The action continues here on MMASucka.com, you have six fights, one for a title, let’s get down to it!
Joanne Calderwood vs. Livia Von Plettenberg
Joanne Calderwood was originally slated to meet tonight’s title-challenger ’Rowdy’ Bec Hyatt but due to that injury buy plaguing every fight card no matter of gender promotional debutant Livia Von Plettenberg steps up in her second professional fight.
Round 1:
Calderwood is composed and confident early as she starts firing off her leg kick and keeping her distance but Von Plettenberg is able to close that distance and leap in to land a few strikes. The Austrian debutant initiates a clinch against the cage but Calderwood shrugs it off without a problem. The Muay-Thai champion fires off with a high-kick but Von Pletterberg has a solid poker face. Calderwood gets that nasty Thai-Clinch and starts firing off with knees before the Team Quest fighter presses her against the cage and fishes for a leg. Continually landing knees with her back against the cage with these shots to the liver but Von Plettenberg is ballsy pressing forward and looking for the trip. The battle for takedowns in the clinch against the cage continued before Calderwood gets a takedown off the fence of her own before being forced back to the feet, the Austrian throws an up-kick but the bell stalls action. 10-9 Calderwood.
Round 2:
Calderwood takes the center early and sets her range firing off with her kicks and jab. The more experienced Calderwood gets stuck in a clinch again but punishes with knees and short-punches. Tough as nails in Von Plettenberg as she relentlessly tries to get it to the floor but Calderwood is having none of it. We return to a kickboxing match in the center and the kicks of the Scottish fighter are still giving her fits. A near takedown for Von Plettenberg before Calderwood shrugs it off before getting her cornered against the cage, landing a nasty shot to the liver and a punch to the face. Final few seconds with Calderwood stalking and throwing kicks, just a brutal beatdown. 10-9 Calderwood.
Round 3:
High-kick opens proceedings that wobbles Von Plettenberg before she hits with a knee and stalks with her front-kick. Beautiful head kick that would floor most girls but the Austrian fighter hangs in there like a champ. Calderwood lands a fierce head kick and Von Plettenberg pounches in to land a few shots before a push-kick drops her on her backside. A jumping knee from the Matt Lindland product but Calderwood again gets that clinch and throws a nasty knee. Jab, push kick, circle, jab, repeat. A short punch floors Von Plettenberg but Calderwood walks away to let her back up. Kick to the face a plenty, everytime Von Plettenberg begins to put some offence together she eats a knee to the face. Von Plettenberg circles out of danger but Calderwood is on the prowl, stalking with leg kick and hard-punch combinations. 10-8 Calderwood
Joanne Calderwood def. Livia Von Plettenberg by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Hiroko Yamanaka vs. Ediane Gomes
Hiroko Yamanaka looks to erase the image of ‘That girl that got trashed by Cris Cyborg before she pissed hot for stanozolol’ with her third fight in North America as she faces well-travelled Brazilian Ediane Gomes.
Round 1:
– Stream issues-
Ustream let me come back to the action here with Gomes riding on the back of the Japanese fighter looking for a rear-naked-choke. The American Top Team product transitions and seeks a triangle before winding up with Yamanaka on top in her guard. Constantly active from her back Yamanaka is finding it hard to get her ground-and-pound game going. Back on the feet it’s a feeling our process before Gomes charges forward to engage but eats a few in return. Yamanaka circles out of danger as Gomes stalks before Yamanaka lands a sneaky shot before the bell. 10-9 Gomes.
Round 2:
Gomes begins as the aggressor but Yamanaka is hesitant to engage and moves out of danger. Yamanaka comes in with a jab and moves out of the way. Gomes charges with a flurry but again Yamanaka runs. Yamanaka begins firing off with the leg kick on the frustrated Gomes before a charge from Gomes with heavy haymakers but, yup, you guessed it, Yamanaka moved out of the way. A flurry from Gomes comes in and corners Yamanaka with some shots before the Japanese fighter lands a knee and circles out. Yamanaka eats a jab before landing a late leg kick to close a snoozer of a striking round. 10-10 as neither asserted a clear dominance.
Round 3:
Yamanaka starts off with the leg kick before engaging a little in close with Gomes. The Strikeforce veteran throws a spinning back fist attempt and Gomes just walks through her offence and fires off with her shots. Gomes is tired but pushes forward and eats shots from Yamanaka. Gomes looks for a takedown and almost fall straight into a guillotine-choke before Gomes attempts to pass guard. The former JEWELS champion uses the fence to get it to the feet and starts firing off with her shots, using her reach and doing everything she didn’t do last round. Gomes shoots for a takedown and gets it late and lands a few pitter-patter punches to finish the fight. 10-9 Gomes.
Ediane Gomes def. Hiroko Yamanaka by Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Sarah D’Alelio vs. Amanda Nunes
Oh, I expect some fireworks here folks. Two Strikeforce veterans, two girls who are skilled and tough as nails with Sarah D’Alelio looking to get back to the win column against top-contender and knockout artist Amanda Nunes.
