MMA SQUARED: Lay and Pray to false idols and the MMA gods will smite thee. A judging miracle on Saturday night.

Chris Rini

Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 19 co-main event reminded me of a fight from almost exactly nine years ago. I was still just an MMA fan when Diego Sanchez vs Jake Ellenberger headlined a UFC on FUEL card and ‘The Juggernaut’ outclassed Sanchez for the first two rounds. Diego’s endless cardio fueled a comeback in the third (and final) round and as ‘the Nightmare’ pummeled Ellenberger til the bell sounded I was on my feet shouting “COME ON DIEGO!” at the screen because I knew he would never win a decision.

This weekend’s co-main event gave a tiny bit of closure to that memory. Maybe I’m getting sentimental in old age, but I was genuinely inspired by Kunitskaya’s performance during the final moments of that fight.

Take care of yourself and I’ll talk to you Wednesday.

Chris