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Mari's Minute King of The Cage Recap "Epicenter"
June 8, 2007 Soboba Casino San Jacinto, California
Another fantastic night at Soboba Casino where King of the Cage held 18 well matched fights - including a woman's title bout that featured lots of action and excitement. Unfortunately, the ladies match left the crowd wanting more as the champion was unable to come out for the second round. Also, both fan favorites Thomas Denny and Thomas Kenney added another win to their record - further fuelling the speculation that these two will meet in the cage in the future. Here is how the night went down.
Fight 1 Travis Haven vs. Eric Hakala Haven wins by submission at :40 in round one due to a rear naked choke. The bell rang to start the first round and the fight got under way. They immediately tie up as Haven moves in - They drop to the canvas with Haven in top position. Hakala gives his back and Haven takes advantage and gets the rear naked choke - Hakala is unable to get out and taps out.
Fight 2 Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Juan Carlos Huerta Judges ruled the bout a majority draw after two, five minute rounds. In round one, Huerta got the take down early - They tied up and went to the ground and after an exchange of strikes, got back up. Karakhanyan connected with a decent high kick and followed up with some wild swings that didn’t connect but excited the fans. Karakhanyan attempted a guillotine choke when they went to the ground but Huerta got out of it. While still on the ground, both connected with strong, clean punches to the face. Another exchange of strikes occurred before the bell sounded - ending the round. Round two started and the fighters went right at it - Huerta connected with strong punches to the face and Karakhanyan with strikes to the body followed by an arm bar attempt which Huerta once again got out of of but Huerta got kicked in the face while pulling away. Karakhanyan once again connected with a series of punches while on his feet but Huerta replied with strikes of his own. Toward the end of the round, Huerta was able to get half-mount and connected with a few punches before the referee stepped in to stand them up. The round ended with the fighters on the ground and this time, Karakhanyan was on top connecting with a series of strong punches.
Fight 3 Gunnar Hinson vs. Chris Cully Hinson wins by submission at 4:24 in round one due to a heel hook. Round one started and Hinson was the first to connect. Cully attempted a high kick and missed as Hinson ducked, grabbed the leg and got the take down. They tied up on the ground and both connected with a series of strikes. Cully connected with a clean hook as Hinson got back to his feet. Hinson was then able to connect with an elbow to the face. Once again, they went to the ground and both got each others leg for heel hook attempts. Hinson gets the better hold and doesn’t let go. Cully tries to roll out of it but it's too late, Cully has no choice but to tap out.
Fight 4 Nick Avarado vs. Matt Wilburn Avarado wins a unanimous judges decision after two, five minute rounds. Round one started and Avarado got the take down and top position. While on top, he connected with elbows and punches but Wilburn didn’t give up and fought his way to an arm bar attempt but was unsuccessful. Avarado, still in half-mount, connected with punches but the referee stood them back up. They go back to the ground but this time, Wilburn was able to get in full-mount and connected with strong right punches to the face that appeared to hurt Avarado - but Avarado hung in there for the final 10 seconds of the round. Round two got off to a slow start with Avarado pressing forward but Wilburn threw the first punches but missed - Avarado countered with punches and connected first. Both fighters appeared to have spent their wad in round one. Wilburn, now with a bloody nose, appeared to be more exhausted and was backing up. While on their feet, Avarado connected well but Wilburn countered with a series of punches giving all he had left. The round ended with them going to the ground with Avarado in side-mount, connecting with knees and strikes to the body. Great fight.
Fight 5 Andy Jewett vs. Kasey Roberts Jewett wins by TKO at 3:31 of round one when the referee stopped the bout due to strikes. Round one started and Roberts gets right to work and they exchange punches - They then drop to the ground with Jewett in top position - Roberts had a guillotine choke hold but Jewett was able to slip out of it and stood back up for another exchange of strikes before they went to the ground again. Jewett, now on side-mount, was able to connect with better strikes. Roberts then got warned by the referee - after an accidental knee to face while on the ground. Roberts rolls over and gives his back. Jewett took advantage and got the back and started pounding away. With Roberts now in trouble, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight due to strikes.
