Strikeforce Contenders - Washington

Strikeforce Contenders - Washington was an entertaining fast paced show featuring many great bouts. The card got off to a bang after a huge Luke Rockhold punch rattled Cory Devela, sending him to the canvas before Rockhold sunk in the winning rear naked choke just 30 seconds into the bout.

Army Ranger Tim Kennedy made a successful return to the cage after his recent 18 month deployment in Afganistan. The former sniper used grappling prowess to stay one move ahead of "The Goat" Nick Thompson. While Thompson looked to have a potential keylock/shoulder lock in the first, Kennedy used his strength to overwelm Thompson. In the second, Kennedy scored a nice takedown, then began to land clean ground and pound shots before causing Thompson to tap in the second round.

Jorge Gurgel and Conor Heun fought an action packed 15 minutes. The first two rounds turned into a kickboxing bout despite both holding BJJ blackbelts. Each fighter looked to land power shots throughout the fight, with Heun landing a couple uppercuts, and Gurgel landing big hooks and straight punches. The third round featured a brief glimpse of what each can do on the ground with reversals and Heun working the rubber guard. Eventually, the bout went to the judges who handed the unanimous decision to Gurgel in this close fight.

In the main event, Joey Villasenor and brawler Evangelista Cyborg brought some good kick boxing and ground work throughout the fight. Villasenor was coming back from elbow surgery and hadn't fought in a year. Smoking Joe may have eaten some leg kicks in the fight, but stayed strong and took the split decision.

Female fighters Sarah Kaufman and Shayna Bazler dueled it out for all three rounds. Kaufman was the more powerful fighter as she out-struck Bazler in lieu to a decision victory. Kaufman almost got into some trouble in the first round as Bazler had a knee and arm type choke that turned Kaufman's face red. However, the ref consistently called for action and may have altered Bazler's plans.

Overall, the refs called for action far too often in this card. Fighters would literally be on the ground for three to five seconds before action was called. This, despite the fighters actively trying for a submission or guard pass.

Here are the full results:

Joey Villasenor def Evangelista Cyborg via split dec
Tim Kennedy def Nick Thompson via sub(strikes) R2, 2:37
Jorge Gurgel def Conor Heun via unanimous dec
Sarah Kaufman def Shayna Baszler via unanimous dec
Luke Rockhold def Corey Devela via sub (rear-naked choke) R1, 0:30
Dennis Hallman def Justin Davis via sub (rear naked choke) R1, 0:20
Brian Caraway def Alex Zuniga via unanimous dec
Landon Showalter def George Stork via unanimous dec
Len Bentley def Marques Daniels via unanimous dec
Steve Hadsel def Taylor Roberts via KO (punches) R1, 0:17

Lyle Beerbohm def Duane Ludwig via sub (schoolyard choke) R1, 4:27- I haven't seen this fight, but it was reported that "Fancy Pants" Lyle Beerbohm had the submission of the night with a rare schoolyard choke victory. With the win, Beerbohm is now 10-0 as a pro, after amassing a 12-0 amateur record.


(Tim Kennedy pictured)

Elite XC CBS Style

Elite XC on CBS got off to a bang, and then lingered for the rest of the night. Suprisingly, Elite XC was able to stuff more filler in their broadcast than a UFC Fight Night. The first two fights were over in the first minute, yet no undercard fights were broadcast.

Brett Rogers def. Jon Murphy via. KO (Punch) R1 1:01- This fight was the debut of mma on CBS. Rogers and Murphy threw some sloppy punches before the clinch. Then Rogers wailed Murphy with a knee and two rights. Murphy dropped to his knees like a sack of bricks. Rogers, with Big Black from "Rob and Big" in tow, let everyone know that he had just "did work." Later, Rogers called out Kimbo Slice.


Joey Villasenor def. Phil Baroni via. TKO (Punches) R1 1:11- These two did what everyone thought, stood and traded punches. Baroni took too many shots to the face and eventually went down. Villasenor has three wins in a row now, and will more than likely be a challenger for the MW belt soon.

Gina Carano def. Kaitlin Young via. TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R2 3:00- Carano and Young traded some big shots in the first and Young looked as though she had a chance to pull of the victory as the round was pretty even. In the second, Carano began to find her mark with punches and clinch work. After fighting off a rear naked choke attempt after a kick, Young's eye was too swollen for the Doctor to allow the bout to continue.

Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith No Contest (Thumb in the eye) R3 3:26- The first round saw Lawler getting the most of the combinations and Smith backing up. The second was pretty even as both fighters let everything hang out. Both got bloodied up and the war was on. Unfortunately, as Smith threw a punch in the third, Lawler accidently put a finger in Smith's eye. Smith wanted to continue after a minute or so, but the fight didn't continue.

Kevin Ferguson def. James Thompson via. TKO (punches) R3 0:38- This fight was ugly. The ref was horrible. Thompson for some reason didn't think his massive swollen ear would be a problem in the fight. In the third, Kimbo punches it and it exploded. The ref stopped the bout after that. The ref had absolutely horrendous stand-ups in this fight, some when Thompson was in side control dropping elbows on Kimbo. Kimbo may or may not have tapped to a guillotine choke as well. The stoppage was also not good.

Online Fights-
Joe Sampieri def. Mike Groves via. TKO (Strikes) R1 4:58
Zach Makovsky def. Andres Soares via. Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00
James Jones def. Calvin Kattar via. Sub (Rear Naked Choke) R1 4:49
Wilson Reis def. Justin Robbins via. Sub (Rear Naked Choke) R1 4:06
Matt Makowski def. Nick Serra DQ (Wouldn't Get Up From Butt Scoot) R2 3:57
Carlton Haselrig def. Carlos Moreno via. TKO (Corner Stoppage) R1 5:00
Chris Liguori def. Jim Bova via. TKO (Cut) R1 4:31

Elite XC - CBS Style Preview

Elite XC will debut Saturday May 31st on CBS. The fights will be taking place in Newark, New Jersey. Promoter Gary Shaw expects a sellout. He better also help for weather that keeps people indoors on a Saturday night.

Champ Robbie Lawler (16-4) vs. Scott Smith (13-4)- This Middleweight championship fight will most likely be another stand-up brawl. Both guys are known for standing and trading. Lawler's background in Miletich Fighting would lead you to believe he may try to bring the fight to the ground.

*Promo pic of Robbie Lawler

Kimbo Slice (2-0) v. James Thompson (14-8)- Kimbo and Thompson will more than likely stand and trade punches. The fighter that is able to land more will win, and from what we have seen of Thompson there is a good chance he is the one going down. He has lost his last two fights by way of KO. Kimbo is coming off KO wins of Bo Cantrell and Tank Abbott.


Gina Carano (5-0) vs. Kaitlin Young (4-1)- Gina Carano hasn't fought since September of 2007 and has done two seasons of American Gladiators since. Carano will be cutting to make 140 and Young normally fights at 135, so Carano will probably have a strenght advantage. Carano will likely impose her will and utilize her muay thai background. In her last fight, Young lost in BoDog to Sara Schneider. Carano has beaten four quality opponents in a row in Rosi Sexton, Elaina Maxwell, Julie Kedzie and Tonya Evinger.

*MMA Blaster supports women's mma, and is happy to see women on the main card. I do think that Elite XC should try to get some talent from Japan and have a 140 class and a 120 class. Megumi Fugii and Satoko Shinashi are solid, as well as Tara LaRosa.

Jon Murphy (4-2) vs. Brett Rogers (6-0)- Brett "Grim" Rogers will look to stand and drop bombs on Murphy. Rogers stands 6'5" and just makes th 265 pound cutoff. Murphy will probably give up two to three inches and 20 to thirty pounds to Rogers. The fight will probably result in a KO if Murphy cant take down Grim. In his last fight Rogers knocked out Kimbo's opponent, James Thompson.

Phil Baroni (10-9) vs. Joey Villasenor (25-6)- The ever confident Baroni has predicted a knock out victory in the first round. That shouldn't come to a surprise with anyone that is familiar with the New York Bad Ass. Villasenor recently won in Strikeforce against Ryan Jensen (11-4).

Online Fights - proelite.com
Wilson Reis vs. Justin Robbins
Matt Makowski vs. Nick Serra
Carlton Haselrig vs. Carlos Moreno
Jim Bova vs. Chris Liguori
James "Binky" Jones vs. Calvin Kattar