The Sprawl And Brawl Video Review - The Best Of SportFight

Posted by Randy Harrison on 02.26.2008

Randy Couture and Matt Lindland have taken the Pacific Northwest by storm with their SportFight promotion. Take a look at the best the fight league has to offer, with fights featuring Ed Herman, Chris Leben, Benji Radach, Chael Sonnen and more. Get your umbrellas ready, we're off to the rainy climes of Oregon for this week's all-new Sprawl and Brawl!!

Howdy MMA fanatics, and welcome in to another edition of The Sprawl and Brawl Video Review. We've had a big week of MMA with the new developments in the Randy Couture situation, but did you also know that Randy has some experience on the other side of the coin as a fight promoter? Sure enough, Randy and Matt Lindland have been promoting SportFight in the Portland area for the past four years. The fight cards have featured such current stars as Gesias Calvancante, Ed Herman, Chris Leben, Jeff Monson, John Gunderson and Benji Radach. This DVD is a compilation of some of the best fights that SportFight has had to offer in its four year history, and looks to be packed full of action, with twelve huge fights on the docket to enjoy. There's also a little bit of a treat for all the fight fans that stay tuned through the S & B this week, so be sure to check out the end of the review for that. For now though, we're off to the Pacific Northwest to check out The Best of Sportfight!


Buy The Best Of SportFight right here.


The Best Of SportFight

Match One: Light Heavyweights
Alex Schoenaur (10-1) vs. Buck Meredith (2-1)

Schoenaur is well-known from his time on the Ultimate Fighter show, as well as his stint in the IFL, while Meredith is a Team Quest fighter, with a solid wrestling background, but a lack of experience compared to his opponent. This fight is from SportFight 11: Rumble at The Rose Garden, which took place in July of 2005.

Round One

They touch em up and Meredith shoots in immediately and gets the takedown, moving into half-guard, while Schoenaur has a hold of Meredith's head in a guillotine attempt. Meredith pulls out of it and is trying for a guillotine of his own from the top in the half-guard. Schoenaur tries to roll him off but can't get clear, and eats an elbow from Meredith and another. Meredith with some good right hands and Schoenaur scrambles, trying to regain his feet against the ropes. Meredith pummels him with a ton of shots and has a side choke, almost like a headlock and he lands a couple more punches and the referee calls a stop to the bout. Randy Couture on color thinks that Schoenaur held on a little too long before tapping and may have started to pass out, but he looks alright now.

Winner: Buck Meredith, submission (side choke) at 1:55 of Round One



Match Two: Heavyweights
Brian Stromberg (10-4) vs. Fabiano Scherner (2-1)

The classic match-up of the wrestler in Stromberg, taking on the jiu-jitsu expert in Scherner. Scherner has about twenty pounds worth of a weight advantage and could be looking to use that to bully the smaller Stromberg into a bad position to lock in a submission. This is also from the SportFight 11 card from July of 2005.

Round One

They touch gloves and circle with Scherner landing a HARD leg kick to open things up. Couture works in the "leg kick is like a baseball bat to the thigh" analogy on that one and they stand and trade, with both slipping the punches. A front kick lands from Stromberg and Scherner starts chasing after him, landing a hard right hand that puts Stromberg off balance. Scherner gets ahold of the head and clamps on a guillotine choke, with an arm in, and he's cranking away at the neck. Even with the arm in, Stromberg has no choice and has to tap out to Scherner's choke.

Winner: Fabiano Scherner, submission (guillotine choke) at 1:12 of Round One



Match Three: Catchweight
Tim Williams (1-2) vs. Chael Sonnen (14-6-1)

Sonnen is one of Team Quest's ringers and has a ton of experience both in the US, with some UFC fights to his credit, and some experience fighting in the Pancrase organization in Japan. Williams is a relative newcomer and fights for a team named Team Penitentiary. I wish I was making it up, but I'm not. This one comes to us from the same SportFight 11 card as the previous two fights. It's worth noting that this card also featured a great fight between Ryan Schultz and Gesias Calvancante, which I wish would be featured on this DVD, but sadly is not.

