Archive for September, 2013

45 Minutes That Define a Fighter!

Posted: September 24, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Can you remember the last time 45 minutes made a difference? What could you do in less than an hour, that would matter on a grand scale? When it comes to children, 45 minutes can make a lifetime of difference. For a child who has spent his life in constant pain, 45 minutes can inspire a smile. For his parents, that relief although temporary, is priceless!

Houston Alexander is a 41 year old Mixed Martial Artist, known to the masses for his tenure with the UFC, where he fought the likes of Keith Jardine, Kimbo Slice, Thiago Silva, Alessio Sakara and James Irvin. Alexander is known for his devastating punching power, his lighting fast hands, and his ominous demeanor.

Donny Caffey Jr, is a young gladiator from Babylon NY. I know his family well, both his uncle and his father are physical specimens, and were always gifted athletes. Donny, however is tougher than both of them. Without getting into too much detail, Donny has lived most of his young life in pain due to chronic hip ailment that has required multiple surgeries. Living in constant agony, Donny has approached this adversity, like the fighters he watches. He takes his lumps, has small victories, and always keeps moving forward.

Knowing he was coming off yet another surgery, we asked the fighters at Bellator 99 to sign the fight card for him. Anything to inspire a smile. Everyone was more than eager to do so, Main Event winner Patricio Pitbull signed a glove, however Houston Alexander had other plans.

“Look man, Autographs are nice, but what do you say we give Donny a call!” Said Alexander. “Calling Donny, that is how we can make a difference!”Alexander, knows better than most about making a difference, being a single father of six children, he has learned to juggle his primary obligations with his training regimen.

With that we exchanged information, and I contacted Donny’s family.

True to his word Houston Alexander made that phone call. For 45 minutes the two spoke. What they spoke about exactly, matters, but its not important to anyone but Donny and Houston. Even his father seemed surprised. ” I don’t know what he said, but right now my son is on his crutches, punching the speed bag!” Don Caffey Sr said.

Houston Alexander may be known for his I.Q. changing right hand, but he is defined by his actions outside of the cage. In a world of questionable role models, Alexander sets the bar petty high. Mr Alexander is a Father first, and an ambassador of good will, that also happens to knock people out!

Authors Note: Thank you to Houston Alexander and his management team for organizing the call. Also, Thank you to Anthony Mazzuca and Bjorn Rebney for allowing us access to the extremely generous Bellator MMA Fighters. Any other fighters wishing to send Donny best wishes can email us at news@theclinchreport.com

 

 

Bellator 99: Opportunity, Recognition and Redemption

Posted: September 14, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Bellator 99 delivered some key opportunities for featherweights in the opening round of the tournament. First up, Justin Wilcox survived an early and dynamic battering from Akop Stepanyan, only to secure a submission victory. Wilcox, who took the fight on just 7 days notice, could barely stand after Stepanyan dismantled his lead leg with snapping kicks. However, he could not finish him.

Late in the second round, Wilcox was able to bring Stepanyan down and once he did, the transition to the back and subsequent choke, was lightning fast. Stepanyan did his best to escape, but eventually went to sleep after refusing to tap. With the win Wilcox moves on to the next round where he will face ‘Baby’ Joe Taimanglo.

Taimanglo was able to secure his spot in the next round with a win over Andrew Fisher. Utilizing excellent movement, Taimanglo was able to close the distance well, effectively neutralizing Fisher’s reach advantage. At times the fight lacked action, but that was because both fighters were utilizing their game plans. Fisher flurried late in the third round, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.

Also fighting in the opening round of the featherweight tournament were two of the promotions youngest prospects. Former #1 155 lbs prospect Fabricio Guerreiro was able to out point a very dynamic Desmond Green. Guerreiro was able to control the pace of the fight, and aside from a few take downs from Green clearly won the fight.

With the win Guerreiro now is faced with the daunting task of going up against Patricio Pitbull in the next round. Pitbull needed just 1:19 to move on, after he blasted Diego Nunes with an incredible hook to the ear that dropped the former UFC standout. Follow up punches removed all doubt.

