The historic Fillmore theatre in Denver, Colorado, home of UFC 2 and the first Ultimate Ultimate tournament hosted the Ring of Fire show, “Summer Brawl” August 28, 2010.  There were nine bouts on the card featuring UFC veterans, local superstars and one women’s bout.

Main Event:

Eliot Marshall vs. Josh Haynes in a professional bout. 

Haynes came out with very hard punches and twice defended the takedown attempts of Marshall.  Marshall landed a glancing head kick then again had a takedown attempt stuffed by Haynes.  The round ended with each flurrying punches. 

Round two began with both fighters landing accurate punches and Haynes again stopping the takedown of Marshall.    The action was stopped so Marshall could recover from an accidental groin strike.  After restarting, the fighters both landed solid punches in multiple exchanges with Haynes looking for, but missing a takedown to end the round. 

Round three began with punch exchanges until Marshall got a takedown into half mount.  Haynes scrambled and got the fight back to standing but Marshall trapped a kick to get another takedown.  Marshall worked into full mount, then back control to set in a tight RNC.  Haynes scrambled out, but Marshall again got the back to try for the choke which Haynes defended until the bell ended the fight. 

The scorecards were used to determine the main event winner and it was Eliot Marshall by unanimous decision.

Co-Main Event:

Brandon Thatch vs. Danny Davis Jr. in a professional bout. 

The fighters immediately exchanged hard strikes before Thatch got a bodylock takedown and worked GNP from half mount. 

The fighters scrambled to their feet and Thatch immediately got another takedown into half mount. 

Davis was able to momentarily take top position but Thatch got a quick sweep to set up more GNP. 

Davis initiated a scramble but Thatch got back control and set in the RNC for the tapout win at 4:12 of round two.

Ron Muir vs. Angelo Duarte in a professional bout. 

Muir scored first by way of a double leg takedown into side control to work his GNP.  Duarte worked to his knees then standing, but was taken down by way of head control and Muir threatened with chokes until the round ended. 

Round two had the fighters immediately going to the mat with Muir scrambling to side control for GNP which he used to set up an anaconda choke attempt.  Duarte escaped to back control to set in a very tight RNC that Muir was able to fight off.  Muir rolled to his knees but Duarte maintained back control and worked GNP before Muir turned in to end the round. 

Round three began with Duarte snapping Muir’s head back with a stiff jab, but Muir pushed him into the cage to get a double leg takedown then transition from side control into full mount.  The action slowed and the referee stood the fighters.  Duarte stuffed a takedown attempt and ended in the guard of Muir to work his GNP.  Again the referee stood the fighters and again Duarte stuffed the takedown of Muir. 

The combatants worked back to standing and Muir had success with a takedown to work GNP from side control.  The fighters scrambled to their feet just before the bell ended the bout.  The scorecards were totaled and the winner by unanimous decision was Angelo Duarte.

Vellore Caballero vs. Bruce Reis in a professional bout. 

Caballero used an inside let trip takedown and quickly transitioned to full mount to work his GNP attack.  Reis scored a reversal, stood and let up Caballero. 

Reis then got a takedown, but caballero ended in half mount.  Reis again reversed and stood to score well with his striking. 

Reis then initiated a takedown but Caballero landed in back control and worked between GNP and RNC attempts until Reis escaped to standing.  Again Reis got a takedown and ended the round with GNP.  R

ound two had Reis pushing Caballero into the cage with strikes, dropping him with solid knees then following with GNP from standing to get the TKO at :27 of round two.

Michelle Blalock vs. Marciea Allen in an elimination bout. 

Allen landed three stinging head kicks early before Blalock worked into the clinch to land solid knees.  After separating Allen initiated the clinch against the cage and Blalock was penalized one point for grabbing the cage.  After restarting Blalock initiated a takedown but Allen controlled the fall and stood to work punches and kicks from above to end the round. 

Round two began with Blalock slipping punches and countering well before dropping for a rolling kneebar that Allen defended.  Blalock scrambled to top control and worked GNP before again losing a point for grabbing the fence.  The fight restarted standing and both combatants landed strong punches in and out of the clinch to end the round. 

Round three saw Blalock getting a second effort takedown and working into full mount before utilizing powerful elbow strikes to get the TKO win at 1:57 of round one.

The rest of the bouts were fought on the preliminary card.

Tyrone Wright vs. Todd Meredith. 

Both fighters came out with strong punches before Meredith scored a takedown. 

Meredith transitioned from side control to half-mount to work knees to the body. 

Wright signaled he needed to stop because of an injury so it was ruled a verbal tapout win for Meredith at 2:10 of round one.

Chasen Finkelstein vs. Howie Spratte. 

Finkelstein scored early with a takedown.  From side control he used GNP to set up a transition to full mount for continued GNP.  Spratte pulled off a backdoor escape to set in a heel-hook.  Finkelstein escaped and scrambled to end on top to end the round. 

Round two had even striking early before Spratte used punches to get the clinch to set up a body lock takedown.  Finkelstein was able to use head control to pull Spratte over to end in his guard.  Off of a scramble Finkelstein set in a topside guillotine but again Spratte got a backdoor escape and the fighters traded ankle lock attempts to end the round. 

Round three opened with Spratte missing with a rolling knee bar off of the clinch.  On the ground Finkelstein stood then jumped into the guard of Spratte with a punch.  The action slowed and the referee stood the fighters.  Spratte scored a single leg takedown and from off of his back Finkelstein tried for an armbar. 

Spratte escaped and Finkelstein ended the round in his guard.  The scorecards determined then winner and by way of unanimous decision it was Jason Finkelstein.  .

Zach Walsh vs. Olajuwon Rogers. 

Rogers trapped a leg kick to get a takedown, but Walsh scrambled to his feet.  Rogers then closed in for a takedown and Walsh spent most of the rest of the round looking for a standing guillotine that Rogers defended. 

Round two had Walsh immediately flurrying with punches to set up a takedown. 

On the ground Walsh worked GNP from half-guard.  Three times Rogers yelled out in pain so the fight was stopped and ruled a verbal tapout win for Walsh at :48 Round two.

Richard Delfin vs. Cody Freeman. 

Delfin opened with strong kicks then knees while clinched that hurt Freeman.  After separating Delfin landed a crescent kick that turned Freeman and Delfin jumped to standing back control and finished the round landing strikes from there (stand-and-pound). 

Round two had even back and forth striking all round with Freeman getting a takedown to end the round. 

Round three had the fighters trading strong knees clinched before Delfin momentarily knocked down Freeman with a spinning kick.  Freeman scrambled to his feet, scored a takedown and ended the round with GNP. 

The scorecards were totaled and the winner was Richard Delfin by unanimous decision.

Steve Hanna vs. Larry Williams. 

The fighters traded kicks early then Hanna scored a takedown and set in an armbar from guard.  Hanna rolled face down to stretch the arm and secure the tapout win at 2:33 of round one.

Ring Of Fire Ring Card Girls Miranda Renner & Karissa Schroeder…

“Of the night” moments:

Takedown of the night goes to Ron Muir for his multiple double leg takedowns.

Submission of the night goes to Brandon Thatch for his fight winning RNC late in the first round.

KO/TKO of the night goes to Michelle Blalock for her fight ending TKO GNP in the third round.

Fight of the night goes to Chasen Finkelstein vs. Howie Spratte for their back and forth three round battle that showcased striking, grappling, submission attempts and escapes to entertain the crowd for all three rounds.

Thanks to the sponsors for making the event possible.

Best in Health and Training,

J.R. Gordon/MMABuzz.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Veteran fighter Duane “Bang” Ludwig hit the bag today for the first time since he suffered a grisly broken leg in a first-round loss to fellow lightweight Darren Elkins at UFC on Versus 1.

Ludwig (19-11 MMA, 2-2 UFC) said his doctors recently cleared him to begin physical therapy and light training after removing a screw from his left fibula, which broke when Elkins took him down in the first round of the March 31 fight.

With his bone now “healed,” the UFC fighter says a move to welterweight is imminent.

“It would be easier,” Ludwig today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Sven Bean, Ludwig’s manager, earlier told MMAjunkie.com that the fighter suffered a Maisonneuve fracture – a “spiral” fracture of the fibula bone often accompanied by a severe ankle sprain – and would be on crutches for three months after doctors stabilized the bone with metal pins.

Ludwig’s timetable has been a little bit shorter. He said he’s dusted off instructional DVDs on jiu jitsu and has been working on his ground game for the past six weeks. A former Muay Thai kickboxer and boxer, he admits his grappling has long lagged behind his striking.

“I’ve got to get myself to the point there can never be a bad matchup for me,” he said. “I’m slowly working on that.”

He’s also embarked on a new strength-and-conditioning program and said he’s now walking around at 200 pounds.

The 31-year-old fighter dropped to the lightweight class in recent years after several years at welterweight. The cut was not easy; Ludwig said he routinely cut 20 pounds of water weight the day prior to weigh-ins. (At UFC 108, that was upped to 30 pounds when he fought lightweight standout Jim Miller on two weeks’ notice.)

The drastic cut didn’t go unnoticed by the promotion, which signed him to a four-fight deal prior to the Miller fight.

“(UFC coordinator) Burt Watson’s always on me about where my weight is,” Ludwig said with a chuckle. “I went and checked my weight the day before (the UFC on Versus 1) weigh-ins, and he looks at me like, ‘Well, can you cut it?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ll make it happen.’”

But in making it happen, he’s been operating at a loss. Fighting at welterweight means that his camps won’t revolve around the scale.

“I could focus my workouts on getting better and not just dropping weight,” he said.

He estimates he should be ready to train for a fight within a month and a half if all goes well in his recovery. Nothing is concrete; he said he’ll “play it by ear” and “time will tell” when he’s ready to fight.

“This is definitely something new,” he said. “I haven’t been this hurt before, ever, so I’m just experiencing it all as I go.”

On a good note, his job is secure in the UFC. He said the promotion has “frozen” his contract until he is cleared by his doctor, though his contract is still good for two fights.

“I’m really thankful to them,” Ludwig said.

While he has a long way to go, he said it was nice to hit the bag a bit, even if he couldn’t kick.

“I’m a little blessed,” he said.

Courtesy of Steven Morrocco/MMAJunkie.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Eliot “The Fire” Marshall has been burning to get back in the cage ever since his abrupt departure from the UFC earlier this year. He’s now set to return as the Colorado native goes back to Ring of Fire to take on Josh Haynes in the main event of their upcoming Aug. 27 event.

Marshall confirmed the fight with MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday.

While going 3-1 in the Octagon following a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Marshall was released from the UFC in a somewhat confusing move, but he hasn’t been deterred and hopes to earn his way back with a few impressive victories.

Marshall actually spent the first six fights of his pro career in the Ring of Fire promotion before moving on to “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show in 2008.

Standing in the way of Marshall’s return is another “Ultimate Fighter” alum in Season 3 finalist Josh “Bring the Pain” Haynes, who has been on a rollercoaster ride of weight classes and opponents over the last few years.

Fighting at 205 pounds during the third season of the reality show, Haynes lost by TKO to Michael Bisping in the finale. After that, he dropped all the way down to 170 pounds before moving back up to a different weight class.

Haynes has won his last two fights, defeating Sean Salmon and Rafael del Real, and hopes to build upon that momentum heading into the August fight with Marshall.

More fights will be announced in the coming weeks for the upcoming Ring of Fire show in Colorado.

Courtesy of Damon Martin/MMAWeekly.com

Fight Foto by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

One of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.

WEC follows the lead of its sister company, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, which has put on two successful events in Broomfield in recent years.

In addition to the featherweight title fight, WEC General Manager Reed Harris confirmed today that Denver native Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will meet former lightweight champion Jamie Varner in a long-awaited grudge match. Plus, former bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres returns to the cage to take on the red-hot Charlie Valencia. If those fights weren’t enough, Sept. 30 also features featherweight bouts pitting Leonard Garcia vs. Mark Hominick and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. George Roop.

“From top to bottom, this card is stacked with Fight of the Year-caliber matchups,” Harris said. “In addition to having a title fight, a grudge match, and a bantamweight war, this card features warriors like Garcia, Hominick, and ‘The Korean Zombie.’ These guys have all been in some of the most memorable fights in WEC history. Now, they have a chance to put on epic fights in front of the great Colorado fans.”

Tickets for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan go on sale Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m. MT and will be priced at $185, $135, $75, and $40. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter subscribers on Thursday, July 29 starting at 10 a.m. MT. To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through wec.tv. Tickets will be available online at www.TicketHorse.com or by phone at 866.461.6556. TicketHorse kiosks are also located at all Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods Stores (credit cards only). In addition, tickets are also available at 1STBANK Center Box Office on July 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. MT or at Pepsi Center during normal box office hours.

WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  All of the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish language SAP where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.

Ranked as one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, featherweight champion Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is unbeaten at 7-0 in WEC and on course to become the most dominant 145-pounder ever. Fresh off a dominant performance over former division kingpin Urijah Faber in April, the 23-year-old knockout sensation Aldo (17-1) has his sights set on his 10th consecutive victory.

“I’m excited to fight Manny Gamburyan, who is a really good fighter,” Aldo said. “I know that he has good judo and punching power, but I expect to knock him out. He’s not taking my belt.”

Unbeaten at 3-0 since dropping to featherweight last year, Manny Gamburyan (fighting out of Hollywood, Calif.) stunned many observers in April by knocking out former champion Mike Brown. The win earned the Armenian judo practitioner a shot at Aldo, and more importantly, the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream. With a world title in his crosshairs, Gamburyan (13-5) expects to shock the world when he meets the Brazilian champion in Colorado.

“I feel blessed to have this opportunity,” Gamburyan said. “This is a fight featuring the number one and number two fighters in the world in this division, so there are no secrets to my game plan. I’ve gotta’ bring my ‘A’ game. I have to be in top-notch shape, I’ve got to have good standup, ground and wrestling. Everything has to be perfect. I think he’s a great fighter and I respect him as a champion, but I fight to destroy. It’s my time and I’ve got to shine.”

Ask Donald Cerrone (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M) which fight he’d like the most and he’d undoubtedly tell you that it’s a rematch with former world champion Jamie Varner. Since their first fight in Jan. 2009 ended in a controversial decision loss for Cerrone – a loss than came when Varner was struck with an illegal knee and could not continue – the Denver-born fighter has made no qualms about his desire to get back inside the cage with Varner. Now, on Sept. 30, “Cowboy” gets his wish and he gets it in his backyard of Colorado.

“I’ve wanted this fight for a long time,” Cerrone (11-3, 1 NC) said. “There’s definitely bad blood there. Jamie is definitely the perfect fight for me to get motivated and come back stronger than ever. Plus, I’ve never lost in Broomfield and I have a lot of support there. It will be good to feel that energy and fight Jamie Varner in Colorado.”

One of the most division’s most talented athletes, Jamie Varner (fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.) is on a quest to reclaim the WEC lightweight title. After battling unbeaten Kamal Shalorus to a draw in June, the 25-year-old Varner (16-3-3, 2 NC) has his sights set on a rematch with Cerrone and the opportunity to silence the former pro bull rider once and for all.

“This Cerrone fight has been a question mark in my career and everybody has question marks in their life,” Varner said. “So this fight is the opportunity to turn that question mark into a period or an exclamation mark. This is a good opportunity to shut him up and silence the critics and let them see that I’m the real deal.”

Once the most dominant bantamweight on the planet, Miguel Angel Torres (fighting out of East Chicago, Ind.) believes he has recaptured the formula that led him to becoming world champion. Fueled by a new training regimen that includes refining his aggressive striking and high-level jiu jitsu, the 29-year-old Torres (36-3) is as motivated as ever and hopes to prove that point on Sept. 30 when he locks horns with Valencia.

“Charlie is tough and he’s been around a long time like me,” Torres, a Carlson Gracie black belt, said. “I can’t underestimate him, but I match up well with him in all areas of the game. I’m looking to make a statement with this fight and I have to show everybody that I haven’t gone anywhere. I’m still here and I’m dangerous. I’m not looking to just beat Charlie. I want to put him out”

Riding consecutive victories over Seth Dikun, Ox Wheeler, and Akitoshi Tamura, Charlie Valencia (fighting out of Ontario, Calif.) is knocking on the doorstep of world title contention. As the explosive 35-year-old gears up for his biggest fight to date against Torres, Valencia (12-5) predicts one of the year’s best fights.

