411Mania’s IFL 2007 Semi-Finals Live Report
Posted by Damian Sarcuni on 08.03.2007
Silverbacks vs. Anacondas and Sabres vs. Pitbulls highlight the event!
Alternate Bouts
Quad City Silverbacks VS Los Angeles Anacondas
LC Davis (155) VS Conner Heum (155.5)
The fighters are just entering as we get started.
Round 1 - They feel out. LC pushing the pace with one twos. Conner fakes and LC's punishes him with a combo. LC pushes again and Conner shoots but LC stops it. Down to the ground with LC on top, Conner trying to work his leg up into the choke. LC doesn't look like he's in very deep but it's stopping him from posturing. Conner staying busy. LC tries slip the arm in, he does but Conner is putting pressure on LC's neck. LC looks trapped. Conner looking for the arm, they're at a weird angle but LC still can't do much. Ref breaks it and stands them up. They circle a bit, LC stalking Conner and faking the combo. Conner with a knee but LC makes him pay with the one two. LC with an offensive combo against the ropes, Conner gets him off. Conner goes for the kick and LC's blows land again. They circle to end round 1.
Round 2 - The bell rings kinda fast and now its Conner pushing, big one two by LC lands and knocks Conner into the corner. They clinch, LC with knees to the thigh. Ref breaks it and starts in the center. They clinch up, Conner's shoot is a little off and LC tosses him down. We're in the same position as round 1 except LC is doing a better job of keeping an arm free. LC in Conner's guard now. Conner puts the leg up again....there's no way he's going to get his left up for the choke! It's hard to tell what Conner is going for but he's got LC trapped...LC gets up and starts hitting Conner again, then gets him donw. Conner rolling and he has the leg hooked around the body but he's securing it with an arm instead of his other leg. It's like a weird angled rubber guard? Ref stands it and Conner pushes in but then backs off. LC with a big combo and knee. They mix it up in the corner as the round ends.
Round 3 - LC pushes with the combo again, into the corner and clinch and Conner pulls guard. Into the rubber guard again, switches to guard and LC pounds out but Conner pulls rubber again. LC powers out and looks for big shots, Conner pulls LC in. He's got that high rubber guard again and stays busy until the ref stands it. Conner with a good straight, LC misses the one two. Middle kick by Conner hits. LC pushes into the clinch against the ropes and Conner pulls guard into the guillotine. It's not sunk but it's in there. LC pounds Conner's side as the round and fight end. Decision
29-28 Heun
29-28 Davis
29-28 Davis
LC Davis defeats Conner Heum by split decision.
Heum's rubber guard made the match really weird. He was doing more to keep himself safe than to actually do damage, but Davis did give up the first. Good starting match.
Tokyo Sabres VS New York Pitbulls
Jason Palacios (155) VS Joe Sampieri (154.5)
The fighters are already in the ring again. How exactly did this happen? I didn't even see anyone come in. Anyway Sampieri looks pumped.
Round 1 - They circle and feel out, high kick by Jason hits. Low kick by Joe but they are still feeling out. Jason finds some success with the high kick and goes for a wild one but it misses. They both posture with weird combos until Jason shoots, they struggle and Palacios gets Joe down. Jason sneaks in shots as Joe works position. Sampieri turning now, Jason struggles and puts him back down. Joe has half guard but Jason is working against it and posting up his other leg. Jason finds posture and pounds away, Joe rolls and Jason takes the back. Joe trying to bridge out, Jason looking for the choke. He's got it and Joe taps. Jason Palacios defeats Joe Sampieri via rear naked choke in round 1.
Joe had no offense in that what so ever. It was a matter of confidence in the end, and Jason had all of it. I'm honestly surprised Joe didn't take more damage so I guess it says something about his defense.
Preliminary Bouts
Mike Dolce (180) VS Lyman Good (178.5)
Both fighters enter, and the crowd goes absolutely ballistic for Lyman Good chanting TSK which is his team. Dolce looks HUGE, I don't know if Good has fought someone this big before. The local crowd is pumped for this. Dolce describes his style as "skull crackin'". Hilarious.
