The cards swing bout featured a welterweight showdown between world-class fighters using cousin disciplines, judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. After three rounds of hard-nosed fighting, Californias judo expert Karo Parisyan earned a unanimous decision over New Yorks BJJ black belt Matt Serra.
The two fighters jawed at points and Parisyan exchanged words with Serras corner, which only seemed to anger the Hollywood, Calif. fighter. As expected, the judo champion controlled Serra in the clinch, putting the natural lightweight on the canvas almost anytime he wanted. Though Serra fought gamely, he wasnt able to match Parisyans physical style, particularly as the fight moved from the second to third and final round.
Its believed that with the win, Parisyan is next in line to fight UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, who joins Franklin as the two coaches on TUF 2.
Could a man never having officially fought in the UFC be the promotions most popular fighter? If his name is Forrest Griffin, he might be. Season one Ultimate Fighter light heavyweight winner received the nights loudest ovation when he submitted Canadian Bill Mahood, 2:18 of round one.
Going to the floor early, Griffin countered a Mahood armbar attempt by passing guard to side-control. The charismatic fighter from Athens, Ga. controlled Mahood, who returned to competition tonight after taking a year off, and soon had his back.
With Mahood sandwiched between the cage fencing and Griffin, who clung tight to the light heavyweight, switched arms several times before finally locking in the choke.
Two fights, two wins, two brutal slugfests. Paul Buentello, 31, put his stamp on the UFC heavyweight division tonight with a stoppage of Columbus, Ga.s Kevin Jordan, an excellent return to the UFC for a man who debuted with a knockout over tonights main-event challenger, Justin Eilers.
During the four-minute slugfest, Buentello gave as good as he got against his lanky, dread-locked foe.
Jordan scored early on the 250-pound Buentello, landing a stiff right that buckled the yellow-shorts clad striker. In his 25th bout, Buentello was no stranger to adversity and he smartly recovered by clinching Jordan along the fence.
The two bombers traded knees and uppercuts before separating, allowing Buentello to find the range with which to land his stinging right straights and uppercuts. In the center of the Octagon, Buentello, an American Kickboxing Academy-trained fighter, countered Jordan, 34, into an artillery shell of a right hand, which echoed around ringside.
Jordan caved to the canvas as Buentello followed, delivering a heavy dose of punches and elbows. The barrage, however wasnt enough to end Jordans night, as the 228-pounder managed his way back into the fight.
During the bouts remaining minutes, the two traded power shots, Buentello landing the majority of effective blows. As the four-minute mark approached both men appeared drained Jordan more than Buentello.
The Hispanic fighter countered a Jordan single-leg takedown attempt into an unorthodox submission. With his left arm wrapped around Jordans head, the fight went from standing to the canvas. Despite not having his hands clasped, Jordan tapped to end the fight. Officially, it was called a guillotine choke, but from ringside the submission appeared to be more of a neck crank.