Round One

Sonnen with a flying knee attempt right out of the gate that somewhat glances off of Williams' chest, Sonnen immediately turns it into a Thai clinch. They clinch against the corner of the ring and Sonnen starts working the foot stomps and heel strikes to the thigh. Williams pulls out of it and almost slips, rushing to the other corner. Sonnen tries the flying knee again and misses it again and tries a high kick that he slips on, ending up on his back. He gets up and shoots for the takedown, scoring it and ends up moving from half-guard to mount. Sonnen raining in the strikes as Williams covers his head with his forearms. Sonnen looks for the stoppage, but there's nothing that's landing through the forearms. He keeps peppering away but there's still nothing getting through, and the referee just lets it go on and on and on as Williams FINALLY moves his arms, allowing Sonnen to land a hard elbow to the face. Sonnen again looks to the referee to try and figure out what else he has to do to stop this fight, after beating on Williams' forearms for almost two minutes solid. Sonnen throws hooks to the side of the head and the crowd is booing Williams and his defensive skills. Sonnen could be risking gassing himself and he just keeps throwing and FINALLY the referee stops the fight. Williams jumps up and bounces around on his feet like a goof, but at least he didn't get beaten to a pulp.

Winner: Chael Sonnen, TKO at 3:58 of Round One



Match Four: Lightweights
Cam Ward (8-0) vs. Dennis Davis (11-4)

Ward has two straight wins and is coming off of an impressive KO due to a slam in his last fight. Davis, who has a KO loss at the hands of UFC standout Clay Guida on his record, is defending the SportFight Lightweight Championship in this contest, which is also from the SportFight 11 show.

Round One

Davis with a leg kick and he shoots in for the takedown, working the body with right hands from the full guard of Ward. Ward tries for a rubber guard but instead settles for controlling the body and head of Davis. Davis with a couple of rights after he postures up and Ward tries for an up kick or two. Davis dives back into the guard throwing punches but can't land anything. Davis passes to side control and lands a couple of elbows, before crucifixing Ward to land another couple elbows. Davis tries for a guillotine but can't secure it, and Ward ends up on top in side control. Ward starts with some knees to the body and tries to mount but can't get over it.

Ward with more knees to the body and the referee stands them up, almost at the point where it looked like he had the mount coming. Davis makes Ward eat some punches while they're standing and they move to the clinch against the ropes. Ward tries a trip takedown but Davis stuffs it and knees to the body. Davis catches the return knee from Ward and takes him down again, moving into side control and dropping an elbow before Ward pushes him away. Davis loads up with a HUGE right hand that lands and Ward turns that into a heel hook, which Davis manages to slip out of. Ward on top with some solid punches, and he takes the mount just before the end of the round.

Round Analysis: Davis controlled the majority of the round and did more damage with his strikes so I would say that this round goes to Davis. The big punches in the middle of the round and the huge right hand that landed gave him the round for me.


Round Two

They touch gloves and Ward rushes in with sloppy punches into a clinch, landing a solid knee to the body. Davis fires back with a knee of his own and gets the takedown off of a trip, and Davis is on top in Ward's full guard. Davis works to the body and head with punches and Ward sweeps and scrambles back to his feet, scoring a couple of knees to the body. Davis with a standing elbow and Ward almost takes his back out of another scramble before Davis falls back into his guard. Davis with an elbow from the bottom, moving towards a kimura while Ward passes to side control. Ward with an armbar attempt, but Davis pulls out and makes him pay with a ton of punches from the top.

Ward controls the body and head and pushes Davis away with his feet, landing an up kick as Davis tries to get back into it. Ward lands a kick to the leg and he hurt Davis' knee on that one. Davis is hurt and it turns into a brawl with Davis throwing lefts and rights and they're exchanging big punches. Ward ends up on top of Davis on the mat and in Davis' closed guard, trying to separate for some punches but the referee stands them up. Davis misses with a HUGE right hand haymaker and scores a BIG uppercut. Davis slips down to the canvas and Ward ends up on top of him, almost moving to side control and Ward lands a couple of hard shots before and even after the bell to end the round.

Round Analysis: Another big round for Davis as he's really doing a number on Ward's eye, swelling it almost closed. He landed the huge uppercut near the end of the round that sealed it for him, along with the punches from the top position while the fight was on the mat. 2-0 for Davis thusfar.

Round Three

They touch em up to start the third and Davis fakes some punches to the head. They brawl and Davis lands a HUGE uppercut again, but Ward eats it and takes Davis down to the mat. Ward in half-guard, but there's not a lot going on, and Davis scrambles out, avoiding giving up his back, and they end up right back in the same position as they started. Ward gets the mount right in the corner and Davis turns out of it and gives up his back. Ward has the rear naked choke in and Davis is trying desperately to punch his way out of it, but Ward just cinches the choke in tighter and Davis taps/passes out.

