Alternate Bout
Chris Kennedy (Pictures) vs. Rick Reeves (Pictures)
Round 1
Reeves opens with a nice double after Kennedy connects with a jab. The welterweights are working against the ropes, and they grapple more towards the center of the ring now. Kennedy puts Reeves in half guard and threatens with a guillotine choke. They scramble for position and Reeves lands two hard downward shots. A battle of leglocks ensues. No one comes out on top, and they scramble until Reeves finds mount, but Kennedy easily stands up. They're clinched in the corner now, and Reeves scores a bodylock takedown. Reeves nearly has a guillotine, and switches to triangle. Kennedy answers with a slam but Reeves locks the choke in tighter. Somehow Kennedy survives and stumbles back to his corner as the bell sounds, leaning over the top rope to help regain composure. 10-9 Reeves.
Round 2
Kennedy initiates a takedown to start the second, but Reeves easily reverses and is now looking for an armbar. Kennedy fights off Reeves' legs as he struggles to defend his right arm, which he has as he ends up in the guard. Reeves again threatens with a triangle, but Kennedy is comfortably postured away from danger. That is before he leans back into the choke. Don Frye and Ken Shamrock bark instructions to their fighters. Kennedy is surviving, but he's been in danger several times, and has begun to show signs of fatigue. Reeves is in half-guard as Frye barks to Kennedy: "You have one minute!" They stand and Kennedy connects with a stiff jab. To the floor one more time as they fight in the guard, Reeves on his back. "Punch his face," says Frye.
Round 3
A slap of hands signals the start of the third. Clinched against the ropes, Kennedy tries to work on Reeves' body with knees before placing Reeves on the canvas. Referee Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters and Kennedy pulls guard for a guillotine choke. Kennedy is straining to finish, but Reeves seems comfortable and eventually frees himself. The pace is fast but sloppy, and Reeves attacks Kennedy's leg, going for kneebar before spinning to side-control. Kennedy gets the ground but not the fight, as judges at ringside score it unanimously (29-28 three times) for Rick Reeves.
Toronto Dragons vs. New York Pitbulls
Brent Beauparlant (Pictures) vs. Fabio Leopoldo (Pictures)
Round 1
They exchange single strikes to start. Leopoldo offers the fight's first combination, a one-two that glances off Beauparlant's gloves. Leopoldo wins a scramble and finishes with a knee, but Beauparlant is the aggressor and keeps moving forward. A thwack of a low kick by Leopoldo is followed by a head-snapping right hand lead. The Brazilian is kicking well, first to the head and now to the body. Beaparlant scores a takedown but Leopoldo immediately looks for a submission; in a scramble to return to their feet. Leopoldo is breathing heavily now, while Beaparlant looks comfortable to close out the round. 10-9 Leopoldo.
Round 2
Good straight shot to the gut by Beauparlant, who looks calm as he stalks the New York Pitbull. Leopoldo takes a telegraphed double-leg attempt and Beauparlant easily ushers the middleweight away. And exchange of big uppercuts excites the ground and Beauparlant is really coming forward now. He is throwing slow, but clean combinations and now they're grappling in the center of the ring. Nice hook to the body by Beauparlant as his coach Carlos Newton warns to "watch for the uppercut." Beauparlant really seems to be targeting the body. He catches a right hand behind the ear, but is unfazed. With his corner asking for a takedown, Beauparlant obliges with a big double-leg that leaves the middleweights scrambling to close out the second period. 10-9 Beauparlant.
Round 3
Renzo Gracie is in Leopoldo's face, demanding his fighter respond to Beauparlant's aggression. They touch gloves and the Brazilian laces a right straight that does no damage. Beauparlant continues where he left off, dropping a combination that attacks the body and is finished with a leg kick. Another kick to the leg and another punch to the body. One more leg kick drops Leopoldo to the canvas, and Beauparlant walks away. Leopoldo is very tired and eats yet another low kick. Leopoldo takes punishment on the floor and he talks to Beauparlant, who delivers two more shots before Leopoldo again speaks, this time grabbing his right shoulder. Beauparlant backs off and the fight is called. Leopoldo stands under his own power, and is now sitting in the center of the ring on a stool that matches the color of his red trunks. He walks out of the ring and seems hesitant to use his right arm. The end comes at 2:22 due to injury and Toronto takes the early lead.
