Cage Fights International (CV Expanded, Tournament Dynasty)

[Jaded]

Haven't done a dynasty (or for that matter really played WMMA 3) for ages, but a combination of excitement over WMMA 4's release later this year, downloading the excellent CV Expanded mod, and catching up with some old dynasties made me want to try something. This is somewhat inspired by Iceisle's superb Summit Grand Prix dynasty from late 2012/early 2013, although on a smaller scale.

 

I've created my own company, Cage Fights International, and have used the editor to take over every other company in the game. Every three months, I will call up 8 fighters from a particular weight class and they will face off in a one-night tournament. I'm using 8 weight classes - featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight, women's lightweight and women's heavyweight - so there will be one tournament every 2 years for each weight class.

 

The fighters competing will be the top 8 fighters in the rankings, as long as they are on a winning streak at the time of the event being booked. (Normally 3 months before it takes place.) Any who are not on a winning streak will be replaced by whoever is immediately below them and eligible.

 

Rules are: 5 x 5 minutes rounds with 10 point must judging system, ref can separate inactive fighters, no ten count for knocked down fighters, everything legal.

 

For options, I'm playing with fantasy banking, bypass CEO, fantasy match making, job safety and regulated tournaments all on, and drugs/death rate/injury rate all at none - the objective here is just to have fun and see how fighters' careers pan out rather than to treat it as a challenge.

 

The first tournament will be a Middleweight one, held in March 1999. (I fast-advanced a year to shake the rankings up a bit before I started.)

 

CFI 1 - Middleweights

 

In round one, Neil Napier (18-0) will take on Stuart Strange (17-2). Hawaiian Napier is ranked #14 pound-for-pound and won the GAMMA Middleweight title last year, beating Matthew Dean via submission in a five round bout then destroying Patrick Thomas with brutal punches just 36 seconds into his first defence. Greco-Roman wrestler Strange fought just once last year, grinding out a good UD win against Petey Mack, then ranked #6 in the world, without looking particularly inspiring doing so.

 

In the first of two all-Brazilian bouts, Joaquim Fontes (22-3) will face Braulio Moura (19-2-1 NC). Elite BJJ fighter Fontes beat both Wagner and Jorge Mormazabal in FLB in the first few months of last year, but with the second fight getting hugely criticised for being a snorefest, didn't get booked again. Compatriot Moura, on the other hand, hasn't fought at all for 18 months after sustaining a hand injury late in 1997 which he took much longer than expected to recover from. He assures us that, at last, he's fighting fit and ready to return to the cage.

 

Hector Faraco (8-0) takes on Marcos Mendoza (44-16) in the second Brazilian battle. Faraco made a name for himself on the indie circuit in South America with his brutal leg kicks before being picked up by ALPHA-1, where he's impressed. A debut victory in the second round over Kyuwa Itou was followed by a 6 minute demolition of Kojuro Kudo. However, he's never faced off against a ranked opponent, while the veteran 'White Lion' Mendoza has fought dozens. Most recently, he won the BCF Middleweight title with a guillotine submission over Davis Spyrou, after a hugely exciting match with Rob Barnes which saw him gain another tap-out, this time with a rear naked choke.

 

Finally, in the first round, Heiji Endo (15-1) will fight Buddy Garner (14-0). Endo is ranked #17 pound-for-pound, having successfully defended ALPHA-1's Middleweight title against Mal Phe Roby, Bambang Sriyanto, and Ieyoshi Yamashita last year. However the unbeaten Garner may be his toughest challenger yet - the BJJ fighter extended his winning streak last year by getting a split decision over JJ Reid in his only fight of the year. He's well known for only accepting contests he's extremely confident he can win, so his presence in this tournament suggests that he believes he can go all the way.

 

Prediction Key

 

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Napier/Strange vs Fontes/Moura

Faraco/Mendoza vs Endo/Garner

 

Final

 

Aiming to post the results either tomorrow evening or Monday morning, and perhaps run a new show every couple of days, I hope.

[de knegt]

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Napier/Strange vs Fontes/Moura

Faraco/Mendoza vs Endo/Garner

 

Final: Napier Vs. Garner

 

Nice to see even more diaries

[DeeGood]

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Napier/Strange vs Fontes/Moura

Faraco/Mendoza vs Endo/Garner

 

Final

Napier vs Faraco

[CageRage]

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Napier/Strange vs Fontes/Moura

Faraco/Mendoza vs Endo/Garner

 

Neil Napier vs. Heiji Endo

[grits207]

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Napier/Strange vs Fontes/Moura

Faraco/Mendoza vs Endo/Garner

 

Neil Napier vs Heiji Endo

[Blackman]

Napier vs Moura

Mendoza vs Garner

 

Moura vs Garner

 

I should probably bet on Strange, but I just love Napier too much. And I probably should wait till I get to my pc to find out who Mendoza's opponent actually is. I'm also giving Moura too much credit, but sometimes you have to make a guess.

 

Good to see more diaries popping up.Compared to TEW, there's been a shortage on those. Hopefully WMMA4 has more modding features so we can actually make a more lively universe that stimulates diaries.

[Jaded]

CFI 1 - Middleweights

 

Quarter-Finals

 

#2 Heiji Endo vs #7 Buddy Garner

 

Round 1

 

Garner backs off from some punches before taking Endo down, trying but failing to apply a kimura. The pair jockey on the ground for several minutes before the round comes to an end, not really getting anywhere and drawing scattered boos from fans.

 

 

Round 2

 

Endo goes for a big kick but Garner grabs his leg and forces him down, Endo turtling up and then getting secured in side control by the American. Garner gets an arm triangle applied but surprisingly loses it, with Endo popping his head free. Buddy then locks on an armbar and Endo refuses to quit - but the referee calls a halt to it, worried about the prospect of injury, with just seconds left in the round!