Round 1 - They touch and feel out. Dolce pushes, Lyman with a shot and they clinch up. Good pushes Dolce into the corner, they look for sweeps kness and punches to the head. Lyman pushing Mike for the takedown but he abandons it. Ref restarts. High kick and a shot by Lyman but Dolce is ready for it. Another clinch and they wrestle back and forth. Knees by both men. Lyman pushing into the corner again but Dolce pushes out. Dolce changes levels to shoot but Lyman hits a solid shot. They seperate. Both men swinging for the fences as Dolce comes in big. Back to the clinch. Lyman works the corner, knees by both. This is intense but they follow the same pattern. This time Lyman changes levels but they wind up breaking it. Dolce pushing the center, both bobbing. High kick by Lyman hits air, nice right by Dolce and a knee in the clinch to follow. They wrestle and throw bombs as they seperate. These guys are serious. High kick by Dolce is blocked. Lyman picking his shots now. Another combo and both men collide into another corner clinch. Body shots by Dolce as the round ends. Wow.
Round 2 - Crowd applauds the start. They circle, crowd chants for Lyman. Low kick by Good. Dolce misses the combo and Lyman tags him and follows up with a big one two to knock Dolce down! Dolce defends it and Good pushes for month. He gets side. Both fighting desperately for position. Another chant by the crowd for Good. Lyman takes the back and looks for the choke as the crowd erupts. Lyman pounding away but he can't quite secure the choke. Mike fights wildly but has nowhere to go. They seem to be at a stalemate. Dolce trying to bridge, elbowing the legs. Lyman stretches out the choke but keeps losing it. Good staying busy without the choke, body triangle looks solid. Good pounds away the sides of Dolce's head while Dolce does his best to survive. Lyman slips the choke but it's late in the round. Bell rings and Dolce is saved. Wow again.
Round 3 - Ref has to tell both to step back. They touch high, Dolce swings wild but Lymon gets the body lock against the corner. They wrestle out as Lyman shoots but Dolce sprawls. The ref warns him...was there a four point attack? Lyman pushes and gets side mount. He postures and goes for hammer fists but the ref stands it. Dolce pushes and a nice oppercut hits. Lyman shoots and gets Dolce down though. Both men stay busy while close on the ground. Ref stands it, kick by Lyman misses. Kicks and a wild combo by Dolce barely tag. Lyman clinches in the corner again. Knees by Dolce. Ref breaks it. Crowd applauds wildly. Mike stalking Good, Good fires back with a big combo and both swing wild. Clinch again and the push, big hook by Mike hits but Lyman fires back with a flurry. They struggle and it's over. The crowd is going nuts. Too damn close to call!
Decision
30-27
30-27
29-27
Lyman Good defeats Mike Dolce via unanimous decision.
Lyman leads the cheering section to finish. Dolce's striking was just too wild and he didn't land enough to stay in it. Great fight and very impressive from both guys though.
Dante Rivera (184) VS Nassim Levy (183)
Both men in the ring quickly and there's a few boos for Rivera. Nassim is another TSK guy and the cheering section goes crazy for him as well. Rivera seems confident, Levy looks...well, evil.
Round 1 - Levy in the center immediately. Dante having fun timing his striking and he charges in with a knee that tags Levy. Levy swings big but Dante is out of the way and clinches perfectly. Nassim pushes agianst the corner, Rivera tries to pull guard but abandons it. Rivera clinches and hits BIG knees to Levy's gut and head. Levy clinches again and pushes into the corner. Another big knee by Rivera as they seperate. Another as they clinch again. Now Nassim pushes Rivera to the corner and tries to work knees. They struggle around the ropes. Levy has the body lock but Dante pushes him off. Dante comes in with big lefts Levy shotos but Dante gets on top. Levy pushes back up and against the ropes, working knees. Rivera looking to throw, can't seem to get Levy. Knee by Dante. Ref seperates it. Levy comes in wild but Rivera clinches and hits more knees. Both trading knees against the rope as the round ends.
Round 2 - They touch, big left by Rivera hits into the clinch. They fight for the takedown, back into the corner. Knees by Nassim, low blow and Rivera gets a little time. Ref brings them to the center and they touch again. Both circle, Rivera comes in with big lefts and gets the takedown and side mount. Levy tries to buck Dante off, rolls and gets top into guard, Rivera almost has an armbar but Nassim is out. Nassim in Rivera's guard now. Dante holds close and they get stood. Big combo by by Dante, into the thai clinch and Dante hits BIG knees and gets the guillotine. He lets it go and instead hits more knees in the clinch. They seperate, Nassim stalking Dante. Clinch, but not before Nassim hits a solid knee. Against the ropes now, Nassim pulls a takedown and gets side mount. Knee on the belly, he slips off and sort of splashes around. Dante has Levy tight as the round ends.
