Suddenly, Grigsby (13-3) doesn't appear to be the hopeless clod being strung along for the sake of launching another fighter's career. He is a live underdog with all the motivation in the world.
Make no mistake, most everyone assumes Munoz (3-0) is quite possibly the future of the WEC's Lara Flynn Boyle-thin light heavyweight division. Hard to blame them since Munoz was a beast as a collegiate wrestler and now trains with an all-star team of coaches such as Tito Ortiz (Pictures) and Dean Lister (Pictures). A neophyte wrestler would have a hard time finding better instruction for his high profile introduction to the MMA world and just how hard the butterflies are fluttering for Munoz could have a lot to do with how this supposed future champion pans out.
Considering how driven by competition most wrestlers are, it's more than safe to say that Munoz will come out focused on driving Grigsby through the mat and sending a message to anyone who thinks his lengthy WEC contract came a bit too early in his career.
That message should be delivered loud and clear as Grigsby simply lacks the tools to resist Munoz's juggernaut wrestling style and once this fight does hit the mat, there won't be many opportunities for Grigsby to lock up a convenient submission. This one turns ugly in a hurry as Munoz grinds out a TKO midway through the second round. Debut win in tow, all Munoz needs to do now is call out hall of fame left tackle Anthony Munoz. I smell crossover potential.
Kenneth Alexander (Pictures) vs. Rob McCullough (Pictures)
With the taste of Jamie Varner (Pictures)'s fists presumably washed out of his mouth, former WEC lightweight champion "Razor" Rob McCullough (Pictures) begins the hard climb back to the title with his bout against up and comer Kenneth "The Machine" Alexander.
What is known about Alexander (5-2, 1 NC) is that he holds a decision win over McCullough from back when both men were still finding their footing in the sport. It's a real psychological edge for the underdog Alexander, who stumbled into this fight after having his submission loss to Donald Cerrone (Pictures) overturned due to a positive drug test. Not the most common way of erasing a past defeat but if it works, don't fix it.
What is in need of fixing is McCullough's spot in the WEC lightweight division which now seems unsure at best with a laundry list of up-and-comers. While there is a deluge of talent in the division, no one has set themselves apart and McCullough (15-4) may be first in line for a title shot assuming he can put away Alexander in impressive fashion. Otherwise, the title shot may end up going to miniature wrecking ball Marcus Hicks.
McCullough will need to stay true to the style that got him to the top in the first place: disciplined kickboxing with just enough wherewithal to know when it's time to step in the pocket and take care of business. Alexander would much rather get this bout down to the ground in a hurry and grind out an uneventful decision. However, despite losing to Varner, we did learn that McCullough's takedown defense has improved significantly as he stuffed almost every takedown attempt that came his way with ease.
The disparity in striking ability and McCullough's newfound takedown defense does not bode well for Alexander, who ends up laid out midway through the first round courtesy of a McCullough straight right doom hammer. Perhaps Alexander's mouthpiece will join Olaf Alonsos's in orbit. I have yet to receive confirmation from NASA that Olaf's mouthpiece has been defeated by gravity.