 

Buddy Garner defeats Heiji 'The Immortal' Endo (Technical Submission in 4:53 of round 2) Average.

 

 

#3 Hector Faraco vs #6 Marcos Mendoza

 

Round 1

 

The pair trade punches for a few minutes before Mendoza takes Faraco down, only to get swept into side control. An attempted kimura leads to Mendoza flipping his opponent to get side control himself, though.

 

 

Round 2

 

Not much to see here, with lots of blocked and avoided strikes early on before Mendoza scores a takedown, too late to do anything much with his opponent on the ground.

 

 

Round 3

 

Mendoza pins Faraco to the cage for a few minutes and lands some good shots, but with little progress being made, the referee brings them back to the centre. Both guys looking exhausted now, this is longer than any of Faraco's matches have ever lasted.

 

 

Round 4

 

Virtually an action replay of round 3, and the crowd really don't seem to be liking this. Mendoza seems comfortably ahead on points here, meaning the Panther needs to do something special in round 3 to get a finish.

 

 

Round 5

 

Faraco goes for a takedown, knowing he needs the submission or TKO as he's behind, but Mendoza sprawls well and gets side control. He gets an armbar applied but Faraco fights free, and tries a sweep. Surprisingly, Mendoza then stands up, and backs off, allowing his opponent to get up as well. Faraco tries for a takedown but another sprawl gives Mendoza the edge, and he hooks in his patented D'Arce choke - only for time to run out before Faraco can tap! The judges are impressed, though, and all score 50-45 to Medoza.

 

'Leao Branco' Marcos Medoza defeats Hector 'The Panther' Faraco (UD in 5:00 of round 5) Average

 

 

#4 Joaquim Fontes vs #5 Braulio Moura

 

Round 1

 

The pair feel each other out for a few minutes until Moura hits a hard right to put Fontes down! He blasts away with stomps and kicks but somehow, Joaquim rides the storm and Moura backs off, not wanting to risk getting caught on the ground. As Fontes gets to his feet, Moura leaps in again, scoring another big right to drop him and pouncing in with strikes to finish him off!

 

Braulio 'Louco' Moura defeats Joaquim 'Assassino Silencioso' Fontes (TKO (Strikes) in 4:38 of round 1) Good

 

 

#1 Neil Napier vs #8 Stuart Strange

 

Round 1

 

Very little of interest as they end up pressed against the cage, with Strange perhaps edging it, if anything.

 

 

Round 2

 

Strange pins Napier against the cage for much of the round until the referee brings it back to the centre. While he can't do much, he seems to clearly have the edge over the unbeaten man here.

 

 

Round 3

 

Again, Strange forces Napier against the cage, where he dominates. He's not looking like taking advantage, though, and he's breathing hard by now.

 

 

Round 4

 

Same story until the end, where Napier turns Strange around and takes him to the mat, doing enough to earn the round but not having time to finish his opponent off.

 

 

Round 5

 

Napier's corner seem sure he's behind - we have it 39 - 37 to Strange on our cards - and tell him he needs to be aggressive here, and he follows their advice, knocking Strange down with a huge right high kick! Napier dives in but Strange scrambles, leaving The Islander turtled up, and Strange takes his back! The North Carolina native pounds away with strikes - and with the referee saying Napier can't defend himself, one of MMA's longest unbeaten runs comes to an end!

 

'Superstar' Stuart Strange defeats 'The Islander' Neil Napier (TKO (Strikes) in 3:30 of round 5) Average

 

 

Semi-finals

 

Marcos Mendoza vs Buddy Garner

 

Round 1

 

After jockeying for control, Garner gets a single-leg takedown and with Mendoza unable to defend himself too well, the American locks in an Achilles lock for the tap-out!

 

Buddy Garner defeats 'Leao Branco' Marcos Mendoza (Submission (Achilles Lock) in 3:29 of round 1) Decent

 

 

Stuart Strange vs Braulio Moura

 

Round 1

 

Completely the opposite of Strange's long war with Napier until the end, he almost immediately takes down the Brazilian where, after a taking a couple of minutes to secure the mount, he again unloads with strikes, drawing the quick TKO.

'Superstar' Stuart Strange defeats Braulio 'Louco' Moura (TKO (Strikes) in 3:30 of round 1) Decent

 

 

Final

 

Stuart Strange vs Buddy Garner

 

Round 1

 

Strange takes Garner to the cage wall, where he traps him for several minutes, until Garner turns things around. With little happening, though, the referee brings them back to the centre, where Garner tries for a takedown but gets dropped by a huge slam!

 

 

Round 2

 

Garner moves in on Strange, looking for the takedown, but can only trap him against the side of the cage and from there the Superstar is able to get leverage by pushing down on the back of his opponent's neck and roll him into side control! Strange can't get mount, though, and Garner twice gets close to locking in a submission from beneath, leaving his opponent to think better of it and stand up and back off.

 

 

Round 3

Messy start as neither can dominate until Strange gets taken down by a single leg and pulls guard, with Garner sinking in an armbar for the tap-out!

 

Buddy Garner defeats 'Superstar' Stuart Strange (Submission (Armbar) in 3:46 of round 3) Decent

 

Critical rating: Decent

Commerical rating: Good

Fight of the night: Braulio Moura v Joaquim Fontes

KO of the night: Stuart Strange (vs Napier)

Submission of the night: Buddy Garner (vs Mendoza)

 

Next card line-up should be out tomorrow morning. That one was rather on the crazy side, as shown by predictions scores! Thanks for taking part, all.