Fight 6 Melvin Costa vs. Robert Doucet Costa wins by TKO at 2:01 of round one by referee stoppage due to strikes. Costa stepped in to the ring overly pumped and as soon as the bell rang to start round one, they go at it - Costa threw a series of wild punches but Doucet was able to counter effectively with his own. Doucet was able to stun Costa with his strong punches that connected with Costa’s face. Both fighters engaged in back and forth action. They exchanged in a series of strikes that got the fans excited and at the edge of their seats. They went to the ground and Costa was able to get into full mount - and the ground and pound game began. After a few good punches, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight protecting Doucet from more harm.
Fight 7 Tim Humphrey vs. PJ Rogowoski Humphrey wins by TKO at 1:47 of round one via referee stoppage due to strikes. Round one started with Rogowoski punching first but Humphrey got the take down. They stood right back up and tied up after an exchange of strikes. Humphrey was able to connect with a clean right hook that stunned and hurt Rogowoski. Humphrey followed it up with a series of punches that sent Rogowoski down and Humphrey finished it there. The referee stopped the fight due to uncontested strikes.
Fight 8 Anthony Mendez vs. Duane Harrison Mendez wins by TKO at 1:02 of round one - The Referee stopped the fight due to strikes. Mendez was able to take Harrison down early and while in top position, was able to dominate and pound away.
Fight 9 Rubin Tagle vs. Sean Loeffler Loeffler wins by submission at :22 in round one due to an Americana. As round one started, the fighters touched gloves and Tagle started swinging and connecting - Loeffler kept pressing to take Tagle down and succeeded. With Loeffler in top position, he was able to get the arm with an Americana - Tagle tapped as he was unable to get out of the submission.
Fight 10 Crystal Harris vs. Tricia Poovey Harris wins by TKO after Poovey is unable to start round two due to an eye injury suffered in round one - Poovey couldn’t clearly see from her left eye after receiving punches at the end of the round. The fight started and the ladies touched gloves. Harris connected with a clean right, left combo as Poovey tried to keep her in tight. They tied up for a second and an exchange of punches began with Harris connecting with better shots. Harris was able to take Poovey down and from top position, was able to connect with lots of punches. Poovey went for an arm bar attempt but was unsuccessful. And with 10 seconds left, Harris was able to get the full mount and began pounding away. Poovey took the punches and held on as the bell rang to end the round. Before the second round began, the referee indicated that Poovey was unable to continue due to an eye injury. Harris was declared the winner and the new featherweight KOTC Champion.
Fight 11 Dave Cryer vs. Uber Gallegos Cryer wins by submission at 1:14 of the second round due to a rear naked choke. In round one, Gallegos immediately connected with a clean right hook but Cryer was able to counter with a couple of knees. They tied up against the cage but neither doing much harm. Cryer tried to connect with another knee as Gallegos connected with a successful right hook. They separated enough and moved to the other side of the cage. Cryer got the take down and the full mount - Cryer punched Gallegos and Gallegos quickly got out and reversed mount positions. They punched their way back up to their feet and while standing, Cryer connected with a knee to Gallegos’ face - Gallegos countered with punches of his own ending the round. Gallegos began round two with a determined look in his face. Cryer missed with his punches as Gallegos connected with his own strikes. Cryer was then able to connect with a strong knee that appeared to have hurt Gallegos. Gallegos, now with a bloody nose, got taken down and Cryer was able to get the full mount position. Gallegos turned as he attempted to get out of the full mount position but Cryer was able to get Gallegos' back. Cryer got under the neck for a rear naked choke - Uber tapped out ending the fight. Cryer’s knees hurt Gallegos and made the difference in this fight.
Fight 12 Cody Bollinger vs. Chad Walters Bollinger wins by submission at 3:10 of the second round due to a rear naked choke. Round one - Fighters walked around, feeling each other out before they tied up on the ground - Bollinger ended up on top in half- mount by the cage. Bollinger connected with an elbow that opened up a gash on Walters’ forehead. Walters was almost able to get up when he connected with a kick that pushed Bollinger back for a second. Bollinger regained his control and jumped to get on top once again. Bollinger now in side-mount, connected with knees to the body. The round ended with an exchange of strikes. A slow start for round two - Bollinger rushed in for the take down but Walters anticipated well and took a hold of the neck for a guillotine choke attempt as they went to the ground. After no action on the canvas, the referee stood them up to restart the fight in the middle of the cage. Once again, they clinched and went to the ground. Bollinger was able to get top position and worked for the full mount and succeeded. On Walters attempt to get out, Bollinger was able to get on his back and went for the rear naked choke - Bollinger got the choke in deep and Walters tapped out giving Bollinger the win.
