411’s Strikeforce - Payback Report 10.03.08
Posted by Larry Csonka on 10.04.2008
Duane Ludwig gets “payback” as he destroys Sam Morgan, the Karate Hottie Michelle Watterson picks up another victory and it’s basic TRIGGANOMICS and Frank Trigg is successful against Falaniko Vitale! Get all the details in the complete Strikeforce - Payback Report!
Strikeforce - Payback 10.03.08
-Live from Broomfield, Colorado!
-Kenny Rice and Matt Hume are the commentators. BAS is on location with KIMBO for tomorrow night's Elite show.
-Ron Kruk is with Frank Trigg. Trigg says he is as healthy as he can be for a 37-year old fighter. He didn't get hurt in his last fight, well, just his ego because he couldn't finish. Trigg says he is fighting more because he was looking for a good time and the right place to fight. He wishes he could have had 12-weeks to train, but he plans to have his A-Game tonight. Trigg says he has better hands, but not the power of his opponent. He wants it on the ground in his way, and plans to accomplish that.
-No elbows or forearms to the head of a grounded opponent tonight.
-We get a video package for Tyler Toney vs. Ricky Johnson.
-On a personal note, guys shouldn't have nicknames when they haven't won a fight.
145lb. Bout - Tyler Toner (2-1) vs. Ricky Johnson (0-1):
ROUND ONE: And here we go. Kicks by Johnson to begin. Toner back with a body kick, combo by Johnson, kick again and a hard leg kick by Toner. Johnson works some leg kicks, to the cage they go and they trade body shots and knees. Foot stomps by Johnson, but a good elbow by Toner. They trade leg kicks, a right misses for Toner and Johnson then connects with a good combo and uppercut. High kick by Toner, and then the leg kick. They clinch, to the cage again and Toner lands a good knee. Johnson backs off, high kick by Toner and then a combo follows. Johnson is backing off and bleeding from the nose. Nice jab by Toner, a left hook and knee follow and Johnson is continually moving backwards. Leg kick by Toner, front kick and a jab also connect. Clinch and two big knees rock Johnson. Body kick by Toner, but Johnson catches it and lands a shot that Toner is down off of a slip. To the ground, Toner immediately gets side control but the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Toner had better quality strikes all through out the round and clearly did more damage. Toner controlled and I have him up 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Johnson in with a combo, but the clinch gets more knees by Toner. Against the cage they go, they separate and a high kick misses for Johnson. Good jab by Toner and then the body kick. Head kick by Toner grazes Johnson, back to the leg kicks and Johnson tries to shoot, stuffed and to the cage they go. Knees by Toner, they separate and a nice right by Toner. Toner stalks Johnson, takes him down and Toner into the guard of Johnson. Toner postures up, lands good shots while in the guard. Toner knocks out Johnson's mouthpiece with a right, half guard by Toner and Johnson just covers up and is bleeding badly now as Toner just continues to land hard rights. Toner passes and gets the back of Johnson, works for a choke but then has mount and the fight is stopped as Johnson was not protecting himself.
THE RESULT: Tyler Toner via RD2 (3:44) TKO
-Kruk discusses the high altitude and how it can affect a fighter.
-We get a video package for Michelle Watterson vs. Tyra Parker.
112lb. Bout - Michelle Watterson (4-3) vs. Tyra Parker (0-1):
ROUND ONE: Watterson eats a right after a big kick attempt. Leg kick and a right lands for Watterson. Against the cage they go, knees and lefts by Watterson. Watterson works the under hook and lands some big knees, takes Parker down, gets the choke right away and that is all.
THE RESULT: Michelle Watterson via RD1 (1:20) Submission
Parker didn't tap, but was going out and it was stopped.
-Kruk interviews Nate Marquart. He hopes to fight in January next.
-We get a video package for Andrew Walker vs. Carlos Zevallos.
