Posts Tagged ‘Bash Boxing’

CXF Delivers Another Heavy Handed Night of Fights Punctuated by Another Memorable Main Event!

Posted: August 27, 2018 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: Richard De La Cruz – Raw 35

CXF 14: Boiling Point took place on August 25th in Studio City CA, and it didn’t take long for temperatures to peak as advertised. Heavy handed Marcus Sims (1-1 MMA) needed only :25 seconds and one hellacious combination to walk away with a victory in his CXF debut. Stalking from the opening bell Sims had his opponent Mackenzie Tucker (0-1) in all sorts of trouble as soon as as he touched him. After Tucker hit the deck early, Sims swarmed with volume on the ground prompting the referee to mercifully step in awarding Sims with the impressive TKO victory.

Winner: Marcus Sims (1-1 MMA) via TKO (:25 Rd 1).

The second bout of the evening featured a hotly contested back and forth welterweight war between Andreu Mendoza (1-0) and Cory Hall (1-2 MMA). Mendoza seemed to have the edge in with regards to the score cards early on in the three round affair but appeared to fade as the Hall began to charge late in the fight. In the end two of the judges saw fight for Mendoza awarding him with the split decision victory.

Winner: Andrew Mendoza (1-0 MMA) via split decision (29-28,28-29,29-28).

 The year-long layoff certainly didn’t leave any oxidation, as Arnold Jimenez (3-2 MMA) showed little rust dominating his opponent Mark Alvidrez (1-4 MMA) from stem to stern in their violent three round tango. Jimenez dominated the standup action, but seemed content to control Alvidrez on the mat as the fight wore on. Alvidrez proved quite swift in defense, avoiding many submission setups, but in the end the judges saw a dominant one-sided affair for Jimenez awarding him with the unanimous decision. .

Winner: Arnold Jimenez (3-2 MMA) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27).

 Former Ukrainian national wrestler Mykola Aivazian (1-0 MMA) showcased that dominant grinding pedigree as he took Eric Rios (0-5 MMA) to the mat with the very first takedown attempt of the fight. Once on the mat, Aivazian showed a veterans’ patience as he maintained a dominant position without allowing Rios to transition. Rios did his best to keep the lights on, but eventually Aivazian was able to thread the choke in forcing the tap at 3:52 of the very first round.

Winner: Mykola Aivazian (1-0 MMA) via submission (rear naked choke 3:52 Rd 1).

Utilizing a variety of techniques Devon Brock (2-1 MMA) controlled Christian Bizzaretty (2-7 MMA) from the opening bell of their three round lightweight showdown. Utilizing his superior footwork, Brock kept moving in and landing effectively before exiting out of his longer opponents range without paying any rent. Bizzaretty did his best to stay in Brock’s face but his best moments were usually punctuated in counter by Brock who cruised to the unanimous decision victory.

Winner: Devon Brock (2-1 MMA) via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27).

 In just his second bout in five years, grappling ace Cooper Gibson (9-2 MMA) outlasted ‘tough as nails’ nor-cal native Samuel Alvarez (3-3 MMA) in a rather close three round lightweight war. Gibson came out on fire early and controlled Alvarez for most of the first round. The dominant ground attack continued in the second frame as well. However, after getting top position in the late in the frame, Gibson seemed to tire as Alvarez came to life. Working off his back Alvarez peppered Gibson with elbows and back fists. Although the accumulation of punches added up on the scorecards, they did little to capitalize on the tiring Gibson’s disposition. Alvarez had perhaps his best round in the third but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges as Gibson escaped with the close decision victory.

Winner: Cooper Gibson (9-2 MMA) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

No matter how the yard is, eventually the two biggest dogs are going to find each other and when they do, all hell is going to break loose. Perhaps that is the best way to describe what happened when Richard Leroy (7-1 MMA) and Gabriel Green (8-2 MMA) squared off inside the CXF cage. The entire Sportsmen’s Lodge crowd was on their feet from the opening bell as Green and Leroy went back and forth, toe to toe, in what could only be described in any of your favorite fight clichés. Early on the volume of Green seemed to affect the shorter Leroy’s timing, but when Leroy found his range, his power was evident as Green would immediately retreat from each power shot that landed. After a very close opening round the brawl only intensify in the second. As the round wore on Green started to find success with more frequency as Leroy seemed to tire. With about a minute to go Green uncorked a combination that rocked Leroy up against the cage. As he turned to escape, Green again battered him with vicious right hand dropping Leroy to the canvas. As Leroy covered up, Green continued his assault with heavy punches. Just when it appeared the referee was going to stop the fight, Leroy somehow made it back to his feet. However unfortunately for Leroy, the reward for his courage a nasty combination from Green that once again saw the fight on the mat. Sensing blood in the water Green swarmed, and this time referee Mike Beltran had seen enough, calling a halt to the action in a very memorable fight at  4:52 mark of the second round.

Winner New CXF Champion: Gabriel Green (9-2 MMA) via TKO (4:52 Rd 2).

 Fan favorite, IMSA GT Champion David Roberts (3-0 MMA) continued his undefeated rise through the middleweight rankings this time taking out veteran grappler Daniel McWilliams (18-39 MMA). McWilliams did his best to bring the fight to the mat, but Roberts was able to stuff both of McWilliams attempts before dropping the veteran with a nasty knee to the head. As McWilliams tried to recover, Roberts went to work dropping massive left and right hands to the side of his opponent’s head. With McWilliams clearly rocked and covering up the referee quickly stepped in preventing any further damage awarding Roberts his third victory in as many chances.

