UFC FN 31 The Troops Where Treated

UFC Fight For The Troops, stamped 'Authority' That the UFC is an Empire!
Putting on a LIVE Event for the US Military Forces. Giving back to those who serve on the front line

A Small but loud crowd packed into the Base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the feel of an old school ECW show.
Aggression, Passion the thirst for finishes was the theme, with a WWE Royal Rumble like countdown at the end of each round.

Derek Brunson kicked of the show with an impressive Rear-Naked Choke finish on the online Prelims, and the "Un official" FOTN came from two exiting featherweights Dennis Bermudez and Steven Siler who seem to always endure in back-fourth brawls, on the Fuel TV Prelims.

The Main Card Kicked of with two TUF Winners,
Michel Chiesa Vs. Colton Smith.
Smith a servant of the US Military was honoured to compete in front of those whom he battled along with in his years of service, unfortunately he couldn't play out the fairy tale story.
Although improved in his striking & grappling Smith was unable to counter the long limbs and grizzly beard of Michel Chiesa.
Landing flat on his face from a ChiesaPlex (Suplex) Smith was dazed with his head up high allowing Chiesa to slip the elbow under-neath and lock in the Rear-naked choke in under 2 minutes of the 2nd Round.

Two rising Lightweights stepped up next, Suplex King Rustam Khabilov & Jorge Masvidal.
Taking home the honours of "FOTN" Khabilov & Masvidal displayed elite skills along with relentless heart in a 3 Round war.
The fight opened with  a swing and connection from Khabilov catching Masvidal completely of guard, effects where minimal as a focused Masvidal shook it off.
Landing two Flying knees in the space of a minute from Masvidal opened the doors for the grappler Khabilov to secure takedowns.

Jorge controlled majority of the 2nd with quicker strikes and stopping all takedown attempts from Khabilov.Landing a takedown of his own late in the round, Masvidal secured the judges score.

A Uriah Hall like spinning heel kick from Khabilov landed flush on the chin on Masvidal, protecting his body but was stamped on the jaw.
The troops went into a frenzy, and a famous Joe Rogan scream right on cue.
Masvidal's legs turned to jelly, but covering up before Khabilov could capitalise he found his way to his feet.
The decibels where hitting new heights in Kentucky, clean strikes and world class grappling from both fighters continued to close out the war

Khabilov remains undefeated in the UFC  3-0, 17-1 overall, with a Unanimous Decision victory.

Muscle machine Yoel Romero who made his successful UFC debut with a flying knee KO in April, faced Brazilian Ronny Markes.
Markes, who comes in on a 7 fight win streak had his hands full from the first seconds,  a seemingly obvious plan to avoid a fist fight and utilise his wrestling skills didn't play to script as each takedown landed, Romero was able to find his feet.

The southpaw Romero found a destination for his left hand in the 2nd, along with muscling Markes to the floor but electing to keep the fight standing.
A wild Flurry of strikes between both fighters in the closing minute of the round resulted in a confidence victory for Markes heading into the final round.
An early eye poke from Romero halted any momentum Markes had and shortly after returning to action was crushed with a brutal left from the Muscle Machine Romero.  2 more heavy blows to Markes on the floor, before referee Mario Yamasaki got in to position to stop the fight.


The Co-Main Event of the card came from the always exiting Women's Bantamweight division.
Another former servant of the US Military in the Marine Force Liz Carmouche, squaring of against Alexis Davis.

Across all three rounds Davis Controlled and 'kicked' her way to her 15th Pro win. Pure aggression paid dividends for her, as Carmouche had her usual approach reversed on to her and was unable to block the strong kicks from her opponent.

Without the strength in the stance Carmouche's Counter punches where ineffective as she hobbled her way around the 'GON'.
Davis is quietly stepping past her fellow female UFC fighters with a 4 fight win streak now under her locks.
The unanimous decision win for Davis has almost definitely put her into a no.1 contender fight with Cat Zigano.

The 'GON' was set for crowd favourite, brother in arms, military servant Tim Kennedy to enter for the nights Main Event vs. Rafael Natal.
Echoing through the shed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky the crowd was alive, a passionate cheer signalled from Bruce Buffer's famous words "It's Time".

The hype continued with a chant of "Ranger Up" during the opening seconds.
A feeling out from both fighters, Natal gained an early upper hand landing solid leg kicks.
The chant of USA tore through the walls, an a missed left from Natal opened the door for Kennedy to land a solid counter!
The cage rumbled as Natal crashed to the mat, with Herb Dean playing his illustrious role once again, intervening to stop the fight.

The emotion and the adrenalin was on display as Kennedy celebrated with a crawl up the cage walls to salute his front line brothers.

The troops where treated and honoured from there representing fighter.