Fight 13 Thomas Denny vs. Don Shea Thomas wins by Knockout at 1:12 in round one due to strikes. Round one - Denny threw the first punch and they went to the ground. Denny was able to get top position on Shea’s back and connected as he wished. All Shea did was cover up and after receiving a couple of punches on the ground, Shea was unable to get up and defend. The referee indicated Shea was knocked out and that is why the fight was stopped.
Fight 14 Jay Diamon vs. Thomas Kenney Kenney wins by submission at :59 of of the first round due to a straight kimura. Round one - Diamon came out swinging but missed and Kenney got the take down. Diamon got a hold of a guillotine choke but was unsuccessful in his attempt - Kenney got out and was able to get Diamon in a kimura hold. Kenney straightens the kimura and got Diamon to tap out. After his win, Kenney dedicated this win to his ill trainer John DeLao - TheFightGame.tv would like to wish him well and a quick recovery. Check out the video interview later this week with Thomas Kenney after his victory.
Fight 15 Kyle Mclaughlin vs. Daniel Gibbons Mclaughlin wins a judges unanimous decision after two, five minute rounds. Round one - Mclaughlin got the take down early - They tied up against the cage with Gibbons trying for a guillotine choke attempt but Mclaughlin was able to roll out to a north-south position and then back into side-mount and once again, Gibbons got the neck - Mclaughlin still on top side-mount position, connected with elbows and eventually knees to the body. Gibbons was doing a good job preventing the full mount. Mclaughlin then got his leg high enough to go over Gibbons’ left arm, allowing him to connect with a series of punches to the face. Gibbons was able to keep moving, trying to get out and was eventually able to get the arm out and connected with strong punches of his own that took Mclaughlin to his back and the round ended with Gibbons in top position - connecting with strikes. Round two saw Mclaughlin rush in for the take down but Gibbons got the neck and once again, attempted a guillotine choke while Mclaughlin was in side-mount. No damage and no serious action pushed the referee to stand the fighters back up in the middle of the cage. Another take down by Mclaughlin got him in half-mount position. Gibbons got a hold of Mclaughlin's arms and held him in tight. The referee stood them back up again and restarted the fight - Too soon in my opinion since Mclaughlin still had full-mount advantage and could have worked out. With about 20 seconds left, Gibbons got the take down and from top position, was able to end the round with a guillotine choke attempt.
Fight 16 Aiki Cavanaugh vs. Angelo Mcleroy Mcleroy wins by knockout at 3:33 of the first round due to a left high kick. Round one - Mcleroy connected first with a right hook - They have a short exchange of punches and Cavanaugh missed with a kick. Mcleroy once again beat Cavanaugh to the punch - Cavanaugh threw a right hook that connected and pushed Mcleroy back and he tripped - Mcleroy got right back up and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Once again, Mcleroy beat Cavanaugh to the punch and followed it up with a perfect left high kick that connected and knocked Cavanaugh out.
Fight 17 Jimmy Collins vs. Jon Brock Brock wins by submission at 4:16 of of the first round due to a triangle. Round one - The fighters exchanged punches but Brock connected with a better right - They went to the ground with Collins in top position, connecting with punches to the side of the head. Brock was able to get out and reversed positions. Brock, now on top, connected with a series of punches that made Collins give his back (in his attempt at getting up and out). Brock went for a rear naked choke but Collins escaped and reversed the mount position. Collins, now on top, connected with punches that didn’t appear to do any harm and once again, Brock was able to reverse the mount position. Brock was rolled onto his back but from the bottom position, Brock was able to swing his legs and get a triangle choke - Collins tapped out and Brock takes the win.
Fight 18 Donald Molinares vs. Victor Rodarte Rodarte wins by submission at :47 of of the first round due to a rear naked choke. Round one - Molinares started the round with a right hook to the body and followed it with wild punches that didn’t connect. Rodarte was able to connect with punches of his own before it went to the ground. Rodarte got top position and Molinares scrambled to get out and gave his back. Rodarte got the rear naked choke and wins by tap out.
Until next time, Mari
(6/11/07) |
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