Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked Kazuo Misaki (21-8-2) TKO’d “Diesel” Joe Riggs (28-11) at 2:29 of round two Saturday night in Beverly Hills, north of Los Angeles.
“I’m happy with the win,” Misaki said through an interpreter.
There was a frustrating seven-minute build-up to the fireworks finale in which both veterans circled and strategized while the crowd begged for action.
Riggs struck first in the second round, nailing Misaki with a big left and a kick; but, Misaki countered with a right cross that floored “Diesel”.
Misaki followed Riggs to the mat and landed several shots before referee Josh Rosenthal ended the fight.
“I had my hands covering my head,” argued Riggs after the stoppage. “But it is what it is.”
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion “Punk” Josh Thomson (16-2) knocked “Archer” Ashe Bowman to the fence with a right and followed up with a flurry before referee Herb Dean ended the fight at 1:14 of round one.
Read More About Misaki Bangs Riggs, Thomson Battters Bowman…