Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings" ***SPOILER***

[Drooke]

Enjoy the fights everyone.

 

 

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LEMONT DAVIS VS. DILLON SMITH

 

Round 1 - After some final instructions from the referee, our evening's first bout gets underway without a touch of gloves. Oklahoman fighter Smith has the slowly gathering crowd firmly behind him. Davis misses early with a low kick, but scores with a second. Smith shoots in and clinches, earning a trip and moving quickly to side control. Smith waits patiently, then kicks his left leg over and secures mounts. He postures up and lands a few punches, though Davis rolls to avoid damage. Smith locks in a body triangle as he leans forward, looking for the rear naked choke. Davis is trapped, and he quickly succumbs to the hold. Dillon Smith def. Lemont Davis via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:15.

 

NICK GIBBONS VS. JOSH PULSIFER

 

Round 1 - The crowd is quickly filling in sections, and the arena is split between support the two Oklahomans. Pulsifer moves in first at the start, pushing Gibbons to the cage. Once there, Pulsifer elevates his opponent, then slams him to the mat. Pulsifer working from half-mount with Gibbons's left side trapped against the cage. Gibbons tries to slide out to the side, but Pulsifer reaches down and locks in a D'arce choke. He clinches tight, and Gibbons has nowhere to escape. Gibbons is forced to tap to the hold. Josh Pulsifer def. Nick Gibbons via submission (D'arce choke) - Round 1, 1:05.

 

JON CARSON VS. KENNY GIDDENS

 

Round 1 - A quick touch of gloves gets us started. Giddens opens with a few snapping low kicks. Carson answers with a high kick, but it's checked. Giddens goes high as well, then shoots in, but it's stuffed. Carson's corner yelling for him to throw hands, but it's Giddens that scores. Carson settles a bit and finds a jab, but Giddens answers with a slapping kick to the body. Carson lands a straight left. He moves inside, but Giddens lands a nice short right. Giddens stuns Carson with a right hand, and Carson is backing away. Giddens chases, but Carson regains his composure. Giddens with a front kick up the middle. Giddens looks the fresher of the two. Giddens scores with a 1-2, and Carson circles away. Giddens backs Carson into the corner, but can't keep him there. Giddens just misses with a Superman punch, but he does score in a flurry. Giddens with a low kick, and he's really controlling the pace. Giddens scores again as time expires, looking briefly for a takedown as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com sees the first for Giddens, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Giddens lands a jab, then an inside leg kick scores a little too inside. Carson drops as the crowd winces. Carson takes a moment, and there's an apology o the restart. Giddens again moving forward. Carson offers a few counters, but it's significantly less than his opponent's attack. Gidden continues to score with the leg kicks, mixing in a few jabs and right straights when he can. Carson avoiding the hands for the most part, but he's absorbing the legs and moving away. Giddens works again with kicks to the body and legs. A left hand stuns Carson briefly, but he's right back in the game. Carson's defensive footwork suitable, but the attack is sorely lacking. Giddens scores with an overhand right. Carson moves away and he's off the hook. Giddens scores with two stiff shots from a Thai clinch, and Carson drops tot he floor, looking for a leg. Giddens throws a few shots on the floor, but he stands and walks away. Carson shoots in on the restart, but he Giddens stuffs him and locks in a D'arce choke. Carson tries to roll away, but Giddens moves with him and forces the tap. Kenny Giddens def. Jon Carson via submission (D'arce choke) - Round 2, 4:15.

 

BRANDON GAINES VS. TREY HOUSTON

 

Round 1 - Gaines immediately looks for a judo toss, but Houston deftly reverses the throw and winds up in top position. Gaines turtles below as Houston sinks in the hooks. Houston throws a few punches to the side of the head, and Gaines dives forward to roll. Houston stays secures on the back locking in a body triangle during the transition. Gaines tries to shake Houston off the top, but the body triangle keeps him in position as he unleashes a flurry of punches. Gaines in pure survival mode, and the referee is watching the situation closely. Houston breaks the triangle in favor of flattening his opponent. Gaines quickly turtles back up. There's nothing in return from the bottom. Houston too high to sink in the choke from behind, but he gets impatient and gives up the position as he tries to advance. He's forced to pull guard once Gaines sweeps. Gaines tries to pass, and Houston rolls back to top position. Houston works to mount as time expires. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Houston, 10-9. A case could be made for 10-8, but not enough damage was done despite the one-sided nature of the round.

