Music City Fight Night

Music City Fight Night
By: Luis Cova
Photos By: Mike Curran

An exciting night of fights came to Nashville as the UFC returned to Music City on Friday. For those lucky fans in attendance and those that tuned on to UFC on FX, it was everything you can ask for in a Mixed Martial Arts competition. The event featured a 10 fight card with eight being finished in the octagon, and six of which in the very first round and only two decisions placed in the hands of the judges. The theme for the fights and title of this UFC should have been called “Down to Business” as it seemed all fighters came out of the gate like charging bulls. Here is a rundown of the night’s fights:

UFC on Fuel TV

Fight 1: Bantamweight

Joseph Sandoval (6-2-0) vs. Nick “The Ninja of Love” Denis (22-8-1)

The night started off with a 22 second first round knockout due to vicious right elbows when Bantamweight Nick Denis (22-8-1) caught Joseph Sandoval(6-2-0) in a Thai clinch and proceeded to throw elbows from that position. Sandoval could not recover from the blows and Denis earned the win in his UFC debut. Denis was also awarded knockout of the night honors.  Nick added: “Couldn’t have gone any better.  I came out strong striking. The plan was then to take it to the ground, because I know he’s not as strong a grappler as he is a striker.  I threw some punches and he didn’t react well, so I finished it.  He was open for the right elbow; it landed and I kept them coming and put him down.”

Fight 2: Featherweight

Daniel “The Pit” Pineda (16-7-0) vs. “Thrilling” Pat Schilling (5-1-0)

The second fight of the evening featured Daniel Pineda’s UFC debut. Pineda had an impressive start to his UFC career as he also finished his fight in the first round with a rear-naked-choke hold on Pat Schilling at 3:27 of the first round. When asked about his exciting debut he stated, “It was my first fight in the UFC and I really wanted to do a good job. I expected him to wrestle but he wanted to stand with me.  He rocked me then I rocked him.  Then I tried to take him out of his comfort zone, by doing the opposite of what he was showing me.  He wanted to stand so I took him down and finished it. I just squeezed and squeezed and choked him out.”

Fight 3: Lightweight

Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (13-6-1) vs. Thomas “Wild Card” Hayden (8-1-0)

Third fight of the night had the second rear-naked-choke, when Fabricio Camoes beat Thomas Hayden who took the fight with only seven days notice. Hayden did well defending a couple of takedowns and an omoplata attempt by Camoes, but could not defend his back as he was submitted only 57 seconds left in the first round. Camoes said, “It feels amazing.  I been waiting for this opportunity in the UFC my whole life and I’m so happy to get the victory in that way. I’m a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but I want to show the world I’m a well-rounded fighter. We started striking, which surprised me because I know he’s good on the ground.  We scrambled a bit, then I got the opportunity to get on his back.”

Fight 4: Welterweight

Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman (15-3-0) vs. Daniel “Ninja” Roberts (12-4-0)

The Brenneman and Roberts fight started with the two trading punches right away before Charlie decided to take it to the ground to control the fight and earning points on take downs and octagon control as he passed guard and had Roberts in a crucifix in round one and two while dropping elbows from that position, Roberts was still in the fight as he locked in a triangle choke only to have time expire ending the second round. The third round again had Brennemen controlling the fight on the ground and again Roberts almost pulled a victory with a Kimura only to run out of time and lose by unanimous decision 30-27. Brennemen said about his opponent, “He’s so powerful.  His Jiu-Jitsu isn’t real technical but he‘s real explosive. I figured if I kept some distance I could inflict the most damage.  Everything I learned in camp was going through my mind the entire fight, including being careful with him till the end, which I didn’t do.   I was whipping his butt and he almost got me at the end.  I got content with my position and he capitalized.” Roberts added” I tried for the tap at the end, but knew time was running out.  If I had a little more time, I think I had him.”

Fight 5: Lightweight

Kamal “Prince of Persia” Shalorus (7-2-2) vs. Knabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (17-0-0)

This lightweight battle looked like it might end in the first round when Knabib dropped “The prince of Persha” Shalorus. However, Knabib could not finish and the fight went back to the feet. Round two had “The Eagle” score a few takedowns however Kamal’s defense let the fight be brought back to their feet. Third round Knabib got another take down, but almost got caught in a Guillotine choke as he managed to get Kamal’s back and locked in another rear-necked-choke.  “I thought the fight would go to the judges’ decision. It was my UFC debut and I was being very cautious.  But when I mounted him in the 3rd round, I felt I had him and just went for it” said Knabib.

Fight 6: Middleweight

Jorge “EL Conquistador” Rivera (19-9-0) vs. Eric “Red” Schafer (14-7-2)

Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera finished up a long UFC career in style. After being taken down in the first round a couple of times, it looked like Rivera might be in for a long fight on the mat until Rivera reversed his position at the end of the round. The beginning of the second round Rivera was prepared for the take down and used defense to land punches on Schafer cutting him, Rivera kept landing shots until Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:32 of the second round. Rivera not only finished the fight he finished his career as he announced his retirement at the end of the fight. Rivera had no regrets with his decision as he stated the following: “I told myself coming in tonight to just relax, let it all hang out and hopefully walk away with a win. I’ve had a wonderful career and I’m very grateful to the UFC, but I don’t want to do this anymore.  This job isn’t easy.  I’m ready to put my time in being a husband and father.”

