Three entertaining fight cards took place this past weekend, and not one happened to be in the UFC.
Kicking things off was a monumental event for Legacy FC. Legacy FC 50 saw long time promotional man Justin Reiswerg defeat fellow Lightweight Jonathan Harris via rear naked choke at 1:43 of round 1. In another Lightweight battle, Ray Blodget took out Jared Chaffee by way of guillotine at 3:38 of round 1. The main event marked the return of Welterweight Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos. Cyborg made it a successful one with a unanimous decision victory over Artenas Young.
ONE Championship 36 went down early in the morning for us here in the states. Ma Hao Bin won the Changsha Bantamweight tournament (winning both fights in similar fashion) with a semifinal win over Wu Ting Shen that came by way of guillotine at just :27 of round 1. His finals win was also with a guillotine choke, this time against Bu Huo You Ga at 1:08 of round 1. ONE Bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes made his title defense look easy when he dispatched Kevin Belingon with a kimura at 4:04 of the opening round.
At WSOF 27 Light Heavyweight Shamil Gamzatov looked impressive as he TKO'd Teddy Holder at 2:32 of round 1. In the main event Lightweight Luiz Firmino won a unanimous decision over Caros Fodor.
The UFC announced that a Middleweight match-up between Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza will headline UFC Fight Night 87.
Saturdays SNL was hosted by former UFC Women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. It marked the first time an MMA fighter hosted the show.
Heavyweight Cain Velasquez is injured and has withdrawn from his title rematch against champion Fabricio Werdum. Instead Werdum will meet Stipe Miocic for the belt at UFC 196.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
1/17/16
Well it has definitely been awhile. The Five Round Review is back and hopefully here to stay. To answer anyone who is wondering why this review has been so inconsistent over the past two months, I am wrapping up college while simultaneously traveling... a lot. But that is neither here nor there. Let's get to what you clicked here for.
Opening up this weekend of MMA was RFA 34 which took place in Broomfield, Colorado. The fight card was headlined by a title fight for the vacant Welterweight belt between Bojan Velickovic and Benjamin Smith. Velickovic finished the bout before it reached the championship rounds with a guillotine choke at 1:51 of round 3.
Invicta FC 15 was non stop action with six of the seven fights ending with a finish. Two of those finishes took place in the two title fights. The first, for the Strawweight strap, saw Livia Renata Souza remain undefeated by earning a TKO over DeAnna Bennett at just 1:30 of round 1. In the main event Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino dominated Daria Ibragimova, keeping the Featherweight title. Justino won via KO at 4:58 of round 1.
A lot of big fights took place at Sunday's UFC Fight Night 81. Heavyweight Travis Browne busted up Matt Mitrione's eye on his way to a TKO victory at 4:09 of round 3. Lightweight Eddie Alvarez won his second split decision in a row, this one against former champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. And capping off the night was the return of Dominic Cruz. Cruz regained his Bantamweight belt with a split decision over now former champion T.J. Dillashaw.
UFC Middleweight Yoel Romero has been flagged by the USADA for a positive drug test following his UFC 194 win over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
Bellator announced its headliner for their first event in Europe, which will take place in Italy. UFC vet Alessio Sakara will fight Brian Rogers on April 16 in Torino.
Opening up this weekend of MMA was RFA 34 which took place in Broomfield, Colorado. The fight card was headlined by a title fight for the vacant Welterweight belt between Bojan Velickovic and Benjamin Smith. Velickovic finished the bout before it reached the championship rounds with a guillotine choke at 1:51 of round 3.
Invicta FC 15 was non stop action with six of the seven fights ending with a finish. Two of those finishes took place in the two title fights. The first, for the Strawweight strap, saw Livia Renata Souza remain undefeated by earning a TKO over DeAnna Bennett at just 1:30 of round 1. In the main event Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino dominated Daria Ibragimova, keeping the Featherweight title. Justino won via KO at 4:58 of round 1.
