411's XFC 15: Tribute Report 12.02.11
Posted by Mark Radulich on 12.02.2011
Eric Reynolds earned a unanimous decision victory over Jonatas Novaes. Carla Esparza defeated Felice Herrig by unanimous decision. The one armed fighter Nick Newell submitted Denis Hernandez in the first round with a heel hook. Corey Hill choked out Charlie Rader and more! For all of the details check out 411's XFC 15: Tribute report for all of the details!
XFC 15: Tribute
12.02.11
St Pete Times Forum
Tampa, FL
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That's right, you are no longer confined to the 411 comments section to ask questions, insult the writers or vent your frustrations. We want YOU to call into the show with your questions and comments. However, if you are not the radio-caller-type then you can send your questions or comments to us in advanced and we will address them live on the show.
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MAIN CARD
Jonatas Novaes (154.5lbs 9-3) vs. Eric Reynolds (153.5lbs 13-5)
Felice Herrig (113.75lbs 5-3) vs. Carla Esparza (113.5lbs 5-2)
Denis Hernandez (153.5lbs 3-2) vs. Nick Newell (155lbs 5-0)
Corey Hill (169.5lbs 4-4) vs. Charlie Rader (169.5lbs 16-4)
Imani Lee (301lbs 2-3) vs. Brandon Sayles (303lbs 1-0)
John Kolosci (178.5lbs 15-8) vs. Ryan Thomas (179.5lbs 12-7)
Chris Manuel (144.5lbs 8-3) vs. Marlon Moraes (145.5lbs 6-4)
NON-TELEVISED PRELIMINARY BOUTS
If you've had a chance to listen to our new 411 Ground and Pound Radio Show I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for giving it a chance. I'm well aware that there's only a billion+ amateur voices on the internet that you could have been paying attention to but you actively chose to spend some of your time listening to Kuch, Samer and I give our opinions on MMA. For that I am grateful and appreciative (even if you thought we stunk). My hope is that some of you brave souls will rouse yourselves out of bed early on Sunday mornings and listen to the show when it's live. Personally, I think the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning, especially if it's after a Saturday night fight, is to pour yourself a hot cup of your favorite coffee, (I would recommend a Keurig coffee maker if you are in the market for one) cut yourself a fresh bagel – maybe put some shmear on it or lox or for my fellow Jews, some nice whitefish, and sit back in your favorite chair while listening to the 411 Ground and Pound Radio Show.
Furthermore, I'm hoping you'll take the time to call in with your thoughts, opinions and criticisms. I know some radio talk show hosts can be obnoxious and cut people off without letting them have their say but if being a therapist for over 5 years now has taught me anything it's how to listen attentively to crazy people those who need to be heard. To paraphrase the Ghostbusters, I'm ready to hear you. In addition, we are actively in the process of getting some interviews booked for the show and that will provide a rare opportunity for you to talk to some of your favorite fighters.
And even if you think I'm a complete lunatic who knows nothing about MMA and isn't worth wasting time talking to, you gotta admit, Kuch knows his stuff (and doesn't Jeff just say the darndest things?). You should call in and talk to us. I didn't come here to tell you any of that so without further dudes, let's get on with the fussin' and a fightin'.
NON-TELEVISED PRELIMINARY BOUTS
Socrates Pierre defeats Phil Daru by unanimous decision 29-28x3
Anthony Christodoulou defeats Bruce Lutchmedial by TKO due to strikes at 3:59 of rd3
INTRODUCTION:
We are live at the St Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL!
Your talking heads tonight are Michael Schiavello and Frank Trigg.
MAIN CARD MATCHES:
Featherweight bout: Chris Manuel (144.5lbs 8-3) vs. Marlon Moraes (145.5lbs 6-4)
ROUND ONE Moraes starts off with quicks. Manuel counters with punches. They are trading punches now. Moraes is back him up against the cage. Manuel circles and stays out of danger. Moraes stalks Manuel but Manuel is able to get off a few solid leg kicks. Moraes lands a hard blow to the body. They trade kicks. Moraes nails a nice combination of punches and kicks. Manuel tries to counter but eats another combination. Spinning heel kick from Moraes stuns Manuel but doesn't go in for the kill. Moraes continues to attack the lead leg of Manuel. Manuel kicks at Moraes, trying to get inside.
