MM-Eh! Bocek Falls Short
Andy Cotterill Jul 9, 2007
Mark Bocek (Pictures) went into his first UFC match
this weekend against Frank
Edgar (Pictures) with a lot of confidence and
determination, saying beforehand: "I'll find a way to win."
Unfortunately for the world-class submission grappler from Mississauga, Ontario, that confidence wasn't nearly enough, as Edgar used his potent right hand and a stiff takedown defense to get the stoppage win.
The first round was nearly over when Edgar was able to get a
dominant top position and drop down serious punches onto a now
turtling Bocek. Referee Jon Schorle stepped in and halted the fight
with five seconds remaining, though some felt the stoppage came
early.
Update on UFC's arrival in Canada
These plans will have to wait however, as apparently a conflict with the Canada national sport of hockey is forcing a delay.
During the post UFC 73 press conference, White revealed that he was having a difficult time securing a suitable date at Montreal's Bell Centre -- the UFC's destination of choice for their premiere Canadian event -- which is also home to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
"You guys have got too much frigging hockey up there," White quipped.
Though disappointing for Canadian MMA fans, this delay may have a silver lining. A UFC debut in 2008 would give the organization plenty of time to ensure Montreal's favorite son, former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures), would appear on the card.
St. Pierre is scheduled to face Josh Koscheck (Pictures) at UFC 74 on Aug. 25.
TKO announces 30th card: "Apocalypse"
Speaking of the Bell Centre, the next MMA event scheduled for the 21,500-seat arena was revealed this week, as TKO announced its 30th event, titled "Apocalypse."
This card is slated to feature several of Canada's top mixed martial artists, including a handful from Team Tompkins, whose fighters will be present in both main event bouts. An ongoing spat between trainer Shawn Tompkins (Pictures) and TKO boss Stephan Patry over Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Krzysztof Soszynski (Pictures)'s involvement in the IFL has cooled what used to be a very close relationship.
Sam Stout (Pictures) is scheduled to fight fellow kickboxer Martin Grandmont (Pictures), and Chris Clements (Pictures) will face Sean Pierson for the vacant welterweight title belt. Also participating will be Mark Hominick (Pictures), Stephane Dube (Pictures), Steve Bosse, and Stephane Vigneault (Pictures).
Two notable absences will be Patrick Cote (Pictures), who takes on Kendall Grove (Pictures) at UFC 74 in Aug., and Jonathan Goulet (Pictures), who has had an acrimonious parting with Patry and may not appear in TKO again.
Unfortunately for the world-class submission grappler from Mississauga, Ontario, that confidence wasn't nearly enough, as Edgar used his potent right hand and a stiff takedown defense to get the stoppage win.
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Update on UFC's arrival in Canada
Canadian fans of mixed martial arts have been excitingly expecting
the arrival of the UFC ever since Dana White proclaimed a few
months ago that it would happen sometime this fall, probably in
October.
These plans will have to wait however, as apparently a conflict with the Canada national sport of hockey is forcing a delay.
During the post UFC 73 press conference, White revealed that he was having a difficult time securing a suitable date at Montreal's Bell Centre -- the UFC's destination of choice for their premiere Canadian event -- which is also home to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
"You guys have got too much frigging hockey up there," White quipped.
Though disappointing for Canadian MMA fans, this delay may have a silver lining. A UFC debut in 2008 would give the organization plenty of time to ensure Montreal's favorite son, former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures), would appear on the card.
St. Pierre is scheduled to face Josh Koscheck (Pictures) at UFC 74 on Aug. 25.
TKO announces 30th card: "Apocalypse"
Speaking of the Bell Centre, the next MMA event scheduled for the 21,500-seat arena was revealed this week, as TKO announced its 30th event, titled "Apocalypse."
This card is slated to feature several of Canada's top mixed martial artists, including a handful from Team Tompkins, whose fighters will be present in both main event bouts. An ongoing spat between trainer Shawn Tompkins (Pictures) and TKO boss Stephan Patry over Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Krzysztof Soszynski (Pictures)'s involvement in the IFL has cooled what used to be a very close relationship.
Sam Stout (Pictures) is scheduled to fight fellow kickboxer Martin Grandmont (Pictures), and Chris Clements (Pictures) will face Sean Pierson for the vacant welterweight title belt. Also participating will be Mark Hominick (Pictures), Stephane Dube (Pictures), Steve Bosse, and Stephane Vigneault (Pictures).
Two notable absences will be Patrick Cote (Pictures), who takes on Kendall Grove (Pictures) at UFC 74 in Aug., and Jonathan Goulet (Pictures), who has had an acrimonious parting with Patry and may not appear in TKO again.
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