Issue 052
July 2009
With so many events taking place around the world it’s impossible to feature them all, but here is a selection of our outstanding moments from recent action.
Potential Submission of the Year
Toby Imada vs Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal is a terror on the feet. The lightweight scrapper has ferocious power in his hands, but the game Toby Imada hung in there with the ATT representative until the third round, where he locked on an unorthodox triangle that caused Masvidal to pass out.
As they scrambled on the canvas, Masivdal tried to pick up Imada with an Iranian lift, but Imada slapped on a reverse triangle (known as sangaku-jime in judo terminology) and squeezed away until Masivdal collapsed to the mat, out cold. A stunning finish to a cracking fight, this is a serious candidate for submission of the year.
Quickest KO
Marlon Sandro vs Nick Denis
Featherweight Marlon Sandro is an aggressive, heavy-hitting all-rounder, and he completely shut out Canada’s Nick Denis by dropping him in only 19 seconds with a big right uppercut / left hook combo before bouncing his head off the canvas with a follow up. Ouch.
Biggest KO
Shogun vs Chuck
It’s sad to see a legend like Chuck go out on a bad loss, but while everyone focuses on the negative it is worth looking at Shogun’s return to form. Before facing off with Chuck, Shogun’s two fights for the UFC saw him lose to Forrest Griffin and struggle with the aging Mark Coleman. His speed and athleticism looked better than ever against Liddell, and it was the rediscovered explosive striking power that was responsible for felling Liddell. It’s good to have you back, Shogun.
Most Unexpected Result
Xande Ribeiro vs Keiichiro Yamamiya
World BJJ champion Xande Ribeiro (along with his brother Saulo) is widely regarded as one of the best submission grapplers in the world, which is why it was so surprising when he knocked out his Japanese opponent, Keiichiro Yamamiya, with a monster right-hook. Yamamiya should have been prepared – Xande had been training with Wanderlei Silva after all!
Tightest Submission
Mark Bocek vs David Bielkheden
Fighting with a partially torn ligament isn’t just tough, it’s agony, but that didn’t stop Canadian grappler Mark Bocek from choking out David Bielkheden at UFC 97 on Montreal.
Best Fight
Sam Stout vs Matt Wiman
It’s hard to beat the energy of lightweights, especially a pair as tenacious as Matt Wiman and Sam Stout. Neither fighter is the sort to shy away from an exchange, and the two 155 pounders let their hands and feet go for 15 minutes en route to getting the Fight of the Night award. Who won? Who cares!
Most Frustrating Fight
Anderson Silva vs Thales Leites
As amazing as it is to watch someone of Anderson Silva’s caliber fight, sometimes he’s on and sometimes he’s not. In the five-round title fight with countryman Leites, Silva showed the gulf in talent between the two but left fans frustrated by not going in for the kill when he had the chance. As amazing as it is to see someone walk away from 25 minutes of fighting without a scratch on them, it’s baffling as to why Silva’s not fighting like he used to.
Nastiest Elbows
Cheick Kongo vs Antoni Hardonk
The last person you’d want dropping elbows on you would be 6’4” kickboxing behemoth Cheick Kongo, but that’s exactly where Hardonk found himself in their fight. Kongo mashed up Mustapha Al-Turk with the same ground ‘n pound attack in December of 2008. Future opponents should be wise to the fact it is not a good idea to let Kongo elbow you in the head.
