We arrived at the event with plenty of time to spare. I noticed the Badass Inc. booth with a huge display of apparel that is sure to grab anyone's eye who is walking by. There were some fights that dropped off the card this week and some changes. The Josh Diekmann fight got cancelled last minute due to some issue I haven't been able to confirm yet. Tundee showed up to weigh ins overweight but luckily they were able to both meet at an agreeable weight that satisfied all parties. Ralph Johnson stepped in last minute to fight Brandon Chagnon as well which should be a great match up. David Jordan also stepped in last minute to take the fight against Eric Spicely. Now we just learned that the Dre fight is off the card due to his opponent dealing with some legal issues and the Flynn/Odumuso fight is off due to not being medically cleared today. At the start of the show CES has 7 professional fights for us tonight which is less than they wanted but it is out of their hands at this point. The refs are Kevin MacDonald and John English. The crowd is getting ready so lets get to the fights..
180lbs Pro Brandon Chagnon (Sityodtong 4-4) vs. Ralph Johnson (Independent 6-10)
Brandon starts us off with a leg kick. Ralph clinches and gets in a solid knee to the head. Brandon dives for a takedown but is stuffed. Brandon dives again and and in the end Ralph ends up in the guard. He quickly backs off as a wise choice to keep this fight standing. Ralph gets in a combo. Ralph connects again that stuns Brandon. Ralph is keeping his distance and getting in some combos. Brandon gets in two inside leg kicks. Ralph clips him with a high kick and then covers and tries to finish with some ground and pound. He backs off then dives in with a clean shot to the head. Ralph trying to finish again but Brandon goes for a submission. Ralph gets out and ends up on top in guard. He backs off and lets Brandon back up. Ralph stuns Brandon again and is working some ground and pound as the round ends.
Ralph 10-9
Rd 2: Brandon starts us of with an inside leg kick. Ralph gets hit in the cup and takes a minute. Brandon gets in an overhand right. Brandon gets the takedown an works a rear naked choke for the tap.
Brandon Chagnon defeats Ralph Johnson via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:26 in Rd 2. What a war the first round was that Ralph dominated. Excellent comeback for Brandon for the win.
150lbs Pro Pete Rogers Jr. (Rogers's Kickboxing 0-1) vs. Franklin Isabel (Wai Kru 4-6)
Pete starts us off with a switch kick. Franklin gets in a jab. He dives in for a leg submission but Pete slips out. He is getting in some elbows. Franklin is working for another armbar but he can't quite get it. Pete rips his arm about and gets in a punch to the head. Pete stands up and backs off. Pete catches him with a kick that drops Franklin. He finishes him off with some ground and pound.
Pete Rogers Jr. defeats Franklin Isabel by tap to strikes to strikes at 2:39 in Rd 1. The big moment in this fight was when Pete stepped back and let Franklin back up to his feet. Very smart decision.
135lbs Pro Rico Disciullo (Sityodtong 1-0) vs. Jordan Espinosa (Demolition Fight Team 3-2)
They both are starting out very aggressively. Jordan is trying to go for a takedown. They are clinching now and Jordan gets in a clean knee to the body. Jordan looked to be working a head and arm choke but can't quite get it. Jordan gets hit with a knee as he is down. He takes his time and the ref takes a point away. Rico knows he has to finish. Rico drops him with a body shot and is trying to finish. They get back to their feet and Rico gets the takedown. Rico tries for a heel hook but nothing too serious. Jordan is looking for a takedown and Rico is getting in some elbows to the body as the round ends.
Due to the point reduction 9-9 round.
Rd 2: Jordan is playing coy and trying to get Rico to go to the ground with him. Rico gets in a few leg kicks and lets him back up. Jordan catches the kick and gets the double leg takedown. He looks to be looking for the d'arce but no dice. Rico stuffs the takedown and gets some heavy elbows to the side. Rico takes the back and is trying for the rear naked choke. He is getting in some heavy shots trying to soften him up but can't get the finish.
Rico 10-9, could be 10-8.
Rd 3: Rico checks the kick and Jordan is trying to bait him to the ground. Rico gets in some outside leg kicks before he lets Jordan back up. Jordan gets the takedown but doesn't do much with it. They are back to their feet now. Rico stuffs the takedown then goes for a knee and gets taken down. Rico sinks in a triangle and is trying to get the tap. Rico is still trying for the finish as the round ends.
Rico 10-9
Rico Disciullo defeats Jordan Espinosa by unanimous decision.
CES showed a really cool video of Bedard training at Triforce Gym. Very nicely done.
