The UFC doesn’t need my praise, or anyone else’s praise for that matter. It is the world’s top promotion. The praise belongs squarely on the fighters that stood in the cage and gave what could go down as one of the most entertaining nights in MMA history. Being the biggest dog on the block can lead to a stale product, but once again tonight proved that a promotion is only as good as the fighters it keeps.
Opening the night with two relentless lightweights is always a formula for success. I was sure “Batman” Kurt Pelligrino’s (16-5) wrestling would stifle the savvy Australian grappler George Sotiropoulos (12-2). George not only proved a wrestler would not stifle him, he showed the well roundedness that could very well challenge any top lightweight in the world. I fully expect his next fight to either be a #1 contender’s match or a shot at the title. Pelligrino need not hang his bleached head in shame. Kurt’s toughness is something that will keep him employed in the fight game. He refused to go quietly and that would set a precedent for the night’s pay per-view card.
Some wrote “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (14-7) off. It is not out of reason to believe a loss against “The Polish Experiment”; Krzysztof Soszynski (20-11-1) would have sent him packing. But Bonnar proved tonight why he was the first loser of The Ultimate Fighter to be awarded a contract. He never gives up. We have watched Bonnar be utterly smashed by opponents round after round and there is always fight left in him. Tonight he was fighting for his job and he fought with the kind of gusto that keeps people watching. He may never fight for a title shot in the UFC but he will always “spill his blood” in hopes of keeping fans pleased. You can’t knock a guy for trying, and trying really hard.
And speaking of trying, it is clear that “Lights Out” Chris Lytle (30-17-5) is trying to make one last serious run at glory. In the past, you rooted for Lytle because he was a likeable, honest and hard-working fighter. He came into every fight to make an impression with his fans and bosses. As of late though, Lytle has become focused and determined to make a serious run at the welterweight crown. He did so by absolutely acing a true dog in Matt Brown (11-10). Lytle threw every punch with intent to thrill and when the fight hit the ground, he showed a prowess and focus that proves he is a man aspiring for greatness.
Focus? Frankenstein? Or straight freak of nature? “The Crippler” Chris Leben (22-7) is as real as he’s ever been. Even before the fight my friends and I recalled the durability and animalism of Leben. Yoshiro Akiyama (13-3-1) is a “Zombie” of his own who can simply gives as good as he gets. And for all intents and purposes, Akiyama was on his way to another hard-fought victory. But if you dare hit Chris Leben’s button, the hunger for brains turns on like a switch and Leben becomes an absolute monster. In the past, that meant swing heavy, hard, and repeat. Now Leben has the maturity and focus to actually do something with his amazing never-say-die attitude. He can also work a crowd better than a pro wrestler. Or can he?
Brock Lesnar (5-1) can lay claim to one thing: he is the most humbled man on the planet who can kick your ass. Shane Carwin (12-1) nearly bulldozed his way to the top of every heavyweight rankings list out there. But Lesnar, despite being humbled in a likely 10-8 first round, survived and bested a very promising Carwin in what could very well become one of the most famous come-from-behind victories in MMA history. He then turned himself over to the fans, hoping to regain their respect and start a new chapter as a champ that could be respected for not only his incredible athleticism but also his ability to be grateful for the gifts he’s been given. By the way, one of those gifts is Josh Rosenthal, who displayed quintessential MMA reffing. Job well done.
All in all, every fighter on the card proved they belong in the world’s biggest promotion. You cannot be the premier MMA league in the world without fighters like the one’s who showed up for UFC 116 and put everything they had on the line for the fans. I will gladly speak for the night’s fighters when I say, “Dana, you’re welcome!”