Winner: David Roberts via TKO (:45 Rd 1).

In the final bout of the evening The ‘Lil Badger’ Jacob Rosales (8-4 MMA) made quick work of big fight veteran Ivan Castillo (16-10 MMA). Rosales came out aggressive in the opening seconds and seemed to catch Castillo off guard with his speed. Rosales quickly established his striking and it didn’t take long for his punches to pay dividends. He dropped Castillo with nasty combination and immediately jumped on his neck. The choke was so deep and so vicious, the veteran Castillo had no choice but to submit.

Winner: Jacob Rosales (8-4 MMA) via submission (guillotine choke :29 Rd 1).

Richard LeRoy: Survive the Storm by Becoming The Storm

Posted: October 5, 2017 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

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

Thirty-seconds earlier, a confident Richard LeRoy awaited the opening bell in the biggest fight of his young career. During the introductions, LeRoy stared across the cage at his opponent before briefly acknowledging his fans. The moment for LeRoy had been a long time coming, and he seemed like he was ready for the challenge.

The thirty-seconds that immediately followed don’t exist for Leroy, because he has no memory of them. “Do you remember what happened?” LeRoy joked. His opponent that night Jalin Turner punched the time clock right on the pause button when he cracked LeRoy so hard and so often, the entire first 3 minutes turned into a blur. As LeRoy covered up on the ground, the thunderous shots echoed. He knew the referee was getting close to stopping the fight, and admittedly that was all he knew. Richard LeRoy still doesn’t remember what happened, but he sensed he was very close to losing everything he had worked so hard to regain. As all these thoughts ran through his head, and the referee approached all he could think was, “Im not fucking going out like this.”

Two years earlier, after a dramatic come from behind knockout win over Brandon Hastings, LeRoy began feeling discomfort in his right shoulder. Hastily he was initially diagnosed with an AC separation. Initially the arm was immobilized and a rehabilitation program would follow to facilitate the healing. Throughout his time off LeRoy kept training the best he could, using only his left arm. After the rehabilitation program was completed, the pain persisted. Following the advice of a friend with connections in the medical field, LeRoy was able to get an MRI which revealed a torn Labrum, an injury that would require immediate surgery and yet another extensive rehabilitation. While on the shelf, LeRoy watched as the promotion he called home crowned their first ever CXF lightweight champion. ” It is just a matter of time.” LeRoy thought to himself.

In a haze and in a heap, LeRoy somehow coherently realized he was about to lose everything he fought so hard to get back. It was that thought alone that inspired him to survive. A momentary reprieve in the assault by Turner would only make the next barrage seem that much more cruel. As again Turner sent LeRoy in search of level footing. Trying to find his equilibrium, LeRoy was rewarded with a nasty knee that again dropped him to the canvas.  Wobbling and in retreat for most of the round, LeRoy cleared the cobwebs and like a cornered dog he began snapping back. “Late in the round at one point, somehow I ended up in mount, and  that is when I really started to get my head clear.” LeRoy said. Finishing the round in top position, LeRoy appeared to have weathered the storm, but that was only the first round and the hell that greeted him 5 minutes earlier was again waiting for another encounter.

As the second round began, again Turner found success with his range, as he began to pepper LeRoy from angles the shorter fighter could only imagine. However this time LeRoy didn’t seem as effected as much as was in the previous round. Relentlessly he pressed forward and soon he began to break-down the range of Turner.  Finding some success on the inside, LeRoy began chopping down his longer opponent, but Turner obliged and kept the violent merry-go-round going. As the moments ticked by, the pendulum of momentum started to swing in LeRoy’s direction. “I remember dropping him with an inside leg kick, and I popped right into mount. I could see he was starting to get tired.” LeRoy said. Continuing his attack until the bell, a confident LeRoy went back to his corner thinking he had won the second. “I though for sure I won the round,” LeRoy said.

Drenched with sweat, referee Mike Beltran was long past exhausted and his normal jovial expression had hit the road sometime in the first round, in its place a stone like expression I’m glad to say I don’t know. The air was thick in the Burbank Marriott ballroom as the third round opened. Again the aggressor, LeRoy kept his foot on the gas. The more he pressed, the more his opponent began to slow. Late in the third round with Turner starting to fade, Leroy found himself in the top position. Sensing the end LeRoy looked to inspire the finish with some nasty ground and pound, punctuated effectively with elbows in between. The referee again came close, and after a few warnings from urging Turner to defend went unanswered the assault was stopped at 4:18 in the final round. Capping one of the best comebacks ever in the CXF cage.

The win earned LeRoy a spot in the semi final round for the CXF promotions ‘Cali Kings’ tournament. Putting him just one fight away from the title. However the epic war with Turner came at a cost, and due to injuries suffered in the fight LeRoy withdrew from the tournament. “I really wanted that title. When I was injured and I first saw the CXF belt I sort of already considered it mine,” LeRoy said with confidence.

After a three-month layoff that included a trip to Europe, LeRoy is back in the hunt for the CXF title. Standing across the cage this time in a lightweight title-eliminator will be the well-travelled and equally explosive Christian “The Beast” Aguilera. A well-rounded fighter  like LeRoy, Aguilera is an equal opportunity ass kicker. He can knock you into next week with one shot, or he can choke you to sleep. His dangerous skill set and hybrid pedigree is something LeRoy is well aware of; “Christian’s a tough dude, and he looked great in his last fight.” LeRoy said. “He is very good on his feet; a good striker, and he has great jiujitsu as well. The fight is going be a challenge for sure, but I will be ready.”

