Thanks for the memories, Iceman. In what was likely his swan song in the hallowed, Octagon, Chuck Liddell was left flat on his back looking up at the lights, courtesy of a brutal short right to the chin from Rich “Ace” Franklin that closed UFC 115. Prior to that punch, Liddell was seemingly getting the better of Franklin, leveraging his power advantage to wobble “Ace” several times. He even shocked MMA pundits by varying his attack, utilizing kicks and even taking “Ace” to the ground. But in the end, it was all for naught, and Chuck’s career in the cage is likely over. Local fight fan Phil Brennan agrees. “Chuck’s got to be done. It’s just been too many times with him getting knocked out.”
In the co-main event, Pat Barry and Mirko Cro Cop engaged in one of the more entertaining heavyweight bouts in recent memory. In the end, the Croatian likely extended his career, while Pat Barry showed he truly has the goods to compete at an elite level. It was unquestionably a memorable night of fights.
Here are the results of the preliminary card:
• Mike Pyle (19-7-1) defeated Jesse Lennox (11-3) via technical submission (triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:44
• Claude Patrick (12-1) defeated Ricardo Funch (7-2) via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:48
• James Wilks (7-3) defeated Peter Sobotta (8-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-27)
• Mario Miranda (10-1) defeated David Loiseau (19-10) via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:07
• Matt Wiman (12-5) defeated Mac Danzig (19-8-1) via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:45
• Evan Dunham (11-0) defeated Tyson Griffin (14-3) via split-decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
The prelims were action-packed, and delivered the goods. Mike Pyle got a big win, putting Jesse Lennox to sleep with a triangle choke. A local favorite, Claude Patrick overwhelmed Ricardo Funch, while another Canadian native, David Loiseau, probably saw his UFC career ended by Mario Miranda. Unfortunately for both lightweights, Matt Wiman and Mac Danzig saw their fight end early as referee Yves Lavigne stopped their bout prematurely. Wiman had Danzig caught in a guillotine choke, and requested that the ref check his opponent for consciousness. Lavigne thought Danzig was asleep, and stopped the bout. Danzig immediately protested, and it was clear a mistake had been made. Meanwhile, Evan Dunham remains undefeated with a razon-thin split-decision victory over Tyson Griffin. Here are the results of the main card:
• “The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (25-5) defeated Rory MacDonald (10-1) via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 4:53: What a bout this was. The opening frame saw the young Canadian dominate the much more experienced “Natural Born Killer.” The ground was his domain. In the second round, things evened out as Condit began to win some exchanges on the feet. The tide was definitely turning, though MacDonald likely still took the round. In the third, Condit really began to get things going. A clearly fatigued MacDonald hit Condit hard to begin, but then succumbed on the mat as Condit started nailing his younger prey. This continued until the ref stopped the fight with only seven seconds left. Ironically, MacDonald was ahead two rounds to one on the judges’ scorecards when the fight ended – My prediction: Condit via TKO (got it right on)
• Ben Rothwell (31-7) defeated “The Hurricane” Gilbert Yvel (36-15-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-28): Not one of the most compelling matchups on the card, but Rothwell corralled a much-needed victory in this heavyweight fight. Yet, it can’t be labeled anything other than a boring fight. After the opening moments that saw Rothwell nail Yvel with a couple stiff shots, and then “The Hurricane” land a few of his own, the scrap turned into something of a grapplefest. Not something you’d expect from two heavyweights with 48 KO’s between the two of them. Yet, that’s what fans got. The win won’t earn Rothwell many accolades, but will allow him to continue his career in the UFC. Yvel may not be so lucky – My prediction: Rothwell via TKO (right winner, wrong mode of victory)
• Martin “Hitman” Kampmann (17-3) defeated Paulo Thiago (13-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): While Kampmann failed to finish the fight, he turned in one of his most technically brilliant performances. He was able to work his striking at the beginning of the fight, showing why he is nicknamed “Hitman.” Thiago, who has faced some of the top competition in the UFC’s welterweight division, refused to succumb, but began to wilt as the fight wore on. In the end, it was the Dane’s grappling that made the difference. The Brazilian displayed his toughness, but falls to 3-2 in his UFC career. Perhaps he’ll get a little easier of a fight in his next go-round. Kampmann, meanwhile, moves up the ladder towards a title shot – My prediction: Thiago via submission (wrong on both counts)
• Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (27-7-2-1) defeated Pat “HD” Barry (5-2) via submission (rear naked choke) – 4:30, Round 3: Cro Cop is alive and well! Both fighters put it on one another, causing damage and creating havoc in the Octagon. Barry was on fire early, hurting and dropping the Croat a couple of times. This caused Cro Cop to even go for a takedown. Then things got weird. The fighters ended up shaking hands a couple times, and then even hugged, which basically closed out the first round. How do you score that? In the second frame, Barry seemed to tire a bit, as Cro Cop came on strong. By the final round, “HD” was sporting a huge welt on his head, and Cro Cop’s left eye was nearly closed. Filipovic was the one to turn it on. He dropped Barry, and worked in the choke to force the tapout with thirty seconds left in the fight. It looks like we haven’t seen the last of Mirko Cro Cop – My prediction: Barry via KO (Cro Cop proves me wrong)
• Rich “Ace” Franklin (26-5) defeated “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-8) via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:55: Regardless of the outcome of this bout, Chuck Liddell left a lasting impression in this one. He showed that he is willing to change, to evolve, as he worked his kicks, and shot in to take Franklin to the mat. “Ace,” for his part, weathered the dangerous storms being created by Liddell’s fists, and returned fire. However, he appeared to be on the short end of the stick in that department. He was hurt a few times, and after taking a stiff elbow from “The Iceman,” it appeared that it might be all over for him. But he stayed with it, and uncorked a short yet powerful right hand that did all the damage that was needed. Great showing from Chuck, but Rich is the victor, despite the fact that he apparently broke his arm blocking a kick early on – My prediction: Franklin via decision (right finish, wrong winner)
