Night Two, Bellator 167

               

                                              Saturday Night’s Bellator 167 continues the Bantamweight Division action the promotion started the previous night in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Bellator takes over WinStar Casino and Resort for a two-night stint, offering back-to-back events. Friday, Bellator 166 is headlined by Champion Eduardo Dantas and challenger, Joe Warren for Bellator’s Bantamweight Crown. Top BW’s Marcos Galvao and LC Davis also battle it out Friday evening. Saturday the show doesn’t hit the road, in fact they stay put and offer Bantamweights, Joe Taimanglo and Darrion Caldwell in the Main Event.

               

Joe The Juggernaut Taimanglo is riding a four-fight win streak, including a Third Round Guillotine-Choke Submission (0:09) of opponent, Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 159 (7/22/16). The 23-6 Guamanian has been a pro since 2004 and is the former Pacific Xtreme Combat Featherweight Champ. Thirty-two year-old, Taimanglo is 6-2 in Bellator (2Subs, 1KO).

               

Darrion The Wolf Caldwell missed weight in his July fight with Taimanglo and received his first career loss in the effort. Convinced he could perform better, Caldwell desired the rematch. The Wolf won the biggest fight of his 9-1 career in March at Bellator 151 by choking former champ, Joe Warren to sleep with a First Round Rear-Naked-Choke (3:23). All five of the 2009 NCAA Wrestling National Champion’s MMA finishes have come in the first round (4Subs). At 5’10” Caldwell is tall for the division and will enjoy a nine inch reach advantage Saturday night.

               

Ilima-Lei MacFarlane will take on Oklahoma City’s own, Emily Ducote in a Flyweight Fight. Twenty-six year old, MacFarlane is 4-0 (2Subs, 1KO/TKO) and has competed for Bellator her last three bouts. The Ilimanator has Submitted her previous two opponents: began 2016 at Bellator 148 in January with a First Round (2:09) Arm-Bar of Amber Tackett and followed that performance with a Second Round (3:00) Rear-Naked-Choke of Rebecca Ruth in June. MacFarlane was also undefeated as an Amateur at 5-0.

               

4-1 Emily Gordinha Ducote lost her Pro debut, but has since rattled off four straight including a pair of Submission wins in her most recent appearances. The Twenty-three year old is competing in her fifth fight of 2016. At Bellator 159 Gordinha caught Bruna Vargas in a Second Round (0:29) Rear-Naked-Choke, less than two months later at Bellator 161 she stopped Kenya Miranda da Silva with an Arm-Bar in the Second Round (4:37).

               

In the Featherweight Division, 20-1 John Teixeira faces 9-3 Justin Lawrence. Thirty year old, John Macapa Teixeira has finished fourteen of his twenty wins (10 Subs). The Brazilian’s only loss came in his single UFC appearance, a Split Decision loss to Hugo Viana (6/23/12). The Nova Uniao talent is on a five fight win and nine fight unbeaten streak (6/23/13 Draw). He should forever avoid fighting on June 23^rd.

               

Justin The American Kid Lawrence fights out of Pacific, Missouri and is coming off a 6/24/16 TKO win over Isao Kobayashi (2^nd Round, 2:49) in his home state at Bellator 157.  Lawrence was Dominic Cruz’s first pick in The Ultimate Fighter Live Season 15. Although losing in the Semis to (Show Winner) Michael Chiesa, The American Kid appeared in the TUF 15 Finale (6/1/12), Head-Kicking cast-mate, John Cofer unconscious in the Third Round (0:19).

               

Also on the card, 6’3” Welterweight, Chidi Njokuani takes on undefeated, Andre Fialho in what should be a slugfest. Twenty-seven year old Chidi Chidi Bang Bang Njokuani earned his ninth career TKO/KO win in June, stoping Thiago Jambo Goncalves in the Third Round (2:39). The Las Vegas scraper is 15-4-1.

