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 EVENT REVIEW
What a night of fights. With a total fight time of just 33m 15s, Rehab 3 has to be one of the shortest fight nights in modern MMA. Fans were left screaming for more after witnessing some spectacular finishes and fighter performances. 3 decisions, 3 (T)KOs, 4 submissions and 7 1st round finishes made RFC 3 – A Fighters Scorn a night to remember.
Fight 1 – Muranda Kibawa vs Michael Fisher – 185lbs
Michael Fisher got his career back on track with a dominant performance and did exactly what he needed to do to get his hand raised and walk away with a victory over Muranda Kibawa. His gameplan going into this fight was to use his superior clinchwork to frustrate and rough up Kibawa which he did for the entire 15 minutes. From the opening bell of all 3 rounds, Fisher rushed Kibawa, tying him up against the cage where he overwhelmed him with his superior striking from inside the clinch. He threw a combined total of 130 knees, elbows and punches to Kibawas body and head, landing just under half of them. Unable to get any offence of his own going, Kibawa attempted no less than 30 takedowns, failing every time. His frustration clearly evident, Kibawa did manage to break free midway through the 3rd and get a few shots off. A well timed left right combination opened a cut on the bridge of Fishers nose but after 2 ½ rounds of gruelling punishment, Kibawa was unable to keep Fisher at bay and was pulled back into the clinch where Fisher looked to finish the fight let loose with some devastating elbows to Kibawas head. It was only Kibawas heart and solid chin that kept him on his feet and at the final bell, Fisher ran over to his M/T coach shouting “You’re the man”. A dejected looking Kibawa slumped to the floor shaking his head in disappointment. We went to the judges for a decision where their scores would reflect the beating Kibawa had just endured.
Result – Michael Fisher – W – Unanimous Decision – 30-25, 30-25, 30,25
Fight 2 – Terry McCann vs Paul Hunt – 205lbs
Although only 18 years old and making his MMA debut, Paul Hunt looked every bit the MMA veteran, showing a calmness and maturity way beyond his tender years. Only 18 years old himself, Terry McCann has fought twice already, submitting his first opponent and being submitted himself in his second bout. McCann likes to start fast and this, along with the bright lights and screaming crowds can easily overwhelm an 18 year old who’s making his MMA debut. Not Hunt though. Walking out to the Octagon, he looked completely unfazed by the occasion. His eyes fixed squarely on McCann, Hunt marched into the cage, never taking his eyes off of him. If anything, this seemed to unsettle McCann a little who seemed unwilling stare back. It was, however, Hunts actions in the fight that made people sit up and take note. As expected, at the opening bell, McCann shot across the cage but Hunt stood on the spot, as if waiting for him. McCann swung a series of punches, which Hunt easily avoided then shot in for a single leg. Hunt appeared to rotate slightly so his back wouldn’t be against the cage and allowed himself to be taken down.
McCann landed in half guard but Hunt placed his right foot on McCanns hip as if to push him off to create some space. McCann put his left hand on Hunts thigh to push his leg off but no sooner had he done this, Hunt reached up with his right arm and wrapping it around McCanns neck, pulled him into a guillotine. McCann put his left foot on the floor in an attempt to pull out but again, as soon as he did, Hunt slid under him and into full guard. Hunt leaned in cranking on McCanns neck and within seconds, McCann had gone limp! Hunt rolled him over and jumped up celebrating.
Watching the replay on the big screen, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Hunt had planned this to happen exactly as it did. In his post-fight interview, Hunt praised his opponent but shouted out, making it clear to to Peel Steel (RFCs matchmaker) that he wants to go onto bigger and better things, sooner rather than later. Hunts work earned him SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT honours! The rest of Rehabs 205 pounders had just been put on notice!!!
