UFC 103 Recap: Night of Knock Outs

The UFC wanted to prove that they have the superior pay-per view product compared to boxing and their fighters didn't disappoint. On the pay-per view card four of the five fights ended via knockout or technical knockout. A truly exciting night for MMA fans. 

The main event saw two former UFC champions collide. In reality the only collision was Vitor Belfort's fist with Rich Franklin's face as Belfort scored a first round knockout over the former middleweight champion. Vitor was making his return to the UFC as he signed with Zuffa after Affliction's sudden demise as a fight promotion.

Since this fight was at a catch-weight of 195lbs. it will be interesting to see if Belfort drops to 185lbs. to fight Anderson Silva, as many assume he will, or if he will attempt to fight at 205lbs. 

In the night's co-main event, rising heavyweight prospect, Junior dos Santos, defeated Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. In the lead up to the bout Filipovic was billed as the wise veteran looking to redeem himself for previous failures against a young and hungry fighter. That may have been a good story-line but someone forgot to tell Filipovic that in order to find redemption you can't quit in the third round. Give dos Santos credit though, as he stalked and bullied the former Pride fighter for three rounds until the Croatian striker finally gave up, perhaps for good. 

Martin Kampmann was suppose to fight Mike Swick in a number one contender bout but a last minute injury to Swick caused Paul Daley to step in. Some had worried that Kampmann was in store for a let down since he was going from a chance at a title shot to just a regular fight. Regardless of Kampmann's mental status Paul Daley came to bang and landed a left hook that rocked Martin in the first round. As Kampmann tried to regain his composure Daley unleashed a flurry of punches and Martin began curl up alongside the cage. Referee, Yves Lavigne, stepped in and called the bout though Kampmann had yet to drop to the ground. Daley's upset victory throws the welterweight division into further turmoil. 

Frank Trigg wanted to prove that he had enough left in the tank for one more title run. Unfortunately Trigg's tank appears to be running on fumes as Josh Koscheck KO'd Trigg in just eighty-five seconds. With Kampmann's surprise loss, Koscheck appears to be a prime contender for a welterweight title shot. Josh probably knows that too as he called out former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes. 

Tyson Griffin made short work of Hermes Franca in their 159lbs. catch-weight bout. For much of the fight Franca appeared disinterested --perhaps the reason why he came in four pounds overweight-- as Griffin tee'd off on his opponent winning via TKO in the second round. This was Griffin's first TKO victory in the UFC and only second fight in the UFC not to go to decision. The last time Griffin ended a bout was at his UFC debut in 2006 at UFC 63. 

UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort coverage

Full Results below

UFC 103 was competing with a marquee boxing match-up tonight on PPV and to help differentiate their product Zuffa aired two live bouts plus two taped bouts on Spike T.V. free of commercials.

Cole Miller was a trendy pick over TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero who had trouble cutting weight and was coming off a rib injury. Yet Escudero dropped Miller with a strong right hand early in the first round. From there Efrain was able to pound out Cole to maintain an unblemished record.

Drew McFedries faced off against middleweight newcomer Tomasz Drawl in the evening's first free fight. McFedries swung for the fences early and gassed out quickly creating an opening for Drawl. In the second round Tomasz capitalized on McFedries tired frame submitting him at the one minute mark of round two.

Fans also got to see Rick Story and Brian Foster battle it out in a "Fight of the Night" contender. Story came in to the fight on a short notice and held nothing back as he and Foster traded leather for the first round. The second round was a different story as Rick attacked Foster from the ground. Story submitted Foster via arm triangle while still in Brian's guard, far from an easy feat.

UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort coverage

• Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin
• Junior Dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
• Paul Daley vs. Martin Kampmann
• Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
• Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin
• Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
• Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries
• Jim Miller def. Steve Lopez via TKO (injury) - Round 2, 0:48.
• Nick Lentz def. Rafaello Oliveira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  
• Rick Story def. Brian Foster via submission (arm triangle) - Round 2, 1:09.
  
• Eliot Marshall def. Jason Brilz via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27).
  
• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).    
  
• Rafael Dos Anjos def. Rob Emerson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).