The Tool Review 07.22.08: Rumble On The Rock 5
Posted by on 07.22.2008
Another big night of fights from Hawaii as Matt Lindland, Kendall Groves, Cabbage Correira, Jason Lambert, and Joe Riggs are all in action!
I recently picked up the Rumble On The Rock 5-Event Set, a two disc collection containing the full cards from Rumble On The Rock 4-8. I’ll be reviewing each show in the weeks to come. You can find my review of Rumble On The Rock 4 here. If you’re interested in picking this one up, you can find it at Amazon for $9.47. I got it at my local Best Buy for just $9.99, and I can honestly say it’s well worth the money.
RUMBLE ON THE ROCK 5
-May 7, 2004
-From the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii
No introductions from the announcers, so it‘s not until later I find out Ryan Bennet and Mike Anazuka are calling the action. In fact this show is bare-bones production wise, as right away we go to the video package for our first fight.
MATCH ONE: WELTERWEIGHTS - Vance Pu (0-1) vs. Royden Demotta (2-2)
Pu had one previous fight in Ultimate Cage Warriors, while Demotta had debuted in WEC and bounced around since.
Round 1
Referee Troy “Rude Boy” Mandaloniz gets us underway. It’s worth noting that both fighters look quite a lot alike, but luckily Demotta has some ink so it shouldn’t be too hard to tell them apart. Demotta throws a big right hand and takes Pu down immediately. Demotta pushes Pu up against the fence then stands up. Pu throws the up-kick but doesn’t connect. Demotta jumps in with a right hand, and lands in Pu’s guard. Demotta comes over the top with some punches and elbows. Demotta passes to side control and really starts to unload. He lands some big shots, including a knee on the ground (?) and opens up a gash on the side of Pu’s head, and Mandaloniz has seen enough. Afterwards the announcers tell us that knees to a downed opponent are legal in Hawaii, which must be a rule that was recently implemented because one of the fights at ROTR 4 was ended in a DQ following a knee to a downed opponent.
Winner: Royden Demotta, TKO (corner stoppage), round 1, 3:26
This would be Pu’s last MMA fight, and Demotta would only fight once more before he called it quits as well.
MATCH TWO: LIGHTWEIGHTS - Justin Mercado (5-2) vs. Harris Sarmiento (10-7)
Sarimento has been all over the place, and had scored a win over Rob McCullough in WEC. Mercado is a veteran of Super Brawl and was on a three fight win streak.
Round 1
Once again, Troy Mandaloniz is the third man in the cage. Mercado throws a leg kick that misses, and follows by coming in with a left hook. He ties up and tries for the takedown, but Sarmiento reverses and ends up on top in Mercado’s guard. Both fighters staying very busy on the ground as Sarmiento tries to get some shots in but Mercado doing an excellent job of grabbing the wrists. Mercado stays active and throws some shots from the bottom, before trying for an armbar. Sarmiento pulls out and Mercado gets up as well. They tie up and Mercado throws some nice knees to the body inside. Sarmiento answers back with a few knees of his own. Mercado presses him towards the cage and they exchange some more knees. They move back to the center, still tied up and neither man really has an advantage. Sarmiento throws a big knee inside and it looks like that one really hurt. Mandaloniz breaks them up and Mercado throws a nice little leg kick. Both fighters miss the jab and Mercado comes in with the left. They tie up against the cage and Sarmiento lands a BIG knee to the head. Mercado smiles, but Sarmiento grabs the clinch and throws a few more knees to the head. He slips and falls back on the last one and Mercado dives into his guard. Mercado lands some big shots from the top, but Sarmiento is doing a good job controlling the posture. Sarmiento bullies his way up, and they’re tied up for a second before Mandaloniz breaks them up. Mercado fakes the jab, misses with a high kick, lands a leg kick, then ties up. Sarmiento lands some more knees in the clinch, but Mercado breaks away and throws some big shots that miss. They tie up again as the round ends. Great action so far. They were pretty even during the time on the ground, but during the stand-up Sarmiento definitely had the advantage, so he wins the first round 10-9.
