Despite being the slight underdog heading in, IFL and WEC vet Adam Lynn made quick work of Jonathan Goulet’s hairstylist, Curtis Demarce, shrugging off the younger man’s combinations before unleashing a vicious short elbow to turn off his lights. The best part is that you can see Lynn setting up the strike and throwing a tester out there just moments before he finds his range. And he makes sure that his first strike is a good one, clearly trying to earn a spot in our first punch hall of fame. But it’s first PUNCH Adam. Learn to read the fine print.
Out of the 22 fighters competing on this Saturday’s UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III card, only one will be stepping into the Octagon for the first time. That man is Stipe Miocic, an undefeated 29-year-old Croatian-American from Ohio who will be facing Joey Beltran during the prelims. So how does a guy with just six fights, who’s beaten nobody you’ve ever heard of, get an invitation to the big show? By being one of the most decorated blue-chip prospects the UFC heavyweight division has seen since Cain Velasquez. Seriously. Just check out his credentials…
(Stipe Miocic vs. William Penn, 4/16/11)
Out of the 22 fighters competing on this Saturday’s UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III card, only one will be stepping into the Octagon for the first time. That man is Stipe Miocic, an undefeated 29-year-old Croatian-American from Ohio who will be facing Joey Beltran during the prelims. So how does a guy with just six fights, who’s beaten nobody you’ve ever heard of, get an invitation to the big show? By being one of the most decorated blue-chip prospects the UFC heavyweight division has seen since Cain Velasquez. Seriously. Just check out his credentials…
While attending Cleveland State University, Miocic was an athletic phenom, earning a national rank as a Division I wrestler at 197 pounds and attracting the MLB’s attention due to his talents as a third baseman. Following college he pursued boxing, picked up a Golden Gloves title, and also went 5-0 as an amateur MMA fighter.
Miocic made his professional MMA debut in February 2010, and went on to win his first five pro fights by KO/TKO within two rounds. He won the NAAFS heavyweight title in June by leg-kicking Bobby Brents into submission, and landed a UFC contract less than two weeks later.
Miocic currently trains with Ohio’s Strong Style Fight Team, which includes Chris Lozano, Forrest Petz, and Jessica Eye. He spits a lot. Check out his knockout reel below, and let us know how you think he’ll do against the more-seasoned Mexicutioner this weekend.
(And he sticks the landing on the celebratory backflip! Props: notohous)
It looks like the end of the line for Jamie Varner. The former WEC lightweight champion fought in the main event of Friday night’s Titan Fighting Championships 20 show in Kansas City, and lost a unanimous decision to a 9-1 Nebraska-based prospect named Dakota Cochrane. Cochrane came into the fight on just three days’ notice, replacing Varner’s original opponent Alonzo Martinez — who was pulled from the fight due to legal troubles — and won all three rounds on all judges’ scorecards.
After the fight Varner tweeted, “I gave fighting another shot I need 2 thank u guys 4 ur support! But I just don’t have it anymore. Love u all but ull never c me fight again.” Shortly after, he deleted the message, so who knows. The loss increases (decreases?) Varner’s record to 1-1-4 over the last two years. No matter what the future holds, Varner can be secure in the fact that he was once responsible for the greatest victory dance in the history of MMA.
(And he sticks the landing on the celebratory backflip! Props: notohous)
It looks like the end of the line for Jamie Varner. The former WEC lightweight champion fought in the main event of Friday night’s Titan Fighting Championships 20 show in Kansas City, and lost a unanimous decision to a 9-1 Nebraska-based prospect named Dakota Cochrane. Cochrane came into the fight on just three days’ notice, replacing Varner’s original opponent Alonzo Martinez — who was pulled from the fight due to legal troubles — and won all three rounds on all judges’ scorecards.
After the fight Varner tweeted, “I gave fighting another shot I need 2 thank u guys 4 ur support! But I just don’t have it anymore. Love u all but ull never c me fight again.” Shortly after, he deleted the message, so who knows. The loss increases (decreases?) Varner’s record to 1-1-4 over the last two years. No matter what the future holds, Varner can be secure in the fact that he was once responsible for the greatest victory dance in the history of MMA.
Things didn’t fare much better for Strikeforce vet Brett Rogers, who is a free man while awaiting sentencing on his domestic-assault case. Fighting in Friday’s co-main event, Rogers dropped a split decision to UFC/Bellator journeyman Eddie Sanchez. Sanchez snapped a two-fight losing streak, while the Grim falls even further into irrelevance. Rogers has now lost four out of his last five fights, the lone victory being a gassy decision win over Ruben “Warpath” Villareal last October.
Also, some dude named Andrew Whitney opened the show by putting another dude named Laramie Shaffer on his highlight reel. Video is at the top of the post, in case you haven’t figured that out yet. Full results from Titan Fighting Championships 20 are below…
(It seems that local shows have corned the market on doppelganger MMA as well.)