Also on the card, Vladimir Matyushenko utilized an effective striking game plan to keep heavy handed Houston Alexander at bay for most of the fight. When Alexander did land, ‘The Janitor’ smothered him with a combination of dominating wrestling and grappling skills. Both fighters refuse to look or act their age (41) and the result was one hell of a fight.

With the win, Matyushenko should be on a short list of names for the next 205 lbs tournament.

More pictures will be added later today!

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Bellator 99 Featherweight Tournament Opening Round: Streaming Live Results

Posted: September 13, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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PRELIMINARY CARD

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Savio Kosic (4-1) vs. Hector Ramirez (9-5)

Rd1: Hector Ramirez reverses postion on a nice takedown, and ends up on top of Kosic, working in side control. Ramirez lands some nice elbows to the mid section of Kosic. Ramirez holding dominant position but not landing much, aside from a few elbows. He finishes the round in top position.

Rd2: Hector Ramirez in full control to this point, but takes a poke to the eye prompting the stoppage. Both fighters re start and Hector Ramirez lands some devastating strikes to the body. Kosic drops, and Ramirez flurries. Ramirez looks for the crucifix, but Kosic is able to return to side control. More damage from Ramirez. Knees to the body from Ramirez as the round comes to a close.

Rd3: Kosic looks to establish range with the foot, as he throws several front kicks. Ramirez dances away nicely. Nice knee to the body from Kosic. Nice counter body kick from Kosic. Kosic then lands with the hands, only to get taken down again. Back to side control for Ramirez. Ramirez transitions again to the crucifix, but for some reason can’t land. Kosic controlling the posture well enough to avoid damage. Kosic gets to his feet, and flurries to the bell.

Winner: Hector Ramirez via UD

Welterweight Feature Fight: Andy Murad (6-0) vs. Gavin Sterritt (4-1)

Rd1: Murad starts off with a nice leg kick, and then instigates the clinch. Sterritt with his back against the cage. Murad changing levels well with the dirty boxing. Murad still controlling well, but Sterritt finally able to get away. Only to have Murad take him down. Murad looking to get the arm, but Sterritt gets free. Murad now looks for the guilotine, only to release and attempt to take the back. Sterritt again gets free. Sterritt delivers a liver kick, but Murad follows through and secure the double leg. Murad now working in the closed guard of Sterritt. Rd comes to end with Murad clearly in control.

Rd2: Murad starts off again with busy legs, only to instigate the clinch. Murad secures a body lock, and again brings the fight to the mat. Sterritt works back to his feet, but again tastes the dirty boxing of Murad. Big John restarts the action as fighters stalled. On the restart Sterritt is able to land some strikes, but again is bulled back to the cage. Knee on the exit from Sterritt, and then a left hook opens up Murad. Murad returns to the ground with a nice take down, but is getting split apart with some nice elbows from the bottom by Sterritt. Nice work by Sterritt, but Murad controlled the round 10-9 Murad.

Rd3: Both fighters start the round cautiously. With Sterritt looking the crisper of the two. Sterritt moving forward with some nice strikes, but Murad able to secure a single leg, and is able to parlay that into a take down. Murad in side control, and smothers a escape attempt from Sterritt once, but the second time he is successful.  Drs. check out Murad and allow the fight to continue. Sterritt steps out of a single leg. Sterritt landing with big right hands, and Murad is hurt. But, he is able to survive the round. 10-9 Sterritt

Winner: Gavin Sterritt via split Decision

Featherweight Feature Fight: Musa Toliver (9-8) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (14-1)

Rd1: Big take down from Toliver almost immediately. Yamauchii with some slick jujitsu is looking for the omaplato, but transitions to the back an secures the RNC.

Winner: Goiti Yamauchi via RNC 1:01 Rd 1

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Manny Lara (4-3) vs. Blagoi Ivanov (7-0)

Rd1: The big boys take the cage, Herb Dean in charge. Long feeling out process. Lara is instigating the clinch, but Ivanov is able to secure the guillotine and forces the tap almost immediately.

