Liddell’s KO Outshone Only by Couture’s Retirement
Mir falls short, Babalu shines
Josh Gross Feb 5, 2006
Fighting for the first time since June 2004 after a motorcycle
accident indefinitely sidelined him, former UFC heavyweight
champion Frank Mir
(Pictures) said it best after being on
the wrong end of four minutes 10 seconds worth of punishment from
his challenger Marcio
Cruz: “I should have been more honest with myself.”
“I’m greatly disappointed,” said Mir of his effort. “It was too much time off. I thought I was ready, but I can’t give up.”
The bout belonged to Cruz, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion
still making the transition to mixed martial arts competition. An
early single-leg takedown put Mir, who’s left leg, which was
heavily damaged in the accident, did not appear terribly stable, on
his back. Versus virtually any other UFC heavyweight that position
might not have been an issue, but Cruz showed great control in
battering Mir from the top.
From side-control Cruz connected with a looping right hand that opened a bad cut along Mir’s right eye. Blood soon gushed from the cut, filling Mir’s eyes and making it difficult for the Las Vegan to see, let alone fight.
But the American had no answer for Cruz, who continued to pound away with punches and elbows. After giving him every opportunity to defend himself, Dean saw enough and called a halt at 4:10 of round one.
The result is perhaps as disappointing to the UFC as it is Mir, who hoped to get in the title hunt as soon as possible. Instead of the well-spoken, good looking young American heavyweight, the UFC’s second or third best heavyweight is a man who speaks limited if any English and has just two bouts — both wins — to his name.
If the UFC is lacking for talent at heavyweight, they don’t have that problem at 205, where Renato Sobral (Pictures) continued his impressive run by submitting Mike Van Arsdale (Pictures) via rear-naked choke 2:21 of the opening round.
The Brazilian initiated early, failing twice to put Van Arsdale, a former world-class wrestler, on the canvas before “Babalu” scrambled to get the American’s back. Taking his time, Sobral secured control and smoothly snaked his left arm under Van Arsdale’s chin, scoring a relatively easy tapout.
Returning to the UFC for the first time since failing to make weight for a UFC welterweight title shot, Joe Riggs (Pictures) vindicated himself and those that suggested he make the drop from middleweight to 170 pounds, scoring a three-round unanimous decision over a game Nick Diaz (Pictures).
Entering the cage at a purported 202 pounds — more than 30 pounds over his Friday weigh-in effort of 169.5 — Riggs’ size and strength served him well as he controlled the clinch early against the stronger-than-appears Diaz. Yet during the 15-minute bout it was the lanky welterweight who exhibited Octagon control, pushing forward as Riggs backpedaled.
As Riggs’ strength began to wane Diaz appeared to be on his way to victory when an uppercut-right hook combination forced Riggs to one knee. But Arizona’s Riggs, who trained with Jeremy Horn (Pictures) and Billy Rush, came on strong, landing a nice left hook to open the middle period.
Repeated efforts to put Riggs on his back failed and Diaz started to eat punches that had earlier missed. As a result a cut soon opened on Diaz’ face, though it wasn’t in a position to negatively affect his vision.
The fight moved to the ground and Diaz worked from his back, where he strung together submissions that Riggs did a fine job of avoiding. Though Diaz continued pressuring, Riggs simply stood his ground.
Moving into round three, the bout appeared to be up for grabs. Action from both fighters slowed but Riggs’ combinations paid dividends. It was his short bursts that won the third round in the eyes of the judges, who scored it 29-29 twice and 30-27 all in his favor.
The night’s swing bout saw the exciting Brandon Vera (Pictures) continue to improve, as he landed a beautiful left high kick to the side of Justin Eilers (Pictures)’ head. The former Iowa State linebacker stumbled backwards and as he slowly fell to the canvas Vera launched a knee that crashed directly into his challenger’s head. The knockout came 1:25 after the opening bell.
“I’m greatly disappointed,” said Mir of his effort. “It was too much time off. I thought I was ready, but I can’t give up.”
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From side-control Cruz connected with a looping right hand that opened a bad cut along Mir’s right eye. Blood soon gushed from the cut, filling Mir’s eyes and making it difficult for the Las Vegan to see, let alone fight.
Referee Herb Dean
(Pictures), upon seeing the torrent of
crimson covering Mir’s face, asked for the physician at ringside to
check the cut. When asked how he was, Mir responded that he could
not see. Asked again if he wanted to continue, Mir hesitated but
finally said yes and action was restarted in the same position it
was halted.
But the American had no answer for Cruz, who continued to pound away with punches and elbows. After giving him every opportunity to defend himself, Dean saw enough and called a halt at 4:10 of round one.
The result is perhaps as disappointing to the UFC as it is Mir, who hoped to get in the title hunt as soon as possible. Instead of the well-spoken, good looking young American heavyweight, the UFC’s second or third best heavyweight is a man who speaks limited if any English and has just two bouts — both wins — to his name.
If the UFC is lacking for talent at heavyweight, they don’t have that problem at 205, where Renato Sobral (Pictures) continued his impressive run by submitting Mike Van Arsdale (Pictures) via rear-naked choke 2:21 of the opening round.
The Brazilian initiated early, failing twice to put Van Arsdale, a former world-class wrestler, on the canvas before “Babalu” scrambled to get the American’s back. Taking his time, Sobral secured control and smoothly snaked his left arm under Van Arsdale’s chin, scoring a relatively easy tapout.
Returning to the UFC for the first time since failing to make weight for a UFC welterweight title shot, Joe Riggs (Pictures) vindicated himself and those that suggested he make the drop from middleweight to 170 pounds, scoring a three-round unanimous decision over a game Nick Diaz (Pictures).
Entering the cage at a purported 202 pounds — more than 30 pounds over his Friday weigh-in effort of 169.5 — Riggs’ size and strength served him well as he controlled the clinch early against the stronger-than-appears Diaz. Yet during the 15-minute bout it was the lanky welterweight who exhibited Octagon control, pushing forward as Riggs backpedaled.
As Riggs’ strength began to wane Diaz appeared to be on his way to victory when an uppercut-right hook combination forced Riggs to one knee. But Arizona’s Riggs, who trained with Jeremy Horn (Pictures) and Billy Rush, came on strong, landing a nice left hook to open the middle period.
Repeated efforts to put Riggs on his back failed and Diaz started to eat punches that had earlier missed. As a result a cut soon opened on Diaz’ face, though it wasn’t in a position to negatively affect his vision.
The fight moved to the ground and Diaz worked from his back, where he strung together submissions that Riggs did a fine job of avoiding. Though Diaz continued pressuring, Riggs simply stood his ground.
Moving into round three, the bout appeared to be up for grabs. Action from both fighters slowed but Riggs’ combinations paid dividends. It was his short bursts that won the third round in the eyes of the judges, who scored it 29-29 twice and 30-27 all in his favor.
The night’s swing bout saw the exciting Brandon Vera (Pictures) continue to improve, as he landed a beautiful left high kick to the side of Justin Eilers (Pictures)’ head. The former Iowa State linebacker stumbled backwards and as he slowly fell to the canvas Vera launched a knee that crashed directly into his challenger’s head. The knockout came 1:25 after the opening bell.