Round 2
Mercado shoots in for a single, but he can’t get him down. He presses Sarmiento against the cage, but Sarmiento reverses to get Mercado against the cage. They move back to the center, still tied up. Sarmiento tries for a trip, but it doesn’t work and Mercado just sort of falls backwards. He quickly gets up and shoots in again. He doesn’t seem to have much power behind it though and they tie up. Mandaloniz splits them up and Mercado lands a grazing left hand. Sarmiento gets the clinch and lands a knee inside, but Mercado throws a big overhand left. Sarmiento misses with a right hook, then hits it. Mercado fakes a leg kick, then lands a kick to the body and they tie up. Sarmiento lands a few more knees to the head, and Mercado comes in with a big left. Sarmiento drops down for a single, but he can’t get it. Mercado throws a few shots to the head, then grabs a hold of the neck and drops down for a guillotine. He straightens out his body but it doesn’t look to be very tight. Sarmiento keeps trying to pull his head out but Mercado isn’t letting go. Sarmiento finally pulls his head out and starts throwing some shots to the head. Sarmiento keeps working in the guard, and tries to pass right as the round ends. The action slowed down a bit in this round, but they still went back and forth. Mercado did have the submission attempt, so 411mania awards the round 10-9 to him.
Round 3
Mercado looks pretty gassed at this point. Sarmiento throws a flying knee, but doesn’t quite connect. Sarmiento lands a leg kick, then goes in for the clinch to land a few knees. Mercado misses the left jab and Sarmiento lands a nice right. Sarmiento lands a straight left and misses a big right uppercut. Mercado throws a high kick that’s checked and Sarmiento lands a nice little combination. He connects with a few knees as well. Mercado ties up looking to get a throw or trip, but Sarmiento makes him eat another knee. They circle in the center and both guys throw an overhand punch at the same time. Mercado misses a right hook and Sarmiento lands some more knees to the head. Mercado is smiling after taking all the punishment in this round. Mercado comes in with a left jab and Sarmiento grabs him and pulls guard. Mercado is in half guard and then transitions to a full mount. Sarmiento is holding on to control the posture then rolls and gives up his back. Mercado goes for the rear naked choke, but Sarmiento gets out and they go back to the feet. Sarmiento grabs a single, but Mercado grabs a hold of his neck and drops down for a guillotine. The fight ends with Sarmiento in a guillotine throwing punches to Mercado’s body. The announcers say that this is one of the fights where they’re glad they’re not judges, and I have to agree. Sarmiento dominated the stand-up but Mercado had the advantage in the ground game. 411mania awards the round 10-9 to Sarmiento, and the fight 29-28 for him, but this could easily go either way.
Sarimento followed up his win here by losing to Roger Huerta in his next fight. He would continue bouncing around before eventually ending up in Strikeforce and the IFL. Mercado went on to lose three of his next four fights and has not competed since early 2006.
MATCH THREE: LIGHTWEIGHTS - Santino DeFranco (11-4) vs. Kaynan Kaku (4-0)
DeFranco last competed at ROTR 4 where he got a DQ victory over Deshaun Johnson. Kaku has fought mainly in ROTR.
Round 1
A blond Larry Landless is our referee. DeFranco lands a few leg kicks and Kaku immediately shoots in and gets the takedown. Kaku is in the guard and DeFranco is keeping him close. DeFranco tries to set up an armbar but Kaku immediately slips out. Kaku stands up and comes in with a big right hand. DeFranco gets back to his feet and Kaku tries to take him back down. DeFranco gets him pressed against the cage and Kaku reverses and then drops down for a double leg and gets the takedown. DeFranco tries for a guillotine but Kaku immediately gets his head out. DeFranco works the rubber guard and Kaku starts throwing some knees to DeFranco’s ass. Landless warns Kaku about hitting the spine. Kaku presses him against the cage then stands up and comes in with a couple of big shots. He grabs DeFranco’s leg, moves it to the side and comes in for a shot, but DeFranco gets the rubber guard again. Landless doesn’t like the action and stands them up. DeFranco comes in with a left hook and Kaku goes down, but he gets right up so it looks like it was just a slip. Kaku comes in with some punches and DeFranco ties up, then pulls guard. He continues using the rubber guard and Kaku throws a shoulder shrug as the round comes to a close. Even though neither man did a lot of damage, Kaku got the takedowns so 411mania scores round one 10-9 for him.
