THE CLINCH REPORT

Never a doubt? Paredes Hugs the ref!

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report and Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com

‘Fight Night 3’ took place last Friday at The Sportsmens Lodge in Studio City California, and once again the event delivered. Fighters from throughout the region showed up in their best form, most dreaming of something bigger and better, while others once again simply enjoyed being in the mix.

The first fight of the evening also featured what many consider the Knockout of the Night. Veteran Johnny “Merc” Mercurio needed only :7 to dispatch journeyman Gabe Lopez with a nasty left hand that removed all of Lopez’s equilibrium, folding him instantly into a purely defensive posture, forcing the referee to step in and save him from further damage. The ferocious KO, definitely set the table for the fights that followed.

Next up local fan favorite Derion “DC” Chapman patiently waited for his spots, and found them in the third round when he finished his opponent Izic Fernandez with a nasty knee followed by a left hand that ended fight. Fernandez had success early in the contest, but seemed to fade just as Chapman began to pour it on.This was a Huge win for Chapman who now finds himself in the midst of a 2 fight win streak.

The third fight of the evening saw Chris Rodriguez survive an early assault from Levon Sargsyan, before he was able to ground Sargysan with a stifling wrestling game that eventually produced the rare ‘far arm’ choke finish at 2:25 of the very first round. Sargsyan look amazing on his feet but could not prevent the take downs, and eventually that is what cost him the win. Excellent showing for Rodriguez who withstood an early barrage enabling him to cinch up the win.

Talented 170 lbs prospect Anthony Hernandez needed only 2:28 seconds to destroy veteran Daniel McWilliams with I.Q changing elbows that brought the crowd to their feet. Hernandez quickly established himself has the more powerful striker, and appeared to be in control of the fight from the opening bell. The sheer violence of the finish will certainly put more than a few 170 lbs fighters in the area on notice!

The fifth scrap of the evening was also one of the most entertaining. Max Ceniceros was able to out last Dima Gerasimov in a back and forth donnybrook that saw both fighters land and absorb well beyond their thresholds should have allowed. The result; for three rounds the entire auditorium stood and watched with mouths agape, as these two warriors stood toe to toe in a fight reminiscent of Bonnar v Griffin I. Both men were battered, bloodied and bludgeoned, but in the end Ceniceros was able to pull out the unanimous decision on all cards. Great fight by two very courageous fighters who both refused to quit.

Bellator veteran Marcos Bonilla returned to the Lights Out Promotions and Bash Boxing cage, and also returned to his winning ways. Bonilla was able to swarm his opponent Adel Al Tamimi in the second round of their fight, TKO’ing him with some vicious ground and pound. The win is huge for Bonilla who returns to regional action after losing his Bellator debut to talented prospect A.J. McKee. With the win Bonilla may be just a few fights away from returning to the big leagues of MMA.

Undefeated prospect Matthew ‘The MOG’ Spencer remained untainted as a professional with a hard fought first round armbar victory over a very tough Jonathan Ferrell. Ferrell early on appeared to be in full control, staggering Spencer several times with pinpoint jabs, and cranium shattering elbows that appeared to momentarily stun Spencer. However Spencer quickly regained his composure, was able to return to his ground game base. Once he had the arm and went belly down, Ferrell really only had one legitimate option and he chose wisely. The tap forced the end to a very interesting fight that only lasted a total of 1:49, however this is a fight that gets no justice from the occasional viewer who briefly scans the results on Sherdog.

Next up, Muay Thai specialist Daniel Clark started off  his fight against savvy veteran Marlon Magee in classic fashion. Clark looked to set up his kicks with precise jab that kept Magee guessing, however it was the Alberto Crane jiujitsu pedigree that ended the fight. Clark was able to wrap up a rear-naked choke at 1:52 of the first round, ending another quick but very entertaining bout. The win moves Clark to 5-1 as a pro, and should be enough to get the attention of the larger promotions. If i was him, I would keep my phone real close.

The co main event of the evening was also by far the best fight of the night. For two rounds, the heavily favorite Alfred Khashakyan found himself down significantly to the relatively unknown Anthony Paredes out of Team Quest. Parades was able to take down Khashakyan at will, and with very little resistance. The tactic worked as Khashkyan for 2 rounds had no answer for the wrestlers attack. On his back for most of the fight, Khashkyan found himself down 10-9, 10-8 on most score cards, and appeared to be close to throwing in the towel. Instead exhausted, and bloodied he answered the bell in the third round and thank god he did! What came next was one of the most improbable comebacks in recent MMA history.

Late in the third round it appeared Paredes was gassing out, and that moment of weakness was all Khashkyan needed. Paredes ate a body shot that immediately paid divides for Khashkyan as he retreated to the cage in attempt to survive. Quickly Khashakyan closed the distance and unleashed a multiple punch combination that had Paredes covering up without offering any defense. A few more punches from Khashkyan found there target, and ended the night as referee Mike Bell had to stand in saving Paredes from further damage. The win a KO for Khashkyan may be the biggest of his career, but it will also serve as a wake up call. In this sport if you have a weakness, eventually it will be exposed.

The main event of the evening saw Los Angeles’s most popular regional fighter Thor Skancke defeat friend and former training partner Jason Cordero at 3:44 of the very first round. Skancke landed some nice leg kicks early that had his opponent thinking low, setting up his hands. Late in the round the fight found its way to the mat, where Skancke was able to establish position and quickly end the fight with some inspiring ground and pound. The win moves Skancke north of .500 as a pro, bring his record to 7-6, while Cordero drops to 5-7.

As always the violence was delivered, and everyone in attendance seemed to have a blast. If you have never been to a Lights Out Promotions/Bash Boxing event than you may want to reconsider. These guys put on affordable fights that thoroughly entertain, and consistently deliver highlight reel KO’s strategic submissions, and sometimes if your lucky,  you get a fight that just redefines your conception of the sport.

NOTE: GALLERY WILL BE EXPANDING THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AS MORE PHOTOS COME IN!