SCORECARD: Moraes 10-9
ROUND TWO Moraes lands a hard right round kick and follows with an uppercut. Manuel tries desperately for a takedown as the ground game is his bread and butter but Moraes pulls away. Moraes jabs and then lands a hard right to the body. They trade kicks to the body. Moraes nails Manuel behind the ear and stuns but doesn't follow up. Moraes scores with an uppercut and then a left hook. Manuel is taking a beating but he is hanging tough. There's break to fix Manuels cup. Back to action and Manuel lands a stiff combination of punches on Moraes. Moraes tries another spinning kick. Manuel tries and fails another takedown attempt. One more quick exchange and we're off to the third round
SCORECARD: Moraes 10-9
ROUND THREE Right hand from Moraes. Manuel kicks to the body, Moraes catches and tags Manuel. Lots of movement from Moraes. Manuel tries to take him down again but gets nothing. Moraes scores with another hard kick to the body. Manuel has control of the center of the cage but he can't do much with it. Hard shot to the inside thigh from Moraes. Moraes throws a high right round but it is blocked. Moraes turns up the heat and goes for the finish. He delivers several shots to Manuel but can't drop him. And they are out of time.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Marlon Moraes by unanimous decision (30-27X3).
Middleweight bout: John Kolosci (178.5lbs 15-8) vs. Ryan Thomas (179.5lbs 12-7
ROUND ONE Thomas takes Kolosci down after a brief striking exchange. Kolosci stands up but he put right back on is duff again. Thomas works on him and then grabs a hold of his head. He's looking for a standing guillotine. He lets go and punches Kolosci. Kolosci tries to pull away. Thomas continues to smother and press Kolosci against the cage. Thomas delivers knees to the head so Kolosci defends but going to one knee. Thomas adjusts by kneeing him in the body. They stand up, Kolosci eats a few strikes and Thomas dives on him again. Thomas appears to have Kolosci in an inverted triangle. He taps him out in the ta-da nick of time.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Ryan "The Tank Engine" Thomas by submission (body triangle) at 4:46 of round 1
That was one nifty submission.
Michael Schiavello interviews Batista. Batista says that he had a deal with Strikeforce in the works but it took too long and then the UFC bought them, scuttling the deal for good. Batista is promoting his new Gracie jiu jitsu gym. He says that if Lashley calls him out he'd accept a fight with the current Shark Fights champion. He calls Overeem the best heavyweight in the world and that he'll beat Lesnar.
My jiu jitsu coach, Mike Yanez, is cornering Imani Lee.
Super Heavyweight bout: Imani Lee (301lbs 2-3) vs. Brandon Sayles (303lbs 1-0)
ROUND ONE Sayles starts with a leg kick. Sayles follows with another and then adds the hook. Imani is circling around the outside of the cage. Sayles presses but gets hit with hard right hook. Sayles stuns Lee but he keeps standing. Sayles continues to tee off on Lee. Lee covers up and stays alive. Sayles is going head-body and tries for a flying knee. He does it again. Lee is leaning against the cage. Sayles tackles Lee and and gets full mount. Sayles finishes him off with ground and pound…sigh.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Brandon Sayles by submission (verbal) at 3:09 of round 1.
Lee says he wants a rematch…um get the BUCGAW out of here buddy. Try John Ott on for size.
Welterweight bout: Corey Hill (169.5lbs 4-4) vs. Charlie Rader (169.5lbs 16-4)
ROUND ONE Rader gets a leg kick off first. Hill clinches and pushes him against the fence. Hill muscles him down and gets to half guard. Hill is smashing his elbows into Rader's face. Hill has Rader mashed up against the fence. Hill continues to grind his elbow into Rader's face. Hill has dominated Rader for the first 4 minutes of this match. Hill slides his arms into place and finishes him off with D'arce choke. So much for the Team Lesnar alumni.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Corey Hill by submission (D'arce Choke) 3:58 of round 1.
One armed fighter is out next, Mr. Nick Newell.
Lightweight bout: Denis Hernandez (153.5lbs 3-2) vs. Nick Newell (155lbs 5-0)
ROUND ONE Newell charges forward and takes down Hernandez. Newell smashes Hernandez. He continues to work him over from guard. Newell grabs a heel hook and it's over before it has begun. Kudos the one armed bandit!
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Nick Newell by submission (heel hook) at 1:11 of round 1.