 

Blackman 5/7 (Great stuff, but you were right - should've gone for Strange!)

de knegt 4/7

Dee Good 1/7

Cage Rage 1/7

Grits 1/7

[Jaded]

CFI 2 - Lightweights

 

Sean Morrison (28-3), the GAMMA Lightweight title-holder, will take on Helio (16-1), the Brazilian star. Morrison is #6 pound-for-pound and would have to be considered the favourite for the tournament, but Muay Thai fighter Helio is dangerous and wiped the floor with both Gustavo Bautista and Delma de Brito in his last two FLB fights.

 

Seth O'Breen (15-0), the man with the longest winning streak of everyone in the tournament, goes up against Brandon Sugar (26-4). O'Breen recently won the BCF Lightweight title in an excellent match against Jake Keane, going into the fourth round looking slightly behind on points but KO'ing the champion with a stunning uppercut. Sugar has had a fairly rough year or so in many ways - he got what should have been an impressive UD victory over Truck Gleeson but both fighters were criticised for how boring the contest was, and he followed that one up with an even duller bout against Ian Linderman, when he took the fight easily on the judges' scorecards but never looked like finishing an opponent who shouldn't have been anywhere near his class.

 

Luis Basora (22-3) fights the undefeated Indonesian star Atep (11-0). Basora was at one point considered lucky to still have the SIGMA Lightweight belt - he scraped a split decision victory over Fiyero Lermontov last year in a bout which many impartial observers thought had gone the other way. Since then, though, he's beaten Milenko Rudonja comfortably and claimed the impressive scalp of Lukas Mellberg, both of those via submission. Atep won the KDM FC Lightweight title, finally putting an end to Sukarno's long reign via TKO in one of last year's best matches, and won a hugely entertaining brawl against Teeratep Nutnum in his first defence, ducking a spinning kick near the end of round one and exploding up with a punch which left the challenger seeing stars.

 

Completing round 1, Motoki Hojo (19-3) goes up against Pralong Sangsomwong (3-0). Hojo won the ALPHA-1 Lightweight title from Fumiyaki Hayashi via Unanimous Decision last June and has retained against Shizuya Nakae and Fujimaro Hidaka. Sangsomwong is something of a wild card, with many scoffing at his high ranking given a lack of any really top opponents and his main focus being on kickboxing in J-1. His signing to J-1's sister MMA organisation J-1 Full Contact Combat last year was met with much interest, as was his decision to join the Farang Ba Muay Thai training camp, but the months have gone by without him lining up a fight and this appears to be a huge leap in quality over his previous opponents in MMA.

 

 

Prediction Key

 

#1 Sean Morrison vs #8 Helio

#4 Seth O'Breen vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #6 Atep

#2 Motoki Hoji vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Morrison/Helio vs O'Breen/Sugar

Basora/Atep vs Hoji/Sangsomwong

 

Final

[Blackman]

#1 Sean Morrison vs #8 Helio

#4 Seth O'Breen vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #6 Atep

#2 Motoki Hoji vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Morrison vs Sugar

Basora vs Sangsomwong

 

Final[/b]: BASORA

[CageRage]

#1 Sean Morrison vs #8 Helio

#4 Seth O'Breen vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #6 Atep

#2 Motoki Hoji vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Morrison/Helio vs O'Breen/Sugar

Basora/Atep vs Hoji/Sangsomwong

 

Final: Sean Morrison vs. Luis Basora

[DeeGood]

#1 Sean Morrison vs #8 Helio

#4 Seth O'Breen vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #6 Atep

#2 Motoki Hoji vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Morrison/Helio vs O'Breen/Sugar

Basora/Atep vs Hoji/Sangsomwong

 

Final

Hoji vs Sugar

[Jaded]

CFI 2 - Lightweights

 

Quarter-Finals

 

#2 Motoki Hoji vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Round 1

 

It's the newcomer to MMA who gets the early advantage, countering a left

jab with a hard teep which leaves Hojo on the ground. As he dives in with an attempted huge punch, though, the wily veteran ties him up in guard, and eventually manages to scramble to gain control himself. Hojo ends up in half-guard, and a scramble sees both men back to their feet. Close round, but Sangsomwong should shade it.

 

Round 2

 

Hoji goes for a jab and Sangsomwong explodes with a massive axe kick which turns The Wing Chun Superstar's lights out!

 

Pralong Sangsomwong defeats 'The Wing Chun Superstar' Motoki Hojo (Knock Out (Kick) in 0:47 of round 2). Good

 

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #6 Atep

 

Round 1

 

Atep slips past a jab and hits two quick rights then a left hook which knocks the Spaniard down! He follows up with a flurry of stomps and kicks but retreats, allowing Basora to get to his feet, rather than risk getting caught on the ground. As Basora stands, he aims a jab at the Indonesian, but Atep fires back with a barrage of lefts. Basora weathers the storm, though, getting a double leg takedown, only for Atep to catch him in guard. As Atep tries to scramble for a better position, Luis catches him in side control, and shifts to mount, where he aims for an armbar but gets stacked, with Atep taking side control himself. Time runs out, and Atep should have taken that round comfortably, possibly 10-8.

 

Round 2

 

Atep goes for a big body kick, only for Basora to get a judo-style trip, but Atep pulls guard. Basora goes for a kimura, and Atep blocks it, aiming to scramble but with Luis securing side control. Basora gets a mount and sinks in an armbar, but Atep just won't quit. There's groans from the crowd as Basora has the Asian star in a dangerous looking position, and the referee has had enough!

 

'El Diablo' Luis Basora defeats Atep (Technical Submission in 3:13 of round 2) Fantastic.

 

 

#4 Seth O'Breen vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

Round 1

 

The pair wrestle without really getting anywhere for the first five minutes, with O'Breen perhaps looking slightly better.

