UFC Fight Night 12: Kurt Pellegrino vs. Alberto Crane (Exclusive)
by MMAmania.com on Nov 21, 2007 12:12 PM EST
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Get ready for some slick Brazilian jiu-jistu.
MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) just learned that lightweight grapplers Kurt Pellegrino (10-3) and Alberto Crane (8-1) will go at it on January 23 at UFC Fight Night 12. It's a showdown that pits two of the top jiu-jitsu fighters in the division against one another.
Pellegrino dropped a unanimous decision to Joe Stevenson his last time out at UFC 74: "Respect" back in August. It was a fight that would have tagged him with contender status. Unfortuantely for Kurt, "Daddy" came away with the win and now he will fight B.J. Penn for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 80: "Rapid Fire" in Newcastle, England, on January 19.
"Batman" earned his jiu-jitsu blackbelt under the highly regarded Hermes Franca at the Armory in Jupiter, Fla. He has also trained with recent UFC middleweight acquisition and renowned jiu-jitsu competitor, Ricardo Almeida.
Crane was a veteran of "King of the Cage" and "Professional No Rules Fighting" promotions prior to making his Octagon debut against Roger Huerta at UFC 74. He threw everything at Huerta during the fight, but it just wasn't enough -- "El Matador" went on to win via technical knockout in round three.
It was the first mixed martial arts fight for Crane in about two years, which means that he's perhaps knocked off a bit of the rust. He's a three-time Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, Bronze World Championship medalist at the 2002 Mundials, Grapplers Quest Champion, Pan American Champion ... you get the idea.
Should be a very technical fight to say the least. For the latest UFC Fight Night 12 fight card click here.
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I don’t know about this one. Crane got killed by Huerta in his last fight I believe. I cant see him pulling out the win here unless he improves his scramble.. But then again I have been wrong before i never picked Gonzaga over Cro Cop.. damn fluke headkicks.
=-]
by KO KING on Nov 21, 2007 12:22 PM EST reply actions
Anybody Remember Garcia VS. Huerta at 69? Crane was in a great fight with Huerta also. But Garcia is where now? Down in his last fight. I see Crane following the same path in a loss to BatMan. None the less looks to be the start of a solid free fight card on SPIKE!
by SUPER CAL on Nov 21, 2007 12:27 PM EST reply actions
Pellegrino should be able to take this one. In my opinion, if Alberto Crane doesn’t show serious improvement since his fight with Huerta, he should be released by the UFC. I mean, me and my friends literally laughed at him a couple times throughout the fight. Epsecially one time when Crane was on the ground in sitting position, sliding back on his butt, he then stood up, and Huerta kicked him in the side of his body and sent Crane right back to the floor, again. Then he get elbowed to the head repeatedly as Huerta looked at the jumbotron.
On another note, everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I’m leaving work now and won’t be back until Monday. So I’ll talk to you guys then.
by ViolentMike on Nov 21, 2007 12:28 PM EST reply actions
Crane is hands down one of the best bjj fighters there is, but he needs to something with his endurance and stamina, he looked like a fool against Huerta.
by Yoububg on Nov 21, 2007 1:02 PM EST reply actions
Alberto Crane looked great techincal wise against Huerta, his cardio is the thing that killed him in the end of ROund 1 into Round 2.
Kurt is a work horse, and I see him taking this via Ground and Pound of the 2nd Round.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Nov 21, 2007 1:11 PM EST reply actions
Garcia VS. Huerta at 69…the rest of the fights sucks.. diego kos aahah what a shitty card that turned out to be.
by rubberDUCKman on Nov 21, 2007 1:12 PM EST reply actions
I see this fight being kinda boring to be honest…unless they transition repeatedly…they will cancel each other out on the ground more than likely.
by Kelvin on Nov 21, 2007 1:18 PM EST reply actions
Garcia VS. Huerta at 69…the rest of the fights sucks.. diego kos aahah what a shitty card that turned out to be.
UFC 69 was not that bad.
The Biggest shock of the year. Serra defeats GSP.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Nov 21, 2007 1:26 PM EST reply actions
Does anyone have any idea who Swick is going to fight?!
by Griffinfan05 on Nov 21, 2007 2:43 PM EST reply actions
UFC 69 was not that bad.
The Biggest shock of the year. Serra defeats GSP.
That is why it was bad. Saddest day in MMA
by FFL on Nov 21, 2007 3:19 PM EST reply actions
That is why it was bad. Saddest day in MMA
Why do you think MMA is so unique to other combat sports..because of these so called upsets..Serra over GSP..Martial Arts is about defeating the bigger more aggressive fighter IMO..look at the history of the UFC..Royce Gracie..Nobody gave him a shot in hell to win one fight against bigger and stronger opponents..right?? He Became the the first UFC Tourney Champ..the 2nd Tourney Champ..and then the 4th tourney Champ..my point is MMA thrives on upsets..and for the under dgo to win..if everyone that is suppose to win..wins..I wouldn’t be into MMA is much as I am.
by PhilQNY on Nov 21, 2007 4:00 PM EST reply actions
“Professional No Rules Fighting”
This makes no sense.
by JRV on Nov 21, 2007 4:13 PM EST reply actions
Never really enjoy watching Kurt for some reason.
Him and Patrick Cote.
by badguy on Nov 21, 2007 4:33 PM EST reply actions
I for one, am not looking forward to seeing Alberto Crane compete. He was in the worst cardio I’ve ever seen in his fight with Huerta. He pretty much made biggest dissapointing fighter of the year in my book.
by c-war on Nov 21, 2007 11:18 PM EST reply actions
i just hope crane doesnt gas to early, this fight could very easily turn in guida/griffen fight very quickly it would be sick ! and how sick was that guida / griffen fight – my favourite fight in the ufc ever !
by moro on Nov 22, 2007 5:11 AM EST reply actions
Pellegrino should be able to take this one. In my opinion, if Alberto Crane doesn’t show serious improvement since his fight with Huerta, he should be released by the UFC. I mean, me and my friends literally laughed at him a couple times throughout the fight. Epsecially one time when Crane was on the ground in sitting position, sliding back on his butt, he then stood up, and Huerta kicked him in the side of his body and sent Crane right back to the floor, again. Then he get elbowed to the head repeatedly as Huerta looked at the jumbotron.
On another note, everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I’m leaving work now and won’t be back until Monday. So I’ll talk to you guys then.
Are u talking about the butt-scoop position, made famouse by royler gracie vs. Sakuraba, and used by ever single ju jitsu fighter with no stand up?
by john on Nov 22, 2007 8:32 AM EST reply actions
i think he is going to gas early on second thought, no one can increase their conditioning to the extent he needed to in such a short space of time !
by moro on Nov 23, 2007 5:45 AM EST reply actions
I think Alberto did good considering he hadn’t fought in 3 years and was making his UFC debut against Huerta. He also took that fight on a one month notice. Remember Alberto is a world class jiu jitsu fighter and Roger has Great striking. but don’t count Alberto out! he’s gonna bring it!
by Timothius on Jan 9, 2008 3:44 PM EST reply actions
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