“I’m usually the underdog and I relish that role,” Valencia said. “In MMA, anything can happen. I’m out there to win and put on exciting fights. I respect him for what he’s done for the bantamweight division. I expect this fight to be fast-paced and entertaining.”

Sept. 30 also marks the return of Leonard Garcia and Chan Sung Jung, who waged war against one another in the “Fight of the Decade” in April. Garcia (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) heads to Broomfield to take on Canadian star Mark Hominick (fighting out of Thamesford, Ontario, Canada), who had his own epic clash in June with long-time rival Yves Jabouin. Meanwhile fan favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (fighting out of Po-Hang, South Korea) looks to leave Colorado buzzing when he locks horns with gritty featherweight George Roop (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.).

Remaining bouts for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.

Courtesy of FightNews.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

As the WEC prepares for their 50th show in August, WEC 51 has taken shape and on Monday the promotion officially announced their next card taking place on September 30 in Broomfield, CO with featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his belt against top contender Manny Gamburyan in the main event.

Aldo last fought in April winning a unanimous decision over Urijah Faber at the WEC’s first ever pay-per-view show, and looks to make consecutive title defenses when he returns in September. Opposing the champion will be former “Ultimate Fighter” finalist Manny Gamburyan, who has gone undefeated since dropping to 145lbs and moving over to the WEC.

Also announced for the card will be a grudge match between old foes Jamie Varner and Colorado native Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The two have no love lost from a bout they had in January 2009 in which Varner was unable to continue late in the fight after an illegal knee from Cerrone.

Former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres hopes to stop the first ever two fights skid of his professional career when he takes on Charlie Valencia on the card. Torres hopes to erase the memories of those back-to-back losses, while Valencia looks to build on a three fight win streak.

Leonard Garcia battles Mark Hominick in a featherweight contest that has “Fight of the Year” written all over it. Both fighters are coming off of classic bouts, and this one should be no different.

The final fight confirmed so far for the September 30 show will be a match-up between former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor George Roop as he takes on “The Korean Zombie” himself, Chan Sung Jung.

WEC 51 will take place on September 30 in Broomfield, CO and information about tickets will be available in the coming days, and the live broadcast of the show will be on the Versus network.

Courtesy of MMAWeekly.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

July 24, 2010 Fight To Win and King Of Champions joined forces to bring Denver, Colorado fight fans the, “Worlds Collide” fight show.

It was billed as the best fight card in Colorado history and the thousands of fans in attendance were not disappointed as there were fourteen fights including 8 professional bouts, included in the night were four title fights.  In addition to the MMA action the day was filled with the Fight To Win nationals grappling tournament along with the first ever Colorado International Mixed Martial Exposition.

Main event:

Alvin Robinson vs Jesse Henley for the Worlds Collide 145 lb. professional title.

Robinson got a fast takedown and passed guard to set up a guillotine choke.

Henley front rolled to escape, but Robinson took mount, worked GNP, secured back control and set in the RNC for the title winning tapout at 1:38 of round one.

Co-Main event:

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Ryan Martinez vs Derek Lewis for the Worlds Collide professional heavyweight title.

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Round one opened with good back and forth striking before Martinez secured a takedown.

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Martinez then worked GNP from side control to set up an Kimura attempt.

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Lewis rolled out and the fighters stood and traded strikes to end the round.

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Round two began with more solid strikes from both before Martinez tried for a takedown that Lewis defended.

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Lewis was able to push Martinez into the cage and from there he landed a series of punches that dropped Martinez.

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On the ground Lewis landed 1-2 follow up punches to get the title winning TKO at 1:03 of round two.

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Matt Simms vs Justin Salas for the Worlds Collide 155 lb. professional title.

Both fighters came out striking well, but each time Simms tried to take the fight to the mat Salas was able to defend and land strikes from standing before letting Simms stand.

Round two had Salas land solid strikes standing and as in round one each time Simms tried for a takedown Salas worked strikes from the top.  Finally Salas went to the mat on top of Simms to land a flurry of punches that had him getting the win and retaining the title at 2:14 of round two.

Angelo Duarte vs Josiah Callis.

Duarte scored a takedown and transitioned into mount to work GNP before Callis set up an armbar from guard.  The submission was in deep but Duarte was able to defend until the round ended.

Round two saw Duarte scoring a single leg takedown but Callis attained full guard then used rubber guard to set up a very tight triangle choke that Duarte was able to defend and eventually escape.

The fighters then scrambled to standing and several times Duarte got takedowns and Callis worked submissions off of his back until the last takedown attempt that Callis stopped to set up GNP to end the round from top side control.

Round three again had Duarte getting a takedown to work his GNP before Callis scrambled to escape the strikes.  Duarte was able to secure back control to try for an RNC.  Callis escaped  and several scrambles ensued with each fighter spending time with dominant position and keeping the crowd excited with near submissions.

The bell ended the round, the scorecards were totaled and the winner was Angelo Duarte by unanimous decision.

Ian Berg vs Kenneth Seegrist.

Berg scored with several takedowns but each time Seegrist was able to scramble back to standing and land solid leg kicks.  Berg had standing back control multiple times but Seegrist displayed solid takedown defense and landed backward elbow strikes.  The action was stopped by the referee, and a point was taken from Seegrist due to strikes to the back of the head of Berg.

Round two had Berg getting several takedowns before Seegrist landed an illegal low blow and the referee took another point from Seegrist.  The action restarted and there was a prolonged clinch with  each landing good knees and trying for takedowns.

After the fighters created some distance Berg landed a hard left hook that dropped Seegrist.  Berg followed with brief GNP and the referee stopped the bout giving Berg the TKO win at 4:40 of round two.

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Chad Klingensmith vs Jeremy Kimball.

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Klingensmith got a huge scoop slam and worked GNP to set up a transition to back control.

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From there he set in an RNC and got the tapout victory at 1:36 of round one.

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Nick Buschman vs Travis Hollis.

The fighters came out striking hard before a low kick from Buschman buckled the leg of Hollis.

Buschman then closed in and got a takedown to set up his GNP attack.

Hollis scored a sweep and used his GNP to set up a transition to full mount.

From the top Hollis flurried with punches until Buschman tapped out due to having sustained an eye injury.

The TKO win for Hollis came at 3:22 of round one.

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Vinny Pallone vs Nick Castano.

Castano landed a very hard leg kick but Pallone trapped the next kick to get a takedown.

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On the ground Pallone worked a methodical and hard GNP attack to get the TKO win at 3:39 of round one.

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The rest of the bouts were in the elimination division.

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Jason Lee vs Jason Clayton for the Worlds Collide 185 lb. elimination title.

There was an immediate exchange of strikes with Clayton able to push Lee into the cage.  Clayton landed an accidental low blow and the referee stopped the action for Lee to recover.  The restart had Clayton using his punches to initiate the clinch where each fighter landed strikes until the round ended.

Round two saw Lee score an immediate takedown and on the mat he worked GNP all round.

Round three began with a hard leg kick from Clayton, and he used it to set up a takedown.  On the ground Lee got a reversal and worked GNP for most of the round. Near the end of the round Clayton scrambled to standing and got a takedown to end the round.  The scorecards were read and the winner of the title was Jason Lee by unanimous decision.

Miguel Martinez vs Eric Moya.

Martinez got a takedown  and tried for an RNC but Moya escaped and the fighters went to standing and entered the clinch.  Martinez again got a takedown and again the fighters worked to standing.  From standing Martinez got the takedown once more and in the ensuing scramble Moya was able to take full mount for GNP until the round ended.

Round two had Moya into side control off of a takedown but Martinez swept him and several scrambles for position happened with Moya attempting a triangle choke that Martinez slammed out of in order to work GNP.

Moya was again able to set in a triangle choke and this time he got it closed off for the submission victory at 2:05 of round two.

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Matt Mazurek vs Josh Ford.

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Ford secured an early takedown and methodically worked from half-guard into side control, then full mount, then he secured back control and from there he set in the RNC for the submission win at 2:55 of round one.

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Lorant-T Nelson vs Jon Leal.

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The fighters immediately entered the clinch and from there Nelson got a takedown into side control.

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With position secured Nelson set in a Kimura shoulder lock to get a verbal submission victory at :46 of round one.

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Joe Gutierrez vs James Strater-Smith.

Smith landed well early with punch combinations before the fighters entered the clinch where they exchanged knee strikes to end the round.

Round two had an immediate clinch with back and forth striking before Smith got a takedown into side control.

On the mat Smith transitioned to back control, set in his hooks and sank in the RNC for the tapout win at 2:37 of round two.

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Alonso Garcia vs Garrett Culpepper.

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Garcia scored first with a double leg takedown but Culpepper scrambled to standing and the fighters exchanged strikes until the action was stopped due to an accidental low blow to Garcia.

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The restart had Culpepper using a punching combination to get the TKO win at 2:19 of round one.

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Lucky Strike Ring Card Girls… Kimberly Kondora, Amanda Jansen & Athena Griffin.

“Of the night” moments.

Takedown of the night goes to Chad Klingensmith for his monster scoop slam that preceded his submission win.

Submission of the night goes to Josh Ford for patient and measured ground attack to set up the fight winning RNC.

KO/TKO of the night goes to Ian Berg for his monstrous hook punch that set up the TKO victory.

Fight of the night goes to Angelo Duarte and Josiah Callis for their back and forth battle that displayed every aspect of high level MMA fighting from both combatants.

Thanks to all of the sponsors for making the event possible.

Best in health and Training,

J.R. Gordon/MMABuzz.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

The stakes are higher than they have ever been for Shane Carwin. “Monster” has been rolling through the heavyweight division like Mike Tyson in the 1980’s. Nobody has been able to withstand the powerful onslaught of Carwin as he has amassed a 12-0 with 12 first round finishes. In Carwin’s last outing, the usually durable Frank Mir tasted the wrath of Carwin and had his lights promptly cut off at UFC 111 to give the Greg Jackson pupil the interim heavyweight title.

But now it is time to get the real thing.

At UFC 116, Shane Carwin will finally get his highly anticipated fight with Brock Lesnar for the UFC undisputed heavyweight championship. It’s been nine months since the fight was originally scheduled for November when Lesnar had to pull out. The fight was again rescheduled for January, but due to Lesnar battling diverticulitis, Lesnar again had to pull out. But on July 3rd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, we will finally see the showdown everyone has been asking for.

With most of the attention being on Lesnar’s return, Carwin has quietly been preparing for the biggest fight of his life. But if you ask Carwin, it’s just another day at work. “Every fight is your biggest fight,” Carwin says dismissively. “(Right now) this is definitely the biggest fight of my career. I’m excited about it but I approach everything the same.”

Carwin is often the larger man in the Octagon, but with Lesnar’s monstrous frame and tremendous athleticism, the Colorado fighter understands that this fight will be epic and his preparation will have to be impeccable.

“Brock is a big, talented, athletic heavyweight. Those are rare to fight,” he says. “That’s why this is going to be such a great fight. You have two big, athletic heavyweights who believe in themselves and they each know they are going to win. These are the great fights and the ones you will remember.”

With Fedor Emelianenko tasting defeat over the weekend, the stakes have been raised even higher as both fighters will be competing to see not only who the best heavyweight is in the UFC, but also the world. Both Lesnar and Carwin have strayed away from any questions regarding Fedor, but in the back of their minds they know what is on the line.

Two monsters with similar pedigrees will meet in the center of the cage. But who has the advantage? It depends on where the fight takes place. Obviously, Carwin wants the fight to be the feet where his frightening power has proven to separate the most game opponent from his senses. But the former Division II wrestling champion is prepared for anything on Saturday night.

“With both of us being wrestlers, it will be interesting when we get in there. Anything can happen. You only have four ounce gloves on so your margins for error have to be pretty small – especially for heavyweights,” Carwin explains. “I can see this fight taking place everywhere. I’m prepared in all areas. I’m just ready to fight and do what I love to do. This is fun for me.”

But it’s apparent what will happen if Carwin lays his monster mitts on Lesnar’s face.

“If I touch anybody with my hands, I can knock them out.”

There’s no doubt that Carwin is a powerful man who is looking to decimate opponent #13 and stake his claim as the world’s best. The title is significant but no matter what happens on July 3rd, Carwin is a man who will continue to fight. He may be soft spoken but when his fists begin talking, everyone has to listen.

“I like to fight,” the 35-year-old monster of a man explains. “This is what I love to do. I’m passionate about it. I’m not looking to eke out a decision.”

He’s made every other opponent a believer. Will Lesnar be the next victim?

Courtesy of Andreas Hale/FightNews.com
Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

For Shane Carwin, he’s hoping the third time is truly the charm.

The current UFC interim heavyweight champion has been scheduled to fight Brock Lesnar two times previously, only to have both fights canceled. Then it was revealed the former WWE superstar contracted diverticulitis and may never fight again.

Now with Lesnar back and healthy, and after Carwin had to dispatch of former champion Frank Mir, the heavyweights are finally set to clash in what truly will be a battle of the big men. At six-feet-four-inches tall and walking around at over 275 pounds, Carwin embodies the biggest of the best at heavyweight, and he plans on using every bit of that mass as the proverbial irresistible force meets the immovable object.

“Every fight is your biggest fight and this is definitely the biggest fight of my career, and I’m excited about it,” said Carwin. “Going into it, I approach everything the same and the same as my last fight, and I don’t try to approach it any different.”

The attitude that Carwin brings into the fight suggests that while he respects what Lesnar brings to the table, he’s not going to let the hype and the spectacle affect his mindset. This very attitude has kept Carwin grounded during his career. The heavyweight fighter has never been anything but humble.

Both Lesnar and Carwin enter the fight with a pedigree in wrestling, which levels the playing field, as well as powerful hands that can mow through the best heavyweights in the world. Carwin says the biggest thing is respecting your opponent because it doesn’t take much to be swinging one minute and looking up at the lights the next.

“Both of us being wrestlers, it will be interesting when you get in there. Like I said, anything can happen, you only have four ounce gloves on and your margins for error have to be pretty small, especially being heavyweights,” Carwin stated.

Regardless of margin for error, Carwin doesn’t generally give his opponents that much room to wiggle. The powerhouse has never had a fight go out of the first round in his entire 12-fight career, which has also resulted in seven stoppages by way of knockout or TKO.

Facing Lesnar for the first time, champion or no champion, colossal heavyweight or not, Carwin says if he lands a punch, the former NCAA champion wrestler is going down.

“If I touch anybody with my hands I can knock them out,” Carwin stated emphatically.

Beyond anything else for Carwin, this fight isn’t about titles or facing Brock Lesnar. It’s about continuing the career path that he started because he simply loved the sport of MMA, and loved the competition.

He’s not in this fight for the money or the adulation that comes along with being in the UFC. Shane Carwin says he’s doing this because he loves it.

“I can see the fight taking place everywhere. I’ve prepared in all areas and I’m just ready to get in there and fight it and do what I love to do. This is fun for me,” Carwin said.

The two mammoth heavyweights will face off in the main event of UFC 116 with the winner walking out of the Octagon as the only UFC heavyweight champion.

Courtesy of Damon Martin/MMAWeekly.com
Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Taking the learned education from boxing and kickboxing and incorporating that into MMA supremecy would be a tough transition for any athlete.

For a female looking to not only accept the challenge but dominate the sport is something special.

This Saturday evening June 5, 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a future household name from Denver will make that giant leap into MMA stardom.

Jennifer “Ice” Berg (1-0-0) who hails from Long Island, New York, by way of Boulder, Colorado, and now residing in Denver, is featured in a female inspired MMA fight card.

Back on March 6, 2010 those of you who were paying attention got a brief glimpse of how the rising star of Berg was beginning to escalate when she appeared in a 3-round boxing exhibition match against another local favorite in Madeline Ortega at the Red & Jerry’s Events Center in Sheridan, Colorado.

That bout was actually just keeping Berg in condition for what her trademark in MMA is, her “stand-up” ability and boxing skills.

Originally scheduled to take on the tough Angelica Chavez who had to withdraw because of a yet-to-be-determined injury, Berg has had to readjust her thinking for replacement opponent Natasha Creger (0-1-0) of Long Beach, California.

