The much talked about PPV from Strikeforce & EliteXC took place over the weekend, but is this a PPV that will be discussed around the water cooler, or is it just another case of an event failing to live up to the hype surrounding it?
Sam Spengler VS. Seth Kleinbeck
Round 1:
Both fighters engage in a clinch with Spengler trying for a takedown. Both fighters exchange shots. Spengler lands a nice punch, but Kleinback answers with a combo. The fighters end up in the north-south position. The round ends with Kleinbeck punching away at Spengler.
Round 2:
The secound round starts and Kleinbeck comes out and lands two kicks, one to the leg, and one to the head. Spengler charges in for the clinch. Kleinbeck accidentally lands a knee to the groin and referee Herb Dean steps in and calls time out. The fight restarts after Spengler is given enough time to recover. Spengler lands a leg kick, but Kleinbeck answers with a stiff shot. Kleinbeck shoots in and takes Spengler down. Kleinbeck begins to nail Spengler with a series of hard shots, and Spengler has no answer. Herb Dean steps in and stops the fight at 2:55.
Winner by TKO Seth Kleinbeck
Chris Cariaso VS. Anthony Figueroa
Round 1:
Cariaso comes out throwing a series of punches and sends Figueroa backing up. Cariaso shoots in and scores the take down, and begins to work from the top. Figueroa manages to scramble back to his feet. The two clinch and exchange knees back and forth. Cariaso scores another takedown, but is unable to do any significant damage before round 1 comes to an end.
Round 2:
Both fighters come out and exchange punches with Figueroa taking the upper hand. Cariaso lands a clean right, and the two exchange again with Figueroa again gaining the upper hand after landing a hard left shot. Figueroa unloads on Cariaso with a series of punches and a kick to end the second round.
Round 3:
Cariaso comes out and nails Figueroa with a lead right. Figueroa charges Cariaso throwing a series of wild punches. Cariaso goes in for the clinch, but is unable to take Figueroa down to the mat. The fight ends with Cariaso landing the cleaner shots for the duration of the third round.
Winner by decision Chris Cariaso
Rex Richards VS. Seraille
Round 1:
Richards comes charging in with a series of punches. The two clinch until referee Steve Mazagatti restarts the fight in the middle. Richards throws another series of punches landing them at will until Seraille falls to the mat and covers up. Mazagatti steps in and calls the fight at just 34 sec in the first round.
Winner by TKO Rex Richards
Jason Von Flue VS. Luke Stewart
Round 1:
Stewart comes out throwing a series of kicks. Von Flue catches a kick and throws a counter punch that misses. Stewart lands an unintentional kick to the groin. Referee steps in and calls for time out allowing Von Flue time to recover. The fight begins again and Stewart shoots in. Von Flue locks in the guillotine, but is unable to secure it tight enough for a choke. Stewart gets back to his feet and scores another takedown on Von Flue. Von Flue gets back up, but is taken down yet again by Stewart who now gains side control. Stewart gets the mount, but Von Flue is able to defend until the end of the round.
Round 2:
Both fighters come out and exchange a flurry of punches. Von Flue is again hit in the groin and time out is called. They begin to trade shots, but niether one of them is doing any significant damage to the other. Stewart gets the takedown again, but Von Flue is able to get back up. Stewart again lands the takedown, but Von Flue defends well against his shots. Stewart gets Von Flue’s back, but is unable to secure the choke before the end of round 2.
Round 3:
Von Flue is now bleeding from the left eye, and Stewart manages to get his back while standing. He sinks in both hooks, but before he can lock in a choke Von Flue turns into him. Stewart unloads with a series of punches from the mount position until referee Herb Dean steps in and calls it at 2:17 of round 3.
Winner by TKO Luke Stewart
Paul Buentello VS. Carter Williams
Round 1:
Buentello comes out throwing wildly and is nailed by Williams. Williams scores the takedown and hits Buentello with two right hands. Buentello gets back to his feet, and the two lock up in the clinch throwing knees up against the fence. Referee Steve Mazaagatti restarts the fight in the middle of the cage. Williams shoots in again, but Buentello is able to sprawl. The two lock up, and Buentello uses some dirty boxing to get in a few shots. Again the ref restarts the fight in the center. Buentello lands a few more knees, and attempts the guillotine but can’t secure it. The two exchange some wild shots and the round ends.