Main Card Fights   UFC on FX

Fight 1: Heavyweight

Pat “HD” Barry (7-4-0) vs. Christian Morecraft (7-3-0)

Pat ‘HD’ Barry showed off some improved ground game to go along with his striking in this the battle of the heavyweights. Christian Morecraft scored the first points by taking Barry down after a leg kick attempt however Barry was quickly able to get back to his feet. As Morecraft finished a second take down, Barry put in a guillotine choke for a moment, until Morecraft was able to finish on a takedown and lock up an arm bar. Barry was able to keep his composure and escape the arm bar and bring the fight back to the feet. Once in striking distance, Barry connected with a left hook which knocked Morecraft down and after a few uncontested shots referee stoppage sealed the victory for Barry. Barry’s exuberance led him to leap the cage in a single bound while flexing his muscles and do some planking. Barry stated, “I had some very accurate punches on the ground. I want to thank everyone and anyone who ever helped me with my jiu-jitsu over the years, especially my current team.  We drill and drill and drill, and it really helped me escape all those submission attempts tonight.”

Fight 2: Bantamweight

Mike “The Hulk” Easton (12-1-0) vs. Jared “The Jackhammer” Papazian (14-7-0)

Mike “The Hulk” Easton, had an impressive night hanging and banging in his signature purple shorts. Easton and UFC new comer Jared Papzian ran to the center of the octagon clinched and exchanged punches like a hockey players. Both fighters’ laided solid head shots with Papazian mixing in a few elbows and knees. Even though both fighters exchanged good strikes neither seemed to get the best of each one another or gain a clear edge until the second round when Easton took Papzian down. Going into the third round, both fighters keep exchanging punches and kick combinations. Papazian was impressive, landing better exchanges although he was dropped by Easton for a moment The fight went to the judges and Easton was declared the winner. Judges scored  the fight, 29-28, 30-27, 29-29 by majority decision. “He came to fight.  I came to fight.  We talked a little trash and put on a great show.  Hey us 135lbs fighters know how to bang and entertain.   It’s non-stop action”, said Easton. Easton did admit to being a hockey fan and laughed when the first round was compared to a hockey brawl, saying, “I love hockey, I’m a Capitals fan all the way”.

Fight 3: Welterweight

Duane “Bang” Ludwig (29-12-0) vs. Josh “The Dentist” Neer (33-10-1)

The welterweight bout featured Duane Ludwig who now officially owns the fastest knockout in UFC history at six seconds. Ludwig and opponent Josh Neer wasted no time as the two came out banging. Ludwig dropped Neer and he went into full guard to recover, the fighters got back to their feet and Ludwig landed a few knees in an attempt to prevent Neer from coming forward.  Neer caught Ludwig’s leg and got him to the ground; while on the ground Ludwing uses his upkicks to defend but commits a mistake while trying to get up, leaving his neck exposed which Neer uses to lock up a guillotine choke. It wasn’t sure if he had the choke in until Ludwig’s arm when limp and Neer was declared the winner at 3:04 of the first round. Neer said, “When I was on top of him I could feel blood trickle down my neck.  I didn’t know how bad the cut was above my eye so I knew I had to finish him and finish quick.  I saw an opening and got him.  He’s probably the hardest puncher I’ve ever faced.”

Fight 4: Lightweight

Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (29-10-2, 1NC) vs. Jim Miller (21-3-0)

The final and main event pinned veteran Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller, two notable up and comers in the lightweight division. This was yet another fight that got right down to business. Guillard came out with some flying knees and a left hook that connected. Miller went for an unsuccessful take down as Guillard attempted another flying knee but Miller managed to get Guillard down, Gillard tried to shake Miller off and get up, but in doing so exposed his back which was a fault against Miller, who immediately took his back and secured a rear–naked-choke at 2:04 in the first round. Miller stated, “I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to find out how hard he hits.  He has explosive shots. I don’t get knocked down too often.   I was able to find my home on his back in the scramble and was able to work my arm underneath his neck.   I feel pretty good once I get in that position as I can usually work things the way I need to.  The win is just so gratifying, here in the main event on FX”. Guillard said, “I’ve actually been working back escapes all camp.  I just fell the wrong way, fell right into him.  I hurt him, had him down.  I think he was still hurt even when he had a hold of me.  I don’t like to tap, but I had to.  The way I fell he just got too tight a grip on me.  I’ll be back.  I want to fight my way back from the bottom up.  That’s the right way to do it.” During the post fight press conference Guillard added that he will continue to work on his Jiu-Jitsu and to give him about a year he’ll submit someone.

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