Wojtek Kaszowski (Pictures) vs. Andre Gusmao (Pictures)
Round 1
Andre kicks to the inside of Kaszowski's right leg momentarily drops the Toronto light heavyweight, but the two quickly engage again. Catching a Kaszowski kick, Gusmao slams the fight to the floor where he opens up with a bit of ground-and-pound. Gusmao passes to side-control and plays a tight game. Very little action now, despite Gusmao's position. Gusmao looks to isolate Kaszowski's left arm, but the Toronto Dragon fighter smartly defends -- at least for a moment. With Gusmao dropping punches down, Kaszowski turns his back and Gusmao immediately looks for a choke that looks more like a horse collar than a rear-naked, getting it with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first frame. The official time of the fight comes at 3:53 of the first.
Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) vs. Erik Owings (Pictures)
Round 1
Fabiano opens with an early takedown, and before you can blink transitions beautifully from mount to armbar, forcing a lightning-fast tapout from lightweight Owings. Fabiano took what he was presented with and made brutally efficient use of it, closing out the fight 58 seconds after the opening bell to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Gideon Ray (Pictures) vs. Delson Heleno (Pictures)
Round 1
Two mean looking welterweights move to the center of the ring. They're dancing and the crowd boos. Heleno responds by bullrushing Ray to the canvas. He's on top in half-guard but there's very little action, and the Las Vegas crowd, which by this point has filled the Las Vegas Hilton ballroom, voices its displeasure. Heleno isn't listening and moves into full mount, though he's still not overly active. Heleno looks for a triangle from the top but Ray explodes out of it. Heleno reacts by attempting an armbar from the guard, but Ray survives and they return to the feet. Jumping right straight by Ray snaps Heleno's head. On the floor now after a scramble, Heleno finds an armbar and nearly locks it out, but from underneath Ray spins and survives the opening period. Good action here. 10-9 Heleno.
Round 2
They dance to start the second, and the southpaw Ray lands a nice kick. Heleno, who appears to be the physically stronger of the two, puts Ray on his back and works from half-guard. And now side-control. Mount. Again, however, Ray explodes his way out of a bad position, but Heleno is undaunted. He passes and begins working on Ray's right arm, extending the limb past the point of no return and Ray appears to be injured as he taps. Ray stands, holding his right arm at the elbow. With replays now on the ballroom's big screen, Ray and Heleno watch as the UFC veteran's right elbow pops out of place. The crowd groans, but the New York Pitbulls are happy as they've forced this one to a deciding fifth fight. Verbal submission at 1:29 of the second.
Rafael Feijao vs. Marcio Cruz (Pictures)
Round 1
Marcio Cruz immediately tries a single-leg, but Custodio stands his ground and has fought off the takedown for almost a full minute. The heavyweights are clinched against the ropes now, and Custodio is the one who puts it on the floor first. He plays inside Pe da Pano's guard but the action is very slow. With 1:40 remaining Custodio stands above Cruz and begins to sink low kicks into the BJJ champion's legs. Feijao backs away and Cruz seems winded, though he again dives in for a single-leg takedown. Finally Cruz gets a takedown but Feijao grabs the ropes and ends up on top. Referee Mario Yamasaki immediately calls time and takes a point away from Custodio, making it a 9-9 round on the Sherdog card.