Round 2:
Bunetello nails Williams with a stiff jab followed by three uppercuts, the last which nails Williams directly in his eye. Williams is out followed by the last uppercut to the eye.
Winner by KO Paul Buentello
EliteXC Middleweight Championship Fight: Joey Villasenor VS. Murilo “Ninja” Rua
Round 1:
Villasenor comes out throwing stiff jabs and landing a few. He throws a hard left hook that actually rocks Rua. “Ninja” lands a takedown, but Villasenor manages to reverse it and gains side control on Rua. Villasenor hits Rua with a knee to the body followed by some punches. Rua reaches out for a leg, but Villasenor manages to escape and get back to his feet. “Ninja” lands a hard kick to the body and scores another takedown. Rua gains side control, but Villasenor manages to work back up to his feet. Rua lands a hard right hand and takes Villasenor down yet again. Rua attempts the kimura, but the round ends before he can lock it in.
Round 2:
“Ninja" comes out and lands a hard knee to Villasenor’s midsection. Rua lights up Villasenor with a series of punches. Villasenor throws a punch of his own, but “Ninja” sends him down to the mat with a counter. Rua lands a few more punches on his downed opponent. The referee steps in and stops the fight.
Winner by TKO, and NEW EliteXC Middleweight Champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua
Main Event: Strikeforce Middleweight Championship Fight: Frank Shamrock VS. Phil “The NY Bad Ass” Baroni
Round 1:
Opens up with Baroni charging straight for Shamrock. Baroni unleashes a barrage of punches, and actually takes Frank down to the mat. Baroni stands back up, and both fighters exchange some hard punches. Shamrock taunts Baroni by telling him he’s going to put him to sleep. Shamrock lands a vicious right hand that drops Baroni to the mat, and Frank pounces on him trying to secure a choke. Baroni is visibly hurt. Shamrock lands a blow to the back of Baroni’s head, and referee Steve Mazzagatti calls for a time out, and deducts a point from Shamrock. After Baroni gives the OK to continue the fight, the two meet in the center of the cage. Baroni shoots in and works Shamrock’s guard, but Frank just continues to land shot after shot. Both fighters end up back on their feet, and again Frank rocks Baroni with a brutal knee strike. Baroni goes down and grabs onto Shamrock’s leg. Frank works the body with a series of shots that leave Baroni’s side bright red. After a quick scramble, both fighters get back to their feet once again. Shamrock picks apart Baroni in the stand up, and taunts him before landing a series of jabs and knee strikes. Baroni is out on his feet by this time. With 17 sec remaining Baroni lands another take down, but does nothing offensively. Frank taunts Baroni more as the round comes to an end with a 9-8 score (would have been 10, but Shamrock lost a point).
The crowd is on their feet as the fighters head back to their corners to get cleaned up. Frank flashing the “V for victory” sign to a photographer before the round begins.
Round 2:
Baroni seems to have recovered nicely from the beating during the first round. Phil lands a clean overhand right and follows it up with a series of body shots. Both fighters size each other up before engaging in a brief series of exchanges. Shamrock lands a right, followed immediately by a left and a knee to the body on Baroni. Shamrock seems a bit gassed at this point as Baroni lands several unanswered shots. Baroni rocks Shamrock with a right, but Shamrock quickly recovers with a series of jabs that send Baroni back. At this point Baroni seems completely gassed. Frank lands a left to the head, followed by a knee that sends Baroni into a desperate takedown attempt. Shamrock sprawls, looks for a guillotine, but spins around and takes Baroni’s back. Shamrock sinks in the hooks, and works for the choke. Baroni tries desperately to fight it off, but Shamrock locks it in and chokes Baroni out cold with 44 sec remaining in the second round to win the Strikeforce Middleweight Title.
Winner via rear naked choke, and NEW Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock