Bellator 19 Re-Cap

Bellator 19
Bellator Fighting Championships
Verizon Theatre
Grand Prairie, Tx
May 20, 2010
Fox Sports South

This week features the Welterweights in action. Steve Carl takes on Dan Hornbuckle and Ryan Thomas gets his re-match against Ben Askren. Featherweight Champion Joe Soto will also have a non-title Super Fight on the card. Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith are the announcers for the show.

Welterweight Semi-Final Tournament Fight- Steve Carl (13-1) vs. Dan Hornbuckle (20-2)

Both of these fighters fought on Bellator 15 in April. Hornbuckle quickly dispatched of Tyler Stinson with a Triangle Choke in the first round. Carl beat Brett Cooper by split decision. Hornbuckle is my odds on favorite to take the Welterweight tournament. The ring announcer botches the introductions. Hornbuckle fights out of American Top Team.

R1- Hornbuckle pulled guard early and the announcers called it a take down. Hornbuckle went for a kimura and trapped Carl's head with his leg. Hornbuckle rolled over on top and applied more pressure and got the submission win. Very impressive win for Hornbuckle.

Winner: Dan Hornbuckle by Submission (Kimura) R1 2:31

Welterweight Semi-Final Tournament Fight- Ben Askren (4-0) vs. Ryan Thomas (11-4)

These two fought on Bellator 14 and Askren won by ref stoppage in what was a poor call by the ref. Askren was in control of the fight in the first round and had a guillotine on Thomas but didn't have it on tight. Thomas was given the opportunity to fight his way back into the tournament and did so on Bellator 15 when he finished Jacob McClintock with strikes in the first round.

R1- Askren got a quick take down. Askren briefly got a mount but was then put into half guard. Askren went for an arm bar but Thomas got out. Thomas jumped over Askren and instead of taking his back took bottom position. Big mistake by Thomas. Askren mounted again and tried to get the arm bar again but Thomas was able to fight out as the round ended. Askren 10-9. Thomas looked like he threw a punch on the ground clearly after the bell but they cut to commercial as he was about to connect.

R2- This is the first time Askren has had a fight go to the second round. Askren hit a right hand early but then Thomas clinched and got a take down. Askren was able to scramble and briefly take Ryan's back and then got on top in side control. If Askren was more experienced this fight would have been over a long time ago. Thomas is giving Askren all kinds of openings for submissions. Askren briefly tried to grab a Rear Naked but Thomas rolled out. Askren dominating right now 20-18.

R3- Thomas hit a knee early. Askren went for a take down and Thomas tried for a choke but Askren completed the take down. Lots of back and forth wrestling. Askren mounted Thomas with two minutes left. Not a very exciting round but I score it for Askren again. Askren 30-27. It's going to be really tough for him to beat Hornbuckle.

Judges score cards: 30-27 on all score cards

Winner: Ben Askren by Decision (Unanimous)

Featherweight Super Fight- Joe Soto (8-0) vs. Diego Saraiva (18-8-1)

Soto is the reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion and has a background in wrestling. Soto has 4 wins by knockout and 3 by submission. Saraiva is 4-0 at Featherweight. Saraiva has finished 12 fights by submission

R1- Soto got a quick take down early in the first round. Soto stayed on top and controlled for the entire round. Soto landed a big elbow very late in the round that opened up a large cut on Saraiva's forehead. Soto 10-9.

During the break the doctor stopped the fight due to the cut Saraiva sustained at the end of the round.

Winner: Joe Soto by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R1 5:00

Bantamweight Fight- Jared Lopez (8-9) vs. Johnny Bedford (23-8-1)

Lopez has knocked his opponent out in 6 of his 8 wins. Bedford has 10 knockouts and 9 submissions to his record.

R1- Lopez landed a couple of strikes but then got taken down about a minute and a half into the round. Bedford stayed on top for the majority of the run until Lopez flipped him over in the last minute. Bedford 10-9.

R2- Bedford got a take down early in the round. Bedford grabbed a kimura from side control but let it go in order to land some elbows to the head. Bedford let him up and landed some good strikes and then took him back down. Bedford 20-18.

R3- Bedford landed some good body shots early in the round and then got the take down. The fight was stood up with three minutes left in the round. Bedford landed some good body shots again and then landed a good knee that knocked Lopez down. Lopez covered up and turned to his side and Bedford landed another strike or two and the ref stopped the fight.

Winner: Johnny Bedford by TKO (Strikes) R3 2:16

Bellator 15 4/22 Re-Cap

Bellator 15
Bellator Fighting Championships
Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT
April 22, 2010
Fox Sports South

This is the third week of the second season of the Bellator Fighting Championships. This week we will be seeing the final fights in the Featherweight and Welterweight Quarterfinals. Ryan Thomas lost last week by a controversial stoppage but this week he gets a chance to step back in due to a travel issue for another fighter. Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith are the announcers for the show.

