Charlotte, N.C.–Takanori Gomi seemed unchanged from his Pride FC days in his UFN bout with Kenny Florian. Hands low, giant hay maker swings, and his chin exposed did not hamper him from winning the lightweight title so many moons ago in Japan, but they did hamper him from getting close to earning a victory over Florian. The one dimensionality of the Japanese fighter had never been made so apparent until now as a fundamental Jiu-Jitsu mistake in the third round allowed Florian to take Gomi’s back and was set up for a choke. The once untouchable lightweight was forced to submit at 2:52 of the third round via rear naked choke. The bout was out of Gomi’s reach from the get go with Florian landing textbook perfect jabs that made Gomi’s head resemble a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robot. Florian would follow those jabs with right hands, one of which staggered his opponent midway through the first. Gomi’s one chance lay in his heavyweight like power behind his hadoken like fists. He himself realized this and attempted to land that home run hit but came up short. He did manage to land thundering body shots in rounds two and three; Florian shook the hits off and scored with a take down in the third to eventually finish the bout. “I wanted to keep mixing it up, he was really low and it threw me off,” Florian said of his strategy coming into the bout. Florian notches his biggest win of his career improving to 13-4 on the road back to redemption in what he hopes will turn into another lightweight title shot.
Big Country gets a Jumbo sized KO victory
Roy Nelson continues to defy logic. How can a man that looks the way Nelson does continue to display top notch skill and athleticism. It confuses the hell out of me and I’m sure his opponents feel the same way. One thing is for sure, we are not looking at a fluke. With his Burger King belly acting like a camo shield that masks skill honed from IFL battles of past, Big Country scored a 1st round KO victory over Stefan Struve in 39 seconds. The 6’11 Struve had obvious advantages in reach and height but Nelson was well prepared, fighting in close to Struve and timing his own overhand right. He barely missed hitting Struve on the button on two occasions until finally getting it right. Struve immediately fell getting an up close and personal look at the belly of the man they call “Big Country.” Nelson continued to tee off shots before the referee halted the bout. “I think getting past Stefan throws me right in the mix, right in the title hunt,” a victorious Nelson said. When asked who he would like to fight next, Nelson responded with two words, “James Toney.”
Rivera Stops Quarry while Pearson continues to impress
Jorge Rivera continued to make waves in the UFC as he easily got past fellow veteran Nate Quarry in two rounds. Rivera allowed himself to be patient with his strikes, but let his hands go mid way through the first. A double overhand right knocked Quarry to the ground in what seemed to be the end. Quarry somehow managed to survived but was now bleeding from his nose. He would fall yet again and mimicked a punching bag before the bell would save The Ultimate Fighter season one alumni. With his legs as heavy as concrete and now mimicking a walking robot, Quarry attempted to build momentum in his favor in round two. He charged in with strikes but Rivera easily slipped the barrage and landed two rights followed by a hook. Quarry fell for the final time as Rivera put the finishing touches forcing referee Mario Yamasaki to save Quarry from a further beating. “I’m hear to fight for the fans. I want you all to scream and yell every time my name is on that card,” said Rivera in his post fight interview.
Fans were treated to a match with European flavor to kick off Ultimate Fight Night 21 as England’s Ross Pearson took on Germany’s Dennis Siver in a highly entertaining stand up battle. Pearson, The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 winner out boxed the champion kick boxer in Siver for much of the bout en route to a three round decision. By the end of it Siver was cut and bruised under his eye but managed to score his patent spinning back kick that earned him knock out of the night honors at UFC 105. “It tickled a bit,” Said Pearson of the landed shot. Pearson was well aware of what his opponent could do and nullified Siver’s range by using footwork and lateral movement. It eventually led to counter right hands that constantly found their mark. He added in leg kicks, power punches and feints to constantly have Siver guessing. “It was all about range, this fight. I just wanted to mix it up and keep him confused,” said Pearson on his victory.
On the undercard:
Andre Winner def. Rafaello Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jacob Volkmann def. Ronys Torres via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
Nik Lentz def. Rob Emerson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Gleison Tibau def. Caol Uno via TKO in R1 (4:13)
Yushin Okami def. Lucio Linhares via TKO in R2 (2:47)
Gerald Harris def. Mario Miranda via TKO in R1 (4:49)
Charlie Brenneman def. Jason High via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