Round 2
Cruz is breathing heavy and looks out of shape as the fight restarts. Feijao lands a clean left hook before fending off another Cruz takedown attempt. Pe da Pano really needs a change of fortune and he gets one as Feijao sprawls through the ropes. Cruz takes back mount and unloads punches, and does the same as Feijao rules to face him. The Toronto Dragon has regained some control by putting Cruz in the half-guard; he was just seconds from losing the fight. Cruz is still on top, though his pace has diminished. Feijao takes several right hands to his ribs before finally regaining full guard. Cruz has made the most of this chance, and he continues to pound on Custodio. With 10 seconds remaining in the round, Yamasaki stands the heavyweights and Feijao lands an uppercut. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 3
Cruz once again tries his single and eats a right hand for the effort. But he remains vigilant and plants Feijao in the center of the ring, where they now fight from the guard. Cruz is beginning to take control, staying active with ground-and-pound despite the Toronto corner calling for Yamasaki to stand the fighters. Cruz delivers a Sakuraba-esque double chop, which is more show than substance. Newton calls for a point deduction do to what he thought was a headbutt from Cruz. The crowd begins to boo and Feijao lands an illegal kick Cruz's head. Yamasaki penalizes Custodio a point. The fight restarts and Custodio again plants an illegal kick to Cruz's face. Yamasaki stands over the fighters and calls the fight, disqualifying Custodio and ending the Dragons' 2007 campaign, as Toronto loses 3-2. New York, now 3-0 on the season, become the third team to make the IFL playoffs.
Tucson Scorpions vs. Nevada Lions
Seth Baczynski (Pictures) vs. Dan Molina (Pictures)
Round 1
Baczynski comes out punching but gives up an easy takedown. He's trying to play from the bottom, lifting his legs high as Molina stays tight. Molina stands and lands a nice left hand, but soon enough he's back in the guard. Molina is clearly the aggressor and he goes for Baczynski's left leg, forcing a tapout from heelhook at 1:32 of the opening period. Nevada goes up 1-0.
Mike Guymon (Pictures) vs. Pat Healy (Pictures)
Round 1
Guymon initiates a clinch off the opening bell, and they've worked themselves into the Nevada corner, which coach Ken Shamrock looking on. Guymon works knees in the clinch before snapping off a left hook. Healy takes it well and quickly finds himself on top of "Joker," now ground-and-pounding from the closed guard. Standing again, the welterweights trade shots. Guymon connects with two lead rights, and they're clinched again, which Healy takes advantage of with a trip takedown. Scrambling to the feet, Guymon connects with a right hand that drops Healy. He follows with several hard shots before the bell signals to end the first frame. 10-9 Guymon
Round 2
Guymon and Healy smile and touch gloves to start the middle period. Joker gives up a takedown and the pace slows. Guymon is close to a triangle attempt but Healy's right arm is in the way. Some decent ground work here, as Healy looks for positions to throw strikes from. Coach Frye, sporting a Star Spangled button-down shirt, implores his fighter to stand. Guymon obliges, but just for a moment, as Healy again puts Guymon on the canvas. 10-9 Healy.
Round 3
A lead knee by Guymon connects to Healy's chin. He lands another and the fighters stand in front of one another until Healy easily puts Joker down. Some methodical ground work stirs a restless crowd. Healy peppers Guymon with short strikes from half-guard, but nothing remotely damaging. Ten seconds remaining in the feet and Healy continues to be the more active fighter. He ends the contest walking to his corner with his hands raised, while Guymon kneels on the canvas. 10-9 Healy on the Sherdog card, making it 29-28 for the Nevada Lions 170-pounder. Judges at ringside differ in their opinion. Both "Judo" Gene Le Bell and Patricia Morse Jarman score it 29-28 for Healy, while Abe Belardo dissents at 29-28 for Guymon.
Gabriel Casillas vs. John Gunderson (Pictures)
Round 1
The lightweights come out strong, and Gunderson asserts himself with a high-elevation double-leg. Casillas works on Gunderson's neck, but never endangers the Nevada fighter. Now in Casillas' guard, Gunderson delivers chopping shots, sitting up to strike when given the chance. Action is slow now as the round enters its final minute. Gunderson sits up and lands three punches. With the round waning, the lightweights slug it out, neither man gaining much of an advantage in the exchange. 10-9 Gunderson.
