411's Strikeforce At The Dome Report 02.24.08

Posted by Randy Harrison on 02.24.2008

"The Beast" makes his triumphant return to the Pacific Northwest. Will it be a successful one? Maurice Smith and Rick Roufus tangle in the cage. Will there be enough oxygen in their tanks? Nine big fights from Tacoma, Washington as Strikeforce takes over the Tacoma Dome!!

Kenny Rice and Frank Trigg are in the booth and they talk about the history of MMA and how important the Washington area is to MMA, discussing Matt Hume, who helped bring MMA to America. They talk up Nortje/Sapp and the main event, and the say that Nortje doesn't have a lot of MMA skills and that he might get beaten up pretty quickly by not being able to move side to side. They talk about Sapp and his ground and pound skills, taking us to the tale of the tape which shows almost 700 pounds total between the two girthy MMA practitioners.

Ron Kruck is in the back between Bob Sapp and Jan Nortje. He asks Nortje what Sapp's strengths and weaknesses are and Nortje says all of them. Sapp says he knows the weaknesses of Nortje and that he plans to take him down and ground and pound him. They both predict victory. Imagine that.


Match One: Bantamweights
Zach Skinner (2-2) vs. Scott Shaffer (0-0)

Skinner has one of the worst nicknames in MMA, "Skin Dog", and is a local from Olympia, Washington. They talk about Skinner having a two-fight losing streak, and how this is a big fight for him as he is at the point where he might have to decide if he wants to change something in his training or question his fight career altogether. Shaffer trains with Maurice Smith and is another local boy from Bellevue, Washington. Jimmy Lennon Jr. handling the ring announcing, which adds a nice professional touch to the proceedings.


Round One

They circle to start and Skinner shoots for a takedown and gets stuffed on the first attempt, scoring the second. Shaffer has a tight guillotine locked in off of that takedown, and closes off the guard. Shaffer holds onto it and could be burning out his arms here. Skinner stands up and carries Shaffer across the cage and slams him, landing in half-guard. Skinner working from the top, but not really doing a lot as Shaffer controls the body and head well. Skinner transitions to full mount and pins Shaffer against the cage, but Shaffer flips over to his stomach to shoot for the takedown. Skinner back on top, and in side control this time, with Shaffer trying to push out, but there's no movement. Skinner still controlling from the top, but doing virtually no striking. Skinner looking for a keylock but there's nothing there. The crowd gets a little restless as Skinner mounts and scores a couple of punches before taking the back of Shaffer with a minute left in the round. Skinner looking for the rear naked choke with both hooks in and has an arm under the chin, but can't close it off. Skinner working strikes to the body to open up Shaffer, before retaking the mount. Skinner landing a couple of hard punches from the mount and they scramble to side control as round one closes. 411mania.com scores it 10-9 for Skinner.


Round Two

Skinner fakes a shot and eats a leg kick to start out, before shooting in again and eating a right hand. Shaffer with a body kick that just misses and another. Skinner rushes in for another takedown and clinches against the fence, grabbing for a single-leg. Shaffer sprawls out and lands an Yves Edwards-esque knee to the side of the head before breaking free of the clinch. Shaffer lands a BIG knee that stuns Skinner and Skinner tries to shoot in for another takedown. Shaffer sprawls out and pushes Skinner to the mat, standing above him. Shaffer peppers Skinner with leg kicks and then backs away to let him back up. Shaffer with a BIG left hook that lands and a BIG high kick that lands, but Skinner catches the leg. Skinner tries to push in and finally gets the takedown off of that single-leg. Skinner in half-guard, trying to move to mount again, but can't get past it. No strikes from Skinner on top again, and Shaffer reverses, moving to the top and almost getting caught in an armbar. Shaffer slams out of it and lands a good right hand and they're back to their feet. Shaffer bouncing on his toes and missing a big uppercut before attempting a flying knee that misses. Skinner tries for another shot and Shaffer tries to time an uppercut, missing it and giving up the takedown. Skinner looks to be bloodied while working from the top and again does no striking, holding top position to end the round. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Shaffer.


