Jose Oquendo - The Secret Weapon Continued [Part 2]

Fighter profile of Jose Oquendo by Knockout Bob

Just incase you missed part 1 of Jose Oquendo's career, the link is above or you can find it all the way back in the very 1st edition of Tycoon Times. When we left off, Oquendo was 27 years old with a record of 14 – 3, 11 wins by knockout and about to get another title shot against Gorge "Ken Griffey" Junior (14-4). Junior was a powerful sprawl and brawler with 10 wins by knockout, but all 4 of his losses were also by knockout.

 When round 1 began, Oquendo pressured Junior early with powerful kicks, punishing his opponents leg, head and body. It wasn't long before Oquendo unloaded with the perfect head kick just 28 seconds into the fight, following it up with a few ground and pound strikes to finish him off. Oquendo was the new champion with a quick knockout win to pick up his 15th career win and his 5th title fight win.

  "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (15 - 3, 1 NC) vs "Boomstick" Bruce Campbell (12 – 7) - Middleweight Championship Fight.    For his 1st title defense The Secret Weapon was matched against a powerful boxer that lived up to his nickname of "Boomstick". At this point in his career, Campbell had already scored 11 knockout wins, 9 of which came in the well respected Canadian Fighting Championships organization. He even fought for the title once but he lost a unanimous decision against then 8-0 Jean Marceau. Oquendo now held a record of 15 – 3 and was well-known for his head kick coming into this fight.

 The fight opened up with Campbell connecting with a stiff jab that cut Oquendo open. The Secret Weapon soon returned the favor by cutting open Campbell with his signature high kick just before rocking him with a strong left hook. but Oquendo made him stand right back up. Jose saw his opportunity and swarmed the helpess Campbell, knocking out with yet another high kick 1:11 into round 1 and retaining his title.  After the fight, Oquendo thanked his fans for their support.

  "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (16 - 3, 1 NC) vs "Red-Eye" Edward Furlong (11 – 4) - Middleweight Championship Fight.   Furlong was up next for The Secret Weapon and he was a granite chinned submission specialist with excellent boxing. Knowing that he had to keep the fight on the feet at all costs, Oquendo brought in some help with top-level wrestlers to spar with. Furlong was on a 3 fight winning streak after losing a fight for the title in another organization and subsequently getting knocked out in his next fight with only 2 seconds left to go. Furlong was looking to put a stop to all of that by finishing Oquendo.  

As Oquendo's 2nd title defense went underway he missed with a big head kick and was taken down early straight into the mount position. Oquendo was in big trouble and Furlong kept him under control for the next 4 mins, attempting 6 failed submissions and opening up a cut on Jose Oquendo before Oquendo was able to sweep him with a minute to go. Nonetheless, Furlong won round 1.  Round 2 started out similar to round 1, with Oquendo landing his first head kick but then quickly missing on the 2nd attempt. Furlong capitalized on the mistake and took Oquendo down. He attempted a couple of submissions but The Secret Weapon was able to stall out the fight and get a referee standup where he dominated the rest of the round, winning it easily.  Oquendo dominated the rest of the fight, stopping every takedown that Furlong attempted and obliterating Red-Eye standing. Winning 49:43 on all 3 judges scorecards, Jose won his 2nd straight title defense in improved to 17 – 3.  

"The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (17 - 3, 1 NC) vs Sergio "The Guerilla" Melo (7 – 2) - Middleweight Championship Fight.    Jose Oquendo's next challenge was a well rounded up and coming 22-year-old by the name of Sergio "The Guerilla" Melo.  Melo opened up the fight strong by constantly pressing Oquendo backwards and unloading with unbeatable accuracy in his strikes. Most fans expected Melo to take the fight the mat, but Melo was showing that he could do just fine in the standup. He he continued his relentless assault against the defenseless Oquendo who just could not find his range. Eventually The Guerilla put an end to Oquendo's night and shocking everyone by landing a devastating high kick that rocked Oquendo. José tried to recover but just as he was gaining his senses back, Melo landed a strong hook that sent The Secret Weapon down and out, forcing the referee to stop the fight 4:22 into round 3.

Jose had lost his title and devastating  fashion and after the fight he vowed to get it back.  