Round 2
Punches are thrown but none land, however it allows Casillas to clinch which he uses to set up a trip takedown. Gunderson takes a Kimura on Casillas' right arm and reverses briefly to mount, but the Tucson Scorpion finds himself scrambling to avoid the submission as Frye yells, "Beat his ass! Beat his ass!" Gunderson is still after Casillas' arm and now is on top as he twists away. It's extended, the hand well behind Casillas' shoulder, yet he remains in the fight and won't give in. Gunderson transitions beautifully to back-control, where he locks in a rear-naked choke to seal the team victory for Nevada. The Las Vegas crowd cheers its approval. Official time of the fight is 2:58 of round two.
Shane Ott (Pictures) vs. Roy Nelson (Pictures)
Round 1
The heavyweights immediately enter into a battle for position. Nelson, surprisingly nimble for his size, finally puts Ott on the canvas with a bodylock takedown. Nelson takes Ott's back and looks for the choke, but the Tucson heavyweight won't give in so easily. Back on the feet they're clinched in a neutral corner. Again Nelson has Ott's back, looking for a fight-ending choke. The Vegas crowd is looking for another Lions win, and Nelson is trying hard to give them that. But four-minute round comes to a close and Ott will live to fight at least another round. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 2
Nelson buzzes a haymaker past the right side of Ott's head. They clinch and Nelson drives Ott through the ropes; he is fine and referee Josh Rosenthal restarts them in the center of the ring. Ott is beginning to connect, landing a combination on the hefty Nelson. Ott looks for a Kimura and Nelson quickly rolls out of danger. Back on the feet, they clinch again. The pace is slow now, and boos are starting to filter from the crowd towards the ring. Referee Rosenthal is content to watch, which is fine for Nelson who just scored a thudding takedown as closed. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 3
A touch of gloves to start the final period. Nelson lands a big low kick that forces a grimace across Ott's face. Nelson is scoring now. They clinch and the crowd demands knees. Nelson gives them what they want, and they cheer with each one. "One more!" yells a woman from the crowd. Ott won't back down and he throws hands now, but he can't seem to do much with Nelson, who nearly forces him through the ropes again. Ott ends up on top after a scramble that started with him connecting hard with . It's not pretty right now. They hug and Nelson tosses Ott with one arm to the canvas like Reggie White did to offensive linemen his entire NFL career. Nelson, bleeding from a cut near his right eye, has back-control now. Not much happening in the way of submissions, as the heavyweights end the fight to a smattering of applause. 10-9 Nelson. Judges see it the same as Sherdog, 30-27 for Nelson. The Lions are one win away from a sweep.
Mike Whitehead (Pictures) vs. Vernon White
Round 1
The light heavyweights meet head on and Whitehead puts Tiger White on the canvas. Whitehead working on Tiger's left arm as he tries to pry it free. But White has been here a million times and easily thwarts the sub attempt. Whitehead works from half-guard and again looks to target White's left arm. They exchange short shots, and Whitehead is getting a bit more aggressive now. From half-guard Whitehead sits up and rains down a combination of punches, none of which did much damage but it did help the Scorpion light heavyweight to move to side-control. Whitehead transitions as White turtles up, and he pounds down shots as the round comes to a close. It's virtually impossible to hurt Vernon, but that doesn't matter to Shamrock who gets in his fighter's face as he walks back to the corner. 10-9 Whitehead.
Round 2
Whitehead storms out of his corner and puts Vernon on his back. White has back-control and is delivering shots to both sides of Tiger's head. White is taking shots and not doing anything except yelling "back of the head! back of the head!" Whitehead tells referee Steve Mazzagatti that Vernon is done, and he moves in to finish it. Whitehead saves his team from being shutout while both White and Shamrock are furious. Shamrock berates Mazzagatti, who walks away before the confrontation grows into anything more than a few verbal barbs. Whitehead and White embrace as we wait for the official time, which is 54 seconds of round two. The final team tally finds the Lions defeating the Scorpions 4-1.