Jennifer “Ice” Berg is 28 years-old and weighs in at 105 lbs. She trains at the Grudge/Jackson’s MMA facility here in Denver, while teaching and training at the LA Boxing gym located in Wesminster, Colorado.

Natasha Creger is 29 years-old and also weighs 105 lbs. She trains at the highly recognized Chute Boxe facility in Long Beach, California.

Headlining a main event comes with a responsibility that Berg takes very seriously.

Having played competitive tennis, danced competitively, rode horses competitively and even being a cheeleader helped Berg develop her strong desire to be the best.

She actually used kick-boxing as a form of cardio workout in high school and college just to stay in shape but the need for competition has never left her thought process for very long.

When she moved back to Denver after college she started kickboxing more seriously by sparring and teaching Krav Maga which inspired her competitive juices to flow.

Strangely, Berg was not a big fan of MMA fighting as she only saw how rough the sport was, but with her kickboxing and Krav Maga background the transition was relatively an easy one.

Her husband Ian Berg, who also competes competitively, was and continues to be her main supporter.

Jennifer “Ice” Berg is definitely not a girl who thinks she can fight. She takes the skill part very seriously and that is one of the reasons she has attained celebrity status after what many would consider a brief MMA career.

MMA having women involved has it’s detractors as well it’s supporters and Berg realizes the torch she carries can be an inspiration for other females sharing her interest in the sport.

With her family, husband Ian, trainers Luke Caudillo, Justin Salas and Kyle Nelson, coach Trevor Whitman, and all her Grudge and LA gym supporters pushing her to the limit, how can she help but be successful?

When thinking of women in MMA, remember the name Jennifer “Ice” Berg as being a true professional in every sense of the word.

To Jennifer and her crew: Best of luck this coming Saturday night!

Courtesy of Stephen Johnson/Examiner.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

The game plan was simple for the champion. Take the fight where his opponent was weaker, and George St. Pierre did that relentlessly for five straight rounds. The judges all scored in favor of St. Pierre, 50-44, 50-43, 50-45, helping to make his fourth defense of his welterweight title at UFC 111 in Newark New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy Ed Mulholland/FightNews.com

The challenger came boasting a 4-0 record in the UFC, with the odds makers giving him a punchers chance as the 8-1 underdog. The fight started with some feints in the center of the Octagon, and quickly landed where most of the remaining twenty four minutes would take place, being on the ground. Hardy showed decent ground work, avoiding any damage, and was even able to scramble and get to his feet. However, Hardy appeared to be slower, as every punch was met with the counter of a takedown from the champ. Hardy spent most of the twenty five minutes either trying to get off his back or survive submission attempts from St. Pierre.

In the first round, St. Pierre caught Hardy in a nasty arm bar that was fully locked, and extended. With grit and determination, Hardy was actually able to get out, and again get the fight standing. However, St. Pierre put the contest back to where he favored, and again had Hardy on the defensive.

After the arm bar didn’t work, St. Pierre latched onto an arm and cranked in a kimura. It was apparent, again with the torque and the angle of the arm, that the moxie of the Brit would rather risk injury than to tap.

Besides some short strikes from the bottom from the challenger, the champion avoided any damage and dictated where the fight would take place. St. Pierre kept to the game plan, even with the Brit smiling and sticking out his tongue after a straight right connected from the champion. Instead of getting baited into a brawl, the champion simply shot and took hardy down for yet another kimura attempt in the fifth and final round.

After the fight George St. Pierre noted he was upset with his performance. “I discussed with my coaches in reviewing the fight my technique and that I will not make the same mistake.” As to Dan Hardy’s performance, “You did better than my first title fight, when I got submitted by Matt Hughes in the first round. Keep your head up, you will be back.”

Carwin KO’s Mir!

Photo Courtesy of Ed Mulholland/FightNews.com

Walking out to “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor”, Carwin regained his shot with Brock Lesnar, knocking out Frank Mir in the first round for the interim heavyweight belt. With the win, he pushed his record to 12-0, including 4-0 in the UFC, Shane Carwin packs the brutal physical strength that can stop a fight with a single punch.

As the two fighters met in the center of the Octagon, both appeared to feel each other out. Mir, looking to counter, was clearly waiting for the bull rush that Carwin is known for. The fighters clinched as Carwin forced Mir to the cage. Mir looked relaxed, perhaps looking to push the fight to the later rounds, somewhere Carwin hasn’t been.

Carwin starts some dirty boxing, and then tries a short left that connects more to Mir’s side of the head than chin. Mir shrugs off another shot and again appears relaxed and unfazed. Carwin, starts to pick it up with two more shots, and the second hits his opponent’s chin, and the ex champion’s legs buckle. Carwin begins to let his hands go, and Mir tries to grab for a leg. Shane is able to pull to the side, and now Frank is left, belly down on the mat. Carwin begins unloading again, and Mir looks out. Shane gets the knockout win at 3:48 of the first round. As Carwin beats the ex-champion, it represents the longest match of his career, as he has not seen the second round in any of his fights. Next up is a rendezvous with Brock Lesnar, for the unification of the heavyweight title.

Full Gallery HERE!!!

Pellegrino Chokes Out Camoes!

Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino submitted Fabricio Camoes via rear naked choke in the second round for his fourth straight win in the octagon. Pellegrino showed good defense in the first round in where he stood supporting Camoes on his back for a majority of the round. Near the end of the round, Pellegrino felt his opportunity with Fabricio being high on his back to drop to the mat, putting Fabrico’s face to the mat. As the second round started, Kurt appeared to be the fresher of the two fighters. Fabrico missed wildly with a haymaker, allowing Pellegrino to get the match to the ground. Pellegrino was able to get Camoe’s back, and with that sank in a deep rear naked choke that forcing Camoes to tap at 4:20 of round two.

Fitch Decisions Saunders!

Jon Fitch rolled to unanimous decision over Ben Saunders. Fitch was suppose to face off against Thiago Alves in a rematch to possibly decide who might receive a title shot against the welterweight champion, George St. Pierre. Unfortunately, Alves didn’t pass his medical, and thus Fitch’s opponent moved to Ben Saunders. Jon Fitch did what he does, and ultimately that is amassing a 13-1 record in the UFC by taking his opponents down, and grinding and wearing them down. For three rounds, Fitch was relentless in getting Saunders to the ground. All three judges had it 30-27 for Jon Fitch.

Miller Squeaks by Bocek!

Coming out to the music of Sopranos, New Jersey’s Jim Miller got the nod over a close decision win over Canadian Mark Bocek. While Bocek was able to get the wrestler Miller to the ground, it was Miller from the bottom getting a deep kimura on Bocek to take the first. For the second round, Bocek was able to control and had Miller’s back for a majority of the second taking the second. Setting up the pivotal third round, neither fighter truly dominated. At the start, Miller landed some shots, but was again taken down. All three judges scored the fight 29-28, with Miller taking the first and third rounds.

Other Bouts!

Rory Markham weighed in at 177 lbs, failing to meet the 170 requirement. The extra weight didn’t help, as the boxing prowess of Nate Diaz was on display. Peppering his opponent with wide looping strikes and crisp short combinations, Markham fell against the cage. Diaz was quick, getting Markham to the ground and wrapping his opponent in a body triangle. Without being able to shake Nate off him, Rory was left trying to defend any submission and left himself open to repeated strikes from Diaz. Referee, Keith Peterson, called the bout at 2:47 of the first round due to unanswered strikes.

Ricardo Almeida used his big frame to muscle and clinch Matt Brown from the opening bell. In the second, while Brown went for a kick, a solid straight right landed, putting Brown on the ground. Ricardo is able to get the body triangle, and soon, has the rear naked choke and forcing the tap out at 3:30 of round two. Almeida noted, “I wanted to bully him against the fence and take him down. We trained throwing the right hand and I was able to get it.”

Rousimar Palhares submits Tomasz Drwal in 45 seconds of the first round. Palhares looked to be seeking an arm bar, but quickly rolled and grabbed the heel of his opponent. Within seconds, Tomasz is tapping, but Rousimar holds onto the lock for what must have seemed an eternity to Tomasz. On the submission, Palhares noted, “I didn’t feel he was tapping. I thought he was trying to push me off. If I hurt him, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt him.”

Wallace came out aggressive, both connecting to the face of Jared and slamming Hamman to the ground. Hamman survives the first round, and turns the fight in rounds two and three as he is definitely the fresher of the two fighters. While Wallace connects again connects with punches in round two and three, Hamman controlled the majority of the remaining ten minutes. With the control, Hamman takes the victory by unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three judge’s scorecard.

Leading on the judges’ scorecard after two rounds, Matthew Riddle was in Greg Soto’s guard and trying to ride out a victory over the debut of Soto in the UFC. As Riddle appeared to posture up, Soto connected with an illegal straight right kick to the chin and face of Riddle. Riddle got rocked backwards. Referee Keith Peterson deducted a point and appeared the fight was to continue.

The DQ came at 1:30 of round 3 after it appeared a misunderstanding of Riddle being able to continue. After the fight, Riddle commented, “The doctor was talking to me. He asked me where I was and I said “in a cage”. At that point I thought the fight was over and when they went to restart the fight, my corner didn’t want me to continue. I didn’t really know what was going on after the kick.”  Matthew Riddle gets the win via DQ over Greg Soto.

Octagonside By Robert Kravantka/FightNews.com

Fight Fotos by Ed Mulholland/EdMulholland.com

UFC 1 on VERSUS took place at the 1st Bank Event Center in Broomfield, Colorado March 21, 2010.  After the event Dana White announced that the UFC will again be on VS August 01, 2010.

The two main event fighters in the light heavyweight division, Jon Jones and Brandon Vera were both coming off  losses and looking to become reestablished as contenders in the light heavyweight division.

Jones scored an early hip toss takedown but Vera scrambled back to his feet.  The fighters exchanged strikes and Jones scored with a double leg takedown.  From his back Vera landed an illegal up kick to the face of Jones that seemed to hurt Jones.

The referee took a penalty point from Vera and the fight resumed on the ground with Jones in the guard of Vera.  Jones postured up and landed a strong elbow that hurt Vera.  Jones followed with several punches that made Vera roll away to escape the strikes and Jones landed more punches until the referee stopped the bout giving the TKO win to Jon Jones at 3:19 of round one.

After the bout Jones remarked that the illegal up kick did not hurt him, he was just surprised because it seemed to him to be intentional.  Asked why he focused so much on his throws Jones said, “Why have a Thai match against someone who may be better than me at it?“.  UFC president Dana White remarked that he has never seen a fighter develop as fast as Jones.

In the Co-Main event, a heavyweight bout,  Gabrielle Gonzaga faced Junior Dos Santos with the winner looking to solidify their name on the short list of contenders in the heavyweight division.

There was a long feeling out process before Gonzaga landed a solid leg kick to set up a takedown. Dos Santos quickly scrambled back to his feet and both fighters worked striking from outside.

Dos Santos eventually timed his counterpunch off of a Gonzaga kick and landed a left hook that dropped Gonzaga to the mat.  Dos Santos followed with a strong Ground-And-Pound (GNP) flurry while standing over his opponent and the referee stopped the bout giving Junior Dos Santos the Knock Out victory at 3:53 of round one.

After the fight Dos Santos said he had trained specifically to counter Gonzaga’s kicks with punches and that he was ready to fight whomever the UFC thought was best for him.

Also, in a heavyweight bout Paul Buentello took on Cheick Kongo.

After a punch exchange Kongo pushed Buentello into the cage to set up a takedown but Buentello was able to quickly scramble to standing, however, Kongo countered with another slam and he worked GNP until Buentello again worked to standing.  Upon rising Buentello threw a punch combination then stepped away signaling that he had a problem with his hand.

The referee stopped the bout and called for the doctor to attend to Buentello’s dislocated finger.  Normally, a fighter could not get a stoppage due to an injury, have the injury fixed then continue, but Buentello’s finger had come out of his glove so it was ruled an equipment malfunction that had to be fixed by way of putting his finger back into joint then adjusting the glove.

The action resumed and Kongo got another takedown to work more GNP until the referee stood the fighters.  Buentello slipped and fell to the mat and Kongo closed in and worked GNP to end the round.  Round two had Kongo follow his strategy of takedown to work GNP but he threw a knee strike that illegally hit Buentello in the face when he was on the ground.

Kongo was assessed a penalty of one point and the action continued.  Three times Kongo scored takedowns for GNP but each time Buentello was able to come to standing.  The action again stopped after Kongo landed another illegal knee but no penalty was given and the action restarted from standing.   Upon restarting each fighter landed solid punches before Kongo went to his takedown and GNP game plan but Buentello again worked to standing and the round ended with the fighters working in the clinch.  Round three had Kongo stick to the formula and after taking Buentello to the ground he flurried with GNP including a barrage of elbow strikes to the body until Buentello tapped out.  Cheick Kongo got the tapout victory at 1:16 of round three.

When asked why he focused so much on taking the fight to the ground Kongo stated that he was ill and he felt he could push the pace more on the ground.

James Irvin vs Alessio Sakara in the middleweight division.

Both fighters came looking to land strikes and it was Alessio that had the more accurate and more powerful punches.

Sakara threw a left hook that visibly hurt Irvin and Irvin turned away and took a knee.

Sakara followed with several strikes until the referee stopped the bout giving Alessio Sakara the win by TKO at 3:01 of round one.

The rest of the bouts were preliminary matches.

Shannon Gugerty vs Clay Guida in the lightweight division.

Round one had Guida scoring a takedown then working GNP and avoiding the submission attempts of Gugerty.

Round two saw the fight again hit the mat early and Guida utilized several strong GNP flurries to set up a head and arm triangle choke.  By way of tapout Clay Guida got the victory at 3:42 of round two.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs Eliot Marshall in a light heavyweight bout.

Round one was all kickboxing with neither fighter taking a decided advantage.

Round two was mostly more kickboxing other than Matyushenko trapping a kick and taking Marshall down, but he was able to get back to standing quickly.

Round three was again punctuated by standing striking, however, this round Matyushenko scored twice with takedowns and Marshall again scrambled to standing.

The scorecards were announced and it was a split decision for Vladimir Matyushenko with the scores being 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

Darren Elkins vs Duane Ludwig in a welterweight bout.

Ludwig scored an early left hook that hurt Elkins, but Elkins pressed forward for a takedown.

During the takedown Ludwig’s leg folded under him and he sustained what looked to be a dislocated ankle.

The bout was stopped and Darren Elkins got the TKO victory at :44 of round one.

John Howard vs Daniel Roberts in a welterweight bout.

Roberts shot a fast takedown but Howard got back to standing.  Roberts again scored a takedown to set up his GNP.

Howard worked his way up and scored a scoop slam.

Roberts worked for an omoplata shoulder lock submission but Howard escaped and landed three punches from standing to get the Knock Out win at 2:01 of round one.

Brendan Schaub vs Chase Gormley in a heavyweight bout.

Three times Schaub used his striking to drop Gormley.

After the third time Schaub closed in with a flurry of GNP to get the TKO win at :47 of round one.

Mike Pierce vs Julio Paulino in a welterweight bout.

This bout went all three rounds and in each round it was Pierce using his strikes to set up takedowns and working to improve his position and landing good GNP while Paulino worked for submission attempts off of his back.

The scorecards were totaled, each read 30-27 so it was an unanimous decision victory for Mike Pierce.

Eric Schafer vs Jason Brilz in a light heavyweight bout.  In round one each fighter landed solid strikes and Brilz scored two takedowns.

Round two had each land strikes that visibly hurt the other and each scored a takedown.

Round three saw Schafer stalking Brilz around the cage and landing punches seemingly at will.

Brilz got a takedown but the fighters came back to their feet, then they fell to the mat and Brilz ended the round working strikes from half mount.

The scorecards determined the winner and all three read 29-28 giving the unanimous decision victory to Jason Brilz.

UFC® Octagon Girls™ Arianny Celeste & Chandella Powell…

After the fights Dana White said that each of the bonuses handed out would be for $50,000.

There was no fight of the night, instead three fighters, Junior Dos Santos, John Howard and Jon Jones were awarded Knock Out of the Night honors.  Submission of the night went to Clay Guida.

Octagonside by JR Gordon/Brawlin.net

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Shane Carwin is like the Mike Tyson of the UFC right now. He’s 11-0 with 11 knockouts.