Round 1:
Touch of gloves and we’re off and running. D’Alelio charges in and eats a shot before the explosive power of Nunes is on display with a nasty leg kick. D’Alelio gets a double-leg takedown but Nunes finds herself against the cage and looks to wall-walk. Nunes gets back standing for a split second before getting slammed down. Uncomfortable position for Nunes against the cage as D’Alelio is in half-guard wearing her down with elbows, leaving Nunes defenseless. D’Alelio looks to stand and Nunes grabs a leg before the Olympia Jiu-Jitsu continues to smother Nunes. The big bantamweight is on bottom fishing for leg locks but D’Alelio doesn’t give her a moment to breath, let alone submit her. 10-9 D’Alelio.
Round 2:
Nunes is cautious as she circles and picks her shots nicely, a clear change-up in game plans. D’Alelio shoots for a takedown, lifts her up and slams her to the floor with a beautiful, textbook takedown. Nunes lands an illegal up-kick and proclaims it to be an accident but D’Alelio looks to be okay with the doctors and referees checking her for safety reasons. 1 point deduction for Nunes, leaving her to get a stoppage or lose. D’Alelio has it to the floor within seconds of a restart. Fencing off the grounded offence of Nunes she tries to get to half-guard but Nunes is constantly active and has her eyes set on that knee like a laser but no luck. 10-8 D’Alelio.
Round 3:
A slow start to the final stanza with both girls finding their range and flicking out their jab, as soon as Nunes looks to engage with some serious leather D’Alelio takes her to the mat with ease. Smothering pressure again from the Invicta mainstay who lands shots from side control before getting to half-guard and firing down punches. Back to side control she starts to land elbows on the downed Nunes and seeks a d’arce choke before Nunes stands and tries a takedown of her own. Under a minute to go and we’re all tied up against the cage with D’Alelio muscles and drags Nunes to the mat to close out the fight. 10-9 D’Alelio.
Amanda Nunes vs. Sarah D’Alelio def. Amanda Nunes by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26 ,30-26)
Raquel Pennington vs. Leslie Smith
Bad blood doesn’t just happen with the men fighters, former friends collide tonight with Cesar Gracie-trained fighter Leslie Smith meeting 24-year-old bantamweight prospect Raquel Pennington.
Round 1:
A huge Colorado fanbase has traveled to see Pennington here as the crowd comes alive with Smith going forward with her jab before Pennington initiates a clinch as the battle for takedowns against the cage becomes fierce with elbows and knees before Pennington gets it down. The 209 resident looks to grab a neck but Pennington is quick to move out of danger but winds up giving up her leg with Smith seeking a toe-hold. Pennington gets out and ‘Rocky’ goes back to the floor to duke it out on the mat. Pennington jumps on her back but the choke doesn’t look close. Scrambles galore as Smith gets free and we wind up with Pennington landing knees against the cage. Smith comes in with strikes but Pennington again looks for a takedown before pressing the 30-year-old bantamweight against the cage. Battle for the upper-hand is against the cage before Pennington grabs a neck to use as control. Momentary stream issues there before we got back to watch them walk back to the corners. 10-9 Pennington.
Round 2:
Pennington begins landing with her leg kick but Smith lands up top with the jab. A brief takedown attempt from Pennington before it returns to a striking match. Backed against the cage Pennington eats a few shots before being able to circle out of danger. Smith lands a kick and has really found her range as she gets in close with punches and a nasty elbow. Rushing in with a nasty knee, Smith tries for a takedown before Pennington shrugs her away. Smith has her backed against the cage and is able to land her shots. A ‘come at me bro’ stance as she shows her Diaz stylists off before tripping Pennington and a brief scramble before the round closes. 10-9 Smith.
Round 3:
A clinch against the cage begins, who saw that coming? Foot stomps from Smith before she eats a knee. Smith charges with a few shots and backs her up against the cage once again. Pennington grabs the neck and looks to torque on it for a guillotine while standing but Smith is too active and gets free. Long legs of Smith are a factor here as she once again goes all Diaz style on her to call her in and smashes her with a leg kick and three-punch combo. More taunting gets on Pennington’s nerves and she walks right into Smith’s game eating kicks and punches. Pennington lands a nice short-punch before she goes low and eats a bunch up high. Backed against the cage Pennington can’t do much as Smith kicks and punches to close out the fight. 10-9 Smith.
Leslie Smith def. Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alexis Davis vs. Shayna Baszler
Their first fight was highly entertaining and I expect nothing less from the rematch, WMMA pioneer and submission ace Shayna Baszler looking to repeat history against top-ranked Canadian Alexis Davis.