Round 3 - They touch. Nassim charges with a low kick that misses. Short punches by Dante but Nassim keeps coming forward for the clinch. They trade knees, Nassim pushes against the corner. Dante pushes him off, hits a huge flurry and follows with a high kick and a trip takedown into side mount. Dante gets mount, BIG FLURRY and he's pounding away. The ref steps in. Dante Rivera defeats Nassim Levy via TKO stoppage in Round 3.
Rivera is good. Really good. He stayed calm in the standup and was fast enough to move out of the way of those early on high pressure combos. On the ground, he had overpowering defense even on the bottom. He's not complete, but he's impressive.
They're playing the Japanese National Anthem for the Sabres. AND the Japanese flag is waving on the big screen. Everyone is standing in solice as if there is absolutely nothing wrong with this picture except for me. They do realize the Sabres aren't actually FROM Tokyo right? Nobody puts their hands over their hearts for the American anthem...but they cheer before it ends. New Jersey is a strange, stange place.
Quad City Silverbacks VS Los Angeles Anacondas
Both teams enter and we get a brief overview of each teams history with a spotlight on their coaches. They announce the fighters and they come out and touch in the center with each announcement. We start with Mike and Alex, along with commentary from both.
Mike Ciesnolevicz (205) VS Alex Schoenauer (203.5)
Round 1 - They touch. Both feeling out. Both reluctant to throw. Alex throws and Mike immediately gets the lock but Alex reverses and gets him down into the corner. Alex holds the arm and knees the body. Mike stands, Alex with a knee and they seperate. Both men are moving at a slower pace. Mike stalks Alex and throws a BIG left that hits, they clinch and Alex gets top again but Mike goes for the guillotine. Alex fights for position and gets his head out, pushing forward in half guard. They stand and Mike pushes against the corner. The ref seperates them. High kick by Mike hits around the shoulder. Alex clinches against the corner, a few low knees by Alex. A few boos from the crowd as the round ends. It was pretty boring.
Round 2 - They touch. Mike pushes forward but Alex backs him up with a few swings. Mike shoots but Alex reverses and gets him down. Alex is really fast with those reversals and I almost never see them. Both stand, Mike stalking again, throws a big right to set up the shot but Alex clinches again. They split, body shots as Mike pushes in again. Both grappling in the corner, more boos from the crowd. Ref splits it up. Alex with a one two that tags Mike solidly, he dives on Mike's head looking for finish. Mike turtles up and Alex has the seatbelt. Mike grabs at Alex to stop him but when he gets up Alex pulls into the guillotine in the corner. Mike punches his way out and tries to shake off half guard. He does and pounds away in mount, then takes Alex's back. He looks for the choke then pounds away, Alex defends. Both men back up and as Mike pushes forward Alex lands some shots to Mike's head. The bell sounds. That was a weird finish to the round.
Round 3 - They touch. Alex circles wide, Mike still stalking from the center. Both hesitate to engage. Big left by Mike and he shoots, both clinch. Mike goes for the single leg but he can't get Alex down, back into the corner clinch. Mike still changing levels and Alex keeps balance. Crowd is getting restless. Referee breaks it up. Mike fakes and shoots, gets nothing. Another quick shot and we're back in the clinch again. Do both guys really believe they are winning this? Ref breaks it up again. Mike with another shot, Alex defends against a single leg. Mike with a quick punch before backing out, he pushes in and Alex reverses. Mike pushes him off and shoots again. High kick by Mike hits Alex flush! Alex is dazed and he clinches just before Mike can finishes. The bell sounds. Mike may have just stolen the whole fight in one move.
Mike Ciesnolevicz defeats Alex Schoenauer via split decision.
SilverBacks 1 Anacondas 0
Yep, he stole it with the head kick. Sigh.
Rory Markham (171) VS Chris Clements (169.5)
Militech said Markham is ready to go crazy because of injuries and he certainly looks it, but Clements looks equally psyched.
