411's K-1/EliteXC Dynamite! Report 06.02.07
Posted by Michael Huckaby on 06.02.2007
Jonnie Morton leaves on a stretcher while Brock Lesnar makes a spectacular debut in mixed martial arts!
Huge sections of the stadium are empty but honestly there are more there than I expected. Most are clustered together in the center sections around the ring.
Wiezorek and Persey have made their way to the ring and we're about to get underway. Cecil Peoples is a judge so if these go to decision all bets are off.
Jonathan Wiezorek vs Tim Persey
ROUND 1: They feel each other out until Persey closes the distance but Wiezorek reverses it and puts him in the corner. Some knees in the clinch by Persey as Wiezorek tries to get it to the ground. Wiezorek finally gets some momentum but Persey holds himself up on the ropes to avoid the takedown. Finally ref Herb Dean separates them and we're restarted. Persey misses a big right hand which leads to another clinch by Jonathan into the corner. More knees by both when Wiezorek hits a low blow and Persey gets time to recoup. On the restart Persey hits a big right hand which takes Wiezorek to the mat and Persey dives in to finish but only gets put in full guard. Very active guard by Wiezorek but Persey is landing the occasional punch from teh top. Wiezorek looks for a kimura and looks to have it until Persey powers out of it and gets back to his feet. Double underhooks by Wiezorek in the corner and he gets the takedown into half guard. End of round one and Persey looks exhausted.
ROUND 2: Wiezorek gets caught again but he gets the takedown and the back of Persey where he lands continuous punches to Persey who is in no way fighting back. Herb Dean after several attempts to get Persey to fight back finally stops it.
Winner: Jonathan Wiezorek, TKO (strikes), 0:51 of Rd2
Interview with Gina Carano and Krazy Horse Bennett. Carano is upset that she had to pull out of the card while Bennett hypes his fight in EXC/Strikeforce in 3 weeks.
Interview with Phil Baroni, complete with wife beater. Baroni says he'll knock Frank Shamrock out in 3 weeks and he's a "punk bitch".
Clips of JZ Calvancanti defeating Nam Phan earlier tonight, showing that we're only getting two fights on Showtime tonight. Pariente and Shields are in the ring and it's time for fight number two.
Jake Shields vs Ido Pariente
ROUND 1: Brief exchange until Shields gets a great takedown and into halfguard. He immediately passes into full mount and is putting on a clinic. Pariente bucks to no avail as Shields lands more shots from the top. Ido gives up his back and Shields puts in the hooks and gets a bodylock. He sinks in the choke and after some attempts to get out Pariente finally succumbs and taps out. That was just a quick clinic.
Winner: Jake Shields, submission (RNC), 2:06 of Rd1
That is the end of the Showtime coverage. God forbid they showed the JZ/Phan match live or atleast in a full replay with the time remaining.
The live PPV is beginning with a DJ at a turntable who wishes for people to "make some noise" if they'd like to see some fights. He concludes by asking for people to "make some noise" yet again.
Dennis Rodman is announced as a special guest and comes through a special entrance carrying a replica of an Olympic torch. He enters the ring and passes the torch to Antonio Silva, who was pulled off of the card with an injury, who takes it up an aisle and hands it off again. We finish with Hong Man Choi taking it up the stairs and lighting the big drum to start the event.
Grammy Award winning music group All 4 One sings the National Anthem in a retro moment.
Someone named "Joey P" is brought out to play the trumpet for everyone, this is unbelievable. Behind him are guys on stilts and people in costumes.
All of the fighters are announced one at a time, ala PRIDE, and come out to the stage to the tune of "Bring 'Em Out".
Morton is making his MMA debut after formerly playing wide receiver for the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs for 11 years. All fighters apparently will be entering by walking down the massive set of stairs at the LA Coliseum, I'm sure you're thinking the same thing I am. When the fighter comes down the stairs he's driven to the ring on the back of a cart with his team driving behind him in a golf cart.
Johnnie Morton vs Bernard Ackah
ROUND 1: Morton comes out with a huge flurry and it's a striking exchange before Morton shoots but gets stuffed in the corner. Morton finally succeeds in his takedown but only briefly before Ackah is back up and throwing blows. Another huge exchange and Ackah lands a big right hand and knocks Morton out in the worst way.
