(The Daily Haymaker is a daily series that takes a look back and covers the news, fights being made, and all the other insanity revolving around combat sports. The Haymaker’s purpose is to keep you up to date with the ever changing combat sports world and also provide thought-provoking [hopefully] analysis from yours truly.)
Fight Recap and Analysis
Bellator 108
Light Heavyweight Bout
Quinton Jackson (33-11) vs Joey Beltran (14-10, 1 NC)
Recap: Rampage started off the fight trying to cut off Beltran, cornering him against the cage. That strategy led to Joey Beltran clinching Jackson against the cage and bully him against the cage. That was the story for much of the fight as Rampage would be able to create space and trade some shots, but he would ultimately be placed back against the cage by the Mexicutioner. As time was set to expire in the first frame, Jackson caught Beltran with a left, right hook combo and then added another punch for good measure to finish Beltran. Jackson finished the fight with one second remaining in the round!
Analysis: The reports of Rampage’s demise have been premature. Sure he didn’t look good as he did in his prime, but did anyone honestly expect him to? Beltran fought with a smart game-plan that was winning him the first round on my scorecard, but Jackson’s hand speed and power proved to be too much in the waning moments of the round. The positives about Rampage’s performance was his boxing and head movement, and the negative was that he was outworked in the clinch by Beltran.
Bellator Heavyweight Championship
Vitaly Minakov (13-0) vs Alexander Volkov (19-4)
Recap: Minakov started the first round with a pair of knees. He put Volkov against the cage and attempted a belly-to-belly suplex, but Volkov fell into mount on top of him. Almost immediately, Minakov swept Volkov and goes to work with short elbows. The fighters are stood up by the referees, and Minakov drops Volkov with a right uppercut. He jumps on top of Volkov and finishes him off with strikes.
Analysis: Vitaly Minakov is on track to become the top heavyweight outside of the UFC. If he runs through Cheick Kongo like he did Volkov, I don’t think many would dispute that claim. Minakov showcased his three dimensional game against Volkov, snapping his fellow Russian’s ten fight win streak.
Bantamweight Bout
Marcos Galvao (15-6-1) vs Tom McKenna (7-4)
Recap: A quick back body clinch takedown by Galvao gave the Brazilian bantamweight his opponent’s back to start the contest. Galvao attempted a rear-naked choke attempt, but McKenna escaped and stood up following a failed arm-bar attempt by Galvao. It didn’t take long after that for Galvao to take down McKenna, get his back, and unload ground and pound until the fight is over.
Analysis: The answer to the question of who is the most underrated bantamweight in the world is Marcos Galvao. Few give him the appreciation that a fighter of his caliber deserves. While he has no submission victories to show for it, Galvao possesses an impeccable grappling game, speedy stand-up, and improving wrestling.
Featherweight Tournament Final
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (22-2) vs Justin Wilcox (13-6, 1 NC)
Recap: Freire stuttered Wilcox with a right-left combination. Pitbull then went on to score with another left and defend a pair of takedown attempts from Wilcox. A powerful right connected with the forehead of Wilcox, dropping him in the process. A dazed Wilcox managed to get up only to eat another right that led to him being teed off by ground and pound from Freire before the fight was called.
Analysis: Against a quality featherweight like Wilcox, Freire looked phenomenal in this one. He defended Wilcox’s wrestling and precisely lethal striking. When you account for Freire’s dominance in this season’s tournament, his victory over current champion Daniel Straus, and Pat Curran’s forgettable title loss to Straus, I believe that Freire should be the next challenger for the strap.
Catchweight Bout (174 lbs)
Sam Oropeza (9-2) vs Chip Moraza-Pollard (7-5)
Recap: Likely late for a dinner date, Oropeza finished his job early by knocking Pollard down with a left hand and added a few more strikes to finish Pollard.
Analysis: Prior to the fight, Oropeza was talking about how he listened to Jimmy Smith’s criticism of his previous Bellator appearance and made some changes to his striking game. Jimmy Smith should advise more fighters because Oropeza put out a memorable performance with this one.
Light Heavyweight Bout
Tom DeBlass (9-2) vs Jason Lambert (26-13)
Recap: DeBlass just did a beautiful job of countering Lambert to start the fight. He eventually stunned Lambert with a left hook and knocked him out with another one.
Analysis: Needless to say, beating Jason Lambert in 2013 isn’t a career-defining feat, but Tom DeBlass appears to be a nice addition to a Bellator Light Heavyweight division that is going to be a lot better than most people think in 2014. The division has talent [Newton, Vegh] , attention-garnering fighters [Rampage, King Mo, Ortiz], and real prospects [Halsey, Vassell, and McGeary].
