There’s been a famine of UFC events in the month of July.  After nearly a month-long hiatus, UFC returned with a fight card headlined by a light-heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Vladimir Matyushenko, and broadcast on Versus network live from San Diego, California.  With a mediocre fight line-up, the most notable thing about this card was the UFC return of iconic MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy, taking his place as the third man in the Octagon for this first time since 2007.

Takanori Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin (155 lbs)

Round 1: Both fighters circle, feint and jab.  Not much landing early.  They continue trading punches and Gomi catches Griffin with a left, then follows up with a right hook that drops Tyson face-first onto the canvas.  Gomi jumps on his fallen opponent and the referee quickly steps in to stop the bout.  Griffin not happy with the stoppage but it was justified.

Aftermath: After being submitted by Ken Florian in his UFC debut, former Pride FC champion Gomi showed a return to the old form, stopping Tyson Griffin for the first time in his career.  Gomi earned the Knockout of the Night bonus for his performance, and claimed in the post-fight interview that he “learned to fight like an American”.  The victory earns Gomi a return to the Top 10; however it is too soon for any talk of title contention.  For now Gomi can either fight another contender such as George Sotiropoulos, or Joe Stevenson, who was supposed to be Gomi’s original opponent for this event but was forced to withdraw with an injury.

Tyson Griffin was eager to get back into the Octagon after losing a decision to Evan Dunham at UFC 115.  Unfortunately stepping up as a short-notice replacement did not work out for him this time, and Griffin finds himself on a losing streak for the first time in his MMA career.  His next fight will be a must-win to remain in the UFC.  Sam Stout or Denis Siver would make for good ‘rebound’ opponents.

Ranking Impact: Takanori Gomi rises 7 spots to #10 LW.  Tyson Griffin falls 12 spots to #32 LW.

Fight Grade: 3/5

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I’ve been slacking on reviewing the slew of MMA events in the past month, but we’re back with a vengeance for what was one of the most anticipated shows of the year this far.  A huge (in every sense of the word) heavyweight title unification bout between champion Brock Lesnar and interim champ Shane Carwin was backed by a superstar of Japanese MMA Yoshihiro Akiyama taking on Chris Leben (a last-minute substitution for the legendary Wanderlei Silva who was hurt while training for the fight).  A lightweight matchup between two streaking prospects Kurt Pellegrino and George Sotiropoulos capped off the undercard of UFC 116.  And here’s how it all went down:

Preliminary card (Spike TV)

Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero (205 lbs)

Round 1: They quickly engage and exchange kicks.  Romero looks for a takedown.  Petruzelli defends and hurts Romero with punches.  Romero clinches to recover.  Petruzelli backs up then lands another combination but slips while throwing a kick.  Romero gets Petruzelli’s back in a scramble.  Petruzelli sweeps and pounds away from guard.  Romero with a reversal of his own and mounts Petruzelli.  Romero looking for a submission; Seth rolls out of it and stands, dropping Romero with an uppercut.  Romero holds on to Petruzelli’s leg as Seth lands some odd and sloppy ‘double axe-handle’ strikes.  Round 10-9 Petruzelli

Round 2: Romero looks for a takedown early and eats a knee on the way in.  He staggers but keeps trying for the takedown.  Petruzelli takes his back in a scramble and transitions to an armbar; Romero reverses and ends up in top guard.  Romero’s nose is leaking blood.  Petruzelli attempts a triangle and Romero uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.  Romero secures the crucifix position and looks for a kimura then turns it into a straight armbar.  Petruzelli taps out, in obvious pain.

Aftermath: Romero’s UFC debut was unspectacular but a win is a win, and he will have a chance to do better in his next Octagon outing – maybe against Krzysztof Soszynski or Jared Hamman.  Seth Petruzelli should take on Steve Cantwell or Kyle Kingsbury next.

Ranking Impact: Ricardo Romero, previously ranked at #77 HW, makes his LHW debut at #49.  Seth Petruzelli falls 38 spots to #111 LHW.

Fight Grade: 3/5

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