Featherweight Quarterfinal Fight- Will Romero (5-0) vs. Patricio Pitbull (12-0)

This is the US debut for both fighters. Romero is Canadian and Pitbull is Brazilian. Romero has 4 stoppages in his 5 wins (2 KO and 2 Submissions). Pitbull has finished 9 of his 12 fights (6 by submission and 3 by KO). Pitbull trains with the Team Nogueira. The winner of this fight will face Wilson Reis in the semi-finals of the Featherweight tournament.

R1- Pitbull got a take down in the first minute after landing some strikes. Pitbull went for an ankle lock and then grabbed a heel hook and Romero tapped out. Very impressive showing for Pitbulls. I'm definitely looking forward to his fight with Wilson Reis.

Winner: Patricio Pitbull by Submission (Heel Hook) R1 2:01

Welterweight Quarterfinal Fight- Ryan Thomas (10-4) vs. Jacob McClintock (6-0)

For some reason McClintock chooses "Wild Boys" from Duran Duran as his theme music. I'm guessing he's a huge Cro Cop fan because there is no other reasonable excuse (besides losing a drunken bet) for choosing that music. Thomas is getting a second chance in this tournament after he was a victim of a poor referee stoppage last week. McClintock has finished all of his fights (6 KO and 2 Submissions) and fights out of Arizona Combat Sports. Thomas has also had stoppages in all of his wins (3 KO and 7 submissions). Dan Mirgliatta is the referee so we could see another early stoppage.

R1- McClintock comes in hard early and landed some strikes. McClintock used a kimura to get a take down and then took his back. Thomas was able to turn McClintock over and take his guard. Thomas lands some good Ground and Pound. Thomas gets a partial crucifix and lands some good shots to McClintock's face and bloodies him up. McClintock tried to grab a triangle but is getting hurt with the Ground and Pound and the ref steps in and stops the fight.

Winner: Ryan Thomas by TKO (Strikes) R1 4:11

Post-fight Ryan Thomas calls out Ben Askren and says he didn't beat him and everybody knows he didn't beat him.

Welterweight Quarterfinal Fight- Tyler Stinson (17-5) vs. Dan Hornbuckle (19-2)

Stinson beat out 78 other pro MMA fighters in last months open tryouts to get this chance. Hornbuckle has wins over Akihiro Gono and Nick Thompson in Sengoku. Stinson has 16 finishes in his 17 wins (12 being by KO). Hornbuckle has finished 16 of his 19 wins (9 by KO and 7 by submission). Hornbuckle looks like a huge favorite on paper.

R1- Stinson looked decent on his feet and then stuffed a take down but got caught in a triangle once Stinson took the fight to the ground. Stinson tried to hold on but had to tap out. Really good showing by Hornbuckle as he went to the finish as soon as the fight went to the ground.

Winner: Dan Hornbuckle by Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 2:03

Welterweight Quarterfinal Fight- Steve Carl (12-1) vs. Brett Cooper (12-5)

This is the final Welterweight Quarterfinal fight. Cooper is 10-2 in his last 12 fights. Carl has 8 submissions and 2 KOs out of his 12 wins. Carl is 7-0 since returning from a serious car accident that he had in 2006.

R1- Cooper got an early slam in the first thirty seconds of the fight. Carl was able to scramble out of the position and ended up getting a take down of his own. Back to their feet and Carl landed some strikes before clinching against the cage. Cooper briefly got a take down but Carl quickly got back to his feet and then got a take down. Carl 10-9.

R2- First half of the round was even and mostly uneventful. Carl got a take down with a minute and a half left in the round. Carl went for a triangle and Cooper slipped out and into side control but Carl quickly got back to his feet. Close round, this is one I would put at 10-10 if it was allowed in the scoring. Otherwise I go 10-9 Carl due to the take down and submission attempt and the strikes he landed towards the end of the round. Neither guy really did any damage in this round.

R3- Carl landed a couple of kicks early and then Cooper had a take down reversed. Cooper popped right back up and was able to land some strikes. Cooper got a take down only a minute and a half into the final round. Cooper briefly got mount but Carl quickly got back to his feet. Carl lands some kicks. Cooper got a take down with about a minute left in the fight. Cooper landed some Ground and Pound from full guard. Cooper landed a couple of really good shots and looked like he could have finished but didn't. Cooper takes this round but I've got Carl 29-28. I smell a split decision. Very close fight. Cooper did more damage but I think Carl took rounds one and two.

Judges score cards: 29-28 Cooper, 29-28 Carl, 29-28 Carl

Winner: Steve Carl by Decision (Split)

From what I've seen in the Welterweight division I'd have to say Dan Hornbuckle looks like the odds-on favorite with Ben Askren as my runner-up.

Featherweight Fight- Brylan Vanartsdalen vs. Rich De los Reyes

Due to time being left on the broadcast this fight is joined in progress going into round two. It is a fight from the preliminaries of this show. This is the pro debut for Vanartsdalen.

R1- Vanartsdalen went for a throw but got mounted instead and then De los Reyes took his back and went for a choke. Vanartsdalen got to his feet and De los Reyes clamped in the choke and Vanartsdalen slammed him to briefly break up the submission. De los Reyes rolled him back over and clamped in the Rear Naked and got the victory.

Winner: Rich De los Reyes by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) R2 2:03

Bellator 14 4/15 Re-Cap

Bellator 14
Bellator Fighting Championships
Chicago Theatre
Chicago, Illinois
April 15, 2010
Fox Sports South

Last week was the start of season 2 of the Bellator Fighting Championships and we saw opening round action in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions. Toby Imada, Wilson Reis, Pat Curran and Ben Askren highlight the fights tonight as we have fights in the lightweight, featherweight, and welterweight divisions. Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith are the announcers for the show.

Lightweight Quarterfinal Fight- Mike Ricci (5-0) vs. Pat Curran (9-3)

Ricci trains with Georges St-Pierre and is currently undefeated. Ricci has finished 4 of his 5 fights with 3 of the wins coming by KO. Pat Curran is the cousin of MMA veteran Jeff Curran.

R1- Really boring first half of the first round and then just as they were lulling me to sleep Pat Curran hit a right hand that just stopped Ricci and then landed four big Ground and Pound strikes and this one is in the record books. Wow. Fantastic finish by Curran.

Winner: Pat Curran by KO R1 3:01

Featherweight Quarterfinal Fight- Wilson Reis (9-1) vs. Shad Lierley (5-2)

Reis was undefeated until he lost to Joe Soto in the semi-finals of last years Bellator tournament. Lierley is a wrestler who is currently training with Roger Huerta. Reis is a former jiu jitsu world champion.

R1- Both guys start at a pretty frantic pace and when the fight didn't go to the ground both guys started throwing wild haymakers. Reis got a take down a minute and a half into the fight. Lierley was able to get to his feet and then get a take down but Reis quickly reversed positions and took Lierley's back. Lierley got out and Reis went for an arm bar but Lierley again slipped out. Reis ended the round with a take down. Reis 10-9.

R2- Reis fought to get top position early in this round but wasn't able to do anything with it. Reis got another take down with three minutes left in the round. This one has turned into a snoozer so of course the announcers call these guys cerebral fighters. Which I don't disagree with I just liked their cerebralness more last round. Reis 10-9 and seems to be in control of this fight right now.

R3- Reis got a take down in the first thirty seconds of this round. Reis landed some Ground and Pound and then surprisingly finished the fight. Good showing by Reis and I was definitely surprised he finished the fight as he looked like he was going to Jon Fitch this one out.

Winner: Wilson Reis by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) R3 3:33

Welterweight Quarterfinal Fight- Ben Askren (3-0) vs. Ryan Thomas (10-3)

Askren is a former Olympic wrestler and former NCAA wrestling champion. Thomas has a background in wrestling and Muay Thai and has UFC experience. He has also finished all of his 10 victories (7 by submission and 3 by knockout). Askren has finished all 3 of his opponents in the first round and is currently training out of the Lions Den. Askren just got married last week and they show her at ringside and the announcers mention that this is their honeymoon.

"Let's see how good he can wrestle with my fist in his mouth and my foot up his ass"- Ryan Thomas

R1- Thomas hit a quick punch and tried to egg Askren on but Askren immediately got a take down. Thomas went for a triangle and Askren slipped out of the submission attempt. Askren went for a choke but gave up position. Thomas took top position for about five seconds before Askren rolled him back over. Askren clamped on a guillotine and the ref stopped the fight despite Thomas not tapping out and him not being choked out. Horrible stoppage. Askren looked good. Not his fault. Just really bad referring.

Winner: Ben Askren by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) R1 2:40

Lightweight Quarterfinal Fight- James Krause (11-2) vs. Toby Imada (25-13)

The announcers say Krause cut from 190 to 155 over the last week. Krause is replacing a French Olympian that I would butcher his name if I tried to type. Krause has finished all 11 of his wins (9 submissions and 2 knockouts) Imada upset Jorge Masvidal last year in Bellator when he finished him with a sick inverted triangle that took home many submission of the year awards. Imada has 15 submission wins and 9 knockouts in his 25 wins. Imada lost to Eddie Alvarez in the Lightweight Finals of last years Bellator tournament. Krause has a big height advantage.

