Jens Pulver, the former UFC lightweight champion and longtime fan favorite, likely fought for the last time Sunday night at WEC 41 when he lasted less than a minute before being submitted by Josh Grispi.Pulver, a featherweight who is one of the best small fighters in the history of the sport, has now lost six of his last seven fights -- and none of the losses was particularly close. At age 34, he simply doesn't have the same power and explosiveness that he had in his prime.
"It's tough," Pulver said afterward. "I started right here. I'm not going to be that guy who keeps saying I'm retiring, but I think I just ended in the same place I started. ... I'm not saying I'm done yet, but it's been incredible."
Pulver's fight in Sacramento was part of the undercard of WEC 41: Faber vs. Brown 2, a card that is considered to be the biggest in World Extreme Cagefighting history. It would be fitting for Pulver to have his swan song on national television in Sacramento.
The 20-year-old Grispi is a talented young fighter who improved to 13-1 in the fight, which was his first in 10 months. Grispi told the crowd in the cage afterward that he understood why they were cheering Pulver and booing him.
"I'd boo me too if I was fighting Jens," Grispi said. "I love the guy."
That echoes the sentiments of MMA fans across America.
WEC 41 Photos
Mike Brown and Urijah Faber exchange glares during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Urijah Faber, right, kicks Mike Brown during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Urijah Faber punches Mike Brown during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Urijah Faber kicks Mike Brown during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Urijah Faber punches Mike Brown during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Mike Brown kicks Urijah Faber during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Mike Brown aims to submit Urijah Faber during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Mike Brown punches Urijah Faber during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Urijah Faber kicks Mike Brown during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Mike Brown and Urijah Faber battle on the ground during their WEC 41 featherweight title match in Sacramento, Calif. on June 7, 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-07-2009 @ 9:31PM
Frederick said...
I feel bad for Jens when you had the chat with him recently he just gave the impression of a very good person
Best of luck to jens whatever he decides
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6-08-2009 @ 6:02PM
Guitar God!!!!!! said...
If that is his last fight he will be sorely missed. A truly great guy.
My only criticism with that last fight is why did he take him down? He should have stood and brawled, hoping to land that big left. I know it would have been a better or at least longer fight if that had been the case. That was a big mistake and I think he knows it.
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