A lot of big fights took place at Sunday's UFC Fight Night 81. Heavyweight Travis Browne busted up Matt Mitrione's eye on his way to a TKO victory at 4:09 of round 3. Lightweight Eddie Alvarez won his second split decision in a row, this one against former champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. And capping off the night was the return of Dominic Cruz. Cruz regained his Bantamweight belt with a split decision over now former champion T.J. Dillashaw.
UFC Middleweight Yoel Romero has been flagged by the USADA for a positive drug test following his UFC 194 win over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
Bellator announced its headliner for their first event in Europe, which will take place in Italy. UFC vet Alessio Sakara will fight Brian Rogers on April 16 in Torino.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
11/22/15
After last weekends wild outcome, it was hard to believe that this weekend could live up to the same hype. But it did. Four major events went down, including one that hosted a one night eight man tournament.
Kicking things off was Bellator 146. Though much of the fight card was exciting, the main event and co-main event stole the show. Lightweight Brandon Girtz, coming off of a big win, decided to give the fans another show with a TKO of Derek Campos at just :37 of round 1. And then to cap things off was Middleweight Melvin Manhoef who dispatched of Hisaki Kato with a KO at 3:43 of round 1.
WSOF 25 was highlighted by a one night eight man tournament in the Lightweight division. The tournament was anything but normal with several winners of the quarterfinals having to drop out due to injuries and several losers advancing in their place. The final four saw Joao Zeferino defeat Jorge Patino via heel hook at 1:24 of round 1 and Brian Foster defeat Luis Palomino via TKO at 4:19 of round 2. Before the tournament final, Jason High took on Estevan Payan in another Lightweight contest. High won by way of KO at :47 of round 2. In the tournament final, Brian Foster shocked the world by beating the very man who took him out in the quarterfinal round, Joao Zeferino. Foster won by knocking out Zeferino at 4:51 of round 2. The tournament win sets up a WSOF Lightweight title fight with Foster and champion Justin Gaethje.
ONE Championship 33 saw two titles on the line as well as a tournament championship. Kairat Akhmetov claimed the Flyweight belt with a split decision win over Adriano Moraes. Marat Gafurov earned a victory while simultaneously unifying the Featherweight titles when he submitted Jadamba Narantungalag with a rear naked choke at 4:39 of round 4. Finally, Yang Sen won the Featherweight tournament with a second round kimura over Zhang Jia Cai at :35.
Following a historic weekend for the promotion, the UFC made its way to Mexico for UFC Fight Night 78. Flyweight Henry Cejudo defeated Jussier Formiga by split decision, possibly setting up a title shot against "Mighty Mouse." Ricardo Lamas won a unanimous decision over fellow Featherweight Diego Sanchez. And in the main event, Welterweight Neil Magny defeated Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision. The event also crowned two "TUF Latin America 2" tournament winners: Lightweight Enrique Barzola and Welterweight Erick Montano.
Kicking things off was Bellator 146. Though much of the fight card was exciting, the main event and co-main event stole the show. Lightweight Brandon Girtz, coming off of a big win, decided to give the fans another show with a TKO of Derek Campos at just :37 of round 1. And then to cap things off was Middleweight Melvin Manhoef who dispatched of Hisaki Kato with a KO at 3:43 of round 1.
WSOF 25 was highlighted by a one night eight man tournament in the Lightweight division. The tournament was anything but normal with several winners of the quarterfinals having to drop out due to injuries and several losers advancing in their place. The final four saw Joao Zeferino defeat Jorge Patino via heel hook at 1:24 of round 1 and Brian Foster defeat Luis Palomino via TKO at 4:19 of round 2. Before the tournament final, Jason High took on Estevan Payan in another Lightweight contest. High won by way of KO at :47 of round 2. In the tournament final, Brian Foster shocked the world by beating the very man who took him out in the quarterfinal round, Joao Zeferino. Foster won by knocking out Zeferino at 4:51 of round 2. The tournament win sets up a WSOF Lightweight title fight with Foster and champion Justin Gaethje.
