2015-08-15
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KOTB 3: Campeão (REVIEW)

Event Review: KOTB 3: Campeão
King of the Beach (270k+)
2015-08-08, Rio de Janeiro, The Underground - Rio
Attendance:1,000, Event Rating:78
Author:

 KOTB 3: Campeão will be one day pointed to as the transition for the King of the Beach promotion from ‘upstart’ to ‘mainstay’. KOTB crowned its first tournament champion, sold out its first 1,000-seat show and moved into the second spot for organization rankings in Rio, a place it hopes to hold for the foreseeable future. 

Opening the undercard was an exciting match from a couple debuting light-heavyweights. British striker John Mandrake (1-1, 0-1) took control early, slapping the Brazilian Ronaldo Lima (2-0, 1-0) with kicks from the outside and punishing him inside the clinch with knees, elbows and punches. Lima found a way to turn things around, however, as he suplexed Mandrake, took his back and submitted him after softening him up with some ground and pound.

Ronaldo Lima defeats John Mandrake via submission (RNC) - R1, 02:56

 

Next up were two welterweights looking to rebound from their losses at KOTB 1. The Turkish wrestler Inci Yarakos (1-2, 0-2) is probably the tallest welterweight you’ll ever see at 6’5” but that size comes with a price, as Yarakos had all kinds of trouble making weight for this one. The former Omani fisherman Walood Kassab (2-1, 1-1) was all business as usual, however, keeping his words to himself during the weigh-ins and making Yarakos pay in the ring, quickly taking down the taller man and unloading a barrage of punches and elbows.

Walood Kassab defeats Inci Yarakos via TKO (Strikes) - R1, 02:57

 

The third match of the night saw a surprisingly early finish between two evenly matched middleweights. After landing a nice inside leg kick, the Cuban Jacare Romero (2-2, 1-1) took the Canadian Matt Lewsk (1-2, 0-1) to the mat. The two competitors exchanged some words and seemed to be fighting for position before Romero caught Lewsk with some heavy elbows and strikes. The referee seemed to jump in a bit early, but Lewsk didn’t complain as much as the fans did.

Jacare Romero defeats Matt Lewsk via TKO (Strikes) - R1, 01:23            

 

Two more middleweights made their debuts in an entertaining 15-minute battle for position. Kyrie Perry’s (1-0, 1-0) parents will hopefully find a bit of relief, as their 19-year-old son won his debut after leaving college early and moving to Rio to pursue his MMA dreams. The Virginia wrestling product held his own on the ground and picked apart his opponent standing to earn the nod. Rene The Hulk (0-1, 0-1) was successful in taking his opponent down each round, but wasn’t able to do enough in the judge’s eyes. Regardless, it’s something to work from for the young Canadian fighter. 

Kyrie Perry defeats Rene The Hulk via Decision (Unanimous)

 

In our featured preliminary fight, a pair of 18-year-old welterweights engaged in another quick-ending back-and-forth affair. Canadian muay-thai specialist Brandon The Wonder (0-1, 0-1) seemed to be in control after he took the fight to the clinch and connected on a few knees and elbows to the head. In what can only be considered a rookie mistake, Wonder inexplicably pulled guard. From there, the American ex-military kid Tommy Riordan (1-0, 1-0) didn’t waste time, submitting his foe with an admirably executed kimura. 

Tommy Riordan defeats Brandon Wonder via Submission (Kimura) - R1, 02:07

 

Opening up our main card was the quickest fight of the night, as the Floridian Chris Karter (2-1, 1-0) made mincemeat of the former Brazilian soccer prospect Eduardo Dias (1-1, 0-1). Karter kept it simple yet ferocious, battering Dias with three punches before connecting with a monster overhand right and follow-up punches just 12 seconds into the fight. Karter now looks ahead to a title shot at KOTB 7 against another Brazilian newcomer, Anderson Gracie. 

Chris Karter defeats Eduardo Dias via TKO (Strikes) - R1, 00:12

 

Two more newcomers then tried to make their presence felt in the lion’s den that is KOTB’s deep super-heavyweight division. After landing an early combination and charging in for another, the towering Jean Ben Faur (0-2, 0-1) fell to the only takedown Lane Herman (4-0, 1-0) would need. From there, the Russian imposed his will with submission attempts and ground and pound, eventually squeezing out a tap from his Parisian with a tight arm triangle, the second of his young career. 

Lane Herman defeats Jean Ben Faur via Submission (Arm Triangle) - R1, 03:58

 

Two light-heavyweight fighters then took to the cage looking to follow up their KOTB 1 victories and make their claim as the top rated fighter in the division. Bulgarian Papas Kanamun (1-3, 1-1) charged in for takedowns time and time again, but it was Rio’s own James Diaz (3-0, 2-0) who continued his winning ways, battering Kanmun with enough knees, elbows, kicks and punches to make any muay thai purist proud. Despite missing the finish, Diaz has looked perfect in both of his KOTB victories. He now looks ahead to a title fight against British newcomer Edward Smith at KOTB 6. 

James Diaz defeats Papas Kanamun via Decision (Unanimous)

 

Our co-main attraction and number one contender fight lived up to lofty expectations with a ‘fight of the night’ performance. Columbian Alo Jimenez (0-1, 0-1) didn’t back down to his intimidating foe and came in guns blazing. Both competitors stayed in the pocket and delivered shot after shot to the crowds delight. Jimenez started showing a cut and some fatigue, which allowed the Romanian Sandu Lungu (4-0, 1-0) to take control and eventually land a devastating uppercut. Lungu decided to not follow and Jimenez decided it may be his last chance, jumping back in the pocket with huge hooks, again allowing Lungu to drop him with another huge right hand. Lungu was emotional at the match’s conclusion, barking at his fallen foe, but showed his class with praise for his opponent in the post-fight interview. 

Sandu Lungu defeats Alo Jimenez via KO (Punch) - R1, 04:05

 

Finally, the conclusion to our eight man tournament and first ever title fight between Caribbean striker Bruce Zimbardo (4-1, 2-1) and submission ace Thiagus Davaru Silva (5-0, 3-0). Things were looking good for Zimbardo in the beginning, as he landed his trademark head kick and stuffed a takedown. From there, however, Silva did his thing, tripping Zimbardo and landing in his half guard. After attempting an Americana, he flipped the arm and cranked through a Kimura, earning a ‘submission of the night’ bonus as well as a shiny new belt. In an unfortunate follow-up, contract disputes and manager issues have forced KOTB to strip Silva. Sandu Lungu will now be facing French sensation Guy Mourtneant for the title at KOTB 7. Both fighters have already engaged in a couple verbal exchanges and this looks to be the biggest fight in KOTB history. Stay tuned!

Thiagus Silva defeats Bruce Zimbardo via Submission (Kimura) - R1, 00:45 

 

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