San Jose, California was the site for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's legendary Octagon as the UFC provided MMA fans with yet another night of exhilarating fights. The preliminary and main cards were televised on the Fox television network and both delivered plenty of frenzied action.
The main television port of the promotion began with two Americans lightweights dueling as Bobby "King" Green (22-5) faced Josh "The Punk" Thomson (20-6-1). Both men traded kicks and mixed in a few punches early on in the opening round. "The Punk" went from being aggressive to counting "King" with hooks and crosses. Both fighters appeared to be looking to keep the fight erect. A finger to the eye briefly halted the action. When the fight resumed, it was more of the same: both traded kicks and punches. Green ran his mouth and had a few shots in the second but Thomson landed the hard strikes and was more consistent throughout the round. "The Punk" managed a takedown but was not able to hold "King" on the ground. The final go-round saw Thomson stuff a takedown attempt early; Green managed several hard punches while in the clinches. "The Punk" continued using lateral movement while keeping his distance and moving in with combinations when openings allowed. Green landed his own shots and was aggressive at times. The judges awarded Bobby Green a split decision victory.
Featherweights Clay "The Carpenter" Guida (31-11) and Dennis Bermudez (14-3) matched up in a bout scheduled for three rounds. Bermudez and Guida came out swinging for the fences, looking to end it with one punch. "The Carpenter" was not able to take Bermudez down and Guida kept eating hard shots from his antagonist. Bermudez brutalized Guida with terrifying knees to the face. "The Carpenter" avoided some choke submissions but his face showed the damage of a hard round. Guida had some countering success early in the second as Bermudez advanced flaying shots, recklessly. Bermudez settled himself and went back to landing hard shots. Bermudez managed a takedown, established a full back mount and then ended the match via a rear naked choke.
The co-main event hosted veteran MMA warhorse Rogerio Nogueira (21-5) taking on Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (17-4) in a three round light heavyweight contest. Nogueira (Brazil) was tagged early and often by Johnson (USA); he was badly hurt by hard uppercuts and hooks. The referee immediately stepped in and stopped the bout. The final battle of the night saw longtime MMA powerhouse "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (23-10-1) lock horns with "The Immortal" Matt Brown (21-11) with the winner netting a title shot in the welterweight division. The scrap was set for five rounds. The first salvo was intense as both men set a torrid pace. Brown struck first as he wobbled Lawler with a right hand but "The Immortal" got caught with a Lawler counter as he moved in looking to finish. "Ruthless" landed brutal strikes throughout the round that bloodied Brown. The fight was off to a great start. The fight settled into a consistent (but less frenetic) pace in the middle rounds. Lawler kept Brown under control by stuffing takedown attempts and efficiently landing leg and fist strikes. "The Immortal" managed brutal elbows within the middle rounds but Lawler landed the more telling blows. Lawler earned a hard fought, unanimous decision victory and another crack at the welterweight title.
Sergio L. Martinez
www.convictedartist.com
