UFC News
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
Video By: JT Media Sound By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
Spar Star MMA
Leo Imai vs Alejandro Flores Brought to you by: Down 2 Scrap
Photo by: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photo: By Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
Apologies are a slippery slope. The become easy to spit, and often lose all meaning. That is why it is refreshing when an athlete like Chael Sonnen comes along. Sonnen who has always made headlines in his career made them once again when he tested positive on multiple occasions for PED’s. He retired as a result, and since has been issued a 2 year ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Then he was released from his position as a broadcaster, leaving a major hole on the FOX Sports stage.
Since his departure, Sonne recently called the shots at “MMA Battlegrounds” with legendary announcer Jim Ross. He also started his own podcast titled “You’re Welcome”. During the inaugural episode Sonnen discussed his positive test with Ariel Helwani and offered a refreshing take!
“For me, the litmus test was flawed. Here was my litmus test: can’t be a steroid and it’s got to be legal. I can’t take anything, I don’t want to be in possession or consume anything that’s not legal. And what I’m talking about there is I’m not talking about the commissions and the rules, I’m talking about the law. I’m talking about if I’m holding something in my possession and a police office sees me, am I allowed to have that or aren’t I? If the answer’s Yes, then I’m in. That was my test. If I can get this legally, if there’s a legal medication, I’m taking it. I’m not cross-referencing that with the commission. I’m not going to take the rules or anything over that of a doctor. I told myself to sleep well at night. That’s a flawed test. I don’t think a lot of guys do that from this era.”
“I don’t think there’s a lot of guys that do it. I think that the problem, or the guys in the violation of the rules are the guys from my time. The guys that before these rules take place or were changes and adapted to what they are now, the guys that got set in their ways, they grew up through the 80’s and grew up in the early ’90s, they just grew up doing stuff wrong. I think that’s where the real problem is. I know that’s where it comes for me. The other thing is that it was working. I was feeling good, I was having some good success. You’ve got to stay in compliance, it’s completely wrong, but there it is. I’m speaking purely about mindset now. I think that’s what my mindset was.” Chael Sonnen From his podcast “You’re Welcome” on Podcastone.
Maybe its time we stop looking for forgiveness. Or maybe we should just go back to using our parents as role models. Maybe we should just let the athletes entertain. When they do mess up like you and I; maybe they should be judged as men and women, not as pariahs!
One thing is certain is Sonnen’s ‘I’m sorry im not sorry’ approach (and i’m paraphrasing) is a fresh take, one long over due in sports. Im not saying we should forgive him for cheating, but for god sake how long do we have to endure his absence? Maybe its time we reward honesty, instead of continually perpetrating an apologetic fraud!
To listen to “You’re Welcome” click the link below
Flash picking his shots
By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware took another step towards attaining his UFC goals, with his 4th round dismantling of Jeff Martin at BAMMA USA’s BadBeat 13 event. Martin was a clear underdog coming into the fight, however his jujitsu pedigree proved that on paper odds mean very little once the fight started. Martin was able to take the champion down and flirted with several deep submission attempts, including a straight armbar that Ware was able to battle through. Clearly giving him the first round.
Then quickly things changed. Ware utilized superior movement to get inside of Martin’s jab with vicious body shots that slowed down Martin’s shots, and removed his take down strength entirely. Crisply, Ware changed levels effectively gaining entry at the body, then finishing at the head. Martin did his best to stay in the fight, and did so for three rounds, despite clearly being down on the scorecards.
It appeared Ware could finish Martin several times, but instead decided to continue the punishment. Ware appeared to be one a mission. Once the fourth round began Martin faded quickly and mercifully after some nasty hammer fists the fight was stopped. For a long time the knock against Ware was the his lack of finishing ability. Perhaps last nights ‘country ass whooping’ was directed at silencing those critics.
The win rights the ship for Ware who lost his last fight against UFC Title contender Joe Soto. Currently Ware has avenged his first lost, and since only lost to guys who have or currently do fight in the UFC. With a history of exciting fights, and a style that consistently entertains, perhaps it is time for Sean Shelby or Joe Silva to take notice.