 

Round 2 - Houston lands a low kick. Gaines again works to the judo toss, scoring it this time, though Houston simply rolls through it and returns to mount. A few punches force the roll from Gaines. He's again turtles, and Houston delivers damage from top-back position. Gaines rolls again, and Houston secures the arm-triangle choke as he transitions off to the side. Houston wrenches the hold, and it brings Gaines up at an awkward angle. Gaines taps to the hold, though it appears to be wrenching his neck as much as cutting off the blood supply. Houston is pulled off, and Gaines remains on the floor, clutching his back. Trey Houston def. Brandon Gaines via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 2, 1:28.

 

LEVI AVERA VS. PAUL BRADLEY

 

Round 1 - Quick touch of gloves. Bradley scores a quick jab, then shucks off Avera's advance, tossing him to the side and falling into top position. Avera settles into half-guard underneath, and he looks to use his long legs to attack. Avera gains full guard as Bradley lands a few shots from top position. Avera ties up the arms, and Bradley tries to posture up. Bradley pulls his left leg through to half-mount. Avera tries to look to his right for a potential kimura, but instead settles for establishing full guard. Two minutes remain in the round. Bradley delivers a few shots to the ribs. Slow action, and the referee brings it back to the feet. Avera fakes a right kick and lands a left kick to the body. Avera grabs a single leg, but he has to let it go. Bradley works in a few quick hands, and Avera tries to answer. Bradley shoots in and powers him to the floor. Bradley drags his opponent to the cage as time expires, and he secures the opening round on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Avera takes the center of the cage, but Bradley pops him. Bradley backs away, and Avera chases. Bradley drops levels and moves the fight back to the floor. Short hammerfists inside from top position while Avera maintains a full guard. Avera simply trying to tie up his opponent, while Bradley sneaks a few short shots inside with punches and forearms. Bradley postures, and he grabs a front headlock as Avera tries to to escape back to his feet. Avera settles back into guard. Bradley shifts out to Avera's right side while in half-mount, and he sneaks in a few left hands. Avera eats a few more blows, and Bradley complains of Avera's clinching strategy. The bout is restarted on the feet, and a hesitant Avera does land a low kick, but Bradley brings him back to his butt. Avera hold half-guard underneath, then gains full guard. Crowd wants the fight on its feet, and the round comes to an end. Another one in the books for Bradley, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Touch of gloves for the final frame. Avera must stay on his feet and utilize his length to have a chance. Bradley lands a crisp jab, followed by a right. Avera lands his own shot, but Bradley immediately puts the fight back on the floor. Avera takes full guard, and his head is trapped against the cage. Bradley postures, then sands up. Avera tries a few upkicks, but Bradley leaps back into top position. Avera settles for full guard. Bradley stands up, eats a kick to the knee and backs full away. Bradley telegraphs his shots, but his persistence earns it anyway. Avera tries to grab a guillotine on the way to the floor, but he's forced to release it. Avera tries to user the cage and spin out for an arm, but he slows and the ref restarts the fight. A few punches are exchanged, and Bradley eats a knee as he shoots in again. The crowd doesn't like it, but with time winding down it will secure the win. MMAjunkie.com sees another round for Bradley, 10-9, and a clean sweep on the fight, 30-27. Paul Bradley def. Levi Avera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

 

LACEY SCHUCKMAN VS. JERI SITZES

 