Winner: Cam Ward, submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of Round Three



Match Five: Catchweight
Pat Healy (7-6) vs. Eddy Ellis (20-14-1)

We've moved to September of 2005 now, for SportFight 12: Breakout. Healy has fought a who's who, with fights against Chris Lytle and Paul Daley, as well as the decision loss to Jay Heiron that was covered recently in the Sprawl and Brawl's look at IFC: Rock And Rumble. Ellis is a fixture in the Pacific Northwest fight scened and brings a ton of experience into this fight.


Round One

Ellis catches Healy with a solid one-two and Healy fires back with one of his own. Another solid punch from Ellis lands and stuns Healy. They move to the clinch and Healy is defending, giving up his back to Ellis while they stand. Ellis pushes him into the corner and almost through the ropes before pushing him down and taking his back fully. Ellis is trying for the rear naked choke, and pins one of Healy's arms with his legs. Ellis looks for an armbar but misses it and Healy ends up on top. Ellis throws the armbar up again, and gets it, but Healy pulls away from it. They transition and scramble back to their feet, and Healy ends up on top of Ellis. Ellis is trying to isolate an arm for an armbar again, but Healy is dropping solid elbows from the top. They end up in north/south and Ellis rolls through it, almost taking the back before regaining his guard.

Healy with some good rights and lefts and Ellis looks stunned badly. Healy starts raining down the combinations on Ellis and moves through the guard to side control before Ellis gets the guard back. Ellis throws up more attempts at a triangle and an armbar but Healy continues to counter it. Healy takes Ellis's back and Ellis scrambles to his stomach, forcing Healy into a front headlock. Ellis almost takes Healy's back again and they end up with Healy on top, landing some punches before taking full mount. Healy landing some HARD elbows from the mount and some lefts and rights. Ellis tries to sink an armbar to stem the tide, but Healy is just ROCKING him with elbows and about a DOZEN VICIOUS punches and the referee stops the fight just as Ellis gets out from underneath and Ellis looks PISSED. I can't tell if Ellis was going to get out, or if he was only able to get out because the referee pulled Healy's weight off of him.

Winner: Pat Healy, TKO at 4:41 of Round One



Match Six: Heavyweights
Jeff Monson (16-5) vs. Jay White (2-2)

Monson was nearing his UFC debut here, with fight experience around the world leading up to his final push to the Octagon, with this fight being little more than five months before his first UFC fight. White is an up-and-coming local fighter at this point, with this fight marking his biggest test in his career up to this point. This one is coming from SportFight 12 which took place in September of 2005.

Round One

Monson tries a shot after eating a leg kick, but White stuffs it and ends up on top of Monson for a moment, before giving up the single-leg, allowing Monson to turn him over onto his back. Monson moves to side control, but White is able to get it right back to guard. Monson with some big strikes that force White to turn and give up his back, and Monson jumps on it, sinking in both hooks. Monson lands some hammerfists to the side of White's head and throws a forearm across the chin, lightning-quick, into a choke attempt. It transitions into almost a side neck crank or head crank and White is forced to tap out.

Winner: Jeff Monson, submission (neck crank) at 1:21 of Round One



Match Seven: Light Heavyweights
Matt Horwich (11-4-1) vs. Vernon White (26-20-2)

White is the Lion's Den fighter that has an absolute ton of experience all over the world, making this fight a bit of a coming out party for Horwich. You all know him now as the IFL star, but at this point he was still fighting somewhat locally and this fight was the biggest step up, in terms of talent level, that he had made in his career. This fight is also from the SportFight 12 card.

Round One

White with a big right hand to start the round and Horwich shoots in immediately for the takedown. White defends it and they're clinched against the ropes. White gives up the takedown and Horwich takes the mount in the corner and moves around to take White's back. Horwich is trying for the choke in the corner and they hand-fight with Horwich having both hooks in. The announcers talk about Horwich and his want for an organic farm and a commune for him and his hippy friends. Seriously. Horwich with some pattycake strikes to try open up White for a mistake, but White is defending it really well, and he turns out of the back control, landing some heavy strikes from the top position.

White on top, in Horwich's full guard and Horwich tries to sweep, but can't get White up and off of him. Horwich controlling the head and body well and things slow a bit before Horwich tries to get up and eats a knee to the face, perhaps an illegal one as it looked like Horwich was still grounded. White follows with a knee to the body and the referee steps in to take a point from White it looks like, for the illegal strike. White gets a good kick off of the restart and Horwich moves right back to the clinch to try the takedown. Horwich with some knees to the body in the corner and White shifts his hips, scoring a big throw on Horwich in the corner. White hammers with some left hands while Horwich is trying to regain his feet, and White gets another takedown with a crucifix, ending up on top in half-guard as the round ends.