ONE Championship 33 saw two titles on the line as well as a tournament championship. Kairat Akhmetov claimed the Flyweight belt with a split decision win over Adriano Moraes. Marat Gafurov earned a victory while simultaneously unifying the Featherweight titles when he submitted Jadamba Narantungalag with a rear naked choke at 4:39 of round 4. Finally, Yang Sen won the Featherweight tournament with a second round kimura over Zhang Jia Cai at :35.
Following a historic weekend for the promotion, the UFC made its way to Mexico for UFC Fight Night 78. Flyweight Henry Cejudo defeated Jussier Formiga by split decision, possibly setting up a title shot against "Mighty Mouse." Ricardo Lamas won a unanimous decision over fellow Featherweight Diego Sanchez. And in the main event, Welterweight Neil Magny defeated Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision. The event also crowned two "TUF Latin America 2" tournament winners: Lightweight Enrique Barzola and Welterweight Erick Montano.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
11/8/15
Many MMA fans are eagerly anticipating next weeks Rousey vs Holm fight, but this weekend produced some exciting fights of its own.
The action started with Bellator 145 "Vengeance." Heavyweight Bobby Lashley avenged his last loss to James Thompson via TKO at :54 of round 1. Former Lightweight champion Michael Chandler defeated David Rickels for the second time, this time by way of TKO at 3:05 of round 2. In the first of two title fights, "Ill" Will Brooks successfully defended his Lightweight belt despite popping his knee out in round 1. Brooks won via unanimous decision over Marcin Held. In the main event, Daniel Straus won the Featherweight strap by unanimous decision from Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, a man who previously defeated him twice.
At RFA 32 Lightweight Landon Vannata took out Chad Curry with a TKO (elbows) of Chad Curry at 1:29 of round 1. In the main event, Bantamweight Leandro Higo defeated Melvin Blumer via TKO at 2:58 of round 1.
Finishing off the weekend was UFC Fight Night 77. Bantamweight prospect Thomas Almeida remained undefeated with a vicious KO over Anthony Birchak at 4:24 of round 1. Light Heavyweight Glover Teixeira got back on track with a TKO victory against Patrick Cummins at 1:12 of round 2. In the main event Middleweight Vitor Belfort won the rubber match against Dan Henderson with a first round KO (head kick, punches). The stoppage came at 2:07 of round 2.
UFC on FOX 18, which takes place on Jan 30, got its headlining fight. Light Heavyweights Ryan "Darth" Bader and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson will meet in what is most likely a number one contenders match.
GLORY kickboxing has found a new home on ESPN platforms. GLORY - which was formerly partnered with Spike TV - signed a broadcast deal with ESPN.
Bellator veteran Brett Cooper has retired from MMA.
Rizin FC, an affiliate of Bellator, has announced more plans for their inaugural event on New Years Eve. A fight between Gabi Garcia and Lady Tapa will take place as well as Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal competing in a Light Heavyweight grand prix.
Bellator announced that a fight between legendary Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock will headline Bellator 149. The co-main event will consist of a match-up between Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000. Weights have not been set yet.
The action started with Bellator 145 "Vengeance." Heavyweight Bobby Lashley avenged his last loss to James Thompson via TKO at :54 of round 1. Former Lightweight champion Michael Chandler defeated David Rickels for the second time, this time by way of TKO at 3:05 of round 2. In the first of two title fights, "Ill" Will Brooks successfully defended his Lightweight belt despite popping his knee out in round 1. Brooks won via unanimous decision over Marcin Held. In the main event, Daniel Straus won the Featherweight strap by unanimous decision from Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, a man who previously defeated him twice.
At RFA 32 Lightweight Landon Vannata took out Chad Curry with a TKO (elbows) of Chad Curry at 1:29 of round 1. In the main event, Bantamweight Leandro Higo defeated Melvin Blumer via TKO at 2:58 of round 1.