Pretty scary right? How about none of his opponents have made it out of the first round? Not good enough? Okay, so all of his fights have a total combined length of 12 minutes. You do the math. Eleven fights, total length of twelve minutes. Not even two minutes a fight. He’s a scary guy. His physical frame is something that appears could only be built in some kind of underground genetic lab – thus earning the name “Monster.”

One would think that “Monster” is frustrated these days. He was supposed to face Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 108 until Lesnar fell ill. Prior to that, he looked to be in a major tilt against Cain Velasquez, but the Lesnar fight changed all of that. The truth of the matter is that he hasn’t had a fight since demolishing Gabriel Gonzaga back in March of 2009 with a punch that separated Gonzaga’s brain from his skull. But now, Carwin will step into the cage with Frank Mir at UFC 111 for the interim title and the chance to possibly face Lesnar at UFC 116 – considering Lesnar will be fully recovered from his illness.

“I’ve had a year to work on technique,” Carwin says of the layoff. “When I step into that Octagon I will be a lot different than when I stepped in against Gonzaga that last time. I’ve worked on my technique and become a more complete fighter.”

Standing in his way is a Frank Mir who is dying for another shot at Lesnar. A Frank Mir that has packed on the muscle to give freaks like Lesnar a run for their money. A Frank Mir that is taking absolutely no shorts heading into a fight with a fighter who has never made it out of the first round.

“Frank is a legend of the sport,” Carwin says. The level of respect that Carwin has for Mir is undeniable. “He has been around a long time and is one of the few fighters who have been around a long time that has evolved with it. I know he’s added new aspects to his game so I am glad to be fighting the best Frank Mir out there.”

Truth be told, the interim belt that Mir and Carwin are fighting for is the least of their concerns. They both know to be the champ, you have to beat the champ.

“To me the interim belt is just the semifinals of getting to that championship,” he explains. “This belt obviously isn’t for the championship and the one against Brock is. I’m glad Brock is back. He’s good for the sport and attracts a lot of fans and it brings attention to the heavyweight division.”

Obviously, neither fighter is looking for this fight to go the distance. And honestly, nobody is expecting it to. But Carwin has never been in a fight with someone the caliber of Mir so preparations to go past the two minute mark are in full effect.

“We always train for the fights to go the distance,” the Denver fighter states. “We train five rounds with a bonus overtime round. As far as cardio and weight-wise, I feel great.”

Carwin is going to have to do more than feel great to defeat Mir. When he steps into the Prudential Center, Carwin will have one thing on his mind. A knockout. One has to admit how exciting it is to watch Carwin for as long as it lasts.

Courtesy of Andreas Hale/FightNews.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

The WEC announced several new fights for the upcoming card in Sacramento which will serve as the promotion’s first effort into pay-per-view on April 24.

While all the fights were confirmed for the WEC 48 card, it wasn’t disclosed if any of the fights will make the broadcast or if they will be undercard fights.

Tyler Toner lands a leg kick during his bout with David Fuentes at Ring of Fire 34 in Broomfield, Colorado.

Cub Swanson (14-3) makes his return to action and faces “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (10-1), who makes his promotional debut after being thought as one of the top prospects in the featherweight division.

Going 5-2 in his WEC career, Cub Swanson looks to make an impact in the ever growing 145lb weight class, while Jung makes his debut in the United States after spending the majority of his career in Japan, most recently fighting in Sengoku.

Also announced for the card, Japanese heavy hitter Takeya Mizugaki (12-4-2) tries to bounce back from a loss in his last fight against Scott Jorgensen when he faces grappling wizard Rani Yahya (15-5) who also suffered a tough loss in his last trip out when he was TKO’d by current top bantamweight contender Joseph Benavidez.

Tough British fighter Brad Pickett (18-4) will look to build on his last win, a submission over Kyle Dietz in December, when he faces undefeated Matt Hume product, Demetrious Johnson (5-0).

The final fight confirmed for the WEC card in April features the return of undefeated featherweight Brandon Visher who tries to keep his unbeaten streak alive when he faces promotional newcomer Tyler Toner.

More fights are expected to be announced for the April card in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for the latest WEC news and pay-per-view information.

Courtesy of Damon Martin/MMAWeekly.com

Fight Foto by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Video game retailer GameStop announced today that “The Ultimate Fighter 10″ finalist Brendan Schaub (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is the third of four playable bonus characters in the forthcoming “UFC Undisputed 2010” title.

Schaub joins James McSweeney and Marcus Jones as the three officially announced bonus characters to date. The remaining character will be announced on March 16. Customers can secure access to these bonus characters by pre-ordering the game with GameStop either in-store or online.

According to the company’s website, “a code and instructions to unlock the GameStop exclusive fighters will come packaged with your game.” The retailer engaged in a similar program with the THQ’s debut UFC-related title, “UFC 2009 Undisputed,” when Ryan Bader and Efrain Escudero were offered up as incentives to reserve the game early.

The two fighters were then eligible for all consumers to download 90 days after the initial release date. The critically acclaimed title went on to sell 3.5 million units and won the “Best Individual Sports Game” at the 2009 VGA Awards, beating out the likes of “Fight Night Round 4,” “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10,” and “Wii Sports Resort.”

Available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3, “UFC Undisputed 2010″ is set for a May 25 release. “‘UFC 2009 Undisputed’ opened the door for us to further share the UFC brand with videogame and fight fans around the world, and we cannot wait to return this spring with the release of ‘UFC Undisputed 2010,’” UFC president Dana White stated in the official announcement of the new game.

A former professional footballer who played for the Arena Football League’s Utah Blaze and spent time in the NFL as a member of the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, Schaub debuted in MMA in 2008. As a cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” Schaub defeated Demico Rogers, Jon Madsen and Jones en route to the live finale. There, he was defeated by former IFL champion Roy Nelson. The loss was the first of Schaub’s career.

Courtesy of MMAJunkie.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Xtreme Cage Wars:
Friday Night Fights

Friday night March 05, 2010 the Xtreme Cage Wars promotion held their, “Friday Night Fights” event at Red and Jerry’s event center.  The night had eight MMA bouts including two tournaments with each winner going home with one thousand dollars, as well as a main event featuring a scheduled four round professional boxing match.

Main event: Stephen Zeytunyan vs Chris Hect. 

At the opening bell Hect rushed forward with a strong attack, but Zeytunyan used good footwork to avoid the barrage. 

From the outside Zeytunyan began to pick his strikes mixing his punches well between head and body shots. 

Listening to the advice of his corner Zeytunyan threw a hard body shot and Hect dropped to a knee to take an eight count. 

 Hect was able to rise in time to beat the count, but was still hurt and unable to continue. 

The referee waved off the bout and Zeytunyan got the TKO win at 2:48 of round one.

Bout seven: Ali Hanjani vs Jeff Estrada for the finals of the 165 lb. tournament. 

Both fighters came out striking before Hanjani took a shoot.  Estrada sprawled, but Hanjani got head control and fell back for a guillotine that Estrada was able to escape. 

Estrada worked to improve his position while also utilizing his GNP.  From the bottom Hanjani was active with submission attempts until the round ended. 

Round two had Hanjani scoring a quick takedown then trying for an triangle then armbar submission.  Estrada escaped and scrambled, but Hanjani trapped a leg and worked for a heel-hook while Estrada tried for a kneebar.  Hanjani abandoned the lock and moved into top control to work his GNP, then fell back for another guillotine attempt.  Estrada worked out of the choke  and landed GNP to end the round. 

Round three saw Estrada get an immediate takedown  and work GNP while Hanjani  was active with submission attempts.  The action slowed and the referee stood the fighters and Estrada tried for a takedown.  Hanjani sprawled, pulled guard and tried for a guillotine choke. 

Estrada was again able to escape and work GNP while Hanjani tried to set up submissions from his back to end the round.  The judges initially scored the bout as a draw, and in Colorado the rule is that in elimination bouts there is no overtime so it goes back to the judges who are asked to give their ruling as to whom was the winner. 

The judges conferred and the winner of the tournament, and taking home the thousand dollar check was Jeff Estrada.

Bout six: Willie Parks vs Karl Ballard for the finals of the 195 lb. tournament. 

Parks came out working his striking from the outside while Ballard worked to initiate the clinch.  Displaying good takedown defense Parks clinched and scored with a double leg takedown to set up his GNP attack. 

The action slowed and the referee stood the fighters and the round ended with them circling each other looking for an opening to strike. 

Round two had Parks punching early while Ballard worked knees in the clinch.  Parks scored again with a big double leg takedown and worked GNP until Ballard tied him up from the bottom and the referee stood the fighters.  Ballard took a shoot that Parks defended by way of sprawl.  From top position Parks worked GNP until the bell ended the round. 

Round three displayed the striking of both fighters before Parks again took it to the mat.  On the ground Ballard was busy with defense while Parks worked positional control and GNP to end the round. 

The judge’s scorecards determined the winner of the tournament and it was Willie Parks taking home the thousand dollar check by way of unanimous decision.

Bout five: Tony Hiser vs George Ashauer. 

Ashauer came out with accurate punches followed by a knee that visibly hurt Hiser. 

Ashauer looked to end the fight with a head kick, and it landed but both fighters slipped to the mat. 

Ashauer scrambled to standing and motioned that he Hiser to rise so the fight could continue on the feet. 

From standing Ashauer threw a 1-2 combination that dropped Hiser giving him the TKO win to Ashauer at :23 of round one.
 

Bout four: Ali Hanjani vs Michael Giltner for the other 165 lb. tournament bout. 

Each fighter came out with strong strikes with both working into and out of the clinch. 

Hanjani got a takedown into back control then transitioned to an armbar that Giltner escaped. 

Hanjani worked to set in a guillotine choke that Giltner defended, but Hanjani scrambled, reset the choke and got the submission victory at 2:18 of round one.
 

Bout three: Dylan Craig vs Jeff Estrada  in the first round of the 165 lb. tournament. 

Estrada came out with a punch/kick combination to set up a huge double leg scoop slam. 

From side control Estrada used his GNP attack to transition to mount, then he flurried with strikes to get the TKO win and advance in the tournament at 1:19 of round one.
 

Bout two: Willie Parks vs Shane Gavin in the first round of the 195 lb. tournament. 

The fighters had an early striking exchange with Parks landing solid combinations including a strong knee in the clinch. 

The fighters separated and Parks landed a combination that dropped Gavin. 

Parks closed in and from standing flurried with punches to his grounded opponent to get the TKO win and advance in the tournament at :23 of round one. 

There was only one bout to set up the finals of the 195 lb. tournament as the other side of the bracket had one fighter unable to compete. 
 

Bout one: Terry Bergl vs Devin Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez opened with strikes, but Bergl got a takedown. 

On the ground Bergl slammed his way out of an armbar, transitioned to top north/south position and set in a guillotine choke. 

From there Rodriguez attained full guard and closed off the choke for the tapout win at 1:45 of round one.
 

Xtreme Cage Wars Ring Card Girls (from left to right: Jessica Johnson, Chelsea Mock & MacKenzie Koncher)

“Of the Night” moments:
 
Technique of the night goes to Ali Hanjani.  Virtually every Martial Arts school teaches to throw a hook and continue the flow of the strike into an horizontal elbow strike, but you rarely see it land with success.  Hanjani used his smooth footwork to work this technique to perfection in his first bout.
 
Takedown of the night goes to Jeff Estrada for his huge scoop slam to set up his fight winning GNP attack.
 
KO/TKO of the night honors are shared by Willie Parks and George Ashauer for both getting a TKO win at :23 seconds of round one.
 
Submission of the night goes to Ali Hanjani for his commitment to the guillotine choke that got him the win in his first bout of the night.
 
Fight of the night goes to Ali Hanjani and Jeff Estrada for their three round back and forth battle that showed off the striking, transitioning, takedowns and submission attempts of both.  The fight was so close that it had to essentially go to the judges twice to determine a winner for the tournament.
 
Be sure to check the site calendar for upcoming events.
 
Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

After losing six straight fights, former UFC lightweight Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo could have easily packed his bags and called it a day, but he didn’t.

Determined to get himself back on track, he joined the newly established Grudge gym alongside such Colorado standouts as Nate Marquardt, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Eliot Marshall, and Shane Carwin, and hasn’t looked back.

After winning his first fight of the year in February, Caudillo returns to the promotion that established him, Ring of Fire, this Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, eager to build a winning streak.

“It was very important, not only for the record, but also mentally-wise,” Caudillo told MMAWeekly.com of his recent win. “This year I’m looking to get back on the map and get back into the game.”

While a losing streak is never welcome, Caudillo sees something positive in it.

“Some of those losses, if you look at them, were decisions against game opponents,” he commented. “They were in the UFC, in Strikeforce, and were just tough breaks for me with the caliber of guys I fought.

“It was good for me to know I could hang with any of those top guys, so I kept training and getting better and let things fall into place.”

When you train with the type of talent that resides at the Grudge Training Center, you can’t slack, and Caudillo realized that and adjusted accordingly.

“I got a new nutrition guy, a strength training coach, and now I’m training every day twice a day,” he stated. “Instead of me training kind of half-assing it, now I’m going fully every day in the gym.”

Caudillo also began working with noted sports psychologist Brian Cain, and now he feels as strong mentally as he does physically.

“I don’t even care what people think,” he exclaimed. “They think I’m washed up, but I don’t really care because I feel like I brand new fighter. I’m learning every day and I feel like I’m just getting in my prime.

“I just can’t wait to get in there and compete because I’m having fun again. I’m in shape now and I’m not worried about gassing out; I can go five rounds if I have to. I mentally know I can go into deep water and be strong.”

At Ring of Fire on Friday, Caudillo will square off against Sean Wilson, a veteran fighter he has crossed paths with in the sport before.

“I used to fight his training partner, Alonzo Martinez, in my earlier career and he was always the one over with him,” he recollected. “It’s a fight I’ve wanted and he’s wanted and it’s just finally time we get to fight, so I’m excited.”

Should Caudillo pick up his second win a row, he intends to keep working on his resurgence slowly, taking things at his own pace.

“I know there’s a couple big promotions interested in me, but honestly I just got a new manager that’s working with me a little bit and we’re just kind of taking it fight by fight,” he stated.

“The thing is, I’m happy now and I can take small fights and just build myself back up.”

Finally back on the winning track after a couple of rough years, Caudillo is determined to not fade into obscurity, but rather make his case for Comeback Fighter of the Year.

“I would like to thank Tapout, Full Tilt Poker, Brother’s BBQ, LA Boxing, my family and also my girlfriend,” he said in closing. “The ‘Lil’ Hulk’ is back on track; I’m ready to let it all out in 2010.”

Courtesy of Mick Hammond/MMAWeekly.com
Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

The 11th season of Spike TV’s most popular original series ever, “The Ultimate Fighter,” for the first time will feature 28 of the best up and coming mixed martial artists in the world competing for 14 spots in “The Ultimate Fighter” house.    The series boasts a new format, which will be introduced to viewers in the show’s premiere episode.  The smash hit will also feature two coaches who need no introduction to mixed martial arts fans, UFC legends Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Tito “The Huntington Beach Badboy.”  The new season premieres Wednesday, March 31, at 10:00 PM ET/PT featuring the following cast members:

RICH ATTONITO
Fighting out of: Deerfield Beach, FL / American Top Team
Record: 7-3
Age: 32

A 2001 graduate of Hofstra University in Long Island, Rich Attonito wrestled several different weight classes as a member of the Pride wrestling team including the 167lb. and 197lb. divisions.  Attonito has been training with American Top Team since he moved to Florida in 2006.  He is the strength and conditioning coach for UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti.

SETH BACZYNSKI
Fighting out of: Canyon, AZ / Apex MMA
Record: 11-5
Age: 28

Training partner to TUF alums Santino DeFranco (season 9) and Efrain Escudero (season at Apex MMA in Arizona, Seth Baczynski is a full-time water inspector at Liberty Water.

CHARLES BLANCHARD
Fighting out of: Coconut Creek, FL / American Top Team
Record: 7-2
Age: 24

A 2-time All State wrester in high school, this single father is a jiu-jitsu brown belt and a published poet.

