MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Jeremy Horn vs. Jorge Santiago Winner: Horn
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: Ron Waterman vs. Mario Rinaldi Winner: Rinaldi
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT: Keith Wisniewski vs. Carlo Prater Winner: Prater
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: Alex Andrade vs. Fabiano Capoani Winner: Andrade
James Damien Stelly vs. Luis Arthur Cane Winner: Crane
Hector Munoz vs. Christiano Marcello Winner: Marcello
Lana Stefanac vs. Franita Gathings Winner: Stefanac
Anthony Njokuani vs. Keyon Mike Jackson Winner: Njokuani
Jason Maxwell vs. Thomas Schulte Winner: Schulte
Art of War III: USA vs. Brazil:
-Live American Airlines Arena in Texas!
-Tommy Habeeb is here to welcome us to the show. Frank Trig and Mauro Ranallo are the commentary team. They hype up the show, the team aspect and the title fight with Rizzo. Dan Severn is coaching Team USA.
-We get a video package for Keith Wisniewski vs. Carlo Prater.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Keith Wisniewski: USA (25-10-2) vs. Carlo Prater: BRAZIL (19-5-1):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Prater
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They touch and here we go. Wisniewski with leg kicks to begin and Prater answers. They clinch, knees by Prater and Wisniewski turns it. Knees by Wisniewski and Prater tries to shove away. Knees by Prater, almost gets a takedown but Wisniewski with short jabs in the clinch. Crowd already restless as they aren't doing a whole lot. Elbow by Wisniewski, knees and Prater gets a takedown. Wisniewski inches to the cage and sits up, looks for a guillotine and Prater pops out and gets north south. To their feet and Wisniewski has a single leg, against the cage and he gets the takedown. Body triangle by Prater, Wisniewski out and still not a lot happening. Wisniewski starts to get a few shots, good wrist control by Prater but Wisniewski still lands 3 to 4 shots and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A very close round, but Wisniewski pushed it at the end so he gets the round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Michael Irvin, Carrie Underwood and Tony Romo are in the crowd. Round two begins and jabs by Prater. High kick by Prater connects but Wisniewski almost gets a takedown. More jabs by Prater, leg kicks follow and a good combo connects by Wisniewski. They clinch and knees by Prater. A good takedown by Prater, Wisniewski against the cage and sits up again like round one. Great elbow by Prater rocks Wisniewski, Prater on his feet as and lands some shots. They half stand, Wisniewski holds a semi-guillotine and nothing is happening. Poor officiating here as Wisniewski is bleeding from the nose. They should have been stood up and broken apart due to lack of action. They exchange and clinch, a good bit of bleeding from the nose of Wisniewski now. Wisniewski works the body, and a trip takedown by Prater. Wisniewski works some shots to the bottom and Prater elbows him and is still in control. Wisniewski sits there and does nothing now and Prater tries to work as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Some lack of action but Prater had good takedowns and bloodied Wisniewski, so Prater takes the round 10-9 and evens up the fight.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins and Prater with a takedown right away. Back to their feet and Wisniewski looks for a single leg, gets it and Prater locks the body and Prater gets a double leg from the bottom, stands up and holds Wisniewski against the cage. They separate and both connect with shots, clinch and Wisniewski gets a takedown. Wisniewski lands some shots from the top, Prater grabs a single leg from the bottom, to their feet and they clinch. They finally get broken up for lack of action. Prater gets another takedown and into north south position. Prater lands some shots, final minute now. Prater maintains top control and they get stopped and stood up again. Both throw jabs and they clinch yet again. Some shots by Prater and that's the fight.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Another lackluster round here. Not a whole lot happening, I will go Prater 10-9 and overall 29-28 for Prater.
-The Result: Carlo Prater via split decision (29-28 Prater, 29-28 Wisniewski, 29-28 Prater) One of those judges are blind.
Trig is with Prater. Prater says he is great and it is about time he won one. Losing twice by decision really weighed on him and he proved that he could beat him.