 

Round 2

 

O'Breen drops his shoulder, trying to draw a strike, and tempts Sugar into going for a jab which he counters with a barrage of hard punches! Seth muscles him against a cage, but gets out-wrestled and forced against the cage. Sugar goes for a takedown and briefly gets a kimura, but O'Breen gets his arm free.

 

Round 3

 

Sugar wrestles O'Breen to the ground, where he can't really do anything much with the Irishman.

 

Round 4

 

Side-stepping a barrage of big punches, Sugar hits a kick to the ribs, then ducks out of the way of an O'Breen right cross! The pair throw strikes at each other for the rest of the round but it's very tentative, with neither of them landing anything much.

 

 

Round 5

 

O'Breen tries to take down Sugar, who avoids it, but then Seth lands a couple of hard right hands, then takes him down with underhooks. Sugar pulls guard and goes for a triangle choke, and gets it locked in, forcing O'Breen to tap out!

 

Brandon 'Sugar Rush' Sugar defeats Seth 'Submission King' O'Breen (Submission (Triangle with Armbar in 4:52 of round 5). Average

 

 

#1 Sean Morrison vs #8 Helio

 

Round 1

 

Helio goes for a leg kick but gets grabbed by Morrison, who scores a takedown. Smothering him on the floor, he elbows away, then hits a brutal knee strike just above the hip. He tries to get a mount but struggles, although he's able to avoid Helio getting guard, and eventually Morrison traps the Brazilian's arms via a crucifix. The #1 seed unloads with brutal elbows, and that's all she wrote!

 

'The Man With No Nickname' Sean Morrison defeats Helio (TKO (Strikes) in 4:56 of round 1). Decent.

 

 

Semi-finals

 

#3 Luis Basora vs #7 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Round 1

 

Both fighters miss strikes and they end up clinching, with Basora trying to drag the Japanese star down into his guard. Aiming to ensnare him in a guillotine, he then sweeps Sangsomwong into side control, where he gets an arm triangle, only for his opponent to break free. Pralong scrambles and Basora ends up on his back pulling half guard. Pralong tries to stand up but Luis resists, although the Spaniard can't sweep his opponent to take control himself. Nothing much to separate them there.

 

Round 2

 

Basora tries to go to the ground again but gets put down by a superb spinning back roundhouse kick! Sangsomwong dives in and unloads with punches, and Basora just has no answer to that.

 

Pralong Sangsomwong defeats 'El Diablo' Luis Basora (TKO (Strikes) in 1:01 of round 2). Good

 

 

#1 Sean Morrison vs #5 Brandon Sugar

 

Round 1

 

Sugar shoots in for a takedown but Morrison is quick and spins away on hitting the ground, getting back to his feet. Sean then gets a takedown of his own, but Sugar raises his legs, grabbing his compatriot in a triangle choke. Morrison spins out, to gain side control himself, and rolls Sugar to take his back! With both hooks in, Sean goes for the rear naked choke, but can't get it, so instead shifts to simply unloading on Sugar Rush with hard right hands, and gets the stoppage!

 

'The Man With No Nickname' Sean Morrison defeats Brandon 'Sugar Rush' Sugar (TKO (Strikes) in 3:26 of round 1). Great.

 

 

Final

 

#1 Sean Morrison vs #3 Pralong Sangsomwong

 

Round 1

 

Sangsomwong ducks and dives away to start off with, before hitting a right cross, then a huge right hook which nearly puts the GAMMA guy down! Morrison tries to retaliate with a takedown but can't get it. Sangsomwong clearly has the best of this round.

 

Round 2

 

Sangsomwong goes for more big punches but Morrison keeps out of the way, and manages to blast his opponent with a huge Greco-Roman slam! He lands some big shots on the downed man, unloading with massive left hands, then smothers him on the ground. With nothing much happening, the referee stands them up... and as Morrison leans in, Sangsomwong hits an explosive uppercut which KOs his opponent!

 

Pralong Sangsomwong defeats 'The Man With No Nickname' Sean Morrison (Knock Out (Punch) in 4:07 of round 2) Good.

 

Critical Rating: Great

Commercial rating: Decent

Fight of the Night: Luis Basora vs Atep

KO of the Night: Pralong Sangsomwong (vs Motoki Hojo)

Submission of the Night: Brandon Sugar (vs Seth O'Breen)

 

Blackman 4/7 (9/14)

CageRage 4/7 (5/14)

Dee Good 2/7 (3/14)

[Jaded]

CFI 3 - Women's Heavyweight

 

Sarah Vaughan (10-0) takes on Echiko Watanabe (5-0) in one of three first round clashes between undefeated stars. While pet owners claim that Vaughan's nickname of The Arizona Animal is an insult to beasts, given her attitude, she's Karen Curtis's only serious rival for the title of best pound-for-pound female fighter in the world today. However it's beeen nearly a year since she fought, despite her last outing being one of the best contests in the short history of women's MMA. Taken to the limit by Hester Maclean in a fight she looked like she was going to lose, she slapped on a rear naked choke to get the victory with just 30 seconds left, defending the title she won from April Watson in her previous match. Since then, she's claimed that no-one is worthy of a title shot, much to the disgust of fellow XCC stars - including tourney contestants Helen Fox and Hester Maclean. Watanabe has fought just once this year after taking last year off, grinding out a comfortable unanimous decision win over Kit Sakamoto.

 

Mizuki Watanabe (6-0) goes against Alyson Arroway (4-0). Watanabe headlined KDM FC's April show with a successful title defence against Yutsuko Sasaki in a great fight, retaining their women's title. Alley Kat exploded into the top ten of the rankings with a KO punch over Nene Ebina in a superb contest, then solidified her place with a unanimous decision over Sandy Oliver.