Result – Paul Hunt – W – Submission (Guillotine) - 0m 50s RND 1
Fight 3 – Kim Toresson vs Martin Robinson – 185lbs
Making your MMA debut, Martin Robinson isn’t really the type of fighter you want to be fighting, the type of fighter who will take you down, smother you, and do just enough for the referee not to stand you back up. Speaking before the fight, Kim Toresson wished his opponent luck, predicting a technical fight that he would probably win. He stated he had no intention of allowing Robertson to lay and pray on him and if he does end up on his back, Robertson better beware of his submissions. The fight started with Toresson throwing a few punches to find his range and after landing with a sweet kick to Robertsons knee which hurt him, Robertson did what we all expected him to do...shot in and took Toresson down. With Toresson pretty active off his back, Robertson had trouble controlling him and soon found himself in an armbar and was forced to defend. He managed to pull free but his left arm was clearly hurt. Toresson quickly swept him and realizing his usual tactics of ground control weren’t going to work this time, Robertson was forced to look for submissions of his own. Knowing he’d damaged his opponents arm, Toresson was content to move around and wait for an opportunity to slap a submission on Robertson.
With Robertson used to being the fighter controlling on the ground, with the role reversed, he began to panic. Toresson picked up on this and began to smother him. With Robertson flailing around underneath him in an attempt to escape, Toresson quickly moved into half guard looking to lock his already damaged arm up in a kimura. Pulling his left foot free, Toresson set himself up and locked it in tight. Letting out a scream, Robertson tapped furiously and that was it.
Toresson leapt up and ran over to celebrate with his manager, Hans Knutsson. With a solid win over an awkward opponent, Kim Toresson has set himself up nicely in RFC. Robertson on the other hand is now on a 2 fight skid and although he was unlucky to lose in his last fight, he was soundly beaten tonight.
Result – Kim Toresson – W – Submission (Kimura) – 3m 47s RND 1
Fight 4 – Jani Lathinen vs Ike Yasuoka – 170lbs
The second of Hans Knutssons fighters making their debuts on tonights card, Jani Lathinen was supremely confident going his fight with Ike Yasuoka. Describing Yasuoka as the perfect opponent for his MMA debut, he dismissed his boxing skills, saying he would take him down and finish him (or f*@k him up with strikes, to use his exact words) within 30 seconds! Man, would those words come back to haunt him. In his MMA debut, Yasuoka blasted away the granite chinned Muffin Muncher in less than a minute and a half. This one didn’t last much longer. The bell rang and straight away, Yasuoka cracked Lathinen on the ear with a left that got his attention. You could see from Lathinens eyes that he hadn’t planned for this.
Yasuoka poked out a left jab and no sooner had that landed, a thumping right hook connected right on Lathinens temple. As Lathinen stepped back to get out of Yasuokas range, Yasuoka simply walked after him and planted a stiff jab straight down the pipe which sent Lathinen stumbling backwards. As Yasuoka walked toward Lathinen, you could see panic in his eyes and he shot in with a half-hearted takedown attempt. As fast as lightning, Yasuoka let off 3 punches to Lathinens head which sent him reeking back into the cage.
Lathinen circled (ran) left, nodding at Yasuoka to acknowledge his striking, to get out of his range and give himself space and time to consider his next move. Lathinens corner were yelling for him to throw one/twos. Lathinen attempted this but clearly hesitant, and not wanting to take any more of Yasuokas punches, he threw a left jab and pulled back out of range. He shot in for another takedown but took a right uppercut right on the button for his troubles. He tried again but this time, took a left that buckled his legs and opened a gaping cut over his right eye. Yasuoka could easily have waded in and finished him off but instead, walked after him as he staggered around trying to keep out of Yasuokas range. As soon as Yasuoka was close enough, he unleashed a left hook that momentarily dropped Lathinen to one knee and as he got back to his feet...BOOM!!! A brutal right hand straight to the chin sent Lathinen staggering backwards. What happened next has to be one of the strangest things to happen in all of MMA. Lathinen staggered and fell on his back, he rolled over backwards and sprung back up off the cage (seriously, read the PBP commentary), threw a legkick which which Yasuoka countered with a stiff right straight that sent Lathinen to the floor. Yasuoka wasted no time in pouncing on him and unleashed a barrage of punches before the referee threw himself between them calling off the fight. All of this happened in less than 2 minutes! In all my time reviewing and watching MMA, I’ve never seen such a one sided, surgical beatdown. Ike Yasuoka is going to be a handful for anyone in RFCs 170lb division!!!
