UFC 96 was headlined by a matchup between Keith Jardine and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson – a bout that would determine the future top contender in the light heavyweight division. Beyond the main event, the lineup was not very impressive, lacking in big names and matchups with title implications. Though this event received very little hype, the less anticipated events often exceed all expectations, and UFC 96 was no exception.
Jim Miller vs. Gray Maynard (155 lbs)
Round 1: After Maynard got the best of the initial striking exchange, Miller clinched and attempted a takedown. Maynard had no intention of going to the ground with Miller and defended the takedown, pummeling Miller who held on to the single-leg attempt. When the fighters disengaged Miller had a bloody nose and a swollen eye, and Maynard finished the round strong, hurting Miller with a combination. Round 10-9 Maynard
Round 2: Miller worked leg and body kicks; two of the kicks glanced off Maynard’s groin protector, causing referee Dan Miragliotta to warn Miller. Maynard answered with punch combinations, some of which found their target. Miller attempted another takedown; Maynard defended and Miller pulled guard but Maynard stood right back up. Neither fighter landed much in this round; Maynard gets the nod for keeping the fight on the feet. Round 10-9 Maynard
Round 3: Both fighters slowed down a bit, and Miller was once again scoring with leg kicks. Miller attempted another takedown; Maynard defended again and responded with a huge slam. Miller went for a leg lock and used the submission attempt to get back to his feet. Miller shot a single but ended up on the bottom, and was not able to do anything off his back. Maynard landed punches from the top, easily winning the round. Round 10-9 Maynard
All three judges scored the fight 30-27 Gray Maynard.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Aftermath: Great performance from Maynard, who picked up his fifth UFC win and positioned himself as one of the top contenders to the winner of the upcoming title bout between champion BJ Penn and Kenny Florian. Jim Miller is dealt his first UFC loss, knocking him out of the Top 10 for the time being.
Matt Hamill vs. Mark Munoz (205 lbs)
Round 1: Hamill was looking to stand and trade as usual; Munoz avoided Matt’s strikes and attempted a takedown but was thwarted. Munoz shot again but Hamill sprawled and ended up on top. Hamill backed Munoz up against the fence with punches, then out of nowhere threw a head kick that landed flush to Munoz’s temple, knocking him out cold.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Aftermath: Hamill was elated after the fight, and rightly so – this was one of the most impressive performances of his young career. WEC standout Munoz suffers his first loss in his UFC debut.
Pete Sell vs. Matt Brown (170 lbs)
Round 1: Matt Brown throws a head kick right off the bat. Brown lands a couple of punches; Sell smiles then eats another head kick and a punch that drops him. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in between the fighters, presumably stopping the bout, but Pete Sell recovers and Lavigne changes his mind just as Brown walks away thinking the fight is over. Lavigne implores Brown to continue, and so Matt unloads on Sell with a series of knees. Sell falls again and Brown pounds on him; Sell is desperately holding on to Brown’s leg and somehow gets back to his feet. Brown looks incredulous that the fight is still going on, then drops Sell for the third time. Mercifully, this time around Lavigne actually stops the fight.
Fight Grade: 5 4/5 1 point deduction for the non-stoppage
Aftermath: Great showing from Matt Brown was marred by the abhorrent reffing. It doesn’t look like Sell will be any more successful as a welterweight in the UFC than he was as a middleweight.
Jason Day vs. Kendall Grove (185 lbs)
Round 1: Day is the aggressor, and is walking down Grove with punches. Grove counters and a right hand finds its target, dropping Day. Grove follows up with several elbows, earning a TKO stoppage. Grove performs the ‘gravedigger’ dance to celebrate the knockout.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Aftermath: This was a must-win fight for Grove’s UFC career, and he made the best of it. Day falls to 1-2 in the UFC.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Shane Carwin (HW)
Round 1: Gonzaga rocks Carwin early with a combination, then takes him down but Carwin gets back to his feet. They trade strikes and Carwin drops Gonzaga with a short hook. Gonzaga is on his knees and Carwin pounds away until the ref stops the bout.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Aftermath: This was a big step up in competition for Carwin, and he showed that he belongs on the next level. Carwin is now one of the top heavyweights in the UFC, and with one more victory he will most likely get a title shot. Gonzaga falters once again, after seemingly getting back on track in his last couple of fights.