 

In a fight between 2 XCC stars, Helen Fox (7-0) goes against the only contestant to have ever lost a fight, Hester Maclean (9-1). Fox has got victories over Nicola Tyler, Olivia Sweet and Laura Adair in good fights over the last year or so, while Maclean rebounded from the loss to Vaughan with comfortable decision wins over Monica Masters and Daniela Sadorra and a TKO against Verona Joseph. She's made it clear she feels Vaughan is dodging a rematch and has even talked about shifting weight classes to fight against a champion who isn't, in her words, a 'coward'.

 

Haley Croft (8-0) collides with fellow kickboxer Chelsea Lawson (3-0). WEFF Heavyweight champion Croft defended last time around against Anna Thompson, who became the first person ever to take her to the judges - with big knock out kicks taking her previous fights, against Alisha Woods, Grace Hughes and Lula Baker. Woods also fell victim to Lawson recently, as did Samantha Sachs in something of a shock.

 

Prediction Key

 

#1 Sarah Vaughan vs #9 Echiko Watanabe

#4 Mizuki Watanabe vs #5 Alyson Arroway

#3 Helen Fox vs #7 Hester Maclean

#2 Haley Croft vs #8 Chelsea Lawson

 

Vaughan/Echiko vs Mizuki/Arroway

Fox/Maclean vs Croft/Lawson

 

Final

 

[CageRage]

#1 Sarah Vaughan vs #9 Echiko Watanabe

#4 Mizuki Watanabe vs #5 Alyson Arroway

#3 Helen Fox vs #7 Hester Maclean

#2 Haley Croft vs #8 Chelsea Lawson

 

Vaughan/Echiko vs Mizuki/Arroway

Fox/Maclean vs Croft/Lawson

 

Final: Sarah Vaughan vs. Hester Maclean

[Jaded]

Sorry for the delay here, busy weekend!

 

CFI 3 - Women's Heavyweights

 

Quarter-Finals

 

#2 Haley Croft vs #8 Chelsea Lawson

 

Round 1

 

The pair brawl to start off with, but there's more feinting than real damage done, with Lawson perhaps shading it.

 

Round 2

 

Croft takes control now, firing away with some stiff shots, but when she misses a straight left Chelsea fires back with a series of hard rights, then hits a huge head kick to take her opponent off her feet! Diving on top of her, the Wrecking Machine unloads with punches, and the ref has seen enough.

 

'The Wrecking Machine' Chelsea Lawson defeats 'Silent but Deadly' Haley Croft (TKO (Strikes) in 3:29 of round 2). Decent.

 

 

#3 Helen Fox vs #7 Hester Maclean

 

Round 1

 

Maclean is all over Fox for the first minute or two, landing some great punches, and when Fox tries to take her down the older woman avoids it.

 

Round 2

 

More hard punches from Maclean, who knocks down her opponent with a host of big right hands from the pocket, then rains down with hard fists until she's pulled into side control. Fox sweeps her, resulting in both fighters ending up on their feet. Fox tries for a takedown but it's avoided, and a second attempt is countered by a huge right flush to the face! Again, though, Maclean gets pulled into side control, and the round ends before she can capitalise.

 

Round 3

 

Nothing much for the first minute or two, but then a barrage of big right hands puts Fox down again! Yet again, though, Maclean is pulled into side control, although Fox can't pull guard.

 

Round 4

 

Maclean just punches away at Fox throughout the round; her opponent clearly can't cope with her.

 

Round 5

 

Finally, Fox gets the takedown, forcing Maclean to pull guard! Fox fires away with big elbows and passes the guard, pulling side control, and unloading with punches - forcing the referee to stop the fight! Maclean absolutely dominated for four rounds but just seemed to run out of steam at the final hurdle.

 

'The Maryland Mauler' Helen Fox defeats Hester 'The Slayer' Maclean (TKO (Strikes) in 3:20 of round 5.) Good.

 

 

#4 Mizuki Watanabe vs #5 Alyson Arroway

 

Round 1

 

Arroway sidesteps a jab and scores with a barrage of hard rights, putting Watanabe on the floor, and diving in to finish her off with strikes!

 

Alyson 'Alley Kat' Arroway defeats Mizuki 'The She-Wolf' Watanabe (TKO (Strikes) in 0:23 of round 1.) Good.

 

 

#1 Sarah Vaughan vs #9 Echiko Watanabe

 

Round 1

 

After an exchange of punches, Vaughan goes for a takedown but Watanabe defends with a good sprawl then works into a clinch position. She muscles the American against the cage and hits two hard foot stomps, but as she goes for a knee strike, Vaughan turns her around using her wrestling, secures underhooks, and sweeps her legs to take her down then gets side control. Shifting into mount, Vaughan pounds away with strikes - and that's enough for the referee!

 

'The Arizona Animal' Sarah Vaughan defeats Echiko 'Rhino' Watanabe (TKO (Strikes) in 4:31 of round 1) Great.

 

 

Semi-Finals

 

Helen Fox vs Chelsea Lawson

 

Round 1

 

Lawson seems to want to brawl, but after the pair throw some punches, Fox wrestles her up against the cage, and traps her there for a minute. As she goes for an elbow strike, though, Lawson turns things around, but after jostling with nothing much happening, the referee sends them back to the middle. Hard right hand from Lawson catches her opponent flush, and it's probably enough to take the round.

 

Round 2

 

Lawson is too good for Fox here, and lands numerous punches and kicks, doing some significant damage to Fox's legs.

 

Round 3

 

Lawson gets a scything low kick to the legs but Fox gets a takedown and manages side control, but can't get a mount. The pair jockey for a better position for the rest of the round, neither of them managing it.