Round Analysis: I'd have to call that first round even since White was controlling it towards the end, had the crisper striking, but also had the foul that cost him the point. Horwich had back control for the early part of the round, but White landed more strikes from his dominant positions. Even round after the first, and we're set for Round Two.


Round Two

White throws a flying knee that hits Horwich in the ribcage and they're back to the clinch with Horwich trying for the takedown again. White defends it well and ends up falling to the mat, but ends up on top for a moment. They scramble back to their feet and Horwich finally gets the trip takedown, doing some grounding and pounding from White's closed guard. Horwich works head-body-head with combinations, trying to open up White's guard and he starts throwing the elbows to the head that are landing solidly. A hard right hand from Horwich and some hammerfists start to land. White tries a sweep and rolls into a kneebar, but he can't secure it and they roll, with White giving up his back, Horwich turning it into full mount, White giving up the back again, and Horwich taking it and sinking in the hooks. Horwich slips his forearm under the throat while locking in the second hook and manages to secure the choke and White has to submit.

Winner: Matt Horwich, submission (rear naked choke) at 2:37 of Round Two



Match Eight: Light Heavyweights
Brian Stann (2-1) vs. Aaron Stark (2-1)

Stann is the current WEC Light Heavyweight star, while Stark has since moved on to the IFL, with relative success. Stann has a bit of a size advantage coming into this fight, and this fight is the first of MANY to be plucked from the January 2006, SportFight 14 card.

Round One

Stark shoots in and they trade knees from the clinch inside. Stann stuffs the takedown and they keep trading knees before they separate. Stark keeps driving and finally scores the takedown against the ropes, but Stann is already trying to regain his feet. Stark slams Stann down and ends up in the full guard, working the ribs with hard body shots. Stark misses a big elbow and works a neck crank into a big left hand. Some ground and pound from Stark on top and he tries to work the hammerfists to the face. Stann throws a punch from the bottom and starts to control the body and head, as the crowd gets a little restless. The referee stands them back up and Stark shoots in for another takedown, which Stann sprawls out of. Stann working the right hands to the head while Stark holds onto the single-leg, and he pushes out of the takedown attempt to get the fight back standing. Stann lands a good straight right that puts Stark almost down, and forces him into a desperation single-leg shot, which Stann avoids and uses to land hammerfists to the side of the head. Stann punches until Stark lets go of the leg and lands an absolutely CRUSHING one-two that sends Stark to his hands and knees. Stann lands another couple of punches while Stark turtles and it's all over.

Winner: Brian Stann, TKO at 3:13 of Round One



Match Nine: Catchweight
Alex Schoenaur (11-1) vs. Lodune Sincaid (16-4)

Also at SportFight 14 we see this fight, which is a battle between TUF alumnus. Schoenaur we've already touched on earlier in this review, while Sincaid was between stints in the UFC and the WEC, before they were owned by the same company.


Round One

Schoenaur comes right out with a leg kick and a flurry of punches that forces Sincaid into a desperation single-leg takedown attempt. Schoenaur locks a guillotine in, but Sincaid has an arm in and there's nothing there, as Sincaid pops his head out. Sincaid on top with a couple of right hands and Schoenaur walks up the ropes to get back to his feet. Sincaid with a double-leg, pulling Schoenaur down to the mat and Sincaid scores a knee as Schoenaur tries to get up, but the referee steps in since Schoenaur was still ruled as being down on the mat. They separate and restart and Sincaid is right back into the takedown attempt, with Schoenaur stuffing it and landing some good strikes. Sincaid with some solid uppercuts from the clinch and he bullies Schoenaur into the corner. Sincaid grabs the head and looks to be trying for a guillotine, but Schoenaur picks him up for a BIG slam. Sincaid lets go of the choke and Schoenuar is landing punches from the top and taking the back of Sincaid. Schoenaur is high on the back mount and ends up bucked off. They transition on the mat and Schoenaur tries a heel hook, but can't lock it up and they're back to standing and trading knees. Sincaid with another single-leg and he struggles the takedown to the mat, landing some left hands before Sincaid takes Schoenaur's back. He tries to lock in a rear naked choke and ends up with a modified version of one, almost at the side of Schoenaur, and he forces the submission.

Winner: Lodune Sincaid, submission (modified rear naked choke) at 3:40 of Round One



Match Ten: Featherweights
Anthony Hamlett (15-6) vs. Ian Loveland (9-0)

SportFight 14 gives us another great bout, with the experienced Hamlett taking on the undefeated Loveland. Hamlett may be best known for his elbow KO of Jeff Curran on a Hook-N-Shoot show, while Loveland was mainly a local fighter, with most of his experience coming on the previous SportFight shows.