Winner: Blagoi Ivanov via Five Finger choke “Front Choke” Rd 1 1:17

Main Card:

Bellator Featherweight Opening Round: Joe Taimanglo (18-4) vs. Andrew Fisher (12-4)

Rd1: Taimanglo looks for the body shot, but Fisher avoids nicely. Fisher pressing the action, but Taimanglo fights off the cage well. Nice take down from Taimanglo, but Fisher is quick to get back to his feet. Fisher reversing position. Taimanglo with a nice upper cut, but fisher standing tough. Head butt prompts a stoppage. Fsher counters well with the right hand. Taimanglo doing well to get inside of the Fisher’s range.  Nice exchange with fisher landing hooks, and Taimanglo landing up the middle. Fisher seems to be waiting to counter, but never does. Nice jab from Fisher starched Taimanglo as the round comes to an end. We have it 10-9 Taimanglo

Rd2: Fisher counters well with the right hand. Taimanglo still looking to be the busier of the two. Taimanglo pressing the action with Fisher on his bicycle. Blood from Fishers nose. Fisher now starts to use the jab a little more. Nice body shot from Taimanglo. Fisher now being quicker with the jab.  Taimanglo with an excellent change of levels, lands with the hook, and then exits on the leg kick.  Fisher ducks under a left and almost takes the fight to the floor, as the round ends 10-9 Taimanglo in a rather boring round.

Rd3: Taimnglo starts the round with  a leg kick, and then scurries to avoid the clinch of Fisher. Nice jab from Taimanglo keeps Fisher at the end of punches. Taimanglo again with the jab, then follows with the straight right hand. Nice counter left hook from Taimanglo finds a home. Jab from Fisher lands. Counter right hand from Fisher rocks Taimanglo who shoots for the take down. Fisher avoids then lands to the body before returning fire to the head. Swelling under the left eye of Taimanglo, with some blood as well. Both fighters trade sloppy punches, as fatigue is taking its toll. Taimanglo looks to land one more big shot, bu the round and the fight comes to an end. 10-9 Taimanglo

Winner: Via UD Joe Taimanglo 

Bellator Featherweight Opening Round: Justin Wilcox (11-5) vs. Akop Stepanyan (13-5)

Rd1: Wilcox comes out throwing and lands a right hand, before Akop starts on the leg kicks. Vicious leg kick timed perfectly knocks Wilcox down momentarily. Akop moving well and counters nicely with the 1, 2. Flying knee from Wilcox misses. Another leg kick drops Wilcox again, he shoots for the take down, but Akop walks away Wilcox tastes a head kick, but stays tough. Akop countering beautifully with leg kicks that keep dropping Wilcox. Wilcox with a nice leg kick that trips Akop momentarily.  Spinning back kick from Akop looks to land low, but Wilcox says he is good.

Rd2: Moce left from Akop lands nicely. Cartwheel kick misses. Huge hematoma on Wilcox front leg, but that is the least of his worries. Big Head kick from Akop rocks Wilcox, but some how he is able to secure the take down. Wilcox now on top. Wilcox is able to transition to the back as Akop attempts to stand and sinks a deep RNC. Akop stands, then falls, he is trying to defend. He may be out. And he is.

Winner: Chris Wilcox via RNC Rd 2 

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Vladimir Matyushenko (26-7) vs. Houston Alexander (15-9)

Rd1: Long feeling out process. But Alexander lands a big right hand. Vlad looking to counter. Alexander is able to take down Vlad with a single leg , but now Vlad looks to land in top position which he does, but Alexander stands. Both miss with big overhand rights. Vlad with an underhook, secures the take down. Vlad looking to mount and does. Alexander gets out the back door and stands back up. Alexander charges forward but eats a nice right from Vlad. Round ends. We have 10-9 for The Janitor

Rd2: Nice lead left hook from Vlad. Nice left from Houston catches Vlads attention. Vlad lands two nice left hooks of his own. Vlad is able to stuff a Alexander take down attempt, and now both seem hesitant. Leg kick from Vlad, is countered by a nice right hand from Alexander. Vlad is stalking, and Alexander is looking to counter. Nice leg kick again from Vlad. Round comes to a close as tho boo birds salute. We have Vlad 10-9 again with the leg kicks and take downs.

