Ultimate Fight Night 17 stormed into Tampa, Florida. The crowd was treated to some quality fights and some lesser-known fighters started to make a name for themselves.

Luigi Fioravanti Vs. Anthony Johnson
“Rumble” Johnson continued his impressive run in the WW division with a clinical display against Fioravanti. With vicious leg kicks and some hard striking, Luigi was never in the game as Johnson controlled the pace of the fight from the outset, finishing Fioravanti inside the first round via TKO.

Mac Danzig Vs. Josh Neer
Returning from a recent defeat at the hands of Clay Guida, Danzig was hoping to stop the “dentist”. In one of the highlight fights, Neer and Mac put on a great performance, Danzig looked good as did Josh and they exchanged willingly with gusto. Neer coming at Danzig with his hands low and throwing punches with venom. The pace was fast and each fighter had plenty of chances. Tonight though, was Neer’s as he caught Mac in a triangle choke deep into the second round and forced the TUF winner to tap. Neer keeps improving and Danzig starts a potentially dangerous slide in a dense division.

Cain Velasquez Vs. Denis Stojnic
Heavyweight AKA sensation Velasquez ran into UFC debutant Stojnic and the two traded from the bell. Cain threw everything in his arsenal at Denis, who shook it off and kept coming every time. Velasquez was way ahead on the score cards and well in control of the fight, landing kicks at will and also winning the stand up. Although you thought that at any minute, if Stojnic lands one of his big bombs that Cain could be in some real trouble. That wasn’t to be as Velasquez stopped Denis mid way through the second round.

Joe Lauzon Vs. Jeremy Stephens
The main event was composed of two lightweight young guns, heavy-handed Stephens and well rounded Lauzon. The fight was evenly poised through the first round with both fighters landing some nice shots, Jeremy probably getting the better of it. Then when it hit the ground Joe had the upper hand. The more experienced Lauzon was working tirelessly on the ground and seized an opportunity late in the second stanza, latching on a lightening fast arm bar and securing victory via submission.

Another notable fight was between Matt Grice and Matt Hughes trained fighter, Matt Veach. These two definitely came to put on a show and they both delivered. Shots were fired with abandon from both combatants and either man could have claimed victory at pretty much any time. Matt Grice rocked Veach a couple of times, then Veach returned the favor and capitalized with 16 seconds left in round one, snatching victory via TKO. Grice protested immediately, to no avail. I smell a rematch coming… Hopefully!

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