Chris Kennedy (Pictures) vs. Rick Reeves (Pictures)
Round 1
Reeves opens with a nice double after Kennedy connects with a jab. The welterweights are working against the ropes, and they grapple more towards the center of the ring now. Kennedy puts Reeves in half guard and threatens with a guillotine choke. They scramble for position and Reeves lands two hard downward shots. A battle of leglocks ensues. No one comes out on top, and they scramble until Reeves finds mount, but Kennedy easily stands up. They're clinched in the corner now, and Reeves scores a bodylock takedown. Reeves nearly has a guillotine, and switches to triangle. Kennedy answers with a slam but Reeves locks the choke in tighter. Somehow Kennedy survives and stumbles back to his corner as the bell sounds, leaning over the top rope to help regain composure. 10-9 Reeves.
Round 2
Kennedy initiates a takedown to start the second, but Reeves easily reverses and is now looking for an armbar. Kennedy fights off Reeves' legs as he struggles to defend his right arm, which he has as he ends up in the guard. Reeves again threatens with a triangle, but Kennedy is comfortably postured away from danger. That is before he leans back into the choke. Don Frye and Ken Shamrock bark instructions to their fighters. Kennedy is surviving, but he's been in danger several times, and has begun to show signs of fatigue. Reeves is in half-guard as Frye barks to Kennedy: "You have one minute!" They stand and Kennedy connects with a stiff jab. To the floor one more time as they fight in the guard, Reeves on his back. "Punch his face," says Frye.
Round 3
A slap of hands signals the start of the third. Clinched against the ropes, Kennedy tries to work on Reeves' body with knees before placing Reeves on the canvas. Referee Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters and Kennedy pulls guard for a guillotine choke. Kennedy is straining to finish, but Reeves seems comfortable and eventually frees himself. The pace is fast but sloppy, and Reeves attacks Kennedy's leg, going for kneebar before spinning to side-control. Kennedy gets the ground but not the fight, as judges at ringside score it unanimously (29-28 three times) for Rick Reeves.
Toronto Dragons vs. New York Pitbulls
Brent Beauparlant (Pictures) vs. Fabio Leopoldo (Pictures)
Round 1
They exchange single strikes to start. Leopoldo offers the fight's first combination, a one-two that glances off Beauparlant's gloves. Leopoldo wins a scramble and finishes with a knee, but Beauparlant is the aggressor and keeps moving forward. A thwack of a low kick by Leopoldo is followed by a head-snapping right hand lead. The Brazilian is kicking well, first to the head and now to the body. Beaparlant scores a takedown but Leopoldo immediately looks for a submission; in a scramble to return to their feet. Leopoldo is breathing heavily now, while Beaparlant looks comfortable to close out the round. 10-9 Leopoldo.
Round 2
Good straight shot to the gut by Beauparlant, who looks calm as he stalks the New York Pitbull. Leopoldo takes a telegraphed double-leg attempt and Beauparlant easily ushers the middleweight away. And exchange of big uppercuts excites the ground and Beauparlant is really coming forward now. He is throwing slow, but clean combinations and now they're grappling in the center of the ring. Nice hook to the body by Beauparlant as his coach Carlos Newton warns to "watch for the uppercut." Beauparlant really seems to be targeting the body. He catches a right hand behind the ear, but is unfazed. With his corner asking for a takedown, Beauparlant obliges with a big double-leg that leaves the middleweights scrambling to close out the second period. 10-9 Beauparlant.
Round 3
Renzo Gracie is in Leopoldo's face, demanding his fighter respond to Beauparlant's aggression. They touch gloves and the Brazilian laces a right straight that does no damage. Beauparlant continues where he left off, dropping a combination that attacks the body and is finished with a leg kick. Another kick to the leg and another punch to the body. One more leg kick drops Leopoldo to the canvas, and Beauparlant walks away. Leopoldo is very tired and eats yet another low kick. Leopoldo takes punishment on the floor and he talks to Beauparlant, who delivers two more shots before Leopoldo again speaks, this time grabbing his right shoulder. Beauparlant backs off and the fight is called. Leopoldo stands under his own power, and is now sitting in the center of the ring on a stool that matches the color of his red trunks. He walks out of the ring and seems hesitant to use his right arm. The end comes at 2:22 due to injury and Toronto takes the early lead.
