Since the UFC signing free-agent fighters Mirko Cro Cop and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is like the Yankees signing David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez away from the Red Sox, let's talk about Cro Cop and Rampage's UFC debuts first.
(Jackson fights against Eastman -- Getty Images)
Rampage admitted after the fight to having some UFC jitters, but that didn't stop him from notching a second round TKO against Marvin Eastman Saturday night at UFC 67. Jackson appeared very humble after the fight. Heck, he even invited Chuck Liddell to his after-party in Vegas. Some say that Jackson wants another tune-up before he fights Liddell for the Light heavyweight championship. I say, UFC 70...come on, UFC, make it happen.
Remember those old nature shows where the lion would eyeball an animal and slowly corner it? Well, Mirko Cro Cop had that look Saturday night. He cut off the ring, cornered and methodically picked apart the less experienced Eddie Sanchez, earning the first round TKO win.
("Cro Cop" earns the win against Sanchez -- AP Photo)
I give Sanchez a lot of credit for showing a lot of heart, in his SECOND UFC fight, and mixing it up with arguably the most elite striker in the world. But why couldn't a more seasoned heavyweight been used for this fight? I really would've liked to see Brandon Vera fight Saturday night. Cro Cop is on another planet when we talk about striking, but at least Vera is very well versed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Maybe Vera could've tied him up. Either way, I think Cro Cop will probably see the winner of the Randy Couture/Tim Sylvia match.
The main event was a bit soured before the two fighters even made it to the Octagon. It was a shame that Travis Lutter didn't make his weight. But a professional fighter has months to make his weight. They mentioned on the broadcast Saturday that Lutter doesn't have a manager, but I'm pretty sure he has a scale -- You gotta lose the LBs.
(Silva submits Lutter with a triangle -- AP Photo)
I was really looking forward to this fight. I really thought Lutter had a shot. Yes, Silva caught him in a triangle in the second round and earned the tap, but Lutter looked defeated and probably was dehydrated as he was entering the Octagon from attempting to drop that extra weight in such a short time. I want to see Lutter rebound from this. If 185 is too low for him, stay healthy at 205, there's another nasty striker there for ya: Mr. Chuck Liddell.
I thought the Patrick Cote/Scott Smith fight had a chance to be exciting for the striking fans out there, but no dice. They both looked like they were trying not to lose instead of trying to win. Cote did look like he picked up a couple extra leg kicks from training partner and fellow Canadian and UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre. Cote escaped with the unanimous decision victory.
What was maybe the best fight of the night was shown after the main event: The Tyson Griffin/Frank Edgar match. Both fighters were undefeated in MMA and both fighters fought like they absolutely wanted to stay that way. There were submission attempts, near finishes and three rounds of non-stop mixed martial arts. Edgar earned the decision victory, but Griffin nearly stole the victory in the last few seconds with a phenomenal knee bar attempt (For those who don't know what it looks like, it's like an armbar but picture that on your knee: Ouch!). Edgar HAD to be in pain, but did not give up and earned the win.