Round 1 - They touch and circle, both looking to bang, they trade lows, Chris wiht a lot of kicks. Rory fires back with punches, Clements with a middle kick but he slips and Rory dives in, they're back up. Both slugging now, Rory stalking Chris but Chris picks his shots, big shot by Rory lands and Chris is down! Rory pounds out, Chris hits an up kick...isn't that illegal? Rory pounding and the ref steps in. Rory Markham defeats Chris Clements by TKO in round 1.
SilverBacks 2 Anacondas 0
Crowd boos the stoppage. Lotfi says it was a bit early and that Rory only connected on 2 or 3 shots. Crowd boos loudly then applauds when Rory's hand is raised.
Bart Palaszewski (156) VS Harris Sarmiento (153.5)
Round 1 - Bartimus VS the Hitman! They run out and touch. Bart throws jabs and a few wild hooks before shooting, Harris clinches it up and moves it to the corner, working the knees. They spin a bit and the ref moves it, Harris misses with the combo. Bart moves in for the kill but misses, both men countering pretty well. Bart stalking but Harris moves in and out. Low kick by Bartimus. What a name. Flurry by Harris misses, Bart can't capitalize. Good left and kick by Harris. Big right by Harris. Bart countering, another low kick by Harris. Bart still stalking. Bart with a right but Harris ducks and his a SOLID right of his own. Another left by Harris finds its mark. Harris throws a wild overhand that Bart counters with a flush left. Bart fakes the jab. Bart stalking again, another punch/kick and a striahgt by the hitman find their mark. Low kicks by both, they stalk as the bell rings. Good fight so far. Arlovski is in the crowd and the whole arena goes nuts as he waves.
Round 2 - Harris hits several kicks in the opener, Bart gets frustrated and takes him down. Harris playing with the guard now but Bart moves up and grabs the neck. Bart postures, Harris back up and Bart nearly takes his head off. Bart stalking again, solid shot by Harris and Bart misses the counter. Another offensive by Bart is countered by Harris. Both hesitant, Bart comes in big and Harris answers. Bart misses the left and Harris ducks into the clinch. Up in the corner now, Bart takes it to the ground. They work in half guard now, Bart works the angles and tries to pound. Ref stands it. Bart pushing forward but Harris moves and counters. Big right by Bart stops a clinch attempt. Bart fakes a flurry and a high kick is blocked by Harris. Bart stalking again,Harris blocks a high kick as the bell sounds.
Round 3 - Bart with a combo hits the low kick. Bart pushing forward, fakes the flurry and shoots again. Harris stands and clinches, Bart gets him down again. Nice left by Bart. Bart postures up and hits a few hammers to the head, Harris tries to get up but Bart catches him in the guillotine. Harris taps. Bart Palaszewski defeats Harris Sarmiento via guillotine choke in round 3.
Silverbacks 3 Anacondas 0 - Silverbacks win and head into the finals
Harris was impressive in the standup but eventually Bart figured out he had the advantage on the ground. Good fight out of both guys, kind of an anticlimactic finish but not bad overall.
Post fight interview, Bart says the striking was back and forth and calls Harris a son of a bitch because he cut him. He says he hopes the SilverBacks take the championship again, and he wants to put on a great show for the audience.
Gerald Harris (185.5) VS Benji Radach (185)
I'm trying to stay impartial but Lotfi is secretly rooting for Benji. Yeah, I'll blow up a fellow writer's spot. I have no shame! Go read the interview and find out what Lotfi is talkin' about though.
Round 1 - Both men look psyched, they come out and touch. They fel out and Harris shoots, knee by Harris, they work for the takedown in the corner. Both clinched now. Ref seperates it. Nice right by Benji, Harris misses the shot and Benji capitalizes, he gets the guillotine but Gerald picks up Benji and puts him down. Back up, knee by Benji to the stomach. Benji with the guillotine again, Harris tries to pick him up but he falls over this time. Benji takes Harris' back, gets the seat belt but lets it go. Benji isn't doing much and the ref stands it. The ref restarts in teh center, I guess it was too close to the ropes. Harris powers up and shoots, he charges into the corner and Benji hits him as he goes for the single. Harris is on the ground and looks hurt. Benji Radach wins via TKO in the first round.
SilverBacks 3 Anacondas 1
That was a really weird ending. It was clear Harris was hurt and Benji was reluctant to finish. Harris' last attempt pretty much backfired because he was too hurt. That had to suck.
