Griffin endures painful victory at UFN 18

By Andy Samuelson

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 | 11:23 p.m.

Tyson Griffin’s mixed martial arts career began in an emergency room after his first-ever sparring session five years ago.

While getting stitches to close a gash over his eye, Griffin said he “committed himself to the sport,” right there in the hospital room.

The Sacramento, Calif., native quickly compiled a 12-1 record and looked to be blossoming into a top lightweight contender until a narrow loss last October to former UFC champ Sean Sherk knocked him back a notch.

But the setback also taught the 24-year-old a valuable lesson.

“I knew that I could compete at the highest level,” Griffin said. “I was disappointed because I think I gave him a little too much respect.

“But I knew that night that I was conditioned to fight with the best.”

Wednesday night at UFC Fight Night 18, the Xtreme Couture fighter endured yet another tough experience — pain tolerance.

Griffin scored a unanimous decision victory over Rafael dos Anjos at the UFC’s first-ever show in Tennessee despite suffering an awkward leg compression in the first round that left the striker hobbling on his left leg.

“He definitely stretched my muscles, but I don't think there's anything too bad in there," Griffin told UFC commentator Joe Rogan afterward. "It definitely slowed me down for a second.”

Griffin (13-2) quickly grabbed control of the fight with some early punches and kicks. But after taking the Brazilian to the mat, dos Anjos (11-4) twisted and turned Griffin’s left leg underneath the weight of his body.

The unusual positioning made it seem like a tap might be coming, but instead Griffin escaped out of the hold and made his way back to a shaky standing position.

While Rogan speculated that he might have torn his anterior cruciate ligament, Griffin kept pressing forward.

“I know how to deal with that pain, and luckily nothing popped in there,” Griffin said.

The former junior college wrestler seemed to be lacking the power push from his lower body that he showed early on, but not the aggressive style.

He continued to exchange hard punches and even mixed in a few leg kicks.

While Griffin again almost got caught with a submission in the final round, he was able to slide out of dos Anjos’ kimura and end the night with a flurry of punches to score the 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 victory.

“I want to beat my opponent where they're the weakest. I thought his strength was on the ground, so I wanted to keep it standing,” said Griffin, who earned a $30,000 bonus for "Fight of the Night" honors — the fifth time he’s won the award in his career.

More important than the extra cash was the lesson in perseverance — and ultimately the victory.

“I can’t afford two in a row. I got to bounce back and climb my way back up to the top of the contender’s list,” Griffin said.

Spoiler alert: Former WEC welterweight champ Carlos Condit was looking for his first UFC win Wednesday as he made his debut against Martin Kampmann.

And the New Mexico native still is as Kampmann pulled out a split decision victory with two judges siding with him 29-28.

"That was a great fight," said Kampmann, who improved to 15-2. "(Condit) is a true warrior. It could have gone either way."

Notes: Ultimate Fighter Ryan Bader kept his undefeated MMA record intact with a unanimous decision win over fellow collegiate wrestle Carmelo Marrero. … Cole Miller quickly disposed one of “TUF” most controversial characters, choking out Junie Browning in the first round. … The event at the Sommet Center in Nashville netted a UFC Fight Night record with 10,267 attendees.