-USA: 0, BRAZIL: 1
-Habeeb is with Michael Irvin. A lot of the arena is empty and they have stand dancers ala old TNA. Irvin says he loves MMA and appreciates these guys. They talk about Football Players trying MMA. He puts over the MMA guys as tremendous athletes.
-We get a video package for Andrade vs. Capoani.
-Capoani comes out to the HHH "King of Kings" Theme Music. I wonder if that was cleared with WWE?
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: Alex Andrade: USA (11-3-1) vs. Fabiano Capoani: BRAZIL: (7-2-1)
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Andrade
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They come out and Capoani shoot sin and Alex on top, Capoani into guard and Alex backs off and Capoani stays on the ground and wants Alex down there with him. Crowd hates it already, Capoani scoots on his ass and the ref makes him stand. Capoani misses a leg kick, shoots in and Alex escapes that. Good right by Alex, combo by Alex misses and Capoani misses a high kick and falls on his ass. A nice combo of four shots land by Alex, Capoani shoots in and Alex with kicks as he is down. Capoani to his feet and throws jabs. Shoots in and they clinch. Rights by Alex and knees by Capoani. Alex lands a lot of shots to the ribs and liver. Knee shots by Alex, Capoani keeps him close and lands knees. They continue to land shots in the clinch. Final minute now and a nice elbow by Alex connects. He continues with the body shots, and he is landing a good bit of them. They get broken up, great combo by Alex and Capoani is down, tries a single leg and nothing as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Alex Andrade controlled the entire round, did the most damage, and takes the round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Alex backs him off to begin the round, they clinch and against the cage they go. Body shots by Alex and lands at will. Capoani does nothing and takes the shots. Capoani works for a takedown, Alex lands into his guard and lands some good shots from the top. Shots to the body and head connect again. A nice elbow lands and another! Alex stands and rains down with shots on Capoani. Alex lands with even more shots, Capoani tries an arm bar and Alex quickly escapes that. More rights by Alex, a big left, Capoani doesn't defend and the ref stops the bout.
-The Result: Alex Andrade via RD 2 (2:20) TKO
Trig is with Andrade. Trig says he came back quicker, bigger and smarter. Andrade says he has the skills, and once he gets the cardio and experience he will be a world-class fighter. He thanks his team and his sponsors, plus plugs his gym!
-USA: 1, BRAZIL: 1
-Habeeb is with Monson. He says he has a plan, worked his striking and now has to go out there and do it. He says Pedro is an elite hall of famer, and he has to prove himself. The title win tonight would be huge because of Pedro's status in MMA.
-We get a video package for Ron Waterman vs. Mario Rinaldi.
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: Ron Waterman: USA (13-5-2) vs. Mario Rinaldi: BRAZIL (5-1)
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Rinaldi
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Waterman is 41 and still jacked to the gills. Both weighed in at over 270. They touch and start throwing. Rinaldi shoots in and they clinch. Rinaldi picks him up, but back to the cage. Rinaldi with a BIG slam on Waterman allows him side control and knees. Short shots by Rinaldi to the head of Waterman. Rinaldi traps the arm and gets a few shots, Waterman escapes but Rinaldi remains in side control. Mount by Rinaldi, hammer fists to Waterman. Waterman fights, tries to sweep out and Rinaldi remains on top. Elbows by Rinaldi as he gets side position again. Back to mount by Rinaldi, elbow to Waterman and then more shots. Rinaldi gets the back of Rinaldi, but Waterman escapes, clinches Rinaldi and to the cage they go. Knees and rights by Waterman. Big knee by Rinaldi, Waterman looks gassed already as they separate. Good rights by Waterman, he unloads as does Rinaldi. Waterman is landing at will as they stand. Waterman nails Rinaldi, his mouthpiece flies out and he falls back to the cage and that is all!
-The Result: Ron Waterman via RD 1 (4:39) KO
Trig is with Waterman. Trig mentions he is usually gassed and was in trouble in the fight. Trig says he looked great. Waterman says he didn't want to let the fans down. He is 41 and he can do all things through Christ. Trig mentions older guys like Couture and Waterman says it is a way of life. He loves to train and compete.