Round 2
DeFranco misses a head kick early and Kaku throws a nice little combination before he takes DeFranco down. DeFranco works the rubber guard and looks for an omoplata, but Kaku is rotating and staying out of danger. DeFranco tries for an armbar but Kaku pulls out and jumps back into DeFranco’s guard. He lands some weak shots to the head before Landless stands them up. DeFranco comes in with a straight right and Kaku answers with a left-right combination. Kaku lands a leg kick then comes in with a shoot. DeFranco sprawls but Kaku presses him back to the cage and then gets him down. Whenever they get down DeFranco is doing a great job of controlling the posture and Kaku can’t land much of anything. Landless stands them up and Kaku comes in with the left-right combo again. He drops down for the double leg and takes DeFranco down. He gets some weak punches to the head and body, but DeFranco is keeping him close. Landless stands them up again and now DeFranco shoots in for a double leg. Kaku tries for a guillotine choke but DeFranco pulls out and is on his back with Kaku in the full guard. Kaku lands some big elbows to DeFranco’s head, but Landless stands them up again. DeFranco misses a straight right, then a leg kick as the round ends. Pretty uneventful round, but Kaku once again wins 10-9 thanks to the takedowns.
Round 3
Kaku throws a quick leg kick then comes in for the left-right combo. Both guys throw a kick and DeFranco slips. Kaku jumps down into his guard and looks to pass, but DeFranco is once again doing a good job of controlling from the bottom. Kaku stands up and throws some leg kicks, then jumps back into the guard. He stands up again and DeFranco gets up as well. They tie up against the cage as DeFranco tries for a weak takedown attempt of his own. Landless splits them up and brings them back to the center. Kaku immediately drops down for a double but DeFranco sprawls and lands a knee to the head. They tie up against the cage again as Kaku tries to get him down. He eventually gets him down and is once again in guard. DeFranco tries for the rubber guard but then lets go. Kaku throws some hammer fists then stands up. He grabs the leg, pushes it aside and comes in with a big left hand that misses. DeFranco sweeps and gets up. Kaku lands a big left hook, then comes in with another left-right combo and a NICE head kick. DeFranco starts to go down and Kaku grabs him and takes the back to try for the choke. DeFranco turns towards him and gets on top, but Kaku tries for a triangle. Blood is coming from DeFranco’s head, but it’s hard to tell where from. DeFranco stands up and throws some leg kicks, then drops back down into guard. He stands back up and it looks as though the blood is coming from his nose. They end the fight on their feet with Kaku missing a high kick. Pretty dominant performance for Kaku, as 411mania awards him the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27.
Winner: Kaynan Kaku, Unanimous Decision (30-27 across the cards)
Kaku would go on to get his first loss at the next ROTR event (to find out who he faced, come back next week). He has not competed in over a year. DeFranco would follow up the loss here with a win over Melvin Guillard, and he has remained active. In fact he just fought (and won) ten days ago at C3 Fights.
MATCH FOUR: LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS - Jason Lambert (14-5) vs. Mike Rogers (10-2)
Lambert is coming off a loss to Chael Sonnen, while Rogers was coming off of back-to-back losses after starting his career 9-0.
Round 1
Troy Mandaloniz gets us started. Rogers immediately shoots in for a takedown but Lambert circles and lands in Rogers’ guard. Rogers controls the head and Lambert pushes him towards the fence. Lambert postures up and throws some shots. Rogers rolls and gives up his back. Lambert gets the hooks in and starts raining down punches to the head, and that’s it.
Winner: Jason Lambert, TKO (strikes), round 1, 3:29
Lambert would go on to fight in WEC, and within a few years he would make his octagon debut. Rogers had one more fight and called it a day on his MMA career.