HVY Pro Eric Bedard (Triforce 6-4) vs. Matthew Thompson (Nexus Fitness 18-9)
Matt starts us off with a leg kick. They are going at it. Matt has significant height advantage in this fight. Matt is working the jabs. Matt goes in a double jab. Eric gets in a combo of his own. Matt gets in a knee to the body. Eric picks up Matt and slams Matt down. Eric was trying for a kimura. Matt works his way back up to his feet. Eric gets another takedown as the round ends.
Matt 10-9 but real close.
Rd 2: Both fighters are standing and banging for the first part of the round. Matt gets in a body shot. Matt throws a high kick that is partially checked. The crowd roars. Eric is trying for a takedown but can't get it. Eric gets the double leg but is caught in a guillotine and is forced to tap. Wow!!
Matthew Thompson defeats Eric Bedard by tapout to guillotine at 2:17 in Rd 2. Matt outstruck him and used his reach to keep the distance for his strikes to wear down Bedard. Then he took advantage of being taken down with a slick submission. For some potential match ups, I would love to see Matt Thompson against John Johnston or Josh Diekmann.
135lbs Pro Matt Doherty (Redline 3-0) vs. Tateki Matsuda (Sityodtong 8-5)
Tateki gets in a few jabs to start us off. Matt catches a kick and gets in a right hand to Tateki that drops him. He gets in a few elbows and Tateki ties him up. Tateki is trying to get up and Matt is working for a rear naked choke. Tateki stands up and Matt is on his back with a body lock. Tateki eventually gets taken down and Matt readjusts his body lock. Tateki turns and is now on top in guard. He gets in some ground and pound and is now working the side as the round ends.
Matt 10-9
Rd 2: Matt gets in a leg kick. Tateki gets in a leg kick and gets the takedown. Tateki is getting in some knees to the side. He postures up and gets in a few shots to the head. Matt threatens with a heel and they are back to their feet. Tateki gets the tripping takedown and is now working the side. Tateki gets in the crucifix position and is trying for the finish. Matt bucks him off and gets out. Tateki controls the rest of the round on the ground.
Tateki 10-9
Rd 3: Matt is bleeding from the side of his head. Tateki got Matt back pedaling. Matt gets a swinging elbow. Tateki gets the takedown and is in the half guard. Tateki moves to the side and is all over Doherty. He moves to full mount and is laying down a barrage of ground and pound as the round ends.
Tateki 10-9
Tateki Matsuda defeats Matt Doherty via unanimous decision. Tateki controlled the fight on the ground which won him the rounds. Potential match up, I would love to see Brandon Fleming fight Tateki.
170lbs Pro Eric Spicely (Tim Burrill's/Triforce 3-0) vs. David Jordan (Beastman MMA 1-2)
David starts us off with an inside leg kick. Eric gets the takedown and was up in the mount position temporarily but gets pushed back. He is now working the side. David tries get up and Eric sinks in a deep guillotine for the tap.
Eric Spicely defeats David Jordan via tapout to guillotine at 2:38 in Rd 1. Once again the Dream Catcher Eric Spicely has taken someone's dream away once the cage doors closed.
145lbs Pro Rob Font (Sityodtong 9-1) vs.Tristan Johnson (Fit Plus 8-3)
Rob gets the quick takedown but Tristan gets right up using the cage. Tristan gets a leg kick that connects. Rob gets in a nice combo. Rob is looking for a takedown but can't get it. Tristan does a high kick that is partially checked. Rob just misses with a front kick. Font misses with a wild right. Font connects with an overhand right that drops Tristan instantly. The crowd is on their feet!! He gets in one more punches for good measure before the ref steps in.
Rob Font defeats Tristan Johnson via knockout at 2:48 in Rd 1. Rob continues to dominate the competition!! I would love to see Rob Font in a rematch against Dez Green or against Matt Bessette. CES can make that happen for sure.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Matt Doherty vs. Tateki Matsuda
KO OF THE NIGHT: Rob Font KO right hand.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT: Matt Thompson's guillotine finish.
Once again, CES put on a stellar night of fights. There were some unfortunate events that cancelled a few fights last minute but all in all it was a great night. The crowd was decent sized and they seemed to have a blast. All of the photos that we took on the night will be uploaded to our fanpage when we get the chance. Shoutout to CES for putting on the fantastic show and allowing us to cover the event. Thanks to Warchild for driving me around and snapping the photos for us. Stay right here fight fans for the most up to date news in the local scene as we get you closer to the cage.