-USA: 2, BRAZIL: 1
-Habeeb is with Rizzo. Rizzo says he has to go 100% to win tonight. He knows Monson has been studying and getting better, as has he and they are both prepared for war.
-We get a video package for Jeremy Horn vs. Jorge Santiago.
-This is Horn's 100th MMA Fight.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Jeremy Horn: USA (78-15-5) vs. Jorge Santiago: BRAZIL (13-7):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Horn
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: According to Horn's record, wouldn't this be his 99th fight? Anyway here we go. They touch and jabs by both. Good landing jabs by Santiago, Horn answers but Santiago gets a takedown, gets the back of Horn but Horn rolls and Santiago lands on top. Lands some shots from the top, Santiago lands an elbow. Another and Horn pushes off, Santiago stands and then Santiago passes guard but they go to their feet. Horn shoots and Santiago lands a ton of punches, ankle pick by Horn and works a triangle, lands elbows on Horn while he has the triangle. Horn stacks him up and is still in the triangle. Santiago tries to sink it in deeper and pulls down on the head and Horn taps!
-The Result: Jorge Santiago via RD 1 (3:02) submission
Trig is with Santiago. Trig says that was an amazing win over a submission expert. Santiago says it was hard to keep the triangle against the cage, but he relaxed and worked for a good submission and got it. He knew that he his could grab a leg he would be safe.
-USA: 2, BRAZIL: 2
-Habeeb is with Tony Romo. Romo is liking the event, a bit extreme but this is his first MMA event. He is a fan now due to the event, and loves the hard work. He is friends with Ron Waterman and was very happy to see him win tonight.
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Here we go. They jab to begin, Rizzo landing well. Monson back with a straight right but Rizzo back with jabs and a leg kick. More jabs by Rizzo, Monson gets a solid jab and then misses a hard right. Good right by Rizzo, and then a wicked jab by Monson that staggered Rizzo. Leg kick by Rizzo but that allows a great combo to land by Monson. Rizzo is already cut by the right eye and Monson gets another string left to that eye. Another and Monson keeps standing and landing. Rizzo back with a good jab, trying to keep Monson away. Monson works his jab and lands 2-3 in a row. Body jabs by Monson, Rizzo with a leg kick and Monson back with jabs. Combo by Monson, he shoots and Rizzo counters and gets top position. Elbows by Monson from the bottom. Final minute of the round and cutting elbows by Monson. Wrist control, Rizzo stands and Monson is made to stand. High kick by Rizzo lands, Monson shrugs it off and a knee by Monson. More jabs by Monson and the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Monson dominated the round and did good damage, so he gets the round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Rizzo's eye is cut and swelling already. They worked on it in the corner, but it is a high cut and that's not a good place to have the cut. Round two begins and they will stand and throw. Jabs to begin, Monson lands a good shot on the cut. Good combo by Monson, in with a knee and then back to the jabs. Rizzo back with jabs, but Monson connects as well. Monson lands another shot to the cut and again. Rizzo works his jab again, tries to back off Monson and lands with solid shots. Again by Rizzo. Right cross by Rizzo but Monson with a power shot to answer. Monson tries to clinch and Rizzo shoves him off. Leg kicks by Rizzo. They exchange and it looks as if Monson is bleeding a bit by his left eye. More jabs by Rizzo and Rizzo is cut on his left cheek as well as his right eye. Leg kicks by Rizzo again land and buckle Monson. Monson misses a right, and more leg kicks by Rizzo. Monson shoots, great sprawl by Rizzo to stop that. High kick by Rizzo lands and then Monson tries to shoot as the round ends.
LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A very different round. Rizzo got another cut, but he also cut Monson. He was able to control more with the leg kicks and was able to stuff the shoots of Monson. Rizzo 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Monson was actually cut pretty good on the bridge of the nose. Round three begins and jabs by Rizzo. Leg kicks by Rizzo again, buckling Monson. Jabs by Monson, in with a good combo and fakes a shoot. Monson tries another shoot, stopped and Rizzo with jabs. Monson back with jabs now and then a big looping right. Rizzo with a good combo and Monson is bleeding well from the nose and lip. Rizzo keeping the pace up, single shots but back to the leg kicks. Both land jabs, Rizzo backs up Monson and DROPS him! He pounces and starts to land shots and the fight is stopped.
They are both a mess and get treated. Monson totally split his lip, Rizzo has to bad cuts; one over the right eye and one under the left eye. Someone also lost a tooth, which they have found on the cage floor.
-The Result: Pedro Rizzo via RD 3 (2:40) KO
The president of the IFA has come from Sweden to award the title to Rizzo.
Trig is with Pedro Rizzo. Rizzo says he took so many punches because he did not think Monson would have improved so much. Rizzo was surprised. He finally found his confidence and finally was able to put him down. Trig says he is back on track, and asks what has helped get him back on track. Rizzo says he went home, trained harder and improved all around and that helped him a lot.
On a side note, the IFA Title Belt looks like something made for a backyard fed.
-USA: 2, BRAZIL: 3
-Mauro and Trig discuss the show and we go to a prelim bout.
-We get a video package for James Damien Stelly vs. Luis Arthur Cane.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - James Damien Stelly: USA (5-1) vs. Luis Arthur Cane: BRAZIL (6-0):
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Cane
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They come out throwing and against the cage they go. Cane works to the side, but Stelly take shim down. Shots to the head from the bottom by Cane, tries to pass and Cane gets a leg, Stelly goes for a leg and into north south they go. TO their feet, against the cage they go and knees by Cane. They separate and great left by Cane. Good high kick by Stelly blocked and eats a left. Knees by Cane, combo follows and two more knees and Stelly is down. Lefts by Cane and he drops more shots from the top. Hammer fists and elbows by Cane. He lands a few more and tries to roll, Cane turns and the lands more shots and two knees and the ref stops the fight.
They check on Stelly after the bout as he took some wicked shots. He sits up and is looking fine
-The Result: Luis Arthur Cane via RD 1 (2:45) TKO
-USA: 2, BRAZIL: 4
-Mauro and Trig are back to discuss that bout and the night as a whole.
-We get a video package for Hector Munoz vs. Christiano Marcello.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Hector Munoz: USA (6-2-1) vs. Christiano Marcello: BRAZIL (6-2-1)
-Pre-Fight Prediction: Marcello
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They come out quick and Munoz with jabs and kicks, not connecting but working. Marcello in and gets a clinch, against the cage and Munoz is able to stop a takedown for a while, leg sweep and Marcello in guard. Munoz tries an arm bar, but Marcello escapes and lands a shot, but almost caught into a triangle. Up kicks from Munoz, Marcello drops some shots on Munoz who has a very active guard. Good right landed by Marcello, tries to pass and lands shots and gets a guillotine on Munoz. Munoz pops out and is in half guard. Lefts land by Munoz, but Marcello grabs the leg as Munoz drops some bombs and Munoz escapes that into side control. Marcello is working the arm, but Munoz gets the reverse side arm bar. Marcello is out and into side control. Full mount by Marcello, rights land. Hammer fists and Marcello gets the back of Munoz. He works for the choke, has it locked in and Munoz battles out. Marcello locks the choke back in and that makes Munoz tap.
-The Result: Christiano Marcello via RD 1 (4:58) Submission
-USA: 2, BRAZIL: 5
-Mauro and Trig say the under card stole the show as we saw with the last two bouts. Trig says this is why you don't come late for an MMA event. Mauro admits that the PPV portion was hit or miss, got to love that honesty.
-Art of War IV will be October 27th.
Stay tuned for Monday Morning when "My Take on MMA" returns with a complete breakdown and final thoughts on the show~!
Feel free to send in your thoughts on the show! If you do, please include your BEST and WORST fight, and score the PPV from 0-10!