"The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (17 - 4, 1 NC) vs Peter "The Anaconda" Just ( 9 – 6) .  Wanting to avenge his 1st career loss, José asked for Peter Just next. The Anaconda stopped The Secret Weapon when he was 7 – 0 by 2nd round submission via americana.  José Oquendo came out focused on stopping the takedown and released his powerful kicks and punches with precision. Although Just was able to dodge a lot of them they were without a doubt doing some damage. Just landed a late takedown with a minute to go in the round and attempted a submission but failed. Oquendo dominated round 1.  Round 2 began a little differently with Just starting to find his range and landing a takedown about a minute in. He was able to hold him down for about 3 mins before the ref had seen enough and stood them back up where Oquendo started to punish the body of The Anaconda. A close round, but Just edged it out with his ground control.  Coming down to the final round Oquendo sensed the urgency and started to pour it on. Peter Just saw the recklessness and capitalized on it by landing a counter double leg takedown into guard. But he was unable to mount much of an offense so the referee stood them back up once again. That's all Oquendo needed as he began a more cautious approach and stuffing the rest of the takedowns and winning the round. A good rematch and Oquendo pulled off the win, improving to 18 – 4 and winning fight of the night - his 13th of the night award.

  "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (18 - 4, 1 NC) vs Jay "Mr Troid" Jay (17 – 4).    Coming up next was the top contender who had just lost a title shot against Sergio "The Guerilla" Melo. Oquendo was promised another title shot if he won. Mr. Troid was a well rounded Hall of Fame fighter from the Troid organization who made a career out of going the distance. With 21 career fights all but 5 had gone the distance. The Secret Weapon was preparing for a war.

A close round 1 that saw Oquendo with success in the standup and Jay with success on the ground, had The Secret Weapon come out on top. After a good standup war Jay stole round 2 by landing 2 quick takedowns in the last minute and a half.  Round 3 went a little differently however as Oquendo tried to pick up the pace and find his range. He wasn't landing the majority of his strikes but when he did a land, they hurt. Jose dominated the final round and won the fight via unanimous decision, securing yet another shot at the title.

  "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (19 - 4, 1 NC) vs "The Unplanned Son" Tatu Tikki (27 – 12 – 1) - Middleweight Championship Fight .   For his 23rd career fight, the 29-year-old veteran was paired against fellow 33-year-old veteran "The Unplanned Son" Tatu Tikki. Tikki was a well rounded fighter who could finish the fight anywhere and had unparalleled knockout power with 21 total knockout wins. Oquendo was a big underdog going into the fight but he had a lot to prove.

 As the fight began it appeared that both fighters were content with staying on the feet. They battled it out back and forth with Jose surprisingly taking round 1 and opening up a cut on Tikki.  Tikki came out determined to turn the fight around in round 2 and he did just that. He changed his game plan up with with a takedown that Oquendo was able to stall into a standup, but Tikki showed flashes of brilliance in the standup too. Tikki dominated the round.  In round 3 Oquendo was able to open up Tikki's cut even more by putting on the pressure with vicious strikes and ultimately winning the round.  As they entered the championship rounds both fighters were starting to tire out and Oquendo elected to keep the fight on the feet as he stuffed the takedowns. A very close round that could have gone to either fighter.  Tikki knew he had to make impression on the judges to win this fight and he did just that in the final round. Landing a takedown early in controlling the fight for the next 2 a half minutes before the ref stood them back up. The Secret Weapon did his best to try and take the round in the final minute, but he was too tired and Tikki continued to get the better of the standup game too.  Over to the judges scorecards... 48:47 ... 47:48 ... 48:48 -- it's a draw!! Tikki retained his title for the time being while the promotion organized the rematch.

  "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo (19 - 4 – 1, 1 NC) vs "The Unplanned Son" Tatu Tikki (27 – 12 – 2) - Middleweight Championship Fight .   The highly anticipated rematch between The Secret Weapon and The Unplanned Son was now set for June 3rd.at GSF 13 Tiki vs Oquendo II at The Expo arena in front of 6, 000 fans. Although Tikki is again the heavy favorite, Oquendo will be looking to put up a strong fight for the title.

Tune in to find out who wins!   Thanks for reading!  

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