205lb. Bout - Andrew Walker (1-3) vs. Carlos Zevallos (0-0):
ROUND ONE: Here we go as Walker comes out with jabs. A combo lands as Zevallos backs off a bit. A left by Walker drops Zevallos, he pounces on Zevallos and has him down against the cage, into guard now and is unloading. Zevallos up and knocked back down. He gets back up, Walker with great lefts and then after a brief clinch they separate. They trade knee strikes, body shot and a good combo by Walker. Big knee by Walker, to the cage they go and both guys already look tired. Zevallos backs off Zevallos, throws some sloppy rights and to the cage they go again. Knees by Zevallos but Walker take him down very slowly, but Zevallos right into side control. Soft lefts by Zevallos, has knee on belly and starts to land rights as he gets full mount. Zevallos thought about an arm bar, but moves back to tights and lefts. Not much power in the shots, but the fight is stopped.
THE RESULT: Carlos Zevallos via RD1 (4:38) TKO
Ron Kruk is with Carlos Zevallos. He says it was amazing and he has been waiting for that forever. He says early it felt like he got hit like a sledgehammer. Zevallos was happy to be in it when it went to the ground, and talks us through the replay.
-We get a video package for Luke Caudillo vs. Billy Evangelista.
-I am annoyed that the records for the fighters they show are almost completely different from the fight sheet sent to me by Strikeforce.
155lb. Bout - Luke Caudillo (14-10) vs. Billy Evangelista (7-0):
ROUND ONE: And here we go, they circle and knees by Evangelista to begin. Jabs by Luke, leg kicks by Evangelista and Luke then ROCKS Evangelista with a straight right. Luke take shim down, as Evangelista tries to get back up he is knocked back down once again! Evangelista does get back up, knees by Luke and they clinch. A high kick misses for Evangelista, straight right by Evangelista and he tries to work the jab. Evangelista shoots in, stuffed and they trade rights. Luke with a right that stops the knee by Evangelista, Evangelista misses a body kick and Luke works the leg kicks. Evangelista misses a big left, straight right by Luke and then they trade a bit wildly. Evangelista with a few knees and rocks Luke, a body kick follows and then a straight left by Evangelista. Push kick by Evangelista, they both land jabs and then a knee by Luke. Evangelista starts to unload with a combo, drops Luke and into north south they go. Evangelista gets the back and is just landing a ton of shots on Luke. Into side control and the round ends with Evangelista just beating down Luke.
SCORECARD:: While Evangelista was in trouble early, he slowly came back and then dominated the last minute of the round. The fight was almost stopped two ties really. I will go with Evangelista 10-9 but it was a close round.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and after a jab, Evangelista gets a push kick. Both throw wildly and miss, but then Luke gets a good combo. Leg kicks by Evangelista, Luke catches a kick of Evangelista and drives him to the mat. Evangelista climbs the cage, escapes to his feet and they both look to trade. Evangelista misses a flying knee, push kick follows and then a straight right. Another lands, high kick checked by Luke, they both land a jab and then a body kick by Evangelista after a jab connects. Nice knee off of a failed shoot by Evangelista. Luke misses a looping right and Evangelista gets a leg kick. Evangelista shoots, fails but gets the knee and a follow up right. Push kick by Evangelista, leg kick and then a jab all land. Evangelista stuffed on the shoot again, but then gets a jab. Another and then a straight right. Evangelista misses a left, another and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Evangelista is controlling the pace and when he lands is doing solid damage. Luke is standing back and waiting, but in doing that he is taking more punishment. I have it 20-18 for Evangelista. Round one is hard to call, and it could be tied at this point depending on how the judges saw round one.
