Tyson Griffin had one of the most impressive fights of his UFC career Saturday, defeating Hermes Franca by second-round knockout at UFC 103 in Dallas.
The fight wasn't quite as fast-paced and action-packed as expected in the early going, and the Dallas fans even began to boo in the first round. Franca, in particular, was taking his time in the first round and letting Griffin control the action.
But in the second round it turned into the kind of brawl that fans expected, and the crowd went wild as Franca and Griffin exchanged a flurry of strikes. And then, with two minutes left in the second round, Griffin landed a powerful right hand that sent Franca flat on his back. At that point he pounced, landed several more hard strikes on the ground, and eventually knocked Franca out.
"I had to worry about getting knocked out, and that kept me at my best," Griffin said afterward. "My corner told me between rounds be patient and you'll get him."
Griffin has often been criticized for going to decision too often, but that wasn't the case Saturday night, with a big win that improves him to 14-2 in his MMA career. For Franca, who falls to 19-8, it was just the second time he's ever been stopped.
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) gets knocked out by UFC fighter Vitor Belfort with referee Yves Lavigne (L) protecting him during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rich Franklin;Yves Lavigne
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (R) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (L) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (R) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (L) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (L) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (R) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vitor Belfort;Rich Franklin
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