Lawler Retains EliteXC Belt

Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith met for the second time in less then two months on Saturday, July 26. The event, called ‘Unfinished Business,’ CBS’ second MMA telecast, featured the two competitors as the main event, after their first attempt to decide the fate of the EliteXC Middleweight title was stopped do to an accidental eye poke. They did not disappoint.

Both men came to fight, and both showed a decent aptitude for changing their game plans to be more effective in the stand-up game. Lawler refused to be bullied by Smith but did respect his power, swimming inside and using short uppercuts, hooks, and knees to the body to keep Smith guessing. Scott ‘Hands Of Steel’ Smith stuck to his same explosive style but picked his shots in intelligent fashion and kept the pace, refusing to empty the gas tank unless he really needed to.

Smith had Lawler rocked several times, wobbling him in the first round and almost stopping the fight. Robbie endured the punishment, survived to the second, and employed a very effective Thai Clinch, pulling Smith’s head towards the mat and landing knees that eventually finished the fight. A great fight, explosive and exciting. I’m not sure who’s really left for Lawler in EliteXC.

The entire CBS Telecast leading up to the main event was equally as thrilling, every fight boasting a fantastic finish. Nick Diaz stopped Thomas Denny in what appeared to be a street fight, both men throwing heavy leather. Nick eventually employed his bizarre ‘angry bear’ stance to maximum effectiveness and knocked Denny to the mat in the second round.

Jake Shields also retained his Welterweight title in a lightning quick bout with jet set ass kicker Nick Thompson (who sported a RIDICULOUS neck-only beard). The fight was sent to the floor quickly by Jake, where he used his technical prowess to maintain a dominant position and lock up a very tight guillotine choke after 60 seconds of the first round.

For the record, COED went 3-0 in outcome predictions and 0-3 in how they would happen. Not bad.

To CBS’ credit, I will say this telecast felt far more professional then their first, and I’d like to thank the shareholders from the cable network from wrestling the destiny of these fighters from the very confused hands of broke, sweat-suit wearing boxing promoter Gary Shaw. The complete lack of no name rappers running down the isle and sixty second dance breaks between each round really sent a message of ‘we are sorry about all that bullsh*t.’ No problem, CBS, keep it up.

(Photo via CombatLifestyle.com)