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Opinion & Analysis
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Staff Editorials
GOODMAN COLUMN: A Quick Rundown & Analysis of Fight Night 13
Jed I. Goodman, MMATorch Columnist
Apr 6, 2008, 23:25
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The biggest Fight Night in UFC history is over. The ratings were not spectacular, but the fights were. Here is a quick rundown of the broadcast portion of the show.
1. Light Heavyweights - James Irvin (14-4, UFC 7-4, 10(T)KOs, 2 Subs) defeated Houston Alexander (8-3, UFC 2-2, 5(T)KOs, 1 Sub) in Round 1 via TKO.
Analysis: Houston, we have a problem. Sorry for the pun, but with Thiago Silva exposing Alexander's ground game at UFC 78 and Irvin now exposing his chin, Alexander's stock has dropped worse than Bear Stearns. With one fight left on his contract, Alexander is going to have to impress Dana White to get a renewal, otherwise he may be headed to EliteXC to become another notch for Kimbo Slice.
2. Lightweights - Nate Diaz (9-2, UFC 4-0 , 2(T)KOs, 7 Sub) defeated Kurt Pellegrino (11-4, UFC 3-3, 2(T)KOs, 8 Sub) in Round 2 via Submission (triangle choke).
Analysis: Pellegrino did everything he could, but Diaz is impervious to pain. No other way to explain it. After landing a dozen unanswered punches, Diaz was able to regroup and later lock in a triangle to force Pellegrino to tap. Diaz is probably a few wins away from a title shot. For now, I would love to see him in a rematch with Manny Gamburyan or perhaps a TUF challenge against Joe Stevenson.
3. Light Heavyweights - Matt Hamill (4-1, 4-1 UFC , 3 (T)KOs) defeated Tim Boetsch (7-2, UFC 1-1 , 4(T)KOs, 3 Sub) in Round 2 via TKO.
Analysis: Hamill's stand up and striking is improving with each fight. The light heavyweight division is stacked and Hamill still needs more experience before he can even think about a title shot. Perhaps they could pair him next with the loser of the Wanderlei Silva/Keith Jardine fight. Boetsch obviously had problems with the altitude, but he will be back. He is an exciting brawler and perhaps he can fight Alexander next.
4. Welterweights - Thiago Alves (14-3, UFC 7-2, 9(T)KOs, 1 Sub) defeated Karo Parisyan (18-5, UFC 8-3, 2 (T)KOs, 9 Sub) in Round 2 via TKO.
Analysis: Big victory for Alves who now has 5 wins in a row.. Alves is at least a year away from a title shot. For now he should continue working his way up the ladder, perhaps, with a fight against Josh Koscheck or a rematch with Parisyan. For Parisyan this was another setback in his quest for a title shot. Did the ref stop it too quickly? Tough to say. Personally I would rather the ref stop it early, then too late.
5. Welterweights - Anthony Johnson (5-1, UFC 2-1, 3 (T)KOs, 1 Sub) defeated Tommy Speer (9-3, UFC 0-2, 6 (T)KOs, 2 Sub) in Round 1 via TKO
Analysis: Johnson looked impressive against Speer, but Speer is certainly not at the top of the food chain in the welterweight division. In fact, Speer may not be a high enough caliber fighter to even be in the UFC. More training with Matt Hughes and a few small fights outside the UFC may help.
6. Lightweights - Gray Maynard (5-0, UFC 3-0-1, 1(T)KO), defeated Frank Edgar (8-1, UFC 3-1, 2(T)KO, 2 Sub) via Unanimous decision.
Analysis: Since losing in the semi-finals to Nate Diaz on Season 5, Maynard has regrouped. He needs a few more convincing fights before he can be considered for a title shot, but he is on his way to being a force in the lightweight division. Edgar will be back too, perhaps against Kurt Pellegrino or Din Thomas next.
7. Lightweights - Kenny Florian (9-3, UFC 7-2, 3(T)KOs, 6 Sub) defeated Joe Lauzon (16-4, UFC 3-1, 3 (T)KOs, 13 Sub) in Round 2 via TKO.
Analysis: Although Florian could probably fight for the belt next, he has said, in interviews, he wants to fight Roger Huerta. The winner of that fight should ready for the title by the end of the year. Although Lauzon lost, he showed tremendous heart and at only 23 he has a bright future in the sport. I would put him in with a mid card fighter next...maybe Sam Stout or Spencer Fisher.
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