Round One

Hamlett shoots in for the takedown but gets stuffed by Loveland and reversed into a bodylock takedown, with Loveland on top and in the full guard. Up kicks from Hamlett and Loveland throws a couple of punches before backing off and allowing Hamlett to get back to his feet. Loveland throws a high kick that misses and sprawls out of a takedown attempt by Hamlett, controlling the head and moving around to take Hamlett's back. Loveland has the rear naked choke and sinks it in DEEP, and this fight is over folks.

Winner: Ian Loveland, submission (rear naked choke) at 1:00 of Round One



Match Eleven: Light Heavyweights
Kyacey Uscola (6-4) vs. Brian Foster (8-6)

Uscola we've seen previously in the Sprawl and Brawl, during a King Of The Cage show from a while back, and he's know for heavy hands and a solid chin. Foster, who has one of the most apt nicknames in MMA history in "Tattoo" since he's covered in them, is fresh off of a loss to Yushin Okami, and on his way to the IFL after this fight.

Round One

They touch gloves and come out scrapping with Foster landing a beautiful straight right hand to the chin of Uscola. Uscola comes back with a right uppercut/right hook combo that puts Foster to his knees, and Uscola follows up with another uppercut and another right that almost puts Foster down again, against the ropes. The referee was REALLY close to stopping the fight there, but it continues and Uscola lands another right hook and two CRUSHING uppercuts that spell the end of the night for Foster.

Winner: Kyacey Uscola, TKO at 0:22 of Round One





Match Twelve: Lightweights
Cam Ward (9-0) vs. John Gunderson (22-5-2)

Two of the IFL's current rising stars face off in this bout, with Ward's newly won SportFight Lightweight Championship on the line. Ward is trying to stay undefeated, while Gunderson looks to pull what would be considered a bit of an upset to unseat the new champion. This fight was the main event of the stacked SportFight 14 card.

Round One

Ward shoots in for a takedown right from the bell and they clinch in the middle of the ring, into the corner. Gunderson turns Ward into the corner and Ward tries for a guillotine choke while standing, but there's nothing there. Ward spins out and ends up pushing Gunderson in the corner. Ward with the bodylock into a takedown. Ward on top in the closed guard and he's working the neck crank to try to open that guard. Gunderson is looking for a kimura from the bottom and he uses it to sweep over and put Ward onto his back. Gunderson tries to pass to side control but can't do it, and he lands some hard elbows from the top position.

Ward pushes Gunderson away and scrambles to his feet, and they trade right hands with both landing some good shots. Back to the clinch and they're working knees inside before Gunderson lifts Ward up for a HUGE slam. Gunderson moves to side control but Ward takes guard right back and Gunderson works a little ground and pound. Ward throws up a triangle attempt and Gunderson just powers out of it. An omaplata attempt from Ward and he rolls to his side to try avoid the striking of Gunderson. Gunderson with a couple of BIG right hands from the top and Ward is trying to get back to his feet, but can't do it as Gunderson tries to dive in for some punches. Ward with a big up kick to the face and he gets back to his feet, and they trade combinations until the bell sounds.

Round Analysis: A big round for Gunderson. Slams, position control, damage, and HUGE right hands punctuated a round that was almost completely Gunderson's, minus some small exchanges won by Ward in the stand-up.


Round Two

A glove touch and they exchange before they clinch with some knees traded. Ward misses a body kick and Gunderson lands one of his own. Ward misses a HUGE right hand and Gunderson ducks under but Ward tries a guillotine choke, with Gunderson popping his head out of danger. Gunderson on top, standing above Ward and the action slows until the referee stands them up. Gunderson with two HUGE combinations that stun Ward, with Gunderson ending up on top of Ward in side control. Gunderson moves to the mount and Ward turns over to give up his back. Gunderson pummeling him with rights and lefts and elbows as Ward rolls back to his back.

Gunderson slips over to an armbar attempt and he's got the arm extended but Ward escapes out of it INTO TOP POSITION. Wow, that was a crazy escape. Ward falls back with a kneebar attempt and Gunderson defends out of it. Gunderson on top and almost taking Ward's back again as he holds onto the leg, but there's nothing there. Gunderson gets out of that leglock completely and he ends up on top in Ward's butterfly guard. They're back to their feet with thirty seconds left in the round and Gunderson scores a good one-two before taking Ward back down to the mat. Gunderson with a forearm across the throat as the round comes to an end.