Winner: Bernard Ackah, KO (punch), 0:42 of Rd1
Morton is still completely out a minute later and hasn't moved. He slowly starts moving his hand over his face as a neck brace is being put on. Everyone is just hoping Morton is okay. Morton is being carried out on a stretcher, that's almost as bad as you'll see. Morton is moving his arms for the crowd and looks to be okay.
"Late breaking news" that Yoon Dong Sik wanted to overtape his ankle and the CSAC said he couldn't and he'd be off the card. Yoon walked out but has since come to his senses and the Manhoef fight will still happen later.
Mighty Mo vs Warpath Villareal
ROUND 1: Exchange of big punches with Mo throwing a couple of his famous overhand rights. We're in the corner with Villareal working to clinch but Mo pushing him off. Mo fights out eventually but gets a hard leg kick from Warpath for his efforts. Mo misses a wild punch but then lands the second one hard as Villareal drops to the ground looking for a leg but Mo takes his back and lands a ridiculous punch from behind that ends the fight.
Winner: Mighty Mo, TKO (punch), 1:30 of Rd1
A giant welt over the orbital bone of Villareal.
Melvin Manhoef vs Dong Sik Yoon
ROUND 1: A couple missed strikes by Dong which lead to a fake takedown. Big leg kick by Manhoef and then one big punch sends Dong to the ground. Manhoef ground and pounds with more big punches but Dong fights his way out and we're back to the feet. Dong clinches and Manhoef wouldn't let go of the ropes but now we're in the corner where Manhoef actually takes Dong down. Yoon avoided some major strikes there and Manhoef was throwing like a maniac but couldn't finish. Manhoef is in Yoon's full guard when Yoon goes for an armbar. Manhoef fights out and we're back to the feet in the corner with Yoon looking for a takedown. Nice throw by Yoon gives him top position and he's into side mount. Just imagine how much better he'd look with more tape on his ankle.... Yoon is working Manhoef's left arm but slides into full mount and begins landing punches. Yoon looking for the arm again but lets go and lands more punches just to let Manhoef give him an arm again. Yoon looks to have a big armbar this time but Manhoef fights out, gets back to his feet, and begins throwing amazing blows again. They clinch and Manhoef falls out of the ropes so we're restarted. They exchange more punches and that ends round one to a HUGE ovation from the crowd. GREAT first round. Very close round so I asked those around me and it was split 2-2. 411mania will call it even.
ROUND 2: Yoon's eye is swelling but he charges in and gets a takedown against the ropes. Yoon goes into full mount and lands some punches before Manhoef gives up his back and looks to escape. Yoon hooks in a great armbar and Manhoef is forced to tap. It really looked like Manhoef was getting out but Yoon showed great improvement in his ground game.
Winner: Dong Sik Yoon, submission (armbar), 1:12 of Rd2
That was a great fight. Yoon's right eye is completely closed and Goldberg says it looks "like a blowfish".
Brad Pickett vs Hideo Tokoro
ROUND 1: Legkick by Tokoro. Pickett fakes a punch and Tokoro fakes the takedown. Rinse and repeat but they actually do it and Tokoro has him down but Pickett immediately sweeps and gets top position. Armbar attempt by Tokoro and Pickett escapes and stands over him. We're back on the feet and Pickett skims Tokoro with a punch but Tokoro immediately hooks in a leglock. Pickett looked done but beautifully escapes and gets top position in the side mount. Tokoro tries to sweep but fails and Pickett is now in full guard. Tokoro's guard is incredibly active and immediately hooks in an armbar.
Winner: Hideo Tokoro, submission (armbar), 3:42 of Rd1
Only the double main-event remains and we're treated to a large drum show.
Royce Gracie is out first in his gi hopping on the stairs with his family following him. Sakuraba out next, in a wrestling mask, with two Japanese flags following him and large yellow fireworks. Sakuraba throws his wrestling mask into the crowd and has another on under it. He keeps faking taking off the second one and finally does, revealing a third. How strange does it have to feel to be in the rematch of the greatest MMA fight of all-time yet be on the undercard behind Brock Lesnar?