JOSH BRYANT
Fighting out of: Tulsa, OK / Absolute Combat Alliance
Record: 10-0
Age: 29

A member of the Absolute Combat Alliance camp in Tulsa, OK, Josh Bryant sports a perfect 10-0 professional mixed martial arts record.  When not training, Bryant works as a manager for Mazzio’s Italian Eatery in Oklahoma.

CHRIS CAMOZZI
Fighting out of: Denver, CO / Gumm MMA
Record: 11-3
Age: 22

Camozzi is a freestyle fighter from Denver that works as a bouncer in his spare time.  Two of his three losses are to TUF alums Jesse Forbes (season 3) and Jesse Taylor (season 7).

BRENT COOPER
Fighting out of: Long Beach, CA / Team Oyama
Record: 5-1
Age: 31

Of Sioux Indian descent, Cooper is a pipeliner by day for Shell Oil, and a devastating striker by night, with four of his five wins coming via TKO.

JACEN FLYNN
Fighting out of: Meridian, ID / No camp
Record: 8-2
Age: 31

Jacen Flynn possesses an 8-2 mixed martial arts record that includes wins over Dennis Kang and Dean Lister.  Away from the Octagon™, he is a social worker.

JAMES HAMMORTREE
Fighting out of: Ocala, FL / USA Martial Arts
Record: 4-0
Age: 23

Following one season at Weber International, where he starred on the football team as a linebacker and on special teams, Hammortree left the program in order to become a full-time firefighter in Ocala, FL.  The former high school wrestler owns a 4-0 professional record with all four of those bouts taking place in 2009.

JOSEPH HENLE
Fighting out of: Thousand Oaks, CA / Big John McCarthy’s MMA
Record: 3-0
Age: 26

Joseph Henle splits time training at Big John McCarthy’s MMA and working as a substitute teacher and wrestling coach in Thousand Oaks, CA. Henle earned his MBA in Financial Planning from California Lutheran University in ’06.  He speaks fluent Japanese.

CHARLEY LYNCH
Fighting out of: Mound, MN / Northway MMA
Record: 6-0
Age: 25

The self-proclaimed baddest man in Minnesota, Charley Lynch owns a 6-0 professional record with zero of his bouts going to decision.

KRIS MCCRAY
Fighting out of: Dumfries, VA / Chute Boxe
Record: 5-0
Age: 28

Son of a military father, Kris McCray was raised in Germany, where he excelled on the soccer pitch and garnered All-Europe honors in high school.  In 1999, McCray moved permanently to the United States, where he has served parts of 8 years (6 active, 2 inactive) as a member of the US Army Reserve, while also finding time to earn his Associates Degree in Social Studies from Northern Virginia Community College.

COURT MCGEE
Fighting out of:  Orem, UT / Throwdown Elite Fight Team
Record: 9-1
Age: 24

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist out of Orem, UT, Court McGee beat “The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom” runner-up DaMarques Johnson in 2007 by submission

CLAYTON MCKINNEY
Fighting out of: Orlando, FL / Jungle MMA
Record: 4-2
Age: 27

A teammate of TUF (season alum Tom Lawlor at Jungle MMA, Clayton McKinney is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt that supplements his training by working security at a local bar in Orlando.

KYLE NOKE
Fighting out of: Albuquerque, NM / Jackson’s MMA
Record: 16-4-1
Age: 29

Kyle Noke, from Mooloolaba, Australia, is the former bodyguard of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.  Currently training with Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico, Noke defeated TUF (season 6) alum George Sotiropoulos in June 2005 and current castmate Kyacey Uscola this past September.

VICTOR O’DONNELL
Fighting out of: Milford, OH / Vision MMA
Record: 8-1
Age: 27

Hailing from Milford, OH, O’Donnell suffered his first professional loss this past September against cast mate Costantinos Philippou. Before that, he had won eight contests, seven of which by submission.

NORMAN PARAISY
Fighting out of: Coconut Creek, FL / American Top Team
Record: 5-1
Age: 23

Norman Paraisy was born and raised Paris, France.  The 5-1 Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist left France in order to pursue MMA in the states and is now a member of the American Top Team.

COSTANTINOS PHILIPPOU
Fighting out of: Merrick, NY / Serra-Longo
Record: 5-1
Age: 30

Costantinos Philippou is a former boxer with 3 professional and over 80 amateur fights on his record.  The 30-year-old server from Merrick, NY was born and raised in Greece.  He currently trains out of the Serra-Longo camp.

GREG REBELLO
Fighting out of: Buzzards Bay, MA / Sityodtong USA
Record: 9-2
Age: 27

Greg Rebello trains full-time at Sityodtong USA in Massachusetts under the watchful eye of Mark DellaGrotte.  Currently in peak physical condition, Rebello at one time weighed in over 300lbs before dedicating himself to fitness at the age of 18.

NICK RING
Fighting out of: Calgary, Canada / B.D.P. Martial Arts
Record: 10-0
Age: 30

Nick Ring returned to MMA in May 2009 following a three year stint away from the sport after suffering a devastating knee injury.  In that time, Ring boxed professionally to the tune of a 4-1 record with 3 knockouts.

JORDAN SMITH

Fighting out of: Clearfield, UT / Throwdown Elite Fight Team
Record: 10-0
Age: 24

A 7th grade teacher by day, Jordan Smith is a former professional boxer that trains with fellow cast member Court McGee at Throwdown Elite Fight Team.

BEN STARK
Fighting out of: Tamarac, FL / American Top Team
Record: 3-1
Age: 27

Born and raised a practitioner of the Orthodox Jewish religion until the age of 6, Ben Stark began training with American Top Team in Florida as a sophomore in college. When not at the gym, Stark picks up shifts at “The Original Fat Cats,” and also finds time to breed snakes.

LYLE STEFFENS
Fighting out of: Tucson, AZ / Apex MMA
Record: 5-2
Age: 26

Lyle Steffens is a firefighter and an EMT in Tucson, AZ.  He trains with fellow cast member Seth Baczynski at Apex MMA.

BRAD TAVARES
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV / TapouT
Record: 4-0
Age: 21

At 21, Brad Tavares is the youngest of this season’s cast members.  Originally from Hilo, HI, Tavares recently relocated to Las Vegas and trains full-time with TapouT

WARREN THOMPSON
Fighting out of: Marietta, GA / Team Khunpon / Roberto Traven BJJ
Record: 5-0
Age: 23

Warren Thompson, aka “The Kool-Aid Man,” is a muay-thai fighter from Marietta, GA.  The volunteer firefighter splits his training in Atlanta between Team Khunpon and Roberto Traven BJJ.

KYACEY USCOLA
Fighting out of: Sacramento, CA / Team Alpha Male
Record: 18-15
Age: 28

Kyacey Uscola joins the cast with 33 professional MMA fights on his record.  He trains with Team Alpha Male and Urijah Faber out of Sacramento.

CLEBURN WALKER
Fighting out of: Keller, TX / Team Lutter
Record: 9-3
Age: 26

Born and raised in Texas, Cleburn Walker is a full-time fighter and instructor at Team Lutter.  He suffered a recent loss via submission to TUF (season 3) alum Jesse Forbes this past June.

WOODY WEATHERBY
Fighting out of: Hudson, NH / Renzo Gracie / Mickey Wards Boxing Gym & Xtreme MMA
Record: 7-3
Age: 27

The former US Navy officer currently works full-time as a corrections officer for the Hillsborough County jail in Manchester, NH.  Weatherby rotates his training between 2 gyms: Renzo Gracie Academy in Derry, NH, and Mickey Wards Boxing Gym & Xtreme MMA.

JAMIE YAGER
Fighting out of: Los Angeles, CA / Kings MMA
Record: 2-1
Age: 25

A standout varsity letterman in baseball and football, Yager was the 2001 Athlete of the Year at South Pasadena High School in California.  He picked up training MMA as a hobby, and went straight from training to the professional ranks in February 2008 as part of BET’s Iron Ring, where he defeated his opponent by TKO.

Courtesy of MMAWeekly.com

Foto courtesy Rick Teran/Brawlin.net

King Of Champions

Rumble at Ritchie

Written by J.R. Gordon

Click HERE For Complete Foto Gallery!

February 26, 2010 the Ritchie Center on the Denver University campus opened it’s doors to welcome fans to a  night of MMA action that had nine bouts including three titles and three  professional bouts.  Spectacular matchmaking was evidenced by the fact that  six of the bouts went to the judge’s scorecards and the main event that is up to  this point Colorado’s fight of the year.

The first three fights described were professional bouts while all others were elimination  matches.

Main event:

Josiah Callis vs Nick  Macias.

Each fighter showed strong striking early before the fight briefly  went to the ground.  On the mat Macias escaped a guillotine choke and  backed out to let Callis stand.

The rest of the round was a great display  of fast, crisp, accurate and technical striking that tested the chin of both  fighters.  Each fighter landed kicks, punches and solid knees while  clinched and both fighters went to their corner bloodied.

Round two had  both again showing strong striking  before Callis got a takedown into side  control.

The fighters scrambled to standing before Macias took it back to  the mat looking to sink in a Kimura shoulder lock.

Callis escaped the deep  submission and momentarily took full mount.  Macias scrambled to get full  guard and the round played out with Callis working GNP while Macias worked  multiple submission attempts.

Round three Had Callis get a quick takedown  off of ducking a punch then working strong GNP including strong knees to the  body.

Macias withstood the attack and linked together a strong set of  submission attempts.  Macias then worked back to standing but Callis got  another takedown.

There was a scramble as the fighters hit the mat and  Macias took back control to work between RNC attempts and GNP.

To end the  round Callis escaped back control and landed several punches as the bell ended  the fight.

The judge’s scorecards were read and the winner by unanimous decision was Josiah Callis.

Co-main event:

Vern Baca vs Nick  Buschman.

The fighters had a brief striking exchange before Buschman  closed in after a head kick to flurry with punches that dropped Baca to a  knee.

With Baca kneeling Buschman continued his striking attack and after  a series of unanswered strikes the referee stopped the bout giving the win to  Nick Buschman at :43 of round one.

Josh Huber vs Travis Hollis.

Round one was all kickboxing with each fighter landing hard punches, solid kicks and strong knees while clinched.

Round two started with good striking by  each until Hollis used standing back control to get a takedown.

On the mat  Hollis switched between GNP and RNC attempts until Huber escaped and worked back  to standing.

The fight quickly went back to the mat and this time it was  Huber working for the RNC until the round ended.

Round three had Huber  landing strikes that hurt Hollis.  Hollis clinched and got a takedown, but  Huber rolled through for a reversal, took mount and flurried with GNP to get the TKO win at 1:05 of round three.

Scott Cleve vs Jeremiah Record for the King of Champions 155 lb. amateur title.

Record had good striking  early including a head kick.  Cleve took the fight to the mat with a double  leg takedown, but off of his back Record worked for a triangle choke as the round ended.

Round two had Cleve using a trapped head kick to get a  takedown into side control.  The fighters scrambled to standing and Record  worked for a guillotine choke that Cleve escaped and the fighters exchanged  punches to end the round.

Round three saw Cleve use an overhand left to  close the distance and get a takedown and each fighter scrambled for position  with Cleve ending in the guard of Record.

Cleve then took back control and  worked GNP until the bout ended.  The scorecard’s were used to determine  the winner and by way of split decision it was Scott Cleve.

Jimmy Soiland vs Mike Rutherford for the King of Champions 135 lb. amateur title.

Rutherford shot for and  got a takedown, but Soiland swept him and fell back for an ankle lock.   Rutherford defended and fell back for a foot lock of his own.

Briefly both  fighters tried for a heel-hook then they scrambled for position and Rutherford took side control and worked GNP.

Rutherford then stood and from standing he used a spinning back fist punch while falling to the ground and he purposely  used the spin as a guard pass to land in side control to end the round.

Round two opened with Rutherford using a spinning back fist to close the  distance to clinch then get a takedown. On the ground Soiland tried  for an armbar that Rutherford slammed his way out of.

Both fighters worked  to standing and Rutherford got another takedown and tried for an ankle lock  before transitioning into full mount and working GNP to end the round.

Round three saw Rutherford getting a bodylock takedown into mount then using his  GNP to set up a fight winning choke for the submission win at :51 of round  three.

Eric Moya vs Abe Alvarado.

Alvarado got a quick takedown but on the mat it was Moya that linked his submission attempts together.

When not defending Alvarado worked his  GNP game to end the round.

Round two had Alvarado get the takedown and Moya was again active with submission attempts while Alvarado worked to improve  his position.

Moya scrambled to standing and landed knees in the clinch that Moya answered with a bodylock slam to end the round.

Round three had  a good striking exchange before Alvarado got a takedown.  Off of his back  Moya set in a triangle choke and used the position to land elbows from off of  his back until the bout ended.  The judge’s had to score the bout to  determine the winner and by split decision the winner was Abe Alvarado.

Tony Miller vs Carlos Huerta for the King of Champions 125 lb. amateur title.

Huerta got a takedown into  side control to set up an attempted Darce choke.  Miller escaped and  scrambled to standing but Huerta got another takedown and took side control to  work GNP until the fighters again worked to standing where they exchanged  strikes until the round ended.

Round two saw Huerta get another takedown,  Miller escaped to standing, Huerta got another takedown, Miller went back to  standing and the fighters exchanged knee strikes before Miller got a  takedown.

In a scramble for position Miller set in an inverted triangle  choke that he held until the round ended.

Round three was all standing  with each fighter spending time pressing forward with Huerta able to stagger  Miller several times.  The bell ended the fight and the unanimous judge’s decision was in favor of Carlos Huerta.

Mike Suksi vs Joey Banks.

Round one was all standing striking with each fighter landing well and Banks  using good footwork to change the distance.

Round two was also all  standing with Banks landing more, and stronger strikes while Suksi used a low  kick to sweep Banks mid-round.

Round three saw Banks drop Suksi with a  punch combination then Banks let him stand and the fighters exchanged punches  until the bell ended the fight.  The judge’s scored the fight as a  unanimous decision win in favor of Joey Banks.

Isais Gomez vs Dan Craft.

Craft got a takedown into back control and each fighter then swept the other before scrambling to standing.  Craft got a bodylock takedown to again take  back control to try for an RNC.  Gomez escaped the choke and reversed  positions to take back control.  Craft got a sweep and worked GNP to end  the round.

Round two had Craft using his strikes to set up a double leg  takedown.  Gomez worked back to his feet but Craft pulled off a strong  belly-to-back suplex, then he take back control, then mount to work  GNP.  Gomez escaped the position and got back to his feet to end the  round.

Round three started with Craft getting a double leg takedown into  side control.  Craft worked into a bulldog choke but Gomez escaped to improve his position.

Craft got a reversal, took mount, worked GNP and finally took back control to end the round.  The judge’s scorecards determined the winner and it was Dan Craft by unanimous decision.

The KOC Ring Card Girls…

“Of the night” moments:

Chin of the night of the  night goes to both Nick Macias and Josiah Callis for the shots they both withstood despite each having their head snapped back as well as spun side  to side multiple times.

KO/TKO of the night goes to Nick  Buschman for his quick flurry of strikes that got him the TKO win at :43 of round one.

Slam of the night goes to Dan Craft for his belly-to-back suplex.

Heart of the night is shared by Nick Macias and Josiah Callis.  In their bout each fighter pushed through  exhaustion, pain and injury.  From cageside you could see each fighter make  a conscious decision that no matter what they were in the fight to the end  despite the most determined effort of their opponent.

Unique technique of the night goes to Mike Rutherford for using a spinning back fist going from standing to the floor in order to get a guard pass and end in side  control.

Fight of the night, and in fact an  early frontrunner for fight of the year goes to Nick Macias and Josiah  Callis.   Their back and forth battle saw each attain dominant position, land strikes that visibly hurt the other and display cardio that seemed  unending.

The crowd gave them a deserved standing ovation and those in attendance will be telling their friends to get a DVD of the event just to see  this battle.

Thanks to the sponsors that made  the event possible.

Best in Health and  Training,
J.R.  Gordon.

Fight Fotos By Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

In what will be one of the biggest nights in MMA history, World Extreme Cagefighting® presents its most explosive card ever. On Saturday, April 24, live on Pay-Per-View from the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., hometown hero “The California Kid” Urijah Faber attempts to capture the featherweight title from feared Brazilian knockout artist and ESPN’s 2009 Fighter of the Year Jose Aldo.