Result – Ike Yasuoka – W – (T)KO Strikes – 1m 57s RND 1
Fight 5 – Fazasi Oyashiro vs Rick Van Buuren – 205lbs
Although Fazasi Oyashiro has a loss on his record, his opponent would be a fool to have devised his game-plan based on this fight. Facing an opponent who was 75lbs heavier than him at a recent QFC tournament, Fasazi was picked up and slammed (a la Rampage vs Arona) into the mat so hard, he was unconscious for 30 minutes. Suffering a concussion, it was touch and go as to whether he would be cleared to fight tonight and even though he was eventually cleared, it was against his managers’ advice. However, he did exactly what was predicted and expected of him by submitting Rick Van Buuren within 2 minutes. A muay thai specialist, Van Buuren landed a punch to Fasazis head at the opening bell, after that, he was taken down and given a lesson in jiu-jitsu by a far superior opponent. As soon as the fight hit the floor. Van Buurens complete lack of ground skills was apparent. He did manage to reverse Fazasi, but only by grabbing the cage, the referee attempted to halt the fight and return the fighters to their original position but Fazasi, supremely confident in his ground game refused, and was happy to work off his back. Fazasi twice faked an armbar attempt by grabbing Van Buurens left arm and turning his hips as if to wrap his legs around his arm.
Each time he did this, Van Buuren placed his head on the outside of Fazasis right thigh and attempted to pull his arm out. Seeing how Van Buuren was reacting to this, Fazasi had lulled him into thinking he was escaping his submission attempts when in actual fact, Van Buuren was being set up for what was to come. As Fazasi, for a third time, grabbed Van Buurens left arm and started to turn his hips and raise his legs, Van Buuren reacted exactly as he thought he would. In a split second, Fazasi flicked his right leg over Van Buurens head and locked up a triangle. Realizing he’d been mugged, Van Buuren attempted to pull out but it was too late. Fazasi tightened up and knowing the submission was secure, he leaned back punching the air in celebration.
Van Buuren tapped seconds later. An ecstatic Fazasi let go and jumped on the cage screaming to the crowd “I love you, thank you”. The crowd rose to their feet applauding, showing their appreciation. Van Buuren meanwhile, sat in the centre of the Octagon with his head in his hands. In a show of sportsmanship, Fazasi walked over and helped Van Buuren to his feet. Fazasi showed that no matter how good you are as a striker, if you don’t know jiu-jitsu in MMA, you’re going to get submitted.
Result – Fazasi Oyashiro – W – Submission (Triangle) – 1m 40s RND 1
Fight 6 – Vidak Korenko vs Erling Koch – 265lbs
With the previous 5 fights ending in first round finishes, the crowd were on their feet by the time amateur boxing champ, Erling Koch made his MMA debut against muay thai specialist, Vidak Korenko. Anticipating a stand up war, the crowd weren’t disappointed. From the opening bell, both fighters stood in the centre of the Octagon, neither taking a backward step, trying to out strike the other. It was Koch who gained the upper hand early on using his superior footwork to evade Korenkos strikes and land some punishing shots to his body. Just a minute into the first, Kochs appeared to have the desired effect as Korenko was beginning to breathe heavy. Countering a Korenko headkick, Koch landed a thudding left hook to Korenkos ribs. Korenko again tried another headkick, this time Koch countered with lightning quick right cross which burst Korenkos lip. Becoming more confident in his ability to counter Korenkos shots and land his own, Koch began walking Korenko down, mixing his body shots up with some tasty leg kicks in an attempt to slow Korenko down and take away his ability to throw kicks. After landing a looping right hand to Korenkos head, Koch landed a seemingly insignificant left jab to the jaw which stiffened Korenko up and sent him tumbling to the floor, his eyes rolling back in his head. Before Koch could pounce and finish Korenko off, the referee pulled him back and waved the fight off. Koch, as surprised as anyone, shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands. Asked after the fight what he thought about the finish, Koch was of the opinion that Korenko hadn’t recovered fully from the earlier blows and that Korenko was on autopilot. It was just a case of the right shot hitting the right place. Erling Koch picked up KO OF THE NIGHT!