Finishing off the weekend was UFC Fight Night 77. Bantamweight prospect Thomas Almeida remained undefeated with a vicious KO over Anthony Birchak at 4:24 of round 1. Light Heavyweight Glover Teixeira got back on track with a TKO victory against Patrick Cummins at 1:12 of round 2. In the main event Middleweight Vitor Belfort won the rubber match against Dan Henderson with a first round KO (head kick, punches). The stoppage came at 2:07 of round 2.
UFC on FOX 18, which takes place on Jan 30, got its headlining fight. Light Heavyweights Ryan "Darth" Bader and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson will meet in what is most likely a number one contenders match.
GLORY kickboxing has found a new home on ESPN platforms. GLORY - which was formerly partnered with Spike TV - signed a broadcast deal with ESPN.
Bellator veteran Brett Cooper has retired from MMA.
Rizin FC, an affiliate of Bellator, has announced more plans for their inaugural event on New Years Eve. A fight between Gabi Garcia and Lady Tapa will take place as well as Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal competing in a Light Heavyweight grand prix.
Bellator announced that a fight between legendary Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock will headline Bellator 149. The co-main event will consist of a match-up between Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000. Weights have not been set yet.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
10/18/15
At Legacy FC 47, Bantamweight C.J. Hamilton made quick work of Brantley Furr with a TKO coming at just :20 of round 1. Middleweight Dave Vitkay continued his impressive win streak with a win over Wesley Barnes via TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of round 2. In the main event Featherweight Jordan Rinaldi defeated Clay Harvison via rear naked choke at 4:31 of round 2.
Two titles were on the line at WSOF 24. The first was for the inaugural Flyweight belt which saw Magomed Bibulatov earn a unanimous decision over Donavon Frelow. Lightweight Nick Newell got back on track with a unanimous decision win against Tom Marcellino. Following his victory, Newell announced his retirement. Blagoi Ivanov successfully defended his Heavyweight belt for the first time with a TKO win over Derrick Mehmen that came at 4:33 of round 2. The main event saw Welterweight Jon Fitch outwork Yushin Okami in the wrestling and grappling department for a unanimous decision win. The win grants Fitch a shot at the championship against fellow Welterweight Jake Sheilds.
Former UFC Bantamweight champion Renan Barao is rumored to be moving up to Featherweight.
ONE Championship will unify their Featherweight titles when Jadamba Narantungalag takes on Marat Gafurov at ONE Championship 35 in November.
The UFC has released TUF 19 winner Eddie Gordon.
Two titles were on the line at WSOF 24. The first was for the inaugural Flyweight belt which saw Magomed Bibulatov earn a unanimous decision over Donavon Frelow. Lightweight Nick Newell got back on track with a unanimous decision win against Tom Marcellino. Following his victory, Newell announced his retirement. Blagoi Ivanov successfully defended his Heavyweight belt for the first time with a TKO win over Derrick Mehmen that came at 4:33 of round 2. The main event saw Welterweight Jon Fitch outwork Yushin Okami in the wrestling and grappling department for a unanimous decision win. The win grants Fitch a shot at the championship against fellow Welterweight Jake Sheilds.
Former UFC Bantamweight champion Renan Barao is rumored to be moving up to Featherweight.
ONE Championship will unify their Featherweight titles when Jadamba Narantungalag takes on Marat Gafurov at ONE Championship 35 in November.
The UFC has released TUF 19 winner Eddie Gordon.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
10/11/15
ONE Championship 32 produced some of the more exciting fights this past weekend. Women's Flyweight Irina Mazepa came up big in her debut with a vicious KO win over Ann Osman at 3:05 of round 1. Undefeated Vitaly Bigdash defeated Igor Svirid in a come from behind TKO victory at :36 of round 2. With the win, Bigdash claimed the Middleweight title.
