MMA News
Josh Bennett
- Full Name: Josh Bennett
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. ...











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