MATCH FIVE: MIDDLEWEIGHTS - Joe Riggs (13-4) vs. Kendall Groves (4-0)
Riggs had been all over the place, mainly fighting for Rage In The Cage. He is on a three fight win streak here. Groves had also fought in a few different places, and Riggs represents a big step up in competition for him.
Round 1
Larry Landless is our referee. Groves throws a high kick that’s checked, then another one. Riggs shoots in and gets the takedown into half guard. Riggs throws some right hands and a couple of knees to the head. Groves is controlling the posture but Riggs lands another knee to the head. Groves gets to guard and Riggs tries to come over the top with some left hand shots. He lands a big left and Groves is OUT.
Winner: Joe Riggs, KO (strikes), round 1, 3:09
Both fighters would eventually make it to the UFC, although they would take very different roads to get there. Riggs would make his octagon debut in a few months, beating Joe Doerkson by submission. After going 4-4 in the UFC, he is currently fighting for Strikeforce. Groves would spend a few more years bouncing around before winning the third season of the “The Ultimate Fighter.”
MATCH SIX: KICKBOXING? - Danny Steele vs. Melvin Murray
For some reason we have a kickboxing match in the middle of the card. I don’t know anything about either fighter and I don’t really care, so let’s just move on shall we?
MATCH SEVEN: WELTERWEIGHTS - Ron Jhun (21-11-2) vs. Ryan Schultz (5-1)
Jhun was at ROTR 4, where he beat Sean Taylor. He also racked up two more wins in between, so he comes in here on a three fight win streak. Schultz had spent some time in WEC and a few other organizations before this.
Round 1
Larry Landless gets us started. Jhun throws a left jab, and Schultz comes in with a left hook. They tie up against the cage with Schultz trying for the takedown. Jhun throws an uppercut and Schultz answers with a high knee. They break apart and exchange with both guys throwing wildly. Schultz lands a straight left and Jhun misses a high kick. Schultz puts together a nice combination and Jhun tells him to come on. They exchange again with Jhun pressing forward. Schultz lands a nice right hook and Jhun answers with a right of his own and they exchange once again. They tie up against the cage and Jhun throws a high knee. He lands a few more knees to the legs before Landless splits them up. Schultz comes in and misses with some big overhand rights. Jhun lands a left jab then presses forward and ties up against the cage. Schultz pulls apart and throws a right hook. Jhun lands a kick to the body and they exchange against the cage. Schultz connects with a right hook that wobbles Jhun, and they exchange wildly as the round ends. Tremendous action so far. Tough round to score, but Schultz seemed to get the better of the exchanges, so 411mania awards the round 10-9 to him.
Round 2
Jhun presses forward and lands a nice little combination before he ties up. Schultz pulls guard and Jhun starts throwing big shots to the body. Jhun throws in some shoulder shrugs as well, as Schultz is holding on and keeping him close. Jhun continues throwing big shots to the body and mixes in a few head shots as well. Jhun connects with an elbow the face then goes back to the body. Jhun gets the full mount but Schultz is holding him close. More big body shots from Jhun and Schultz tries to buck him off. Jhun lands a ton of shoulder shrugs then unloads some big punches to the head and body. Schultz’s corner throws in the towel right as the round ends.
Winner: Ron Jhun, TKO (corner stoppage), round 2, 5:00
Jhun would go on to face (and lose to) Chris Lytle in his lone UFC appearance. He is currently on a ten fight losing streak. Schultz would fare a bit better, following up his performance here with wins over Gil Castillo and Roger Huerta. He eventually made his was to the IFL where he shocked the world by beating Chris Horodecki for the IFL lightweight championship, which he still holds.
MATCH EIGHT: MIDDLEWEIGHTS - Matt Lindland (10-2) vs. Tony Fryklund (10-2)
Lindland is coming off his two fight series with Falaniko Vitale in the UFC, where he won the last encounter. Fryklund has fought in ten different organizations and is on a two fight win streak.
