Winning his final welterweight bout before dropping 15 pounds to compete at lightweight, Minnesotan powerhouse Sean Sherk (Pictures) was awarded a lopsided decision over Nick Diaz (Pictures) despite fighting most of the three-round contest on the feet.
The Cesar Gracie (Pictures)-trained Diaz continued defending takedowns in rounds two and three. Yet the 22-year-old’s lackadaisical offense — it looked like Diaz threw punches in the deep end of a swimming pool — prompted the judges to award the bout to Sherk (30-27 three times).
Evan Tanner (Pictures) finished Justin Levens (Pictures), a replacement for Jeremy Horn (Pictures) on 21-days notice, 3:14 of round one by submission.
From the start Tanner muscled the hometown kid, who returned to action for the first time since January when he lost the only fight of his career, into the cage and kept him there until forcing action to the floor.
Tanner unloaded with his trademark elbows and countered a quick heelhook attempt before attempting a sort-of flying-triangle submission. Levens tried in vain to squirm his way out, but eventually Tanner switched and attacked the isolated arm, extending it for the tapout.
In what may constitute a No. 1-contender fight in the UFC’s heavyweight division, Jeff Monson (Pictures) won a slow and uninspired split decision over Brazilian Marcio Cruz (Pictures).
Judge Abe Belardo, who was overzealous in awarding Ortiz a 30-27 score, got it right in this one, seeing the same total for the American fighter. Hector Hernandez joined him (29-28) and a third judge, whose name was unintelligible over the house speakers, saw it 29-28 for Cruz.
Too strong for the inexperienced Cruz, a former world champion Brazilian jiu-jitsu player, Monson stopped takedowns at will and connected with strikes against the backpedaling fighter. Had Monson been more proficient with his stand-up game he might’ve finished Cruz, who consistently moved in one line as he lifted his chin high.
In the evening’s dark bouts Karo Parisyan (Pictures) dominated and bloodied Nick Thompson (Pictures) on the floor to win by stoppage 4:44 of round one. It was Parisyan’s first fight since he was forced to withdraw from a UFC welterweight title shot against champion Matt Hughes (Pictures).
A battle of talented California middleweights saw poor refereeing aid the uber-talented David Terrell (Pictures) in tapping out UFC rookie Scott Smith 3:08 of round one.
Smith worked well early, shutting the door on multiple takedown attempts. Slamming his way out of an armbar, Smith gave Terrell a taste of his power by firing down strikes, but the “Soul Assassin” remained calm.
A couple minutes into the 185-pound fight, first-time UFC referee Marco Lopez, who traditionally works out of Florida and was flown in at the behest of California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Armando Garcia, himself a former boxing referee from the Sunshine State, was in the middle of a flap that had Smith and his camp complaining.
With Terrell standing behind Smith and action stalemated, the ironworker said he relaxed after Lopez called for a break in the action. At that moment Terrell yanked the Nor Cal fighter backwards to put him on the canvas.
Smith looked up and yelled at Lopez, but the referee let action continue and Terrell capitalized, eventually locking in a rear-naked choke for the submission win.
Smith said afterwards that he would appeal the result.
Terry Martin (Pictures) gave Jason Lambert (Pictures) a run for his money in the first round of their light heavyweight clash, but the Californian overwhelmed the Chicago-based Martin to win by TKO 2:37 of the second.
Fighting in a phone booth for much of the opening period, both men scored with knees and punches. Martin at one point had Lambert turn tail, but he couldn’t finish the experienced 205-pounder from North San Diego County.
Taking control in round two, Lambert trapped Martin in what looked like the crucifix position and unloaded shots. Soon, Lambert improved position to the point that he could rain down indefensible punches from back-control that forced referee “Big” John McCarthy to put a stop to the action.
The nine-bout card’s opening fight saw American Top Team’s Thiago Alves (Pictures) come back from the brink to avenge an earlier loss to Derrick Noble (Pictures) by TKO 2:54 of round one.
Noble, who submitted Alves in their first bout December of 2003, hurt the well-built Brazilian with kicks to the body. He followed and forced Alves back into the cage fencing with damaging strikes. But in an instant Alves connected with an out-of-nowhere counter right to the jaw. Strikes on the ground ended any doubt and Mario Yamasaki separated the fighters.