Catchweight Bout (179 lbs)
Nah-Shon Burrell (11-3) vs Jesus Martinez (8-5)
Recap: Burrell ended up winning a relatively forgettable decision. What transpired in the three frames was Burrell out-striking Martinez by controlling the range and fending off his opponent’s takedown attempts.
Analysis: When Bellator signed Nah-Shon Burrell, I thought that this would be the perfect spot for him to hone his skills and reel off finishes, but he didn’t look much different from the Burrell we saw in UFC and Strikeforce. If Matt Riddle ends up ever fighting again, I’d like to see him matched up with Burrell.
Catchweight Bout (148 lbs)
Anthony Morrison (17-10, 1 NC) vs Kenny Foster (10-8)
Recap: Three inadvertent low blows from Kenny Foster left him at a disadvantage on the judges’ scorecards, and he wasn’t able to do anything to swing the verdict in his favor. Morrison took the first round in a close frame that played out in the clinch with Morrison getting the better of Foster with knees and positioning. The second period went to Foster who landed more blows in a lot of the combinations that played out in the pocket. The point-deducting groin strike took place in a third round that Morrison took on the scorecards by scoring more frequently with punches.
Analysis: Anthony Morrison didn’t leave me thinking that he’d make an impact in any upcoming featherweight tournament. It looks like he’ll play the role of gatekeeper for featherweights. Having lost six of his last seven in promotion, I doubt Kenny Foster will return to Bellator in his next fight.
Light Heavyweight Bout
Liam McGeary (6-0) vs Najim Wali (3-3)
Recap: McGeary hurt Wali with an elbow and took his opponent down. From the top position, McGeary landed ground strikes and then attempted an arm-bar. Wali evaded the submission attempt and ended up on top. McGeary went to work with his guard, going for a triangle choke, only to transition to a fight-ending arm-bar.
Analysis: Liam McGeary rose his stock as a prospect with this performance. He was on a different level than his opponent on the feet and the ground. McGeary is skilled in every facet of the game, and he’s going to play significant role in upcoming Light Heavyweight tournaments.
Featherweight Bout
Will Martinez (8-2-1) vs Kevin Roddy (13-15-1, 1 NC)
Recap: Martinez dominated the fight by taking down Roddy, landing vicious ground and pound, and attempting submissions. Roddy gave Martinez his back, and Martinez made him pay for it by securing a rear-naked choke.
Analysis: The Bellator preliminaries are basically a bunch of tests for up-and-coming fighters against a journeyman of the regional circuit, and Martinez passed this test. It was a simple and effective outing for Martinez.
Featherweight Bout
Dan Matala (1-0) vs Ryan Cafaro (0-1)
Recap: Matala was relentless from start of the fight with his takedowns and ground work. In the second, Matala elicited a tap from Cafaro with a tap.
Analysis: Both featherweights looked more advanced than your stereotypical fighter making their regional debut. With that being said, it’s hard to make any bold statements without either fighter have a track record.
Bantamweight Bout
Robert Sullivan (2-1) vs Sergio da Silva (1-5)
Recap: Another example of why falling in love with you guard isn’t a great idea played out in this one. Sullivan took a decision by taking down da Silva and fighting from the top position. Throughout the fight, da Silva didn’t work too hard to bring the fight back or sweep, instead settling for submission attempts from his back.
Analysis: Sullivan showcased his submission defense against a fighter with a skilled guard game like da Silva. It’s unfortunate that da Silva has a 1-5 record because he’s talent is much better than a record like that suggests.
ONE FC 12
Bantamweight Bout
Yusup Saadulaev (11-3-1) vs Adriano Moraes (9-1)
Recap: Saadulaev landed knees to the head of Moraes from the side of his back, a position that Saadulaev garnered by defending a failed takedown attempt from Moraes with a guillotine. The Brazilian stood up but was later thrown down by Saadulaev. From his guard, Moraes neutrilized any of Saadulaev’s offense, causing referee Yuji Shimada to stand the fighters up. The rest of the frame played out on the feet with the significant strikes being a body punch from Yusup and a left from Moraes. Saadulaev used his wrestling in the second round, taking Moraes down twice with a single and then a double leg. Moraes ended the round strong by ending up on top by winning a grappling scramble and going to work with ground and pound, the most damaging strikes in the round. Heading into the third, Saadulaev was visibly tired. Moraes worked from the top position for the majority of the round by taking down Saadulaev from a body lock and thwarting a throw attempt from Saadulaev. Saadulaev ends the round from the top position, scoring with knees to the head of Moraes.
Analysis: When you take into account that Saadulaev took this fight on short notice, it was a positive outing from him. He’s really good with his takedowns and throws. I would like to see Saadulaev doing a better job of keeping his opponent down with his hips and weight distribution. Moraes, who is a flyweight, let Saadulaev dictate the fight and couldn’t get anything going on the feet with his range. Moraes is scrappy on the ground which was a question mark people had about his game heading into the fight.
