My Take On MMA 8.17.08: Final Show XC Elite Challenger Series (8.15.08) Thoughts
Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.18.2008
The Show XC Elite Challenger Series returned this past Saturday and delivered a very good show, and when it was over, there was only one thought most had: Bring on Hamman vs. Suganuma III!
Introduction:
I am recovering from the crazy summer that MMA has brought us, and after this show we'll get a little break. But before I can enjoy that break we have to discuss the latest Show XC Elite Challenger Series event. For those not familiar with the show, it is the minor league of Elite XC. Essentially it is MMA's version of ShowBox. Some of these fighters are from the smaller groups Pro Elite acquired, some are supposed up and comers and with wins here these men and women can earn their way up to a main Elite card and advance their career. We had five fights presented to us Friday night, so it is time to break those down!
The fine people from SHOWXC sent along some great coverage of their weigh in with photos and pre-fight comments, which can be seen here.
We also have post-fight comments and fight photos here.
Final Show XC Elite Challenger Series (8.15.08) Thoughts~!:
The Fight: Catch Weight Non-Title Bout - Keith Berry (7-2) vs. Ray Lizama (5-5) (Berry is the King of the Cage Middleweight Champion):
The Result: Ray Lizama via RD2 (2:15) TKO Final Thoughts: The opening bout was going to be a title match for Berry's King of the Cage Middleweight title, but when two people pulled out, Ray Lizama became the new opponent on short notice and at a catch weight of 190lbs. On paper it didn't look like it would be much of a fight. Berry was a solid 7-2 and a champion, while Lizama was at .500 and coming off a loss in his Elite debut. Lizama did well in round one, connecting well and doing some damage. But Berry secured a takedown and did solid damage on the ground and did enough to take the action filled first round. Berry, who was the more prepared fighter was noticeably tired at the start of round two, but started off by opening up on Lizama. But he didn't have enough to put him away, and in what has to be considered an upset Lizama took control, rocked Berry, landed a great body shot and then unloaded on him until the bout was stopped. Lizama needed a win here and got it with an impressive showing, especially on such short notice. Berry I feel took the fight too lightly, and he paid for it. I will be interested to see if Lizama drops the weight to challenge him in the future. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5
The Fight: Women's 130lb Non-Title Bout - Debi Purcell (4-1) vs. Rosi Sexton (8-1) (Cage Warriors Champion):
The Result: Rosi Sexton via Split Decision (30-27 Sexton, 29-28 Purcell, 30-27 Sexton) Final Thoughts: If you have followed my MMA coverage at all you will now that I am a huge fan of the women's division here in Elite. Many times they either have a very good bout or the fight of the night. They have delivered for the company, and on this show they debuted their 130lb Division, or as I like to call it, "Don't worry, Gina will never get down this far." Rosi Sexton is the current Cage Warriors Champion, and after the first fight I was wondering if we were going to see another champion fall. Purcell was being billed as a pioneer of women's MMA, but due to lack of opportunity, has only had 5 fights. Yeah. This fight also adds to my thought that women's MMA needs 5-minute rounds. Round one was largely uneventful. By the time they got done with the feeling out process, the round ended. Purcell did a good job of connecting with the left through out the round, and while not very impressive, she took the opening round on my scorecard. Sexton was able to turn the tide in round two. They both got takedowns, but Sexton dictated the pace and did more damage. Round three ended up being a very good round. Purcell worked very hard, but Sexton controlled things and easily did more damage. She almost got caught at the end in a knee bar, but it was too late in the round for Purcell to have a legit shot at the submission. I had it 29-28 for Sexton, with her taking rounds two and three. The judges had it 30-27 Sexton, 29-28 Purcell, 30-27 Sexton. Round one was close as was round two, so I could see how these scores happened but again I think 5-mnute rounds would really help out a closer fight like this. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0
The Fight: Light Heavyweight Bout - Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate (14-6-1) vs. Jaime Fletcher (9-3):