Round Three

They touch gloves to start the third and Skinner shoots in again for a takedown, eating a body kick and Shaffer lands a solid knee up the middle as well. Skinner with the single-leg but can't get the takedown as Shaffer starts working the body with hard shots to the ribs. Shaffer pushes out of the clinch and misses a big right hook, and Skinner ends up scoring the takedown, on top and in half-guard. Skinner again just laying on top of Shaffer with no striking done at all. Shaffer trying to get out from underneath, but he can't get out of it. Skinner looking for a kimura, but there's nothing there, and we're back to just laying on top of Shaffer. The crowd seems a little bored and Skinner takes the mount again. Shaffer controls the head and body before pushing Skinner away with his feet, getting his full guard back. The ref calls for action, and I agree completely, as Skinner keeps dry-humping away at Shaffer from the top position. Skinner takes mount again and Shaffer tries to buck but can't get out from under it. Skinner moves to side control and takes the mount again, with Shaffer reversing to take the top, backing away to get the fight standing. They exchange and Skinner dives in for another takedown attempt, scoring it and taking Shaffer's back with ten seconds left. Skinner holds the back and spoons Shaffer until the bell. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Skinner and the fight 29-28 for Skinner.

Winner: Zach Skinner, Unanimous Decision


Ron Kruck with Frank Shamrock now, and he's here to corner Maurice Smith tonight. He talks about how he's going to put some chin music on Cung Le with his knuckles, and that he's going to take him out in a round or two. He mentions fights with Ken Shamrock or Tito Ortiz after he's done pounding on Le next month.


Match Two: Heavyweights
Mike Hayes (0-0) vs. Matt Kovacs (1-0)

Hayes is making his pro debut here, and is a local fighter from Washington state. Sadly, he doesn't make his entrance to Badstreet, USA, losing serious points from me. Trigg and Rice talk about the pressure that he must be feeling with his pro debut happening on such a big stage. Kovacs is actually from Tacoma and looks calm making his way to the cage. Kovacs has about 15 pounds as a weight advantage but Hayes has the size and the reach.


Round One

They glare at each other during the instructions, and they touch gloves. Hayes with a nice leg kick to start and they flash out some jabs. Hayes cuts off the cage and scores another leg kick before they move in to exchange with Hayes getting the better shots out of the combinations. Hayes uses his jab to keep Kovacs at bay, landing another solid leg kick off of the jab. Kovacs misses with a HUGE left hook and they're back to circling. Hayes tries a high kick that gets caught and Kovacs puts him to the mat, falling on top and into half-guard. Kovacs works to the body and head with punches and Hayes tries to control from the bottom. Hayes gets out from underneath and stands up to land a couple of punches before they separate. They clinch in the middle of the cage and Hayes works the inside knees to the thighs. Kovacs with a body shot and Hayes scores a couple of good knees to the body before they push apart. Kovacs tries another looping hook that misses and Hayes lands some strikes inside. Kovacs with a body kick that lands and Hayes is trying to land some shots, but Kovacs keeps ducking and dodging them. Hayes with another shot, landing a hard left and they're back to the clinch against the fence. Kovacs works the clinch into the takedown and presses Hayes against the fence, working to the head and body again as the bell sounds. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Kovacs off of the takedown at the end of the round.


Round Two

Kovacs with a leg kick that lands and Hayes tries for a combination but can't score with any of the strikes. They exchange sloppily with nothing decent landing and they work the clinch, with Hayes landing a solid knee. Kovacs pushes Hayes up against the fence and lands a hard knee to the body as they move back to the middle. Hayes hits a couple of uppercuts inside before Kovacs lands a monster right hand that stuns Hayes. Kovacs throws a combination that lands and Hayes grabs the Thai clinch, hitting some knees. They trade in the middle of the cage with Hayes taking the better of it, and Kovacs shoots in for a takedown. Hayes reverses it and ends up on top, in full mount. Hayes tries to free himself to strike but can't, taking Kovacs' back and landing a couple of hammerfists. Hayes moves to side control and Kovacs works had to control the body from the bottom, with Hayes able to only land a couple of shoulder strikes from this dominant position. Hayes isolates one of Kovacs' arms and starts landing the hammerfists to the side of the head. They slow and Hayes tries to land some more shots with Kovacs covering his face with his free hand and they're stalemated at this spot to end the round, with Hayes landing another couple of strikes right before the bell. 411mania.com scores this round 10-9 for Hayes.