With the winner of the bout earning an immediate title shot at the conclusion of the ‘Cali Kings’ tournament, LeRoy once again finds himself just a few steps away from the title he coveted for so long.

CXF 10:Fall Brawl will take place November 4th, in Studio City, CA at the world-famous Sportsmen’s Lodge. For tickets go to: www.mmatixx.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

That epic

Terrion Ware and Chase Gibson Become CXF Champions as Mike Jasper Defends his Crown at CXF 7: Locked and Loaded

Posted: May 1, 2017 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Edited By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com

The Sportsmen’s Lodge was once again the scene of the crime, as Lights Out Promotions and Bash Entertainment once again put together an amazing card of fights, as California Xtreme Fighting continued it’s running streak of standing room only shows. Currently the only pro mixed martial arts show in the San Fernando Valley, CXF 7 featured three title fights that sat atop one of the most entertaining under card in recent memory.

Taylor Alfaro (1-1) defeated Milton Arguello (0-1) via unanimous decision 135lbs

Setting the tone for the evening with an extremely exciting fight, Taylor Alfaro and Milton Arguello wasted very little time engaging each other almost as soon as the bell sounded. It appeared Arguellos strategy was to stay at range and land with his heavy kicks to the body of Alfaro. However Alfaro proved to be on to the plan, catching multiple kicks before countering with straight punches. The standing exchanges were quite even, but it was the ground attack of Alfaro that swayed the fight in his direction. Consistently able to bring the fight to the mat, Alfaro methodically and effectively wore away his opponent and the clock, cruising to a unanimous decision victory.

Edmen Shahbazian (2-0) defeated Dearmie Street (0-1) via TKO 3:16 Rd 1 185lbs

Picking up where the first fight left off, middleweights Edmen Shahbazian and Dearmie Street also came out throwing heavy leather, and after an early back and forth exchange the fight found its way to the mat, where Street was able to transition out of a few very dangerous arm bar attempts from Shahbazian. Once they both were standing, again they traded punches with Shahbazian clearly taking control. Late in the first round a quick combination forced Street to the mat. Smelling blood in the water Shahbazian swarmed and forced referee Mike Bell to call a halt to bout, after some IQ changing ground and pound.

Mike Jasper (12-4) defeated Jonathan Rivera (4-2) via TKO 4:57 Rd 3 170lbs CXF Welterweight Title Fight

Defending his title for the first time, CXF welterweight champion Mike Jasper came into the event looking to add legitimacy to his strap. However early on his opponent Jonathan Rivera quickly gained control with a surprisingly effective ground based attack. Once on the mat Rivera transitioned to the back of Jasper and looked to steal the title with a rear naked choke, but Jasper defended and was able to even turn the tables in the next round by taking Rivera down. However, unlike Rivera, Jasper selected to strike in the dominant position, softening up the challenger for a majority of the round. In the third round, the roundabout continued as Rivera again was able to gain top position before transitioning to the back of Jasper. Looking for the submission at one point, Rivera torqued Jasper’s leg like a banana split, but Jasper was able to escape the hold, and wound up on top. With seconds to go, Rivera again attempted a submission, this time a leg lock, but again Jasper was able to get free. Once out of the hold, the champion uncorked a barrage of strikes that rocked Rivera in the waining moments prompting the referee to stop the bout at 4:57 of the final round. Although he was able to defend his title, Jasper was injured in the final moments of the fight, apparently tearing his hamstring.

Chris Saunders (16-8) defeated Derion “DC” Chapman (4-7) via Unanimous Decision 155lbs

In the next bout Derion Chapman moved up in weight to take on perhaps his biggest challenge yet, in the form of UFC veteran Chris Saunders. For Saunders, this marked his first bout in over a year, but both proved extremely prepared as the early exchanges quickly had the crowd on their feet. In the second round Saunders looked to implement his jiujitsu pedigree, and almost had a guillotine before Chapman freed his head and got back to his feet. The third round was equally entertaining, as the two continued their tango, before Saunders again brought the fight to the mat. Once there, Saunders was able to control his opponent for most of the round. The effort was enough to convince the judges that Saunders was the winner, much to the chagrin of many of those in attendance.

Gabriel Green (4-2) defeated Matt Hagge (7-6) via Submission (rear-naked choke) 3:20 Rd 1 Catchweight 166 lbs

Former Bellator MMA veteran Gabriel Green was looking to make an impressive statement in his CXF promotional debut, and he certainly did deliver. After an early exchange between the two, Hagge quickly brought the fight to mat however Green quickly swept him, and took his back. Locking in the body lock, Green began setting up the choke with some punches to the side of his opponents head. While defending, Hagge for a moment exposed his neck, and Green quickly locked up the choke inspiring the tap at 3:20 of the very first round

Chase Gibson (5-2) defeated Sergei Minasyan (7-10) via Unanimous Decision 145lbs CXF Featherweight Title Fight

In the co-main event of the evening, Chase Gibson and Sergei Minasyan faced off in a very evenly matched three round war. In the first round, the fighters seemed content to stand and trade, with both fighters having their moments. In the second frame, Chase Gibson began to secure opinions, relying on his ground game to neutralize Minasyan on the mat. However, Minasyan was able to survive the onslaught. Halfway through a pretty even third round, Gibson again found his opponents back after Minasyan moved away from the clinch. Again Gibson was able to bring the fight horizontal, and although he was unable to find the finish, his control on the ground proved dominant, and the judges awarded him the fight and the vacant CXF featherweight title.

Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware (17-4) defeated Jared ‘The Jackhammer’ Papazian (21-13) via KO :20 Rd 3 135 lbs CXF Bantamweight Title Fight

In the third installment of one of southern California’s most memorable trilogies, Terrion Ware and Jared Papazian went face to face in the CXF cage in the main event, to settle their three-fight vendetta once and for all! With the vacant bantamweight title on the line, the fierce rivals met in the center of the cage, and immediately they picked up where they had left off. Both fighters landed nasty shots in the first round however, a late combination from Ware staggered Papazian as the round came to an end. In the second round, Papazian still hurt, showcased his tremendous heart looking to trade with Ware again. Utilizing his speed, Ware moved effectively in and out of range, surgically picking a slowing Papazian apart. Between rounds an exhausted Papazian could hardly sit on his stool, collapsing to the mat. However he refused to quit, answering the bell for the third and final round. However it was only a matter of time. Ware immediately pounced, and again rocked Papazian, felling him face first for the KO victory. The win earns Ware not only the bragging rights in the grudge match with Papazian, and the CXF title, it also almost certainly assures Ware of his long awaited chance to fight for the UFC.

Richard Leroy (4-0) defeated Marlen Magee (4-5) via Submission (rear-naked choke) 3:11 Rd 1 Catchweight 162 lbs

Returning to action after over a year off due to injuries, Richard Leroy looked better than ever, dominating his opponent in route to a first round submission victory. After dominating the standing exchanges, Leroy quickly took Marlen Magee down out of the clinch and immediately asserted himself from the top position with some nasty ground and pound. The relentless assault forced Magee to give up his back where Leroy swiftly threaded the choke and secured the tap, and the victory.

California Xtreme Fighting continues to grow, and the next event is scheduled for June 17th 2017. Make sure you follow CXF on Instagram to keep track of all the latest details. For ticket information to future events check out www.mmatixx.com.

 

Redemption Found in the Sanctuary of a Cage

Posted: April 17, 2017 in Combat Sports
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“Preserve, within a wild sanctuary, an inaccessible valley of reveries.” -Glasgow

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh and Bob Fisher

Growing up on La Brea between Hollywood and Inglewood, Chase Gibson (4-2 MMA) wandered for much of his youth, pulled between the two worlds his parents separately inhabited. Somewhere in the middle, Gibson began a downward spiral, where he danced with many demons that would ruin most of his teenage years. The story seemed destined for a bad ending, when a mirror image opened a rather odd door to redemption.

That image was both literal and figurative. Cooper Gibson (6-2 MMA), Chase’s identical twin brother ended up finding a path that kept him out of trouble, and soon led him to gaining quite the name in the sport of mixed martial arts. “Cooper cleaned up his life before I did”, Gibson said. “Watching his success in the sport inspired me to start seriously training. “Not surprisingly, like his twin brother, Chase quickly took to the sport as a natural, but then old injuries and old demons came knocking again! “Early on in my training I had some previous injuries that came back, and I sort of used that as an excuse to start messing up again”, Gibson said. Quickly Gibson was able to right the ship, and as soon as the injuries subsided he was back on course.

The long road to redemption for Chase Gibson may have started somewhere near mid city, however oddly enough, he would finally satisfy that search locked in a cage. Facing some rather stiff competition, Gibson cruised through the amateur mixed martial arts ranks with a stellar 5-0 record. Undefeated as an amateur, Gibson made his pro debut and true to form he continued hs winning ways, finishing his opponent in the very first round by rear-naked choke. At this point Chase Gibson appeared to be on cruise control, but then the wheels fell off.

First a split decision loss to Andrew Natividad under the King of the Cage banner spoiled his undefeated streak, then a razor thin unanimous decision loss to Derion Chapman followed. Gibson quickly found himself on the wrong side of .500 for the first time in his career. “That was a tough place to be”, Gibson said. “Especially since I think I won both of those fights.” As unfamiliar as losing was, it certainly was not enough to let those demons back in. “It was a very rough time, but as rough as it was at no point in time did I say f&ck it! I just got back in the gym, and made some adjustments”.

One of those adjustments was learning how to cut weight properly. After the two losses, Gibson noticed a weakness in his game that he correlated to his weight cutting procedures. So he fixed the wheel. “I actually sought out people who do this for a living, and it turns out I was doing it all wrong” Gibson said. The results were obvious.

In his first bout under the CXF banner, Gibson needed only 1:05 seconds to lock up a Brabo choke over a very tough AJ Bryant. In his next bout Gibson picked up perhaps his most notorious win, when he knocked out Far Mohammed with a highlight reel head kick that quickly went viral on the internet. In his next bout Gibson outworked a very game Adam Calderon cruising to a unanimous decision victory.

The impressive win streak has earned Gibson a seat at perhaps the most prestigious table of his career. Standing across from him will be a very violent Serob Minasyan (6-8 MMA), between them the CXF Featherweight Title will await the winner. With so much at stake you can bet the CMMA team and Chase Gibson have been doing their homework. “He’s a tough strong wrestler”, Gibson said. “He has a decent shot, and he throws heavy, but I don’t think he has ever fought anyone like me.”

Even though a title hangs in the balance, for Gibson there is a lot more at stake than a shiny gold belt. Recently married, Gibson also found out he will soon be a father. “We found on my birthday.” Gibson said. With a child on the way, the win means more than any other before. And although it may add some anxiety, that uncertainty gets crushed by the motivation to feed his family.

