UFC 48 Dark Matches Report
Matt Serra vs Ivan Menjivar
Josh Gross Jun 19, 2004
LAS VEGAS, June 19
Matt Serra vs Ivan Menjivar
For the second time in consecutive bouts UFC veteran Matt Serra (13-3-0) used his size and strength to sweep all three rounds versus UFC rookies who'd fought primarily at 145 pounds. Stepping in against Serra was scrappy El Salvadorian Ivan Menjivar (13-3-0), who despite coming up short showed himself to be a capable and exciting fighter.
Serra's size advantage was obvious early, as he scored the bout's
first takedown. Menjivar, who was forced on the defensive for
15-minutes, never earned that luxury.
The first period was excellent. With the crowd roaring its approval, Serra and Menjivar moved from the ground to the feet, where the smaller fighter got off with quicker, more effective punches. But each time Menjivar gained momentum, Serra answered with a takedown.
With Serra continually working to pass Menjivar's guard, which he did several times, the grappling edge clearly went to the native Long Islander. In the second period Serra took his foe's back, controlling from that position for nearly two-thirds of the round.
But he did nothing with the position. As the crowd's ire grew, Menjivar scurried to his feet, though Serra rose quickly to join him. From behind Serra wrapped his arms around Menjivar's waist, gearing up for a suplex.
Menjivar answered, tangling Serra's left arm for a kimura. With the fighters back on the mat, Menjivar struggled to keep the arm, eventually extending it past parallel as the round neared its end. The bell sounded to finish the period and the crowd groaned as the submission was denied.
The final period was Serra's best. He scored an early takedown and grounded-and-pounded Menjivar nearly the entire frame. Serra, a touted submission specialist, only attempted one while controlling Menjivar's back. Submission attempts came twice in round three, as Menjivar went for triangle and omo plata.
Matt Serra vs Ivan Menjivar
For the second time in consecutive bouts UFC veteran Matt Serra (13-3-0) used his size and strength to sweep all three rounds versus UFC rookies who'd fought primarily at 145 pounds. Stepping in against Serra was scrappy El Salvadorian Ivan Menjivar (13-3-0), who despite coming up short showed himself to be a capable and exciting fighter.
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The first period was excellent. With the crowd roaring its approval, Serra and Menjivar moved from the ground to the feet, where the smaller fighter got off with quicker, more effective punches. But each time Menjivar gained momentum, Serra answered with a takedown.
With Serra continually working to pass Menjivar's guard, which he did several times, the grappling edge clearly went to the native Long Islander. In the second period Serra took his foe's back, controlling from that position for nearly two-thirds of the round.
But he did nothing with the position. As the crowd's ire grew, Menjivar scurried to his feet, though Serra rose quickly to join him. From behind Serra wrapped his arms around Menjivar's waist, gearing up for a suplex.
Menjivar answered, tangling Serra's left arm for a kimura. With the fighters back on the mat, Menjivar struggled to keep the arm, eventually extending it past parallel as the round neared its end. The bell sounded to finish the period and the crowd groaned as the submission was denied.
The final period was Serra's best. He scored an early takedown and grounded-and-pounded Menjivar nearly the entire frame. Serra, a touted submission specialist, only attempted one while controlling Menjivar's back. Submission attempts came twice in round three, as Menjivar went for triangle and omo plata.
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