UFC 111: Matt Riddle vs Ricardo Funch booked for March 27
by Jesse Holland on Jan 17, 2010 12:22 PM EST
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The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 alum Matt Riddle (3-1) has been added to the preliminary card of the upcoming UFC 111 event opposite Ricardo Funch (7-1) for the promtion's return trip to The Prudential Center on March 27 in Newark, NJ.
Team Link instructor Marco Alvan confirmed the bout earlier today.
During the Spike TV reality show, Riddle immediately made a name for himself by turning Dan Simmler inside-out via crushing knockout. It was a highlight reel finish that propelled him into the next round; however, his inexperience was exposed after getting submitted by eventual finalist, Tim Credeur.
Unfazed, Riddle found success inside the Octagon early and often, winning three out of his first four UFC fights since his professional debut at TUF 7 Finale, a unanimous decision win over rival house member Dante Rivera.
He followed that up with judge's nods over Steve Bruno (Fight Night 17) and Dan Cramer (UFC 101) before Nick Osipzcak put a violent end to his hot streak via technical knockout at UFC 105 last November.
Like his run in the TUF house, he now has a chance to rebound on March 27 and get back to his winning ways.
Standing in his way is "The Golden Boy," who like Riddle, didn't have the outcome he was hoping for in his last fight.
Funch's UFC dream began while watching the legendary Royce Gracie effortlessly dominate the competition in early days of the sport with his unique brand of jiu-jitsu. He began to train locally and his since earned his purple belt while training at Team Link, which is run by former number one heavyweight contender, Gabriel Gonzaga.
Remarkably, he's been able to do it all in just four years of training.
His connections at Team Link helped fast-track him to a four-fight contract in the welterweight division with a UFC 107 debut opposite Johnny Hendricks. Unfortunately the wrestling phenom spoiled the Brazilian's debut, outworking him en route to a unanimous decision win just last month.
The defeat snapped an impressive seven-fight winning streak, one Funch hopes to begin anew come March 27.
UFC 111 will feature a 170-pound title defense by promotion superstar Georges St. Pierre as "Rush" answers the call of British striker Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. Heavyweights Frank Mir and Shane Carwin are also set to collide in an interim title match while Brock Lesnar recovers from recent surgery.
To check out the latest UFC 111 fight card and rumors click here.
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I like this kid
he has a lot of potential
Confucius says:
"Baseball is wrong: man with four balls cannot walk."
absolutely!
his best attribute is that he has a good head for fighting! He seems unfazed by the moment, and enjoys wh6at h6e does (similar to Killa B). Strong mental game is Priceless in this sport! Unlike Skills, it cant be taught n Riddle HAS IT! Perfect foundation to become a really good fighter!
tons of potential! Top 10 in 2’-3 years!
riddle
has crazy potential.
BTW Koscheck vs Daley should be good ONLY if Kos comes to fight like he has been and stands up.
SET UP DALEY VS PITBULL COME ON UFC DO IT ALREADY!!!
Off topic - Lashley situation
Does anyone else find these situations with Strikeforce to tarnish their credibility as a viable promotion? I don’t understand why they can’t get their act together before a week away from cards.
It just seems like Strikeforce in anything BUT the well oiled machine the UFC is.
SF don't have the strength in depth that the UFC do
That’s the main difference between them right now, the UFC has a lot more money and are able to afford a much more stacked roster. SF are slowly building up a good roster but were a regional promotion not that long ago and still have a long way to go before they have the talent available to replace fighters that are pulled out of fights. They’re not going to be as well organised or have divisions as stacked as the UFC’s because they don’t have the budget of the UFC, they don’t have casino giants or UAE billionaires backing them. They also haven’t had years of successful PPVs behind them or a successful reality show.
SF have done a lot of good work in building up a small brand recently and there will be mistakes made now and in future but I think that it’s unfair to compare them to a company that has been the undisputed #1 promotion for years and has had over 100 shows behind them, most of which have been PPVs. Sure the Lashley situation is a farce but the UFC have had to overcome a lot of problems in the past so I’m not going to give up on SF or let this situation tarnish the good work that they have done so far.
"Wanderlei is focused and well trained...he will easily win this fight, by a large margin and with much better technique."
Anderson Silva on why Wand is going to smash Bisping. Get ready to lose your dignity frosnt.
Yeah! What the funch?!
Whatever the fuck you do in life, echoes in eternity! <----slightly edited
-Maximus[Gladiator]
by The Negation on Jan 18, 2010 6:31 AM EST up reply actions
Good fight
This Jersey card, along with the Sydney, Abu Dhabi and Montreal ones, all look outstanding on paper. After a disappointing end to 2009 it’s great to see some stacked cards coming up in 2010, shame that UFC 109 has to happen before all of these great cards.
As for this fight I see Riddle getting the UD. I like that guy, he’s got good wrestling, decent BJJ and powerful hands plus Riddle is charismatic and has a sense of humour, that Real American entrance in Manchester was classic. His fight with Nick was entertaining and he put Nick in some difficult positions before gassing out, no shame in losing to a top prospect like Nick by any means. I expect him to bounce back in this one and to outgrapple Funch with superior wrestling and BJJ en route to a UD.
"Wanderlei is focused and well trained...he will easily win this fight, by a large margin and with much better technique."
Anderson Silva on why Wand is going to smash Bisping. Get ready to lose your dignity frosnt.
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