For Chase Gibson, a win and a CXF title would certainly bring him some validation. “I think CXF is one of the best regional shows in the country by far, the challenges they put up are amazing, they have some great fighters here, and a win really means something.” However it would also go a long way to justify the faith this young man has put in himself.

Redemption can be quite elusive for the lost. Constantly searching to find yourself can often lead down a very dark path. The luckiest of us emerge in the light on the other side. Finding the path to the light is never guaranteed, and what works for some may not for others. For years Chase Gibson chased his redemption, only when he stopped running did he find it within.

Battle Tested, Only A Few Survive “The Proving Grounds”

Posted: June 28, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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CXF Clark Vs Chavez-23

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Merriam-Webster defines the term ‘Proving Ground’ as “a place where things or people are tested or tried out for the first time.” The sport of Mixed martial arts in many ways needs a proving grounds. A place for pedigreed fighters to face other well rounded scrappers in matches that are crafted to test each participant. A place where each win is earned, a place where the wheat is separated from the chaff. This is the CXF: Proving Grounds

The first bout of the triple-headed main event featured 3x Bellator MMA veteran Curtis Millender and 7x Glory Kickboxing veteran Casey Greene in a 5 round fight for the vacant CXF Welterweight Title. The intriguing matchup of strikers did not disappoint.

Early on in the fight Millender began to lead the dance working well behind his jab. Starching the charging Greene with every advance before circling away without damage. In the second round, the blood began to flow as Millender’s trip hammer jab instigated a leak above the eye and the nose of Greene. However Greene kept charging, and seemed to get stronger as the fight wore on. Even after a Millender spinning heel kick sent him across the cage.

Battered, bloodied and down on the cards Greene came out in the fourth round a much different fighter. Perhaps sensing he needed a knockout, he stalked Millender who continued to score but more in retreat as he countered his aggressive opponent. In the fifth round the Saeksons Muay Thai product came out even more aggressive, winning the round on many scorecards however Millender’s early investments were at that point already safely in the bank, and he cruised to a unanimous decision win.

Curtis Millender defeats Casey Greene for the CXF Welterweight Title via Unanimous Decision 

The second title fight of the evening featured Emilio Chavez and Dominic Clark in a lightweight showdown to crown the 155 lbs king of So Cal. However the excellent matchup quickly became a one sided affair.

After a short feeling out process, Clark was able to duck under a Chavez advance scoring with the takedown.  Once horizontal, Clark scooted Chavez to the cage and patiently looked for his opening. Chavez did an excellent job defending, however a untimely transition attempted exposed his back and Clark transitioned in a flash, taking his back and sinking both hooks. After softening Chavez up with a few shots, Clark was able to thread his arm under the neck and secured the tap at 4:35 seconds of the very first round.

Not only did Dominick Clark end up with the CXF Lightweight Title, but during his post fight speech he dropped to a knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend, and she said yes! Congratulations to the Clarks!

Dominick Clark defeats Emilio Chavez for the CXF Lightweight Title via Submission (RNC) 4:25 Rd: 1

The final title fight of the evening saw Alfred Kashakyan defend his CXF Bantamweight strap against a very tough Anthony Perales normally a flyweight, Perales took the bantamweight title fight on short notice and in the champions backyard. The fight started out rather slow, with both opponents clearly respecting each others skills. But it wouldn’t take long for the crowd to be on there feet.

Perales tried to score with a takedown, however Kashakyan kept his footing and immediately went in pursuit of of his opponents chin. After a few brief exchange, Perales aggressively charged the champion missing with a combination who staggered the challenger with a left hook, right uppercut chaser that turned the lights out, leaving Perales unconsciously supine against the cage. The devastating knockout win should have Kashakyan on a short list of bantamweight prospects heading to the UFC.

Alfred Kashakyan defeats Anthony Perales Defending his CXF Bantamweight Title via KO (punches) :45 Rd: 1

The undercard:

Michael Quintero defeats Andril Vasylenko 3:28 Rd: 2 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Leon Shahbazian defeats Eric Johnson 3:48 Rd: 1 via Submission (modified Guillotine)

James Acosta defeats David Duran 4:17 Rd: 2 via Knockout (punches)

Georgie Garcia defeats Gary Michaelyan 2:14 Rd: 1 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Rob Gooch defeats Paul Amaro 1:17 Rd: 1 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Karen Darabedyan Makes A Huge Statement with Win Over Joe Condon

Posted: April 25, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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CXF Gold Rush Karen v Condon-9

By: Jonathan M King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

When Karen Darabedyan entered the Sportsmens Lodge Ballroom, he appeared completely relaxed. A rather disconcerting smile from ear to ear showed, as he approached the cage to engage in hand to hand combat. Inside the cage a very seasoned Joe Condon was waiting for him. Pacing back and forth, a stoic Condon appeared extremely ready for a fight. Yet, Darabedyan seemed perfectly relaxed, almost reveling in the crowd support. Was he over confident? Or, perhaps he just knew something the rest of us were about to find out.

The fight itself started out rather slowly. Something you can expect when two savvy veterans face off. Darabedyan started with some nasty leg kicks that wobbled Condon but never stopped his advance. Each time he entered range, Darabedyan would attack the legs before looking to land with the hands. The leg kicks kept coming, and after faking low Darabedyan buried a kick to the body of Condon that for a second doubled him over.

That second was all Karen Darabedyan needed. As Condon absorbed the shot, Darabedyan jumped on his neck. Darabedyan than flattened out his opponent with a sprawl while maintaining the hold, before pulling guard and cinching in the guillotine. Condon defend at first, but he was unable to clear his head. The more he tried the tighter the hold became, and he was forced to tap just over a minute into the round.