Round Analysis: A great submission escape from Ward, but that was about the only good thing that he had going for him in this round. He was on the bottom for most of the round, and eating punishment from punches or the DEEP submission attempt that Gunderson almost finished off. Gunderson is up two rounds at this point and Ward will need something big to keep the title.


Round Three

Ward clips Gunderson with a good left hook and they're back to clinching in the corner of the ring. Gunderson with some knees to the body and they push apart to the middle. Gunderson shoots in an lifts ward for a HUGE slam, but instead sets him down rather gingerly as he ends up caught in a guillotine. It's tight as it can be, for having an arm in, but Ward has to let it go as Gunderson pops his head out. Gunderson is on top and working some strikes form the full guard and the referee thinks things have slowed enough to get a stand-up going. Gunderson with a couple of SOLID left hands and they're back to clinching against the ropes with Gunderson scoring the takedown.

He moves to side control and starts landing some elbows before moving all the way to full mount. Ward tries to push him away but can't, and Gunderson just backs off to let Ward stand up. Gunderson backs Ward up and lands a hard uppercut and a wicked left hand. Gunderson scores the takedown again and takes mount AGAIN. Ward is trying to throw his legs up but can't get anything and Gunderson starts working the body with punches, forcing Ward to turn over and Gunderson starts dropping elbows on the side of Ward's head. Ward with a couple of up kicks that land well and Gunderson moves back down to the guard, passing into side control. Ward gives up his back with ten seconds left and Ward holds on until the bell, surviving the submission.

Round Analysis: All Gunderson again, to make it a clean sweep. He scored with the hardest punches, the best and most takedowns, and kept dominant position for almost the entire fight. If there were twenty more seconds in the round Gunderson would have finished it, but no matter because he has surely done enough to garner the decision and the judges agree with me.

Winner: John Gunderson, Unanimous Decision

That does it for the matches featured on this DVD, but HOLD ON, FOLKS!! We've got BONUS MATCHES APLENTY!! Let's get right to them!!



Match Thirteen: Catchweight
Pat Healy (20-9) vs. Chris Wilson (10-2)

Healy makes another appearance on this DVD, with another fight that comes to us from the same January SportFight 14 card that so many previous bouts have come from. Wilson is another SF fighter who was on his way to the IFL, who seemed to snap up all of the talent they could from the Pacific Northwest during their debut season.

Round One

They touch gloves and Healy fires out a leg kick early on. They exchange and both miss punches before Healy closes the distance and clinches into the corner. Knees on the inside from Wilson and they separate with a big right from Wilson. Healy to the clinch again and they are into the ropes. More inside knees from Wilson and another forearm or two from Wilson as well. They push apart and Wilson gets a HUGE, HUGE flying knee that knocks Healy out to next week. A somewhat creepy visual ensues, with Healy laying on his back, and his head lifted up off the mat, stiff as a board.

Winner: Chris Wilson, KO, at 1:30 of Round One





Match Fourteen: Middleweights
Benji Radach (12-2) vs. Chris Leben (14-1)

Radach is well-known also from his stint in the IFL, and Leben is, of course, the protagonist from the first season of the Ultimate Fighter reality show, who is often pointed to as having both the best aspects and worst aspects of any contestant from any of the show's seasons. Because this fight is a bonus fight, there is no commentary for the bout. This fight is from SportFight's fourth card, Fight For Freedom, from June of 2004.

Round One

Circling early on and theyfinally move in and exchange with Radach picking up Leben and slamming him, working some shots to the body as Leben controls the head. Leben holds on and Radach picks him up for a short slam again. Radach gets his arms free and tries to push forward but Leben ends up through the ropes and the restart the fight standing up. A good combination lands for Leben, but Radach scores another takedown from the clinch, moving to half-guard and putting some elbows and punches in to the body. Radach works more shots to the body and is trying to pass the guard but can't get it and ends up in the full guard now.

Leben controls the body again is trying for rubber guard but lets it go for full guard. Radach postures up and lands some solid power punches and Leben pushes him away with his feet. They stand up again and are just TRADING with both guys landing hard punches, slugging away from inside the pocket. Leben eats one and looks stunned as Radach goes for another body lock in the corner. They separate and Leben starts landing some good punches and chasing Radach across the ring. Radach works back to the clinch and some knees to the thigh from the clinch end the round.

Round Analysis: Radach looked to take that round as he held top position for most of the round. The standing exchanges were pick'ems, so based on the positional control that Radach held for the majority of the time, he gets the nod from me.


