Posts Tagged ‘CXF MMA’

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

Posted: August 27, 2018 in Combat Sports, UFC
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

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).

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
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

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
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

13087537_10209284016122564_3285331775842731869_n

“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.