BAMMA USA once again delivered a tremendous card. Great night of fights.
vBamma USA once again invades the Commerce Casino
Preliminary Card
Levon Sargsyan (0-0) vs. Michael Reyes (0-0) 125 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd1: Excellent patience from Sargsyan who avoids a few big swings from Reyes. Reyeslunges and catches Sargysan who is in trouble. Big ground and pound from Reyes who inspires the stoppage. Winner :32 Rd 1 via KO Michael Reyes
Chris Schommer (1-0) vs Jose Rivas jr (1-0) 205 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Reyes enters to “The Game” made famous by Triple H in the WWE. Interesting choice of songs….
Rd1: Schommer looking for the takedown but its not there. He settles for a few leg kicks, then feign the take down again. Reyes digs to the legs, then lands a nice two punch combination before Schommer instigates the clinch. Head kick from Reyes flirts ineffectively. Schommer in on a single and brings the fight to the ground. In side cross landing elbows and punches, Schommer senses the finish. Schommer sinks in the brabo choke as he moves to a north south position and Reyes is out as the round ends. Winner via head and arm choke Rd 1 Chris Schommer
Ashley Yoder (1-0) vs Maria Rios (1-0) 115 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd1: Yoder starts out more active, but Rios patiently finds her way into the clinch. Yoder backed into the cage, taking a few foot stomps. Rios now backed up momentarily before reversing position. Referee Mike Beltran calls for a break, and Rios immediately lands with a nice leg kick. Yoder with head control, but Rios gets free and again pressing Yoder against the cage. Rios with a big elbow to the liver that buckles Yoder.We give Rd 1 to Rios 10-9
Rd2: More clinching, as Rios still in control Both fighters land with punches. Another nice elbow from Rios brings her again into the clinch. Yoder able to take Rios down. Yoder now in side control lands a nice elbow. Yoder smothering Rios, but Rios doing some nice work from bottom. Triangle almost locked up by Rios but Yoder breaks free. Both fighters landing with punches as the round ends. We give it 10-9 Yoder
Rd3: Yoder again with a nice hip toss take down. Yoder in side control but Rios threatens the back. Nice reversal from Rios who is now working from the half guard. Rios transitions to the back but gets swept. Now Yoder working in the closed guard of Rios. Referee calls for a break. Rios lands a nice combination and another. Rios flurries and Yoder gives back as well. Rios again lands with heavy straight punches that have Yoder rocked and backed up as the round and the fight come to an end. We have it 10-9 Rios giving her a very close 29-28 decision win. Winner by UD Maria Rios
Adrian Gutierrez (0-0) vs Tim Riscen (2-0) 125 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd 1: Riscen in on a take down, but Gutierrez appears to have his neck. Riscen gets free momentarily before having his posture controlled by Gutierrez. Back to there feet Gutierrez lands nice right before getting dragged back to the mat. Riscen in the guard now, looking to land with the right, but Gutierrez kicks him away and gets back to his feet. Riscen again with a take down. Big right elbows from Riscen find a home. Gutierrez gets free and stands only to be taken down again. And the round comes to a close. 10-9 Riscen
Rd 2: Gutierrez starts out the aggressor, backing Riscen up. Riscen finds the take down again. Riscen steps over in to half guard and lands with a few punches before Gutierrez escapes back to his feet. Riscen find the double leg again, and wouldn’t you know he gets another take down. Riscen locks up a modified head and arm choke, and that is the end of the contest. Winner Tim Riscen via SUB Von Flue choke
Alyssa Garcia (0-0) vs Misha Nassiri (2-0) 110 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd 1: Nassiri lands a few rights and lefts, but Garcia closes the distance quickly. Both fighters get away from each other, only to have Garcia shoot and achieve the take down. Nassiri curled up against the cage, as Garcia looks to pull her away. Both fighters stand up. Nice knee in the clinch from Garcia. Sit out take down tosses Nassiri as Garcia is just smothering her. Nassiri doing well for the moment controlling the posture of Garcia. Round end 10-9 Garcia