Round Three

Hayes with a Superman punch that misses and Kovacs lands a good shot off of it. Hayes with a good combination and Kovacs misses wildly with a hard right hand. Both look tires and Kovacs is swinging with crazy punches that all miss. Hayes lands a couple of knees to the head up the middle, and they clinch against the fence. Kovacs with the foot stomps and shoulder strikes before Kovacs lands a GOOD left hook that draws blood from Hayes' nose. A little more clinch work and they push off to separate. Hayes lands a HARD punch that stuns Kovacs and they're back to the clinch. Kovacs with a good combination that lands and forces Hayes backwards, before more clinching ensues. They push out to separate in the middle of the cage and the crowd lets out a roar. Hayes measures up some short punches that land and Kovacs looks exhausted. 90 seconds left and they're back to clinching against the fence with Kovacs landing some body punches before he catches Hayes right in the pills with a HARD knee. Ouch, man. Ouch. Hayes takes some time to recover and they're back to fighting. Hayes swinging with combinations that just miss and Kovacs clinches in for a takedown attempt. Hayes works the body with punches and falls back to try a guillotine choke but can't secure it and Kovacs works a little from the top to end the fight. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Hayes and the fight 29-28 for Hayes.

Winner: Mike Hayes, Unanimous Decision


Match Three: Welterweights
Lyle Beerbohm (3-0) vs. Ray Perales (9-13)

Beerbohm is apparently a late replacement for Brad Blackburn. Perales has lost to a who's who of MMA, with names like Brock Larson and Dennis Hallman on his dance card.

Round One

Beerbohm lives up to his nickname "Fancy Pants" fighting in technicolor, neon-splashed bicycle shorts. He secures a takedown right off the bat, landing in half-guard and working to score some strikes. Beerbohm with a couple of right hands that land and he lays on top of Perales with a forearm across the throat. Beerbohm with more right hands and he presses Perales up against the fence, landing a couple of body shots. He stands and lands a couple of good hammerfists before ending up back on top in the half-guard. Another couple of hammerfists from the half-guard and Beerbohm stands to land another couple of hard strikes, moving over to side control. Beerbohm with a knee to the belly but he misses the mount and ends up back in half-guard. Hard rights and lefts from Beerbohm and a shoulder strike lands as well. Beerbohm works the mouth smother and the top position, but the pace has slowed a little. As I say that, Beerbohm postures back up and throws a few more strikes that land, but don't do a ton of damage. Beerbohm tries for the side control again and isolates one of Perales' arms to land some strikes to the face. Beerbohm takes mount with ten seconds left and pounds out some rights and lefts to end the first round. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Beerbohm.


Round Two

The second round begins with another Beerbohm takedown, pushing Perales up against the fence and working a neck crank. Beerbohm grabs the head and lands a hard knee as Perales tries to stand up and they work the clinch against the fence. Beerbohm trying to secure a double-leg takedown and slams Perales down to the mat hard, ending up in side control. Beerbohm with some right hands before he moves to the full mount position. Beerbohm lands a good left from the top and Perales tries to work body control, but loses it to eat some more punches. Beerbohm with the smother again and he lands another couple of punches from the mount, but nothing of consqeuence. Some harder strikes from Beerbohm landing now and he's still in full mount. The action slows a little and Perales tries a sweep but he can't get it over and Beerbohm is back to landing punches from the mount. Beerbohm with a hard shot to the body and another couple to the head and Perales tries the sweep again but it doesn't work. Beerbohm with more rights and lefts, scoring some good hammerfists, continuing the beating to end the round. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9, Beerbohm.