If that wasn’t enough, lightweight champion Ben Henderson collides with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a rematch of the 2009 Fight of the Year. Their first bout featured five grueling rounds of nonstop action and both promise even more fireworks when they meet again in April. Plus, former featherweight champion Mike Brown locks horns with Armenian judo ace and The Ultimate Fighter™ finalist Manny Gamburyan in one of the most anticipated fights of 2010.

“We are building the most action-packed card we’ve ever done for our first Pay-Per-View,” WEC General Manager Reed Harris said, adding that at least five fights will make the PPV broadcast. “The Jose Aldo-Urijah Faber fight is something fans have been talking about for a long time. When those two step inside the cage, it could be one of the best fights in the history of the sport. With the Cerrone-Henderson rematch and the Brown-Gamburyan fight also scheduled, this guarantees that fans get the most bang for their buck.”

Named ESPN MMA Live’s 2009 Fighter of the Year, featherweight champion Jose Aldo (16-1) has proved to be one of the most devastating fighters to ever grace the WEC cage. After scoring consecutive knockouts in his first five WEC fights, Aldo earned a shot against then-champion Mike Brown last November. Using blazing speed and heavy strikes, the 23-year-old Brazilian upended Brown in two rounds to earn his first world championship. He now makes his first title defense against number one contender Urijah Faber and believes a win could serve as the beginning of one of the most dominant championship reigns in history.

“Urijah is a good fighter, but he’s not taking my belt,” Aldo said. “My dream has been to be the world champion. Now that I have the belt, I am not giving it up.”

Having already completed a two-year run as WEC featherweight champion in his stellar career, Sacramento, California’s Urijah Faber (23-3) is poised to recapture the belt when he takes on Aldo at ARCO Arena. Riding the momentum of his January victory over Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Raphael Assuncao, “The California Kid” believes he can diffuse the champion’s speed by using his top-notch wrestling and slick defense. What’s more, Faber has made it clear that when Aldo brings the belt to Sacramento on April 24, he’s leaving it at ARCO Arena.

“It’s Jose Aldo’s belt right now – but in my mind, that’s my belt,” Faber, who owns wins over Dominick Cruz, Jeff Curran, and Jens Pulver (twice), said. “My belief is that I should have that belt, and I’m gonna go in there and try to get it. I’m out here ready to prove it.”

“I think the guy that poses a threat to Aldo is a guy that’s just as fast as he is,” Faber continued. “That guy also has dangerous strikes, but has the advantage of dictating where the fight goes. That guy might just be me. I’ve got a proven record of submitting and grounding and pounding guys and I’m very difficult to knock out.”

WEC lightweight champion Ben “Smooth” Henderson (11-1) has defeated a Who’s Who of elite lightweights since joining the division in 2009. Owning wins over Anthony Njokuani, Shane Roller, Donald Cerrone, and most recently Jamie Varner, the 26-year-old has relied on his tremendous grappling and precision striking en route to capturing lightweight gold. The Glendale, Ariz. resident now turns his attention to a fight with Cerrone, who he battled for five grueling rounds last October.

“I expect another great fight and hopefully I’ll be able to end it this time, like I do with most of my fights,” Henderson, who unified the lightweight titles with a win over Varner at ARCO Arena in January, said. “Call me crazy, but I’m ready for another five-round war with Cerrone. Let’s have the exact same five-round, hard, all-out war. I love that, I’m not going to lie. But at the end, I want to finish it. I don’t want it to go to a judges’ decision, I don’t want any controversy; I don’t want any ifs, ands or buts. I want to end it.”

Fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is blunt when he speaks of his upcoming rematch with champion Ben Henderson. When the 26-year-old meets Henderson on April 24, he plans to pick up where the two left off last fall. Except this time, Cerrone doesn’t believe the fight will make it to the judges’ scorecards.

“What’s different this time is that I know what he has,” Cerrone, who scored a victory over Ed Ratcliff in his last fight in December, said. “He gave me everything he had last time. I know what I did wrong and what I need to fix. I feel like Ben can be finished and I’m ready to show the world that he can be put away.”

Former featherweight champion Mike Brown (23-5) believes a win over Manny Gamburyan in April will put him first in line for a crack at the winner of the Jose Aldo-Urijah Faber bout. With that said, the 34-year-old, who owns wins over Jeff Curran, Urijah Faber (twice), Leonard Garcia, and Anthony Morrison, plans to make a big statement when he fights the Armenian judo ace.

“It’s the perfect step for me right now to make my way back to the title,” Brown, who returns to scene of his last victory in Sacramento,” said. “We’re both solid takedown guys with solid jiu-jitsu, but I’m the bigger, harder puncher. I just have to crack him hard. If I hit him hard, I think he won’t want any part of it.”

Unbeaten since dropping to featherweight last year, Manny Gamburyan (12-5) considers himself among the best 145-pounders in the sport. Thanks to a dominant performance against Leonard Garcia in his last fight in November, “The Anvil” finds himself facing former champion Brown in a pivotal fight. The significance of the bout is not lost on the 28-year-old, and he believes fans will see the best Gamburyan ever on April 24.

“He’s a former world champion and I give him props,” Gamburyan said. “But I’m going to find his weaknesses and beat him. It’s going to be a good fight. I can’t wait for this fight.”

Remaining bouts for WEC: Aldo vs. Faber will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.

Courtesy of FightNews.com

The quickly filling UFC on Versus 1 fight card has another addition now that Mike Pierce (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Rob Kimmons (22-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) have agreed to a welterweight fight at the March 21 event.

Sources close to both of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the fight is close to finalized.

UFC on Versus 1 takes place at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield (near Denver), and the main card, including a headliner of Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera, airs on Versus.

Pierce vs. Kimmons is expected to be part of the night’s un-aired preliminary card.

Pierce, who made his octagon in September with an upset of veteran Brock Larson, fights for the first time since a UFC 107 loss to Jon Fitch in his second UFC appearance. However, the unanimous-decision loss to the division’s No. 1 contender arguably improved the youngster’s stock in the UFC.

The SportFight and WEC veteran snapped a six-fight win streak with the close loss.

Kimmons, a veteran of the Midwest fight circuit who debuted with the UFC in mid-2008, is 2-2 in the promotion following submission wins over Rob Yundt and Joe Vedepo and losses to Dan Miller (submission) and Jorge Rivera (TKO). The loss to the veteran Rivera marked the first time Kimmons has been stopped by punches since his fourth career fight, when he faced veteran Joe Riggs in 2005.

Following his run at 185 pounds, Kimmons now drops to 170 to compete as a welterweight.

The latest UFC on Versus 1 card now includes:

MAIN CARD

- Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera
- Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
- Paul Buentello vs. Cheick Kongo
- John Howard vs. Anthony Johnson
- Shannon Gugerty vs. Clay Guida*

PRELIMINARY CARD

- Eliot Marshall vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
- Spencer Fisher vs. Duane “Bang” Ludwig
- James Irvin vs. Alessio Sakara*
- Chase Gormley vs. Brendan Schaub*
- Rob Kimmons vs. Mike Pierce*

*  Not officially announced

Courtesy of Dann Stupp and Steven Marrocco of MMAJunkie.com

A battle of heavyweight strikers has been assembled for the upcoming UFC debut on the Versus network as Cheick Kongo (14-6-1) faces Paul Buentello (27-11) at the The Odeum Colorado in Broomfield on Sunday, March 21.

The UFC confirmed the heavyweight tilt earlier today.

Kongo is undoubtedly hoping to erase the memories of his last performance after Frank Mir submitted him in the first round of their UFC 107 bout. It wasn’t the submission that doesn’t sit well with the Parisian — it’s the fact that Mir sent him ass over tin cups with a thundering left hand to set up the tap.

It was the second straight loss for the heavy-handed striker, who was positively mauled for three rounds by blue chip prospect Cain Velasquez at UFC 99 last May. It’s not unreasonable to think that dropping three straight could bring an end to Kongo’s once-promising UFC career.

Yet for Buentello it may only take two.

“The Headhunter” was picked from the rubble that was Affliction MMA after “The Tee-Shirt Guys” imploded under the weight of their own spending (among other things). Following a respectable 3-1 UFC tenure in 2005-06, Buentello returned to the Octagon at “Penn vs. Sanchez” on Dec. 12, dropping a close majority decision to Stefan Struve.

Apparently “Hightower” didn’t fear the consequences — though Buentello might if he’s unable to get past Kongo this March. The UFC brass are notoriously unforgiving for 0-2 starts and it bears repeating they already chose not to hold on to him once before.

UFC on Versus 1 is set to feature a fantastic main event between dynamic light heavyweight strikers Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Jon “Bones” Jones. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, John “Doomsday” Howard, Spencer “The King” Fisher and others are also expected to be in action on what is shaping up to be a great card for the promotion’s debut on the cable network.

Written by Jesse Holland of MMAMania.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Getting a championship belt is a great accomplishment, but for new WEC lightweight titleholder Ben Henderson, he still has goals he’s yet to achieve. It’s not just about winning the belt for him, he wants to be the best in the world and that requires facing the best in the world.

2009 marked a meteoric rise for Henderson, who made his WEC debut and won the interim 155-pound belt in the span of 12 month. Just a week ago, Henderson submitted Jamie Varner to unify the WEC titles and is now ready to defend that belt for the first time.

There has been a lot of speculation already about who Henderson might face for his first title defense. Of course, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone rockets to the top of that list, after the bout he and Henderson had last year that most considered to be the best fight for all of 2009. The new champion is ready to face all challengers, but hopes that there is new blood on the horizon.

“Absolutely nothing against Cowboy (Donald Cerrone), nothing against Shane Roller, nothing against Anthony Njokuani, those are kind of the top guys right now in the WEC at 55. Nothing against any of those guys, they’re all tough guys. I’m sure they’re all better than when I faced them, but yeah I would definitely like to fight other guys,” Henderson told MMAWeekly Radio recently.

It’s an issue the WEC is sure to address over the coming months considering that every fighter from Cerrone to Njokuanki, Henderson has faced and beaten. He’s is open to a rematch with any of them, but still wants to face new opponents as well.

“I don’t really want to have to round-robin fight everyone I had to fight on my way to the top, have to fight all those guys all over again,” Henderson commented. “I would like to see some new faces, some good top talent or whatever.”

There have been several rumors floating around about who might fight who, or who will get a shot at Henderson’s title. The champion has heard the same rumors, and is just waiting for the dust to settle on a No. 1 contender.

“From what I’ve heard it’s going to be Varner, or Cerrone, or Njokuani, or Roller, four of those guys fighting amongst each other to see who the next No. 1 contender is,” he said. “Cause all of those guys have a pretty strong case for it.”

It’s clear though that the work for Ben Henderson is far from over, and he’s ready to prove it time and time again.

“I want to be the best in the world and I want to fight the best in the world,” Henderson stated. “Doesn’t matter who it’s against.”

Written by Damon Martin / MMAWeekly.com
Fight Foto by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Saturday January 16, 2009 the Rocky Mountain Bad Boyz again held  their event at the Red and Jerry’s venue in Denver Colorado.  The show was  to have featured 13 MMA bouts including two women’s contests, four title fights  and two professional fights.  Also on tap was one grappling match.

However, in an unfortunate turn of events the last four bouts of  the night were canceled.  There were several physical altercations in the  crowd involving spectators and when order was unable to be restored in a timely  manner the Colorado boxing commission elected to cancel the uncontested  matches in the interest of fan and fighter safety.

Click Here For Complete Foto Gallery!

Now, on to the matches that did take place:

Matt Alvarado faced Chris Gerado. 

Gerado opened with a  strong striking combination, but after securing a takedown Alvarado was able to  control position and work GNP for the remainder of the round. 

To open the  second round Alvarado immediately scored another takedown and ended in the guard  of Gerado. 

From there Alvarado stayed active with GNP all round as Gerado  looked to set up submission attempts until the round ended. 

Round three  played out the same as round two and when asked to score the fight the judges  saw it as an unanimous decision victory for Matt Alvarado.

Jaron Aragon faced Adam Vigil. 

Both fighters showed strong  strikes early, but it was Vigil that got it to the mat with a nice hip toss  takedown. 

On the mat Vigil took mount but Aragon got a nice backdoor  escape and after scrambling to their feet the rest of the round was spent  with the fighters in the clinch exchanging strikes. 

Round two saw each  fighter looking to land a head kick early and after clinching a point was taken  from Vigil for grabbing the fence multiple times. 

Upon restarting Vigil  got another takedown but the round ended with Aragon having a tight triangle  sunk in. 

Round three saw Vigil again get an early takedown and work  positional control and GNP as Aragon was busy with strikes and submission  attempts. 

The round ended with both fighters scrambling to their  feet.  In the end the contest was declared a majority  draw.   

Abe Alvarado faced Raymond Duran. 

Good striking from both  fighters was shown early before Alvarado got a takedown and secured back  control. 

Duran pulled off a backdoor escape and tried to jump guard  looking to sink a guillotine choke but Alvarado escaped, took mount,  transitioned to back control and worked his GNP until the referee stopped the  bout at 2:14 of round one giving Alvarado the TKO win.

Brandon Goshorn faced Matthew McOmie. 

Goshorn opened with  an overhand right that dropped McOmie. 

Goshorn followed him to the mat,  took back control and sunk in the RNC for the tapout victory at :32 of round  one.

Willy Baisley faced Chad Romero for the Rocky Mountain Bad Boyz  145 lb. men’s amateur MMA title. 

The fight hit the mat early and it was  Romero that controlled position and landed GNP while Baisley looked  for submissions off of his back. 

Round two had Romero getting an early  takedown to set up his GNP attack.

Baisley was able end in the guard of Romero,  but from his back Romero set in the armbar that got him the submission victory  at 2:59 of round two.

Kyanne Hampton faced Jillian Lybarger. 

Lybarger almost  immediately got the clinch in order to set up a leg trip takedown.  On the  ground Hampton scored a sweep and tried for a guillotine that Lybarger was able  to defend for the entirety of the round. 

Round two saw a brief standing  exchange before Lybarger again got the takedown and worked her GNP as Hampton  stayed active off of her back  with strikes and submission attempts.   Hampton was able to escape and momentarily secure back control for some GNP as  the round ended. 

Round three had both fighters displaying strong striking  early until Lybarger secured a bodylock takedown.  On the mat Hampton was  able to get another sweep and worked strong GNP as Lybarger tried for an  armbar. 

The fighters scrambled to their feet and Lybarger got a takedown  just as the bell sounded to end the fight.  The judges turned in their  scorecards and the winner by way of unanimous decision was Kyane Hampton.

Raquel Penninton faced Tsui-Jen Cunanan. 

Cunanan quickly  jumped guard looking for a guillotine choke that Pennington was able to  escape. 

Pennington then tried for a guillotine choke of her own that Cunanan escaped and the fighters spent the rest of the round scrambling for  positon with each working in some GNP and submission attempts. 

Round two  saw Cunanan pull guard to get it to the mat but Pennington spent the entire  round controlling position and working her GNP game. 

Round three saw  Pennington score with a bodylock takedown and control position to set up  more GNP while Cunanan displayed an active guard and multiple escape  attempts. 

The judge’s scorecards again determined the winner and it was  Raquel  Penninton by way of an unanimous decision.

In a grappling match Luis La’o faced Reid Walsh. 

After the  combatants clinched Walsh jumped guard to take it to the mat and once on the  ground he quickly set in an armbar and got the win at :50 of round one by way of  referee stoppage.

Andrew Alirez faced Andrew Yates for the Rocky Mountain Bad Boyz  150 lb. men’s amateur MMA title. 

Alirez got a big slam takedown early,  worked GNP from side control, transitioned to mount then back control and after  an accidental strike to the back of the head of Yates the match was stopped as Yates was unable to continue. 

The official decision was never announced as it was at this time that the problems in the crowd started, thereby ending the show.

RMBB Ring Card Girls…

“Of the Night” Moments:

Entrance of the night goes to Kyanne Hampton for the dancing  display she put on not only to her entrance music, but to that of her opponent  as well.

Slam of the night goes to Andrew Alirez for his bodylock slam  early in his bout.

Submission of the night goes to Brand Goshorn for his :32 second  fight winning RNC.

KO/TKO of the night goes to Abe Alvarado for his fight ending  GNP attack from back control.

