UFC bantamweight, Mike Easton: Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Imaes
With the UFC's first FX-televised live event just three weeks away, the promotion still had one more fight to add to the card and it's now official that bantamweights Mike Easton and Ken Stone will throw down in Nashville.
Easton was one of the most highly regarded bantamweights outside the UFC before finally making his Octagon debut in October, when he brutalized short-notice replacement, Byron Bloodworth, with a mixed assault of knees and punches to earn the second round TKO victory. "The Hulk" has been frequently seen in the corner of UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz, as the two train together under Lloyd Irvin, with Easton earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Irvin.
Stone was unfortunately best known for being the victim of two brutal knockouts in a row against Eddie Wineland and Scott Jorgensen. It appeared that matchmaker, Joe Silva, took pity on the American Team Product and matched him up against an easier opponent, and Stone took full advantage, dispatching Donny Walker via rear naked choke at UFN 25 in September.
Mike "The Hulk" Easton (11-1)
W Byron Bloodworth (TKO) - UFC on Versus 6
W Chase Beebe (split decision) - UWC 7
W Josh Ferguson (submission) - UWC 6
Ken Stone (10-3)
W Donny Walker (submission) - UFN 25
L Scott Jorgensen (KO) - TUF 13 Finale
L Eddie Wineland (KO) - WEC 53
0 recs | 33 comments
free win for Easton
inthepipes - January 2, 2012
And they're main carding!
MMAmadman - January 2, 2012
Am I the only one who finds that bizarre?
mburtoni - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I'll be there
And this is a gimme for Easton
Joben - January 2, 2012
i was there live for Easton’s fight in DC and the man is beast
inthepipes - January 2, 2012
Me too. I was shocked at the positive crowd reaction to him. (shocked there was a reaction from the crowd on the undercard, not that they supported him)
mrsaturn - January 2, 2012
Easton in DC
Easton used to headline regional shows in the DC area. It’s like when you watch a show on HD Net and the fighters have all their close family & friends there going nuts for them in a random show in St Petersburg FL
Ben Bauman - January 2, 2012
American “Top” Team
inthepipes - January 2, 2012
Ken Stone?
Sqwibbs - January 2, 2012
haha, i came on here to post the same thing.
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Ken Stone is no joke, he's lost to top 10 guys and is a great fighter.
Unfortunately for him Easton is still going to give him another knockout. Stone has a glass jaw.
Tairy Hesticles - January 2, 2012
Kind of ironic, really.
MicahtheCynic - January 2, 2012
NOOOOO FUBAR
Farthammer - January 2, 2012
Damn Stone’s gonna get knocked out again..
MSEMCEE - January 2, 2012
Easton needs to get with a better camp
I think this fight is going to be a little closer than most think. I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Stone actually pulled out this win.
pridedaze09 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Stone*
Not Easton.
pridedaze09 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Easton needs to get into a better camp?
Or Stone does…either way your post doesn’t make sense.
Easton is at a pretty good camp, no? and if Stone needs to get with a better camp why do you think it’s going to be close?
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
LOL wtf ???
malo - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Stone is with American Top Team, and Easton is with Alliance. Both have proven to be top MMA camps housing some of the top fighters and coaches in the world, so why would they need to switch?
chrisbboy82 - January 2, 2012
Dude needs to work on getting the fight to the floor, Stone can already stand. It doesn’t always work out for him, but he has the striking. The dude just needs to work on getting the fight to the floor, and he can’t do that with his ATT.
pridedaze09 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
You’ve confused us all.
Jesus H. Christ - January 2, 2012
yeah
my incoherent rambling has really just blown my entire comment out of context. i was simply trying to say that Stone should be training with someone on the mat thats not ATT, because he seems comfortable on the feet when he isn’t eating bombs.
pridedaze09 - January 2, 2012
American Top Team is bad? lol wut
inthepipes - January 2, 2012
damn
Easton’s record is really impressive. Why didn’t he go out for TUF? Or did he not need to I guess…?
HeadKickLegSweep - January 2, 2012
I don't hate Stone's chances here
But this is a cry tough fight for him
halitosis - January 2, 2012 via mobile
*very tough
halitosis - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I'm going to this event!
It’ll be my first live UFC event. It’s my fiances christmas present from me … she’s always wanted to see one live. The funny (and cutest) thing about it all is she’s more excited to see / possibly meet Bruce Buffer than any of the fighters. It’s about an 8 hour drive from where we live so I really hope its an awesome night of fights!
Johnnynumber5 - January 2, 2012
..Bruce Buffer? What.
UncleMax - January 2, 2012
meeting Bruce
Bruce is pretty accessible if right after the last show just go down to floor level and look for the crowd around him where he’s meeting and greeting
Ben Bauman - January 2, 2012
3 weeks notice eh?
I wonder if we are going to see shorter and shorter notice for the prelim guys to give the UFC more flexibility with so many shows
Stiff Jab - January 2, 2012
Oddest main card fight in a long time
But I like Easton by destruction.
SSreporters - January 2, 2012
I think Ken Stone is going to get brutally KO’d again.
discoandherpes - January 2, 2012
Damn
judging by the photo I thought he was a lhw.
SentientAndroid - January 3, 2012
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