It was an interesting weekend in the world of mixed martial arts as a number of up-and-coming prospects were featured in a number of shows along with an impressive appearance by a former UFC champion. Let’s take a look back at the weekend that was in the enchanted land of mixed martial arts.
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Saturday
“War of the Mainland” – Irvine, CA
Tim Sylvia TKO 2 Paul Buentello
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia is clearly on the downside of his career. The former hulking heavyweight has been on a career slide loosing to the likes of Ray Mercer before rebounding over lower tier heavy attractions like Mariusz Pudzianowski and Jason Riley. Saturday night in the main event of Powerhouse World Promotions’ “War on the Mainland” card, Sylvia impressively knocked out the always game Buentello in two one-sided rounds.
Sylvia came out firing in the first round, opting to swap heavy bombs with Buentello. Things continued in Sylvia’s favor in the second as he made great use of his long legs to soften up Buentello with leg kicks and knees before ending things with a big uppercut that floored Buentello. After some ground and pound by Sylvia, the fight was mercifully called to a halt.
Sylvia may never recapture the prominence he once enjoyed as a UFC veteran, but his name and always dangerous striking ability will ensure he continues to collect checks on smaller local shows like the one he headlined this weekend.
Diego Garijo SUB 1 (Guillotine Choke) Jens Pulver
It’s been rough going for former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver. Pulver, who was recently given his walking papers from the WEC following a five fight losing streak, was hoping to get his career back on track as he faced the unheralded Diego Garijo Saturday night. Unfortunately, Pulver was choked out in a mere 68 seconds.
Garijo flattened Pulver with a straight left and then clamped on a guillotine to end the fight.
Pulver claims that he is not yet done as a professional fighter, but as the losses continue to mount up, it’s hard to believe that there is anything left in his tank.
Friday
Strikeforce Challengers 10 – Phoenix, AZ
Joe Riggs TKO 3 Louis Taylor
After two rounds of tentative action, fireworks went off in the third round as Riggs staggered Taylor with a left and then proceeded to catch his downed opponent in the crucifix position. After softening Taylor’s face with a salvo of hard punches, Riggs was awarded the victory when Taylor tapped.
It was a solid win for Riggs who still appears a bit green, but with continued experience, could really make some noise in Strikeforce’s middleweight division.
Miesha Tate UD 3 Maiju Kujala
Miesha Tate not only earned a spot in Strikeforce’s women’s 135-pound tournament finals with her impressive performance, she did so in dominating fashion. Fighting through the game Kujala’s takedown defense, Tate was able to secure takedowns in every round and used control in the top position to do damage. It was a great performance for a fighter whose stock is clearly on the rise
Ryan Couture SUB 1 (Triangle Choke) Lucas Stark
Like father like son, well maybe not entirely, but there is no fronting on the talents of Couture who happens to be the son of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. Though Ryan lacks the wrestling pedigree of his father, growing up under the guidance of one of the sports greatest fighters seems to have paid dividends in Couture’s poise and confidence in the cage. Stark came to win and was able to take Couture to the ground, but give credit to the young Couture for weathering the rocky moments to slap on a triangle choke to end the fight.
King of the Cage: “Immanent Danger” – Mescalero, NM
Daniel Cormier SUB 1 (Rear Naked Choke) Tony Johnson
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Daniel Cormier has been a busy man these past couple of weeks. Back on July 30 he captured Australian-based Xtreme MMA heavyweight title, and Friday night he added yet another regional title to his trophy case as he dominated Tony Johnson to capture the King of the Cage heavyweight strap. Cormier is one of the sports more touted prospects. The Olympic wrestler is signed with Strikeforce but has been making the rounds, showcasing his talents on regional promotions in order to gain invaluable experience. Cormier’s impressive wrestling acumen was on full display Friday night as the American Kickboxing Academy fighter worked his way onto Johnson’s back where he could sink in the hooks to snap in the rear naked choke.
Cormier is still learning in the cage, but his eagerness to work and get better while keeping an extremely active schedule bodes well for his chances to make some serious noise against the top-tier fighters.
Thursday
Bellator 24
Hector Lombard TKO 1 Herbert Goodman
In a non-title affair, Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard proved why he is wildly considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the game with a dominant performance against Goodman. Lombard, who conjures up comparisons to one Mike Tyson, wasted little time in testing the chin of Goodman landing a solid right that buckled his knees. A follow up right put Goodman down and the fight was halted after a frenzied Lombard landed a flurry of shots to the slumped over Goodman.
It was an impressive showing for a fighter who many are genuinely high on. The dude can flat out bang, and that is enough to become a star in this sport.
Megumi Fuji SUB 2 (Arm bar) Carla Esparza
Ok, first let us give credit to Esparza for stepping up and taking the fight with Fuji on short notice. But seriously, how good is the girl they call “Mega Megu?” Damn good if you ask me. Using grappling skills that seem otherworldly, Fuji twisted, and contorted Esparza until finally catching an arm bar late in the second. It was a definitive win for the always impressive Fuji, one that will surely make her a force in the Bellator women’s tournament.
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