Cage Fighting Championship 14 Review

Promising a powerhouse showcase of local and international Mixed Martial Arts talent, the fourteenth event of Australia’s CFC (Cage Fighting Championship) in Sydney at Luna Park’s Big Top Stadium provided the setting for some explosive striking and intense submission wrestling, with the guarantee of the two combined for some spectacular ground and pound at the Big Top.

Patrice Empeigne VS Mat Wilken

Fight number 1 and in the under 65kg, Patrice Empeigne (Team Juggernaut) Vs Mat Wilken (Southern Cross Jiu Jitsu). Patrice pressed the pace with good clinch work, takedowns, ground n pound and showed proficiency in his attempted submissions. Mat’s guard saved him from much damage in the first round, but it really shined in the second; Patrice was settling in to end the round with GnP when suddenly Mat took his back and threw some heavy shots to Patrice’s head. Third round came about with Patrice repeating his takedown and GnP performance, Mat threw an elbow from the bottom opening up a cut and breaking Patrice’s nose causing it to bleed profusely, it prompted a look by the doctor clearing Patrice to continue, Mat was drenched in Patrice’s blood and shortly after allowing the fight to continue the ref stopped the fight at 3 minutes and 31 seconds into the third round to award Mat the victory by ref stoppage TKO.

Edwin Arana VS Kian Pham

Edwin Arana (Kickstart MMA) and Kian “Karnage” Pham (Lion’s Den/ Team Juggernaut) in the under 62kgs began with Kian executing a double leg lift and slam takedown landing in side control though Kian was unable to hold Edwin down, against the cage Kian unsuccessfully attempts another takedown ending under Edwin in mount, Kian bridging out into the guard where Edwin quickly applied a triangle choke to finish the fight 1 minute and 43 seconds into the first round.

Jacob Pettett VS Josh Payne

Jacob Pettett (Magnus Martial Arts) and Josh Payne (Lion’s Den Academy) faced off in the cage at 70kg, producing some of the most exciting clinch work of the night. Trading knees to the body and alternatively pressing each other up against the fence, Josh Payne's dirty boxing was quelled in the clinch causing the ref to separate them, after a period of pawing at each other, Josh threw a huge overhand right that lead back into the clinch round one ending with an exciting exchange in and off the clinch, knees, elbows and punches were the order of the day. Round 2 began with Josh landing body head punching combo’s before setting up in some kung fu stance Jacob replies with some swinging of his own bringing them into the clinch again Josh taking Jacob to the ground, after little progression the ref stands them back up. A stand up exchange ensued that ended when Josh threw a left hook that connected and then followed up with a highlight reel spinning backfist that knocked Jacob out.

Jay Cobain VS Robert Whittaker

In the 77kg category young gun Robert Whittaker (Perez MMA) Vs Jay Cobain (Impact MMA) Wasting no time for a takedown Jay immediately takes Robert to the ground and works quickly to side control, Robert begins to use the cage to stand up but uses an opening to perform a sweep that had the audience wowed. Jay managed to work his way around to Roberts back and dug one hook in, Jay peppering Robert with punches from behind which was only halted when Robert rolled for a leg lock, Jay escaped the submission attempt finishing the round in Whittaker’s guard.

After a brief standing exchange Jay wasted no time in round 2 again taking the fight to the ground but it all went wrong for the Queenslander as Robert stepped over for a text book application of an armbar from the back 33 seconds into the second round.

Rod MacSwain VS Manuel Rodriguez

“Hot” Rod McSwain (Strikeforce NZ) came out to MC Hammer’s “U can’t touch this” in order to face Manuel Rodriguez (TP Fight Team) at 77kg, in a very close fight. Manuel takes Rod down landing in half guard; Rod moves himself into full guard and is punched for his trouble. Suddenly Rod reverses the position, mounts, drops to side control and begins searching for a kimura. Manuel fights hard to take Rod’s back, transitioning beautifully to an armbar that looks solid, Rod defends stacking Manuel, who then attempted a triangle to end the round.

