Reliably adequate Nor Cal MMA promotion Strike Force put on a snoozer Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
The event headlined by “The Beast” Bob Sapp’s North American MMA debut was beamed live in HD on HDNet.
BUM-BUM BUM-BUM BUM-BUM BUM
Sapp was TKO’d in 55 seconds by 2-5 South African Jan Nortje.
That’s about as anti-climactic as the fight, which began with Sapp entering the cage to the theme music of “2001: A Space Odyssey”.
But, don’t shed a tear for “The Beast”, who drops to 9-3-1, nor raise your hopes that the cartoon will end.
Sapp has lost before and reportedly has a fight waiting for him 15 March in Dream’s inaugural promotion in Japan. He’s still a draw in the East.
“The Beast” will live on.
Fast-rising middleweight Cory Devela notched a big name on his belt when “Diesel” Joe Riggs was forced to submit at 1:22 of the first round after a judo throw caused an injury in Riggs’s back.
Devela raises his record to 8-1, while Riggs falls to 27-10.
There’s been no word on the nature or severity of Riggs’s back injury, but Riggs was forced off a WEC card last year due to a back injury.
“GameBred” lightweight Jorge Masvidal continued his seven-fight streak with a unanimous decision over 9-3-1 Ryan Healy.
Masvidal has posted wins versus Yves Edwards, Nuri Shakir, and Joe Lauzon and seems ready to step-up in competition.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion “Mo” Maurice Smith welcomed veteran kickboxing star “The Jet” Rick Roufus to MMA, submitting the K-1 fighter in an armlock at 1:53 of the first round.
On the undercard, Washington welterweight “Fast” Eddy Ellis pulled even at 14-14-1 with a unanimous decision versus “Red Nose” Steve Berger.
Hometown heavyweight Mychal Clark punched Josh Bennett’s eye swollen shut to register a TKO at the end of two rounds.
“Fancy Pants” Lyle Beerbohm remained undefeated after submitting fellow welterweight “Relentless” Ray Perales in a guillotine choke 1:19 into round three.
Heavyweight Mike Hayes won his pro MMA debut over Matt Kovacs in a unanimous decision.
Zach Skinner ruined Scott Shaffer’s MMA debut with a unanimous decision victory.
Finally, Nathan Coy improved to 3-0 after knocking out debuting Dave Courchaine in the first round.
Photo courtesy of Jan Nortje.