 

Round 4

 

Big right hook from Lawson puts Fox in trouble! After that, though, neither is able to gain an advantage, and Lawson lands another hard right towards the end of the round which should seal it for her.

 

Round 5

 

Lawson seems to have comfortably won at least 3 of the 4 rounds so far, and Fox will know that she'll need a finish to defeat the #8 seed here. She tries for a takedown but can't get it, and both women are looking very tired indeed by now. The round expires without much happening, and we go to the judges, who all score 49-46 Lawson.

 

'The Wrecking Machine' Chelsea Lawson defeats 'The Maryland Mauler' Helen Fox (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 5.) Average

 

 

Sarah Vaughan vs Alyson Arroway

 

Round 1

 

Vaughan tries for a quick finish with a thunderous right hand which somehow doesn't put Alley Kat down, and Alyson counters with a huge hit of her own. As Vaughan shoots in for a takedown, Arroway unloads another big right, but The Arizona Animal tries again and gets it, only for Arroway to pull guard. Vaughan can't pass guard and nearly gets caught in a triangle by Arroway. Exciting round, which the #1 seed probably just about did enough to take.

 

Round 2

 

Huge right hook from Arroway rocks the XCC title-holder, and Arroway follows up with a barrage of big punches, but gets her leg caught when she goes for a body kick and SV takes her down. Arroway pulls guard, but Vaughan can't pass it, and Arroway twice nearly manages to lock on a triangle choke from below.

 

Round 3

 

Jockeying for control for much of the first 2 minutes, Vaughan finally forces Arroway against the cage. but Arroway reverses and scores some hard punches. Again, though, a body kick is her undoing as Vaughan catches her leg and gets a takedown, forcing her opponent to pull guard. Arroway reaches up and tries to grab an arm but can't get it, but Vaughan must be concerned that she's managed to get Arroway down several times now without looking like she's able to finish her off.

 

Round 4

 

Vaughan starts off well, getting an early takedown, and ending up in half guard. She can't pass, though, and Arroway defends an americana attempt well. Little progress is being made, and the referee stands them up.

 

Round 5

 

Both women look exhausted here, and end up against the cage, with Vaughan having the upper hand. She takes advantage, flooring Arroway with a Greco-Roman slam, and gets side control. Time runs out, and we go to the judges.

48-47 Arroway

48-47 Vaughan

48-47 Arroway, for the huge shock!

 

Alyson 'Alley Kat' Arroway defeats 'The Arizona Animal' Sarah Vaughan (Split Decision in 5:00 of round 5.) Decent.

 

 

Final

 

Alyson Arroway vs Chelsea Lawson

 

Round 1

 

The two kickboxers feel each other out, neither being able to get the advantage. Arroway seems to just edge it.

 

Round 2

 

Similar to round 1 until the end, when Lawson checks a leg kick and lands a huge right hook to send Arroway stumbling! Lawson pounces on her opponent, but time runs out before she can really capitalise.

 

Round 3

 

With both women looking tired, it's a poor first couple of minutes, until Lawson lands a massive uppercut to knock her opponent down! Instead of following her, she backs off, inviting the higher seed to stand up. Arroway responds, feinting a few times before rocking the other fighter with a solid right.

 

Round 4

 

Lawson has the definite advantage here, landing some tough-looking blows - until Arroway neatly dodges a jab, and explodes with a hard right hand to turn the lights out for Chelsea Lawson!

 

Alyson 'Alley Kat' Arroway defeats 'The Wrecking Machine' Chelsea Lawson (Knock Out (Punch) in 2:04 of round 4.) Decent.

 

Critical rating: Good

Commercial rating: Poor

Fight of the night: Vaughan vs Watanabe

KO of the Night: Arroway (vs Lawson)

Submission of the night: None

 

CageRage 1/7 (6/21) - Thanks for predicting!

[Jaded]

CFI 4 - Light Heavyweights

 

In the opening round, #1 seed Tadamasa Yamada (23-1) - ranked #2 pound-for-pound in the world, behind Hassan Fezzik - takes on FLB's Carlos dos Santos (16-3). Yamada recently beat Jin Katou in a clash of the top 2 light heavyweights around, taking just six minutes to force the challenger to his ALPHA-1 Light Heavyweight title to tap out to an armbar. The Brazilian Vale Tudo star is the definite underdog here; however he was clearly not expected to win last time out as he faced Affonso Villar in what observers thought would be an easy defence for the FLB Light Heavyweight title-holder, only for dos Santos to use his excellent stamina to frustrate Villar and eventually take a unanimous decision win.

 

Hyun-Shik Lim (13-0) faces Nicolai Mickiewicz (21-4). ALPHA-1's Lim has one of the longest undefeated streaks around but has faced top-class opposition relatively rarely. Having said that, he took just 23 seconds to completely annihilate Ewerton Fellosa, then ranked #5, last time out, following other quick victories against Naoki Itoh and Yoritomo Ina. Mickiewicz is the new SIGMA Light Heavyweight champion, winning the belt recently from Aleksei Chekhov in a four-round bout which he took via TKO.

 

Zvonimir Asanovic (30-2) faces Curt Kitson (12-0) in a clash of two heavy hitters. The Croatian Sensation appears to have stalled somewhat in ALPHA-1, with impressive recent KO victories in quick fights against Inejiro Chiba and Naoki Itoh not seeming to have advanced him towards a title shot - a tournament win here would surely make his credentials impossible to ignore. Aberdeen's Curt Kitson, though, has defended his BCF Light Heavyweight title with good wins against Daniel Hornsby, George Laurent and Adrian Majorem over the last 18 months and will be high on confidence.

