FIGHT NIGHT 13

BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, April 2, 2008 - Joe Lauzon,  the Ultimate Fighter 5 (TUF 5) veteran, made a name for himself when he knocked out MMA legend Jens Pulver. He is 3-0 in the UFC with a recent victory over Jason Reinhardt in UFC 78. Kenny Florian, TUF 1 runner-up, is coming off a victory over Din Thomas in Fight Night 11.

Florian was warned in the first round for illegal elbows to the back of the head. While Florian was on his back and Lauzon in his guard, he let loose with several hard elbows to the top and back of Lauzon’s head. When it opened a bloody cut on the back of Lauzon’s head, referee Dean halted the fight to issue Florian a warning. Both fighters got takedowns and spent time n the dominant position in guard. Lauzon seemed to get the edge in takedowns but Florian ended the round punching Joe in the face.

In the second, Florian got full mount but Lauzon was able to keep Florian from hurting him. Joe bucked him off but Florian got side control and punched Joe in the head several times. Florian got full mount again but Lauzon struggled enough to keep Florian from laying a beat-down. Florian got full mount again and alternated lefts and rights while Lauzon closely guarded his head. After twenty to thirty punches, the ref stopped the fight. Joe wasn’t getting hurt but at the same time wasn’t offering any resistance whatsoever.

Florian improves his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record to 11-3. Joe Lauzon drops to 15-4.


KARO PARISYAN vs. THIAGO ALVES
Welterweight Bout

UFC veteran Karo Parisyan is coming off a unanimous decision win over Ryo Chonan in a boring fight during UFC 78. He promised the fans he would redeem himself in his next fight. He faces the hard-striking Thiago Alves who recently beat Chris Lytle on the undercard of UFC 78

Round one was busy but even. No substantial damage was done by any fighter. Striking was about even, no damaging punches landed. Karo was the aggressor in trying for takedowns but Thiago defended them well and looked very strong.

In the second, Thiago came out aggressive landing a stiff jab. He then caught Karo with a left knee right on the button. Karo dropped like a sack of bricks. Thiago pounced and punched the defenseless Parisyan three times before the ref stepped in to stop the fight.

An easy night for Thiago who improves to 20-4 with the victory. Karo, angry with the ref for stopping the fight, drops to 26-5 and still has to dream about that first title shot.


MATT HAMILL  vs. TIM BOETSCH
Lightweight Bout

TUF 3 veteran Matt Hamill is coming off a controversial decision loss to TUF 3 winner, Michael Bisping in UFC 75. Former IFL fighter, Tim Boetsch won his UFC debut beating David Heath to a pulp in UFC 81. Matt hopes his superior wrestling skills will be enough to stop the hard-hitting Boetsch.

After spending half the round wrestling, the ref stood them up. Tim began to land hard shots and a big knee that opened a cut on Hamill’s mouth. In the second, Hamill bounced back to put Tim against the fence where he hammer-fisted Tim’s unprotected head and then pounded out a referee stoppage.

With the TKO, Hamill improves to 6-1. Hamill also showed fans he has a strong chin, taking a knee to the head and shrugging it off. Boetsch drops to 7-2, and 11 in the UFC.


NATE DIAZ vs. KURT PELLEGRINO
Lightweight Bout

The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner, Nate Diaz,  hopes to remain unbeaten in the UFC as he squares off against Kurt Pellegrino. Kurt is coming off a victory over Alberto Crane in Fight Night 12. Prior to that, Pellegrino suffered a unanimous decision loss to Joe Stevenson in UFC 74. Diaz is coming off an easy first round submission win over Alvin Robinson, also on Fight Night 12.

Pellegrino came out aggressive and dominated Diaz in the opening round. He pounded open a cut over Diaz’ right eye from the side control. Diaz was not used to getting beat up like that and clearly lost the round.

The second round saw more aggressive grappling from Pellegrino. Pellegrino picked Diaz up and slammed him on his back. Unfortunately he forgot about the long legs of Diaz. Diaz came down with a guillotine and the makings of a triangle. With Pellegrino in his guard, Nate wrapped his legs around Pellegrino for the triangle choke. Once Diaz wrapped his right leg over his left ankle he knew he had it and raised his arms in victory and then flexed his biceps, all while still lying on his back. Kurt did his part and tapped out.

An amazing come-from-behind victory for Nate Diaz (9-2). He asked the UFC for harder fights and came out victorious. Diaz remains unbeaten in the UFC (4-0). Nick Diaz was on-hand to congratulate his brother in the octagon. A surprised Pellegrino drops to 17-4.


HOUSTON ALEXANDER vs. JAMES IRVIN
Light-Heavyweight Bout

Fan favorite Houston Alexander was exposed for being one-dimensional after getting ground-and-pounded by Thiago Silva in his last fight on UFC 78. He won’t have that problem against hard-hitting James Irvin, who also likes to stand and trade. James Irvin’s last fight was a disqualification against Luis Arthur Cane in UFC 79.

James needed just eight seconds to knock out Houston Alexander. Alexander threw a right, Irvin countered with a superman punch and cracked him right on the button, putting Alexander on his back. James pounced to finish him off and his third punch appeared to cause Alexander to go limp. Referee Mazagatti jumped in to stop the fight when suddenly Alexander woke and popped up. Houston argued the stoppage but was clearly out.

Irvin wins by TKO and improves his MMA record to 14-4. Alexander (8-3) loses his second fight in a row.


TOMMY SPEER vs. ANTHONY JOHNSON
Welterweight Bout

TUF 5 member Tommy Speer takes on Anthony Johnson is his first fight since the reality show finale.

Unfortunately, Anthony Johnson put on a striking clinic repeatedly landed head shot after head shot and mixing in some devastating knees to the head. But Tough Tommy was out on his feet until he was finally dropped with a vicious right and slumped to the canvas.

An impressive win for Johnson (5-1). Tommy Speer drops to 9-3.

GRAY MAYNARD vs. FRANKIE EDGAR
Lightweight Bout – Battle of the Undefeated

In an otherwise close fight, Gray Maynard dominated on the ground getting takedowns and staying on top. The fight went to the judges who gave Gray a unanimous decision.  Maynard remains unbeaten at 7-0. Edgar suffers his first defeat at 8-1.

OTHER FIGHTS
George Sotiropoulos wins by TKO over Roman Mitichyan.
Clay Guida wins by TKO over Samy Schiavo.
Manny Gambaryan wins by submission (Choke) over Jeff Cox.
Marcus Aurelio wins by submission (Armbar) over Ryan Roberts.
Josh Neer wins by unanimous decision over Din Thomas.