some thoughts while I recover from my WEC 39 hangover...

- It was suppose to be a homecoming for Leonard Garcia; instead it was a coming out party for the current featherweight champion, Mike Brown. Whatever doubts or questions surrounded the current featherweight champion disappeared with an overhand right that dropped Garcia in the first fifteen seconds of round one. Once Garcia hit the ground Mike Brown rained down fists, blooding the Texas native. From there, Garcia scrambled to recover while Brown took his back and tried to lock in a rear naked choke. Garcia flailed to try and gain some position; he succeeded and escape the submission and got into his guard. Garcia found no sanctuary in his defensive position as Brown connected with more blows. Soon the champion passed what little defense was left and secured an arm triangle. Vainly Garcia hit his opponent's kidneys, each blow becoming weaker and more desperate until their motion was that of a fighter tapping out. Mike Brown won his first title defense, and in the words of Jens Pulver, "Now he's the champion."

- Mike Brown is legit. The Urijah Faber victory was in no way a fluke. With Brown's striking and size I don't think Faber can beat him.

- "This fight is for baby Bella" ~ Mike Brown after choking out Leonard Garcia

- Strange dedicating a fight to an infant but I guess she is recovering from a surgery. I think a teddy bear would of been more appropriate.

- Leonard Garcia's hometown entrance was fantastic it really got me pumped up for a fight. Unfortunately for Garcia the hometown advantage didn't come through.

- Ricardo Lamas had an impressive WEC debut with a unanimous victory over Bart Palaszewski. I would write more about this fight but I am afraid of misspelling Bart Palaszewski's name over and over again. Or I am just too lazy to use the copy and paste function.

- Chris Mickle worst striker ever.

- No, seriously worst striker EVER. I mean what the hell was with Mickle's punches? He was hopping when he was throwing punches, with his chin pointed out like a bulls eye. No wonder the odds were +700 for Mickle and -1300 for Jose Aldo.

- Jose Aldo looked impressive but the stoppage was early and his opponent didn't truly test him. Clearly a building fight for the young Aldo.

- I love Jens, but when the color commentary consists of guttural noises and whistling instead of, you know words, it reminds me of Emit Smith. 

- Damacio Page had an eighteen second knockout victory over Marcos Galvao. Being that I am Catholic I appreciated his giant tattoo of the Virgin Mary otherwise known as the Our Lady of Gaudalupe. Sorry its Lent. 

- Best saying to start/restart a fight "COMBAT!" by referee Mark Colo-oy

- The Marcus Hicks Rob McCullough fight officially lasted 15 minutes, however in reality there was only 4 minutes of actual fighting. The other 11 minutes were, what people in the business call 'posturing' or what some fans call pussy footing around.

- Nice sweater vest Jens, your wife did a good job picking it out. 

Main Event

• Featherweight Champion Mike Brown def. Leonard Garcia via submission (arm choke) -- Round 1, 1:57

Televised Card

• Ricardo Lamas def. Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). 
  
• Jose Aldo def. Chris Mickle via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 1:39.    
  
• Rob McCullough def. Marcus Hicks via majority decision (29-29, 30-27, 29-28).

Under Card

• Mike Pierce def. Justin Haskins via TKO (punches) -- Round 3, 3:39.
• John Franchi def. Mike Budnik via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
• Alex Karalexis def. Greg McIntyre via TKO (punches) -- Round 1, 4:19.
• Kenji Osawa def. Rafael Rebello via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30).
• Johny Hendricks dex. Alex Serdyukov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
• Damacio Page def. Marcos Galvao via knockout -- Round 1, 0:18.
• Danny Castillo def. Phil Cardella via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

Main event

- Featherweight champion Mike Brown (-140) vs. Leonard Garcia (+110)

Televised card

- Ricardo Lamas (+260) vs. Bart Palaszewski (-330)
- Jose Aldo (-1300) vs. Chris Mickle (+700)
- Rob McCullough (-145) vs. Marcus Hicks (+115)

Under card

- Danny Castillo (-160) vs. Phil Cardella (+130)
- Marcos Galvao (+115) vs. Damacio Page (-145)
- Johny Hendricks  (-500) vs. Alex Serdyukov (+300)
- Kenji Osawa (-125) vs. Rafael Rebello (-105)
- Alex Karalexis (-200) vs. Greg Mcintyre (+160)
- Mike Budnik (-115) vs. John Franchi (-115)
- Justin Haskins (+175) vs. Mike Pierce (-215)

odds via sportsbook.com and mmabettingblog.com

 

WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Thomas Brown (20-4) vs. Leonard "Bad Boy" Garcia (12-3)

Televised card

Jose "Junior" Aldo (13-1) vs. Chris Mickle (26-11-1)

Bart "Bartimus" Palaszewski (30-11) vs. Rich "Cleat" Crunkilton (16-2)

"Razor" Rob McCullough (16-5) vs. Marcus "The Wrecking Ball" Hicks (8-1)

Johny Hendricks (4-0) vs. Alex "The Russian Crusher" Serdyukov (8-4)

Under card

Marcos "Louro" Galvao (6-2-1) vs. Damacio "The Angel of Death" Page (10-4)

Mike "Wildfire" Budnik (7-1) vs. John Franchi (4-0)

Justin Haskins (4-2) vs. Mike Pierce (6-1)

Alex Karalexis (9-4) vs. Greg McIntyre (5-3)
Danny Castillo (6-1) vs. Phil Cardella (7-2)

Kenji Osawa (14-8-2) vs. Rafael Rebello (5-2)