Round Three

Beerbohm with a high kick that lands hard and he scores it again as Perales shows a bit of a chin with those kicks. Beerbohm shoots in for the takedown and Perales sprawls out of it momentarily, before running up against the fence. Beerbohm pulls on the double-leg and scores the takedown, working from Perales' full guard. Beerbohm moves up to the side and he grabs a hold of a guillotine choke, securing it from the side and forcing Perales to tap out.

Winner: Lyle Beerbohm, submission (guillotine choke) at 1:19 of Round Three


Match Four: Heavyweights
Mychal Clark (4-3) vs. Josh Bennett (6-3)

Bennett has a huge size advantage, holding almost thirty pounds on Clark, and a little bit of a reach advantage as well.


Round One

Clark with an uppercut that just misses early and Clark lands a low kick and a strike to the head that puts Bennett down to a knee. Bennett comes back to clinch Clark, eating a big uppercut and some knees to the body for his trouble. Clark shoots in for a takedown and Bennett sprawls out of it to avoid it and lands a couple of hard knees to the head. They separate and Clark lands a HARD knee to the head before they exchange with Clark landing the better strikes and combinations. Clark with another good uppercut in the middle of the cage and a straight right hand. Clark landing more combinations and they clinch against the fence. Bennett with a couple of knees to the body and some good lefts and rights that glance off of Clark. Clark lands a SOLID right hand out of that exchange and a good kick as well. Bennett with a good knee up the middle to the head and Clark responds with another uppercut. Bennett looks stunned and Clark lands a straight right and a good knee up the middle. Bennett with a front face lock from the standing position and they end up on the mat with Bennett on top in the full guard of Clark. Bennett lays on top and tries to strike but he can't hit much of anything. Clark pushes him away with his feet and scrambles to his feet and they throw a ton of punches as the round comes to a close. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Clark.


Round Two

Clark with a flying knee attempt that misses and Bennett looks exhausted, with a huge cut over his left eye. Clark with a big right hand that misses and he's swinging for the fences to try to land that KO shot. Bennett moves to the clinch and pushes Clark against the fence, scoring a couple of knees to the head. Clark with a leg kick and an uppercut that lands and they trade some jabs. Clark scores another right hand and they clinch against the fence, trading knees to the body. Bennett with the Thai clinch and a knee to the body but he ends up eating a couple of overhand rights and a good knee from Clark in response. Bennett's eye looks swollen shut at this point and he shoots in for a takedown and gets it. He works for a kimura from the top in half-guard, landing some small hammerfists after he lets it go. They slow to a crawl and Bennett lays on top for a few seconds to rest up. Bennett tries to move to side control but can't get it done and Clark is holding onto his arms to avoid strikes. Bennett takes the full mount and Clark is able to buck out of it, getting things back to half-guard in short order. Bennett lands some right hands from the top as Clark tries to get to his feet, rolling to his belly and shooting for a leg. Bennett grabs a guillotine but can't secure it and Clark ends up on top of him with fifteen seconds in the round. Clark does nothing as the round comes to a close. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Bennett.

Between rounds we get to see Bennett's eye and that thing is NASTY. A huge cut and it's swollen shut and the referee and doctor step in to stop the fight.

Winner: Mychal Clark (doctor's stoppage) at 5:00 of Round Two


Match Five: Lightweights
Jorge Masvidal (12-2) vs. Ryan Healy (9-2-1)

Masvidal rides a six-fight winning streak into this fight, with a win over Yves Edwards included in that streak. His most recent action was a first round TKO of Matt Lee at Strikeforce's Playboy Mansion show last September. Healy has won two in a row himself, and his last effort was an impressive 45-second TKO victory over Ryan Bixler in August of last year.