Rd 2: Garcia swings wildly and misses but is able to get in close enough to grab the plumb clinch. Nice scramble from Garcia finds her in mount. Grapevines flatten out Nassiri but Garcia cannot seem to posture up. Garcia might have the back, but sits out instead. Now she transitions to the arm. Armbar looks tight but Garcia cant seem to force the tap. She adjusts and that is the end of the fight! Winner Alyssa Garcia via armbar Rd 2 2:04
Christian Aguilera (2-0) vs Eric Steans jr (4-2) 155 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd 1:Steans lands a big left that wobbles Aguilera right away. However he gets back to his feet and takes Steans down. Steans looking for the guillotine. Aguilera rolls through but lands a huge uppercut that has Steans out cold! WOW. Winner via KO Christian Aguilera Rd 1
Chris Pena (3-2) vs Mike Segura (2-0) 155 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd 1: Pena with a nice leg kick to start off the round. Segura looking to counter. 3 punch combination from Segura stop Penas’s advances. Segura looking to establish his superior reach. Pena touches with the right hand. Big left from Pena backs up Segura. Body kick from Segura drops Pena momentarily. Oooh a shot to the pills prompts referee Herb Dean to call a halt to the action. Pena has 5 minutes to recover. We are back under way. Pena charges forward and glances with the right hand. Segura lands a nice hook but misses with the second. Nice left rom Segura gets Pena’s attention. Segura jumps guard but Pena gets his head free and lands to the body. Segura trying to control the posture of Pena. Pena looks to be transitioning to the back, but Segura shakes him back into the half guard. Pena digs to the body. Nice short elbow from Pena. Segura finally closes the guard, but cannot find any breathing room. Big shots from Pena as the round ends. 10-9 Pena with the late work.
Rd 2: Segura with a nice side kick to the body of Pena. Pena presses Segura against the cage, and then takes him down. Segura again controls the posture well, and then grabs an arm. He could parlay this into a sweep, but has the arm lock pretty deep. Segura with a nice Kimura and Herb Dean has seen enough. No tap from Pena. Winner via technical submission Kimura Mike Segura
Daniel McWilliams (11-26) vs Costello (3-2) 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds
Rd 1: Winner McWilliams via RNC :51 Rd 1
Jason Williams (4-6) vs Darren Smith (5-4) 158 lbs (catchweight) 3X5 min rounds
Rd 1: Referee Steven Davis is the third man in the cage for this catchweight bout. Willams starts off with the jab, as Smith looks to get under for the take down. Upper cut from Smith just misses. Knee from Williams as he is backed up finds it mark but Smith powers right through. Low blow from Smith prompts Steven Davis to call a halt to the action. Williams looks like he needs a minute, he will have 5. Williams is ready and here we go. Nice hands from Williams touch Smith, but he lands a counter that drops Williams. Smith looking to take the back and does. Punches from the back mount reign down, but Williams seems to be ok for the moment. Smith now working the choke. Both hooks in, but it looks like he is finally under the chin and he is, Smith secures the tap in the first round. X170 lbs 3X3 min roundsWinner via RNC Darren Smith Rd 1 3:41
Xavier Stokes (4-4)) vs Ozzie Alvarez 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds
Rd 1: Alvarez in top position as Stokes closes the guard. Nice rights to the body from Alvarez. Short elbow from bottom by Stokes. Alvarez still in control as Stokes looks to control. Alvarez scurries back into top control, as Stokes can’t seem to get up. Alvarezs lands a single left, and then hammers the body with right hands. Hammer fists alternate between the head and body. Stokes in trouble as Herb Dean looks in, a few more prompt the stoppage. Winner via TKO 3:03 Rd 1 Ozzie Alvarez
Christina Marks (4-7) vs Melanie Lacroix (4-1) 135 lbs 3X3 min rounds
Rd 1: Mike Beltran and his mustache in charge of the action. Both fighter stalking, neither willing to commit. Lacroix springs into a combination that finds her in the clinch. Nice knee from Marks, but Lacroix rag dolls her back against the cage. Nice right hands from Marks. Lacroix lands with the knee to the midsection. Marks doing some damage with the short punches, but Lacroix refusing to give up the clinch. Underhooks from Lacroix help her keep position. Lacroix catches a leg momentarily and uses it to again get inside. Marks backs away and circles to her left. Push kick from Marks and Lacroix again grabs the clinch as the round end. 10-9 Lacroix in a very close round.