Round 1
Our referee is Troy Mandaloniz. Lindland lands a body kick, followed by an overhand right. Lindland shoots in and gets the takedown into half guard against the cage. He throws some elbows to the body and looks to pass, but Fryklund has his legs locked. Lindland postures up and throws some shots, then drops back down into guard. He throws some fists and elbows to the head, and he opens a small cut over Fryklund’s left eye. Fryklund powers up and they circle in the center. Fryklund comes in with some big rights but Lindland grabs his head and starts with some dirty boxing. He lands some big uppercuts and Fryklund pulls away. They exchange in the center and Lindland tries to throw a high knee, but he slips and lands on his back. He uses his legs to keep Fryklund away, and Fryklund lands some leg kicks. Mandaloniz stands Lindland up. Lindland lands a couple of nice uppercuts, and is showing some good head movement to avoid Fryklund’s shots. They exchange in the center and Fryklund lands a nice left hook. Lindland hits him with a left hook of his own, and Lindland has a small cut on the right of his forehead. They tie up against the cage and Fryklund gets a takedown right as the round ends. Lindland was in control for most of the fight so 411mania awards the round 10-9 to him.
Round 2
Fryklund charges forward but neither man connects with anything. Lindland lands a left hook then a right uppercut. Lindland goes in for the takedown and Fryklund grabs a hold of the neck to try for a guillotine. Lindland slips out and is on top now, landing some shots. Fryklund powers up but Lindland keeps a hold of him and they tie up against the cage. Lindland has Fryklund’s neck and tries for a neck crank, but Fryklund pulls out. Back to the center and Lindland checks a body kick before shooting in. He grabs Fryklund and gets a BIG slam. Lindland starts working from the top, landing some solid shots. Fryklund is keeping him locked in half guard, and Lindland seems to be trying for a head and arm choke. He postures up and lands some big shots, and Mandaloniz calls a timeout to clean up some of the blood coming from Lindland’s nose and a small cut above the left eyebrow. Mandaloniz restarts them back on the ground. Lindland lands some more elbows from the top, but he can’t get his leg out to pass. He’s keeping busy with punches and elbows and Fryklund says something to Mandaloniz that causes a timeout. Fryklund gets up and he’s got a ton of blood covering his head. It looks like a nasty cut opened up over his right eyebrow. The doctors work on both guys before Mandaloniz restarts them again on the ground. Lindland continues with the ground and pound, mixing up his elbows and fists. He seems to be aiming for the cut above the right eye. Lindland continues to land shots as the round ends. More domination from Lindland wins him the round 10-9.
Round 3
Fryklund lands a leg kick and Lindland comes in with some punches before shooting in and getting the slam. Fryklund works his way up against the cage and they circle back to the center. Fryklund misses a few shots and Lindland drops down for a takedown but he ends up pulling guard. He has Fryklund pulled close so Fryklund can’t land any big shots. Fryklund moves to the half guard but neither man can land any big shots. Lindland tries to push him off with his legs but Fryklund is doing a good job of staying heavy. Fryklund tries to pass but Lindland keeps him locked in the half guard. Mandaloniz stands them up and Lindland presses forward with a left hook. He grabs a hold and tries for the takedown, but Fryklund spins around. Lindland then goes for a suplex, but Fryklund grabs the cage to avoid that. Fryklund trips him up and lands on his back. Lindland works in the half guard, landing punches to the head and body. Mandaloniz stands them back up and Fryklund is clearly out of gas. Lindland goes in for a double and gets another big slam. He has him pressed against the cage and Fryklund weakly tries for a kimura. He let’s go and tries to get up but Lindland grabs his head and tries for a guillotine. Fryklund pulls out and gets on top, but Mandaloniz quickly stands them up again. Fryklund tries to swing for the fences but Lindland immediately shoots in and gets him down. Pretty much pure domination from Matt Lindland, as 411mania awards him the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27.
Winner: Matt Lindland, Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
After this fight Lindland headed back to the UFC, where he would lose to David Terrell in less than 30 seconds. He just competed at Affliction: Banned where he beat Fabio Negao. He is also currently the Republican Candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives. Fryklund would continue to bounce around, and was last seen in Strikeforce over a year ago, where he lost to Cung Le.