Kazushi Sakuraba vs Royce Gracie
ROUND 1: A couple of front kick attempts by Royce miss and when Royce charges in for the takedown, Sakuraba lands a nice right hand sending him to the canvas. We're on the ground in the corner with Sakuraba holding Royce's legs looking for better position. Sakuraba is standing over Gracie taking leg kicks from Royce's butt. Two hard legkicks by Saku as Gracie butt scoots and tries to respond in kind. The crowd is booing and we're halfway through the first round. The two finally exchanging leg kicks until Sakuraba comes forward and gets top position, looking for Royce's arm. Yamasaki calls for action and Royce gets Saku's back in standing position against the ropes. Saku looking for his Renzo move but Gracie throws some punches and now Sakuraba takes Royce's back standing. They let go and we're back in the center standing. Legkick by Sakuraba and it is the end of round one. Not much entertainment but 411mania gives the round to Sakuraba.
ROUND 2: High kick misses by Gracie as we're feigning shots 30 seconds into the round. Big legkick misses by Sakuraba as he closes the distance but Royce pushes him off and we're still standing. Multiple legkicks by Royce keep landing as Sakuraba looks cautious. We're clinched against the ropes with Royce in control, each with an underhook. The crowd again boos as Royce knees to the thighs and looks for the takedown against the ropes. A dozen more Royce knees to Saku's thighs as we're still against the ropes as the referee calls for action. Yamasaki stops them and we're restarted in the center. Royce with another lowkick so Saku goes Chute Boxe and gets the clinch, throwing several knees. We're back clinched against the ropes with Saku holding double underhooks. Royce is doing a nice job avoiding Sakuraba's takedown on the ropes as the bell rings to end round two. The crowd boos, the fighters hug one another, and 411mania gives the second round to Royce Gracie as he was more active and Sakuraba didn't do much of anything in the round.
ROUND 3: Royce shoots but pulls guard and Saku is in Gracie's half guard. Royce looking for an arm but Sakuraba is calm and keeps the correct position. Sakuraba spins out and takes the side of Royce's back. Sakuraba is now looking for an arm, draped over Royce's back, but Royce stands back up and we're again against the ropes with Saku hanging out and holding an arm. The fighters seem to be talking to one another as we're still in the same position with Royce holding Saku's back against the ropes. Several punches by Royce but Saku is blocking them all with his glove against the turnbuckle. The announcers state something is wrong with Sakuraba as he's talking to his corner and doing nothing offensive whatsoever. The ref breaks them up with :40 left in the fight. A couple front kicks by Royce and a couple of shots by Sakuraba, nothing doing any damage. Royce shoots and Saku sprawls and immediately goes for an armbar on Royce but the bell rings and the fight is over. 411mania gives the fight to Royce Gracie, 29-28.
Winner: Royce Gracie, decision (unanimous)
Of course two officials score it one way (29-28) and Cecil Peoples his own way (30-27). He's on his own planet.
Highlight packages as the main event is about to get underway. Min Soo Kim's silver medal in the Olympics came right behind PRIDE's Pawel Nastula at 95kg. Lesnar gets solid fireworks and is wearing his "Minnesota Martial Arts Academy" sweatshirt. Renallo jokes about the Goldberg/Lesnar Wrestlemania match getting boos like the last bout.
Brock Lesnar vs Min Soo Kim
ROUND 1: They rub faces in the staredown and separate. Lesnar barely touches gloves and moves forward, getting an immediate takedown. Lesnar throws side punches in the half guard and tries to pass to side mount. Lesnar still trying to pull his foot out and finally does getting a full mount. Lesnar lands some punches while trying to push Kim's head down and Kim taps out.
Winner: Brock Lesnar, submission (strikes), 1:10 of Rd1
Kim just kind of gave up there, no big shot or anything special.
Fireworks go off during the post-fight interview where Lesnar thanks his camp. Lesnar said he enjoyed himself and he has no idea where he's going in the future. He wants to keep fighting and wants to see what promoters step up to bring the money and heavyweight titles on the line.