Rd 2: Nice right hand from Lacroix lands as Marks was moving away. Lacroix again utilizing the wall and stall tactic to quote my buddy Stephen Quadros. Lacroix again holding plum but not landing anything all that significant. Both fighter seperate and Marks lands with a pawing right hand. Lacroix again gets inside and lands a big right on the exit. Marks defending well against the clinch but cant seem to get any momentum as Lacroix is smothering her. Marks misses the uppercut and eats a left. Both ladies trading heavy punches as the round comes to a close. 10-9 for Lacroix.
Rd 3: Marks misses with a sloppy right. Lacroix catches the leg and uses it again to get the clinch. Nice straight elbow from Lacroix gets through the underhooks of Marks. Nice right hand from Lacroix on the exit. Marks scores with a left. Nice right from Lacroix lands as both women are landing. Marks lands a swift 1, 2 that starches Lacroix, however she walks right through to again get the thai clinch. Nice knee from Marks. Bull rush from Lacroix as the fight comes to a close. Close round but 10-9 Marks. we have her losing a UD but this fight could be scored much closer! Winner via UD 29-28 Christina Marks
Eddie Jackson (4-1) vs Nick Reale (7-8) 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds
Rd 1: Reale starting very low, pawing with the jab. Jackson looks to be more upright and looking to counter. Neither willing to commit, until Reale charges forward only to be thrown on his back. Jackson with elbow to the mid section. Jackson steps over into mount, but Reale able to recover half guard. Reale to his feet and quickly gets the take down. Jackson looking to shake Reale off his back and does so. 1,1,3 lands for Reale as he looks for another take down. Jackson tries to hop out, and lands a nice right that drops Reale. Jackson perhaps sensing the finish looks to swarm. Reale in trouble, eats several unanswered hammer fists. prompting the stoppage from referee Steven Davis. Winner Eddie Jackson via TKO Rd 1
Jeff Martin (10-10) vs Terrion Ware (11-3) 135 lbs TITLE FIGHT 5×5 min rounds.
Rd 1: Martins out quickly. Nice counter left from Ware staggers Martin. Over hand right from Ware. Martin gets the clinch. Ware moves well to get away. Martin again looking for the take down and he has it. Ware is in trouble as Martin is fishing for an arm. Ware gets free and Martin stands. In the clinch Martin with nice knees. Martin now flirting with the choke as he gets Ware on his back. Triangle from Ware. Ware now looking for the arm. Marin in all sorts of trouble. Martin able to escape. Martin now in the guard and slams out of another triangle from Ware. Martin now has Ware’s back. Ware in a very bad position against the fence as Martin looks for the leg. Hammer fist from Ware as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Martin
Rd 2: Martin immediately shoots but Ware able to keep his feet although he is backed up to the cage. Martin with a knee but Ware lands over the top and staggers Martin. Ware digs to the body as Martin is on his bicycle. Leg kick from Ware. Martin touches with the jab. More leg kicks from Ware. Nice chopping leg kick from Ware. Uppercut to the body from Ware. Martin bleeding from the mouth now. Ware again lands with several punches and a knee. Nice body work from Ware. Martin seems to be gassing. Again a nice combination from Ware has Martin covering up. Ware’s jab is piecing apart his opponent. More leg kicks from Ware, and again. Martin has spent the entire round backing up. Ware digs to the body with a crisp left right combination. Head kick lands for Ware and the round comes to a close. 10-9 Ware
Rd 3: Ware again starts the round backing up his opponent. Martin eats a jab and an outside leg kick. Martin backed up moves to his left to get away from the cage, but Ware is relentless. Double jab from Ware finds its mark. Right cross lands and moves Martin across the cage. Ware slipped but back to his feet. Nice knee lands from the clinch for Ware. Martin lands to the leg, but eats a right hand for his efforts. Ware is moving Martin around at will with his straight punches, however Martin able to get in deep momentarily before Ware shrugs him off and cracks him with the left. Martin down, Ware backs off forcing him to his feet. Martin seems hurt, but able to keep fighting. Ware now pouring on the ground and pound as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Ware