Middleweight Bout
Leandro Ataides (6-0) vs Bryan Rafiq (8-3)
Recap: Ataides brought Rafiq down with a double leg. Rafiq escapes back up to his feet as Ataides attempted to transition from half-guard to full mount. Following some clinching, Ataides connected with a pair of rights that knock Rafiq out.
Analysis: Ataides has made his name for his ground game, but he showcased diversity with punching power in this one. He’s a middleweight prospect that should be bookmarked for future bouts.
Heavyweight Bout
Chris Lokteff (12-1) vs Tony Johnson (7-2)
Recap: Lokteff was able to rock Johnson twice in the first round with his destructive right, but Johnson used his wrestling base to recover from the hard shots. Johnson counters a missed head kick from Lokteff with a single leg takedown. Johnson worked methodically on top of Lokteff, landing short elbows. Johnson was able to get Lokteff and attempt a rear-naked choke that looked, but Lokteff was able to escape some how. The round ended with Lokteff landed soccer kicks to a downed Johnson. Both heavyweights looked exhausted as the third began. Lokteff was able to stuff Johnson’s takedowns and pick his shots on the feet, connecting with several punches to the chin of Johnson.
Analysis: This fight exemplified each fighters’ strengths and weaknesses. Lokteff’s powerful hands were on display, while Johnson’s wrestling was showcased. The first two rounds of this fight were exciting and worth a watch. Both heavyweights have promising tools, and I expect them each to achieve greater success in the sport.
Lightweight Bout
Peter Davis (7-3) vs Alaa Mazloum (1-1)
Recap: Mazloum knocks Davis to the ground with a pair of strikes, and he follows them there. A triangle attempt from Davis causes Mazloum to stand up. Davis then takes down Mazolum. Mazloum gets on top and does nothing, and the fighters are stood up by Yuji Shimada. Davis then brings Mazloum down to the canvas and tries for a head-and-arm choke, but Mazloum survives until the period ends. Peter Davis hops on the back of a standing Mazloum and locks on a rear-naked choke. Mazloum falls down and submits.
Analysis: This was a must win for Peter Davis who lost his last two. There’s no question that Peter Davis has solid submissions, but he’s going to have to improve his wrestling so that he can work from better positions.
Flyweight Bout
Gianni Subba (3-0) vs Yun Ting Chen (1-1)
Recap: Subba pushes Chen against the cage and slams Chen down. Subba then transitions from position to position, until he settled into half-guard where he unloaded a barrage of elbows that caused the fight to be called.
Analysis: Gianni Subba has dominated his opposition thus far. As a 20 year-old flyweight, Subba has real upside.
Featherweight Bout
AJ Lias Mansor (2-3) vs Melvin Yeoh (7-2)
Recap: The majority of the first period was close as both fighters were patient with their strikes, but Mansor ended it strong with a takedown. Mansor continued to work from the top position and take down Yeoh in the second, fending off Yeoh’s submission attempts. A powerful takedown by Mansor led to knee strikes from side control in another decisive third round.
Analysis: This was a major upset as Mansor was 1-3 heading into the fight while Yeoh was 7-1. Yeoh’s striking just didn’t look refined, and he was unable to defend Mansor’s takedowns or attempt anything noteworthy off of his back. AJ Mansor is real talented for a fighter with a 2-3 record. He’s strong with a solid wrestling base compared to the stereotype of an Asian fighter.
LFC 25
LFC Lightweight Championship
Carlos Diego Ferreira (9-0) vs Jorge Patino (34-14-2, 1 NC)
Recap: Patino took a close first round by getting the better of wild exchanges when he had Ferreira cornered against the cage. Patino also got a pair of a takedowns with the later coming in the waning moments of the frame. Ferreira’s best offensive output in the round was a hard right, hook kick, and flying knee. In the second round, Ferreira took Patino down with a trip takedown. Patino was able to stand back up and trade exchanges with Ferreira, ultimately getting caught by a right from his opponent. Ferreira tries to put away Patino with punches, only for Patino to recover and attempt a takedown. Ferreira defended it and the finished the frame inside of Patino’s guard. The third frame saw Ferreira nearly knock out Patino with a thunderous right head kick. Following the blow, Patino was just trying to recover as a Ferreira worked from the top position. Patino did actually try for a leg lock, but there was nothing there. In the fourth round, Ferreira nearly finished Patino as well with a knee and then a wild left. Once again, Patino was able to survive the frame. A bloodied Patino had trouble seeing the left punches from Ferreira who got a takedown in the round. A failed triangle attempt by Ferreira let Patino get in the top position. Both fighters traded heel hook and knee bar submissions in the late moments of the period.