Round 2 resembled round 1, in that it was incredible display of grappling brilliance and determination, Rod administering some GnP from side control, but Manuel was deft in his pursuit of a better position, gaining a reversal and in turn being swept himself again. Rod begins a GnP campaign that sees him momentarily in mount, into half guard and finally back in Manuel’s guard, Manuel attempted an armbar that was stacked and stuffed and like in the first round a triangle choke was attempted, but not finished. Rod finishing the round with 13 seconds GnP from the mounted position to end the round. Manuel can barely stand by this point, his corner has to help him up and the ref was paying very close attention.

It was pure heart that brought Manuel back out for the final round and he led with a big overhand right that connected. Rod, once again took him down only to have Manuel reverse the position and endup in Rod’s half guard, going for a kimura in between the raining of elbows. Rod was able to grab guard but Manuel’s elbows, even inside the guard, were vicious, opening a cut though not enough for the ref to stop the fight. Rod is able to reverse the mount and the roll that ended the round had the crowd in screaming in mayhem and awe. The decision had a similar response from the crowd. The judges took a very long time adding up the scores, then rechecking them, then ensuring they had it right. Turns out that two of the judges called it a draw, and one gave it to Manuel (28-28,29-29,29-28), awarded a win for Manuel Rodriguez on the night and a decision that might not have been held in high regards by some watching the fight. This decision was later overruled by the CSA and awarded Majority Draw.

Evan Byrne VS Richie Vas

It was Evan Byrne (5 Rings Dojo QLD) and Richie Vas (Gracie Sydney/ TP Fight Team) in the under 65kg next. Some serious knees on the ground by Richie after gaining side control and managing mount but Evan reversed the position. After standing up Richie took Evan down with a huge slam to the crowd’s delight, lifting him up and slamming him to the canvas, landing in side control and taking mount which caused Evan to turn over. Richie sunk in a rear naked choke to end the fight 3 minutes and 34 seconds into the first round.

Brandon Cash VS Jim Yorke

The big fella’s in the under 120kg division were Brandon “Cash” Money (Pro Buhawe/ American Kickbox Academy, USA) and “Big” Jim Yorke (5 Rings Dojo), a truly international clash of the titans. Big Jim stalks Brandon to open the fight, Brandon is not intimidated and attempts a takedown that Jim stuffs. Brandon shoots again taking Jim down ending in side control, Jim attempts to escape and reverse the position but Brandon moves to north south and begins to touch up Jim’s face with punches before moving back to side control continuing to punch before gaining mount. Jim wears some punches before he turns over and gives Brandon his back with both hooks in. Brandon begins an elbowing regime that triggers Jim’s scramble, resulting in both men standing. Jim throws a massive right that seems to glance off Brandons head, but rocks him sufficiently to drop him to the canvas. Jim lands on top of him and starts GnPing until Brandon taps out at 3 minutes and 33 seconds into the first round.

Ian Schaffa VS Jai Bradney

The main event of the evening was a "state of origin" battle between under 70kg fighters Ian “Goshu Hurricane” Schaffa (Double Dragon/ TP Gym, NSW) and Jai “The Toothfairy” Bradney (5 Rings Dojo, QLD). They begin with some strong exchanges, feeling each other out, Jai puts all of himself behind his punches and Ian closes the gap clinching briefly before Ian takes Jai down with a single leg ending in side control. Jai escapes to half guard and sweeps Ian ending on top in half guard manoeuvring Ian against the cage and pinning him. Punching Ian’s face repeatedly as Ian struggles to escape Jai’s control on top, pressing him against the cage and pinning his arm in another crucifix under his knee to rain down more unanswered punches. Ian escapes and a momentary scramble for position see’s both guys on the ground again Jai begins throwing some serious elbows when in Ian half guard. Jai moves to mount and begins raining down some massive blows that causes the ref to step in and save Ian from any unnecessary damage at 4 minutes and 16 seconds into the first round.

The intimate nature of the venue ensured everyone had “the best seat in the house” and the genuine love for the rising sport amongst the fans and fighters helped make this one electric evening of combat entertainment. Everyone was buzzing as they left. It would have been great to have caught a picture of fight fans as they wandered out from under Luna Park’s famous smiling face, because they shared the same expression.

Cage Fighting Championship 15

Cage Fighting Championship returns to Luna Park Friday August 20, 2010 for CFC 15.
For more information visit www.cfcworld.com.au or go to our Facebook site at Facebook.com/CageFightingChampionship.

Written by S. Fields / battlefields