 

Finally, Marlon John (17-0) goes against Katsuro Tanaka (51-9-2). John has built a huge undefeated streak by fighting often - six times in the last 18 months - and has claimed the scalps of some big names in GAMMA, defeating Spencer Rubenstein to win the belt and retaining against Anthony LeToussier, Mike Watson and Shane Jackson. Veteran Tanaka competes in PANKRATION and was humiliated a year ago in a shockingly quick loss to Tony Ayoub; however he's bounced back with submission victories over Ron Jackson, Suleyman, Dae-Jung Woo and Jesse James Johnson, winning the Openweight title just last month in an eighteen-minute classic.

 

Prediction Key

 

#1 Tadamasa Yamada vs #8 Carlos dos Santos

#4 Hyun-Shik Lim vs #5 Nicolai Mickiewicz

#3 Zvonimir Asanovic vs #6 Curt Kitson

#2 Marlon John vs #7 Katsuro Tanaka

 

Yamada/dos Santos vs Lim/Mickiewicz

Asanovic/Kitson vs John/Tanaka

 

Final

[CageRage]

Prediction Key

 

#1 Tadamasa Yamada vs #8 Carlos dos Santos

#4 Hyun-Shik Lim vs #5 Nicolai Mickiewicz

#3 Zvonimir Asanovic vs #6 Curt Kitson

#2 Marlon John vs #7 Katsuro Tanaka

 

Yamada/dos Santos vs Lim/Mickiewicz

Asanovic/Kitson vs John/Tanaka

 

Final: Tadamasa Yamada vs. Marlon John

[Blackman]

cant believe the added fighter won it. imo the added ones are way too powerful and it detracts from the experience.

 

missed the fw predictions but i wouldve gotten them all wrong. what a freak result...

 

for lhw ill take the same as cagerage. except asanovic in the semis

[Jaded]

cant believe the added fighter won it. imo the added ones are way too powerful and it detracts from the experience.

 

missed the fw predictions but i wouldve gotten them all wrong. what a freak result...

 

for lhw ill take the same as cagerage. except asanovic in the semis

 

Who's your pick for the final? He has John, whereas your semi predictions are ZA and Yamada.

 

And yeah, really weird results!

[Blackman]

Ow, sorry. Yamada.

[Jaded]

Sorry for the delay!

CFI 4 - Light Heavyweights

 

Quarter-finals

 

#2 Marlon John vs #7 Katsuro Tanaka

 

Round 1

 

John draws Tanaka in with a feint before trapping him against the cage with a barrage of big right hands! As Tanaka collapses, John follows up with more strikes, and that's all she wrote.

 

'The Punisher' Marlon John defeats Katsuro Tanaka (TKO (Strikes) in 0:28 of round 1) Good.

 

 

#3 Zvonimir Asanovic vs #6 Curt Kitson

 

Round 1

 

The pair trade takedown attempts, with Kitson getting it in the end; however he can't pass guard, and is forced to allow the Croatian to his feet. As he goes for a second takedown, Asanovic sprawls well, and Kitson gets almost turtled up on his knees.

 

Round 2

 

The pair bob and weave around each other, neither hitting anything much, until Kitson tries a takedown and is caught with a stiff right cross! Nothing much happens from then on, but that should be enough to take the round for the kickboxer.

 

Round 3

 

The pair brawl for a couple of minutes until Asanovic gets a takedown of his own, only for Kitson to try for a guillotine. It's too quick, though, and Kitson gets left on his back pulling guard. Asanovic can't pass and Kitson tries to grab an arm, which he doesn't manage, but he does eventually sweep the Scot to get side control shortly before time expires.

 

Round 4

 

With both men looking exhausted, little happens until Asanovic is able to get the Muay Thai clinch, and blasts Kitson with a knee to the body. Kitson wrestles his way into a standard clinch and forces Zvonimir against the cage, where he hits a sweet uppercut with a second or so to go.

 

Round 5

 

Kitson tries for a takedown but is stopped by The Croatian Sensation's sprawl, and from there Asanovic gets control and is able to lock on an armbar for the tapout!

 

Zvonimir 'The Croatian Sensation' Asanovic defeats 'The Bad Element' Curt Kitson (Submission (Armbar) in 2:04 of round 5.) Good.

 

 

#4 Hyun-Shik Lim vs #5 Nicolai Mickiewicz

 

Round 1

 

Mickiewicz comes in trying for a takedown but Lim reverses, wrestling the European to the floor, where he gets both hooks in. He twice tries for a rear naked choke but gets blocked, so eventually just unloads with punches, which is enough for the referee.

 

'Blood Spirit' Hyun-Shik Lim defeats 'The Scourge of Europe' Nicolai Mickiewicz (TKO (Strikes) in 3:39 of round 1). Decent.

 

 

#1 Tadamasa Yamada vs #8 Carlos dos Santos

 

Round 1

 

Yamada gets a single leg takedown and grabs an arm triangle, only for dos Santos to fight his way out of it. Moving to mount, Yamada tries an armbar but gets stacked up. dos Santos briefly has side control but lets go, standing up just before time runs out.

 

Round 2

 

Yamada hits a huge right to leave dos Santos reeling, then comes in with a takedown, and gets side control. Blasting away with a crunching knee strike, he locks in a kimura, but somehow dos Santos struggles free! Second time around, though, he has it in tight for the submission.

 

'The Dragon' Tadamasa Yamada defeats Carlos dos Santos (Submission (Kimura) in 3:31 of round 2.) Decent.

 

 

Semi-finals

 

Asanovic vs John

 

Round 1

 

Barely anything happens. Seriously. John 10-9 according to commentator; not sure how they could even score that.

 

Round 2

 

John gets a single-leg takedown and, after taking a few minutes to shift to mount, unloads with punches!