Analysis: Carlos Ferreira is considered one of the premier lightweight prospects in the world, and he showed why in this fight. Ferreira’s striking was pristine. He hit Patino with firepower that would have finished a multitude of lightweights. What I’d like to see Ferreira change with his stand-up is to include more combinations. He seems content with piecing together one or two strikes at a time. His striking would improve tremendously by including more deception.
Welterweight Bout
Francisco Trevino (11-0) vs Lester Batres (3-2)
Recap: The first significant moments in the fight transpire in the clinch as both fighters connect with a wide array of strikes. Trevino takes down Batres with a double leg, but Batres returns to his fight quickly. A barrage of strikes from Batres forces Trevino against the cage where Batres is able to take Trevino down. Like Batres, Trevino was able to scramble back up to his feet and get a second takedown. Batres gets back up, but is taken down for the third time by Trevino who ends the period on Batres’s back. Trevino throws sportsmanship out of the window to start the second period as he attacks Batres when the fighters touch glove. For the vast majority of the round, Trevino bullies Batres against the cage and scores several takedowns. In the clinch, Trevino was able to periodically separate and land a slick right. Trevino continued what he started in the second round. He put Batres against the cage and brought him down. This time, he got the back of Batres, but he wasn’t able to do much from there aside from land punches in short space. Batres is able to wiggle his way on top of Trevino, but he decides to stand back up. Trevino finds a home for his right on the feet which would lead to his clinching and wrestling against the cage en route to a decision win.
Analysis: Francisco Trevino is actually from my neck of the woods [an area that hasn’t produced many fighters], and he looks like a real welterweight that has potential to get a call from the UFC in the future. Will he super successful in the organization? I doubt it. But getting signed by the organization would be great for the Rio Grande Valley area that Trevino comes form.
Welterweight Bout
Artenas Young (10-6) vs Jonathan Harris (7-4)
Recap: Using his reach advantage, Young was able to pick Harris apart with punches in methodic fashion. With fifteen seconds left in the frame, Young stuffed a takedown from Harris and pushed him down to the mat. The second round is sparked by a left hook from Young that snaps the head of Harris. Young goes to work a double leg takedown and tries for a kimura. Harris stands back up, only to be taken down once again by Young. Knowing his down two rounds to none, Harris starts the round off aggressive with a flurry of punches, including a right that lands flush on Young’s chin. Young clinches Harris against the cage and attacks the thigh of Harris with knees. Young secures a double leg takedown with a minute and a half left in the contest, and he works from the top position until the fight concludes.
Analysis: This was a textbook win for Artenas Young who controlled ever aspect of this fight. He’s a rangy striker with good takedowns.
Middleweight Bout
Larry Crowe (7-3) vs Jon Kirk (16-12)
Recap: Crowe takes Kirk down out of the body clinch. With relative ease, Crowe transitions to full mount and then gets the back of Kirk. From there, Crowe locks on a rear-naked that finishes the fight.
Analysis: Larry Crowe made short work of Kirk. Crowe has a lot of strength and dominant positional grappling.
Welterweight Bout
Charlie Ontiveros (4-1) vs Kaileb Cummins (2-1-1)
Recap: Ontiveros baits Cummins into his range, landing leg kicks. Cummings responds by putting Ontiveros against the cage and working him down to the mat. Ontiveros stands up and frees himself from the clinch of Cummins. From there, he gets the better of the striking exchanges. The second round is kicked off by Cummins trying to work Ontiveros back to the ground, but Ontiveros is able to defend Cummins’s attack. In the clinch, Cummins leaves his head next to the side of Ontiveros, and Ontiveros sneaks his arm in to lock on a fight-culminating guillotine choke.
Analysis: Ontiveros posses a sweet array of exotic kicks. He exhibited okay defensive wrestling against Cummins. Ontiveros has a lot of fun aspects of his game that will be worth watching next time he competes.
The News
1. On The Fighter and The Kid podcast, Dana White said that the UFC is planning on introducing a women’s strawweight division. That division has a lot of talent that the promotion could bring in like Carla Esparza, Jessica Penne, and Felice Herrig.
2. Henry Cejudo pulled out of his Legacy Fighting Championship fight at the last minute because of a stomach flu.
3. Edwin Rodriguez missed weight by two pounds for his match with Andre Ward today.
Fights Made
KSW 25
KSW Middleweight Championship Fight
Jan Blachowicz (17-3) vs Virgil Zwicker (11-3)
Prognostications
1. The UFC signs Ben Askren.
2. George St. Pierre announces that he’ll drop down to lightweight.
3. USC beats Stanford.
That’ll do it for today’s Haymaker. Thanks for reading, and I’ll leave you with a quote from Gil-Scott Heron.
“The revolution that takes place in your head, nobody will ever see that.”
-Dan can be reached at [email protected] or @danielgal.
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