Result – Erling Koch – W – KO (Punch) – 1m 45s RND 1
Fight 7 – DJ Bate vs Markku Haapasolo – 135lbs
As with Markku Haapasol, many people wondered whether the hype surrounding 18 year old DJ Bates pro MMA debut was justified. After a successful amateur career, Haapasolo was touted as the next up and coming prospect who was going to take the 135lb division by storm. After being (T)KOd in under 2 minutes in his pro debut, Haapasolo was quickly forgotten and his name barely mentioned now. Bate too is coming in after a successful amateur career going unbeaten in 12 fights. With Haapasolo seemingly unable to adapt his game to suit pro MMA, the same questions are now being asked of Bate. With the fight underway, Bate set out to prove a point and forced Haapasolo into a clinch where he hoped to use his muay thai to work him over. Nerves seemed to get the better of both fighters early on and neither landed anything of significance. About a minute in, Bate started to land with some nice short uppercuts and growing in confidence, he tried working the body of Haapasolo. With Haapasolo unable to wriggle free and break the clinch, Bate started landing with some nice short combinations while avoiding Haapasolos replies. Just before the three minute mark, Bate jolted Haapasolos head back with two short uppercuts. After landing a beautiful left right combination to Haapasolos head, Bate dipped his shoulder and cracked Haapasolo with an almighty uppercut which could be heard all around the venue. Sensing a finish, Bate stepped back and unloaded a vicious assault, landing blow after blow to an unresponsive Haapasolo.
With Haapasolo clearly out on his feet, held up by the cage, Bate looked to the referee to step in. with the referee waving him on, Bate threw a couple more shots before screaming at the referee “He’s done” and stepping back, refusing to punish Haapasolo anymore. With that, the referee stepped in. Bates’ anger with the referees incompetence and late stoppage was there for all to see as he screamed abuse at him before walking away with his hands raised. Once Haapasolo had come around, Bate walked over to him saying he was sorry and asking if he was OK. With the crowd applauding his sportsmanship, Bate ruined the moment in his post-fight interview by bragging how good he is and how he’s going to run through RFCs bantamweights to be the first 135lb champion.
Result – DJ Bate – W – KO (Strikes) – 3m 22s RND 1
Fight 8 – Derek Flood vs Murha Puro – 155lbs
While Derek Flood acknowledged Murha Puro was going to test him, he dismissed any suggestion of him losing the fight. He made no secret of his plan going into the fight, go hard for as long as need be and break his opponents will. With both these fighters being skilled strikers (Flood, Boxing/Puro, M/T), many expected Flood to use his superior grappling
to beat Puro. What we got was almost three full rounds of fighting in the clinch and what was more surprising, was Derek Flood being happy for the fight to take place there. Puro surprised everyone by shooting for a takedown at the opening bell! Flood easily stuffed his attempt and moved straight into the clinch. With Puro having the superior muay thai skills, many felt he would have the upper hand but Flood had obviously been working on his own clinch game. Both fighters went to work, jostling for position and trading punches and elbows for practically the entire round. While both fighters were equally as busy, it was Floods shots that seemed to do more damage. The second round started exactly the same. Again, Flood instigated the clinch and again, both fighters traded blows inside the clinch. Just on two minutes of round two, Flood decided to break the clinch and attempted to use his boxing. Puro was equal to him though and foe every punch Flood landed, Puro responded with crushing leg kicks. With the fight back in the clinch, both fighters had spells of dominance but toward the end of the round, Puro became more aggressive and started to get the better of the exchanges. With the crowd on their feet, he stunned Flood with a crisp inside uppercut and a shot to the ribs that seemed to knock the wind out of Flood.