Round One

Circling to start out and Masvidal tries for a knee to the body, but Healy catches it. They trade a little and Masvidal gets a takedown but Healy pops right back up. Masvidal with a body kick that lands and Healy hits a HUGE right hand and a big knee to the head that puts Masvidal down. Healy takes his back and tries to finish but Masvidal regains his feet, and scores another takedown, slamming Healy and moving to side control. They scramble again and Masvidal tries a strike standing that misses. Healy scoring a couple of good combinations and changes levels to a double-leg, taking Masvidal down against the cage. Masvidal cagewalks back up to his feet and they clinch against the fence with no movement. Masvidal with a good strike and a bodylock takedown. Masvidal lands a ton of quick strikes from the side control and Healy gets to his feet and they trade again with some shots and Healy ends up landing a couple of punches before getting a takedown. Masvidal ends up on top though, and is working some strikes from the full guard. Healy controls the arms of Masvidal after eating a couple of punches and tries to worm out from underneath. A HARD left from Masvidal that lands and they're back to the full guard. Nothing happens and the referee stands them up to get the action going. Masvidal with a body kick that lands and healy responds with one of his own. Masvidal tries a spinning back kick and they end up swinging to end the round. 411mania.com scores the round 10-9 for Healy.


Round Two

Healy pushes the pace with a front kick to start the round and they move back out to circle. Masvidal with some punches and Healy's corner screams for him to move forward. Masvidal scores a takedown and is in half-guard, landing a few short strikes before ending up being pulled back into full guard. Another hard right hand from Masvidal and a great guard pass puts Masvidal into side control. Not a lot of action from there and Healy gets back to full guard. Masvidal with some strikes that land and Healy pushes him away, trying to stand, but he can't get enough seperation. Another lull in the action and the referee stands them up. Healy with a good right that lands and an overhand left as well. They exchange with nothing landing for either fighter and Healy shoots in for the takedown and gets it. Masvidal with a bit of a high guard and Healy tries to stand up and out of it, but Healy grabs an armbar and tries to finish. Healy slips out of it and tries a guillotine from the bottom but there's nothing there. Masvidal in half-guard and the action slows again, before he lands a punch and eats a couple from Healy on the bottom. 411mania scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal.


Round Three

Masvidal with a spinning kick that misses and Healy scores a HARD knee up the middle against the fence, throwing a combination off of it and Masvidal covers up and avoids the damage. Masvidal gets a push takedown from a clinch into side control. The bridge of Healy's nose is laid wide open and the referee stops the fight to let the doctor take a look at the cut. The doctor says it's good to go and he restarts the fight back on the ground. Masvidal back in side control, moving over to the other side, ending up in half-guard, but not really striking. Healy takes back full guard and Masvidal scores a couple of solid shots from the top, rights and lefts raining in. Healy tries to control Masvidal's head and they're clinched sitting against the fence and the cut on Healy's nose is getting a little bigger. The action slows and the referee stands them back up. Healy misses a left hand and Masvidal scores a beautiful takedown into side control again. The referee stops the fight again to restart them as they're clinched against the cage and Healy lands a leg kick. Masvidal with a knee up the middle and they clinch against the fence with a minute left in the round. Masvidal puts Healy onto his back again and is standing above him, landing some strikes before moving to pass the guard into side control again. Healy gets it back to guard and they trade short punches from the guard. Masvidal passes to the side again and Healy is looking for a kimura from the bottom but he's going to run out of time as the round comes to an end. 411mania scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal and the fight 29-28 for Masvidal.

Winner: Jorge Masvidal, Unanimous Decision


Match Six: Welterweights
Steve Berger (18-17-2, 1 NC) vs. Eddy Ellis (13-14-1, 1 NC)

Berger's fight record is full of bigger names, with losses to Din Thomas, Robbie Lawler, and jake Shields in his career, offset by wins over Shonie Carter and Rich Clementi. Ellis has fought against the likes of Ryan Healy, current IFL Lightweight Champion Ryan Schultz, and Spencer Fisher in his MMA career, losing all of those fights. Berger earns big points from me coming out to Rage Against The Machine.


