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KOTC
- Payback
by
Greg Kalikas, www.prokarateweekly.com
For
more information on Greg Kalikas and ProKarateWeekly.com, please
click on the above banner.
2/27/05
– King of the Cage made a triumphant return to NE Ohio with
arguably it’s biggest event to date in KOTC “Payback”.
With fourteen fights on the card, Payback featured the highly
publicized main event of Michael Westbrook vs. Jarrod Bunch, which
did not disappoint the thousands in attendance. Nearly 6,000
screaming fight fans packed Cleveland State University’s
Wolstein Center in the heart of downtown Cleveland, fans that
included the likes of Washington Redskins All Pro Lavar Arrington,
UFC star Rich Franklin, Pride FC’s Giant Silva, and The Ultimate
Fighters Diego Sanchez and Josh Rafferty to name just a few. PKW
would like to congratulate KOTC promoters Corey Fischer and Terry
Trebilcock for another first rate event and thank them for bringing
KOTC to the north coast and to our back yard. All of the fighter
should also be commended for putting it on the line for our
entertainment and putting on a show that nobody in attendance will
forget any time soon. However we would like to thank the fans most of
all for ROCKIN the house and once again proving that Ohio has some of
the best MMA fans in the world!
-
Mike Boyd vs. Brandon Gardner
In
the nights first bout it was Boyd (red gloves) coming out as the
aggressor and got the action started in what was a pretty evenly
matched fight. In the end Mike Boyd was the busier of the two
fighters and squeaked out the decision.
Mike
Boyd and Brandon Gardner battled to a draw.
-
John Soeder vs. Jeff Serasin
Cleveland's
John Soeder (black/whit trunks) withstood several submission
attempts from Serasin and was nearly caught in an armbar in the first
round. Soeder started the second round with a big flurry and landed
the more damaging shots which scored points with the judges but more
importantly earned him the win.
Soeder
by TKO (ref stoppage strikes) at 3:15 of round 2.
-
Josh Martin vs. Steve During
Josh
Martin and Steve During fought to a draw in another very tight
contest. Martin easily won the first round with a good assault from
the mount but was unable to finish During. During pulled out the
second round with an early flurry making a rematch inevitable.
Josh
Martin and Steve During battled to a draw.
-
Paulo Dantas vs. Jason Dent
In a
battle of two top 155 ponders it was Paulo Dantas over Griffonrawl's
Jason Dent in a great match up of skilled grapplers. Dantas had the
experience edge over Dent and took advantage of the few opportunities
he was given to earn his 30th career victory. Dent will no doubt be
back to fight another day.
Paulo
Dantas by unanimous decision.
-
Tom Murphy vs. Josh Hendricks
Tom
Murphy landed a devastating right hand early in the first that put
Hendricks down and out. Look for Murphy to make a run at the top of
the KOTC HW division.
Tom
Murphy by KO at 1:30 of round 1.
-
Buddy Clinton vs. Angelo Popofski
Royce
Gracie student Buddy Clinton made quick work of Angelo Popofski with
a slick kimura early in the first. Clinton has now established
himself as one of the best in his weight class and is hoping that a
KOTC title shot is in his near future.
Buddy
Clinton by tapout (kimura) at 0:15 of round 1.
-
James Lee vs. Walley Keenboom
Detroit
native James Lee took care of business with another impressive win
at Payback. This time it was Walley Keenboom who was victim to the
Lee assault via rear naked choke.
James
Lee by tapout (rear naked choke) at 1:20 of round 1.
-
Charles Bennett vs. Forrest Petz
Forrest
Petz fought what might have been the fight of his young career while
dispatching the favored Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett. Petz
has become known as a crowd pleaser and Bennett is one of the most
charismatic and exciting fighters in the MMA. Fans would not be
disappointed on this night. Both Petz and Bennett threw caution to
the wind and stood toe to toe unloading bomb after bomb much to the
delight of the now frenzied crowd (all supporting Petz). In a non
Petz-like fashion, Forrest took the fight to the mat where up until
this fight, was still unproven. With slightly over a minute left in
the first, Petz submitted Bennett via choke from Bennett's half guard
and won what was one of the fights of the nigh if not the year. With
wins now over UFC vet Adrian Serrano and Pride vet Charles Bennett,
Petz has established him self as one of the elite 170 lb fighters in
the country and is looking for his opportunity at the UFC. I don't
think he will be waiting too much longer.....
Forrest
Petz by tapout (choke) at 3:40 of round 1.
-
Thiago Alves vs. Jeff Cox
The
American Top team came to fight and put on a show for the many fans
in attendance. Thiago Alves continues to impress with a win over the
previously unbeaten Jeff Cox. Alves landed a knee just moments in to
the fight and followed up with a series of punches until referee Herb
Dean stepped in to stop the action and gave Alves his 4th straight win.
Thiago
Alves by KO at 0:15 of round 1.
-
Dan Bobish vs. Warpath
Dan
Bobish was not about to lose his first ever fight in front of his
home town fans and made quick work of KOTC veteran Warpath in just 55
seconds of the opening round. After the fight Bobish proclaimed that
he "was back" and is taking on all comers. Congratulations
to the Bull!
Dan
Bobish by tapout (strikes) at 0:55 of round 1.
-
Gorge Gurgel vs. Jason Ireland
Many
that witnessed it are calling it the early favor tie for the fight of
the year in MMA. Gorge Gurgel and Jason Ireland came prepared for war
and that's exactly what they got. For nearly three full rounds these
two warriors put it all on the line and ha the capacity crowd on its
feet from the opening seconds. After countless exchanges and various
close calls, Ireland finally left Gurgle an opining in the middle of
round three which Gorge would take advantage of and sink in the
guillotine to end it.
Gorge
Gurgel by tapout (guillotine) at 2:25 of round 3.
-
Butterbean vs. Mike Buchkovich
In a
last minute change that saw MMA legend Dan Severn scratched from the
fight, KOTC veteran Mike "Boom Boom" Buchkovich stepped in
to take on boxing icon Eric "Butterbean" Esch. In what
looked more like a boxing exhibition then an MMA match up, it was the
post fight comments by Boom Boom which prompted the biggest response
from Butterbean. Oh yah....the fight ended in a draw.
Eric
“Butterbean” Esch and Mike Buckovich battled to a draw.
-
Joey Villasenor vs Brenden Seguin
Joey
Villasenor retained his KOTC MW title by dispersing of Brenden Seguin
is typical Villasenor fashion. Regarded by many as one of the top
MW's in the world today, Villasenor may not relinquish the throne for
quite some time.
Joey
Villasenor by KO at 1:15 of round 1.
-
Michael Westbrook vs. Jarrod Bunch
In
the nights main event and possibly the most anticipated KOTC fight
ever, Michael Westbrook took out the bigger Jarrod Bunch by rear
naked choke in late round one. Bunch came out aggressive early landed
a low kick followed by several punches but was unable to land any
direct shots. Westbrook patiently waited for his opportunity to take
things to the ground where he would be able to capitalize on his
strength (BJJ). Bunch showed grit and resiliency by holding off
Westbrook for nearly two minutes but was unable to survive the final
five seconds of the opening round. Westbrook looked like a fighter
who has had years of experience in the cage and one can only wonder
how he would do against an established MMA star...hopefully he will
stick around long enough for fans to find out!.
Michael
Westbrook by tapout (rear naked choke) at 4:55 of round 1.
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Article by Greg Kalikas, www.prokarateweekly.com.
*
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