The Result: Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Across The Cards) Final Thoughts: Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate hadn't fought since April of 2007, but they seemed to hype him a good bit. His one major battle was with Mauricio Rua in PRIDE, where he lost in round one via stomps. Fletcher was making his third appearance for Elite, and was 2-0 defeating Santana and the once highly touted Aaron Rosa. Diabate is insanely tall and lanky, think Corey Hill for a comparison. Diabate dominated the fight, staying to the outside and picking Fletcher apart. In the second round Diabate got the fight to the ground and landed a lot of solid punches, as well as some deadly elbows that busted up Fletcher big time. There was only one spot where Diabate got in trouble, and that was round three where Fletcher got a desperation guillotine. Had he gotten the hold in the second round I think he could have made Diabate submit. But he was too tired, losing a lot of blood and by this time in the fight both men were sweating so much that Diabate was able to weather the storm, and Fletcher released the hold. Diabate took the clean 30-27 decision, and is back in the game. There was obviously some cage rust he had to work off, and normally an inability to finish with such an advantage would be alarming. But with Diabate being out of the game so long, it is understandable. I am interested in seeing him fight again. Fletcher should drop in weigh class as I feel he would be a more effective fighter at middleweight. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
The Fight: Lightweight Bout - Fabricio Camoes (10-4) vs. Sam Morgan (19-10):
The Result: Fabricio Camoes via RD1 (0:47) Submission Final Thoughts: At this point there had been two decisions and a 2nd round finish, and I was hoping for some excitement to break things up. I was talking with 411's Randall Harrison and we joked that Morgan looked like he came straight from a homeless shelter with that facial hair he was rocking. Talk of that turned to the fact that he was going to get paid a ham sandwich for the fight and a bonus of hot ham and cheese if he actually won the fight. You may have picked up on the fact that we weren't Sam Morgan fans. But he did one good thing here, he broke up the evening for us. Camoes came out, shot and ended up in a guillotine. He quickly slammed out of the hold, got Morgan's back and made him tap. No hot ham and cheese for you Sammy. It is hard to judge a person on such a short fight, but Camoes looked great in this one. Then Camoes cut a great wrestling style promo, saying, "My pants are getting too big, and I need a title shot to fix that problem." Awesome, lay the groundwork son, make people want to see you again. KJ Noons is the Lightweight Champion for Elite and has business with Nick Diaz first and foremost, but if Camoes can rack up another good victory, give him the shot. This fight was fun and broke up the night nicely. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5
The Fight: Light Heavyweight Bout - Jared Hamman (10-1) vs. Po'ai Suganuma (9-1):
The Result: Jared Hamman via RD1 (2:34) TKO Final Thoughts: The main event of the show was a rematch of the two men. The first battle ended in 15-seconds as Suganuma landed an overhand right and a CRAZY knee strike that dropped Hamman, and the bout was stopped. There was a lot of controversy over that stoppage, and the rematch was made. Suganuma had experience in PANCRASE, while Hamman has fought a lot of small events, but also at Strikeforce and for Elite previously. They played up the first fight very well, and I had a feeling that this one wouldn't be a long fight. I was right. Suganuma almost ended it early with a huge right that dropped Hamman. Hamman was able to rebound and the battle was on. For over two-minutes they had a crazy back and forth battle, Hamman got rocked again and I thought he was done but he came back and almost had an arm bar locked in. Suganuma escaped, but after a great combo by Hamman, it was all over as Hamman delivered some sweet and delicious hammer fists. Hamman was gracious in victory, put over Suganuma as a tough opponent and said he'd be up for a third fight. I agree, I think we need the rubber match between these guys. This was a DAMN good fight and while I don't know how full the Light Heavyweight Division for Elite is, these guys will make me tune in for another fight. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.5
The Overall: Best Fight(s): Light Heavyweight Bout - Jared Hamman (10-1) vs. Po'ai Suganuma (9-1) 8.5 Worst Fight: Women's 130lb Non-Title Bout - Debi Purcell (4-1) vs. Rosi Sexton (8-1) (Cage Warriors Champion) 6.0 Final Thoughts: The last Show XC event was over in roughly one hour, with five first round finishes. It wasn't bad, but a lot of these shows have been hit or miss. That's going to happen on a show featuring lower level fighters. But tonight they delivered a quality program with good to great fights. Mauro and The Joker were good as always on commentary, but that damn cage was SO small. They really need to settle on a set cage size for these Show XC events, because they vary way too much. One other thing I will mentions it that I continue to support the idea for the ladies getting five minute rounds. Many times these women's bouts are good fights, and are just getting going at the 3:00 mark and then it stalls. Give them 5-minutes and let them do their thing. A good show overall, catch a replay if you can.