Rd3: Vlad paws with the jab and avoids the 1 2 from Alexander as he moves backwards. Leaping left hook from Vlad misses. ALexander misses with another charging 1, 2 but lands a hook before Vlad brings him down. Houston gets back up, only to be slammed back to the mat by Vlad. Matyushenko is in clear control of this fight so far. Alexander explodes up, but the Janitor blankets him. Vlad with the chancery, as Alexander kneels to ground himself. Vlad is now working a cradle, to get position. Vlad softening up Alexander on the ground. Vlad with several unanswered left hands. The round and the fight comes to an end. We have the round 10-9 for Vlad. With him winning the fight unanimously.!

Winner: Via Unanimous Decision Vladimir Matyushenko 

Bellator Featherweight Opening Round: Patricio Pitbull (17-2) vs. Diego Nunes (18-4)

Rd1: Long feeling out process to start. Nunes flairs with a leg kick. Big left hand from Pitbull, and Nunes is hurt badly. Pitbull swarms and that is all she wrote. Big left hook, followed by a few lefts on the ground.

Winner: TKO Rd 1 Patricio Pitbull 

 

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Nick Moghaddam (6-6) vs. Virgil Zwicker (10-3)

Bellator MMA Weigh Ins from Pechanga Casino, Temecula CA

Posted: September 13, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Pitbull v Nunes

Pitbull v Nunes

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Bellator MMA has once again invaded the Pechanga Casino, in Temecula California. Today all of the fighters were set to make weight, and aside from a few that were slightly off, all seemed to be ready to go. The main event between Diego Nunes and Patricio Pitbull was probably the most intense stare down of the day. Once Patricio confirmed his weight, he walked past Jimmy Smith’s interview attempt and immediately began an intense stare. Nunes, refused to budge. After a long, and fierce confrontation both fighters respectfully walked away. ‘Pitbull’ went on to tell Jimmy Smith, that tomorrow ‘Nunes was going into the cage with a Pitbull, and he’s going to get bit!” (through his translator)

Also featured on the main card is an excellent battle of contrasting styles from two veterans of the sport. Vladimir Matyushenko makes his promotional debut against fellow UFC veteran Houston Alexander. Matyushenko has become known in the sport by his well earned moniker ‘The Janitor’, for his grinding wrestling based style that has compiled the elder statesmen a record of 26-6 in his career.

Alexander is also making his debut, but that is where the similarities end. Houston Alexander is known for one thing, knocking people out. With a record of 15-9, Alexander is attempting to live up to the high expectations that once ranked him as a rising star in the sport. After being cut from the UFC, Alexander’s record had been quite streaky, however if he is able to extend his current two-fight win streak, a future spot in Bellator’s light heavyweight tournament may be what ‘The Assassin’ has his sites set upon.

 

Make sure you you tune in on Spike TV 8PM Eastern 5PM Pacific with the preliminaries airing on SpikeTV.com

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Please contact for information regarding use of media.

 

BAMMA USA Pro Series 3 Photos: ‘The Jackhammer’ Pounding His Way Back to Prominence!

Posted: September 8, 2013 in Combat Sports
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The moment when all sound disappears, and life makes perfect sense!

The moment when all sound disappears, and life makes perfect sense! Victory!

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

BAMMA USA: Pro Series 3 event took place at The Braemar Country Club, in the picaresque hills of Southern California. The outdoor card featured several popular local fighters including: UFC Veteran Jared ‘The Jackhammer’ Papazian, Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware, Robert Gleckman, David Duran and several others.

The Main Event featured Papazian against submission fighter Jeff Martin. Papazian controlled the action early on with his dominant striking, however he fell into Martins guard after catching a leg kick, which almost lead to several submissions. Papazian patiently escaped a rather tenacious triangle, and the subsequent arm bar transition, only to returned to a dominant position where he could resume striking.