Flood tried to break free but Purho wouldn’t let him and seemed to be catching a breather as he leaned into Flood and tied him up. Flood, breathing heavy, was happy to let him do this for a few seconds before wriggling free and walking to the centre of the Octagon. The bell sounded just as Flood threw a wild hook which Puro narrowly avoided. After fighting at such a pace for the first ten minutes, both fighters appeared to slow a bit at the start of the third round. Flood began to use his range and peppered Puro with some nice shots to the head. Using his footwork, he managed to avoid many of Puros replies but Puro began to find his own range and slammed a couple of meaty kicks to Floods legs. Checking a leg kick, Flood cracked Puro with a beautiful right hook and shot in and took him down. Landing in half guard, Flood advanced to side control and to the dismay of his corner, jumped back to his feet. He almost regretted this as Puro began to get the better of the stand-up, working Floods legs with some punishing kicks. Gaining in confidence, he beckoned Flood forward and just as Flood advanced, he was stopped in his tracks by a stiff jab. Flood seemed unable to respond so shot in for another takedown. Landing in Puros guard, Flood quickly advance to half guard where he appeared to sit for a few seconds to catch his breath. Flood was unable to pass Puros guard so jumped back to his feet, beckoning Puro to join him. Once there, it was Puro who landed with a creasing body shot and a right cross to the head of Flood that sent him staggering backwards.
Floods corner were screaming at him to take the fight to the floor but with the crowd going wild, there was little chance of him hearing them. He circled away and out of range from Puro in order to regain his composure. As Puro walked him down, Flood threw a lightning quick jab that stunned Puro, giving him the opportunity to close the distance and move into the clinch. After the action these two warriors had put on throughout the fight, you’d be forgiven for thinking they would have been happy to see out the remainder of the round just leaning on each other. But again, they began to trade blows. Sensing he needed a finish to win the fight, Puro began to turn it on with twenty seconds to go. With Flood backed up against the cage, he began to unload him with some hooks to the body. The final bell went and both fighters, exhausted, raised the others hand and walked around the Octagon.
Knowing they had just witnessed something special, the crowd were going wild. This fight really could have gone either way and we went to the judges for a decision.
Result – Derek Flood – W – Unanimous Decision – 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Fight 9 Co Main Event – Kyson Dale vs Peter Lake – 205lbs
A fired up Peter Lake went into this fight wanting to disprove the notion that he was a boring fighter. Criticized for his lay n pray style, Lake vowed to finish Kyson Dale in violent fashion. Dale instigated a clinch right at the start of the first round but within seconds, Lake pulled guard and got the fight to the floor. With the crowd booing in expectation of another fight with Lake doing little more than control his opponent on the floor, Lake did little to change their minds. With Lake happy to control Dale and maintain position for over a minute, the referee stepped in and stood them up. Within seconds, Lake took Dale back to the floor and passed into side control but surprisingly, stood back up beckoning Dale back to his feet. Dale jumped up and clobbered Lake with a left hook but Lake, unfazed, shot back in and scored another takedown.
Landing in side control, it wasn’t long until Lake advanced to mount and began raining blows down on Kyson Dale. Many strikes were bouncing off the arms of Kyson Dale but Lake managed to hit him with two right hands that bounced his head violently off the canvas. With Dale unable to escape, Lake let loose with a barrage of elbows and just on four minutes, he seemed to land with two illegal downward elbows to Kyson Dales head. Looking for the finish, Lake kept Dale on the floor for the rest of the round, displaying some nice ground n pound. Unable to move and taking shots to the head, the referee warned Dale to defend or he would stop the fight. Dale was saved by the bell and as he got to his feet, he was gesturing to the referee about the downward elbows Lake hit him with. Regardless of the elbows, Peter Lake totally dominated that round. Dale came out for round two like a man possessed. After a brief clinch, he landed a beautiful one two to Lakes chin which sent him stumbling back into the cage where Dale cracked him with a liver shot and an elbow to the head which opened a cut above Lakes eyebrow.