Round Two

A HEAVY exchange starts out and Leben gets the better of it, landing some solid rights and lefts. A high kick misses from Leben and they circle for a bit with Radach ducking under a Leben jab to score the takedown. Radach working from the full guard but not able to do much with Leben controlling the body. They stalemate and the referee stands them up. Leben just misses a big standing elbow and they're back to exchanging wild punches with neither man able to land anything flush.

Radach back into the body lock and Leben gets a sneaky knee to the face in before he starts working his patented foot stomps. LOTS of footstomps and inside knees from Leben in the clinch and an overhand left that also lands before Radach trips Leben down to the mat for the takedown. Leben closes off his guard and they trade little rabbit punches from it. Leben pushes Radach off and gets back to his feet, and they're back to the clinch with knees on the inside from both men. Leben with some short punches to the body and the round ends with them clinched in the corner.

Round Analysis: Leben came back well in the second round, and actually landed the better of the strikes, more often. He had the takedown go against him early, but after that he did well from the clinch on the inside, and did some good work with the knees, footstomps and punches inside. One round apiece heading into the third and final round.


Round Three

A tentative start to the third round as they circle for thirty seconds or so, before Leben fires off a combination that misses. Leben with a good combination that Radach counters wtih one of his own, and we're back to a clinch against the ropes. Radach gets the takedown and is in half-guard, with Leben trying a choke from the bottom. Nothing there though and Leben just closes off the guard, locking up Radach's head, forcing him to just land short shots to the body from the top. Leben peppering with little shots from the bottom, and there's not a lot goign on in this position. The referee stands them up out of it and the crowd approves. Leben offers up a glove touch and a smile and then throws a couple of HUGE left hands, stunning Radach and leaving him open for at least for our five more solid lefts and some knees to the body. Radach looks out on his feet but Leben slips throwing a knee and ends up on top. Leben working the kimura from the bottom and Radach is just SPEWING blood out of his mouth. I mean like horror movie style. Radach makes a motion to the referee and he steps in to stop the fight.

Winner: Chris Leben, referee's stoppage, at 3:50 of Round Three



Match Fifteen: Light Heavyweights
Jeremy Horn (68-13-5) vs. Chael Sonnen (11-4-1)

Two MMA veterans are set to tangle here, with Sonnen bringing his strong wrestling background from Team Quest to the table, while Horn has his legendary fighting resume and his always dangerous jiu-jitsu. This fight is also without commentary, and is from SportFight 6 in Reno, NV, which took place in September of 2004.

Round One

Sonnen with a leg kick and he shoots in with the bullrush, taking Horn down against, and almost through the ropes. Sonnen works some elbows from the top and Horn has his guard closed up completely. Horn throws up the high guard but there's nothing there and Sonnen lands some more strikes. Sonnen with a couple of HARD elbows and Horn looks to be trying for a gogoplata. Sonnen realizes it and tries to pull out of it, doing so before landing some shots to the body. Herb Dean turns them back towards the center of the ring and Sonnen continues his ground and pound assault with some solid right hands. Horn throws up an armbar attempt and tries to transition that into a triangle but he can't lock it up.

Sonnen keeps landing STIFF right hands all throughout this exchange and hits a couple of elbows to the back of Horn's head as well. Horn with another high guard but Sonnen shrugs it off and starts firing away with rights and lefts. Horn hits an elbow from the bottom and the pace slows a little as Herb Dean stands them up. Sonnen hits a good front kick and Horn responds with a BIG right that stuns Sonnen a little. Sonnen off the ropes and into a shot, scoring the takedown into the full guard of Horn. Body punches and head punches from Sonnen as he keeps chipping away at the defenses of Horn as the round comes to an end.

Round Analysis: Sonnen's round from start to finish, with virtually no answer from Horn. Sonnen scored huge with elbows and fists, and managed a bunch of takedowns throughout the entirety of the round. If he had done a little more damage, or maybe opened a cut, it might have been 10-8, but as it stands this one is 10-9 easily for Sonnen.


Round Two

Sonnen shoots in right off the bell and gets another takedown, with Herb Dean immediately moving them into the center of the ring and out of the ropes. They struggle for position and Sonnen passes into half-guard almost immediatel. Sonnen with some right hands and he keeps his base, pressuring Horn from the top. Horn throws up another high guard but there's nothing there and we're back to Sonnen pounding away from the full guard. This goes on for another thirty or forty seconds, with Sonnen doing nothing of note to pass the guard, and Horn and Sonnen both landing patty-cake strikes. Herb Dean restarts them on the feet and Sonnen comes forward with a couple of HARD knees to Horn's face and chest. Sonnen shoots in for another takedown and Horn has a TIGHT guillotine choke locked in. Sonnen rolls to break it for a moment, but Horn holds onto it and rolls with him again, forcing Sonnen to tap out.

