Bellator 69 kicked off the weekend at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana airing on MTV 2 and Spike.com. Bellator concluded their Season 6 Middleweight tournament with Maiquel Falcao defeating Andreas Spang in a three round affair. Spang too control of the first round with a flurry of punches stunning Falcao. Falcao was able to recover by clinching with Spang. While pinning Spang up against the cage Falcao delivered an illegal knee which temporarily called a halt to the action and  suffered a one-point deduction. For the final two rounds, Falcao was able to utilize his extensive ground skills to control Spang and avoid multiple guillotine attempts. Falcao earned himself $100,000 and the right to fight Alexander Shlemenko for the Bellator Middleweight World Title.

In the semifinal of the Season 6 Welterweight tournament Karl Amoussou squared off against David Rickels. Amoussou controlled Rickels in the first round with superior striking and Judo. The second round saw a lot of back and forth action, but in the third Rickels controlled the majority of the round with vicious ground-and-pound from the top position. Inevitably the bout went to the judges score cards, with Amoussou picking up the split decision victory. Amoussou will now take on Bryan Baker later this year to claim the $100,000 and to determine who will face Ben Askren.

In the premiere Women’s bout of the evening #1 ranked fighter Megumi Fujii squared off against the #2 ranked fighter Jessica Aguilar. Aguilar would take home the unanimous decision victory in a highly debatable call from the judges. All three rounds were very close, but Aguilar counter struck the Japanese phenom, with boxing to out point and avoid submission attempts.

Richard Hale punched his ticket into the Season 7 Light Heavyweight tournament with a 38 submission due to punches ever Josh Burns. Hale will face Beau Tribolet in the opening round on June 22nd at Bellator 71.

Mark Holata  also punched his ticket into a Bellator tournament as qualified he qualified for the Bellator Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament when he submitted Abe Wagner midway through the first round with an achilles lock. In the other Heavyweight bout of the evening,  one that was featured on the poster was Kevin Asplund versus Ron Sparks never took place. (Full Bellator 69 event results below.)

Also on Friday night Cage Fighting Championship held their 21st event in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The main event featured Bellator & MFC veteran Jesse Juarez versus Robert Whitaker in Welterweight action.  After three rounds Juarez got the nod from the judges to take home the victory. Bob Sapp was featured on the card, his second fight in a week, and his second throwaway paycheck collecting under a minute TKO loss. Not only did he lose the bout in the first minute like he did last week, but lost the bout in 12 seconds. UFC, DREAM, STRIKEFORCE, Sengoku, and M-1 veteran Jeff Monson was also on the card. Monson fought for the second time in a month, picking up a unanimous decision victory over Jim Yorke. (Full CFC 21 event results below.)

UFC veteran Tim Hague headlined Prestige FC IV at the Casman Centre in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Hague display a huge amount of toughness against Mike Hackert in a three round war, but it was Hackert who would walk away with the “W”. Hackert used a variety of strikes to bloody up Hague, out striking him throughout all three rounds for the unanimous decision. Also on the card was Ringside MMA veteran David Lafond, who  picked up his second career win  with a rear-naked choke submission over Jon Cowan with only 12-seconds remaining in the first round. (Full Prestige FC IV event results below.)

The biggest attraction of the weekend was the STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Grand Prix form HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The tournament which began in February of 2011 finally concluded.

Daniel Cormier claimed the STRIKEFORCE Grand Prix title after a five round slugfest with Josh Barnett  that went to the judges score cards. With Barnett breaking his hand in the first round, the bout was very one-sided in favor of Cormier. Despite Barnett’s attacks both standing and on the ground, Cormier was able to escape them, stay very active on his feet. Cormier bloodied up Barnett with some ground and pound and almost finished the bout with a high kick and a flurry of punches. After the five rounds ended Cormier was declared the victor unanimously.     

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez had his rubber match with Josh Thomson. Both fighters went toe-to-toe with Thompson looking like he was going home with the strap. Thompson controlled the majority of the first round, poked Melendez in the eye three times during the bout, and almost submitted Melendez with a rear-naked choke in the fourth.  However, Melendez was able to fight off and stay active enough with strikes and take downs to pick up the split decision.