ROUND THREE: Final round begins and Evangelista works the jab. High kick checked by Luke, but Evangelista lands a snapping jab. Evangelista shoots in and takes Luke down. He has mount against the cage and is starting to land solid shots. Four good lefts by Evangelista, he keeps a good position and is nullifying any power from Luke on the ground. Evangelista is content to stay in guard and land rights and lefts. Some body shots by Evangelista, he keeps working but they get stood up. Lame. To the feet and they trade jabs, Luke shoots after eating a jab but ends up failing on the shoot. Both land jabs again, Evangelista lands a good right after missing a left uppercut. Body shot by Evangelista, leg kick by Luke and they again both land jabs. Evangelista shoots, fails and then gets another knee strike. After some sloppy punches by both, the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Evangelista got the takedown and had good riding time and also did good damage. I have it 30-27 for Evangelista, but could easily see it 29-28 due to the first round.
THE RESULT: Billy Evangelista via Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Kruk is with Evangelista. They discuss the first round and Evangelista says he wanted to keep a pace, started too slow and got caught. He just did anything he could to stay in the fight. His corner told him to use all of his skills and keep it fresh.
-We get a video package for Pete Spratt vs. Donnie Liles.
170lb. Bout - Pete Spratt (18-14) vs. Donnie Liles (11-5):
ROUND ONE: They touch and here we go. They circle, combo by Liles and a leg kick connects. Spratt lands a big kick to the upper body that sends him backwards, but he is back up. Liles didn't try and charge in there. Hard leg kick by Liles, combo by Spratt and then rights follow. Another good combo by Spratt, against the cage they go and as they clinch Spratt throws an illegal knee to the groin, accidental and we have a medical stoppage so that Liles can recover. Liles tries to walk it off, jumps around and we're back to action. Liles has a mouse over the right eye, good combo by Liles and another to the body. Misses a high kick, jab by Spratt and then misses the double up right. Body kick by Spratt, comb by Liles and then catches Spratt, gets him against the cage but Spratt escapes that. Spratt looks pissed, throws a wild kick that misses and then in with a combo, but only got one to land. Good rights by Liles, a combo backs off Spratt and to the cage they go. Spratt turns him, shots to the thighs and then takes Liles down. They pretty much stalemate as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Spratt looks good and clearly did better damage and had more control. He does look tentative though against the cage after the low blow. I have it 10-9 for Spratt.
ROUND TWO: Liles out fast with some good shots, to the ground they go and Spratt works in the guard of Liles. Liles wanted a guillotine, Spratt escapes and they get back to the feet. A good jab and then a knee by Liles, a great body shot by Spratt to answer a jab by Liles. A right by Liles, clinch and a knee follows. Spratt is starting to look tired, gets a right and then light jabs. Spratt misses an uppercut, but then gets a very good combo. Liles gets him back with a right to the chin, a jab follows, leg kick by Liles but Spratt with a combo. Another and to the cage they go, Liles tries to pull down Spratt and fails. Liles misses a right hook, body shot by Spratt and then another body shot off of the combo. Liles charge and takes Spratt down, half guard and then get mount. He gets the back, wanted an arm bar but the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Spratt is getting tired and flat footed, and Liles finally got him down and looked to have it ended, he just ran out of time. Spratt is slowing down and getting sloppy, and Liles is catching up. I have it 19-19, but the 2nd was close.
ROUND THREE: Liles gets the takedown early, but Spratt turns and back to the feet they go. They work against the cage, knees by Liles, he looks for a double leg and gets the takedown. Spratt turns, Liles gets the back and locks in the rear naked choke, and that is all!
THE RESULT: Donnie Liles via RD3 (1:59) Submission
They were both tired, but he just stuck to the game plan and worked his game. This is easily his biggest victory, and he thanks his trainers and sponsors.
-Josh Thompson joins the commentary team.
-We get a video package for Frank Trigg vs. Falaniko Vitale.
