FullContactMMA

Top Ten Scraps of June 2009

We may be 6 days late, but it's being released anyways. June was full of surprises and even more excitement. The bouts within the first month of summer (Many outside the UFC) delivered the hype the fans were waiting for and then some.




10. Cain Velasquez vs. Cheick Kongo

What Cheick Kongo was thinking throughout this fight, i'll never know. It was like a striker's version of Sean Sherk vs. B.J. Penn. Cheick Kongo had some strange clinch fetish and refused to do what he should have; stayed back and exchanged with Cain Velasquez. Nevertheless, Cain's victory set up a bout for number one contender against Shane Carwin at UFC 104.

9. Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp

There is not much to be said of this fight outside of Lashley's ability to control an overpublicized 322 pound prodigy that loses just about every bout, but eh, it was entertaining and impressive. Unless you're Dana White, who apparently found little interest in Lashley and even less interest in Atencio.

8. Chris Lytle vs. Kevin Burns

Chris Lytle, the UFC veteran and near TUF 4 winner, was able to come back from his split decision loss to Marcus Davis through the dismantling of Kevin Burns. Poor chap, that's two in a row lost for Burns who was knocked out in a revenge match-up by Anthony Johnson. (In their first bout, Burns TKO'd Johnson via a nasty controversial eye bashing nightmare.)

7. Tim Sylvia vs. Ray Mercer

In the second of a series of WTF moments for June 2009, the 300 lb Tim Sylvia was KO'd by Ray Mercer, and fell, as Sherdog put it, like a California Redwood. It wasn't like Timmy attempted to act like he was even somewhat prepared for this fight. Poor little Timmy, I hope he doesn't have the same luck in his dream match on Bully Beatdown.

6. Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields

In the modern version of the classic brawler vs. striker main event, things were exiting. Watching anything but the ending, one would think Shields was being picked apart. And right as the announcers were expressing their man love for Lawler and his comfort in the cage, Shields sunk a good ol' fashion guillotine and sunk to guard.

5. Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers

In the other facepalm moment of June 2009, one more Fedor challenger was knocked into irrelevancy by an unqualified competitor. I'm really glad he was working hard on his elite boxing for this fight, it's really what carried him into the double digits.

4. Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin

I can't say I was happy by the ending, but I will say I wasn't surprised. Silva's style is tailor made for a technical striker like Franklin, and when I played the scenario through my mind before the fight, it did not end much different. I thought the judging was fair, I just think the sport has evolved where Silva hasn't. This doesn't erase my man love for the psychopath, it's just a disappointing realization.

3. Gilbert Yvel vs. Pedro Rizzo

In the craziest knockout of the month, Gilbert Yvel delivered 3-4 unnecessary hits to the jaw of an unconscious Rizzo. Props to Yvel for saving face after the fight as he quieted down the crowd in respect for Rizzo's well being, or in brilliant showcase of his new found humility.

2. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida

In the close but no cigar runner up, the UFC's best June fight delivered more than expected. First it was the mad crazy staredown, then the brilliantly violent exchange, than the vicious elbows to the top of Clay's head. Oh, and before I forget."YES!"

1. Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown 2

This was one of the fights that kept my concentration level at max from start to finish. Watching this fight from the perspective of holy crap, his hand is broken! was pretty intense. Mike Brown is a beast, and I don't see him getting dethroned any time soon.

FCMMA

By Justin Lackey