Winner: Jeremy Horn, submission (guillotine choke) at 2:30 of Round Two



Match Fifteen: Middleweights
Ed Herman (13-2) vs. Joe Doerksen (27-6)

This is the infamous fight that both men mentioned in the lead-up to their rematch in the UFC late last year. Doerksen brings a size advantage and a ton of international experience to this bout, while Herman also brings some international fights on his record as well. Herman will be looking to wrestle and nullify Doerksen's jiu-jitsu as the fight wears on.

Round One

A glove touch to start us out and Herman throws a combination that Doerksen ducks under, trying for the takedown. Herman reverses it and puts Doerksen down in the corner, but Doerksen gets right back up and tries a trip takedown of his own. He puts Herman down, but they both spring right back up, before Doerksen gets a takedown with authority. Elbows to the body from Doerksen, in side control, and knees to the body as well. Doerksen controlling well from the top and Herman gives up his back, with Doerksen locking in both hooks. He's looking for the rear naked choke, but Herman is defending it well, controlling the hands and avoiding it. Doerksen gets his arm across the throat of Herman and almost closes off the choke but he can't secure it and Herman turns out and reverses to the top position. Herman looking to posture up to strike but he can't gain any separation from Doerksen, settling for short elbows and punches instead. Herman works to the body but again isn't doing any serious damage and Doerksen throws up a triangle attempt and almost sinks it in. They're back to the full closed guard with Herman finally throwing some stronger strikes and the round ends with Herman landing a couple of elbows and punches on Doerksen, who covers and defends well.

Round Analysis: A bit of a slower round in terms of action, but it was Herman's round just from the flow of things. He seemed to be landing the better strikes and had the advantage for most of the round, despite giving up his back so early into it. I have it for Herman, but I could see it going the other way possibly as well.


Round Two

Herman shoots in right off the bell and gets the takedown, working from Doerksen's full guard. Herman passes to half-guard and Doerksen reverses and ends up on top and in side control on Herman. He tries to mount but Herman shrugs him off and lands a good knee before giving up another takedown. Doerksen pounding to the body from the full guard of Herman and the ref stops the action to move them closer to the middle of the ring. Herman with some strikes from the bottom and Doerksen lands an elbow but there's not a lot going on. They scramble and Doerksen uses that opportunity to move from guard to side control to mount and he starts to slam Herman's head to the mat, using his own chest. Herman tries to get out from underneath but can't and Doerksen moves to side control. The referee moves them back to the middle of the ring and Herman gets his guard back, with Doerksen raining in the blows. Doerksen again moves to side control for a moment and lands a solid hammerfist from back in the guard. Herman throws a leg up on Doerksen's shoulder but he just shrugs it off and passes to side mount. Doerksen takes full mount and Herman immediately reverses to the top position. Doerksen throws up a triangle attempt but there's not going to be enough time to lock it up, and Herman powers out of it, moving to mount Doerksen as the round closes out.

Round Analysis: As much as the first round was one that could have gone either way, the second was ALL Joe Doerksen. He had top position for most of the round and had the submission attempts to back that position advantage up. A little more striking from Doerksen would have been nice, but he still manages to seal the round and even up the fight.


Round Three

Doerksen lands an uppercut and gets a takedown, passing out of the guard into a standing guillotine. Herman slams him to break the hold and ends up in the full guard of Doerksen. Herman with some shoulder strikes and punches to the body, following that up with an elbow as well. Herman lands a good left hand and Doerksen looks to be trying to move out from the bottom, but he can't get out. Herman continuing with the striks from the top, posturing up and landing some hard punches. Unfortunately for him, Doerksen controls one of his arms and throws up a beautiful triangle, locking it in and putting Herman to sleep. Herman is out cold on this one, living in dreamland after that choke.

Winner: Joe Doerksen, submission (triangle choke) at 2:12 of Round Three

The 411: A really decent collection that really does feature some of the best fights that SportFight had had, up to this point. Some great quicker decisions, and some great back and forth battles, like the Leben/Radach fight make this a must-watch. The historical perspective of getting to see some of today's stars, before they were stars, is a very cool thing as well.

Final Score:  8.5   [ Very Good ]