Round 1:
Davis lands the first hard shot of the fight before Baszler looks to grapple but gives up and fires a knee to return to a kick-fighting match. Both land good shots here, Davis mixing it up nicely with some sick body shots. Again we go in close with strikes before Baszler pulls guard, incredibly confident with her submission game. Half-guard for Davis who passes to side control and goes around the body and jumps on her back but Baszler is turning her hips, and escapes nicely. Baszler finds herself in top position in guard as postures up for high-guard. Davis breaks free and looks to grab a leg but the ‘Queen of spades’ initiates a wild flurry of transitions before the round closed with Davis seeking a heel-hook but she just counted the final seconds of the round ending. 10-9 Davis.
Round 2:
We begin striking with Baszler landing a hard shot in close before Davis pulls guard this time to once again put it on the mat and make this guy really happy. Baszler on top in the guard of Davis. Scrambling ensues again and Davis looks for a leg but Baszler is having none of it, winds up on top of Davis again. Davis has an arm but Baszler is able to break free, stands up briefly before going back to the floor with a hard shot that dazes Davis. A standing Baszler backs away after a few brief exchanges to bring on another striking match. Baszler lands a flurry of good punches before being floored by Davis to close the round. 10-9 Davis.
Round 3:
The unofficial main event goes into the final round, Baszler comes in with some hard shots but Davis counters with a few of her own. A fatigued Baszler is looking uncomfortable as Davis just walks her down. Wild, looping haymaker from Baszler but Davis moves and hits with the leg kick as she’s clearly in the drivers seat. Davis hits the leg kick over and over before Baszler hits the floor while turtled down. Davis pounces on her fatigued opponent to sink in a rear-naked-choke that put Baszler to sleep.
Alexis Davis def. Shayna Baszler by technical submission (rear naked choke) at 0:58 of round 3
Invicta FC Strawweight Championship: Bec Hyatt vs. Carla Esparza
The strawweight championship is on the line, Bellator veteran and world-ranked 115-pound fighter Carla Esparza is the strong favorite but Australian Invicta debutant Bec Hyatt has nothing to lose and everything to gain here folks.
Round 1:
Hyatt comes in ready to throw down with a flurry early and is matched by Esparza. The American shoots for a textbook double-leg and gets it to the floor with ease. The Australian is active from her back but Esparza lands a hard shot and takes control. Moving around Hyatt with ease ending in a north-south position and transitioning to take her back but it doesn’t last long. Dragged backwards with both hooks in but Hyatt fights it. Riding the back of the Aussie who tries to stand but Esparza sandbags and puts all her weight down on her. Esparza sinks in a rear-naked-choke but the Impact MMA fighter fights it. Hyatt finds her way out of danger but Esparza remains on her back with punches and eventually bullies her way back to being in Hyatt’s guard and landing punches. 10-8 Esparza.
Round 2:
Beautiful takedown from Esparza who sticks to her like glue and lightning-quick passses ending in side control. Back in Hyatt’s guard the Queenslander throws up an arm bar attempt and finds a good position for it but Esparza escapes it. Esparza attempts to dive into the guard and is kicked backwards for her effort but once again the takedown of Esparza is picture perfect and Hyatt cannot stop it. In half-guard Esparza lands punches before we scramble with Hyatt having the Team Oyama product in her guard again. Esparza stands and leg kicks the downed Hyatt before jumping guard to close out the round. 10-9 Esparza.
Round 3:
We begin with both trading leg kicks in tight, Hyatt comes in with a jab and pays for it by getting put on her back. Knees to the upper-thigh from Esparza as the world-ranked fighter pitter-patter punches. Esparza postures up and lands a shot before returning to guard. Lifting her in the air with a small slam and landing shots. An exhausted Esparza is on top and Hyatt begins to get active on her back to steal this one. We reset on the feet and Hyatt begins to tag Esparza before she is grabbed by the neck and tossed to the mat beautifully. A few shots from Esparza on the floor before she stands and jumps guard again with seconds left on the clock. Hyatt throws up her legs but Esparza gets out of danger as we go to the feet for a split second. 10-9 Esparza.
Round 4:
Hyatt flys in with a superman punch and a few strikes before Esparza gets it to the floor again. In the guard of Hyatt before a scramble ensues with the Aussie throwing her legs in the air and Esparza capitalizes to take her back with three-and-a-half minutes on the clock. The three-time All-American wrestler is does little with the dominate position and transitions to an armbar but Hyatt escapes and gets back on top. Joining her on the floor Hyatt grabs a neck but we return to a kickboxing match. The Queensland resident hits with her jab-uppercut combo before Esparza shoots but Hyatt grabs a neck in defense and gets flipped down with Esparza landing a few shots to close the round. 10-9
Round 5:
Final frame and the Australian needs to put something together. Hyatt lands a few nice jabs but the takedown of Esparza is undeniable. In the guard of Hyatt, Esparza is raining down offence but not doing significant damage and causes a break in action. Hyatt lands a nice shot but once again, takedowns win fights. A short slam from the All-American wrestler and a couple of knees to the upper-thigh. Hyatt makes it hard for her to get her ground-and-pound going and gets it back to the feet with seconds left. Hyatt floors her and fires off with punches but it’s too little, too late.
Carla Esparza def. Bec Hyatt by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