Round 1 - No touch of gloves, and Schuckman throws the first jab. Sitzes circling, and Schuckman lands a low kick. Schuckman works the jab, but Sitzes fires a nice right. Schuckman shoots in, but Sitzes shucks off the attempt. Schuckman persists, and a second effort lands a nice slam. Schuckman moves to side control, then to mount. Sitzes rolls and stands though she's dragged back to the floor as she;s caught in a guillotine. Sitzes fights through the hold and pops her head out in top position. She works back to her feet and starts to stalk. Schuckman looks to have spent a lot of energy squeezing the choke. Sitzes lands a 1-2, then misses with a high kick. Sitzes lands a lo kick, A right hand, then a hig kick for Sitzes. Schuckman scores a trip in the clinch, but Sitzes rolls through it and winds up in top position. Schuckman exposes her back, but Sitzes stands. Sitzes again scores on the feet, and Schuckman looks to shoot for a leg. Schuckman drops to the floor, and Sitzes pummels before standing. Schuckman standing in the pocket, but Sitzes flurries. An elbow sneaks in from Sitzes that was borderline illegal as Schuckman was dropping to the floor, but action continues. MMAjunkie.com sees an exciting first round for Sitzes, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Sitzes lands a kick that brings the crowd to its feet. A second follows, and a spinning backfist just misses. Sitzes stalking. Schuckman's face battered. She tries to shoot, and an ankle pick on a second effort sees her wrestle Sitzes to the floor. Schuckman works ground and pound from top position, but Sitzes absorbs the blows and sweeps to top. Schuckman holds half-guard, then kicks Sitzes away when she postures. Sitzes lands a nice shot on the feet, then falls back as Schuckman telegraphs the shot. Sitzes locks in a triangle choke, though Schuckman steps over and relieves the tension. Schuckman lands a few knees to the body, then spins and falls into Sitzes' guard. Action slows briefly, and the referee calls for action. Schuckman lands a few right hands from the top position. Schuckman lifts Sitzes and slams her to the floor. Both fighters trade shots as time winds down. Better second half of the round for Schuckman, but Sitzes takes it on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Sitzes again stalking, and a right hand lands. She unleashes more, but Schuckman shoots under them. Sitzes defends well and winds up in top position as they hi the floor. Sitzes works back to her feet, lands a right hand and pulls guard. Schuckman exhausted, but game on the floor. Sitzes looks to her corner for instructions. Sitzes stands, Schuckman keeps a body lock, and Sitzes trips her to the floor. Sitzes backs away then attacks when Schuckman is slow to rise. A right hand wobbles Schuckman. Several more are delivered to her battered face. She turns her back as Sitzes continues the assault, forcing the stoppage. Schuckman looks upset at the halt, but it appeared justified. Exciting performance from the ladies, and Sitzes' strikes appeared fierce. Jeri Sitzes def. Lacey Schuckman via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 2:18.

[Drooke]

DANIEL CORMIER VS. GARY FRAZIER

 

Round 1 - Heavyweights get the evening's televised card underway, and Cormier receives a nice welcome from the Oklahoma crowd. A quick touch of gloves, and Cormier takes the center of the cage. Frazier moving laterally, anticipating the shot. Frazier scores with a jab. lands a right, and Frazier shoots in. Cormier stops him, secures his head and lands a knee inside. Frazier running laterally, but Cormier puts him on the floor and holds him down. Frazier is turtled, and Cormier grapevines the leg from the side, while delivering punches. Shots to the head and body as chants of "D-C" erupt. Frazier stands, but Cormier tosses him back to the floor. Cormier tosses Frazier's legs aside and falls into side control. Cormier delivers punches from side control, slapping at first, then strong to the head. Frazier rolls to his knees, and Cormier keeps the punches flowing. Frazier stands and runs, but he delivers a few heavy blows as he retreats. Cormier trades with him in a firefight briefly. Frazier works in a jab. Cormier throws a jab and backs away. Both fighers feinting as time expires, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Cormier, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Frazier's corner begs him to throw hands. Cormier stalking, but needs to return to the shot. Frazier's back to the cage, and Cormier tries to shoot. Frazier grabbing the cage but receives no warning. Frazier runs away. Cormier chases, but eats a jab. Frazier kicks to the midsection. Cormier moves in and again pushes Frazier to the cage. Trip attempt misses, and Cormeier backs away. Big shots trade, but Cormier starting ot get the better of them. Frazier slips on a knee attempt, and Cormier sets up in half-mount. Hammerfists from the top. Cormier moces to mount. Frazier flat on his back and not looking to buck. Cormier starts to rain down punches. Frazier rolls, and Cormier gets his hooks in and unleashes a flurry of shots to the head. It's not the most vicious assault, but there's little in the way of defense, forcing the halt to the contest.