Wojtek Kaszowski (Pictures) vs. Andre Gusmao (Pictures)
Round 1
Andre kicks to the inside of Kaszowski's right leg momentarily drops the Toronto light heavyweight, but the two quickly engage again. Catching a Kaszowski kick, Gusmao slams the fight to the floor where he opens up with a bit of ground-and-pound. Gusmao passes to side-control and plays a tight game. Very little action now, despite Gusmao's position. Gusmao looks to isolate Kaszowski's left arm, but the Toronto Dragon fighter smartly defends -- at least for a moment. With Gusmao dropping punches down, Kaszowski turns his back and Gusmao immediately looks for a choke that looks more like a horse collar than a rear-naked, getting it with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first frame. The official time of the fight comes at 3:53 of the first.
Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) vs. Erik Owings (Pictures)
Round 1
Fabiano opens with an early takedown, and before you can blink transitions beautifully from mount to armbar, forcing a lightning-fast tapout from lightweight Owings. Fabiano took what he was presented with and made brutally efficient use of it, closing out the fight 58 seconds after the opening bell to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Gideon Ray (Pictures) vs. Delson Heleno (Pictures)
Round 1
Two mean looking welterweights move to the center of the ring. They're dancing and the crowd boos. Heleno responds by bullrushing Ray to the canvas. He's on top in half-guard but there's very little action, and the Las Vegas crowd, which by this point has filled the Las Vegas Hilton ballroom, voices its displeasure. Heleno isn't listening and moves into full mount, though he's still not overly active. Heleno looks for a triangle from the top but Ray explodes out of it. Heleno reacts by attempting an armbar from the guard, but Ray survives and they return to the feet. Jumping right straight by Ray snaps Heleno's head. On the floor now after a scramble, Heleno finds an armbar and nearly locks it out, but from underneath Ray spins and survives the opening period. Good action here. 10-9 Heleno.
Round 2
They dance to start the second, and the southpaw Ray lands a nice kick. Heleno, who appears to be the physically stronger of the two, puts Ray on his back and works from half-guard. And now side-control. Mount. Again, however, Ray explodes his way out of a bad position, but Heleno is undaunted. He passes and begins working on Ray's right arm, extending the limb past the point of no return and Ray appears to be injured as he taps. Ray stands, holding his right arm at the elbow. With replays now on the ballroom's big screen, Ray and Heleno watch as the UFC veteran's right elbow pops out of place. The crowd groans, but the New York Pitbulls are happy as they've forced this one to a deciding fifth fight. Verbal submission at 1:29 of the second.
Rafael Feijao vs. Marcio Cruz (Pictures)
Round 1
Marcio Cruz immediately tries a single-leg, but Custodio stands his ground and has fought off the takedown for almost a full minute. The heavyweights are clinched against the ropes now, and Custodio is the one who puts it on the floor first. He plays inside Pe da Pano's guard but the action is very slow. With 1:40 remaining Custodio stands above Cruz and begins to sink low kicks into the BJJ champion's legs. Feijao backs away and Cruz seems winded, though he again dives in for a single-leg takedown. Finally Cruz gets a takedown but Feijao grabs the ropes and ends up on top. Referee Mario Yamasaki immediately calls time and takes a point away from Custodio, making it a 9-9 round on the Sherdog card.
