Riddle hoping to repeat historic punch

By Andy Samuelson

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 | 2 a.m.

So how do you top the perfect punch?

“You just go out and try to do it again,” said UFC welterweight Matt Riddle, with a big laugh.

Obviously Riddle, who is making just his second fight in the organization tonight at UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Fla., knows it’s not quite that easy.

“Some punchers go a whole lifetime never getting a shot like that,” Riddle said of his jaw-breaking knockout of Dan Simmler on season No. 7 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Riddle’s coach, former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson called the KO, “the Knockout of the Century” on the reality show that airs on Spike TV.

Riddle would just as soon history repeat itself tonight when he takes on mixed martial arts veteran Steve Bruno (13-4 overall, 1-1 UFC).

“I want that same knockout. A big bomb to crush his face and send him into the second row,” said Riddle, who despite his inexperience compared to Bruno’s is listed as a minus 135 on BET US’s gambling Web site.

“It sounds mean, but I’ve been training my butt off for seven weeks and I want to walk out of there having made a statement.”

Riddle was hoping to make that mark against Ryan Thomas at UFC 91 in Las Vegas in November, but a blown out left knee sidetracked those intentions.

Riddle — who was a state champion in high school in upstate New York and also briefly wrestled in college — learned several lessons from his injury.

After repairing the lateral meniscus and medial meniscus in his left knee back in his home state of Pennsylvania, Riddle returned to his team at Arizona Combat Sports only to learn that the conditions of his contract had changed.

A falling out ensued with his former trainer and manager (one that Riddle prefers to keep private), and Riddle was searching for a new start in the sport he had just started.

He found that in Las Vegas with new roommate Tommy Harwood, who was a Marine buddy with Brandon Sene — a teammate of Riddle’s on “TUF.”

Harwood not only convinced Riddle to take UFC matchmaker Joe Silva’s offer for a February fight instead of a bout in April, but also that the 23-year-old should train with him at Warrior Training Center.

That’s where he’s been ever since his relocation to Las Vegas after Christmas.

“I think there’s less of a cloud hanging over him right now and he really has his career in his own hands,” said Harwood, who is also training for his first MMA match in the future. “He’s focusing a lot more on certain aspects of training and technique instead of just going to the gym for an all out bang-fest.”

Riddle credits Harwood with helping him out in a rough spot, even if his new landlord didn’t really know what to think of Riddle at first.

“He was pretty cocky, or what I perceived as cocky,” said Harwood. “But I figured Brandon was cool with him, so I’ll give him a chance. We got to know each other a little more and I really began to like him and I think the more he fights, others will too.”