MAIN EVENT: HEAVYWEIGHTS - Wesley “Cabbage” Correira (20-5) vs. John Marsh (4-3)
Marsh is a late replacement for Vladimir Matyushenko. He is currently on a three fight losing streak against Jeremy Horn, Matyushenko, and Ricco Rodriguez. Cabbage just had his last fight in the UFC, where he lost to Andrei Arlovski.
Round 1
Larry Landless is the man in charge. They circle and Marsh lands a leg kick. Cabbage throws a straight right, then a nice left hook. Marsh comes in with a nice combination followed by a leg kick. Marsh lands a left hook, followed by a straight left from Cabbage. Cabbage misses the leg kick and they circle in the center. Cabbage misses a left hook and Marsh lands some nice combinations. Cabbage presses forward and lands a left hook. More circling. Marsh lands a nice leg kick, and Cabbage returns the favor. Marsh presses forward and lands a few shots. They circle some more in the center and Marsh hits a left hook. Marsh comes in with a knee followed by a left hook. They circle back to the center and Cabbage misses a high kick. Marsh presses forward and lands a right hook, followed by a left. Cabbage lands a leg kick, answered by Marsh. They circle as the round ends. Not a lot of action but Marsh seemed to be the one pressing forward and landing more, so 411mania awards the round 10-9 to him.
Round 2
They circle to start and Cabbage comes in with a straight left that misses. Marsh checks the leg kick, and then backs away to miss a high kick. Marsh comes in with a straight left, followed by a nice left-right combo. Marsh is working this fight Lyoto Machida-style; coming in and picking his shots, then backing away to avoid any counter-punches. Cabbage misses the high kick then presses forward. Marsh catches him with a left and they circle back to the center. Marsh lands a straight left, followed by a right. Cabbage misses a few shots of his own. Marsh lands a body shot, and Cabbage misses the high kick. More circling now, and you can hear Cabbage’s corner screaming at him to press the action. Marsh comes in with a nice left-right combo then backs away before Cabbage can answer. Marsh shoots in for a takedown and doesn’t get it. Cabbage grabs a hold of his head and is trying for a neck crank. He presses him against the cage and throws a high knee before Marsh slips out. Marsh throws a leg kick, and comes in with an overhand right. Marsh ducks a left hook and lands a body shot. They exchange against the cage as the round ends. Marsh landed more shots so 411mania awards the round 10-9 to him.
Round 3
Marsh lands a straight left. Cabbage is pressing forward but isn’t throwing much. He misses the left-right combo and they circle back to the center. Cabbage starts to drop his hands a bit, and eats a straight left. Cabbage lands a nice left hook, answered by Marsh. Cabbage misses the high kick again, and the crowd is getting restless. Marsh lands a left jab, followed by a body shot. Cabbage lands a left hook, but Marsh backs away before he can follow up. Marsh throws a kick to the body, and they circle some more. Marsh misses a few shots, but there’s no answer from Cabbage. The announcers wonder why Cabbage isn’t doing anything, since he has to know he’s behind. Cabbage misses the high kick, and Marsh throws a leg kick. Marsh comes in with a left-right combo, and Cabbage starts to unload. Marsh is still backing up to avoid any big damage. Cabbage finally shows some aggression as the fight ends. Once again Marsh was the one landing, while Cabbage did very little. 411mania awards round three 10-9 for Marsh, and the fight 30-27.
Winner: John Marsh, Unanimous Decision (30-27 across the cards)
After the upset win here, Marsh went on to fight once in the UFC where he lost to Mike Van Arsdale. Cabbage would spend most of his time in Rumble On The Rock, and we’ll be seeing him again next week.
The 411: There was some good action in the form of Jhun vs. Schultz and Mercado vs. Sarmiento, as well as some dominant performances from Matt Lindland, Jason Lambert, Joe Riggs and Kaynan Kaku. However the main event was pretty lackluster, and I have no idea where there was a kickboxing bout on the card. Still, good enough for a mild recommendation.
