Mark Bocek (Pictures) went into his first UFC match this weekend against
Frank Edgar (Pictures) with a lot of confidence and determination, saying beforehand: "I'll find a way to win."
Unfortunately for the world-class submission grappler from Mississauga, Ontario, that confidence wasn't nearly enough, as Edgar used his potent right hand and a stiff takedown defense to get the stoppage win.
The first round was nearly over when Edgar was able to get a dominant top position and drop down serious punches onto a now turtling Bocek. Referee Jon Schorle stepped in and halted the fight with five seconds remaining, though some felt the stoppage came early.
Canadian fans of mixed martial arts have been excitingly expecting the arrival of the UFC ever since Dana White proclaimed a few months ago that it would happen sometime this fall, probably in October.
These plans will have to wait however, as apparently a conflict with the Canada national sport of hockey is forcing a delay.
During the post UFC 73 press conference, White revealed that he was having a difficult time securing a suitable date at Montreal's Bell Centre -- the UFC's destination of choice for their premiere Canadian event -- which is also home to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
"You guys have got too much frigging hockey up there," White quipped.
Though disappointing for Canadian MMA fans, this delay may have a silver lining. A UFC debut in 2008 would give the organization plenty of time to ensure Montreal's favorite son, former welterweight champion
Georges St. Pierre (Pictures), would appear on the card.
St. Pierre is scheduled to face
Josh Koscheck (Pictures) at UFC 74 on Aug. 25.
Speaking of the Bell Centre, the next MMA event scheduled for the 21,500-seat arena was revealed this week, as TKO announced its 30th event, titled "Apocalypse."
This card is slated to feature several of Canada's top mixed martial artists, including a handful from Team Tompkins, whose fighters will be present in both main event bouts. An ongoing spat between trainer
Shawn Tompkins (Pictures) and TKO boss Stephan Patry over
Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and
Krzysztof Soszynski (Pictures)'s involvement in the IFL has cooled what used to be a very close relationship.
Sam Stout (Pictures) is scheduled to fight fellow kickboxer
Martin Grandmont (Pictures), and
Chris Clements (Pictures) will face
Sean Pierson for the vacant welterweight title belt. Also participating will be
Mark Hominick (Pictures),
Stephane Dube (Pictures),
Steve Bosse, and
Stephane Vigneault (Pictures).
Two notable absences will be
Patrick Cote (Pictures), who takes on
Kendall Grove (Pictures) at UFC 74 in Aug., and
Jonathan Goulet (Pictures), who has had an acrimonious parting with Patry and may not appear in TKO again.