Round 2
Cruz is breathing heavy and looks out of shape as the fight restarts. Feijao lands a clean left hook before fending off another Cruz takedown attempt. Pe da Pano really needs a change of fortune and he gets one as Feijao sprawls through the ropes. Cruz takes back mount and unloads punches, and does the same as Feijao rules to face him. The Toronto Dragon has regained some control by putting Cruz in the half-guard; he was just seconds from losing the fight. Cruz is still on top, though his pace has diminished. Feijao takes several right hands to his ribs before finally regaining full guard. Cruz has made the most of this chance, and he continues to pound on Custodio. With 10 seconds remaining in the round, Yamasaki stands the heavyweights and Feijao lands an uppercut. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 3
Cruz once again tries his single and eats a right hand for the effort. But he remains vigilant and plants Feijao in the center of the ring, where they now fight from the guard. Cruz is beginning to take control, staying active with ground-and-pound despite the Toronto corner calling for Yamasaki to stand the fighters. Cruz delivers a Sakuraba-esque double chop, which is more show than substance. Newton calls for a point deduction do to what he thought was a headbutt from Cruz. The crowd begins to boo and Feijao lands an illegal kick Cruz's head. Yamasaki penalizes Custodio a point. The fight restarts and Custodio again plants an illegal kick to Cruz's face. Yamasaki stands over the fighters and calls the fight, disqualifying Custodio and ending the Dragons' 2007 campaign, as Toronto loses 3-2. New York, now 3-0 on the season, become the third team to make the IFL playoffs.
Tucson Scorpions vs. Nevada Lions
Seth Baczynski (Pictures) vs. Dan Molina (Pictures)
Round 1
Baczynski comes out punching but gives up an easy takedown. He's trying to play from the bottom, lifting his legs high as Molina stays tight. Molina stands and lands a nice left hand, but soon enough he's back in the guard. Molina is clearly the aggressor and he goes for Baczynski's left leg, forcing a tapout from heelhook at 1:32 of the opening period. Nevada goes up 1-0.
Mike Guymon (Pictures) vs. Pat Healy (Pictures)
Round 1
Guymon initiates a clinch off the opening bell, and they've worked themselves into the Nevada corner, which coach Ken Shamrock looking on. Guymon works knees in the clinch before snapping off a left hook. Healy takes it well and quickly finds himself on top of "Joker," now ground-and-pounding from the closed guard. Standing again, the welterweights trade shots. Guymon connects with two lead rights, and they're clinched again, which Healy takes advantage of with a trip takedown. Scrambling to the feet, Guymon connects with a right hand that drops Healy. He follows with several hard shots before the bell signals to end the first frame. 10-9 Guymon
Round 2
Guymon and Healy smile and touch gloves to start the middle period. Joker gives up a takedown and the pace slows. Guymon is close to a triangle attempt but Healy's right arm is in the way. Some decent ground work here, as Healy looks for positions to throw strikes from. Coach Frye, sporting a Star Spangled button-down shirt, implores his fighter to stand. Guymon obliges, but just for a moment, as Healy again puts Guymon on the canvas. 10-9 Healy.
Round 3
A lead knee by Guymon connects to Healy's chin. He lands another and the fighters stand in front of one another until Healy easily puts Joker down. Some methodical ground work stirs a restless crowd. Healy peppers Guymon with short strikes from half-guard, but nothing remotely damaging. Ten seconds remaining in the feet and Healy continues to be the more active fighter. He ends the contest walking to his corner with his hands raised, while Guymon kneels on the canvas. 10-9 Healy on the Sherdog card, making it 29-28 for the Nevada Lions 170-pounder. Judges at ringside differ in their opinion. Both "Judo" Gene Le Bell and Patricia Morse Jarman score it 29-28 for Healy, while Abe Belardo dissents at 29-28 for Guymon.
Gabriel Casillas vs. John Gunderson (Pictures)
Round 1
The lightweights come out strong, and Gunderson asserts himself with a high-elevation double-leg. Casillas works on Gunderson's neck, but never endangers the Nevada fighter. Now in Casillas' guard, Gunderson delivers chopping shots, sitting up to strike when given the chance. Action is slow now as the round enters its final minute. Gunderson sits up and lands three punches. With the round waning, the lightweights slug it out, neither man gaining much of an advantage in the exchange. 10-9 Gunderson.
