UFC 67: Fight Report

UFC 67: All or Nothing was always going to be an explosive event, but unexpected controversy dogged proceedings from the start. Much to the disappointment of UFC fans, The Ultimate Fighter 4 winner Travis Lutter failed to make the weigh-in for his middleweight championship bout against Anderson Silva, coming in at two pounds overweight. Given two hours to drop the weight but unable to do so, Lutter took the ring regardless, booed by fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center who had come to see a title bout.

Refusing to be distracted by the weigh-in dramas, and reportedly angered by his opponent’s disrespectful failings, Silva quickly put an end to the controversy by taking Lutter out of the game – title bout or no. Holding Lutter at bay during the first round, Silva recovered from a takedown to the delight of fans who continued booing Lutter as the round came to a close.

In the second round, as Lutter went for another takedown, Silva lashed out from the ground with a kick to the head. Lutter fell and was soon locked in Silva’s choke hold, receiving multiple blows from the champion until he tapped out at 2:11 of the second round.

“I’m not making excuses,” said Lutter after his defeat. “I was just having a really hard time getting motivated to lose weight. I may never get another opportunity to fight for a world championship. I apologize to everybody who was looking forward to a title fight.” Silva remains undefeated.

With the title bout reduced to a three round non-championship face-off, attentions turned to the other high profile fights from UFC newcomers Quinton Jackson and Mirko Filipovic.

A great deal was expected of Jackson, making his UFC debut after a successful career with the Pride organisation in Japan, primarily because he continually shoots his mouth off. Squaring off against Marvin Eastman, who defeated Jackson back in his first mixed martial arts fight of 2000, the crowd booed while the two fighters circled each other and few blows were exchanged.

However in the second round ‘Rampage’ Jackson lived up to his name, letting rip with an avalanche of blows, including a wave of uppercuts that had Eastman drop to the mat. The referee stepped in and halted the bout. “It was time for some black-on-black crime,” quipped Jackson after the defeat.

Croatian heavyweight Mirko Filipovic secured a more impressive defeat for his first UFC bout. Previously unbeaten opponent Eddie Sanchez landed a few solid blows in the opening moments of the first round, but Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ bided his time and soon connected with his notorious high kick, slamming Sanchez square in the head.

Following with a straight left that dropped Sanchez to the mat, Cro Cop then mounted the fighter and landed a series of blows. The fight was waved off at 4:33 of the first round, Cro Cop emerging the undisputed victor.

"It frustrated me that he was running around all the time, but I never let him do anything he wanted," said Cro Cop after the fight. Although he refused to comment on whether he'd be calling for an immediate title shot, it's clear that he is ready and able. Watch this space.

Head to the official UFC 67 site for more info, including biographies, interviews and the fight card.