zatoicchi
20.07.08, 11:04
UFC Fight Night 14’s main event offered little surprise as UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva successfully made his light-heavyweight debut with a quick first-round knockout of veteran fighter James Irvin.
The bout capped off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 14 event at The Palms Las Vegas, which aired live on Spike TV.
The event, a late booking put together to counter Saturday’s debut event for Affliction Entertainment, concluded in predictable fashion as Silva, largely considered the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, easily disposed of Irvin in just 61 seconds.
Silva, who’s stormed the UFC’s middleweight division since taking the title from Rich Franklin in 2006, struck early and often. He ultimately checked a body kick and popped Irvin with a straightright. The blow forced Irvin to the mat, and after a barrage of follow-up punches from Silva, the bout was halted.
Silva, who will likely return to the middleweight division after tonight’s victory, has been on the hunt for a challenge. After a proposed boxing match with Roy Jones Jr. was vetoed, Silva instead got the opportunity to move up a weight class.
But there was no challenge. The world’s top fighter looked very much like it as he secured his eighth consecutive victory—all via stoppage.
Many have long clamored for Brandon Vera’s light-heavyweight debut, and though the move was met with victory over little-known UFC newcomer Andy Reese, there was only marginal success.
UFC Fight Night 14 Results (http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AkQeHfAQDy4BeNRhMzcTiiQ9Eo14?slug=mmajun kie-UFC_Fight_Night_14_Results&prov=mmajunkie&type=lgns)
The bout capped off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 14 event at The Palms Las Vegas, which aired live on Spike TV.
The event, a late booking put together to counter Saturday’s debut event for Affliction Entertainment, concluded in predictable fashion as Silva, largely considered the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, easily disposed of Irvin in just 61 seconds.
Silva, who’s stormed the UFC’s middleweight division since taking the title from Rich Franklin in 2006, struck early and often. He ultimately checked a body kick and popped Irvin with a straightright. The blow forced Irvin to the mat, and after a barrage of follow-up punches from Silva, the bout was halted.
Silva, who will likely return to the middleweight division after tonight’s victory, has been on the hunt for a challenge. After a proposed boxing match with Roy Jones Jr. was vetoed, Silva instead got the opportunity to move up a weight class.
But there was no challenge. The world’s top fighter looked very much like it as he secured his eighth consecutive victory—all via stoppage.
Many have long clamored for Brandon Vera’s light-heavyweight debut, and though the move was met with victory over little-known UFC newcomer Andy Reese, there was only marginal success.
UFC Fight Night 14 Results (http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AkQeHfAQDy4BeNRhMzcTiiQ9Eo14?slug=mmajun kie-UFC_Fight_Night_14_Results&prov=mmajunkie&type=lgns)