Stock Report: UFC Fight Night 21

UFC Fight Night 21 is now in the books. Here’s a look at whose stock notably went up and those that held or lost ground on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C.

Stock Up

Kenny Florian: Showed some of the most effective boxing this side of B.J. Penn, Anderson Silva and Junior dos Santos before putting away Takanori Gomi with a rear-naked choke. Could he be ready to face the winner of Penn-Edgar?

Roy Nelson: I wonder if Stefan Struve’s nose is still leaking? Nelson made a statement against a true prospect, and it took him less than 40 seconds to deliver the message. Like his physique or not, Nelson poses an interesting matchup for those at the top of the UFC’s heavyweight division with his dynamic skill set.

Yushin Okami: Got back on track with a dominating win over Lucio Linhares, a bout in which he showed improved standup and aggression. Okami is now 8-2 in the UFC, with his losses coming against Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen.

Jorge Rivera: Hit Nate Quarry with everything but the kitchen sink. Has also quietly won three consecutive bouts within the confines of the UFC.

Ross Pearson: Head kicks, flying knees, low kicks, wrestling and a dominating boxing game. The Brit was one third-round takedown stuff away from pitching a complete-game shutout against Dennis Siver. Pearson is legit, folks.

Gleison Tibau: Picked up a quality first-round knockout against an experienced Japanese legend in Caol Uno. ‘Nuff said.

Gerald Harris: Now 2-0 in the UFC with two technical knockouts. Not a shabby start, eh?

Jacob Volkmann: Notched his first Octagon win in three tries and likely secured a fourth look from UFC matchmaker Joe Silva in the process.

Hold

Nik Lentz: Fans got what they expected from the Minnesotan against Robert Emerson. Has not lost in his last 11 bouts, and is 9-0-2 during the streak.

Dennis Siver: Respect his chin.

Stock Down

Nate Quarry: Was completely obliterated by the right and left hand of Rivera. Not many expected Rivera to win, let alone do so in such devastating fashion.

Caol Uno: Uno has had it rough in his latest stint in the major leagues. Two loses and a lackluster draw has faded the shine of one of Japan’s most popular fighters in the U.S.

Lucio Linhares: Has had a tough start in the UFC, being matched against middleweight contenders Rousimar Palhares and Yushin Okami. Linhares deserves a third Octagon look against a greener opponent at 185 pounds before passing judgment.

Ronys Torres: Much like Linhares, Torres is off to an 0-2 start. Unlike Linhares, Torres has been evenly matched against opponents he should have performed better against.