Round One

Berger with a combination to start out and another as Ellis throws a leg kick. Ellis moves in with a spinning takedown into full guard. Berger landing some shots from the bottom and Berger gets the fight back to its feet. Ellis shoots in with a punch that lands and gets back outside the pocket. Berger eats a bit of a right hand and a knee to the body from Ellis. Ellis with a side kick to the gut that lands and Berger rushes forward with a combination. They clinch against the fence, with Berger landing some inside knees to the thigh of Ellis, and Ellis hitting a hard knee to the body. Ellis with ANOTHER knee to the body and a left hand as they separate. They trade jabs that land and a combination lands for Berger. Berger with a good right hand that stuns Ellis a little and they are throwing hands back and forth, with Ellis getting the better of it. Berger rushes forward with a combination but Ellis takes the leg and scores a takedown, with Berger reversing it immediately. Berger in side control, pressing Ellis up against the fence. Ellis stands back up and Berger tries to get the fight back down to the mat, but can't get it done. Ellis with a front face lock and a bit of a choke cinched in, but time runs out on him to end the round. 411mania scores the round 10-9 for Ellis.


Round Two

Ellis with a body kick to start out, and Berger tries a combination to fire back, landing some glancing shots. Ellis with a good left that lands and they trade straight right hands with Berger getting the better shot, opening up a cut on Ellis above his left eye. Berger takes him down and ens up working the body from the full, closed guard before trying a neck crank to open it up. Berger working some solid ground and pound and punishing Ellis, before Ellis is able to regain his feet and push for a takedown of his own. Berger tries to stand out of it but Ellis pushes him over again, trying to take his back, but failing. Berger reaches for a single-leg against the fence and the referee stops them to restart the fight in the middle of the cage. Ellis is moving forward on Berger and they end up clinched with Berger landing a knee and Ellis shooting in for the takedown, scoring the double-leg and putting Berger down to the floor. Ellis doing some work from the full guard, landing a couple of short lefts and rights as Berger does the same from the bottom. The ref has seen enough and stands them up again. Ellis with a QUICK shot, into another takedown against the fence. Ellis working from the half-guard landing some short punches, but not really doing any damage with them. Berger moves his guard up to look for a triangle, transitioning into an omaplata attempt, sinking it in and landing some strikes as the bell saves Ellis at the end of that round. 411mania scores the round 10-9 for Berger.


Round Three

Nothing much happens in the early seconds and Ellis ends up with a takedown, on top of Berger and with full back control. Ellis has the body triangle locked in on Berger and he's trying for the rear naked choke. Berger turns into it to defend it properly, but he can't break the body triangle. Ellis keeps trying for the choke and almost sinks it in, going across the chin instead of the throat. More strikes from Ellis and he's landing some good short right hands to Berger's face. Ellis back to the rear naked attempt and he can't get it as Berger tries to stand up out of the back control. Ellis drags him back down and works some short strikes to the head, trying to loosen up Berger's defense. They continue to hand-fight over the submission attempt and Ellis has the body triangle locked in still, after almost two minutes. Ellis almost secures the choke but can't lock it up, as Berger almost gets out of the body triangle, but can't. Ellis' body triangle moves up higher and ends up broken as Berger rolls to his stomach and shoots for a single-leg. Ellis rolls with it and ends up still on Berger's back. Berger gets top position and a takedown with ten seconds left in the round, but it;s too little, too late in my opinion. The round and fight comes to a close with the fighters stalemated against the fence. 411mania scores the round 10-9 for Ellis and the fight 29-28 for Ellis.

Winner: Eddy Ellis, Unanimous Decision


Match Seven: Heavyweights
Maurice Smith (11-10) vs. Rick Roufus (0-0)

Smith's resume speaks for itself, and he is one of the pioneers and legends of the early years of MMA. He only has one fight in seven years though, so there could be a lot of rust. Roufus is also a legend, but in kickboxing instead of MMA. His initial fight was set to be against Mark Kerr earlier this year, but that fight was pulled by the CSAC due to Roufus' lack of experience. Both are kickboxers at heart, so this one could stay standing for as long as it lasts. They tout this fight as a rematch, and it must be a rematch from a kickboxing match, because there's no record of a fight between these two happening in MMA. Smith gets pyro for his entrance and looks confused by it. Well, at least that's better than being afraid of it like Eric Young.


