UFC 91: Hazelett Catches McCrory In His Web

Team Gurgel’s hirsute welterweight “McLovin’” Dustin Hazelett (13-4) tapped “Barn Cat” Tamden McCrory (10-2) at 3:59 of round one at UFC 91 in Las Vegas Saturday night.

“It was an armbar from the omoplata,” described Hazelett after the fight.  The fight-ending technique began as an omoplata, but Hazelett straightened out, then twisted McCrory’s arm over even further when McCrory refused to tap.

“I hated that it had to be him,” lamented Hazelett.  “I want him to be successful too, coming from a similar background.”

The fight exploded at the opening bell!  McCrory unleashed lefts and rights, pushing Hazlett up against the cage.  Hazelett quickly answered McCrory’s assault with a powerful front kick that dropped his opponent temporarily to the mat.

Hazelett launched into a wild flying knee as McCrory popped off the mat; but, McCrory avoided contact and threw a respectable leg kick, countered by Hazelett with a strong punch to the chin.

Following the lightning-paced stand-up exchange, Hazelett pulled guard and almost instantly landed an omaplata.  The submission was locked; but, McCrory was able to step over Hazelett and roll out only to find his other arm in equal trouble.

“He scrambled really well,” Hazelett said.  “And then, Jorge [Gurgel] was yelling at me to go for the armbar.  And, I was trying to switch my hips.  He had his hand locked up.  I was trying to break his hand before I switched my hips because I didn’t want to lose position.  And, as soon as his hand broke, he tried to spin it out real quick; and, I just grabbed [his arm] and pushed it forward.”

Under the torture of Hazelett’s armbar, McCrory’s only escape was to tap out.

It was an impressive display of jiu-jitsu prowess by Dustin Hazelett.

“Obviously, I’m not the best.  I’m not ready for a title shot by any means,” Hazelett admitted.  “I’m just going to go back to the gym and work on my stand-up, work on my wrestling, stuff like that.”