From Bellator to Rizin to UFC to boxing, it’s been a packed weekend of martial arts action and it finished up Sunday evening with a great grappling event in Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground 11 event in Portland, Oregon.
The event was headlined by a disastrously incomprehensible and boring jiujitsu tag team battle between Vinny Magalhaes and Kyle Boehm took on Nicky Rod and Craig Jones – the less we talk about it the better. MMA fans less educated in the grappling world probably tuned in to see Jake Shields or Austin “Mr. VanZant” Vanderford, or Mike Perry vs. Al Iaquinta.
Perry vs. Iaquinta was certainly the highlight for me. Perry made headlines during the weigh-in for the event by lighting up a cigarette and blowing smoke in Iaquinta’s face.
@PlatinumPerry vs @ALIAQUINTA pic.twitter.com/RGwrrTKDLp
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 23, 2020
He’d get the last laugh during their grappling bout, winning the match via quickest submission escape … that’s Submission Underground’s version of overtime and it sure beats the endless ties and draws we see in many other grappling events. Watch that finish care of MMA Junkie:
It went to overtime, and @ALIAQUINTA very nearly finished this third-round armbar, but @PlatinumPerry was able to wiggle free and pick up a win via escape time at #SUG11 (via @SUG_Grappling).
Check out the full event on @UFCFightPass. pic.twitter.com/pFjH76K5PL
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) February 24, 2020
Mike Perry wins with fastest escape in overtime. He looks like he’s gonna throw up tho lol. And Al looks great. #SUG11 pic.twitter.com/oShkXKoIwl
— ShayMyName (@ImShannonTho) February 24, 2020
He should probably cut down on the cigs. After the fight Chael Sonnen tried to matchmake a real fight between Iaquinta and Perry in the UFC. Iaquinta said he was down … if Perry was willing to drop to lightweight.
Uncle @ChaelSonnen has a phone call to make… #SUG11@PlatinumPerry vs @ALIAQUINTA at 155 anyone? pic.twitter.com/xBEWsIKhwG
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 24, 2020
Alas, it’s been six years since Perry has been able to hit 155, so unless “Ragin’ Al” is willing to step up a weight class to avenge this SUG11 loss, Mike may get to hold the victory over his head forever. Platinum smooth like a Carolina slim.