Like most of the fighters who compete under the Lights Out Promotions and Bash Boxing banner, Karen Darabedyan is a top prospect in his division. With the doubt and injuries no longer in the picture it appears that Karen Darabedyan is back in full force. It is only a matter of time before Darabedyan’s management team have him fighting in a big show. If not, he may have a hard time finding opponents on the regional level. After all, would you fight a lion for anything less than six figures? I certainly would not!

The win was important on many different levels. First of all Joe Condon is the best opponent Darabedyan has fought in 4 years. The fact that he was able to dominate a former World Series of Fighting Lightweight Contender adds some sweetness to an already ripe and seasoned fighter. Secondly the win earned Darabedyan the CXF Jr Welterweight Tile (160 lbs), which will only add to his confidence making him that much more dangerous. Lastly and most importantly, the win came before Darabedyan’s home town Armenian crowd. With the 101 year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 as the backdrop, the win served as inspiration to an entire nation who collectively have endured so much. The struggle continues, and will continue until justice has been served!

All of us at The Clinch Report stand together with our Armenian brothers and sisters. #WeAreOne

All photos are the property of The Clinch Report, LLC. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please email news@theclinchreport.com for licensing information.

 

Alfred Kashakyan Returns to Form at CXF ‘Gold Rush’ and Earns His First Title

Posted: April 24, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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The Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

According to Hemingway people with ‘guts’ always show “grace under pressure.” Coming in to his fight against Andrew Natividad, Alfred Kashakyan personified that saying. Returning off of a loss in his last fight and fighting with the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as the back drop, Kashakyan was shouldering a ton of weight. He was not only fighting for the CXF Bantamweight title, but he was also fighting for a nation people who still to this day, continue to fight for themselves. Despite the pressure Kashakyan performed with grace, and showcased his power along the way.

Once Kashakyan made his way into the ball room it became clear who the crowd was there to see. Once he made his way into the cage it became clear who he was see! Charging to a halt an inch from his opponent Kashakyan stomped defiantly in front of him before circling away to take his corner. The aggressive display was not a taunt as much as it was a precursor for the chaotic storm on the horizon.

As the fight began Natividad looked to stay low, and after a few strikes from Kashakyan he shot in an attempt to take the fight to the mat. However Kashakyan was able to fend off the takedown, and once out of danger, he separated and looked to get busy with his hands. Each punch he threw was meant to end the fight. Although Natividad was able to block a few, in retreat a head kick backed him up against the cage and once there Kashakyan unleashed a flurry of strikes that dropped him a couple of times. The stoppage came moments later as grounded strikes went unanswered forcing the referee to stop the bout.

After the win an emotional Alfred Kashakyan spoke to the crowd about how personal the fight was for him. He spoke of his struggle, and of the Armenian struggle and vowed to continue his reign as CXF Champion declaring “This belt is mine, and its not going anywhere”.

The win moves Kashakyan to 6-2 as a pro and also earns him his first mixed martial arts title. As with most of the CXF fighters, Alfred is on a short list of UFC hopefuls in the bantamweight division. It would not be a surprise to see both Kashakyan and fellow 135 lbs prospect Terrion Ware in the UFC in the near future, if not perhaps we will see them square off in the CXF cage. Only time will tell!

Wherever Kashakyan fights next is only a guess, however as he starts to get bigger and bigger fights you can expect a seasoned fighter, one used to the pressure. A fighter who Hemingway himself would say has ‘guts’ in spades, a fighter with ‘Grace’!

The next CXF show is scheduled for June make sure you follow Lights Out Promotions and Bash Boxing for more information.

All photos are the property of The Clinch Report, LLC. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please email news@theclinchreport.com for licensing information.

Ware vs Gooch: A Fight A Year in The Making Delivers Big!

Posted: April 23, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Hype can be a fickle word in the fight business. Often it ends up being hyperbole, rarely delivering on a quarter of the expectation. Going into last nights event California Xtreme Fighting’s ‘Gold Rush’ event the hype behind the Terrion Ware vs Rob Gooch fight had built for so long, it was literally overflowing. Rarely do these bouts every live up to expectations. In this case, the fight exceeded the lofty expectations and ended up being one of the most entertaining bouts of the year.

To understand the genesis of this fight, you have to cast back to almost a year ago. Under another promotion this fight was booked as a main event. All of the media jumped on the bandwagon of a fight that could produce a future UFC star. However a staph infection hospitalized Gooch leaving the fight in limbo. Months went by Gooch healed; Ware kept training and again the fight was booked. Cursed, once again the fight ended up on the scrap heap. The promotion was forced to cancel the event due to injuries, and again both fighters were left all dressed up with no place to go. However this time the cancellation coincided with the ‘Gold Rush’ event, and after reaching an agreement the bout was again signed. The featured scrap would also produce the number one contender for the CXF Bantamweight Title.

So finally after a year of waiting, both fighters were healthy on weight, and the bout was set. Once the cage door closed the the excuses and the hype quickly faded. The anticipation became a violent reality that lived up to the billing. For three rounds Rob Gooch and Terrion Ware danced. For 15 minutes they engaged in a bloody tango that had the crowd on their feet the entire time.

The back and forth first round was closely contested, with Ware scoring more effectively in the stand up department, however a takedown from Gooch was able to give him dominate position for a good chunk of time. Once back up, Ware began landing with counter right hands, that inspired a mouse under the eye of his surging opponent.

