The UFC hit Florida’s BankAtlantic Center this past Friday with a card that featured a rematch of semi-final matchup of the UFC Flyweight tournament: Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall vs. Demetrious Johnson. Also featured on the card was highly-touted Brazilian fighter Erick Silva, who faced Charlie Brenneman, as well as a matchup between Carlos Eduardo Rocha and Mike Pierce. Here are the highs and lows of this past Friday’s fights.
The Highs
Tim Means and Justin Salas faced off in a lightweight scrap, and it wasn’t long until former King of The Cage champ Tim Means dispatched his opponent. From the opening bell, Means came out swinging, using his reach and solid boxing skills to rock the durable Justin Salas. Salas tried valiantly to recover, but after eating a number of solid knees and failing with a takedown, he succumbed to Means’ swarming ground and pound, which forced the referee to stop the fight after 1:06 into the first round. Tim Means seems like a solid prospect with very precise striking; I look forward to seeing who the UFC matches him with next.
TUF alum Dustin Pague took on Jared Papazian in a Bantamweight bout, and after Pague managed to instigate a clinch early in the first, he secured a trip and ended up transitioning straight to full mount. Pague postured up and landed a few elbows, which led Papazian to give up his back within moments. From there, Dustin Pague locked in a tight body triangle and then finished the fight with a tight rear naked choke. Dustin Pague has proved to be a game fighter, but only time will tell whether he has the skills to advance up the ranks at 135 pounds in the UFC.
Indiana’s own Eddie Wineland met former WEC title contender and 3 time PAC 10 wrestler Scott Jorgensen on the main card of UFC on FX 3, and from the get-go Wineland imposed his will, landing clean combo after clean combo. After dropping Jorgensen on multiple occasions in the first round, Wineland entered the second stanza filled with confidence, and in the last minute of the round, he landed a clean punch which left Jorgensen unconscious on the canvas. After this quality win, I expect Wineland to face a tough fighter like Michael McDonald next.
In a meeting of seasoned veterans, Mike Pyle faced Josh Neer. Both fighters went toe-to-toe, and even though Josh Neer seemed to be getting the better of the exchanges, the ever-wily Mike Pyle caught Josh Neer coming in recklessly, and ended up knocking Neer out cold. Pyle is a very exciting fighter and interesting personality, though at 36 years of age, I can’t see him being anything more than a gatekeeper.
Erick Silva proved he is a force to be reckoned with and that his hype is justified, as he outstruck tough grinder Charlie Brenneman, and eventually secured a first round rear naked choke. The Team Nogueira fighter looked calm and composed in early exchanges, and when taken to the ground he looked comfortable, I love watching Erick Silva, and would love to see him face a top ten fighter next. If not, maybe he could be matched with Siyar Bahadurzada if he gets a win in his UFC 149 fight against Chris Clements.
The Lows
Henry Martinez vs. Bernardo Magalhaes nearly bored me to death. Neither fighter fought to their potential, and two usually-exciting fighters put on a stagnant performance which left many viewers ruing a wasted 15 minutes.
The final fight on FUEL provided another snoozer in a match up of highly-touted welterweights. Neither Carlos Eduardo Rocha and Mike Pierce provided much in the way of excitement in a fight that would lead the Florida crowd to rain a chorus of boos. Mike Pierce controlled the action for three rounds, mainly by pressing his undersized opponent against the cage. Mike Pierce is a very talented fighter, but it really annoys me when fighters fight for points instead of fighting for a finish. I wish the UFC would install a yellow card system to discourage stalling.