Fight of the night goes to Kyanne Hampton and Jillian Lybarger  for their back and forth battle where each fighter showed that they possess  skills in all areas and ranges of MMA.

Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

On Wednesday, the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the co-main event for the upcoming UFC on Versus show as top ten heavyweight, Junior Dos Santos, returns to action to face fellow Brazilian, Gabriel Gonzaga.

The two heavyweights were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 108 earlier this month, but Gonzaga fell prey to a staph infection that put him out of action.

Now back and healthy, Gonzaga is looking for an opportunity to get back into the top ten, and he has quite the challenge ahead of him facing Dos Santos.

Since his debut in the UFC in October 2008, Dos Santos has put the heavyweight division on notice that he’s ready for any and all challengers. The heavy handed fighter has defeated notable opponents such as Fabricio Werdum and Mirko Crocop.

With a win, Dos Santos could be poised for a shot at the heavyweight title in the near future, while Gonzaga looks to get back into the title picture himself with this fight.

It was announced on MMAWeekly last week that James “Sandman” Irvin was returning in March, and now he has a date and an opponent. American Top Team fighter, Alessio Sakara, has been tapped to face the former WEC champion in a middleweight bout for the UFC on Versus card on March 21.

The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight who indicated bout agreements have been issued at this point.

Irvin returns to action after a lengthy stay away from the sport dealing with a suspension and several injuries. Now back and healthy, Irvin is looking to make his move to the middleweight division for the first time.

Alessio Sakara, currently riding a 2 fight win streak, makes his 11th appearance in the Octagion, coming away with 5 victories and 1 no contest.

The heavy handed Italian striker has been working with American Top Team to improve his overall game and build upon his devastating stand-up.

No official word if the bout will make the televised broadcast, but with both fighters favoring the stand-up it could be just the slugfest to get on the show.

Courtesy of MMAWeekly.com

Fight Foto by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

It’s not every day that a fighter dreams about getting the chance to climb back into the cage against Anderson Silva, but that’s exactly what Nate Marquardt, the No. 2 middleweight in the world, is hoping for when he fights on Feb. 6 at UFC 109. As Marquardt prepares for his showdown against Chael Sonnen, the stage is set for a title fight if he gets the win.Marquardt spoke to MMAWeekly Radio recently about the UFC’s promise to give him another chance at the 185-pound divisional belt if he’s successful in his next fight.

As it turns out, former light heavyweight champion-turned-middleweight Vitor Belfort will get the next shot at Silva in a match-up proposed for April. Marquardt was admittedly a little puzzled with the move, but understands it is just business.

“I think (Belfort’s) a great fighter. I don’t necessarily agree with him getting a shot or whatever, just because he really hasn’t fought at 85,” Marquardt commented. “His first fight in the UFC was at 95, but to be honest it doesn’t really matter too much to me because I’ve got a good fight coming up and to me I’m going to have to fight all those guys anyways, so it doesn’t really matter.”

Despite Belfort getting the shot, champion Anderson Silva seems to think highly of Marquardt. Silva recently stated that he believes the Colorado native will soon be the man to rule the roost of the middleweight division.

Whether the compliment was meant for Marquardt after Silva leaves the 185-pound belt behind was the unknown part of his comment, but the former King of Pancrase feels like winning the title would be great, but not as great as beating Silva to get it.

“I wasn’t sure when I heard that statement or read it or whatever, what exactly he meant. I assume he meant if he vacated or whatever and that would be a little disappointing to me,” stated Marquardt. “I want a rematch with him and it would mean the world to me to get a rematch with him.”

If Marquardt is successful against Chael Sonnen, all signs point to a rematch with Anderson Silva, but only time will tell if he will get another shot at the title while it’s still around the Brazilian’s waist.

Written by Damon Martin – MMAWeekly.com
Fight Foto by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

At UFC 108, former light heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans got one step closer to either another title shot or a fight with the returning Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as he outlasted a furious rally from Thiago Silva to earn a unanimous decision victory in front of thousands at the MGM Grand Garden – his first victory since being stopped by Lyoto Machida.

Foto by Chris Cozzone/FightNews

Although Evans and his improved striking has created many highlight reel finishes, it would be his wrestling pedigree that gave him the upper hand against the dangerous Silva.

From the outset, Evans imposed his will on Silva scoring takedown after takedown – even though he couldn’t keep the Brazilian on his back for long.

“It was a strategy I got away from for a long time because I’ve been having success doing other things, but I got back to it,” Evans said. “It was difficult, but I stuck with the game plan.”

The game plan saw Evans punch his way inside of Silva, where the American Top Team striker couldn’t create space to rifle off his assortment of punches. From there, Evans would constantly use single and double leg takedowns to score and bag rounds early. The only thing Silva seemed to have on his mind early on was trying to time Evans with a counter uppercut as the Greg Jackson student came in. It would be to no avail as Silva repeatedly found himself being slammed over and over again.

That all changed midway through round three.

With Silva clearly flustered by Evans and his lack of engaging in a firefight, Silva would begin mocking Evans fighting style. The 13,000+ cheered in approval as Silva raised his hands and stuck his chin out at Evans, figuring he could get a rise out of the former champion by taking a shot at his bravado. The ploy nearly worked as Silva would whack Evans with a right cross that saw Evans lose his legs and begin stumbling to the cage.

Smelling blood in the water, Silva chased him down and looked for the highlight reel finish. Unfortunately for him, his energy was spent and he couldn’t muster up enough offense to put “Suga” away. Evans would play it smart and latch on to Silva for the remaining moments of the fight.

“I didn’t realize how hard it was until I tried to take a step back, and then I was like, ‘Where’s my legs at?’” Evans said.

A similar situation transpired when Evans was knocked out by Lyoto Machida back in May. Evans was hurt but chose to stand and fight rather than clinch. That ill-advised decision cost him then, but Evans wouldn’t let it cost him now.

Scores read 29-28 across the board for Evans, who is sure to be in line for a huge fight with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, should Jackson make good on his promise to return to the UFC after filming the A-Team movie.

“I hear that there’s an actor that came back to the fighting game, the UFC, and Rampage, I know you’re watching. Come back, and let’s get it on,” Evans said.

Daley Demolishes “McLovin”

It was a classic “Striker Vs Grappler” fight between Paul “Semtex” Daley and Dustin “McLovin” Hazelett that went the way of the striker as “Semtex” brutally knocked out Hazelett in the first round of a fight that sent a message to the entire welterweight division. Daley – who came in overweight – knew that he would be in trouble if the fight managed to get to the ground. Fortunately for him, Hazelett opted to stand with Daley rather than go for the takedown.

“I wasn’t surprised he chose to stand with me,” Daley said. “Dustin’s a great guy, a great fighter, and he knew he had to stand with me. All fights start standing, so I wasn’t surprised at all.”

“McLovin” would start the fight with a bizarre somersault that saw his 6’1” frame roll the length of the Octagon. As if that wasn’t strange enough, Hazelett would stay upright as Daley whipped several leg kicks into the submission specialist’s legs. Hazelett would keep “Semtex” at bay with several front kicks but was clearly out of his element as Daley kept prodding for an opening. When it presented itself, Daley would take full advantage and unleash a massive left hook that completely obliterated Hazelett and sent him crashing to the mat. If he wasn’t out of it then, a monster barrage of punches from Daley – that sent Hazelett’s head bouncing off the canvas – would finish him off as referee Herb Dean jumped in to wave off the fight at 2:24 in the first round.

“He caught me with a jab,” Daley said. “I was always going to come with an overhand right over his jab, so I led with an overhand right, came back with a left hook and, luckily, I caught him.”

With the win, Daley must begin to factor into the 170 pound title picture as his dismantling of Martin Kampmann and Hazelett has put the MMA world on notice.

Fight of the Night: Stout Impressive In Victory

Sam Stout put on a stand-up clinic as he upended Joe Lauzon and may be factoring into the lightweight title picture as he delivered a dizzying array of strikes en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Stout’s most impressive performance to date was almost one that ended in the first round as J-Lau immediately took Stout down and looked to lock in a kimura. In an amazing sequence, Stout would roll three times and somehow escape from Lauzon’s grip. From there, “Hands of Stone” put his boxing skills on display as he continuously ripped Lauzon with body shots and combinations.

Baby Lauzon would search for openings to take Stout down, but the “Hands of Stone” managed to stuff nearly every one of Lauzon’s attempts. With the MGM crowd behind him, Stout continued to throttle his opponent with a variety of punches and kicks. By the time the fight entered the third stanza, Lauzon looked completely flustered as he could get nothing going against the surging Canadian. In the closing moments, Lauzon looked to lock in a last ditch guillotine choke but Stout would power out and get to his feet as the MGM exploded with its approval. Stout would close the night with a jumping knee and a spinning back fist to put an exclamation point on an impressive performance. All three judges scored it in favor of Stout 30-26 and 30-27 (twice) as the fight earned “Fight of the Night” honors.

Miller Taps Ludwig

The night of first round endings continued as Jim Miller ended Duane Ludwig’s night early with a slick arm bar. Ludwig’s return to the UFC didn’t go quite as he hoped as he hoped to get the shorter Miller into a firefight so he could showcase his stellar striking ability. Unfortunately for “Bang,” Miller has been working on his stand-up and caught Ludwig with a beautiful right hook that dropped him to the mat. Miller swiftly hopped into full mount and immediately cinched in an armbar. Although Ludwig fight out of it, Miller would extend the arm enough to force the tap at 2:31.

“Cigano” Wrecks Yvel

In the opening fight of the Pay Per View, Junior Dos Santos continued to impress as he demolished Gilbert Yvel en route to a first round TKO victory.

“Cigano” entered to the Rocky theme but didn’t need to rally like most of the Sylvester Stallone movies. Dos Santos constantly stalked “The Hurricane” and cracked his opponent with several punches thrown bad intentions. After Yvel saw his kick attempt blocked, Dos Santos waved the Dutch fighter in and landed a monstrous counter left hand that collapsed the former PRIDE FC knockout artist.

The Brazilian would subsequently pounce and unleash a hurricane of punishment before referee Herb Dean could come to the rescue and wave off the fight at 2:07. With yet another victory that ends in devastating fashion, many have to wonder how long it will be before Dos Santos factors into the heavyweight title picture.

Kampmann Chokes Out Volkmann

In a match-up of welterweights, Martin Kampmann put on an impressive performance and defeated Jacob Volkmann via tap out. Volkmann – who is known for his wrestling – surprised Kampmann early on as he chose to stand-up and exchange punches with the great Dane. Volkmann found much success early on as he landed several looping left and rights but Kampmann would counter and drop Volkmann momentarily with a slick right hand. The two continued to exchange shots and Volkmann would catch the Xtreme Couture fighter with a crisp three punch combination before Kampmann thrust yet another right hand that nearly separated Volkmann from his senses and sent him crumbling to the canvas. Kampmann lunged into Volkmann’s guard and proceeded to throttle him with a series of punches that clearly had Volkmann teetering towards unconsciousness. Volkmann would rise to his knees but find his neck being wrenched shortly thereafter by an inverted guillotine courtesy of The Hitman which ended “Christmas’” night at 4:03 in the first round.

Miller’s Slick Submission Taps Lauzon

The first fight televised on Spike TV ended up being a barn burner as Cole Miller earned a hard fought victory after making Dan Lauzon tap out in the first round. The two lightweights wasted no time getting to work as Miller rushed in and landed an assortment of punches and kicks before Lauzon uncorked a vicious left hook that dropped Miller to the mat like a sack of potatoes. Somehow, Miller would regain his senses and scramble to his feet as the two continued to exchange blows from the clinch and when they stepped away from each other. Lauzon would drag Miller to the mat but Miller transitioned into a nifty kimura/inverted triangle combination that left Lauzon nowhere to go and forced him to tap out at 3:05.

The Filipino Wrecking Machine Dominates Jenson

Mark Munoz got himself back on the winning track as he forced Ryan Jenson to submit to strikes in the first round of their middleweight matchup. Munoz has constantly been a victim of his own bravado as he’s tried to improve his rather pedestrian standup night in and night out. Against Jenson, it appeared that it would be more of the same as the fight began on the feet and saw Jenson hurt Munoz with a nasty three punch combination. The series of punches must have woke up the Oklahoma wrestling standout as Munoz took Jenson down and proceeded to give Jenson a brutal beating that began with a diving right hand. Referee Mario Yamasaki gave Jenson every opportunity to keep the fight going but Munoz and his wicked barrage of punches forced Jenson to tap out at 2:30.

Ellenberger Pounds Out Pyle

Jake Ellenberger earned his first UFC victory by defeating Mike Pyle via TKO at :22 in the second round. Early on, Ellenberger found that Pyle’s ground game is quite the handful as Pyle worked well off his back early on. Pyle kept the hyperactive Ellenberger in control for most of the first and nearly sunk in a kimura towards the end of the round. Obviously not wanting to wade into Pyle’s territory again, Ellenberger began the second round shrugging off a takedown attempt and delivering a hard knee to the midsection which opened up Pyle to and vicious Ellenberger right hand that floored Pyle. The rest was elementary as Ellenberger swarmed Pyle with punches and forced Yves Lavigne to wave off the bout at :22.

Oliveira Cruises To Easy Decision

The evening’s opening bout featured lightweight Rafaello Oliveira easily out pointing John Gunderson for three relatively dominant rounds. Gunderson spend much of the night either on his back or giving his back up as Oliveira frequently looked for ways to finish the fight. In the end, Gunderson simply had nothing for the Brazilian and ends up on the short end of a three round unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 across the board.

Written by Andreas Hale/Fightnews.com

To see all fight fotos by Chris Cozzone click here…

Randy “The Natural” Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was a legendary fight that fans of mixed martial arts have been begging for. The clash that has been talked about since Nogueira and Courture held the PRIDE and UFC heavyweight titles (respectively), took several years to come to fruition, but did not disappoint.

Both fighters were coming off of losses – Couture’s TKO loss to heavyweight stud Brock Lesnar and Nogueira’s drubbing at the hands of Frank Mir – and skeptics questioned if their best years were behind them.

In front of 16,088 rabid fans at the Rose Garden in Portland, OR, UFC 102 set the stage for a legendary clash that went above and beyond all expectations and will be logged in the annexes of UFC history forever. In the end, “Minotauro” Nogueira was a step ahead of the fighter they call “Captain America” and took home a unanimous decision victory to prove that his loss to Mir several months earlier was merely an aberration.

The 46-year-old Couture also proved that he still has gas in his tank – he revealed that he signed a new 28 month, six fight deal with the UFC afterwards – and put on a show for his hometown fans who went absolutely berserk from the moment he emerged from the locker room to the final bell.

The clash was one for the ages. From the opening bell, Nogueira and Couture traded emphatic punches with ill intent. Giving and receiving each other’s best, fans knew immediately they were in for something legendary. When the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist was shrugged off trying to pull guard early in the fight by Couture, the 16k erupted to decibels that would leave Dana White’s head ringing long after the fight.

The first round featured it all – heated exchanges, a powerful knockdown by Nog and a near submission via D’Arce choke that Couture masterfully escaped from and came roaring back to land a beautiful left right combination to close the round. If the first round set the pace, the second saw the future Hall Of Famers go right back to work. Couture would takedown Nogueira and land some solid blows from the former PRIDE and UFC champion’s guard. But just as quickly as he went to work, Nog surprised Randy with a brilliant sweep and ended up in full mount. A collective gasp took over the crowd as “Minotauro” nearly sunk in an arm triangle and yet again finished off Couture. Captain America was resilient and somehow managed to escape the choke and scramble to his feet. At this point, the Rose Garden roof was nearly blown off by the “Randy” chants.

Although Nogueira was ahead after two rounds, he would not rest on his laurels and looked for a finish in the third. Couture frantically attacked with a rousing three punch combination at the beginning of the final frame but ate a massive right hand that sent him crumbling to the canvas as it appeared that it was over yet again. Somehow, someway Couture weathered the storm and made it to his knees as the crowd erupted yet again. Nogueira was not finished as he worked his Jiu-Jitsu and managed to take Couture’s back and got one hook in and looked like he’d secure a read naked choke. Couture called upon his championship heart once again and managed to sweep Nog and land in the top position before landed a few elbow strikes as the time expired.

