectable job. Lauzon wanted to keep the fight on the ground while Stephens wanted to keep it standing up. Lauzon jiu-jitsu’d his ass all night while going for leg-locks, using the butterfly guard, passing from side guard to mount, and eventually making Stephens tap by arm bar. I gotta give Stephens credit. His stand-up is nice and he was showing some good ground and pound. It was a good effort for taking the fight on short notice, and both fighters have a great future.

Overall it was a great night of fights. You have to love the level of talent on Free TV. The next UFC event is also going to be free and it takes place in 2 weeks from London, England. That card has a lot to live up to but I am not going to complain cause you got to love free fights, which saves money in my pocket for other things…Like the UFC videogame whenever that gets released.

Other Results from the Card:

Matt Riddle Wins by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 in the 3rd round .
Nick Catone Wins by Submission (Arm Lock) at 2:13 in the 2nd round by key lock.
Gleison Tibau Wins by Submission (Choke) at 4:35 in the 1st round by guillotine.
Matt Veach Wins by Technical Knock Out at 4:34 in the 1st round . D
Dan Miller Wins by Submission (Choke) at 1:03 in the 1st round by guillotine.
Kurt Pellegrino Wins by Submission (Choke) at 3:14 in the 2nd round by rear naked.