 

'The Punisher' Marlon John defeats Zvonimir 'The Croatian Sensation' Asanovic (TKO (Strikes) in 4:34 of round 2.) Average

 

 

Yamada vs Lim

 

Round 1

 

Lim hits a huge spinning back fist and knocks The Dragon down, diving in to rain down punches, but Yamada pulls half guard, then transitions to full guard, from which he pulls Hyun-Shik in and lands some sharp punches. Yamada goes for a triangle but Lim twists out to get side control, then stands up, allowing his opponent to get to his feet too.

 

Round 2

 

Yamada tries for a flying heel hook but Lim defends well, forcing Yamada to settle for tripping him and being pulled into half guard. Lim breaks free of an arm triangle but Yamada gets the mount, and from there on unloads with punches!

 

'The Dragon' Tadamasa Yamada defeats 'Blood Spirit' Hyun-Shik Lim (TKO (Strikes) in 3:27 of round 2.) Fantastic.

 

 

Final

 

Yamada vs John

 

Round 1

 

John forces the ALPHA-1 star against the cage and hits repeated punches, but is unable to do anything much and the referee brings them back to the center.

 

Round 2

 

John pins Yamada to the cage again, but this time the Dragon turns it around. Yamada gets a takedown and grabs a kneebar, forcing the submission!

 

'The Dragon' Tadamasa Yamada defeats 'The Punisher' Marlon John (Submission (Kneebar) in 4:49 of round 2.) Decent.

 

Predictions

 

Blackman 6/7 (15/21)

CageRage 6/7 (12/28)

 

Great picks, both. Thanks for predicting!

[Jaded]

Just a heads-up - still enjoying this, but struggling with round by round fight recaps, so probably moving to shorter ones from here in.

 

CFI 5 - Welterweights

 

Rufus Stephens (22-1), the tournament's only American fighter, collides with Xie Ming (24-5). GAMMA champion Stephens has six wins in the past 2 years, beating Julio Regueiro by decision to win a title shot and taking the belt from Jack Humphreys with a rear naked choke. He's made just one defence, against the unexpectedly chosen contender Evan Gardner, who he made short work of, defeating him via TKO. It's hard to see ALPHA-1's Chinese star Ming having much of a chance here – he looked fairly good with knock out victories over Simon Vine and Keita Oshima in his last two outings, but prior to that lost a unanimous decision comfortably to Carlos da Guia, the only ranked opponent he's faced.

 

Ichisake Miyagi (24-3) is up against Ikku Funaki (17-4). Ranked #9 in the world pound-for-pound, Miyagi won Carlos da Guia's title via unanimous decision in ALPHA-1, although came surprisingly close to losing it first time around in a defence against then #23 ranked Fukusaburu Hirano – the Devil in Blue got the UD there as well, but many observers felt the challenger was robbed. He looked much better in his second and most recent defence, brutalising Syed Tan en route to winning via TKO in just 153 seconds. He definitely can't underestimate fellow ALPHA-1 star Ikku Funaki, though – the kung fu expert's last 3 fights have lasted a combined total of under 6 minutes, as he annihilated Kafu Bunya and Bakin Sakemoto to win via TKO, and stood and brawled with Yeijiro Yanemoto, dropping him with a huge uppercut.

 

Noach van der Capellen (23-3) fights BJJ star Charles Stiles (17-2). Noach, ranked #13 pound-for-pound and second only to heavyweight Ari Peltonen as Europe's top MMA star, hasn't fought for 18 months. Last time around he beat Evgene Medtner with a thundering right hook to win SIGMA's Welterweight title, but with the division looking seriously weak at the moment (perhaps best shown by Aaron Underberg's rise to #6 in their rankings with just 4 career matches), they haven't found a challenger for him. Will his lack of practise show? If he's not on the top of his game, Stiles may pull an upset – the Brazilian has some big recent scalps, including Claudio Palacios twice and Lucas.

 

Chew Chua (22-4) is up against Manuel Silva (14-0) in a contest between two Muay Thai specialists. Chua, the fourth ALPHA-1 star to compete here – showing just how incredible their division is – has recent TKO wins against Yeijiro Yamamoto, Simon Vine and Jungo Futagawa. Silva, the only unbeaten fighter in the tournament – and with much less experience than most of his fellow combatants – is in the same position as Noach van der Capellen. Eighteen months ago, he hit a massive flying knee to take the FLB belt from Gabriel Gallego; since then they haven't found a suitable challenger.

 

 

Predictions Key

 

#1 Rufus Stephens vs #9 Xie Ming

#4 Chew Chua vs #5 Manuel Silva

#3 Noach van der Capellen vs #7 Charles Stiles

#2 Ichisake Miyagi vs #8 Ikku Funaki

 

Stephens/Ming vs Chua/Silva

van der Capellen/Stiles vs Miyagi/Funaki

 

Final

 

[Blackman]

#1 Rufus Stephens vs #9 Xie Ming

#4 Chew Chua vs #5 Manuel Silva

#3 Noach van der Capellen vs #7 Charles Stiles

#2 Ichisake Miyagi vs #8 Ikku Funaki

 

Stephens vs Silva (here's hoping he's got enough xp; in my games he fails most of the time on top level)

Stiles vs Miyagi

 

Silva vs Miyagi

[CageRage]

#1 Rufus Stephens vs #9 Xie Ming

#4 Chew Chua vs #5 Manuel Silva

#3 Noach van der Capellen vs #7 Charles Stiles

#2 Ichisake Miyagi vs #8 Ikku Funaki

 

Stephens/Ming vs Chua/Silva

van der Capellen/Stiles vs Miyagi/Funaki

 

Final: Manuel Silva vs. Noach van der Capellen