Open tryouts for "The Ultimate Fighter 12," which took place this morning in North Carolina, drew more than 300 reality-show hopefuls, including some notables names who previously competed for World Extreme Cagefighting, PRIDE Fighting Championships and event a past edition of "TUF," Spike TV officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com.

And though today's session at the Omni Charlotte Hotel's grand ballroom in Charlotte drew notables such as recent WEC fighter Mike Budnik and PRIDE/King of the cage vet Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett, one arrival provided perhaps the biggest surprise.

Jason Guida.

Immediately after Kenny Florian's dominating submission victory against Takanori Gomi at Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 21 event, the critics came out. Gomi, once a PRIDE champion and the top-ranked lightweight in the world, is past his prime, they said.

But the Japanese star had an ally in is corner at the post-fight press conference, and it was the man standing opposite him in the octagon.

As he had in the buildup to the Spike TV-televised fight in Charlotte, N.C., Florian defended Gomi as an opponent worthy of respect.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Twice UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian (13-4
MMA, 11-3 UFC) has climbed to the top of the division only to fall short
in his quest for a title.

But after his latest failure in a bid for the belt, Florian has bounced
back with impressive wins over Takanori Gomi and Clay Guida.

While thoughts of a title fight still fill Florian's mind, it's a
vacation next, and then a date in Beantown - and perhaps Gray Maynard.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It was undoubtedly one of the oddest moments in UFC
history.

At Wednesday night's UFC Fight Night 21 at Bojangles Coliseum in
Charlotte, N.C., as emcee Bruce Buffer began the introductions for the
evening's co-main event, a power failure saw the cage lights go dark.

After a brief delay, Roy Nelson returned to the cage and earned a
first-round knockout of Stefan Struve. Following the win, Nelson said
the outage was no accident - it was a sign.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It was undoubtedly one of the oddest moments in UFC
history.

At Wednesday night's UFC Fight Night 21 at Bojangles Coliseum in
Charlotte, N.C., as emcee Bruce Buffer began the introductions for the
evening's co-main event, a power failure saw the cage lights go dark.

After a brief delay, Roy Nelson returned to the cage and earned a
first-round knockout of Stefan Struve. Following the win, Nelson said
the outage was no accident - it was a sign.

Kenny Florian continued on his trek back torward the UFC lightweight championship with a convincing third round rear naked choke submission victory over former PRIDE lightweight champ Takanori Gomi during the main event of “UFC Fight Night 21: Florian vs. Gomi“.

The card took place this evening from the Bojangles Coleseum in Charlotte, North Carolina while airing live on Spike TV.

While Gomi had brief flares of activity with heavy punches to Florian’s ribs and chin, it was Ken-Flo that dictated the pace of the bout with a crisp jab and well timd counter-punching. After being jarred with a nasty 1-2 from Gomi in the third, Florian chose to level the playing field by depositing Gomi directly onto the canvas with a well placed takedown before sinking in the fight ending rear naked choke to seal the deal.

The victory was the second in a row for Florian since coming up short against UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn during a UFC 101 title bid, while “The Fireball Kid” drops the first bout in his last three, coming off of a two fight win streak prior to this evening’s defeat.

Roy Nelson went right through Stefan Struve like a Whopper Jr. in the co-headliner of the evening, as the TUF 10 champion stalked down his vertically advantaged – or disadvantaged depending on your take – opponent from the opening bell before a well placed right hand sent the “Skyscraper” crashing to the octagon canvas in a defenseless heap just :39 seconds into the mauling.

Also looking impressive at “UFC Fight Night 21″ was Jorge Rivera, who put up what could be considered a “career best” performance against Nate Quarry. “The Conquistador” utilized a powerful straight right hand to keep Quarry off balance throughout the opening round before an explosive combination of “pickaxes” from Rivera brought a conclusion to the thrashing in the opening moments of round two.

A full list of results from the event is below:

Kenny Florian def. Takanori Gomi via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 1

Roy Nelson def. Stefan Struve via KO (strikes) – Round 1

Jorge Rivera def. Nate Quarry via TKO (strikes) – Round 2

Ross Pearson def. Dennis Siver (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Andre Winner def. Rafaello Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Jacob Volkmann def. Ronys Torres via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)

Nik Lentz def. Rob Emerson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Gleison Tibau def. Caol Uno via TKO (punches) – Round 1

Yushin Okami def. Lucio Linhares via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2

Gerald Harris def. Mario Miranda via TKO (punches) – Round 1

Charlie Brenneman def. Jason High via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

UFC action returned tonight to Spike TV with UFC Fight Night 21 at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlie Brenneman def Jason High via Decision (Unanimous)
Gerald Harris def Mario Miranda via TKO (Punches) round 1 4:49
Yushin Okami def Lucio Linhares via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) round 2 2:47
Gleison Tibau def Caol Uno via TKO (Punches) round 1 4:13
Nik Lentz def Robert Emerson via Decision (Unanimous)
Jacob Volkmann def Ronys Torres via Decision (Split)
Andre Winner def Rafaello Oliveira Decision (Unanimous)
Ross Pearson def Dennis Siver Decision (Unanimous)
Jorge Rivera def Nate Quarry TKO (Punches) 2 0:29
Roy Nelson def Stefan Struve TKO (Punches) 1 0:39
Kenny Floria def Takanori Gomi Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 3 2:52

Bonuses and Awards

Fight of the Night — Ross Pearson vs. Dennis Siver
Submission of the Night — Kenny Florian
Knockout of the Night — Roy Nelson

Each fighter received $30 000 extra for their performances in addition to their base salaries.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - UFC Fight Night 21 wasn't a sellout, but the night's 7,700 attendance figure and $590,685 live gate provided the Ultimate Fighting Championship one of its most successful UFC Fight Night events to date.

MMAjunkie.com confirmed the attendance and gate figures with UFC officials, and a venue representative told us it was a "great crowd for a mid-week event."

UFC Fight Night 21 took place Wednesday at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., and aired on Spike TV.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Kenny Florian, Roy Nelson, Ross Pearson and Denis Siver each earned $30,000 bonuses for their performances at Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 21 event.

Florian earned the "Submission of the Night" award, Nelson picked up the "Knockout of the Night" bonus, and Ross Pearson and Dennis Siver each earned "Fight of the Night honors.

MMAjunkie.com learned of the bonus winners and amounts in the night's post-fight press conference.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - While it could've been first-time octagon jitters or the noticeable adrenaline dump in the second round, Takanori Gomi likely faltered in his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut due to a much more obvious reason: Kenny Florian's remarkable standup game.

Florian edged the former PRIDE champion and solidified his standing as the UFC's top lightweight not named B.J. Penn with a third-round submission victory on Wednesday.

The fight capped off UFC Fight Night 21, which aired live on Spike TV from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., as a lead-in for the debut episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 11."