Mark Munoz shocks Chris Leben at UFC 138
by Tyler Richardson
Middleweight Mark Munoz didnʼt need the entire five rounds to leave Chris Lebenʼs face bloodied and battered at UFC 138 on Saturday night in Birmingham, England. In fact, he didnʼt even need three.
The UFCʼs first five-round, non-title fight was stopped at the end of the second after Leben (22-8 12-7) couldnʼt see from his left eye. Munoz (12-2 7-2 UFC) opened a giant gash with a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes at the end of the first.
Referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight in the second so the doctor could evaluate the cut and Leben informed him that he couldn’t see out of the eye. Goddard told Leben he would stop the fight, but being the warrior he is he chose to fight on. By the end of the second it was clear to everyone in the arena and at home that Leben had no chance without vision in the eye and the fight was stopped.
Leben, who was coming off the biggest win of his career against legend Wanderlei Silva, was overwhelmed by Munozʼs wrestling and ground-and-pound. The two exchanged heavy strikes throughout the first round, with Leben trying a guillotine choke on Munoz numerous times in the round. In winning Munoz proved he an elite middleweight and afterward called for a title shot.
Fight fans also got to see one the most exciting young fighters in the co-main event. 24-year-old Renan Barao put on an excellent display when he forced Brad Pickett to submit with a first-round rear-naked choke. The young brazilian has won 17 consecutive fights and showed off an array of powerful strikes to go with world-class Jiu Jitsu.
Barao and Pickett started the fight in exciting fashion by trading thunderous strikes. It looked as if either man would be knocked out at any moment. Barao sustained the early pressure from Pickett and showed why he is one of the toughest bantamweights in the world.
Barao put Pickett on his but with a big knee and followed with punches. Sensing blood, Barao worked the body and face of Pickett before slipping into the rear-naked choke for the submission. This fight proved Barao is extremely dangerous and will be breathing down the necks of Faber, Benavidez and Cruz very soon.
Thiago “Pitbull” Alves was back to title contender form with a first-round submission of Papy Abedi. Abedi never really had a chance against the pressure from Alves. His clean strikes wobbled the vet Abedi from the minute the bell sounded and before fans could see what was in Abediʼs arsenal, the fight was over.
After a hard combination that sent Abedi to the ground, Alves pounced on his opponent and slipped a rear-naked on his somewhat defenseless opponent. The fight was called 3:32 into round one.