Mike Kyle did a lot of bitching and complaining prior to this bout about getting a shot at the vacant STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight title, but now he won’t have to worry as he will not be getting that shot, because Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante submitted him in 33-seconds with a  guillotine choke. (Full STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Cormier event results below.)

Rumble Time Promotion or RTP held their ninth event at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri on Saturday night. The main event featured former UFC and WEC veteran Will Campuzano. The former Bantamweight competitor has since made the drop to Flyweight. Campuzano defeated Joshua Sampo with a third round knee to the head knockout. Campuzano is slated to take on Steve Gracia   at Legacy Fighting Championship 12 for the inaugural Flyweight title on June 13th. (Full RTP 9 event results below.)

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Friday Night Fights -

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Bellator 69 results:

Maiquel Falcao def. Andreas Spang via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) - middleweight-tourney finale

Karl Amoussou def. David Rickels via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) – welterweight-tourney semifinal

Jessica Aguilar def. Megumi Fujii via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mark Holata def. Abe Wagner via submission (achilles lock) – Round 1, 2:24

Spike.com prelims:

Emanuel “E.J.” Brooks def. Kalvin Hackney via unanimous decision

Josh Quayhagen def. Cliff Wright via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Shanon Slack def. Booker Arthur via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Andrey Koreshkov def. Derrick Krantz (strikes) – Round 3, 0:51

Richard Hale def. Josh Burns via submission (punches) – Round 1, 0:38

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Cage Fighting Championship 21 results:

Jesse Juarez def. Robert Whittaker via Unanimous Decision

Soa Palelei def. Bob Sapp via TKO (Punches) – 0:12 – Round 1

Jeff Monson def. Jim Yorke via Unanimous Decision

Corey Nelson def. Dan Pauling via KO (Punch) – 0:33 – Round 1

David Vergers def. Manuel Rodriguez via KO (Punch) – 2:13 – Round 1

Shabe Kafo def. Kian Pham via Submission (Twister) – 1:49 – Round 2

James Vainikolo def. Jon Leven via TKO (Punches) – 3:55 – Round 3

Robert Lisita def. Rory O’Connell via Unanimous Decision

Rami El-Choufani def. Albert Patu via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – 3:22 – Round 1

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Prestige FC IV results:

Pro bouts:
Mike Hackert def. Tim Hague via Unanimous Decision

Sean Quinn def. Kyle Oliveira via KO (Overhand Right) – 0:22 – Round 1

David Letourneau def. Rod Montoya via Unanimous Decision

Travis Moritz def. Jordan Berland via TKO (Ground’n'Pound) – 3:22 – Round 1

Steve Dubeck def. Chris Lauzon via TKO (Ground’n'Pound) – 0:46 – Round 1

Nick Spohn def.  Mitch Fryia via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – 3:02 – Round 1

David Lafond def. Jon Cowan via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – 4:48 – Round 1

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Saturday Night Fights –

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STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale results:

Daniel Cormier def. Josh Barnett via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) - to claim grand prix title

Champ Gilbert Melendez def. Josh Thomson via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) - to retain lightweight title

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. Mike Kyle via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:33

Chris Spang def. Nah-Shon Burrell via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:55

Showtime Extreme prelims:

Isaac Vallie-Flagg def. Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Guto Inocente def. Virgil Zwicker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Gian Villante def. Derrick Mehmen via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Quinn Mulhern def. Yuri Villefort via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Untelevised prelims:

Bobby Green def. James Terry via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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Rumble Time Promotions 9 results:

Will Campuzano def. Joshua Sampo via KO (Knee to Head) – 1:18 – Round 3

Zach Freeman def. Charon Spain via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – 1:34 – Round 1

Eric Irvin def. Evian Rodriguez via TKO (Knees) -2:53 – Round 1

Damian Jeffro def. Yohance Flager – via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – 4:21 – Round 1

Chris Heatherly def. Corey Barreiro via TKO (Punches) – 0:19 – Round 1

In the main event of UFC 137 Nick Diaz made BJ Penn look like he no longer deserved to be in a cage. The former STRIKEFORCE Welterweight champ went the distance with the Prodigy in a classic Diaz style war. Although, Diaz was unable to finish Penn, he beat up the former Lightweight & Welterweight champion like no other fighter has with his relentless assault. Post fight, Penn teased retirement and Diaz called out champion Georges St-Pierre, stating that St-Pierre was faking is injury and scared of him. With the amazing performance the UFC brass has asked title challenger Carlos Condit to step aside and wait for his shot, as it has now been granted to Diaz.