               

Portugal’s Andre Fialho has finished six of his seven wins (6TKO/KO, 1 Sub) in the opening round (the other came in the second round). This is Fiahlo’s third fight of 2016, in February the striker made quick work of Manuel Meraz, Knocking him out in just twenty-nine seconds and at Bellator 154 Rick Reger made it to 2:11 before falling to the same fate.

Back-to-Back Bellator Events, Bellator 166 Breakdown

               

                                              Bellator kicks off the year’s final month by bringing back-to-back events to Thackerville, Oklahoma. Friday December 2^nd WinStar World Casino and Resort hosts Belator 166 and the following night the promotion promises to pack the house again with Bellator 167.  The Main Event for Friday night’s card is for the Bantamweight Title. BW Champ, Eduardo Dantas is 8-1 in Bellator. He puts his belt on the line against the man that gave him that loss, Joe Warren.

               

Champion, Eduardo DuDu Dantas has bounced back since his 10/10/14 loss to Warren by winning two straight and reclaiming the Title with a win over familiar foe and Nova Uniao teammate, Marcos Galvao in a five round Unanimous Decision at Bellator 156 (6/17/16). Twenty-seven year old, Dantas defeated Alexis Vila to become the Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Winner (2011). The following year DuDu submitted Zach Makovsky with a second round (3:26) Triangle-Choke to capture the BW Title the first time at Bellator 65. Dantas defended the strap two times, finishing both opponents, (Anthony Leone 2^nd round Rear-Naked-Choke 3/17/14, Marcos Galvao 2^nd round KO 2/14/13) before losing a UD to Warren at Bellator 128. At 5’10” Dantas will have a sizeable height and reach advantage over Warren. DuDu has finished ten of his eighteen career wins (6 subs).

               

A one fight win streak is all you need when you’re the only guy in Bellator with a win over the champ. The former Bellator Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion, Warren seeks to prove that styles make fights and history will repeat itself in his rematch with Dantas. Warren has a strong history in Greco-Roman Wrestling, Gold Medalist in 2006 Pan American Games and NCAA D-1 All-American are just a couple of the Forty year-old’s achievements. Warren lost the Title he’d taken from Dantas (10/10/14) last time to Marcos Galvao by second round Knee-Bar (0:45) at Bellator 135 (3/27/15). He bounced back with a UD win over contender, LC Davis (9/25/15). However Warren was choked to sleep earlier this year (3/4/16) by Darrion Caldwell’s First Round (3:23) Rear-Naked-Choke at Bellator 151. In Warren’s last effort (9/16/16) at Bellator 161 he stopped Sirwan Kakai with a Third Round (1:04) Guillotine-Choke to set up the rematch for the belt.

               

Undefeated, AJ Mercenary McKee has fought all five of his Pro bouts with Bellator. More importantly, all five of the Twenty-one year-old’s wins have been by stoppage (3 KO/TKO, 2 Sub) in the First Round. The Long Beach native has been busy since turning Pro in April of 2015. In his last fight, Mercenary caught Cody Walker with a Guillotine-Choke just thirty-two seconds into the contest at Bellator 160. In April McKee displayed his diverse skill set with a TKO of Danilo Belluardo at 2:44 of the opening frame. McKee had an eight fight (7-1) amateur career as well, dating back to 2012. He was originally scheduled to face 13-3 Emmanuel Sanchez.

Bucksport, Maine’s Ray All Business Wood steps up on short notice to face McKee in the Featherweight fight. 7-2 Wood is eager to return to action following a First Round Sub loss to Adam Piccolotti in May (both Wood’s losses are by submission). The loss halted a two fight win streak, including a First Round TKO of Chris Jones at Belator 151 (3/4/16) earlier this year. Twenty-seven year old Wood has only been to decision once, in his nine fight pro career, an April win over Brandon Phillips.

