Over the years it's been difficult to talk any sense into guys like Jesse Taylor and David Heath. There's no arguing that they both have talent. The UFC recognized that. Taylor was a cast member during Season 7 of "The Ultimate Fighter" and Heath fought five times for the promotion. But too often they've both been their own worst enemies. It's part of the reason they were both fighting in Edmonton tonight. The good news is both are showing signs of wising up. Taylor grinded out a tough win over Tom Watson while Heath scored a spectacular TKO finish of Solomon Hutcherson.
Taylor is 14 fights removed from his stint on TUF 7 but he's still trying to erase the stigma of getting booted off the show. He was one fight shy of going for the TUF 7 title and a guaranteed contract with the promotion. After a semifinals win, he decided to celebrate his spot by going out for a night on the town in Las Vegas. Sin City got the best of him. After a night of partying, he arrived the Palace Station Hotel and kicked out a limousine window. Once inside the casino, owned by the Fertittas (they also own the UFC), Taylor harassed employees and customers. In a painful final episode, Taylor begged for forgiveness but was sent packing by UFC owner Dana White.
Heath did nothing that serious but his stubbornness cost him his job and sent him packing for the minors. He's tiny for a light heavyweight but insisted on trying to compete with the big boys. Heath bit off a little more than he could chew when he faced Renato "Babalu" Sobral at UFC 74.
Before the fight, Heath (pictured at the weigh-in) insulted the Brazilian's wife. As a result, Babalu choked out Heath and then refused to let go of the anaconda choke for a few extra seconds. Babalu was booted from the promotion and Heath lasted one more fight in the UFC but got thrown around like a rag doll by Tim Boetsch.
It took two years and a 6-3 record in lesser promotions for Heath to finally realize middleweight is where he should be fighting. The revelation paid off tonight against Hutcherson. It didn't happen easily though.
Hutcherson scored a takedown early in the first and kept Heath on his back for the remainder of the round. But Heath wasn't entirely helpless. He let loose a huge elbow from the bottom that broke Hutcherson's nose which starting squirting blood. Whether it was seeing his own blood or the pain, Hutcherson was a different fighter in the second.
Heath's boxing took over. The Californian jumped into a beautifully timed Superman punch (pictured above) that floored Hutcherson. He pounded away with four more hammerfists that bounced Hutcherson's head off the canvas.
Heath still showboats too much and takes way too many shots but he's going to win some fights down at 185 pounds.
Taylor still has to work on his stamina but he was overpowering for 12-of-15 minutes against Watson. "JT Money" took the Jackson's Submission fighter down whenever he wanted. He worked what looked like a nasty rear-naked choke for over a minute in the second but Watson survived. The takedowns and top control led to a unanimous decision win, 30-26 on all cards. It was Taylor's 17th win.
The big upset of the night came in the main event where MFC favorite Ryan Ford was shocked by Douglas Lima (pictured below on the left). MFC president Mark Pavelich suggested that Ford was going to get another shot at 170 champion Pat Healy with a victory. That won't happen now. Lima gave Ford a grappling lesson and arm-barred him at 0:48 of the second round.
In a one-sided affair, Dwayne Lewis destroyed former UFC fighter Mike Nickels. Lewis caught Nickels with an early uppercut. Nickels crumbled to the mat and turtled up. For some reason, the referee allowed Lewis to get off 10 more shots before stopping the fight at 1:30 of the first.
Leeann Tweeden Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri
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