Also on UFC 137, Roy “Big Country” Nelson bounced back from a two fight skid with a TKO victory over Mirko Cro Cop. Cro Cop had a flurry of punches in the second round that looked like it was going to end the fight, but Nelson’s immense ability to withstand punishment proved to be great as he recovered from the assault and picked up the win in the third.

Donald Cerrone picked up his fourth victory in 2011, the WEC veteran has been very successful since the merger, this time with an impressive first round rear naked choke submission over Dennis Siver. With a huge head kick, Cerrone was able to take a stunned Siver’s back and sink in the choke for the victory.  (Full UFC 137 event results below.)

The Bellator Heavyweight tournament has its finalists, and it seemed to be a contest of who could finish their fight the fastest, as Eric Prindle knocked out Ron Sparks in 40 seconds and Thiago Santos submitted Neil Grove in 38 seconds. Bellator Welterweight champion Ben Askren barely held on to is title, when he and Jay Hieron with the full five rounds leaving it in the hands of the judges who rendered the bout a split decision in favor of the champion. Askren now improves to 9-0 in MMA and 6-0 in Bellator. (Full Bellator 56 event results below.)

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UFC 137: PENN vs DIAZ results:

Nick Diaz def. B.J. Penn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)

Cheick Kongo def. Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-28)

Roy Nelson def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:30

Scott Jorgensen def. Jeff Curran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Hatsu Hioki def. George Roop via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Spike TV prelims:

Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:22

Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:45

Facebook prelims:

Brandon Vera def. Eliot Marshall via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)

Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Bellator 56 results:

Champ Ben Askren def. Jay Hieron via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) – retains welterweight title

Thiago Santos def. Neil Grove via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:38 – heavyweight-tourney semifinals

Eric Prindle def. Ron Sparks via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:40 – heavyweight-tourney semifinals

Jeremy Spoon def. Adam Schindler via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Marcio Navarro def. Rudy Bears by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Kelvin Tiller def. Dan Spohn via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Emanuel “E.J.” Brooks def. Willian de Souza via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Jacob Aiken def. Jeimeson Saudino via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:26

Aaron Ely def. Owen Evinger via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:45

Daniel Gallemore def. Derrick Ruffin via TKO (retirement) – Round 2, 5:00

Regardless if you know about the history of Faber and Cruz in the now defunct World Elite Cagefighting (WEC), in the UFC: 132 extras you get the entire fight of Cruz and Faber from WEC and UFC have made two short exclusive DVD videos on both fighters to help educate new fans. For Cruz, Jon Rogan fires off a series of a Q & A, while Faber talks about why he fights, his parents, and his career in a UFC Unguarded segment.

Unlike their first fight from WEC, Faber and Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight championship goes the distance and both men really show why the bantamweight division in the UFC is one of the most exciting. With fast flurries of punches and combos for nearly five straight rounds, the amount of endurance both men showcased was truly phenomenal. Cruz with his strikes while Faber was trying to rush in helped him look to have gain the edge in the judges’ eyes. Difficult to call as a lot of strikes happened so fast. In the post fight interview Cruz does state that he got his one loss back and believes the Faber question has been stopped.

Tito Ortiz was in a win or get cut from the UFC situation in his bout against Ryan Bader. Ortiz had not won in the UFC since 2006. However, Ortiz with his back against the wall seems to always rise to the occasion. This was no different. Ortiz saw an opening and unleashes a nasty ground and pound on Bader followed by a gullotine choke submission. “I ain’t going f*cking nowhere. You gotta get the f*cking police to drag my a$$ out of here,” said Ortiz in the extra footage on the DVD. Ortiz also gets a special in his own words segment where he talks openly about his 14-year fight career.

Unfortunately the comeback of Wanderlei Silva was not as successful. Silva came out swinging, but one well-timed hook caught Silva and he was out on his feet. Silva did come to and thought the fight was still going as he fought a bit with the official afterwards. A day in the life of Silva shows that despite his loss Silva is living well with his family.