Clearly rattled, Lake attempted to pull guard but Dale just stood there with Lakes legs wrapped around his waist, shaking his head. Lake was forced to give it up and dropped back to his feet and right into clinch. After a brief break, Dale regained the clinch and punished Lake for the rest of the round. Stuffing Lakes takedown attempts, Dale refused to let him break free and put a beating on him, landing knees and elbows to Lakes body and head seemingly at will.
Total dominance for Kale in round two. Clearly feeling the effects of the previous rounds beating, Lake tried to get the fight to the floor again in the third, but three stuffed takedown attempts later, Lake appeared to be gassing. Dale closed in on him and took the fight back into the clinch. Lake had no answer to Dales clinchwork and with the crowd shouting for knees, Dale obliged by grabbing Lakes head in the thai clinch and ramming his knees into his ribs. With Lake hurt and on the defensive, Kyson Dale did what he had to to see the fight out. Sensing he wasn’t going to finish Lake, he kept him tied up where he did enough work to keep the referee from giving him any respite. After almost being finished in the first round, Kyson Dale showed true heart to come back and totally dominate a tough opponent in the last two rounds. Peter Lake on the other hand showed true heart to hang in there and go the distance. The fighters were awarded FIGHT OF HE NIGHT HONOURS!!!
Result – Kyson Dale – W – Unanimous Decision – 29-26, 29-27, 29-27
Fight 10 Main Event – Wade Wilson vs Marcus Pereira – 265+lbs.
After an awesome night of action, we moved onto our main event which could only be described as a battle of the giants. Food fan Marcus Pereira, 317lb on the night dismissed his opponent, 275lb Wade Wilson as ‘A skinny guy’ who would be finished quick. Pereira seemed as surprised as everyone when Wilson took him down in the first and set about controlling his opponent while he waited for a submission to present itself. It was Wilson however who was more active and looking for submissions of his own.
With Pereira using his weight to smother Wilson, he managed to separate his arm looking for a kimura but he was unable to pass Wilsons half guard. Resting his head on Wilsons chest for a moment, Wilson moved his body to the side and wrapped his left arm around Pereiras head looking for a guillotine. Pereira pulled out shaking his head and Wilson reached up again, pulling Pereiras head back in but Pereira just pulled his arm from round his head. With Wilson looking to regain full guard, Pereira slipped into full mount and leaned in for an arm triangle. Wilson squirmed out and gave up his back. Realizing his mistake, with Pereira punching him in the head from the back, Wilson did his best to buck him off his back with no success. A lapse in Pereiras concentration gave Wilson the chance to roll over and back into half guard. Nicely done, but with Wilson gasping for air, it was only a matter of time now before Pereira had his way.
He began probing for a submission, grabbing at Wilsons arms to see his reactions. Holding onto Wilsons right wrist with his right hand, Pereira slipped Wilsons guard and into mount and started working for an Americana. On this occasion, Pereiras weight and size worked against him as due to the size of his belly, he couldn’t lean in close enough to apply the pressure he needed and Wilson managed to pull his arm free. In one final attempt to get himself out from under Pereira, Wilson turned over and tried to get to his hands and knees. Pereira was having none of it though.
Taking Wilsons back and pushing all of his weight on him, an exhausted Wilson dropped face first into the mat. Before he realized what had happened, Pereira, had his arm around his neck and sinched a rear naked choke in. unable to escape and unwilling to tap, Wilson was choke unconscious with only five seconds of the round remaining. With no less than five submission attempts in less than five minutes, Marcus Pereira took his second first round finish in two fights, making him an early contender for the inaugural 265+lb RFC strap.
Result – Marcus Pereira – W – Submission (RNC) – 4m 55s RND 1
What an awesome night of fights. Rehab Fighting Championship continues to go from strength to strength. With events now coming thick and fast, we move onto RFC 4 – Heating Up (30/10/2015 – Wild Bobs Bar – Amsterdam), where trash talking Marc Charbonnier takes on one of the stars of RFC, Curtis Crane in the main event. With bad blood simmering between these two, expect more fireworks and another night of great fights. Until then, look out for our pre – event preview on Box Sports 1.
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