Elite XC crowned their new 160lb champion on Saturday night as boxer turned mixed martial artist, Karl James Noons, picked up the biggest win of his professional career stopping Nick Diaz getting a TKO by doctor’s stoppage due to cuts.
Many wondered going into the bout with Noons and Diaz if the Cesar Gracie trained student would stand with the professional boxer, but early on is was clear that Diaz wanted to put the fight on the ground and use his superior jiu-jitsu skills.
What Diaz encountered was a tremendous takedown defense from Noons who stuffed him at every turn and used body punches to punish Diaz throughout the round.
After a few exchanges it was clear that Noons was the more technical striker landing power shots to his opponent, one of which opened a huge gash just above Nick Diaz's right eye.
The fight was allowed to continue but later in the round Noons would then land a knee that opened another cut over his opponent’s left eye.
In between rounds doctors examined Diaz and it was determined that he could not continue and Noons was crowned the Elite XC 160lb champion.
While the live crowd in attendance didn’t seem pleased with the stoppage, it was Noons who punished Diaz throughout the round and dominated the bout until it was stopped.
“I was ready for a war but he got cut unfortunately and they had to stop it,” said Noons in his post fight interview. “But I trained real hard and I was ready to go 5 rounds, so it was good.”
Diaz left the ring in disgust, walking to the back without congratulating his opponent and using obscene gestures along the way, showing little class in defeat.
Noons celebrated in the cage as Elite XC presented him with the new 160lb title and proclaimed that Nick Diaz was the best in the world.
“I’m #1 now baby,” said Noons after defeating Diaz.
In other action, internet legend Kevin Ferguson made his professional debut in devastating fashion, finishing journeyman fighter, Bo Cantrell, in just :19 seconds.
After stalking Cantrell across the cage, Kimbo Slice (real name Kevin Ferguson) unloaded a solid combination that clipped his opponent.
Kimbo followed with a heavy elbow and forearm strike that seemed to slam into the back of Cantrell’s ear and he dropped to the canvas tapping out immediately.
“I wanted to show what all this hard work and sacrifice was for,” said a victorious Kimbo.
And as for who the Internet sensation turned Elite XC superstar might stack up against next?
“What’s next is whoever’s next,” Kimbo stated. “Real talk.”
Jake Shields, who just signed a long term extension with Elite XC, proved just why he is considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at 170lbs by dominating Xtreme Couture fighter, Mike Pyle, finishing him with a rear naked choke in the 1st round.
A brief exchange opened the bout, but quickly Shields took the fight to the ground and started to work for a better position.
After gaining the mount, Shields took Pyle’s back and soon locked on the fight ending choke.
The bout was slated to be for the Elite XC welterweight title but Pyle declined a championship bout, something Shields was none too happy about.
“I’m furious,” said Shields about the fight not being for a title. “I deserve this belt, this is my cage, I’m beating up anyone in it.”
Kyle Noke made the long trip from Australia to make his Elite XC debut and was impressive in a win over Seth Kleinbeck, who just recently signed a long term deal with the organization.
Noke used a crisp jiu-jitsu game on the ground to negate Kleinbeck’s offense and eventually on the feet, the Australian landed some solid shots, one of which opened a huge cut over his opponent’s eye.
The gash extremely wide and deep and doctors had no choice but to stop the fight and Kyle Noke, who now trains with Greg Jackson in New Mexico, picked up a win in his Elite XC debut.
In the opening bout of the evening, Antonio Silva returned to action and dominated Jonathan Wiezorek en route to a submission by rear naked choke in the first round.