In the second round, Ware continued to loosen up with his hands catching Gooch several times that buckled his knees. However Gooch refused to break, instead he coiled like a rattlesnake before springing back to life with punches that testified to his resolve. The first of these surges, rocked Ware with an uppercut. However the offensive production just wasn’t on a par for Gooch. As the fight progressed, Ware continued to pile up points, landing two or three times at a time with combinations that were answered back with singular shots. Towards the middle of the final round, Gooch’s eye began to swell shut as Ware tactfully pieced him apart with counter right hands. Ware hit him with everything but the kitchen sink, yet Gooch remained standing.

Ware cruised to a one sided decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) however the score does not exact the contest any justice. The fight itself was one of the most entertaining bouts of the year. In victory the Terrion Ware remains on the cusp of the big show. He continues to evolve as a fighter and this win certainly puts him on a short list of UFC hopefuls in the 135 lbs division. Rob Gooch ends up with a loss on the score sheets, but his stock continues to rise. The heart, fire and desire this guy displayed is certain to carry him past the loss. Simply put people with that kind of fortitude never stay down long.

All photos are the property of The Clinch Report, LLC. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please email news@theclinchreport.com for licensing information.

California Xtreme Fighting: Gold Rush Set To Crown Inaugural Champions

Posted: April 13, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

In 1848 after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill; California became the place for the bold to stake their claim to a bright future. Now nearly 170 years later, California Xtreme Fighting is the new Sutter’s Mill, and our young mixed martial artists are the miners seeking their fortune. The times may have changed, but the bounty is still the same. Everyone wants some of that sweet sweet gold, and on April 22nd, plenty will be on the line.

Lights Out Promotions in association with Bash Boxing are proud to be presenting ‘CXF: Gold Rush’ on April 22, 2016 at The Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. The talent laden card features some of the top young mixed martial artists in the world. Each one of them looking to strike gold.

Preliminary Card:

Georgie Garcia (2-2 MMA) vs Angel Oliveras (Pro Debut)

Georgie Garcia has fought under the Lights Out/Bash umbrella before, and those who have seen him fight are always entertained. His muay thai pedigree and strong athleticism make him a nightmare inside a large cage. His opponent Angel Oliveras is making his pro debut after an amateur pedigree that saw him even with a 1-1 record. Oliveras is a well rounded fighter with some slick submission skills. Both young men are hungry so sit back and watch them eat.

Marlen MaGee (2-4 MMA) vs Craig Plaskett (Pro Debut)

Marlen MaGee returns to action under the Lights Out/Bash umbrella for the fourth time. The heavy handed MaGee is looking for his first win after coming short in his previous engagements. His opponent Craig Plaskett is making his pro debut after a rather extensive amateur career that saw him even with 4 wins against 4 losses. Plaskett also possesses power in both hands, so this could up being a ‘rock em sock em robots’ type of fight. Don’t blink.

Joshua Jones (1-0 MMA) vs Akkim Lee (Pro Debut)

Joshua Jones came into his last bout the underdog, and left after silencing the crowd with a huge win in his pocket. Jones displayed a wide array of striking and dominated with a versatile attack that wore down his opponent before choking the will to compete from him. His opponent Akkim Lee has been around for a long time. Lee has an extensive amateur background and has a ton of fight left. Expect an educated slug fest!

Jordan Isordia (2-3 MMA) vs Derion Chapman (2-4-1)

Both of these young scrappers bring a ton of talent and energy to the cage. Isordia is the type of striker that likes to stay in the pocket, he certainly is not afraid to take a punch in order to land one. Chapman is more of a floater, who likes to inflict damage quickly before exiting his opponents range. On their feet, the fight could go either way. However should the fight hit the mat, Chapman is very dangerous off his back. This bout could be a back and forth war that produces a magical finish.

Armen Bakanyan (1-3-1 MMA) vs Dmitry Gerasimov (4-4MMA)

This is an easy candidate for Fight of the Night, simply because it already has been! If this rematch is any where close to as good as the first fight, everyone is in for an action-packed treat. The first fight ended in a close split decision that favored Gerasimov. Now 3 years later, these two are set to square off again. This time Bakanyan wants revenge, and his opponent Gerasimov wants to remove all doubt. Get ready for a nasty grudge match with all the violent trimmings. A last minute replacement on the card, may end up being the best fight of the night!

Main Card:

Moses Murrietta (2-0 MMA) vs Matthew Spencer (4-1 MMA) For the CXF Middleweight Championship

In his last bout Moses Murrietta was two parts lightning and one part thunder. Showcasing his superior boxing skills, he systematically picked apart a very tough John Gendron cruising to an rather oddly scored split decision victory. Murrietta sets up his power well with ranging strikes. He will need to use that range to contain his opponent who is somewhat of a bulldog. Matthew Spencer is built like an NFL fullback, and is just as athletic. In the clinch his power transforms opponents into victims quickly and on the mat things only get worse. A brown belt under Eddie Bravo, Spencer can quickly make the fight a foggy memory if your not careful. With a belt on the line, you can expect one hell of a high octane battle.

Jay Bogan (5-5 MMA) vs Cody Bollinger (16-5 MMA) For the CXF Featherweight Championship

Cody Bollinger is a veteran who has fought in pretty much every organization from the UFC on down. His stifling wrestling pedigree has picked up some pretty nasty striking along the way. Currently mired in a 3 fight losing streak Bollinger is looking to rebound with a win that would put him right back in the mix in the featherweight landscape. What his opponent Jay Bogan may lack in experience he certainly makes up for with ridiculous submission skills. With four of his five wins coming via submission Bogan is quick to attack in the transition. Equally dangerous on top position or on his back, Bogan can end the fight in an instant. This fight could end up being a battle of transitions, with the winner being crowned the CXF Featherweight Champion.