Round One

They touch gloves to start out and Roufus throws a hard right hook that lands. Roufus bouncing on his feet and they circle a little before Smith shoots in for a double-leg takedown attempt and gets it, putting Roufus down against the cage. Smith doing some work from the half-guard, landing some short strikes to the head and body. Roufus working some good body control from the bottom and Smith is looking for a kimura from the top, getting full mount out of the deal. Smith cranks on the arm and locks in the submission and Roufus is forced to tap out.

Winner: Maurice Smith, submission (kimura) at 1:53


Match Eight: Middleweights
Joe Riggs (27-9) vs. Cory Devela (7-1)

Riggs has had a well-documented career in MMA, with big wins over Joe Doerksen, Nick Diaz and Chris Lytle. His last fight was in September at the Playboy Mansion, where he destroyed Eugene Jackson in just under four minutes. Riggs took this fight on short notice, and is making a bit of a comeback after a bid to fight on the WCO card in San Diego was derailed by the cancellation of the show. Devela is riding a hot streak, winning five fights in a row, and coming off of his biggest win to date, a decision win over Lodune Sincaid at SportFight 21, where Devela beat up and bloodied Sincaid for fifteen minutes in a dominant performance. Devela gets the hometown crowd pop for being from Washington state, and Riggs gets a visit from the boo-birds.


Round One

They touch gloves and we're underway. Some circling to start out and the crowd gets a little antsy. Devela with a good body kick that lands and they move to the clinch out of that, with Devela pushing Riggs against the fence. Devela separates a little and lands a short forearm and he gets a WICKED judo throw out of that, putting Riggs down right on his tailbone and Riggs is immobilized. Devela hits a few hammerfists to punctuate the finish and the referee steps in to call for the bell.

Winner: Cory Devela, TKO (judo throw) at 1:22 of Round One

Post-fight, Devela is loving life, doing the crane pose from The Karate Kid movies for all the cameramen in the front row. Riggs is still down on the canvas getting checked out by the doctors and he can't get up, but the good news is that all of the extremities are moving. They bring in the backboard and the stretcher for Riggs and they're going to take him to the back and most likely to the hospital to get checked out.


Main Event
Match Nine: Super Heavyweights
Bob Sapp (9-2-1) vs. Jan "The Giant" Nortje (1-5)

This is Sapp's big return to fight MMA in the United States for the first time in his career. He comes in on a four-fight win streak, with none of those fights going outside the first round. Sapp might be more well-known to American fans as an actor, rather than a fighter, with his role in the remake of The Longest Yard being his most notable role. Nortje has a ton of K-1 experience and is known more as a kickboxer than an MMA fighter. He has a dubious MMA record, but could be a tough test in the stand-up for "The Beast", who is used to fighting people who are not quite as large as Nortje.

Nortje comes out to what sounds like death metal and YAWNS at the top of the ramp. That is honestly something I have never seen before in all my years of watching MMA. Hopefully he won't be taking a dive or something based on his apparent lack of interest in the bout. Sapp gets a ton of pyro and comes out to the Ric Flair music, complete with feathered robe. That is tremendous.


Round One

Sapp looks like an ANGRY man during the staredown. Nortje better be careful he doesn't get eaten. They clinch right off the bat, with Sapp trying to pushe him up aginst the cage. Nortje landing some good shots from the distance, staggering Sapp a little and they're back to the clinch against the fence. Nortje landing some hard shtos and he's stunning Sapp. SAPP IS DOWN, SAPP IS DOWN, NORTJE WITH THE FINISH!!!! Nortje landed a ton of HARD right hands and put Sapp down as he was trying for the clinch to close the distance, putting Sapp down on his ass against the cage and the referee stops the fight.

Winner: Jan Nortje, TKO at 0:55 of Round One

The CompuStrike stats show that Nortje landed 21/35 in 55 seconds and Sapp went 0 for 6 with his punches. That's a beatdown people. In the post-fight interview, Sapp says that he came in with a massively pulled hamstring, but then says that he means to take nothing away from Nortje. I hate it when guys do that. He plugs his movies and his pro wrestling that is coming up for him soon, as well as his next MMA fight.

Rice and Trigg thank us all for watching, and Trigg gives a shout-out to his wife, as they throw it to the credits and we're done for the night!! Good night from Washington!!