 

IS CALANOC VS. THOMAS LONGACRE

 

Round 1 - Longacre takes the center of the cage and delivers an overhand right as Calanoc looks to move in. Calanoc scores a low kick. Longacre lands a left hook, then follows with a kick to the legs. Quick pace by both. Calanoc leaps in but misses, and he's circling away. Longacre staggers him briefly but doesn't pounce. Both fighters willing to trade, and a low kick from Longacre echoes through the building. Longacre yells in the cage and unleashes a flurry. Calanoc shoots in, but Longacre fends him off. Longacre working in his left hand and low kicks. Calanoc looks to counter, and he does work in a Superman punch. A high kick is partially blocked by Calano. Longacre throws another. Calano stands and trades, and a punch catches Longacre cleanly. Toe to toe. Crowd on their feet as the two trade. A knee csores inside for Calanoc. Longacre regroups and lands a jab. Calano circling away and eats a lead left. Less than a minute remains, and Calanoc pulls guard looking for a choke. It's not there, and Longacre stands. Another flurry at the end of an exciting opening frame, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Longacre, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Lonacre asks for the crowd to cheer as the second opens. Longacre again in te center, moving forward. Longacre lands with a low kick, then throws a few punches, Calanoc again looking to counter. Calanoc scores with a jab, but Longacre answers with a combo. Quick hands from both. Longacre kicks low, then lands with his hands over the top. He reverses the combo, and it scores again. Calanoc answers with a knee again, the best weapon he's had tonight. Longacre scores again with the hands. Calanoc now looking o the low kick. Halfway through the frame, and it's better for Longacre, who looks really comfortable. Calanoc catches a kick, but he can't capitalize. More good shots traded on the feet. Longacre nearly spins Calanoc with a low kick, then goes high. Longacre tosses Calanoc to the floor on a missed kick, but he stays standing. Longacre's combos working, and he backs away to reset. Longacre misses a kick, and Calanoc steps into it and pulls guard, looking for a guillotine. Longacre quickly frees his head and stands. Both fighters trade in the closing seconds of another solid round, but it's Longacre's, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Longacre returns to the low kick assault. Calanoc tries an attack of his own, but it's Longacre that scores a trip. He looks to work from the floor, then decides to stand. Calanoc backs away, but he lands a nice jab. Calanoc misses with a spinning abckfist. Longacre still pumping in his hands effectively while constantly moving forward. A high kick lands, but Calanoc shakes it off. Calanoc moving away well, but scoring nothing in the process. Longacre traps his opponent against the cage, mixing in hands and low kicks. Calanoc again tries to pull guard, but Longacre pops his head out with little trouble. Back to the feet after a scramble. One minute remains. Longacre smiling in the cage. Calanoc sneaks in another knee. Attack slows a bit, but Longacre picking his shots. Calanoc answering valiantly, and the two go toe-to-toe at the final bell. Entertaining fight that has fans fired up, but MMAjunkie.com sees a one-sided score going to Longacre, 30-27.

 

 

ZACH LIGHT VS. TYRON WOODLEY

 

