A disappointing end for all concerned when defending welterweight champion and Sydney local Shane Nix's knee popped in a freakish Patrick Cote-like accident. In a three round submission battle with veteran Brian Ebersole, Nix never looked to be comfortable. With the crowd behind him, he could do little more than try and keep himself standing. Ebersole is in his element on the ground and totally dominated Nix until his already heavily strapped knee popped/blew out, crowning him the new Australian Welterweight Cage Fighting Champion. Ever the zen master, Ebersole was reflective upon receiving the belt saying that he had lost one the same way, so "I guess what comes around goes around."
Ian Schaffa faced "Blistering" Rob Hill in the first bout, with Schaffa making his intentions clear from the beginning by smashing his gloves down into Hill's after the referee's instructions. A furious first round ensued with both fighters exchanging punches and head kicks. Hill's left high kick connected on several occasions, spurring Schaffa on to do the same, only with punches and his right high kick. Schaffa was cut quickly above the left eye. Further elbows and dirty boxing from the clinch gave this round to Hill.
After an initial flurry of punches and a right head kick from Schaffa, the pace slowed, as the fighters seemed to realize they were in this for the duration. Schaffa had been touted as being the fighter who would progress through to the final, but it was Hill who had done most of the damage in the first and then failed to capitalize in the second. Schaffa produced a couple of beautiful kicks, including a reverse spinning back kick that landed flush on Hill's chest, knocking the wind out of him, a slow round and even round otherwise.
The third round was what this sport is all about. Hill came out and exploded with devastating blows to Schaffa's body, followed by some nice dirty boxing inside the clinch. Schaffa never seemed to recover, with Hill landing a further left high kick followed by a series of punches. With the seconds counting down, both fighters left nothing in the cage, unloading on each other until the final bell. Hill, by unanimous decision, moves into the tournament final.
While the first "Eliminator" fight was kept entirely on the feet, this fight was spent almost entirely on the ground, much to Trekko's advantage. Pang hung in there, but could do little to neutralize Trekko's jiu-jitsu. Trekko dominated the first round, cut Pang badly over the left eye in the second, and by the third round it was a bloody mess with both fighters swapping dominant positions on the ground or working the clinch. While Pang gave an excellent account of himself and lasted the three rounds, it was clearly Trekko's win to advance him to the final against Rob Hill. Moving back down to his natural weight class will make a big difference to Pang.
Perosh showed that he is still a fighter to be reckoned with on any given day. Harper was never in the fight past the opening exchanges. Perosh able to take him down after some hectic clinch work and open up a decent cut above Harper's left eye with some nasty ground-and-pound from half-guard. He simply overpowered Harper. The beginning of the second round was much closer, with Harper sinking what looked to be a deep armbar, but Perosh escaped and unleashed his world-class jiu-jitsu game. From side control, he moved his right leg up to trap Harper's left arm, rendering him incapable of defending the heavy blows Perosh was landing. Eventually Harper, trying to buck and roll out, gave up his back and Perosh finished the fight neatly with a fast and brutal rear naked choke in the second round.
This was one of the most anticipated fights of the night with a large section of the Polynesian crowd - including Pride and Dream fighter Mark Hunt - cheering on Samoan Gordon Graff.
This night, Graff simply had no answer for Fogagnolo's strength, power and submission skill, succumbing to a rear naked choke in the first round. Graff looked lost on the ground with Fogagnolo controlling him as though it were a sparring session. Graff is no joke, but Fogagnolo simply outclassed him.
We didn't see much of Dylan Andrews tonight, with Gracie Sydney student Jacob O'Connell demolishing him in 37 seconds. O'Connell picked Andrews up, slammed him to the surface of the cage and finished him with a slick reverse guillotine. O'Connell came into the arena to a massive reception from the crowd, and pleased them in impressive fashion. A definite crowd favorite.
Pham placed fifth in this year's World Pancration event in Iran and was an overwhelming favorite stepping into the cage. Robertson nearly shocked the crowd early, securing a deep armbar, but Pham lifted himself up, smashing Robertson to the floor and releasing his arm. Pham then put Robertson back on the floor one more time before locking his own armbar onto Robertson, who tapped as fast as he could while his arm was hyperextending. Pham was just too good and looks to be a great young prospect in this weight class.
Gomes's debut for the CFC was nothing short of devastating, although Cooper's corner would have good reason for any concerns they held for the several dangerous knees and elbows that Gomes unleashed. Gomes walked straight through Cooper - who, to give him his due, never complained once and just wanted to keep fighting. A referee stoppage early in the second round prevented Cooper from continuing, rightfully so due to his nose resembling that of a certain Rich Franklin's last year.