Ben Rothwell (265) VS Krzysztof Soszynski (229.5)
Round 1 - They touch. Both men push in with one two punches, Ben hits a solid right to Krzysztof's jaw and he goes down. A few more punches and the ref as seen enough. Ben Rothwell defeats Krzysztof Soszynski via KO in round 1.
Uh, ok? That was just a slugfest and the bigger guy got the better of it. Not the most technical heavyweights ever, but eh, it was fun for 10 seconds.
Post fight interview and Ben now has the record for the fastest KO in the IFL. Ben says he saw an opening and he took it. He said the angle was good and it hit clean. He thanks the IFL and his sponsors.
Final Score: SilverBacks 4 Anacondas 1
There is a brief intermission while the IFL holds contests and sends shout outs to various fans. The next round of team bouts will begin shortly.
Tokyo Sabres VS New York Pitbulls
Ken Yasuda and the Sabres enter first. The crowd goes crazy when Renzo and the Pitbulls are announced. Who says the team format doesn't get love from city to city? Sign in the crowd: "Even Mike Vick can't drown these Pitbulls!" OUCH!!! That was just wrong. The teams opt not to touch up for some reason and instead just psych up the crowd.
Dave Phillips (185) VS Dan Miller (184.5)
Dave Phillips is described by Ken as a "crazy fighting machine". Miller smiles briefly in the corner.
Round 1 - They touch. Miller with a straight, picks up Phillips and SLAMS him into side control! Wow. Dan into Dave's guard. Dan has a little posture and pounds a bit. Phillips wraps an arm, DAN PICKS HIM UP AND SLAMS OUT OF IT. Oh my god!. Dan locks in the guillotine and Phillips taps!!! Dan Miller defeats Dave Phillips via guillotine submission.
Pitbulls 1 Sabres 0
Welcome to the IFL Dan Miller! Jesus Christ, this guy just took fighter of the night in 2 minutes! Very impressive to say the least.
Wayne Cole (217) VS Bryan Vetell (266)
Bryan Vetell's nickname is "the philospher". HA! That's awesome.
Round 1 - They touch and circle, low kick by Vetell. Cole works the jab but Vetell clinches and moves it to the ropes. Vetell works for the take down and works a knee in. Cole staying busy and fighting it. Bryan moves it to the corner stays busy with light shots and knees. Big knee by Vetell. Vetell working while Cole repositions. Vetell misses the takedown and Cole is all over him, Vetell holds a leg but Cole keeps hitting him. Vetell shoves Cole and combos him, Cole looks hurt and the crowd roars. They clinch, a solid left by Vetell hits. More knees by Vetell. He still cannot get Cole down. The ref seperates it, Cole looks a little hurt...might've been a low blow but it's unintentional. Vetell gets a warning. They touch and circle. One two by Cole hits. Cole shoots and runs into a kick by Bryan. They clinch up and move it to the ropes as the bell sounds.
Round 2 - They touch and circle again. Cole comes in and they clinch, Bryan pushing forward with knees. Alot of knees by Bryan and it looks like he's damaging Cole's legs a bit. Cole tries to stay busy. They wrestle and Byran gets the takedown at last. Wayne holds Vetell really close in open half guard. Vetell finds posture and lands a bloow. Vetell is up...locks in a guillotine and pounds away. Cole gets up but Vetell is still sneaking in blows. Cole grabs a leg and gets Vetell down but only momentarily. Both men up, knee by Vetell. They stay clinched against the corner and both men look tired at the end of the round.
Round 3 - They touch...tentatively. HA! Short combo by Vetell hits. Cole stalking Bryan a little bit, they are both pretty exhausted. Crowd is wrestless. Cole throws the left allowing Bryan to clinch and put him against the ropes, working the knees. They wrestle but Wayne will not go down. More knees to Wayne's legs by Bryan. That really has to hurt. The ref seperates it and Cole telegraphs a right hook. Both men clinch and knee with Vetell getting the better of it. They clinch to the corner and the ref seperates it. Cole still coming forward, drops his hands momentarily and Bryan sneaks in the left to the jaw. Crowd calling for Bryan to finish. They clinch instead and the crowd boos until Bryan gets the takedown. Cole flips it around and pounds away but the bell rings.