Last March Marcos Galvao avenged a loss from his Bellator debut and won the BW title with one, award-winning Knee-Bar of Joe Warren in the Second Round at Bellator 135. 17-7 Galvao looks to get back in the Title picture when he faces Thirty-six year-old, LC Davis. Teammate, Eduardo Dantas took the Belt Galvao won from Warren with a UD at Bellator 156. The loss broke a four fight win streak (2TKO, 1Sub). This is Galvao’s Thirteenth fight (8-4) with the promotion.

               

Kansas City’s LC Davis has been a pro fighter for over a decade, having competed for: IFL, Affliction, TitanFC, WEC in addition to Bellator. The former Victory FC BW Champ has finished fifteen of his twenty-three wins early. A UD loss at Bellator 143 to Joe Warren halted a three fight win streak in Bellator’s BW Division. Davis looks to get back to his winning ways in this BW contenders fight with Galvao.

The fun doesn’t stop there, Bellator 167 is the following night and also airs on Spike TV . For a Breakdown of Saturday night’s event click the link: http://fightpage.blogspot.com/2016/11/saturdaynights-bellator-167-continues.html

Middleweights Headline UFC Fight Night 101

               

                                               A pair of Top-Ten ranked Middleweights headline UFC Fight Night 101 in Melbourne Australia November 26^th. Number seven ranked MW, Robert Whittaker takes on number eight, Derek Brunson live from Rod Laver Arena.

               

Robert The Reaper Whittaker is riding a five fight win streak, including a Knock Out of Brad Tavares in their UFC FN 65 match-up, in the fight’s opening Forty-four seconds. Twenty-five year old, Whittaker has finished twelve of his sixteen wins (7 KO/TKO) five coming in the first round. The Ultimate Fighter Smashes winner at Welterweight, is now 4-0 at 185lbs. The Reaper was born in New Zealand, but raised from a young age in Australia, he fights out of Sydney.  Last fight, in April (4/23/16) he earned a Unanimous Decision over Rafael Natal at UFC 197.

               

Derek Brunson, also on a five fight unbeaten run, has finished his last four opponents by TKO/KO, all in the first round. The three time Division II All-American college Wrestler is 7-1 in the UFC (4KO/TKO, 1 Sub). This will be Brunson’s third fight of 2016, in February he KO’d Roan Carneiro just 2:38 into their contest and stopped Uriah Hall in September at 1:41 in the First Round. The Thirty-two year old has finished twelve of his sixteen victories (8 KO/TKO).  

               

Middleweights also headline the FS-1 Prelims card, when 11-1 Daniel Kelly faces 24-11 Chris Camozzi. Thirty-nine year old Kelly is a four time Olympian in Judo for Australia. The TUF Nations contestant has won his last two, he notched his third career KO/TKO win at UFC FN 85 by stopping Antonio Carlos Jr in the Third Round (1:36) last time out. The Melbourne native, Kelly is competing in his third consecutive UFC event in Australia.

               

Chris Camozzi is nine years the junior to Kelly, but holds much more experience in the Octagon, this is his eighteenth fight (9-8) with the promotion. The busy Camozzi is fighting in his fourth fight of 2016, he began the year with a First Round (0:26) TKO of Joe Riggs (2/21) at UFC FN 83, won a UD over Vitor Miranda in May and lost by Submission to Thales Leites in August. The TUF 11 contestant has finished fourteen of his twenty-four wins (7 KO/TKO, 7 Subs).

               

In the Lightweight Division, Twenty-two year old Australian, Jake Andrews takes on 11-1 Andrew Holbrook. Andrews is 4-2 in the UFC (3subs, 1 TKO) and 10-2 overall. The TUF Nations cast-member has only let one fight slip to decision (4 KO/TKO, 5 Subs).

               

Like Andrews, Holbrook has only seen the judge’s decision once in his pro career (9 Subs, 1 TKO). The Thirty year old suffered his first career loss in July, a 0:34 KO at the hands of Joaquim Silva. He fights out of Indianapolis.

Check Local Listings for times Fox Sports-One and UFC Fight Pass offer coverage in US.

