The Cage Inc., Battle at the Border 5, May 15th, 2010 - The Aftermath
By Jeremy Herrboldt
Always a great event at the boarder of North and South Dakota. This time was again a great night of fights.
Bout # 1 170lbs. Jeremy Small (Elite Performance) vs. Beto Serrano (Team Pound Out)
In this opening matchup Jeremy Small from Crete, Nebraska took control early and put an end to this matchup early on with an arm triangle to which Serrano tapped out to bring Smalls record to 2-1 as a pro.
Winner: Jeremy Small via tapout due to arm triangle at 1:20 of the first round.
Bout # 2 155lbs. James Harrington (Elite Performance) vs. Ryan Thompson
After an exchange of leg kicks to start with Harrington had Thompson on his back and was trying for the rear naked choke which he sunk in and forced Thompson to tapout.
Winner: James Harrington via tapout due to rear naked choke at 1:15 of the first round.
Bout # 3 155lbs. Dustin Smith (Elite Performance) vs. Carlos Claudio
Carlos Claudio known as the Puerto Rican Pitbull always puts on a show and he didn’t disappoint again. Even though he came out on the losing end of the fight it was entertaining. Claudio started off the proceedings with a guillotine choke attempt
Which Smith managed to wiggle out of and took the back of Claudio. Claudio managed to get out of the hold and throw Smith down, however Smith ended up on Claudios back again and sunk the rear naked choke in deep, and Claudio quickly tapped out.
Winner: Dustin Smith via tapout due to rear naked choke at 1:46 of round number one.
Bout # 4 125lbs. Title Match: Josh Phillips vs. Ben Nguyen (Next Edge Academy)
What a fight this was, very worthy of a title fight and it didn’t disappoint. Nguyen had Shayna “The Queen of Spades” in his corner.
Round 1: Phillips looking the bigger of the two fighters in this matchup tried to set the tone early as he shot in but Nguyen sprawls. Phillips eventually gets a takedown, but soon Nguyen takes top position with a full mount. Nguyen then takes Phillips back, in a battle of back and forth action as Phillips takes mount with seconds remaining.
Round 2: The tempo never slowed in this round with both fighters going all out. Phillips gets the takedown and takes top positions, followed by a reversal from Nguyen. A nice elbow from Nguyen follows. Later in the round Phillips gets the reversal and lands some big elbows to Nguyens head.
Round 3. The crowd is starting to realize a war is going on in the cage, and it got more heated in this round. Phillips lands a big knee followed by a takedown from Phillips and more elbows. Nguyen gets the reversal and attempts the rear naked choke. It looked like he had it in tight but Phillips hung tough and got out of it and ended in the dominant position again and a barrage of short rapid elbows to a dazed Nguyen before the bell sounded.
Round 4. The lighter weight classes are always exciting and at this point everyone in attendance would agree. Starting the round Phillips gets the takedown and continues to beat on Nguyen with forearms, elbows and punches. Nguyen is now bleeding but doesn’t quit and manages to get another reversal and start landing punches of his own. This didn’t last however as Phillips gets back on top and continues to rain blows to the already bloodied head of Nguyen forcing the referee Kimberly Winslow to stop the fight.
Winner: Josh Phillips via referee stoppage due to strikes at 3:51 on round four. Phillips is now The Cage Inc. 125lb. champion.
Bout # 5 155lbs. Cochrane (Elite Performance) vs. Cory Simpson
Round 1. This round was all Cochrane from the start to finish. Starting with a takedown where Cochrane delivered punches down on Simpson. Cochrane hit Simpson with a nice elbow. All Cochrane in this round, and I believe he never even got hit once.
Rond 2. Simpson tried for a head kick which just grazed Cochrane but didn’t faze him as he took him down again and worked Simpson over until he set in the rear naked choke which referee Wilson decided enough was enough. With the victory Cochrane improves his professional record to 3-0.
Winner: Dakota Cochrane via referee stoppage due to rear naked choke at 2:40 of the second round.
Bout # 6 185lbs. Marquis Navarro (Dynamic Martial Arts) vs. Jade Pergande (Academy of Combat Arts)
This matchup looked to be a good one as the fight started off with a nice kick by Navarro followed by a takedown. Pergande managed to take top position but still Navarro managed to slip out and get back to his feet and after a striking exchange that saw Pergande go down Referee Winslow stepped in and stopped the fight. This seemed to be a controversial decision, but Navarro gets his hand raised for the win.
Winner: Marquis Navarro via referee stoppage in the very first round.
Bout # 7 160lbs. Ted Worthington (MMA Elite/Elite Performance) vs. Marshall Martin (FM MMA)
This matchup started off with both fighters very amped up. Both were swinging wildly to start but Martin managed to get the takedown. Martin delivered two big elbows that gave Worthington a deep looking cut. Martin continued on the offensive until referee Wilson called a time out to bring the Doctor in to check the cut on Worthington. The Doctor saw right away how bad the cut was and called the fight right away. An unfortunate ending to this one, a reason why Strikeforce does not allow elbows on the ground as they tend to cut easily and end fights quickly.
Winner: Marshall Martin via Doctor stoppage due to bleeding(according to the announcer) at 3:14 of the first round.
Bout # 8 205lbs. Demetrius Richards vs. Derrick Mehmen
A eagerly anticipated matchup as Richards was coming off a victory recently at the Ring of Combat in Atlantic City, New Jersey where he took home the Lightheavyweight title.
Both combatants struggled for position at the beginning of the fight. An accidental knee strike to the groin delayed things for a bit. Richards landed some nice punches, while Mehmen was throwing some brisk leg kicks. The fight then went to the ground with Mehmen on top riding Richards back. Mehmen threw a bevy of puches that kept hitting Richards in the head. Mehmen never let up with the punches which never gave Richards any time to try to do anything. Referee Wilson gave ample time for Richards to fight back but Mehman never let up and she finally stepped in and ended the fight.
Winner: Derrick Mehmen via referee stoppage due to strikes at 4:09 of round one.
Bout # 9 185lbs. Title Fight Victor Moreno vs. Josh Rosaaen (Dynamic Martial Arts)
Rosaaen defending his title again this time against the veteran Moreno. The fight was an exciting one with Rosaaen eating two punches early on. Moreno utilized his clinch and landed some strong knees to the head and midsection of Rosaaen. Rosaaen proved he is a tough champion as he regained his bearings and took it to Moreno. Ground and pound was next as Rosaaen brought the furry of his fists down on Moreno ending the veterans chances at a title.
Winner: Josh Rosaaen rear naked choke at 2:23 of the very first round. Rosaaen retains the Middleweight title.