Moments later, the fight was over with Papazian being awarded the TKO win.

With the win, ‘The Jackhammer’ finds himself one step closer to making his way back to the UFC. Although his record is not stellar at 17-10, Papazian has never been finished in a fight by strikes, making him a very entertaining fighter to watch. With his ability to fight at either 125 or 135 lbs, Papazian also gives UFC matchmakers Joe Silva and Sean Shelby a pretty versatile tool, should a lighter weight fighter fall out of a scheduled bout due to injury!

BAMMA Pro Series 3: Live From The Braemar Country Club

Posted: September 7, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M King The Clinch Report

Once again, BAMMAUSA showcased some of Southern California’s best young, and in the case of Robert Gleckman 48, older MMA talent. The fight card featured former UFC fighter Jared ‘The Jackhammer’ Papazian, local favorite Terrion’ Flash Ware, as well as the aforementioned Gleckman who was victorious in his 2nd professional fight.

The fights were held outdoors, at the picaresque Braemar Country Club in Tarzana. Press row, was quite a long way from any internet connection so please excuse the erratic results.

Also, The Be First Clothing ‘Fight Night’ Bonus went out to David Duran (KO of the Night) and too Ozzie Avalos (Submission of the Night)

www.befirstclothing.com Make sure you support the sponsors, that support the fighters!!!

Preliminary Bout:

Bobby Sanchez (13-20) v Daniel Clark 160 lbs Catch-weight

Rd 1: Referee Mike Bell in charge of the action. After a short feeling out process, Daniel Clark is able to secure the take down. Sanchez looking to sweep, but gives up his back, and Clark sinks in the choke.

Winner: By RNC Daniel Clark 1:25 Rd 1

Aziz Rashid (0-1) v David Duran (0-1) 135 lbs

Rd1: Big John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for this 135 lbs bout. Aziz Rashid is fighting out of Dethrone base camp in Fresno, and David Duran fights out of Whittier, CA at Total MMA. Rashid lands a kick off of the touch, but Duran is un fazed. Duran able to secure the take down, now working out of Rashid’s guard. Duran looking to pass, but Rashid defends well. Duran now in the closed half guard. Big Johns stands them up, and Duran lands a big right hand and that is all she wrote.

Winner: David Duran via  KO Rd 1 2:52 

Moses Murrieta (0-0) v Howard LaCroix (0-0) 185 lbs

Emilio Chavez (4-5) v Shad Smith(12-20-2) 145 lbs

Rd1: Chavez blocks several high kicks, only to have Smith shoot a double leg. Smith secures the take down, but ends up losing dominate position. Chavez sinks in both hooks, and the choke ending the fight in the first round.

Winner: Chavez via RNC Rd 1:

Main Card:

Terrion Ware (4-2) v German Baltazar (3-1) 135 lbs

After a three round battle that featured a back and forth war the fate is in the hand of the judges. Ware, held a slight advantage in the striking department, but Baltazar was able to use effective take downs to neutralize ‘The Flash’.

Winner: Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware via Split Decison

Alex Rickards (4-8) v Robert Gleckman (1-0) 172 lbs Catch-weight

Rd1: Robert Gleckman wins via TKO over Alex Rickards Rd 1

Winner: Robert Gleckman via TKO rd 1

Nick Reale (7-6) v Ozzie Avalos (5-2)  174 lbs Catch-weight

Results: Ozzie Avalos wins via Submission (Guillotine)

Jeff Martin (10-9) v Jared Papazian (16-10) 135 lbs

Rd1: Papazian catches a Martin kick and presses him against the cage. Papazian with a nice combination on the exit. And lands again hurting Martins. Martins falling around the cage, eats another right hand. Papazian is able to control Martins from the back, and brings the fight to the floor. Papazian looking to flatten out Martins, but he defends well enough to prevent the choke. Now Papazian works in the closed guard of Martins, who is looking for a triangle. Martin’s has the hold deep, but Papazian  is able to work free. Now in mount Papazian lands a nice elbow, and that is enough for Big John who stops the fight.

Winner: Jared Papazian via TKO rd 1