Didn’t They Pack The Instructions? Award

James Toney, UFC 118

When Randy Couture’s inevitable takedown happened, James Toney couldn’t have looked more lost fighting from his back. ‘Lights Out’ didn’t attempt even a rudimentary escape. And when it came time to submit to an arm triangle all the man could muster to signal he wanted out was to flail his tubby arms toward the referee. That the 237lb boxer didn’t even take the time to learn to tap out was the ultimate symbol of the man’s lackadaisical attempt at mixed martial arts.

Fight of the Month

Scott Jorgensen vs Brad Pickett, WEC 50

To go one WEC card without some non-stop back-and-forth brawl is apparently impossible. This time bantamweights Scott Jorgensen and Brad Pickett were slugging – and grappling – for 15 minutes solid. With a title shot on the line no one can blame the duo for scrapping. Brad’s impressive all-round game and boxing-worthy head movement couldn’t out score Jorgensen’s mouthpiece-removing power punches, and the Brit dropped the decision.

Back From The Dead Award

Dan Miller, UFC 118

With two prior losses, if Dan Miller dropped this fight against Jonathan Salter he wouldn’t have been spared a UFC cut, and the consequent relegation to MMA indie-circuit purgatory. As it was, his first outing since being torn up by Michael Bisping at UFC 114 saw Miller secure a submission win in round two, along with retained employment. The hold (that resembles a rear naked choke from the front) was referred to as a “ninja choke”. We’ll take power guillotine instead.

Scream For Me Boston!

Joe Lauzon, UFC 118

The noise generated by the Boston crowd during Joe Lauzon’s emphatic 2:01 preliminary card routing of TUF 5 dropout Gabe Ruediger was immense. He was the first and only hometown boy to score a win on the UFC 118 card so it was a good thing Boston took the opportunity when it did. Presumably Lauzon’s $60,000 ‘Submission of the Night’ bonus means the drinks are on him the next time he hits Cheers.

Consolation Prize

Strikeforce Houston

It all went wrong for Strikeforce’s marketable fighters. Former WWE star Bobby Lashley dropped his first fight after being TKO’d by Chad Griggs at the end of round two, and blogosphere-favored ‘King Mo’ Lawal lost his light heavyweight belt via the same method early in round three courtesy of ‘Feijao’ Cavalcante. Both are unlikely to have their career significantly jolted. But for an organization so weak on star power it doesn’t do its promotional power any good.

Craziest Moves

Anthony Pettis, WEC 50

Pulling off an Anderson Silva-like triangle submission over the tough Shane Roller with nine seconds left is one thing, but it was Anthony Pettis’ mad capoeira-inspired kicks that caught the eye. Late in the first, Pettis dropped to the floor in order to send a head kick from a hand plant. Seconds later he threw a form of roundhouse kick while bending at the waist – like he’d freakishly disconnected his leg from his hip. Add some effective neutralization of Roller’s wrestling, plus slick danger-avoiding Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the WEC lightweight division might have a new star.

Biggest Statement

Frankie Edgar, UFC 118

There’s no argument. Frankie Edgar deserves his UFC lightweight title after his second decision win over BJ Penn at UFC 118. This time he was dominant. The New Jersey boy was simply too fast and relentlessly explosive for the Hawaii kid to deal with, and as a result regained the lightweight strap and hushed his detractors. If he can do the same to Gray Maynard, he’ll have truly established himself as the biggest force in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Polish Invasion

Bart Palaszewski and Maciej Jewtuszko, WEC 50

One of only three fighters to end their WEC 50 bouts, Bart Palaszewski and his left hook began a lightning-fast 13-strike fight-ending attack on opponent Zach Micklewright. It earned the Warsaw-born fighter his fourth straight victory that, alongside compatriot Maciej Jewtuszko’s successful debut on the same night and UFC light heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski’s continued campaign, means Polish-born fighters will continue to trouble journalists’ typing skills worldwide.

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