Round 2
Punches are thrown but none land, however it allows Casillas to clinch which he uses to set up a trip takedown. Gunderson takes a Kimura on Casillas' right arm and reverses briefly to mount, but the Tucson Scorpion finds himself scrambling to avoid the submission as Frye yells, "Beat his ass! Beat his ass!" Gunderson is still after Casillas' arm and now is on top as he twists away. It's extended, the hand well behind Casillas' shoulder, yet he remains in the fight and won't give in. Gunderson transitions beautifully to back-control, where he locks in a rear-naked choke to seal the team victory for Nevada. The Las Vegas crowd cheers its approval. Official time of the fight is 2:58 of round two.
Shane Ott (Pictures) vs. Roy Nelson (Pictures)
Round 1
The heavyweights immediately enter into a battle for position. Nelson, surprisingly nimble for his size, finally puts Ott on the canvas with a bodylock takedown. Nelson takes Ott's back and looks for the choke, but the Tucson heavyweight won't give in so easily. Back on the feet they're clinched in a neutral corner. Again Nelson has Ott's back, looking for a fight-ending choke. The Vegas crowd is looking for another Lions win, and Nelson is trying hard to give them that. But four-minute round comes to a close and Ott will live to fight at least another round. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 2
Nelson buzzes a haymaker past the right side of Ott's head. They clinch and Nelson drives Ott through the ropes; he is fine and referee Josh Rosenthal restarts them in the center of the ring. Ott is beginning to connect, landing a combination on the hefty Nelson. Ott looks for a Kimura and Nelson quickly rolls out of danger. Back on the feet, they clinch again. The pace is slow now, and boos are starting to filter from the crowd towards the ring. Referee Rosenthal is content to watch, which is fine for Nelson who just scored a thudding takedown as closed. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 3
A touch of gloves to start the final period. Nelson lands a big low kick that forces a grimace across Ott's face. Nelson is scoring now. They clinch and the crowd demands knees. Nelson gives them what they want, and they cheer with each one. "One more!" yells a woman from the crowd. Ott won't back down and he throws hands now, but he can't seem to do much with Nelson, who nearly forces him through the ropes again. Ott ends up on top after a scramble that started with him connecting hard with . It's not pretty right now. They hug and Nelson tosses Ott with one arm to the canvas like Reggie White did to offensive linemen his entire NFL career. Nelson, bleeding from a cut near his right eye, has back-control now. Not much happening in the way of submissions, as the heavyweights end the fight to a smattering of applause. 10-9 Nelson. Judges see it the same as Sherdog, 30-27 for Nelson. The Lions are one win away from a sweep.
Mike Whitehead (Pictures) vs. Vernon White
Round 1
The light heavyweights meet head on and Whitehead puts Tiger White on the canvas. Whitehead working on Tiger's left arm as he tries to pry it free. But White has been here a million times and easily thwarts the sub attempt. Whitehead works from half-guard and again looks to target White's left arm. They exchange short shots, and Whitehead is getting a bit more aggressive now. From half-guard Whitehead sits up and rains down a combination of punches, none of which did much damage but it did help the Scorpion light heavyweight to move to side-control. Whitehead transitions as White turtles up, and he pounds down shots as the round comes to a close. It's virtually impossible to hurt Vernon, but that doesn't matter to Shamrock who gets in his fighter's face as he walks back to the corner. 10-9 Whitehead.
Round 2
Whitehead storms out of his corner and puts Vernon on his back. White has back-control and is delivering shots to both sides of Tiger's head. White is taking shots and not doing anything except yelling "back of the head! back of the head!" Whitehead tells referee Steve Mazzagatti that Vernon is done, and he moves in to finish it. Whitehead saves his team from being shutout while both White and Shamrock are furious. Shamrock berates Mazzagatti, who walks away before the confrontation grows into anything more than a few verbal barbs. Whitehead and White embrace as we wait for the official time, which is 54 seconds of round two. The final team tally finds the Lions defeating the Scorpions 4-1.
