The UFC presents it’s twelfth installment of Fight Night Live. Even if the UFC doesn’t keep track of the numbers, I do. So get ready for Ultimate Fight Night 12.
Nate Diaz vs. Alvin Robinson
Diaz slams Robinson out of a clinch to start. I always think of Alvin Robertson of the Milwaukee Bucks when Alvin Robinson fights. And Alvin Robertson makes me think of Pooh Richardson. Then I laugh a little on the inside. Robinson gets a guillotine choke on Diaz from the bottom but doesn’t have it sunk in tightly. Diaz got out of the choke and into side control. Diaz looked like he was going for an omaplata which rules given his brother Nick beat Gomi with it. Alas, it is not to be but the triangle choke isn’t far behind and proves to be the finish of the fight. Diaz by triangle choke at 3:39 of R1.
Thiago Tavares vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Tavares gets the takedown on this Omigawa fellow that I know nothing about. Omigawa got all sassy and stuff so Tavares slammed him back down for good measure. Omigawa briefly gets a heel hook but Tavares quickly escapes. Both men are on their feet but Tavares gets on Omigawa’s back like a monkey and wears Omigawa down to the mat. Omigawa reversed to top position and got some kicks in on a downed Tavares before the round ended.
The second round begins and Tavares sprawls a takedown attempt. Omigawa missed a sweep attempt and Tavares winds up on top but a struggle for position goes for naught as both men wind up back on their feet. They circle the cage and kickbox a little bit but nothing really happens for a few minutes. Tavares finally gets the takedown with only one minute to go in the round. Omigawa kicks Tavares away and gets back up to his feet for an uninspired close to the round.
Omigawa comes out aggressive in the third but Tavares wrestles for the takedown. Omigawa goes for an armbar from the bottom but he has no leverage to make it meaningful. They get to their knees and Omigawa throws Tavares to the mat. Omigawa gets to his feet and kicks Tavares while he is down. Tavares flails his legs at Omigawa and one of the upkicks manages to cut Omigawa on the forehead. Unanimous decision for Thiago Tavares.
Patrick Cote vs. Drew McFedries
The announcers have been verbally nutting for this fight all night. I guess when the middleweight division sucks you do whatever you can to make a contender. Cote lands his high kick with success until McFedries nails him with a left hook. Cote responds with a combo that backs McFedries up. Cote keeps the pressure on and a right uppercut puts McFedries to the mat. A barrage of unanswered rights causes Herb Dean to stop the fight. Cote wins by TKO at 1:44 of R1.
Mike Swick vs. Josh Burkman
Burkman forces a clinch against the cage and they exchange knees until Mazzagatti breaks them up. Burkman forces Swick against the cage again. Swick works for a guillotine and Burkman slams him down. They get back up to their feet. Burkman lands a big left hook and then attempts a flying roundhouse kick of some sort. It’s the same jump-kick move that I always use when I’m just learning the controls of a fighting video game.
Burkman lands a nice kick-backfist combo early in the second as the two wind up against the cage again. Swick lands a high kick that seems to rock Burkman. Burkman backs off to regroup and forces Swick against the cage again. Back to the center of the octagon and Swick lands a nice combination. Simultaneous punches land before Burkman puts Swick against the cage again. Burkman dives in on Swick but they just sort of rest against each other as the round ends.
Burkman comes out strong and they end up in the place to be, against the cage. Burkman just can’t seem to get the takedown on Swick from that position. The fight is restarted and both men land good shots. Swick is not very effective with his jab and 5″ reach advantage. Burkman comes in but Swick lands a knee that stops him in his tracks. Two minutes remain and Burkman pushes Swick against the cage. The referee restarts with one minute to go. Burkman shoots and Swick lands another knee. They punch out of a clinch and fight a cautious final ten seconds. Both men fought conservatively and didn’t leave an opening for the other man to take advantage of. The decision comes in and it is a majority decision for Mike Swick. Not sure about that one as I think Burkman won this fight.
Undercard Results from MMAWeekly.com.
-Kurt Pellegrino def. Alberto Crane by TKO at 1:55, RD2.
-Gray Maynard def. Dennis Siver by Unanimous decision (29-28. 30-27, 29-28), RD3.
-Jeremy Stephens def. Cole Miller by TKO at 4:44, RD2.
-Corey Hill def. Joe Veres by TKO at 0:37, RD2.
-Matt Wiman def. Justin Buchholz by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:56, RD1.