It wouldn’t be enough to sway the judges, who all scored the fight in favor of Nogueira: 30-27 twice and 29-28.

The victory puts Nogueira’s MMA record at an impressive 32-5-1 and possibly in line for a future fight with the winner of Brock Lesnar’s heavyweight championship showdown with Shane Carwin.

During a post fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Nog revealed that injuries – specifically a staph infection – set him up as damaged goods before entering the Octagon with Frank Mir in December. His victory on Saturday night proved that “Minotauro” is ready and willing to trade with the best of them.

“I was in the hospital for one week before the fight against Frank Mir, then I had my … meniscus torn out. So I had a lot of injuries — my neck, my knee, everything — but now I am here. I want to be at the top of the UFC. I want a title belt. If you guys give me a chance to fight against Lesnar, it would be my pleasure.”

Couture looked as incredible as one can look on the wrong side of the scorecards. He fell to 16-10 in defeat but proved that he still can go with the best of them and we’re sure we will see the UFC legend back in the Octagon sooner than later.

“I’m obviously disappointed to lose, but you’ve got to love this sport,” Couture said afterwards. “I tell you what, these guys come out here, and every single fight tonight, they put it on the line. That’s what I love about it. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Silva Redeems Himself; Flattens Jardine In 95 Seconds

After a devastating knockout loss to Lyoto Machida back in January, Thiago Silva knew he needed something spectacular to place his name back into light heavyweight contention. Keith Jardine was also coming off of a loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and was looking for a little payback himself. Silva wasn’t expected to be as easy as Silva made him appear to be.

In a mere 95 seconds, Thiago Silva knocked out Keith Jardine in extremely devastating fashion to stamp himself as again one of the premier fighters at 205lbs.

“The Dean Of Mean” came out aggressive and landed rattling leg kicks early. Silva would catch one of Jardine’s leg kicks and shove him to the mat. Silva couldn’t keep Jardine down and the two went back to stand-up – which is probably the worst thing Jardine could have had happen.

Jardine would shoot an uppercut towards Silva that the Brazilian would slip past and launch a menacing counter left hook that rocked Jardine and sent him to the canvas. Seconds later, Silva sent several ill intentioned punches that finished off the fight as referee Herb Dean called the fight off and the Rose Garden watched in awe.

And just like that, Thiago Silva went from possibly over hyped to definite contender.

Rosholt Puts Leben To Sleep

Chris Leben was the hometown boy. Jake Rosholt was the relative unknown who could care less where his opponent was from. In the end, Rosholt would choke the fan favorite with a brilliant arm triangle at one minute and thirty seconds in the third round.

Rosholt was looking to avenge his UFC debut loss to Dan Miller back in February and did so in rousing fashion. The usually durable Leben was pressured by the four time All American wrestler from the outset. The Oklahoma State alumni landed a jumping knee that bloodied up Leben early and set the tone for the rest of the fight.

Leben looked sluggish throughout but managed to muster up some offense to keep things competitive. In the second round Leben would knock Rosholt down but couldn’t put enough together to put his opponent in any serious danger.

Leben entered the final frame looking gassed but swung wildly for the fences. Rosholt kept his composure and easily took down Leben and settled into side control. Rosholt appeared to go for Leben’s back but masterfully locked his hands in for an arm triangle and switched over to the other side to lock the hold in and put “The Crippler” to sleep as the fight was called to a halt.

“It was a great fight,” Rosholt said as his MMA record improves to 6-1. “I knew Leben was coming after me. I wanted to TKO him or submit him.”

Nate “The Great” Pulverizes Maia

One of the evening’s most intriguing match-ups turned out to be completely one-sided as middleweight contender Nate “The Great” Marquardt made extremely short work of Demian Main in a fight with future championship implications.

The chatter before the fight surrounded whether or not Marquardt could deal with Maia’s remarkable Jiu-Jitsu skills on the mat or if Maia could find his way through Marquardt’s remarkable offense and take matters to the canvas.

Marquardt didn’t give anyone a chance to see if he could deal with Maia’s ground game as all he needed was one punch and 21 seconds to put the Brazilian away in devastating fashion.

Maia oddly tried an ill fated high kick early on that Marquardt stepped inside of and lowered the boom with a vicious right hand that put Maia’s lights out before he hit the floor.

It was a statement fight for “The Great” who has been pining for a rematch with pound for pound king Anderson Silva. This fight could very well have locked him in for a middleweight title fight as long as Silva remains at 185lbs and is willing to defend his title.

“I want that belt and I don’t know who’s going to get the next shot, but if you want someone who’s going to kick Anderson Silva’s butt, you’re going to give that shot to me,” Marquardt said afterwards.

With that one punch statement, truer words may never had been spoken.

Vera Slips By Soszynski

In a match-up of 205 pounders, Brandon Vera kept Krzysztof Soszynkski off balance and managed to pull out a unanimous decision victory. Vera – who has yet to look terribly impressive at light heavyweight since coming down several fights back – was much more fluid in his striking and never provided an opening for “The Polish Experiment” to take advantage of with his own standup. Soszynski would never get the opportunity to lock in his trademark kimura or even manage to take down “The Truth” as he looked baffled and lost for most of the fight.

Vera never found himself in much danger and utilized enough leg kicks and left hands to score the 30-27 victory on all three judges scorecards. Unfortunately, the slow paced fight didn’t manage to help bolster Vera’s resume and proved that once again he has yet to reach his full potential.

Injury Gives A-Train TKO Victory

Undefeated Aaron Simpson kept his streak going as he defeated TUF Season 3 alumni Ed Herman via TKO at 17 seconds in the second round. A-Train came out with his guns blazing as he landed several strikes and a huge slam early in the first round. Herman couldn’t get anything going as he was dropped by a overhand right and was dominated throughout the first stanza. Herman would hobble back to his corner at the end of the first as his knee looked to be injured. As the second frame opened, Herman attempted a kick that was caught by Simpson and shoved him aside but Herman hit the mat writhing in pain. Yves Lavigne was forced to wave off the fight as Herman could no longer continue. Replays showed Herman’s knee completely give out on him.

Gonzaga Bounces Back From Loss

Gabriel Gonzaga bounced back from his knockout loss to Shane Carwin with a very impressive TKO victory over Brock Lesnar training partner Chris Tuchscherer at 2:20 in the first round. The fight was in danger of ending prematurely as Gonzagaused one of his trademark kicks and landed a low blow to nearly put Tuchscherer out of business in the opening seconds. Tuchscherer would writhe in pain for several minutes before finally opting to continue the fight. He may have been better off letting this one go as Gonzaga would blitz him and land a monster head kick that dropped Tuchscherer to the canvas and allow Gonzaga to smash his way to the TKO victory.

Russow Manhandles McCully

Ex-Cop Mike Russow manhandled Justin McCully throughout most of their heavyweight bout to earn an easy unanimous decision victory. Russow would take down McCully at will and pound away at his seemingly listless opponent. A vicious left hand while on the ground caused some nasty swelling under McCully’s eye as Russow would continue to pound and control his opponent en route to the easy victory. Officials scored the fight 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28 all in favor of Russow.

Duffee Wins In UFC Debut

Making his UFC debut, Todd Duffee knocked out Tim Hague in a UFC record seven seconds in their heavyweight match-up. It wouldn’t take long as the massive Duffee shot a stiff jab that floored Hague immediately after the bell sounded and then pummeled him with hammer fists as Mario Yamasaki called a halt to the fight.

“I came out aggressive and he came out aggressive,” Duffee said about his remarkable record setting victory. “He made the first move, I countered with a jab and he went down.

Munoz Wins Split Verdict Over Catone

In middleweight action, “The Filipino Smashing Machine” Mark Munoz took home a debatable split decision victory over Nick Catone.

Munoz was in need of a victory after the brutal knockout loss at the hands of Matt Hamill back at UFC 96 and may have received a gift from the judges in this one. Catone started the bout firing on all cylinders as he looked faster and sharper in his standup. But Munoz would put his excellent wrestling skills on display and get a couple of big slams and takedowns late in each round which apparently swayed the judges in his favor. Judges scored the fight 29-28 for Catone, 30-27 and 29-28 in favor of Mark Munoz.

Dunhum Wins Opener

In the evening’s first bout, Evan Dunham used a sharp standup game to upend Marcus Aureilo via split decision. Dunham – who hails from nearby Eugene – looked sharp on his feet and used his superieor striking to score the victory. Judges saw the bout 29-28 for Aurelio while the other two judges had it 30-27 and 29-28 for Dunham.

Written by Andreas Hale/FightNews.com

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

Thousands of Mixed Martial Arts fans embarked on the Broomfield Event Center for Ring Of Fire 35 which was the inaugural “SUMMERBRAWL” as local MMA standout Tyler “Thunder” Toner had his eye on the 145lb ROF Championship belt in the main event of the evening along with other great match-ups on a night of controversial endings, submissions and a former two-time ROF champion making his long awaited return to the cage.

Toner, the crowd favorite and Fabio Serrao of Brazil squared off for the ROF featherweight title.  Serrao wasted no time in shooting in for the takedown to start the first round and Toner had no problem defending off the BJJ black belt from taking his back after a successful takedown.

The persistent single and double leg takedowns continued by Serrao and so did the great ground defense by Toner.

Although Toner was not receiving much damage on the bottom he could not seem to stop the takedowns handed out by Serrao throughout round one.

Toner began round two by letting his stand up do the job with knees from the clinch and strikes while standing. Serrao had enough of the stand up and went in for another takedown but Toner responded well with a sprawl stuffing the takedown leaving his opponent disappointed.

The timely sprawls had become less frequent as the round continued and Serrao appeared to be losing his wind but the striking from Toner was being fired at will, landing a clean flying knee followed up by combinations to the head and body. Serrao continued to take the punishing knees and strikes to end the second round.

Round three was more of the same with Toner wisely picking his shots and Serrao wanting this fight on the ground but unable to take it there. Toner never let up keeping Serrao at bay with countless strikes and stuffing every takedown he had to offer.

Serrao began to become flustered as he would remain on his back for a few seconds after being stuffed on the takedown attempts. The third round ended and it was now in the hands of the judges.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of Toner as he picked up the coveted ROF crown and now has his sights set on the big leagues as it appears WEC awaits Thunder.

Fabian Acuna and Jon Gunderson fought for the ROF lightweight title in a highly anticipated bout that would place either fighter in the driving seat for a possible future in a larger promotion down the line. 

Acuna struck first with a good right kick that was caught and used for the takedown as Gunderson moved to his GNP from the side position.

Acuna performed a great reversal to improve to the top position but Gunderson stayed on his attack and immediately locked his arms for a Kimura from the 1/2 guard.

Acuna worked to free his arm but Gunderson worked diligently to keep it in danger and at the 2:18 mark of the first round referee Curtis Thrasher jumped in to stop the fight due to a verbal submission that was quickly disputed by Acuna.

After a long ground battle with Acuna stuck in the Kimura, Acuna worked his way to the cage and shot himself up to the standing position, but in the process he let out a very loud yell and Thrasher appeared to be very concerned with the arm of Acuna and called a stop to the action by jumping between the two combatants to ensure no further damage to the arm.

There looks to be a great opportunity for a rematch come ROF 36 as promoter Sven Bean took the mic and asked the many in attendance if they wanted the rematch, as both fighters and the crowd responded with a resounding applause.

Brian Wood faced off with Jesse Henley for the 145 lb Young Guns Championship.

Wood scored first moving in for the takedown and gaining side control but that was short lived as Henley quickly scrambled to his feet.

Both fighters clinched up and the fight once again hit the canvas as Henley went for a leg lock and Wood quickly countered.

During the scramble Henley found the opportunity to lock up an arm.  Henley continued to threaten the arm as he moved to side control and at the 2:33 mark of the first round Henley finished the fight by Kimura.

Henley put on a great performance despite only two weeks notice and went home the newly crowned champion in the process.

Christian” Relentless” Allen stepped back into the ROF cage at 135 lbs to face Chad Obermiller of Hastings Nebraska. Both fighters took a brief moment in the center of the cage to get acquainted as Allen peppered Obermiller as he circled the cage.

Allen found his mark first landing a big left hand dropping Obermiller to the floor.  Allen immediately rushed his downed opponent quickly establishing the north-south position.

Sensing a prime opportunity, Allen locked in an anaconda choke and rolled with it while Obermiller pushed away but Allen tied up the leg holding on to his choke.

Allen never let up squeezing tighter feeling this could be the end.

Allen felt no response from his opponent and letting the referee know Obermiller had went limp and was unconscious at which time he came to the defense of Obermiller at 1:43 of round one.

A two-time ROF champion at 145, Allen came out looking dominate after dropping to the 135 lb weight division and appears to be back on track and ready to regain his form of old.  

Capturing the 135 lb crown appears to be Allen’s next goal, with current champion and WEC veteran Noah Thomas in the wing, Colorado fight fans may be in store for a showdown between two of the states finest mixed martial artist in the near future.

I would love to see that one!!!

Orem, Utah’s Eddie Pelcynski met up with Green River, Wyoming’s Justin Salas in a 155 lb pro feature bout.

Both fighters squared off in the middle of the cage before Pelcynski landed a vicious knee that landed flush putting Salas on his back and seemingly out as Pelcynski moved right to the mount and began to rain down strikes before the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight at the 9 second mark of round one.

With a solid following at the fight, both the fans and Salas were not happy with the stoppage as a chorus of boo’s filled the arena as Pelcynski paraded the cage, hands raised in victory.

Mike Baldwin faced off with Nate Williams in the first pro fight of the evening. Round one found Baldwin on his back threatening with various submissions as Williams worked from the guard but delivered little punishment.

Baldwin maintained control of Williams for the duration of the round as Williams could not seem to shed Baldwin.

Williams shoot in for the takedown to start the second stanza only to be shoved to the ground by Baldwin.

Baldwin then worked to the mount then back control and locked in the body triangle as he began working towards the RNC.

Baldwin softened him up with strikes to lock in the choke as Williams continued to fight off the second arm but with no success.  At 3:40 of the second, Williams had enough and was forced to tap.

Ramico Blackmon faced Larry Williams in a 170 lbs preliminary fight in what many believed would be a great test for both combatants.

Blackmon immediately used his spectacular wrestling skills to instantly take the fight to the ground as Williams had no chance of stuffing his bull-rushing opponent

Blackmon quickly locked in the Kimura from side control to finish the fight in a fast :56 seconds once again stirring up a rouse of boo’s from the crowd as Williams would not tap and the referee was forced to call the fight given the predicament of Williams arm.

Jennifer Berg and Diana Rael entered the cage in what turned out to be an all out brawl as both fighters landed devastating strikes and kicks on one another leaving the crowd in awe, wondering how these ladies were still standing after a grueling first round of non-stop action.

The crowd had thought so much of the non-stop toe-to-toe action that they felt it necessary to give the fighters a standing ovation to end the first round as both fighters showed a wide array of stand up striking and tons of action within the clinch.

The second round started where the first left off with both fighters in the center of the cage letting it all hang out, brawlin’ from one side of the cage to the next.

Towards the end of the second round, Berg worked for the mount and started delivering continuous GNP forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 2:32 mark in round two via TKO due to strikes.

Chris Williamson defeated Matt Vanden by unanimous decision in a blood-fest as Williamson suffered a gash to the top of his head that forced a temporary stoppage to let the ringside physician have a look as the blood flowed freely down the face of Williams and covered his opponent.

Rory O’Farrell defeated Bogie Ison at 1:37 of round one.

O’Farrell showed great control once the fight hit the canvas as he instantly moved to the mount and started his GNP before locking in the match ending Kimura.  Unfortunately for Ison it appeared as though his elbow dislocated as O’Farrell applied the needed pressure to force the tap.

Vincent Lopez defeated Travis Bye at 1:37 of round one by TKO.

Justin Gaethje defeated Kevin Gonzalez by arm bar at 1:20 of the first round.

Ring Of Fire Ring Card Girls…

Written by Rick Teran/Brawlin.net

Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.net

To see some of the best of the best in Fight Photography click on the gallery link on the top navigation. Joe’s fotos are some of the best in the industry and some of the top fighters are caught within a splint-second in some of there illest moments. Check back soon for the link to the store where you can purchase your favorite fighters Frozen In Time and other great merchandise.

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