Quite possibly the most dangerous proving ground in all of mixed martial arts, the local MMA show combines the blood-soaked glory of the big leagues with the fluorescent lighting and seating arrangements of your high school gymnasium or neighborhood watering hole. Often featuring announcers that would make Mauro Ranallo blush and referees that would be laughed off stage by Cecil Peoples, the local show never ceases to be entertaining, as well as a place where some of the sport’s finest talents build their resumes and skill sets. And with all the unknown prospects (not to mention knockouts) we were treated to with last night’s season opener of The Ultimate Fighter 14, I figured I’d surf the web and find eight of the localest, bar-room-brawlingest, shakiest-cameraist knockouts out there for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.
-Danga
1. “That’s gunna leave a mark”
(It seems that local shows have corned the market on doppelganger MMA as well.)
Quite possibly the most dangerous proving ground in all of mixed martial arts, the local MMA show combines the blood-soaked glory of the big leagues with the fluorescent lighting and seating arrangements of your high school gymnasium or neighborhood watering hole. Often featuring announcers that would make Mauro Ranallo blush and referees that would be laughed off stage by Cecil Peoples, the local show never ceases to be entertaining, as well as a place where some of the sport’s finest talents build their resumes and skill sets. And with all the unknown prospects (not to mention knockouts) we were treated to with last night’s season opener of The Ultimate Fighter 14, I figured I’d surf the web and find eight of the localest, bar-room-brawlingest, shakiest-cameraist knockouts out there for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.
-Danga
1. “That’s gunna leave a mark”
2. Paging Dr. Marquardt– Skip to 1:07 for the start.
3. In which I prove that all Swedes are not tall, beautiful people
4. Fedor’s first legitimate knockout loss
5. Followed by his first knockout victory
6. Miller Lite – it always goes down smooth
7. A tall gentleman’s first (and likely last) amateur match
8. The “I swear I recognize one of those guys” knockout
Floyd Mayweather upped his perfect boxing record to 42-0 last night with a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz, a win that earned him the WBC Welterweight World Title — but it wouldn’t be Money May without a little controversy.
Mayweather controlled the majority of the first three rounds with his trademark speed, outlanding his younger opponent. The fourth frame was a back-and-forth slugfest, opening with a furious assault by Floyd. But Ortiz turned the tables and battered Mayweather against the ropes in the final minute. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old let his emotions get the better of him.
As you can see in the video above, Ortiz blatantly head-butts Mayweather with 14 seconds left in the round. The referee spots the foul and immediately separates the fighters. By way of apology, Ortiz walks over to Mayweather to give him a hug and kiss. That’s strike one.
Floyd Mayweather upped his perfect boxing record to 42-0 last night with a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz, a win that earned him the WBC Welterweight World Title — but it wouldn’t be Money May without a little controversy.
Mayweather controlled the majority of the first three rounds with his trademark speed, outlanding his younger opponent. The fourth frame was a back-and-forth slugfest, opening with a furious assault by Floyd. But Ortiz turned the tables and battered Mayweather against the ropes in the final minute. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old let his emotions get the better of him.
As you can see in the video above, Ortiz blatantly head-butts Mayweather with 14 seconds left in the round. The referee spots the foul and immediately separates the fighters. By way of apology, Ortiz walks over to Mayweather to give him a hug and kiss. That’s strike one.
The ref pulls Ortiz away to deduct a point, and Ortiz goes back to a still-pissed Mayweather to give him a “my bad” glove tap. That’s strike two.
The referee separates them again, and calls the action back in. But Ortiz — sweet, simple Ortiz — wants to give Mayweather another apology-hug. Mayweather pushes him off, stuns him with a left hook, and puts him out with a follow-up right straight. Ortiz does his best to get to his feet, but can’t pull it off.
It’s a moment that underscores the “protect yourself at all times” concept inherent in all combat sports. Mayweather knocked out Ortiz at a moment when he was completely within his rights to do so. Just because a fighter wants to hug you in the middle of fight, doesn’t mean you have to let him. But in the post-fight interview, it’s clear that HBO boxing commentator Larry Merchant feels that Mayweather’s actions were unfair, and that Floyd should have respected the “ceremony” of the situation.
When Merchant keeps pressing him on the issue, Mayweather snaps. “You know what I’m gonna do? ‘Cuz you don’t never give me a fair shake. You know that? So I’m gonna go and let you talk to Victor Ortiz, alright? I’m through. Put somebody else up here to give me an interview. You never give me a fair shake! HBO need to fire you, you don’t know shit about boxing! You ain’t shit. You’re not shit!”
“I wish I was 50 years younger and I’d kick your ass,” Merchant replies.
