EliteXC: "Uprising" Results
by Robert Sargent
EliteXC's event last night from Hawaii saw a title change and a disputed Split Decision for the second time this week in the world of MMA.
In the main event, "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler defeated Murilo "Ninja" Rua to capture the EliteXC Middleweight Championship.
EliteXC Middleweight Championship
Murilo "Ninja" Rua vs "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler
Early on, Lawler slams Ninja to the canvas before landing a few punches. Ninja replies with a series of leg kicks. The two exchange solid punches and Ninja continues landing leg kicks throughout the round.Ninja continues with more leg kicks in the second round, with Lawler countering with some solid strikes. Ninja lands a good standing elbow strike, but is visibly tired. That isn't good when it's only the second round of a possible five. Nevertheless, Ninja continues to be the aggressor and has likely won both of the first rounds.
Lawler lands some strikes to open the third round, with Ninja continuing to focus on leg kicks. A quick left-right combo from Lawler sends Ninja to the canvas. Lawler continues to pummel Ninja on the ground, with Ninja clearly appearing to be completely unconscious at one point, and Mario Yamasaki finally puts a stop to the fight. After the fight, Matt Hughes - a training partner of Robbie Lawler - runs into the ring and shoves Mario Yamasaki, presumably because he (like most people watching the fight) felt that the stoppage was late. Official ruling of the fight is a TKO, but it was actually a KO.
Official Result: "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler wins by TKO (strikes) at 2:04 of the third round to become EliteXC Middleweight Champion.
Mike Aina vs Nick Diaz
Yet another controversial decision in the MMA world.The first round is all Aina, as he lands punches and kicks at will and Diaz looks like he's in a trance. Diaz finally lands one solid shot near the end of the round, but Aina counters with a solid uppercut and knee. Aina dominates the round.
The second round begins with Diaz landing a few shots, but Aina counters effectively once again. Aina lands a strong punch that sends Diaz to the canvas, and the crowd goes crazy. Diaz manages to get back up and the two tangle in the clinch. Diaz is landing knee strikes, but they are horribly weak and ineffective. Aina lands another shot and Diaz is bleeding from beside his eye. He finally secures a takedown near the end of the round, and goes for a guillotine, but it seems to be too little, too late. Aina appears to have won the second round, despite Diaz's brief flurry at the end.
Diaz comes out swinging in the third round, landing punches, low kicks, knees and an elbow strike. He is dominating the round by pushing the pace, but Aina counters with some hard punches. After failing twice, Diaz finally gets another takedown. Taking Aina's back, Diaz goes for a straight armbar at the end of the round, but time expires. Diaz appeared to have convincingly won this round, but the first two should belong to Aina. The judges apparently disagree, scoring the bout as 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 for a Split Decision victory for Diaz. I really cannot see how Diaz possibly won this fight, and to score it 30-27 in his favour is fairly suspect. He looked terrible in the first round and was knocked down in the second.
Official Result: Nick Diaz wins by Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29).
Riki Fukuda vs "Smokin'" Joe Villasenor
Villasenor lands a few shots to open the bout, with Fukuda quickly responding with a takedown and guard pass. He moves to side control and looks for a kata-gatame side arm triangle choke before Villasenor escapes and gets back to his feet. The two exchange body shots before Fukuda gets another takedown. Villasenor again gets back to his feet and rocks Fukuda with a right. Fukuda replies with a left hand, but his eye is now swelling up. The round ends with both fighters landing kicks. Very close round, but probably going to Villasenor for the solid punches landed.Villasenor comes out with a left punch, right kick combo to Fukuda's head, stunning him. Fukuda responds with an uppercut and a series of knees to the body. Both fighters engage in a striking war, with Fukuda getting the better of it and likely taking the round. Very close fight so far.
Villasenor opens the third round with leg kicks before returning to the left punch, right kick combo that had success in the previous round. Fukuda comes back with a left of his own, followed by a solid kick to the body. Fukuda secures a takedown, but Villasenor sweeps and gets top position before letting Fukuda up. Another punching exchange finishes the round. Villasenor appeared to win this round.
Official Result: Joey Villasenor wins by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Jake Shields vs Renato Verissimo
Shields lands a few grazing kicks before Verissimo scores a takedown. Shields works back to his feet and then takes Verissimo down. After landing some hard body shots, Shields moves to the mount and pounds out a TKO with a flurry of punches and elbow strikes.Official Result: Jake Shields wins by TKO (strikes) at 4:00 of the first round.
Ikaika Choy-Fu vs Justin Buchholz
Choy-Fu opens the fight with a solid shot that drops Buchholz. Buchholz attempts an armbar and triangle from his back, to no avail, before standing back up. The fighters exchanged strikes before Buchholz landed a series of punches that sent Choy-Fu to the canvas, face-down. Referee Steve Mazzagatti tries to dive in to pull Buchholz off of Choy-Fu, but completely misses, so Buchholz goes for a rear naked choke. Mazzagatti calls off the fight before the choke can be sunk in.Official Result: Justin Buchholz wins by TKO (strikes) at 1:35 of the first round.
Elias Delos Reyes vs Chico Cantiberos
Cantiberos scores an early takedown, then another slam soon after to put Reyes on his back. However, Reyes secured an armbar from the bottom and Cantiberos was forced to tap.Official Result: Elias Delos Reyes wins by Submission (armbar) at 0:52 of round one.
Tonya Evinger vs Gina "Conviction" Carano
Carano had badly struggled to make weight for her third consecutive fight, ending up 0.1 pounds over the limit, but the fight went on anyway. It can't be easy making 140 with such an ample chest.Evinger secures an early takedown and moves to half-guard. She looks for a guillotine choke, and sinks it in after rolling Carano over. Carano manages to pop her head out. Carano works some ground and pound before rolling Evinger over and locking in a rear naked choke. Evinger taps out with seven seconds left in the round.
Official Result: Gina Carano wins by Submission (rear naked choke) at 2:53 of round one.
Though the Diaz vs Aina fight ended in extremely controversial fashion, "Uprising" was otherwise another good event for EliteXC.