Tamdan McCrory vs. Ryan Madigan (170 lbs)
Round 1: McCrory quickly takes Madigan down and attempts to pass guard. Eventually he succeeds and pounds on Madigan from the mount. Madigan offers no defense, and the referee stops the bout.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Aftermath: No major implications for either fighter; with McCrory and Matt Brown both winning tonight, it is logical to match them against each other next.
Quinton Jackson vs. Keith Jardine (205 lbs)
Round 1: A fairly uneventful round starts the fight. Most exchanges are seemingly even with neither fighter doing much damage. Jardine attempts a takedown but has no luck. Jackson gets the round based on aggression and landing the more significant shots. Round 10-9 Jackson
Round 2: Jardine is landing numerous leg kicks; Jackson responds with punches, one of which drops Jardine. Jackson pounces but Jardine survives the assault and stands up. Jackson takes Jardine down; Jardine gets back to his feet again. Jardine with more kicks, one of which lands in Jackson’s groin, briefly halting the action. After a restart, Jardine backs up Jackson with a flurry; Quinton looks hurt but recovers and finishes the round strong. Jardine looks very tired by the end of the round. Round 10-9 Jackson
Round 3: Jardine is showing significant facial damage but has regained his stamina and is scoring with leg kicks. Jardine is winning most exchanges but not doing any damage. Jardine looks to have won the round, but is knocked down for the second time with only seconds remaining, sealing the deal for Jackson. Round 10-9 Jackson
All three judges scored the fight for Quinton Jackson (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Fight Grade: 4/5
Aftermath: As expected, Jackson will go on to face the champion Rashad Evans. Evans and ‘Rampage’ get in each others face and trade a bit of trash talk after the fight; Jackson promises some black-on-black violence. Jardine will remain the gatekeeper of the light heavyweight division.
Brandon Vera vs. Mike Patt (205 lbs)
Round 1: Vera picks Patt apart with leg kicks for the entire round, occasionally landing punches as well. Patt is wobbled by the kicks and falls down at one point. Round 10-9 Vera
Round 2: More leg kicks from Vera, and no answer from Patt. Patt stumbles and falls, clutching at his knee. Yves Lavigne contemplates stopping the fight but instead makes Patt stand back up. Another leg kick and Patt is down again – this time he is not able to get up and Lavigne stops the fight. Another late stoppage though not as bad as in the Brown vs. Sell fight.
Fight Grade: 2/5
Aftermath: After a string of lackluster fights, Vera looks to be back on track though it may be a bit early to celebrate, considering the level of competition in this bout. In his two UFC fights, Patt did not do anything to show that he belongs.
Tim Boetsch vs. Jason Brilz (205 lbs)
Round 1: Boetsch attacks Brilz with an early flurry. Brilz covers up and survives, then desperately looks for a takedown. Boetsch is doing a good job of staying on his feet and winning the standup. Round 10-9 Boetsch
Round 2: Brilz is finally able to take Boetsch down and controls him on the ground without doing much damage. Brilz wins an uneventful round. Round 10-9 Brilz
Round 3: Boetsch is tired and Brilz takes him down at will. Brilz is once again controlling Boetsch on the ground, and is starting to do some damage from the top as the round progresses. Boetsch has nothing left in the tank by the end of the round. Round 10-9 Brilz
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 Jason Brilz.
Fight Grade: 2/5
Aftermath: Brilz picks up his second win in the Octagon in a boring fight. Boetsch’s UFC career has stalled after an impressive start.
With nine fights broadcast, and most of them ending in highlight-reel knockouts, this was a very solid event despite the seemingly lacking lineup and the mistakes committed by Yves Lavigne.