Alfred Kashakyan (5-2 MMA) vs Andrew Natividad (3-4 MMA) For the CXF Bantamweight Championship

Andrew Natividad is a very experienced and well rounded fighter. He possesses the one quality you cannot teach a fighter. He is a grinder. However in his last 2 fights, he came up on the wrong end of a decision to Ruben Duran and Juan Archuletta. His opponent Alfred Kashakyan has devastating knockout power in both hands, and brings a huge arsenal of weapons to the cage. Kashakyan is also coming off a disappointing loss, so his appetite is larger than ever. With the winner being crowned the CXF Bantamweight Champion you can bet this is going to be a great fight. Early candidate for Fight of the Night.

Terrion Ware (11-5 MMA) vs Rob Gooch (4-2 MMA)

Once the combat gods get there eyes on a matchup, they must be satisfied. This fight has been a long time coming. Finally after clearing up some red tape, and after all the injuries are healed, these two are going to throw down. Rob Gooch may be at a experience disadvantage record wise, but his skill is unquestionable. Equally dangerous on the mat or standing, Gooch is an extremely efficient fighter, a tactician with a keen mind. If your not on the ball at all times, Gooch can grab an arm or a leg, and end the fight in an instant. His opponent Terrion Ware has seemingly been one fight away from the UFC for a while now. Possibly one of the best bantamweights outside of the UFC, Ware is looking to make a statement, one signed with leather. A highlight reel win over a fighter like Rob Gooch may be the final piece in the puzzle. This fight could easily end up being the Fight of The Night.

Karen Darabedyan (11-5 MMA) vs Joe Condon (11-9 MMA) For The CXF 160lbs Championship 

This fight could easily be a money fight on a televised card. Both of these fighters have competed at the top level in mixed martial arts, both are still in their prime and both share a ridiculous grappling pedigree. Joe Condon has fought for titles in King of the Cage (twice), and competed in the 155 lbs tournament for World Series of Fighting. His experience speaks for itself. On his feet Condon has decent hands, but his defensive skills are amazing which often leads to openings for take downs. On the mat his finishing instincts shine. His methodical transitions to the back are relentless, and singular in purpose. Simply put if you give up your back, its pretty much over. His opponent Karen Darabedyan, like Condon is talented beyond words. Darabedyan a student of Gokor Chivichyan and Gene Lebell has some of the best leg locks in the game. If he grabs a leg, your going to be limping for along time. On his feet Darabedyan utilizes his compact frame to explode into his punches like a coiled snake. If he turns your chin, the room will get dim real quick. Once he has his opponents wounded, Darabedyan does not show mercy, well he sort of does, he doesn’t waste any time, and usually the finish comes quickly! Both of these fighters are climbing their way back to the top of the pecking order, so you can expect a war! This fight will not only product the CXF champion, the winner will also be arguably the best lightweight fighter in the state!

This event is in memory of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and a portion of the proceeds will donated to charity. Never Forget!

 

CXF: California Xtreme Fighting Arises Anew In Front of A Packed House!

Posted: March 7, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

From 2006-2009 California Xtreme Fighting was a steadfast beacon in a sea of shady promotions. Originally under the guidance of Mixed Martial Arts lifer Mike Rush, the promotion flourished for 3 years utilizing some of the best young fighters in the area. Jared Hamman, Brett Cooper, Francisco Rivera, Tony Fergusson, Daniel Hernandez, Ara Muradyan, Jared Papazian, Sevak Magakian and many more all found themselves cutting there teeth under the CXF banner. Many of whom have gone on the UFC and Bellator.

Now 7 years after their last bout ended CXF has returned. The first card back from their hibernation featured the return of grappling wizard Karen Darabedyan who had not fought since 2014. His opponent Pablo Sabori was riding a 4 fight win streak, and was anything but a tune up fight. From the opening bell Sabori came out aggressive, perhaps hoping to capitalize on some ring rust. However, Darabedyan showed little if any oxidation. After a few exchanges, Darabedyan charged forward with punches and was able to clinch Sabori before taking him to the mat. Once there, it was only a matter of time before the python like choke followed.  Sabori was forced to tap due to a rear naked choke, halfway through the first round.

The tough opponent, and impressive win served as a measuring stick for Darabedyan who said in his post fight interview that he was now certain he was ready for a return to the UFC.

Also victorious on the card were: Matthew Spencer who secured a first round impressive armbar win over striker Idris Wasi, Joshua Jones defeated hometown favorite Tigran Grigoryan, Moses Murrieta took a split decision over John Gendron, Derion Chapman utilized a slick triangle to finish veteran Bobby Sanchez in the first round, Keith Cutrone TKO’d Edgar Khachatryan in the first round of their very entertaining bout, Andrii Vasylenko took out a very game Brad Robinson with a slick armbar, Chase Gibson finished AJ Bryant with a signature D’arce choke, Kyler Phillips defeated Taylor Alfaro in a one sided contest. Perhaps the most entertaining bout of the evening took place between Erick Gonzalez and Shohei Yamamoto. Gonzalez was able to swarm for a 3rd round TKO in a back and forth war that had the sold out crowd on their feet.

The next CXF event has already been announced, and is planned for April 23rd. After the last sold out standing room only event, this one will certainly be another night of exciting fights you will not want to miss. Get your tickets early. Stay updated with LightsOutPromotions and Bash Boxing by clicking the links.

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