Decision
30-27
30-27
30-27
Bryan Vetell defeats Wayne Cole via unanimous decision.
Pitbulls 2 Sabres 0
Vetell had a dominating performance but also had a huge weight advantage. Those knees were ridiculous and caused crazy damage. Impressive, but a bit more on the spectacle side than the sport end of things.
Savant Young (155) VS Deividas Taurosevicius (155.5)
Fans of 411Mania's play by plays and recaps will know that I like to refer to Deividas Taurosevicius affectionately as DT. Savant Young looks game and squats in the corner as he's announced.
Round 1 - They touch and circle quickly. Low kick by DT. High kick by DT hits upper ribs. Low kick by Savant backs DT away. DT swings wild but doesn't hit much. Savant backing up DT now, middle kick but Savant catches it and throws DT down. He comes in and lands a few shots before getting wrapped up in guard. Savant working to posture, DT wraps and arm but Savant stands and gets out. Savant with the big right punch to come back in and the crowd lets out an audible "OOOH". DT stays busy on the ground but Savant pounds away. Young up now, DT kicks at the legs. Another big right by Young. Ref stands up DT. Savant rushes forward into the corner and connects but DT lands a right that knocks Young down. They clinch on the ropes at the sound of the bell.
Round 2 - They touch, feeling out. DT fakes and gets a kick to the ribs. Savant comes in wild and tags DT, then they clinch up. Both changing levels looking for the takedown in the corner. Young swings as they seperate. DT fakes high, shoots and gets Young down then side mount. Into half guard now, Young tries to get up and DT takes his back. He's got the hooks in and he's driving Young's head down, uh oh. He locks in the read naked choke, Savant fights it. Young gets out but DT wraps it again. Savant tries to roll and DT abandons the choke to pound. DT wraps the choke again. He can't close it out though. DT pounding again. Young turns, DT has an arm but Savant blocks it as the round ends. Some very close action tonight and that was definitely up there.
Round 3 - They touch, DT with a combo and hits a kick. Low kick by Young. Kick by Young hits air. DT feeling out still. Low kick by DT, high kick hits nada. Savant with a big left but it's blocked. DT clinches, gets Savant down into butterfly-ish guard. Half guard now. Both men quickly back up and in the clinch. DT changing levels for the takedown in the corner. Ref seperates it. Both men collide with a punch/kick shot. Crowd winces. DT with a SOLID one two knocks Savant Young down! Young is back up and clinches before DT can capitalize! The ref restarts it! They touch high as the clock winds down. DT turns his back to Young, changing positions and throws a low kick as the bell sounds.
Decision
29-28
30-27
29-27
Deividas Taurosevicius defeats Savant Young via unanimous decision.
Pitbulls 3 Sabres 0 - Pitbulls advance in the semi-finals.
Good fight, but Deividas sealed the deal on the ground and in striking. The Pitbulls take it and the crowd starts pouring out of the arena with two figts still left. Interview with Renzo and he calls DT a little spark plug. DT thanks his coaches, he says he should have worked for the armbar earlier. Renzo is all smiles as they announce the Pitbulls are off to the finals.
Antonio McKee (170) VS Delson Heleno (170)
It's the most anticipated bout of the night, so much so that McKee and Heleno actually have full entrances. Heleno looks like he's afraid of the fan's applause. Hope he isn't worried about disappointing.
Round 1 - They touch, both men feeling out. Low kick by Heleno, neither one looking to shoot yet. They circle, crowd boos. Kick by Heleno, misses the roundhouse. Heleno stalks McKee now, kick by Antonio pushes Heleno away. Heleno shoots and they clinch against the ropes. Heleno pushes and sends McKee out of the ropes. They restart. Right by Antonio hits. More boos from the crowd as they are reluctant to engage. Heleno rushes in and McKee telegraphs a shoot...yes I know what I just said... and gets Heleno down in the corner. Delson wraps up guard while McKee tries to work in some punches. He hits one as the bell sounds. The crowd is livid.
