Luis Cruz Breaks Down UFN “The Final Chapter” In Detail

The following is an editorial written by our own CFZ Radio host here at MMANews.com, Luis Cruz.

Did Ultimate Fight Night 7 deliver? I say yes and no. It had it's moments but it also had it's disappointments in my eyes. As i breakdown the fights that were televised, i'll give my take on why a fight did or did not deliver.

Seth Petruzelli vs Matt Hamill

We start we our favorite son here at MMANews.com, CFZ Radio's very own Seth Petruzelli making his octogon debut and return fight since The Ulitmate Fighter season two tapings. A lot of people may call me crazy but i thought this fight was a lot closer than most thought. Round one seen Matt control the action with takedowns and some ground and pound, easily giving him the round. One thing i'd like to note is, while rewatching the fight, there was no mention of how Seth was cut here. I noticed a moment in which Matt rubbed his glove across Seth's face and when you were able to see Seth's face again, there was a red spot forming below his right eye. So the cut could have very well happened at this point in time.

Round 2 sees things go a little differently. Seth was able to land a kick while Matt was shooting and dropped him hard. Seth jumped on Matt and threw a couple strikes that landed until Matt was able to get the ankle pick and take Seth down. Matt did not stay busy while on top aside from some grinding he did with his elbow on Seth's cut. It also seemed there was a lot of times in which Matt's fingers found their way on top on Seth's eyes. I cannot give Matt a round in which he was rocked and only got a couple takedowns and did nothing outside of what was just mentioned. Not much else happened in this round so you have to lean with the more damage done which was by Seth and his attempts of an armbar and triangle. Seth gets round 2.

Round 3 sees Matt get another takedown and not do much again except for the grinding. The fight was stood up three times this round so Matt gets the takedown points, especially the big slam he had. During one of their brief moments standing, Seth lands a back kick that some thing was only a grazing shot. Seth follows up with some strikes but then falls back and Matt quickly takes the opportunity to go in his guard to protect himself. Another moment standing seen Seth try a guillotine and lock it on for a couple seconds before Matt escapes. Winner of the round? You tell me.

I feel Seth could've gotten the nod but because of his lack of really letting go, not being aggressive, and making himself look like a beaten man at the end could've swayed the judges into believing he clearly lost that round and the fight. I felt, and after rewatching, still feel that fight was really close.

Ed Herman vs Jason MacDonald

This fight began with some wrestling/grappling which included some reversals from both fighters. A really great start from a fan's point of view as i was impressed with both guys on the ground. Jason stuck with his ground game and was able to lock in the triangle. The thing that made this finish really good was the fact that Ed refused to give in for a while and Jason not just sit holding a triangle. Jason was transitioning in and out of an armbar also and when he wasn't, he began throwing elbows which opened up a big gash on top of Ed's head. Legs can get weary from having a triangle on that long but he stuck with it, held on, stayed busy, and forced Ed to finally tap out. A great and eye opening performance by Jason MacDonald who will surely be back on a card in the near future with the UFC. For Ed this is a learning experience he will have to deal with in training. I expect to also see Ed back with the UFC for another fight in which the UFC will give him an opportunity to prove himself again.

Chris Price vs TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove

This was a disappointing ending. Kendall was obviously the more skilled fighter and was in complete control with his long 6'6 frame. Kendall got the mount, landed two good punches, and then threw three elbows all of which were blocked. The ref (who i assume was new) felt the need to stop the fight for whatever reason. Chris should have gotten a chance to escape instead the referee stepped in after the clearly blocked elbows. I believe Kendall would have eventually finished the fight anyways but the ref should've allowed it to get to that point.

I'm not sure what the future hold for Chris Price but my feeling is he deserves another shot for the premature stoppage. Not nessesarily a rematch with Kendall, but another shot in the UFC. Kendall, while only 23 and struggling to make the 185lbs limit already, will see his body grow and find it even more challenging to make that weight in the near future. He will eventually have no choice but to move up to 205lbs and he may find that weight to be too much for him, then again he could always prove me wrong.

Ken Shamrock vs Tito Ortiz

The main event went as everyone thought it would. Tito Ortiz took Ken down and just pounded him with strikes which were a lot worse than the second fight. Ken was almost out of it so John stepped in and called a good stop to the action. What happened afterwords is what made this fight for me.

Tito got up and did his usual 'grave digger' celebration and then in what i thought was completely classless, flips off Ken. I was extremely disappointed with those antics and thought that it was completely unnessesary. Then it got better. Ken shows true class by ignoring that whole charade by Tito and still extends his hand. Tito got himself together and realized it wasn't sportsmanlike. He went over and they embraced, thanking each other. In the post fight interview Tito said he was ready for Chuck. Ken said he was out this time and it was a good stoppage. He wished Tito lots of luck and thanked everyone for the support and seemed as though he was announcing his retirement. Tito then interrupted and apologized for his antics and told Ken he admired him coming up in the sport and thanked him. They walked around the octogon together raising each other's hands in a show of trues sportsmanship. A great ending by both guys and finally an ending to the long lasting feud.

I gave this event a B to a B-. It was a free televised event with some good moments but lacked that standout moment that usually occurs in every event. It left me wanting a lot more which leads into this Saturday's UFC 64 event, so i guess it could be seen as a good thing. I am now wanting this event to come even more than prior to UFN 7. I hope for a monthly UFN very soon!

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