Great drama from start to finish on this DVD. Jam-packed filled with bonus material that will keep you watching over and over. Some outcomes are somewhat controversial, how Dennis Siver won in the judges’ eyes after being badly beaten by Matt Wiman is difficult to understand. However, if you’re a fan of UFC or mixed martial arts this is a top notch must buy.

UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber

Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada

Released on Sept. 13, 2011

Run time of 309 minutes

Click here to order the DVD 

Click here to listen to the October 7, 2011 episode of Ringside Report Radio hosted by Dave Simon and Kevin “Big Tuna” McKough.

On this episode, Dave and Kevin previewed UFC 136 including every fight on the preliminary card and the double main event of Jose Aldo defending the UFC featherweight title against Kenny Florian and the rematch between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard for the UFC lightweight title.

Dave and Kevin also discussed the announcement of Jon Jones defending his UFC light-heavyweight title against Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on December 10 in Toronto.

All this and much more on this 1-hour episode of Ringside Report Radio.

Instinct MMA president Stephane Patry appeared on this episode to discuss Instinct MMA’s inaugural event on October 7 in Boisbriand, Quebec. Patry discussed the main event of Houston Alexander versus Steve Bosse, the co-main event of Patrick Cote v. Crafton Wallace and the rest of the card

Dave and Kevin talked about the results from UFC on Versus 6 including Dominick Cruz’ title defense against Demetrious Johnson and Stefan Struve’s submission win over Pat Barry.

All this and much more MMA talk on this 2-hour episode of Ringside Report Radio.

Mayhem brings in foam sticks for his team to beat each other with and his team loves it. Mayhem starts playing around with his team and bringing them together.

Bisping takes all 4 tires off Mayhem’s car in retaliation for the tire prank in episode 2.

Bisping tells him team to spar at 60% but Akira Corassani gets over-aggressive. Marcus Brimage and Diego Brandao turn a sparring session into a real fight and get mad at each other. Bisping has to intervene to stop his team from killing each other in sparring. Diego says “I will kill you,” to Brimage, Bisping has to calm him down, Brimage says he won’t spar with Brandao anymore. Brimage and Brandao eventually make up and shake hands.

Akira Corassani entertains his team by wearing a protective cup and letting his teammates shoot pool balls at his … balls.

Corrassani reveals that Dustin Neace told people he had three testicles so he pulls a prank on him by putting pool balls in his boxing gloves.

Jason Mayhem Miller announces the first bantamweight fight: Johnny Bedford (Mayhem, 17-9-1) v. Josh Ferguson (Bisping, 7-3).

Ferguson knew he would face Bedford and pulled out a sign that read “F*ck you Bedford.” Bedford did not like that and the two exchanged words.

Dustin Neace finds the pool ball in his boxing glove and confirms he has three testicles. Crazy…

Johnny Bedford has an injured hand and is training one-handed but Mayhem is confident it won’t affect him.

Dustin Neace puts oats on Akira Corassani’s bed in retaliation for Akira’s prank. Neace and Akira have a confrontation and challenge each other to a fight. Both say they’re going to knock the other one out.

John Dodson (Team Mayhem) says that all his friends are on the other team. Dodson says Diego Brandao (Team Bisping) is like his little brother as they train together at Greg Jackson’s. Dodson also talks about Team Def-Leprechaun comprised of himself, Louis Gaudinot (Team Bisping) and Josh Ferguson (Team Bisping).

Ferguson reveals that Dodson told him that Johnny Bedford’s hand is injured. Team Bisping is happy they have a mole on the other team.

Round 1: Johnny Bedford controls the majority of the round with two takedowns and arm-bar and kimura attempts. Bedford landed some good knees from the clinch and escaped a guillotine attempt by Josh Ferguson in the final minute of the round. Bedford ended the round with his third takedown as time elapsed. I’d score it 10-9 for Bedford.

Round 2: Johnny Bedford scored an early takedown and controlled Josh Ferguson for the majority of the round. Ferguson was able to get back to his feet but Bedford immediately took him back down and worked some short elbows from side-control. Bedford didn’t do a lot of damage with his ground and pound but did control the action and the fight. I’d score this round just like the first: 10-9 for Bedford.

