The UFC rolled into Pittsburgh and it was another night of UFC action and another tremendous card. The talk of the MMA world focused on Nate Marquardt being released on the eve of the event, but thanks to the fighters laying it on the line, the talk after the event is how jaw-dropping the action inside the cage turned out to be.
UFC Heavyweight Cheick Kongo scored a comeback in Pittsburgh tonight that people will be talking about for years. Barry seemed to be holding his own early, absorbing some heavy legs kicks from Kongo before all hell broke loose. Barry caught Kongo with a huge knock at around the two-minute marker that looked to be the beginning of the end for Kongo. Not only was Kongo able to absorb more punishment, he would be able to knockout Barry in spectacular fashion earning himself a hefty Knockout of the Night bonus check and most likely big time water cooler status around the world this morning.
Just a day before what was supposed to be UFC Live: Marquardt vs. Story one of the oddest events in MMA occurred as Nate Marquardt was not medically cleared to fight and subsequently released from the UFC. Emerging victoriously from the shadows of the Marquardt situation, the newly titled UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry; brought down the house.
Anything can happen in a fight, but when the occasional illegal blow happens, you’d like to think the referee will step in and halt the action and give the injured fighter time to recover. Today on the third fight of the UFC undercard, Referee Chip Snider missed a blatant illegal knee by Oliveira that ultimately brought the contest to an untimely end.
When the Octagon door closes on Matt Mitrione at UFC Live on Versus this Sunday, the Springfield, Illinois native will face his first true test as a professional fighter in 7-1 prospect Christian Morecraft. Wins against fighters such as Tim Hague and Joey Beltran provide great tune ups in the UFC’s ever improving heavyweight division, but the former Boilermaker will need more than victories over mid-tier gatekeepers if he is to make his mark as a fighter worthy of main card status. In contrast to his first four conquests, a win over a solid prospect such as Morecraft could put Mitrione within legitimate striking distance of a title shot.
UFC President Dana White released a video via his Twitter account earlier today stating that Nate “The Great” Marquardt has failed his medical clearance and has subsequently been released from the UFC roster altogether. The video was posted a mere hour before the weigh-ins for tomorrow night’s UFC Live event in Pittsburgh.