Round 1 - Light circles to open, and both paw jabs. A quick flurry from both mostly misses. Woodley snaps a jab, then a 1-2. Quick strikes. Light throws an overhand right, then comes forward windmilling. Light snaps a low kick and Woodley answers over top. Woodley throws a knee then elevates Light for a powerful slam. Woodley sets up in half-mount. Woodley briefly has side control, though Light scrambles back to half-guard. Woodley walks Light to the cage. He postures and lands a few short shots, but there's not much room to work. Woodley keeps Light pressed to the cage, and he eventually moves to mount. Now there's room to posture up. Woodley throws a few punches, then locks in the arm-triangle and slides out to his right, maintaining knee-on-belly. He can't cinch the choke, and Woodley releases, switching back to mount. Light tries to troll out, but Woodley keeps the position. It's a one-sided round for Woodley, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Both fighters look to box a bit, and Light throws powerful, if a bit wild, shots. Woodley sneaks in a high kick, then a second. Light gets the better of an exchange, though Woodley drops him with a right hand. Light quickly recovers, but Woodley pounces and moves immediately back into another arm-triangle attempt. He still can't get ti, so Woodley settles for ground and pound from top. Woodley moves to mount and sets up the arm triangle for a third time. He won't sell out on the choke, keeping knee-on-belly. He stands again, backs away, and lands another nice slam to the floor. Woodley transitions nicely into a slick armbar attempt. Light taps lightly, but the referee doesn't see it. Light settles into the hold, but Woodley keeps it in. Light doesn't look to escape, and Woodley torques again, forcing the tap (again). Tyron Woodley def. Zach Light via submission (armbar) - Round 2, 3:38.

 

 

KEVIN JORDAN VS. RAY SEFO

 

Round 1 - Sefo opens with a low kick. Sefo scores a second, and Jordan tries to shoot in. Sefo defends well and reverses, winding up in top position. Jordan has guard, but the pace is slow. Referee calls for action, and Jordan sweeps to top. Jordan switches to side control, looking to secure Sefo's left arm. Sefo tries to buck, but Jordan's base is sound. Sefo rolls out to defend the keylock, and Jordan releases. Jordan delivering left hands on top. Sefo trapped underneath. Slow pace, but Jordan doing just enough in dominant position to keep the action on the floor. Jordan switches quickly to mount. Sefo covers his face, and Jordan not posturing quickly. Jordan does lean back, but the blows from the top are slow to come. Sefo rolls to his side, and Jordan opens the attack. Sefo just covering as time winds down. Hardly intelligent, but it does buy him entrance to the second round.

 

Round 2 - Sefo jabs. Jordan shoots, and Sefo defends. Jordan clutches his right knee. Sefo attacks, then stands. Hectic moment, bit of confusion. Jordan tries to return to his feet, but the knee buckles. Sefo hesitates, as does the referee, but the bout is rightly halted. Ray Sefo def. Kevin Jordan via TKO (injury) - Round 2, 0:24.

 

 

ZAK CUMMINGS VS. TIM KENNEDY

 

Round 1 - A quick touch of gloves starts the main event. Kennedy utilizes low kicks early, though Cummings pushes forward. Both trade punches, though Kennedy shoots in. Cummings defends well, but a relentless Kennedy earns the fall. Cummings looks for a kimura, but it's not there. Cummings maintains half-guard, but Kennedy presses him to the cage. Kennedy's right arm is free, and he delivers a few shots. Cummings tries to roll out, but Kennedy moves to the back. Cummings turns again, and Kennedy is mounted. Another roll, and Cummings is in trouble Kennedy keeps the punching attack coming while also searching for a rear-naked choke. Cummings hangs tough, but Kennedy hasn't let him breathe. Two minutes remain. Kennedy slows briefly, but his position is dominant. Kennedy advances to mount and lands a few crisp blows. Cummings exposes his back again. Kennedy tries to work in the choke, but Cummings rolls. More ground and pound from top. Cummings survives, but that's about it. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Kennedy, 10-8.

 

Round 2 - Kennedy kicks low, then high. Cummings looks to shoot. Kennedy scores with a left hand. Kennedy opens a flurry, landing a few uppercuts. Cummings throws a high kick, and he looks like he wants to stay in the fight. Cummings scores on top of a Kennedy low kick, but he backs away. Cummings scores to the leg. Kennedy's mouth open. Kennedy jumps in to a standing guillotine, but Cummings slips out. Kennedy spins Cummings to the cage. He presses out, but he falls into another choke. Cummings rolls, but Kennedy transitions quickly into a north-south choke, forcing the tap. Tim Kennedy def. Zak Cummings via submission (north-south choke) - Round 2, 2:43.