CESMMA 40 Thanksgiving Eve

               

                                                           Thanksgiving Eve is often a home coming for most, a chance to catch up with friends before the big meal and family gathering that follows. CESMMA 40 is returning to their home at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI on Wednesday November 23^rd. Following a successful CESMMA 39 at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Ma (11/4/16), the promotion returns to familiar grounds back in the Ocean State, offering the area’s best a chance to shine. Tuesday evening’s weigh-in results are in.

               

In the Main Event, Nate The Snake Andrews weighed in 155lbs. The Providence native has finished each of his nine pro victories (5 KO/TKO). The Snake is on a three fight win streak, last fight (6/10/16) at CESMMA 36 he caught Luis Muro in a Third Round, Rear-Naked-Choke (1:59). This is Andrews third fight of 2016, he also KO’d Former CESMMA Lightweight Champion and The Ultimate Fighter Season 16 cast-member, Julian Lane in March (2^nd Round 3:58). Andrews opponent: George Sheppard weighed in at 156lbs.

               

George Lights Out Sheppard of Newport News, Virginia is a veteran of twenty-six pro fights. He holds nine wins by KO/TKO. Sheppard has taken some time to regroup following his third consecutive loss, he hasn’t competed since 6/5/15.

               

Johnston’s Joe Pingitore weighed in at 144lbs. Lights Out is 6-3-1 as a pro, last fight he faced Matt Bessette, on short notice, for the vacant CESMMA Flyweight Belt. Pingitore lost to a Second Round (4:38) Heel Hook, in fact all of Pingitore’s losses are by Submission, something he shares in common with his opponent (4-6 Spencer Higa). The loss halted a two fight win streak, which included a Third Round (1:55) TKO of Taylor Trahan earlier this year (3/11/16).

               

Honolulu, Hawaii’s Spencer Masaru Higa also weighed in at 144lbs. Higa is on a two fight win streak, earning the Unanimous Decision over Tyler Kahihikolo (3/11/16) and a First Round (2:45) TKO of Isaac Hopps (3/20/15).

               

East Providence’s Dinis Sweet Bread Paiva weighed in at 140lbs. Paiva has finished six of his seven pro wins (4 KO/TKO). He has taken some time off since a submission loss to Kody Nordby last October. The loss ended a four fight, first round finish streak, three by KO/TKO.

               

2-1 Las Vegas fighter, Zane Behrend weighed in at 141lbs. Behrend is fighting in his CESMMA debut, both his wins have come in the opening round (1KO, 1Sub).

                               

Also weighing in:

1-1   Gary Balletto JR. 169lbs

0-3 Montoyia Swilling 171lbs

1-0   Kris Moutinho 134lbs

0-1   Michael Karam 134lbs

1-0   Dylan Lockard 154lbs

0-2   Russell Campbell III 154.5lbs

2-2 Joe Reverdes 139lbs

3-8 Raymond Yanez 141lbs

For ticket info go to: cesmma.com

Madison Square Garden Makes Stars

               

                                            Madison Square Garden has long been entertainment’s biggest stage and housed some of Pro Boxing’s most memorable bouts. UFC 205 promises to offer a fight card that surpasses all predecessors, headlined by three championship fights. Past fighters have solidified their spots in history with impressive showings in the Big Apple arena. No doubt the shine on someone’s star will be enhanced at UFC 205, with such a stacked line-up question is, whose performance will prove most memorable?

                Rather than speculate on the uncertain, let’s take a moment to relive one of Madison Square Garden’s most memorable fights and celebrate the structure’s star building capabilities. October 26^th 1951 Joe Louis VS Rocky Marciano. Louis entered the fight a 6-to-5 favorite, a forgotten fact due to the popular postscript that the 37 year old, Brown Bomber was a diminished combatant entering the bout. At the time most fight fans hadn’t been introduced to the devastating punching power Marciano possessed. MSG and a high profile opponent offered Rocky opportunity to prove himself on a big stage and he seized it with a mythical performance.

               

Joe Louis is one of Boxing’s best Heavyweight Champions. He holds the record for longest reign as HW Champ at 140 months with Twenty-five Title defenses. Louis was an iconic sports hero, joining the US Army in 1942 (during World War II). His statement, “We’ll win because we’re on God’s side” broke racial walls and created fans from all backgrounds.

                Louis fought in Military charity bouts and donated his winnings to the fund numerous times. These actions ingratiated the Brown Bomber with the media, in return he was covered free of the racial bias non-white athletes experienced in the press, during the era. These fights generated over Ninety Thousand dollars, all donated, but the Internal Revenue Service credited these as taxable income. Louis retired with the HW Belt after an eleventh round KO of Jersey Joe Walcott (6/25/48). Following his retirement the IRS informed Louis that he owed ½ a Million in back taxes.

                Louis came out of retirement to pay his debt, he lost a Fifteen Round Decision to (then Champion) Ezzard Charles. After paying his 100K purse to the IRS Louis was still in the hole. He went on to win eight straight fights against lesser opponents and was paid accordingly. Joe needed to face a Top Contender to earn a bigger pay day. Louis was guaranteed $300,000 to face undefeated Rocky Marciano.

               

The Brockton Blockbuster was 37-0 with 32 KO’s going into the fight with Louis. This fight at MSG put Marciano on the map. After Knocking Louis Out, in dramatic fashion, Marciano went on to stop his next four opponents before getting his shot at the HW crown. He KO’d Jersey Joe Walcott in the Thirteenth Round to become The Ring Heavyweight and World Heavyweight Champion (9/23/52). The Rock from Brockton defended the belt six times and went on to become the only HW to retire as an undefeated Champion at 49-0 with 43 KO’s. His 87.75 Knock Out Percentage is the highest amongst retired Champions.

               

On that October night in 1951, the shorter Marciano stalked Louis keeping the pressure on him. Louis was able to avoid much of Rocky’s lunging attacks causing The Brockton Blockbuster to miss several winging punches, but in the Eighth Round Marciano found his target. A hard left hook sent Louis to the canvas, the referee only got to a four count before The Brown Bomber was ready to continue. He attempted to tie Marciano up and recover, but a left hand dazed Louis. Another left stiffened the former champ’s legs before Rocky uncorked a Right that ironically sent Louis careening between the ropes, onto the media table. The gesture commanded Boxing writers to witness the unquestionable power that Rocky possessed in both hands.

               

Diamonds sparkle brightest beneath the whitest lights. Madison Square Garden has offered that bright light to many stars of the past, at UFC 205 which fighter will take advantage of the added attention and stamp their mark on the UFC’s inaugural fight card?

Breakdown UFC Fight Night 98

               

                              Allow the skies to pour rain down upon us all. With the cancellation of the UFC’s Manila card, scheduled for October 15^th, fans of the promotion have experienced a four week drought in MMA action. In past years, four weeks would go by quickly, but in 2016 the Billion dollar corporation has offered viewers their fix with such frequency that fans must have forgotten other interests. The anticipation for UFC Fight Night 98 from Mexico City is overwhelming.

                The Main Event on November 5^th is in the Lightweight Division, former Champion, Rafael dos Santos takes on soaring contender, Tony Ferguson.

The UFC’s #2 ranked LW, dos Anjos is fighting in his twenty-first bout with the company (14-6). The Thirty-two year old, beat Anthony Pettis by Unanimous Decision at UFC 185 to win the LW belt, earning RDA his third Performance of the Night bonus check. Last December, he defended that belt, making short-work of long-time contender, Cowboy Cerrone, with an opening round TKO. Dos Anjos lost his title to Eddie Alvarez at UFC FN 90 by first round TKO (3:49), marking only the second time RDA has lost by TKO/KO in his thirty-three fight career. The other, his UFC debut 11/15/08, a third round KO loss at the hands of Jeremy Stephens, way back at UFC 91. The July loss to Alvarez halted a five fight winning streak that included TKO/KO wins over: Donald Cerrone(1^st 1:06), Benson Henderson (1^st 2:31, 8/23/14), and Jason High (2^nd 3:36, 6/7/14). Dos Anjos takes on 21-3 Tony El Cucuy Ferguson.