ROUND ONE Esparza gets a single and easily takes down the Bulldog. She floats over to side control but Herrig stands back up. Esparza sticks to her like glue and takes her down again. Esparza is controlling her on the ground. Herrig uses the cage to stand back up. Esparza is hammering Herrig with elbows. Uppercut from Herrig. Esparza dumps Herrig on her rear end again. Herrig stands back up and puts Esparza against the fence. She tries for a takedown and Esparza sprawls. Esparza puts Herrig against the fence and takes her down. She lands in side control, tries to pass into mount, ends up in half guard. Esparza is uglying up Herrig's pretty face. She goes knee on belly and nearly gets full mount. Esparza grabs an arm bar. Time runs out and Herrig survives into round 2. Herrig has a hematoma that resembles the one Aldo gave Mark Hominick.
SCORECARD: Esparza 10-9
ROUND TWO Herrig gets the takedown and goes to take Esparza's back. Esparza reverses and is in top position. Herrig uses the rubber guard to push Esparza away but it's not enough to keep her away. Esparza hammers on Herrig from guard. Herrig attempts an omaplata. Esparza gives Herrig a short slam. Esparza stands over Herrig and tries to pass into mount. Herrig keeps her in guard. The ref stands them up. Esparza throws a kick that is caught by Herrig. Herrig throws an overhand right with no set up. Esparza tackles an exhausted Herrig to the ground.
SCORECARD: Esparza 10-9
ROUND THREE Esparza and Herrig clinch against the fence. They spin and reverse positions against the cage. Back in the center of the cage Esparza shoots for a single and takes Herrig down. Herrig looks for the triangle but Esparza defends and gets away. Apparently she doesn't like having the submission game turned against her because she jumps on Herrig and aims right for the hematoma. Herrig throws her legs around Esparza's head and looks to pull off a submission win but Esparza escapes again. Esparza smothers Herrig from side control. They both stand back up. Herrig nails Esparza but Esparza clinches and goes to the judges table.
SCORECARD: Esparza 10-9
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Carla Esparza by unanimous decision (30-27X3)
XFC MAIN EVENT
Lightweight bout: Jonatas Novaes (154.5lbs 9-3) vs. Eric Reynolds (153.5lbs 13-5)
ROUND ONE Novaes throws a high head kick and then shoots for a double leg. After a brief stop against the cage, Reynolds is on his back. Novaes waits a moment and gets full mount with the assist of a near arm triangle. Reynolds escapes but not for long. Novaes shoots and gets Reynolds down. He gets full mount. He goes for an arm bar. Reynolds fights out of it but that allows Novaes to get a third mount. He punishes Reynolds with elbows. He shifts and goes belly down on an arm bar. Novaes flips over and Reynolds escapes again. Reynolds is on top of Novaes and hammers him. He backs away and lets Novaes stand up with seconds left in the fight. Novaes ducks a punch and shoots for a double.
SCORECARD: Novaes 10-9
ROUND TWO Reynolds throws a high right round kick, Novaes ducks and takes him down. Novaes slithers to Reynolds back. He attempts a rear-naked choke. Reynolds defends and gives up his arm. Reynolds escapes and stands back up. Reynolds stands over Novaes and kicks at him (someone show this to Thiago Santos) without hitting square in the nut sack. Novaes stands back up and presses Reynolds against the fence. Novaes attempts a takedown but Reynolds stays up. Reynolds nails Novaes with a series of strikes. He's dropping elbows on Novaes. Reynolds is dominating Novaes now. He allows him to stand back up. Reynolds tags Novaes and Novaes is on the defensive again. Reynolds tee's off on Novaes until the bell rings.
SCORECARD: Reynolds 10-9
Reynolds thinks he won but the ref tells him several times it's only the end of the round.
ROUND THREE Reynolds lands a kick and clips him with a hook. Reynolds is chasing Novaes down. He continues to pummel Novaes. Reynolds takes hin down. Reynolds delivers a few elbows and then stands up again. Reynolds lands a pair of kicks. Reynolds gets a takedown. He pounds on Novaes, stands up and then resumes hitting him. Reynolds and Novaes are stood up. Novaes shoots, Reynolds sprawls and Novaes waits patiently for Reynolds to dive into his guard. Novaes shoots, Reynolds sprawls but Novaes ends up on top of him.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Eric Reynolds by unanimous decision (29-28X3)
As much as I enjoy this sort of thing, and this was a pretty good event for HDNet, I have to get to sleep because I have this tomorrow at 9:40 AM:
If I'm alive after this, I'll be back to cover the Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale.
Thanks for hanging out with 411 tonight and joining our live coverage of XFC 15 on HDNet Fights. Until then, be good, be safe and behave!