Rd 4: Ware start off right where he left off, digging to the body of Martin. Martin with a nice knee, before he charges Ware and presses him to the cage. Martin pulls guard but Ware has none of it, both fighter back to their feet. Ware again lands to the body. Martin drops as Ware takes the back. Right hands from Ware are not being answered some more find their home and it is over! Winner and Still 135 lbs Bamma USA champion Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Videoed and Edited By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
Usually it would begin with some jokes or ‘smack talk’. Then it would escalate quickly. Emotions, embarrassment, and ego all fueled the once benign flicker into an all encompassing inferno, culminating with those words we have all heard! “After school!” For the rest of the day the hype would grow. Exaggerations and magnifications illuminate the stage, and before long the whole school knew.
When Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar squared off for the first time on Spike TV a few weeks ago, the whole school began to talk. Was it real? Was it scripted? Why the hell was Justin McCully wearing a mask? The angle had been used before, however the many unsavory stories about Tito Ortiz’s past made it somewhat believable. And again, why the hell was Justin McCully wearing a mask?
Long before the talk began, stories have swirled about Ortiz’s questionable business practices. After all his beef with Dana White is supposedly the reason Bonnar was released from the UFC. The prospect of Bonnar punishing Ortiz made it easy for White to allow Bonnar’s exit.
For now of course we ask do Ortiz and Bonnar genuinely dislike each other? At least for now they do. Ortiz, normally no stranger to the hype machine has decided to let his opponent do most of the press. His silence only feeding the fire further. Bonnar on the contrary remains quite vocal. Even warning that Tito’s ex Jenna Jameson may be under the mask next time!
Only time will tell if the bad blood is real. How many times have we seen the hype disappear with a touch of the gloves? It remains a very good possibility that this was all concocted in some board room. Either way the clock strikes 3 o’clock on November 15. The hype, of course will build until then. Lucky for us eventually these two will meet on the playground, and if principal Scott Coker has his way, the whole damn school will be watching!
By: Jonathan M King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
Once again the sights and sounds of Bellator MMA did not disappoint. Local fighters such as David Duran, Saad Awad, Keith Berry, Ray Sloan, and Fernando Gonzalez were all victorious while other fighters Karo Parisyan and Johnny Cisneros came up short on the Bellator 127 card.
Lesson 1.) In case anyone thought Daniel Straus was a pretender, they learned a valuable lesson! Straus solidified himself as the promotions #1 contender when he blitzed through Justin Wilcox as if he was standing still. The American Top Team product needed only :50 seconds to obliterate Wilcox, who at least on paper seemed like a good match up! The win catapults Straus into a showdown with current champion Patricio Pitbull.
Lesson 2.) Keith Berry showcased superior technique in his win over Joe Pacheco, however the bout was declared a split decision in what should have been a clear victory for Berry. Pacheco may have landed the heavier shots, but they were few and far between. Berry relentlessly pressured Pacheco and peppered him with his jab, sometime tripling up with success. Once again the judges who already screwed up one fight almost screwed up this one as well! (Note of interest Berry was 10 strikes away from the Bellator Record for strikes landed!)
