UFC Ends Seven Year Drought in Atlantic City

Added by Joseph Lisnow on June 23, 2012.

Jun 22, 2012; Atlantic City, NJ, USA; Clay Guida (left) fights Gray Maynard in a lightweight bout during UFC on FX at Revel Resort and Casino. Gray Maynard won the fight by split decision in the fifth round. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE

UFC Fight Night on FX rolled into Revel Resort, in NJ, with a show that was charged with nonstop action and a main event with grave importance for both fighters.

Gray Maynard (11-1-1) defeated Clay Guida (29-13) via split-decision to become one step closer towards another shot at the lightweight championship in a fight that gained momentum in the final two rounds.

The fight was full of energy from both men, but Guida at times seemed to be running away from his opponent causing the referee to warn him. Also, neither fighter landed one of their patient takedown attempts, choosing to keep majority of the fight on its feet.

Sam Stout (26-7) was successfully completed the trilogy against Spencer Fisher (32-9) after earning a unanimous decision. Both men landed punches, kicks and takedowns throughout the full three rounds in an intense lightweight match. The trilogy is over and so may be Fisher’s UFC career after winning only one of his last six fights, losing the last three. It was nice a nice touch to see both men embrace after the fight, showing that the sport is still about respect even after the wars these two have taken part in.

Brian Ebersole (50-14-1) earned his 50^th MMA win and has now has 10 straight victories after he defeated TJ Waldburger (15-7), via unanimous decision in round two. The welterweight match saw Waldburger take on someone who knows what it takes to end a fight. Even with the little experience compared to Waldurger long career, he put up a close fight and almost picked up the win on several occasions.

In the opening match of the main card, Ross Pearson (13-6) had the overall size advantage and controlled Cub Swanson (17-5) in the first two rounds, but couldn’t secure a victory.

After a close first round that saw Pearson use an early slam and later nail a big shot to the face of Swanson, it seemed this would be a short fight. After Swanson took a pummeling in round two, out of nowhere, he won via TKO with several shots to the head followed by a hard left hand that sent Pearson to the canvas. A few shots later from the ground position and Pearson was finished. While Pearson lost, it appears his move to the featherweight division was the right choice as he put on a strong performance.

After a seven year hiatus, the UFC returned to Atlantic City and left an impression that the company should host more events at New Jersey’s many popular gambling destinations.

The UFC returns to PPV tonight, June 23, for UFC 147 from Brazil.