Though not one of UFC’s most marquee events of the year, UFC 119 still featured a compelling main event in Frank Mir vs. Mirko “Cro Cop.” A heavyweight battle that would either remove the image of Frank Mir’s loss to Shane Carwin and position him for another run at title contendership or prove that Mirko Cro Cop is indeed here to stay, it was set to headline the show in Indianapolis.
Also on the card is a match between Ryan Bader and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. A win for Bader would legitimize the hype and prove he really is one of the best light heavyweights in the world. After a less than stellar performance against Jason Brilz, Nogueira could use a victory to prove he is still one of the best.
The main pay-per-view card was to start at 10PM; a series of preliminary bouts preceded that card. Results follow:
UNAIRED PRELIMINARY BOUTS
Sean McCorkle b. Mark Hunt via submission (kimura) at 1:03 of Round One
T.J. Grant b. Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Waylon Lowe b. Steve Lopez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Thiago Tavares b. Pat Audinwood via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:47 of Round One
SPIKE TV PRELIMINARY BOUTS
Matt Mitrione b. Joey Beltran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
*Story of the fight: The reach advantage was the name of the game for Mitrione. Mitrione used his reach advantage to throw comfortable combinations, generally picking Beltran apart with punches and the occasional kick. Upon finding an opening in round one, Beltran rocked Mitrione, achieved a takedown and delivered ground and pound, but he was never able to repeat that success in rounds two and three.
CB Dollaway b. Joe Doersken via submission (guillotine) at 2:13 of Round One
*Story of the fight: The two delivered a nice, fun ground battle that ended in Dollaway’s favor. Doerksen tried to bring Dollaway to the mat, but the more accomplished wrestler had no trouble rolling into advantageous positions. At one point, he locked Doerksen up in an arm-in guillotine that, while unable to put Doerksen away, neutralized the Canadian as Dollaway looked for a better position. After some scrambling, Dollaway grabbed a guillotine directly around Doerksen’s neck, and he was forced to submit.