185lb. Bout - Frank Trigg (17-6) vs. Falaniko Vitale (26-8):
ROUND ONE: They touch and here we go. Leg kicks by Trigg, a combo by Trigg, knees follow and we get a stoppage for an illegal low blow from Trigg. Vitale takes some time, and we're back to action. Good right by Vitale, Trigg presses the action, takes Vitale to the cage, vicious knee strikes by Trigg, Vitale with a good right but Trigg is in control. Knee strikes by Trigg to the thighs, short lefts follow as he keeps Vitale against the cage. They went to the ground but right back up. Vitale tried to sweep the knee and almost had it. Vitale has control against the cage, Vitale backs off and jabs by Vitale. Leg kick by Trigg, good combo by Trigg and then a good body shot by Vitale. Trigg is out striking him right now, to the cage and Trigg tries to control the hands of Vitale. They trade short shots against the cage, both work jabs and then a right hook by Vitale. Combo by Trigg followed by a knee, and to the cage they go again. The round ends.
SCORECARD:: Trigg dominated the striking game and looked good doing so. Vitale just seemed to be waiting for something, and he got a bunch of strikes from Trigg. 10-9 for Trigg.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and a good right by Vitale to begin. Leg kicks by Trigg, Trigg shoots, gets a knee as they go to the cage once again. Vitale with knees, switches position and works some solid knees. Trigg now switches position, knees to Vitale and some short lefts. They get separated, jab by Trigg and then a left hook by Vitale. Sweet knee to the face by Trigg, body kick and then a knee to the body. Combo and elbows by Trigg, to the cage and Trigg continues to dictate the pace. Vitale with a knee and elbow, but Trigg maintains control against the cage. Knees to the thighs, short shots by Vitale and then a good knee to the body. Knee by Trigg after a good combo by Vitale. Trigg locks him up against the cage, and the official separates them. Jabs by Trigg again, right hook by Vitale then a straight right by Vitale as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Vitale looks to be figuring some stuff out and looked good at the end, but Trigg landed more and controlled easily and I have him up 20-18.
ROUND THREE: Final round now and jabs by Trigg, shoots and takes down Vitale. Half guard against the cage and Trigg works some body shots. Vitale gets his back against the cage, Trigg pulls him back down but Vitale gets to his feet. Knees by Vitale, but Trigg turns him and after no action they get separated. Great right by Vitale, but he doesn't follow up because he is waiting for Trigg. Trigg shoots, to the cage they go and Vitale turns him and he gets Trigg down. Trigg right back up though, against the cage and knees by Trigg. Combo by Vitale, jabs follow by Trigg and Vitale misses a huge right hand. Short combos by Trigg, body shot by Vitale by Trigg with the takedown. Short hammer fists by Trigg and that is the fight, and the crowd hated it.
SCORECARD:: Trigg controlled again and should take this 30-27.
THE RESULT: Frank Trigg via Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Kruk is with Trigg. He says he punches like shit, I appreciate the honesty. Trigg was surprised that Vitale didn't throw more kicks. He says altitude didn't both him, being a father of a newborn and just fighting 40-days ago. He isn't ready to retire and wants some more fights. He hypes the TRIGGANOMICS clothing line.
-We get a video package for Duane Ludwig vs. Sam Morgan.
165lb. Bout - Duane Ludwig (16-8) vs. Sam Morgan (19-11):
ROUND ONE: Here we go as they trade leg kicks, they clinch and Morgan gets Ludwig down. Half guard by Morgan, lefts to Ludwig but he gets to his feet. They trade wildly, they trade knees and to the cage they go. Ludwig takes down Morgan, into the guard but Morgan pushes off and to the feet they go. HUGE body shot by Ludwig, knocks Morgan down with a straight right and he begins to unload on Morgan and Morgan taps due to the strikes!
THE RESULT: Duane Ludwig via RD1 (2:17) Tap Due to Strikes
They say Bas will be proud, and Ludwig says he talked to Bas. Ludwig gives Morgan respect for giving him a second match. Ludwig threatens Kruk and then thanks Morgan once again. He talks us through the replay and hypes a cancer benefit walk.
Remember to leave a score of 1-10 in the comment section as well as your fight of the night!