R1- Imada got a take down about a minute and a half into the fight. Imada went for an omaplata but Krause slipped out and took top position with a minute and a half left in the round. Close round. I've got Imada 10-9.

R2- Imada quickly got top position on Krause. Krause got the fight back to the feet but Imada got another take down at around the three minute mark. Imada went for an arm bar and Krause quickly tapped out. Good showing for Imada.

Winner: Toby Imada by Submission (Arm Bar) R2 2:44

UFC 87 Prelim Re-Cap

UFC 87 Unaired Fights


Light Heavyweight Fight- Jon Jones (6-0) vs. Andre Gusmao (5-0)

R1- Jones got a take down about 2 minutes into the fight but didn't get much in. At the 4 minute mark Jones started taking Gusmao apart on the fence but the ref saw a low blow and separated them. Both guys really started to mix it up in the last 30 seconds and ended a rather slow first round with a good flurry. Pretty even first round probably going to Jones.

R2- Jones caught him with another low blow early in the second round. Gusmao gets a take down but they scramble and Jones quickly gets back to his feet. Another close but not particularly engaging round.

R3- Jones is the aggressor in this fight as he spends a lot of time pushing forward and Gusmao is doing a lot of back stepping. Jones stops a couple of take downs. Jones gets a take down with a minute left and takes side control quickly but gives up the position and ends up in Gusmao's full guard. Gusmao tries to grab a couple of submissions but Jones gets out of it. Jones got a little sloppy at the end and almost got caught. Jones is going to take this one. Jones has a lot of talent he just needs a lot more experience to put it all together. Rogan says he's only been in MMA for 9 months.

Judges scores are 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 in favor of Jon Jones.

Winner: Jon Jones by Decision (Unanimous)

Welterweight Fight- Chris Wilson (12-4-1) vs. Steve Bruno (12-3)

R1- Wilson looks pretty good in Round One and took Bruno's back with about a minute and a half left in the round but Wilson couldn't finish him.

R2- Wilson took Bruno's back quickly in Round 2 but Bruno escaped very quickly. Wilson then took Bruno down at the 1 minute mark of the round. After a separation Wilson hit some nice strikes and then just destroyed Bruno with a big knee. Wilson just dominating this round.

R3- Wilson gets some really nice shots in about 45 seconds into the round and Bruno goes down. Wilson takes his back about 2 minutes into the round. Wilson just over matched Bruno in this fight but couldn't finish him.

Judges scores are 30-27 on all score cards in favor of Chris Wilson.

Winner: Chris Wilson by Decision (Unanimous)

Welterweight Fight- Luke Cummo (9-5) vs. Tamdan McCrory (10-1)

R1- Tamdan got a take down about 2 minutes into the round and then took his back. Tamdan locked in a Rear Naked Choke and Cummo fought it pretty good. Cummo escaped the choke but Tamdan remained in control of the round. Tamdan grabbed an arm but Cummo rolled through and ended up in Tamdan's guard to end the round. Round easily goes to Tamdan.

R2- Tamdan quickly got a take down to start the round. Tamdan took his back about a minute and a half into the round. Tamdan grabbed an arm bar but Cummo rooled through it and took Tamdan's guard again. Tamdan regained control and laid in some good shots on Cummo. Tamdan is up 20-18 so far.

R3- Cummo came out better in round 3 landing a couple of shots and getting a take down. Tamdan turns him over fairly quickly and resumes control of the fight. They stood up with one minute left in the round but Tamdan again got a take down. Cummo got a triangle with 45 seconds left in the fight. Tamdan stands him up and slams him and gets out of the move. Good showing by Tamdan in this fight. I wonder if anybody on the prelims is going to finish their opponent tonight?

Judges score the fight:29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 for Tamdan.

Winner: Tamdan McCrory by Decision (Unanimous)

Welterweight Fight- Ben Saunders (5-0-2) vs. Ryan Thomas (13-1)

R1- They are swinging pretty wildly in the beginning of the round. Saunders lands a good combo but Thomas grabs him and they sprawl. Both guys are hitting with some strikes. Saunders gets in some strikes and Thomas goes down. Thomas traps him in a triangle but Saunders pops out. Saunders attempts to take his back and gets a body triangle with less than a minute left in the round. Saunders takes the first round 10-9.

R2- Saunders fought to get a take down in the first part of the round but stood back up. Saunders landing some kicks. Thomas tries to do the same but slips and Saunders waits for him to stand up after some brief sprawling. Thomas looked like he got hurt by a body shot and then ate some punches. Saunders fairly quickly got an arm bar and got the win by submission. Really good showing by Saunders. He showed some inexperience early but recognized his ground game wasn't as good as Thomas so he tried to stay up on his feet for the majority of the second round.

Winner: Ben Saunders by Submission (Arm Bar) R2 2:28