At RFA 31 Middleweight Gabriel Checco defeated Mike Jasper by way of armbar at 4:19 of round 3. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger looked impressive in her unanimous decision Strawweight title win over Zoila Frausto. And in the main event Welterweight Bristol Marunde was forced to stop fighting after suffering a gruesome jaw injury. Marunde was most likely winning on the judges scorecards over Gilbert Smith. Because of the stoppage Smith retained his title via TKO (injury) at 2:03 of round 4.
UFC Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has officially left Team Alpha Male. He is now a member of Elevation Fight Team in Colorado.
Two time UFC Flyweight title challenger John Dodson has announced that he will be moving up to Bantamweight where he owns a win over Dillashaw, the current champion.
UFC Fight Pass has added BRACE, an Australian promotion, to their lineup.
Bellator Bantamweight Joe Warren has tested positive for marijuana following his win at Bellator 143.
Legacy FC 49 is set with two title fights as Derrick Krantz will fight Alex Morono for the vacant Welterweight belt and Ariel Beck will take on Andrea Lee for the vacant Women's Flyweight title.
At RFA 31 Middleweight Gabriel Checco defeated Mike Jasper by way of armbar at 4:19 of round 3. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger looked impressive in her unanimous decision Strawweight title win over Zoila Frausto. And in the main event Welterweight Bristol Marunde was forced to stop fighting after suffering a gruesome jaw injury. Marunde was most likely winning on the judges scorecards over Gilbert Smith. Because of the stoppage Smith retained his title via TKO (injury) at 2:03 of round 4.
UFC Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has officially left Team Alpha Male. He is now a member of Elevation Fight Team in Colorado.
Two time UFC Flyweight title challenger John Dodson has announced that he will be moving up to Bantamweight where he owns a win over Dillashaw, the current champion.
UFC Fight Pass has added BRACE, an Australian promotion, to their lineup.
Bellator Bantamweight Joe Warren has tested positive for marijuana following his win at Bellator 143.
Legacy FC 49 is set with two title fights as Derrick Krantz will fight Alex Morono for the vacant Welterweight belt and Ariel Beck will take on Andrea Lee for the vacant Women's Flyweight title.
Monday, October 5, 2015
10/4/15
Legacy FC 46 kicked off this past weeks MMA festivities. Middleweight Rafael Lovato Jr defeated Kevin Holland by way of rear naked choke at 1:24 of round 1. In the main event long time Legacy FC Bantamweight Steven "Ocho" Peterson upped his win streak to five with a thrilling unanimous decision win over Irwin Rivera.
UFC 192 was filled with decisions to say the least. Julianna Pena, Joseph Benavidez, Ruslan Magomedov and Ryan "Darth" Bader all won unanimous decisions on the main card. And in the main event, Daniel Cormier squeaked by Alexander Gustafsson with a split decision - though many thought it should have been a clear cut unanimous decision - that allowed him to retain his Light Heavyweight belt.
Former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin has officially announced his retirement from MMA.
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and will receive no jail time for his part in a hit and run where he got out of his vehicle and fled the scene. Little is still known about if and when he will return to the UFC.
Ex Bellator commentator Sean Wheelock will be calling the action at Titan FC 36 which airs exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
World Series of Fighting has announced that the winner of Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami will fight Jake Shields for their vacant Welterweight title.
UFC 192 was filled with decisions to say the least. Julianna Pena, Joseph Benavidez, Ruslan Magomedov and Ryan "Darth" Bader all won unanimous decisions on the main card. And in the main event, Daniel Cormier squeaked by Alexander Gustafsson with a split decision - though many thought it should have been a clear cut unanimous decision - that allowed him to retain his Light Heavyweight belt.
Former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin has officially announced his retirement from MMA.
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and will receive no jail time for his part in a hit and run where he got out of his vehicle and fled the scene. Little is still known about if and when he will return to the UFC.
Ex Bellator commentator Sean Wheelock will be calling the action at Titan FC 36 which airs exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
World Series of Fighting has announced that the winner of Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami will fight Jake Shields for their vacant Welterweight title.
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