Johnny Bedford def. Josh Ferguson via unanimous decision (20-18, 20-18, 20-18). Johnny Bedford improves Team Mayhem Miller to 2-0 and becomes the first bantamweight semi-finalist.

***Results after 3 episodes:

Team Bisping Bantamweights:  1.Louis Gaudinot (BW), 3. TJ Dillashaw  (BW), 5. John Albert (BW), 7. Josh Ferguson (BW).

Team Bisping Featherweights: 1. Diego Brandao, 3. Akira Corassani, 5. Marcus Brimage, 7.Stephen Bass

Team Mayhem Bantamweights:  2. John Dodson (BW), 4. Johnny Bedford (BW), 6. Dustin Pague (BW), 8. Roland Delorme (BW).

Team Mayhem Featherweights:  2. Dennis Bermudez, 4. Bryan Caraway, 6. Dustin Neace, 8. Steven Siler

Week 2- September 28: Bryan Caraway advances to semi-finals of FW tournament with a 2^nd round RNC submission win over Marcus Brimage

Week 3- October 5: Johnny Bedford advances to semi-finals of BW tournament with  unanimous decision win over Josh Ferguson.

FW semi-finalists: Bryan Caraway (Team Mayhem)

BW semi-finalists: Johnny Bedford (Team Mayhem)

Notes and Results from TUF 14 Episode 1 & 2 here

Dave and Kevin debated the Top 10 in every weight class in MMA for the Ringside Report October 2011 official rankings.

Dave and Kevin previewed every fight on the UFC on Versus 6 card including the UFC bantamweight title fight between champion Dominick Cruz and challenger Demetrious Johnson.

All this plus a preview of Bellator 52 and much more MMA on this 2-hour episode.

UFC bantamweight Jeff Curran appeared on this episode to talk about his upcoming bout against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on October 29.

First ever UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver was also on this show and talked about his current MMA status and the new MMA Supremacy video game.

Dave and Kevin discussed the results from UFC 135 including Jon Jones’ first title defense over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Nate Diaz’ impressive win over Takanori Gomi.

All this and much more MMA on this 2-hour episode.

After a 7-year hiatus from the UFC when he fought Matt Serra at lightweight, Pat Curran has been somewhat of a journeyman jumping from local promotion to local promotion, dropping down into various weight classes, all the while building his record. The UFC, STRIKEFORCE, Bellator, WEC, PRIDE, KOTC, XFO, and IFL veteran miay be best known for his losing efforts against Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, Joseph Benevidez, and Takeya Mizugaki, but has been of a two fight win streak and returns to the UFC on October 29th at UFC 137 in Las Vegas, Nevada against Scott Jorgenson.

The first ever UFC Lightweight champion Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver is one of the only two men at lightweight to defeat BJ Penn. Coach of the Ultimate Fighter Season 5 along side Penn, and with notable victories over Dennis Hallman, Cub Swanson, Caol Uno, and Cole Escuvedo; Pulver is one of the most recognizable names in MMA history. A huge fan a PC gaming Pulver is featured for the first time ever in the new MMA Supremacy. MMA Supremacy differs from other MMA games, as it is simple and arcade style. The game is also the first to feature featherweight, bantamweights and female fighters and is available now for purchase for PS3 & XBOX 360.

Also on tonight’s program Dave and Kevin will discuss the results of UFC 135 and much more MMAgic with 2 full hours of MMA talk.

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Ringside Report Radio live from 10pm-Midnight on Montreal’s Sports Authority, The TEAM 990 CKGM-Radio.

How to listen:

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Listen to the live stream at www.team990.com

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On this episode, Dave and Kevin re-capped the results from UFC Fight Night 25 including Jake Ellenberger’s win over Jake Shields and Eric Koch’s victory over Jonathan Brookins.

Dave and Kevin also previewed the entire UFC 135 card including all preliminary bouts and the main events of Matt Hughes v. Josh Koscheck and Jon “Bones” Jones defending the UFC Light-Heavyweight title against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

All this and more on this 90 minute episode of Ringside Report Radio.