Pulver vs. Davidson (video by Zuffaforce)
It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that we’d shell out $50 to watch Jens Pulver knuckle up with the top fighters in the world on the sport’s biggest stage. Those days are long gone, brother. Jens’ losing skid on the regional circuit was recently broken by a two-fight win streak, but last night we were reminded once again how far he’s fallen. Pulver took on Brian Davidson and it wasn’t pretty. Unable to match Davidson’s speed in the standup, Pulver looked to take this fight to the ground often, but he found little comfort on the mat. Following his first takedown Lil’ Evil ate an illegal up-kick that had him staggered; his second takedown yielded little action on the ground, and his third attempt ended with Davidson taking his back and securing the rear naked choke. After the fight, Pulver—who has lost seven of his last nine bouts–declared that he had no intentions of retiring and that he wanted to go out on his own terms. He’s a grown man and can do as he pleases, but let’s hope those terms don’t include a long string of KO losses.
In other action, UFC vet Jake Rosholt put a beating on John Ott until landing an illegal knee at 4:23 into the third round. Rosholt used his decorated wrestling background to put Ott on his back and work him over throughout the fight. The bout could easily have been stopped in Rosholt’s favor prior to the knee, as he opened numerous deep cuts across Ott’s face with elbows and punches from full mount and side mount on several occassions. While Ott attempted to stand in the last minute of the fight, Rosholt landed a solid knee to his face, dropping him to the canvas before doctors declared him unable to continue.
Full results (via MMAFighting.com)
Brian Davidson def. Jens Pulver via submission (rear-naked choke) – R1, 4:04
John Ott def. Jake Rosholt via DQ (illegal knee) – R3, 4:23
Rudy Bears def. Darryl Cobb via submission (rear-naked choke) – R1, 3:30
Jared Rosholt def. Kirk Grinlinton via TKO (punches) – R1, 1:37
Bobby Cooper def. Nick Budig via unanimous decision
Joe Wilk def. Jesse Zeugin via submission (anaconda choke) – R1, 3:36
Sean Wilson def. Deryck Ripley via submission (toe hold) – R1, 2:00