               

                Ferguson has been tearing through the UFC’s, always competitive, LW division collecting eight straight wins (5 Submissions, 1KO). El Cucuy is a finisher that has only been to the judges’ decision in six of his twenty-four fights. He has finished seventeen of his wins, nine by TKO/KO and eight Subs. The #3 ranked LW is coming off a pair of second round submission wins (both by Brabo Choke), at UFC FN 91 (7/13/16) he stopped Lando Vannata at 2:22 and caught Edson Barboza last December at TUF 22 Finale at 2:54. Ferguson is the TUF 13 Winner, finishing all his opponents on the show including an up-kick delivered while his back was on the mat that ended Justin Edwards’ participation in the tournament. The BJJ Brown Belt was a two time All American and National Champion Wrestler in college. The Thirty-two year old from Oxnard, CA will enjoy a six inch reach advantage.

               

Also in the LW division, the original Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez takes on Poland’s Marcin Held. The Nightmare, The Dream, The Midnight Hallucination?  call him what you will Sanchez is still a recognizable name to MMA fans. He won TUF 1 as a Middleweight with a First Round TKO of Kenny Florian in April of 2005. He has competed at MW all the way down to Featherweight and every division between, not only competing against the UFC’s best Lightweights, but holding wins over some of the promotions biggest names including: Nick Diaz, Karo Parisyan, Paulo Thiago, Martin Kampman, Takanori Gomi and others. The BJJ Black Belt started his pro career 19-0. Now 28-9 the Thirty-four year old Sanchez is 5-5 in his last ten bouts. He lost his last battle, at UFC 200 by TKO to Joe Lauzon, only the second time in thirty-seven fights that the gritty Sanchez has been stopped.

               

                     Marcin Held has two more fights than he has years on the planet. The Twenty-four year old competed in his first Pro Bout eight years ago. Now 22-4, a dozen of his sixteen stoppage wins have been via submission. At Bellator 155 (5/20/16) Held beat Dave Jenson by UD to avenge a loss that had been gnawing at him for just one day short of three years. The decorated grappler began training BJJ at Nine years old, now a Black Belt, who has won seven of his last eight. The Season 10 Bellator LW Tournament winner, fought fourteen fights with the promotion (11-3 w/ 6subs), now Held is making his UFC debut.

               

                            Top Ten Featherweights clash when #4 Ricardo Lamas faces #8 Charles Oliveira. 16-5 Ricardo The Bully Lamas is fighting in his eleventh fight in the UFC (7-3). The BJJ Black Belt has finished eight wins, four by Submission. He lost his last fight at UFC 199 a UD to Max Holloway, but holds wins over, big names: Diego Sanchez, Dennis Bermudez and Cub Swanson. Fighting out of Chicago, Lamas has won 10 of his last 14.

               

                      21-6 Charles Oliveira has won thirteen bouts by submission (6 in the first round). In fact eight of the Brazilian’s last nine wins have come from the Tap. Now living in Houston, Oliveira is 5-2 in his last seven, with losses to Max Holloway and an August Sub loss (3^rd 1:49) to debuting Featherweight, Anthony Pettis at UFC on Fox 21.

                Joe Soto is just doing his thing, signed with the UFC to face former champ, TJ Dillashaw at UFC 177 (8/30/14) on just hours notice, this time he has given himself a full five days to prepare for Mexico City’s own, 8-3 Marco Beltran. Guido Cannetti was pulled from Saturday Night’s event due to a USADA violation. Soto agreed to a catch weight fight at 140lbs. Soto is coming off a June submission win over Chris Beal.

                Marco Beltran was on Team Velasquez on TUF LATAM and currently riding a three fight win streak, including a second round Sub of Reginaldo Viera at UFC FN 90 in his last effort.