|
Report by Loretta Hunt - Photography by Daisy Rosas SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., June 15 -- If tonight stood as "Razor" Rob McCullough's litmus test as to if he's ready to step up to a bigger stage, the results came back a resounding positive. According to San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino's estimate, approximately 1,500 (out of a 1,700 maximum occupancy) turned out to watch McCullough and others for the WEC's twenty-first offering and its first time outside of central valley Lemoore since 2002. From an opening barrage of steady inside low kicks, it was clear McCullough's speed would make the difference against the taller Ryan Healy, of Northwest Elite. A two-time WEC vet who'd shown some solid hands and seemed unafraid to engage the Razor, Healy realized quickly his reach on McCullough was more of a detriment than anything else. The former kickboxing champion landed a succession of stabbing kicks freely from outside range that forced Healy inside where he unloaded his first solid combination along the fence. McCullough wisely circled out and backed away, and the pair reset to center canvas. A small trickle of blood rolled down from the corner of Healy's left eye.
Again Healy pressed in, this time for a takedown the Californian amply redirected into a throw to get Healy to the ground. The closest man to the action, referee Herb Dean then intervened, summoning cageside physician Dr. Beaird in to inspect Healy's cut. The video screens revealed a three-inch slit through Healy's left eyelid, and after a brief exchange with the pleading fighter, Dr. Beaird shook his head and the fight was called. The crowd growled at the stoppage, not necessarily in reaction to the assessment, but because the 1:52 bout had been an explosive one that deserved a longer run. It is obvious McCullough's meld of his kickboxing into MMA has evolved past his initial foray into fighting four years ago. McCullough's next outing in July 22's WFA will serve as his coming out; the question if his ground game has caught up to anywhere near to his dangerous striking remains unanswered.
Three years later, with Hurley trying to start some momentum in his march back to the cage, it's ironic he'd have to meet Nick Diaz's younger brother Nate. This would not be a night for redemption, however, but more of a lesson in the evolution of the sport past some of its earlier heroes. The younger Diaz, even lankier than his 6'0" brother, easily took Hurley down, where he spent the round chipping away into Hurley's guard with leaping punches from his feet. Although Hurley was able to fend off Diaz' advances to side control and accomplished a pair of push-off reversals, the couple always found themselves back in the same position. By round's end, a diligent Diaz had half, then side control before losing it just as fast at the bell. It would be surprising if Hurley's corner hadn't instructed him to stand going into the second round, and sure enough, both fighters danced and traded a sloppy exchange of punches before Diaz again got the takedown. Again, Hurley maneuvered out and up to his feet, while Diaz grabbed the guillotine and pulled Hurley into his guard. From his back, Diaz trapped Hurley's right leg before transitioning into a triangle choke. As Hurley's face pinkened, a white towel flew into the cage from a cornerman who says he saw his fighter go out before waking up and tapping out himself. Diaz moves on to 3-1.
WEC lightweight champion Hermes Franca graciously approached opponent Brandon Olsen upon entering the cage, and gave his best wishes. This would end Franca's goodwill tour. Olsen charged Franca at the bell, possibly hoping he could overwhelm the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Franca seemed little startled by the advance, taking Olsen into his guard as his back gently touched the canvas. Olsen seemed encouraged by what he thought was progress, then genuinely disappointed when Franca easily found the armbar and the tapout 40 seconds in. More than ready to make his return to the big tent, Franca takes on Roger Huerta at UFC 61 on July 8. The only bout to go the distance, a much-improved Joe Martin, who's becoming a staple of the WEC cards, scrambled through a succession of kneebar and heelhook attempts with opponent Mike Penalber in a well-matched affair. Both demonstrated great reactionary skills and a healthy understanding of the game, but it was Penalber's solid takedowns that gave him the leg up. After the decision was announced as a split decision in Penalber's favor, judge Cecil Peoples informed FCF his scoring of 29-28 in Martin's favor had been read incorrectly (the two other judges had scored it 30-27 for Penalber). Peoples clarified he had scored it 29-28 in Penalber's direction. Giving Martin the slightest of edges in a very close first round. Justin Eilers had a bit of trouble moving the immovable rock that was Jimmy Ambriz, some 30 pounds heavier than himself and eager for a quick victory as he bullrushed Eilers at the bell and scooped the yellow-trunked youngster down. The athletic college footballer managed to dissipate the fall with his right arm, but then couldn't find his way back to his feet, stalled on all fours as Ambriz peppered him with soft punches from his side. Looking to have little effect, Eilers constantly told the referee he was okay until he finally wiggled to his feet. Clinching along the fence, the two traded knees, but Eilers' crisper digs packed more power. Slowly but surely, Eilers saw his opening and when the two separated, he lunged in with to connecting body punches to Ambriz's soft middle. Although he may not have won the round, Eilers gave an approving nod to himself at the bell, confident he'd cracked the puzzle for round two.
A minute came and passed, but Ambriz, clutching his left arm, did not rise from his stool. Instead, the crowd around him began to multiply, as the cageside physician was eventually ushered in. Dr. Beaird later confirmed what Jimmy Lennon announced to a disappointed crowd -- Ambriz's bicep had detached and moved up his arm. In a solid lightweight effort, American Kickboxing Academy's Rich Crunkilton probably got a little more than he bargained for in Apex Jiu-Jitsu's Adam Lynn, who shrugged off the Florida native's duo of shoots and had him thinking on his feet as what to do next. After getting floored with a high left kick and follow-up punch, Lynn found some reprieve clinching Crunkilton tight into to his guard, till he felt ready to try it again upstairs. A weakened Lynn still fell prey to "Cleat's" first completed takedown, but scrambled out and up again. Connecting with two clean hooks at the top of the second, Lynn shrugged off another takedown attempt and pushed his opponent to the fence, where he landed an elbow. Crunkilton mirrored his foe, but his elbow got a bigger response, knocking Lynn flush to the ground. With Crunkilton easily slipping to mount, Lynn opted to give his back. The rear-naked choke tapout came shortly after. His shirt read "Killa" and he certainly was one. Local attraction Kyle York had the crowd on its feet and opponent Jason Glaza on the mat with his first counterpunch and a dynamic opener for the evening. York maneuvered to Glaza's back and the woozy heavyweight mustered a fend-off, over-the-shoulder throw into half guard. Rising to their feet, Glaza went for some close-range uppercuts, but York's reply crumbled Glaza to the canvas a second and final time. In a short preliminary offering, Miguel Cosio came out guns blazing but was the first to get tagged, reeling back from the more accurate Brian Stann's hands. Raising his arms even before referee Herb Dean had a moment to step in, Stann had the right idea -- it was all over in 16 seconds. WEC 21 "Tapout" Results
|
| © All materials contained in the Full Contact Fighter web site are protected by copyright and to be used only for personal and noncommercial uses. Public display or copying for sale or public distribution of any of these materials is strictly prohibited. |