Total Fighting Alliance held its 3rd show at Raleigh Studios right across from Paramount Studios in Hollywood California. Todd Meacham and Richard Rasmussen once again put on an exciting show featuring 8 total fights and 3 title fights. Although the cage was described as a tear drop shape or more accurately described as “UFC-ain’t-gonna-get-my-money-A-gon” for its obvious attempt to avoid having to pay UFC a licensing fee. It seems TFA isn’t the only one WFA has a circle shaped cage and King of the Cage recently introduced a rounded square. TFA shows have done nothing but get better and this one went off without a hitch on to the fights!
Bautista outlasts Sanchez.
Martin Bautista (Team Oyama, 1-2) took on Armondo “Mondo” Sanchez (Camacho BJJ, 6-3) for the TFA Feather Weight (145) belt (5rds x 3min). Although last time I saw both fighters they lost they were now strangely fighting for a title. In his last fight Bautista lost a tough decision to Albert Rios and was looking to redeem himself against Sanchez.
In the first Sanchez, know for his grappling, surprisingly came out striking throwing heavy low kicks that Bautista refused to check. Bautista countered with punches but Mondo got the best of him using his kicks to set up strikes with his hands.
In the second Mondo came out pressing the pace again chasing Bautista around with low kicks, high kicks, and takedown attempts. At the end of the second it was obvious that Sanchez was running low on gas. Oyama made sure his fighter knew it by having him look at Mondo, in between rounds, who was sitting on the mat and breathing heavily in his corner.
Bautista started the third with a slam moving to side mount as his corner screamed for knees to the body. After a heel hook attempt by Sanchez Bautista is once again able to get on top. As the round ends Mondo shows some life and is able to move to mount then get Bautista’s back but unable to mount any sort of attack due to his lack of conditioning.
In the forth Bautista is once again reminded of Mondo’s conditioning and finally takes advantage after a failed takedown attempt by pushing Mondo over and landing in half guard. After a bit of stalling Bautista finally shows some life and is able to finish the fight from the butterfly guard with hammer punches and heavy elbows. The Ref is forced to stop the fight when Mondo is unable to defend effectively. TKO rd 4 Bautista is the TFA 145lb Champ.
Romero Kicks his way to the belt.
Chris David stepped up as a last minute replacement for the injured Aric Nelson to take a shot at Jesse Romero for the TFA Lightweight belt (3 rounds X 3 mins). Jesse had lost his last fight in the TFA but won the next 2 and Chris David was coming off a disappointing loss against Ian McCall at Total Combat 15.
After a brief exchange of punches both men clinched with David ending up on top after a failed throw attempt by Romero. From the top David was able to pass the guard after fighting off an Armbar attempt by Romero. From the sidemount David is able to get off a few elbows and punches before Romero regains full guard. Romero is able to standup in a scramble and the fighters exchange punches and knees. David lands a hard right while Jesse stuns his opponent with a jumping knee. Jesse clinches ending the round strong with some effective dirty boxing ala Randy Couture.
Davis in the second once again comes out strong landing knees form the outside of the clinch but is eventually taken down by Romero. Romero is once again able to finish the round strong from the fatiguing David by getting full mount and sinking in the hooks as the bell sounded.
David counters a takedown again and ends up on top as action begins in the third landing hard body shots to Romero. The fight is stood up due to inactivity and Romero takes immediate action by landing a left high kick that hurts David. David shoots for a sloppy double and is stuffed by Romero. Romero moves to his back but in a scramble both men end up back on their feet. Romero once again lands the high kick on his wounded opponent then fires a left and right as the round ended. Romero Wins Unanimous judge decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) becoming the TFA 155lb Champ.
In other fights King of the Cage vet Jeff Clark (3-0) took on Paul “The Killer” Arras (9-0) for the 185lb title. Arras dominated the fight aggressively attacking Clark with punches before landing a right cross that put Clark to the mat. Paul pounced on his downed opponent landing several punches before the ref stopped the fight.
Photos By Dave Mandel
Full Results
Jesse Romero over Chris David Unanimous Judge Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Rd 3
Paul Arras over Jeff Clark TKO Rd 1
Gary Padilla over Andrew Flores Unanimous Judge Decision Rd 3
Martin Bautista over Armando Sanchez TKO Rd 4
Carlos Quilon over Traver Boehm Doctor Stoppage Cut Rd 2
Adam Lehman over Blake Jones Tapout Armbar 1:02 Rd 1
Chad George over Maurice Eazal Tapout (Guillotine) 1:14 Rd 2
Gilbert Salina over Jonathan Pastrana TKO 0:16 Rd 1.
August 22nd, 2006 Tito Ortiz Signs Contract to fight Chuck Liddell at UFC 66 on December 30th.September 9th 2006 Right before the weigh-ins for UFC 63 Tito Ortiz announced that he has signed the contract to fight UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Chuck Liddell. Within ear shot of Liddell who was signing autographs Ortiz stated that he isn’t scared of Liddell and will once again wear the belt. No word on weather Liddell has signed the contract. [
Since I first interviewed Tom Kenney in early 2004 it was apparent that he and his lucky red striped socks were destined for something great. He was on a quest, a quest to fight in Japan and a quest for the King of the Cage Welterweight belt.
