UFC 72: O'brien vs Murphy - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Corey · 04-29-2007, 09:57 PM

UFCjunkie.com Exclusive: Jake O’Brien to Face Tom Murphy at UFC 72
Posted by UFC Junkie on April 29, 2007 at 7:52 pm ET
Rising heavyweight contender Jake O’Brien (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will face The Ultimate Fighter 2’s Tom Murphy (2-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 72, according to UFCjunkie.com (UFCjunkie.com - UFC blog for MMA news, rumors, gossip, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps) sources from both fighters’ camps.

The bout nearly finalizes the fight card for UFC 72, which takes place June 16 at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Ireland. All nine bouts have been determined, though opponents for Marcus Davis and Dustin Hazelett are still unknown.

O’Brien is perhaps best known for his upset of Heath Herring earlier this year at UFC Fight Night 8. The former Purdue University wrestler and three-time high school state champion controlled the televised bout, scoring a decisive — if not flashy — unanimous-decision victory over the PRIDE veteran. O’Brien spoiled the UFC debut of an MMA veteran who was expected to immediately contend in the UFC’s once-thin heavyweight division.

The win also pushed O’Brien’s UFC record to 3-0. The 22-year-old had previously posted a TKO victory over Kristof Midoux at UFC Fight Night 6 and a unanimous-decision win over Josh Shockman at UFC 65.

O’Brien will now face Murphy, who is perhaps best known for his loss to Rashad Evans on the fifth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Murphy was considered one of the season’s most promising heavyweights, but he was defeated by Evans, the show’s eventual winner, via unanimous decision. (After the fight, Evans was criticized by Murphy’s coach, Matt Hughes, who accused the fighter of showboating during the fight.)

Murphy entered The Ultimate Fighter 2 with a 1-0 record; his lone victory was in a 2005 King of the Cage bout. Since the show, he’s fought once more, picking up a third-round TKO victory over Icho Larenas at UFC 58 in March 2006.

For the latest fight cards, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com).

The latest UFC 72 card includes:

UFC 72 — Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Ireland (June 16, 2007)

Rich Franklin vs. Martin Kampmann
Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez
Jake O’Brien vs. Tom Murphy
Marcus Davis vs. TBA
Jason MacDonald vs. Rory Singer
Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith
Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida
Eddie Sanchez vs. Colin Robinson
Dustin Hazelett vs. TBA

GSPALLTHEWAY · 04-29-2007, 10:03 PM

this is a HUGE fight... i cant wait lol

Gooner · 04-29-2007, 10:09 PM

Wow...the Irish aren't QUITE getting a similar card to the one at UFC 73.
That's almost a UFN-card.

You beat Herring and get Tom Murphy?
I was thinking Dana would be pissed and throw him at the wolves after that one.

Pitbull · 04-29-2007, 10:18 PM

Yup, this looks like a UFN card.

O'Brien via LNP.

cujo · 04-29-2007, 10:25 PM

Man this bumed me out. I can't wait to see Jake O'brein get beat and this fight I honestly see him with another win. Props to him for his record but his time is soon comming in the ufc.

Edit: He is 3-0 in the ufc why would they put him up against someone 2-0 that has not even fought in the ufc and hasnt fought since 3/4/06?

HaVoK · 04-29-2007, 10:50 PM

I kinda like O'Brien. The kid is only like what 22? He has plenty of time to get better and better and do something in the weight division.

cujo · 04-29-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVoK

I kinda like O'Brien. The kid is only like what 22? He has plenty of time to get better and better and do something in the weight division.

Thats very true and hard to argue with but I am still waiting to see someone take away his pride.

xVERITASx · 04-29-2007, 11:05 PM

Wow this is amazing lol. I will not look forward to this fight at all really, anyways Obrien will win over a very long 15 minutes.

Heatwaves · 04-29-2007, 11:47 PM

A conversation overheard prior to this matchup being announced:

Dana: "Hey Joe, who else do we have with Irish heritage?"

Joe: "Uhhhh... O'Brien, Murphy and the two gay fighters Patrick Fitzhenry and Henry Fitzpatrick."

Dana: "Let's go with O'Brien and Murphy. ... But make sure you save the other two for a an Ultimate Fight Night card."

Heatwaves · 04-29-2007, 11:48 PM

In reality, I'd really like to see O'brien fight again, but much like everyone else I would prefer it to be against better talent.

PINOYPRIDE · 04-30-2007, 12:10 AM

I think this card is not as good as the other cards, so if no changes occur in the fight cards, i will sit this one out and just look at the results on the internet.

opsy · 04-30-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINOYPRIDE

I think this card is not as good as the other cards, so if no changes occur in the fight cards, i will sit this one out and just look at the results on the internet.

It's free on Spike, but clicking refresh in the results section might turn out to be more exciting

russhutton · 04-30-2007, 02:02 AM

I am way too biased to comment on this fight...

HaVoK · 04-30-2007, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatwaves

In reality, I'd really like to see O'brien fight again, but much like everyone else I would prefer it to be against better talent.

Better talent? Yes, but I don't want them to feed a 22yr old to someone that would just outperform him, at least not just yet especially with the division being as stacked as it is right now.

FightingIrish · 04-30-2007, 10:40 AM

LnP fest i am going to guess, the future should be bright for o'brian and im sure he's working on his other skills....i am going to say tom murphy by decision just because he is bigger than o'brian and he whooped icho larenas on UFC 58.

Corey · 04-30-2007, 08:16 PM

Hey if its free, i dont care if the card is a little weak.

And I actually like O'brien, I think he'll go far.

mepersoner · 04-30-2007, 10:43 PM

O'Brien is fighting because he's Irish.

Mulla · 05-01-2007, 07:29 AM

Hmm I was considering flying over for this but if that's the card then I'll pass. Would be nice if Dana would put a title fight on at least one of the European cards, every other event so far has had one.

Still, Guida v Griffin should be a good fight.

Bomber · 05-01-2007, 09:34 AM

I wouldn't pay for this card, but I'll happily watch for free.

I've been hoping for Griffin vs Guida for awhile now, but it's a bit disappointing since Griffin lost his last fight. A few of the other fights are interesting, but none of them are on my list of must-sees.