Round 2 - They touch. Both men still reluctant to engage as they cricle. McKee shoots when Delson comes in, they clinch but McKee picks Delson up and drops him down. The ref spins them away from the ropes which gets laughs from the crowd. McKee works in Delson's guard. They wrestle around, Mckee finds posture and Delson misses wrapping the arm. The ref stands it and the crowd applaudes. They touch, Heleno swings wildly. Antonio hits the side kick ala Georges St. Pierre. McKee shooting again, into the corner. Heleno reverses, low blow and the ref seperates it. God, EVERYTHING is going wrong in this fight. It looks like Antonio can't even get up. Replay of the low blow and the crowd is shocked. It's been a good minute and McKee is STILL down. This one is getting waved off for sure. To say the audience is disappointed is an understatement. The camera shows a girl and the crowd roars in approval. Antonio is getting up...he stands and the crowd applauds. Antonio tests his groin and winds up down on a knee again. Even the referee is laughing now! McKee gets up but goes down again and the crowd boos. He puts his mouth piece back in...oh my god I can't believe they are restarting.
They touch...McKee looks like nothing happens. Low kick by Antonio. Delson fakes some punches and drops back when McKee shoots. Delson clinches up, knee at the end of the round...and Antonio drops. Oh my god he did it again!
Round 3 - We actually get a round 3...god must hate everyone in this arena. Delson stalks Antonio and gets him down, both men up briefly in the clinch and Antonio slams Delson to the ground. They lay in the corner, the ref stands it. Side kick by McKee, Heleno hits a nice high kick that knocks down McKee. Back to the clinch, Antonio with a slam but Delson takes his back, wraps up the choke and tries to pound away. The hooks are in, Delson still pounding away. Antonio turtles and has little answer. Heleno holding the arms and STILL pounding. Heleno goes for the armbar but misses as the final bell sounds. What a debacle.
Decision
30-27 Heleno
29-28 McKee
29-28 McKee
Antonio McKee defeats Delson Heleno by split decison.
Pitbulls 3 Sabres 1
What fight were the judges watching?! A split decision?! 29-28?! I guess the low blows were faked or something! McKee picks up the win but if I was him I'd be regretting ever stepping in the ring. That was ridiculous.
Vladmir Matyushenko (205) VS Tim Boetsch (206)
Vladmir is known as "the janitor" and I don't want to know how he got that name. This one promises to be a good way to end off the night at least.
Round 1 - They circle, low kick by Vlady and Tim hits him hard in the back. Tim pulls guard, they struggle and Vlady gets Tim's back. Tim up but Vlady gets a good left in. Clinched in the corner now, they stay busy and the ref restarts. Low kick by Vlady and Tim catches it into the takedown. Tim with side mount but Vlady gets up quickly. They clinch, good knee by Matyushenko. The grapple and seperate, high kick by Vlady is blocked. Vlady with a combo that hits, big knee hits, Vlady gets the takedown. Vlady working out of half guard now, gets side position. Tim tries to buck him off, Vlady misses half mount and Tim stalks him. Kick by Vlady but Time catches it and lands a huge left. More shots by Vlady hit. Another kick by Vlady is caught and Tim punishes Vlady then throws him down. Vlady back up, they trade shots into the clinch, then seperate. They circle as the bell sounds.
Round 2 - Low kick by Vlady is immediately caught, BIG right by Tim sends Vlady reeling. Vlady tries to mount a come back and they wind up clinched. Good combo by Tim, high kick by Vlady hits head. Vlady shoots and gets Tim down, looking for side mount. He's got it but Tim wraps him. Vlady pounds, Tim works to get back up but no dice. Vlady continuing to pound, both back up, low kick by Tim. Vlady telegraphs a jab, both men winded. Vlady shoots but Tim sprawls out. Tim pounding lightly, locks in the guillotine and both fight for position. Vlady into Tim's half guard now, they are at a stand still at the end of the round.
Round 3 - They clinch and Vlady hits and uppercut and kick to the body. Vlady gets the takedown and finds side mount. The ref stands it. Tim walks into a punch from Vlady and they clinch right away. Tim stays busy, knee by Matyushenko. Ref seperates it. Both men with combos now, finding their mark. Another clinch, surprisingly few knees in this fight. Matyushenko puts Tim in the corner on the ground, staying busy but Tim holds him tight. The ref seperates it, Tim with a good jab but Vlady shoots inand gets Tim down. Tim locks a guillotine, he doesn't have it solid and Vlady finds side mount. The bell sounds and we go to the score cards. The crowd is pouring out already.
Decision
30-27
30-27
29-28
Vladmir Matyushenko defeats Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision.