Lesson 3.) Building off of lesson #2: I wonder how many more years have to pass before the CSAC realizes that one of their judging cures is right in front of their faces! Head inspector Chris Crail is probably one of the most qualified people in the entire state to judge a fight, however in CSAC’s infinite wisdom they have decided he would be better suited as a glorified valet. Maybe the inspector position should be reserved for people who can’t score a fight, lord knows there are plenty of them, some of them call themselves judges!
Lesson 4.) Stephan Bonnar and Tito Ortiz do not like each other. In case you were wondering. And just in case you forgot, Bonnar is a really charismatic guy who can work a stick almost as well as Chael Sonnen. Tito however, cannot! He can however shoot a double and pound out the best in the world. Hopefully the fight cashes the checks these two are writing. Even if you think the hype is completely ridiculous you have to at least be slightly intrigued by this fight.
Lesson 5.) Rafael Silva is a beast, that eventually a champion will have to contend with.
Lesson 6.) Shawn Bunch ( See lesson #5, same lesson)
Lesson 7.) Since Scott Coker has taken over the look and feel of the events have improved tremendously. Gone are the delays, and in their place a smooth machine that operates efficiently and fires on all cylinders. Coker and his team are building an incredible roster of talent that fuses the well known veterans, to the little known up and comers with pedigree, solidifying the future while entertaining the hell out of the present.
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
Joshua ‘El Rey’ Aveles once again defended his 160lbs crown by knocking out Sam Liera in the second round of their title fight. Aveles currently sits atop the 160 and 170lbs divisions, and with another highlight finish, should be on his way to the UFC. Winner of 10 of his last 12 fights, Aveles seems to be heading down to the 155 lbs division, where his powerful punches will certainly inspire nightmares.
Daniel ‘El Leon’ Hernandez also earned a strap, as he defeated Brandon Hunt to earn the 185 lbs title that former champion Sean Strickland vacated when he signed with the UFC. Hernandez possesses a strong wrestling base with I.Q. changing ground and pound. Now a title holder, Hernandez is 5-1 in his last 6 fights, and will be looking to take on all comers in the 185lbs division.
Congratulations to two champions who have grown tremendously as fighters inside and outside of the cage.
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
The Bellator MMA promotion once again returns to The Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula CA. The main card will be headlined by two of the promotions top featherweight contenders. Coming off a loss to Pat Curran in which he lost his title, Daniel Straus is looking to return to his winning ways at the expense of Justin Wilcox. Wilcox flirted with the tournament championship when he lost in the finals last year to Patricio Pitbull, who is now the current strap hanger. After the loss, Wilcox rebounded with a win over Jason Fischer. Whoever wins this fight will certainly be flirting with Scott Coker as the next date for champion Patricio Pitbull.
Also fighting on the undercard are some of Southern California’s favorite sons. Johnny ‘The Tattooed Terror’ Cisneros will be taking on Rickey Rainey, and making his promotional debut is David Duran. Duran will be facing a very tough Shawn Bunch in the evening first preliminary bout. Cisneros made a name for himself fighting for the King of The Cage promotion, while Duran cut his teeth in the amateur circuit, before turning pro with the regional powerhouse that is BAMMA USA.
Make sure to tune in Live on Spike TV for the main card, and you can watch the preliminary fights on http://www.Bellator.com
The Main Card:
Featherweight Feature Fight: Daniel Straus (145.6) vs. Justin Wilcox (145.7)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (172.3) vs. Karo Parisyan (169.1) ^4
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Rafael Silva (137.6) vs. Rob Emerson (134.9) ^3
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (186) vs. Christian M’Pumbu (184.6)
Preliminary Card:
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (205) vs. Malik Merad (203.6)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Justin Baesman (171) vs. John Mercurio (170.7)
Catchweight (177) Feature Fight: Johnny Cisneros (176.8) vs. Ricky Rainey (177)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Sergio Rios (155.6) vs. Saad Awad (156.3) ^2
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Nick Moghaddam (205.8) vs. Ray Sloan (202.4)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Keith Berry (185.8) vs. Joe Pacheco (186.2) ^1
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Shawn Bunch (135.7) vs. David Duran (135.3)
THE CLINCH REPORT 